    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book I)]
    [January 8, 2005]
    [Pages 25-27]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    January 8, 2005

        Good morning. Americans continue to mourn the victims of the
    devastating tsunamis in the Indian Ocean. More than 150,000 lives are
    now feared lost, including tens of thousands of children.

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        Communities have been decimated from Indonesia to Thailand to India
    to East Africa. Thousands are missing or injured, and millions are
    thought to be homeless or without food and clean water.
        The world has united behind this urgent cause, and the United States
    is taking a leading role. We're working with other governments, relief
    organizations, and the United Nations to coordinate a swift and
    effective international response. We are rushing food, medicine, and
    other vital supplies to the region. And we are focusing efforts on
    helping the women and children who need special attention, including
    protection from the evil of human trafficking.
        This past week, I sent a delegation led by Secretary of State Colin
    Powell and Governor Jeb Bush of Florida to the Indian Ocean region. They surveyed the
    damage in several countries, met with local and regional leaders,
    assessed the relief efforts in place, and began to evaluate what more
    can be done to help. Secretary Powell reported that American relief
    efforts are making major visible progress.
        We have made an initial commitment of $350 million in aid. And those
    funds are being distributed promptly to organizations on the ground.
    Navy vessels, including the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln, have moved into the
    region to help provide food, medical supplies, and clean water.
    Helicopters and other military aircraft are meeting critical needs by
    airlifting supplies directly to victims in remote areas. As in so many
    other places, our service men and women are showing the courage and
    compassion of our Nation to the world.
        We're also seeing the good heart of America in an outpouring of
    generosity here at home. Private citizens are showing their compassion
    in creative and inspiring ways. On a rainy day in Washington State,
    children sold hot chocolate by the side of the road and gave their
    profits to charity. Seven
    professional basketball
    players pledged
    to donate $1,000 to UNICEF for every point they
    scored in a game. American businesses have contributed cash and
    products, and many are matching donations by their employees. Churches,
    temples, synagogues, mosques, and other religious congregations are
    taking up special collections for disaster victims.
        To draw even greater amounts of private donations, I asked former
    Presidents Bill Clinton and George
    Bush to lead a nationwide charitable
    fundraising drive. Their mission is to encourage contributions, both
    large and small, directly to the organizations with recovery efforts
    underway in the disaster area.
        I am grateful to the courageous relief groups that have responded so
    quickly to this catastrophe, including the Red Cross and Red Crescent,
    Salvation Army, Catholic Relief Services, Save the Children, CARE,
    AmeriCares, and many others. Many of these organizations have long
    experience with natural disasters and in-depth knowledge of the recovery
    needs. They're in the best position to use donations wisely and
    effectively.
        To encourage support for these groups, I have signed legislation
    allowing Americans to deduct from their 2004 Federal income tax cash
    contributions made to tsunami
    relief efforts this month. I urge all
    Americans to contribute as they are able. More information about making
    a donation is available on the Internet at www.usafreedomcorps.gov.
        In this time of grief for so many around the world, Americans have
    come together to pray for the victims and families of the tsunami
    disaster. We think especially of the children who have been lost and the
    survivors searching for their families. And we offer our sustained
    compassion and generosity as the people of the devastated region begin
    to rebuild.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 7:50 a.m. on January 7 in the Cabinet
    Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on January 8. The
    transcript was made available

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    by the Office of the Press Secretary on January 7 but was embargoed for
    release until the broadcast. The Office of the Press Secretary also
    released a Spanish language transcript of this address.