[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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