[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 43 (Monday, October 31, 2005)]
[Pages 1608-1609]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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

[[Page 1609]]

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.