    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
    [October 27, 2005]
    [Pages 1612-1613]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Launch of a Nationwide Effort To Respond to the South
    Asia Earthquake
    October 27, 2005

        Five distinguished private-sector leaders have agreed to launch a
    nationwide effort to encourage private donations for relief and
    reconstruction in response to the South Asia earthquake that occurred on
    October 8. These leaders will work with other Americans to raise
    awareness and resources to help those in need as a result of this
    disaster.

        This private-sector effort will complement the commitment the United
    States Government has made in terms of funding, relief commodities, and
    critical military logistical support. In addition, the United States has
    sent a delegation, headed by USAID Administrator Andrew
    Natsios, to the United Nations Emergency
    Donors' Conference for South Asia Earthquake Relief in Geneva.

        The business leaders are Jeff Immelt,
    chairman and CEO of the General Electric Company; Hank McKinnell,
    Jr., Ph.D., chairman and
    CEO of Pfizer, Inc.; Sandy Weill, chairman
    of Citigroup, Inc.; Anne Mulcahy, chairman
    and CEO of Xerox Corporation; and Jim Kelly,
    former chairman and CEO of United Parcel Service of America, Inc. In the
    coming days, they will ask Americans to donate directly to a fund set up
    to provide help to the earthquake victims.

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