Returning the favor, New York sends aid down South

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When the World Trade Center collapsed nearly four years ago, the aid to New York came swiftly and abundantly. Now, as Southern states pick up the pieces left by Hurricane Katrina's wrath, it's time for New Yorkers to return the favor, elected officials said Tuesday."New Yorkers remember when we were in trouble ... people from the country and around the world rushed to help," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said. "We won't forget that; we will do the same thing if we can possibly be helpful down there."

The city deployed a squad of 34 mostly search-and-rescue specialists constituted of police officers and firefighters. They are off to Fort Shelby in Hattiesburg, Miss. The squad's team leader, Joseph Downey -- whose father, Ray, helped create the city's search-and-rescue team and who died on Sept. 11 -- said he expects to find the worst. But the team, which mobilized some 50,000 pounds of equipment for its mission, knows it will represent a city ready to show its gratitude.

"People came up and supported us during our tough times," Downey said. "We'll be able to get a chance to help out." Consolidated Edison dispatched 30 of its specialists in overhead-electricity systems to help their Southern counterparts.
The American Red Cross of Greater New York is planning to send its Disaster Assistance Response Team, a group of active and retired firefighters, to a staging area in Montgomery, Ala.

Gov. George Pataki said the region will be "recovering for years." The state's commitment, he said, would be long-term."We will certainly be there tomorrow and next year as people rebuild their lives and move forward," he said. Bloomberg and other elected officials urged New Yorkers to give money through established charities. Donations can be made to the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City. Checks should include a note indicating that the money is for "Hurricane Katrina Relief."

http://www.nynewsday.com/news/local/manhattan/nyc-hurr0831,0,2994107.story?coll=nyc-moreny-headlines

[Rhiannon12866]

1. Thanks. I saw him presenting the check, live, on camera.

I am no fan of Pataki, but it still made me proud.:-):kick: