[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 44 (Monday, November 7, 2005)]
[Page 1655]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on the Launch of a Nationwide Effort To Respond to Hurricanes 
That Struck Central America

November 4, 2005

    Three distinguished private-sector leaders have agreed to launch a 
nationwide effort to encourage private donations for relief and 
reconstruction in response to the three recent hurricanes that struck 
Central America. These leaders will work with other Americans to raise 
awareness and resources to help those in need as a result of these 
disasters.
    The business leaders are: Steve Reinemund, chairman and CEO, 
PepsiCo, Inc.; Bob Lane, chairman and CEO, Deere & Company; and Maria 
Lagomasino, former chairman and CEO, JPMorgan Private Bank. On behalf of 
our country, I am grateful to these leaders for their readiness to take 
on this important effort.
    In the coming days, they will ask Americans to donate directly to a 
fund set up to provide help to the disaster victims.