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Motion Expressing the Sense of Council of Allegheny County expressing the deepest sympathy and remorse for the need to relocate survivors of Hurricane Katrina, together with the most sincere resolve to welcome and aid individuals who are relocating to Allegheny County.
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WHEREAS, Hurricane Katrina struck Florida as a category 1 hurricane on August 25, and struck Louisiana as a category 4 hurricane on August 29; and
WHEREAS, the current confirmed death toll from Hurricane Katrina is 233, although estimates of potential victims yet to be discovered range into the thousands; and
WHEREAS, the City of New Orleans was particularly devastated when, as a result of Hurricane Katrina, nearly eighty percent of the City was left underwater; and
WHEREAS, over two million individuals in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida remain without electrical power nearly a week after the storm; and
WHEREAS, the American Red Cross reports nearly 135,000 individuals that were displaced by the storm have been relocated to over 500 temporary shelters located in 12 states so far; and
WHEREAS, on September 5, Governor Rendell announced plans to assist in the process of giving all possible aid to survivors of Hurricane Katrina by providing for relocation to Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, this endeavor has already found wide support within the community from the City of Pittsburgh, local housing authorities, faith communities, foundations, private industry, medical and behavioral healthcare systems, public schools, local universities, and human services agencies including The Urban League, Goodwill Industries, Catholic Charities, Jewish Family and Children's Services, the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank, the Salvation Army, the American Red Cross, and the Boys and Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania.
NOW THEREFORE, IT IS MOVED, AND IT IS THE SENSE OF THE COUNCIL OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY, that this Body supports the relocation of survivors of Hurricane Katrina to Allegheny County. We express our deepest sympathies to the residents of the affected areas for their losses, and pledge to honor both the memories of the victims and the steadfast resolution of the survivors by assisting individuals relocated to Allegheny County to the best of our abilities, with all available resources and all possible speed. Their stay here is occasioned by tragedy, and we welcome them as members of our community with open arms and sincerest wishes for comfort in the coming days.