A Mission By the People, For the People

A Mission By the People, For the People
The People's City Mission Demonstrates Effective Compassion

Washington, Oct 3 -

Americans have long been a people with a mission. We possess a deep desire to show compassion to those who are in need, and we believe that this compassion is best demonstrated when communities come together to engage personally with the problems we face.

This spirit of compassion has burned bright in the wake of disastrous hurricanes in Mississippi, Texas, and Louisiana. People from coast to coast have opened their homes and their hearts and their pocketbooks to those suffering in the wake of this tragedy. Right here in Nebraska, firefighters, National Guard personnel, and others have lent direct support to the stricken region, and local communities have welcomed evacuees in desperate need of a place to call home.

It was my privilege this week to visit and officially recognize the work of the People's City Mission in Lincoln, one shining example of such compassion in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The City Mission operates upon the principle that people need far more than just food and shelter to thrive, thus they seek to provide the nurturing environment of a caring community.

Since Katrina struck, the Mission has provided food and shelter for over thirty people, comprising nine families who were driven from their homes in Louisiana. Local churches are providing for up to six months of rent for these families in the community of Lincoln. The goal is to enable these families to live as normal a life as possible, given their difficult circumstances.

Importantly, those seeking work have also already been placed in jobs, enabling them to make a productive contribution to their own recovery effort. Whether they ultimately decide to return to their former homes or make Lincoln their new home, they will have been supported by neighbors during this difficult transitional time.

The scale of destruction wrought by the recent hurricanes obviously requires a rebuilding effort that draws upon government resources. While money necessary for this work is now flowing to the region, we must guard against a blank-check mentality. Roads, bridges, and infrastructure must be rebuilt in smart and innovative ways that prudentially utilize our resources. Real sacrifices might have to be made elsewhere to carry out this reconstruction in a responsible manner.

In response to the Hurricane, Congress has also taken some innovative steps which encourage the kind of charitable response that embodies our national spirit. The Katrina Tax Relief Act lightens the tax burden and extends deadlines for individuals affected by the Hurricane. It also provides incentives for charitable giving and encourages employers to put people back to work as quickly as possible. Congress has also waived many regulations, making it easier for survivors to navigate unsettled lives.

The federal government is playing a crucial role in the reconstruction of the Gulf Coast. Yet the work of the People's City Mission and other community organizations is a reminder that the most effective assistance ultimately demands more than any government agency can provide. A neighbor's helping hand and the long-term support of a community are essential ingredients in a long-term, healthy recovery.

http://fortenberry.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=35230