The skies have cleared and the waters are receding. From what remains of the storm, Katrina is nothing more than a wisp of clouds over the Atlantic. But her memory remains.
In the end, she was too much for our own design. Homes, businesses, roads and levees gave way to her. But we’ll learn from them.
She was too much for our fragile bodies. Hundreds, possibly thousands of lives were lost. But we’ll never forget them.
She tested a nation. Gas prices, controversies, and lawlessness have stricken us. But only for a time.
Here at home and across the globe we have watched an even greater flood: a flood of compassion and decency. Billions of dollars have been pledged to America and volunteers from around the world have joined us in our recovery efforts. Taiwan has donated $3 million, Nigeria has pledged $1 million, China offered $5 million and rescue workers, Japan has offered $200,000 to the American Red Cross, and up to $300,000 in emergency supplies, Canada has offered its navy to ship emergency disaster relief supplies, Mexico has offered $1 million and is sending 15 truckloads of water, food and medical supplies via Texas and has offered its navy.
Even Cuban President Fidel Castro offered to fly 1,100 doctors to Houston with 26 tons of medicine to treat disaster victims. Venezuela, Singapore, South Korea, Afghanistan, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Great Britain, Qatar, Iran, Israel, Kuwait, and the list goes on. Reuters has reported that over 60 nations have offered aid. But the most heartfelt comes from India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Indonesia, the four countries hardest-hit by the December 26 tsunami.
It’s amazing to consider the outpouring from around the world, but it is just as amazing to watch our friends and families respond here at home. I’m so proud of the response I have seen from the Rensselaer community, in particular. As we’ve welcomed Tulane and Xavier students for a semester, I’ve had a chance to meet with some of them. Again and again, I am reminded of the reality they have escaped: people who have lost relatives, children, homes and livelihoods remain huddled together in places that aren’t anything like a home. Some of the students that have joined us have walked away from such conditions, and many of them will never return to the life they knew before.
From afar, I feel unbelievably guilty. Each night I go to sleep with a full stomach, to a bed with 600 thread count sheets, in an apartment with air conditioning, cable television and a private bathroom. I have more possessions in my backpack than many of them have left in the world.
But I am far from helpless and so are you. Last week the Student Senate unanimously issued a call-to-arms to the student body in the form of a resolution that challenges students to unite in exceeding the $35,000 contributions made by the RPI administration. The effort has become affectionately dubbed “Project Hope.”
Each member of the Senate has led with initial personal contributions ranging from $10 to more than $200. I join with the Student Senate in asking that you help us reach this goal on behalf of the victims of Katrina and in memory of the loved ones lost.
I am very proud of the entire student body’s response by stepping up as leaders in the aftermath of Katrina. It wasn’t the resolution that mattered; it was the response that we see today from so many of our clubs and organizations. Whether it is a gen psych class, a loose knit association of students, APO, a fraternity, or a veteran organization like RPI Relief, our students have shown their true colors.
Exceeding the goal of $35,000 will not be easy, but that’s precisely the point. It’s easy to fall back into the “business-as-usual” mindset, but we must not forget the grim reality that has left one million souls battered. The Student Senate’s Community Relations Committee—led by Zack Freeman and Lindsay Denton—is coordinating a number of fundraising efforts. If you or your organization would like to assist, please contact Zack at freemz@rpi.edu. Also, the committee urges all campus-wide groups to report any fundraising efforts so that a running tally may be kept by the Office of the First Year Experience.
We will overcome in this great challenge. We always do. America may shudder, but we will never shatter. Join with us today by making your contribution to drop locations in the Union Administration Office or the Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity’s office on the third floor of the Union.
