Former Presidents Bush and Clinton today announced $90-million in grants that will be made by the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund, a charity they established to provide help in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
The fund will distribute $20-million for "a ministerial partnership with local and regional faith-based organizations," according to a statement issued by the charity. Another $30-million will go to Gulf-region colleges that were devastated by the storm, and an initial disbursement of $40-million will be given to recovery and relief funds set up by Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.
The former presidents said churches and other religious groups played a key role in relief efforts, and now needed help themselves. "In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, local and national churches and religious organizations were tremendously helpful in providing for the needs of the people of the Gulf Coast, but at extreme financial strain," said Mr. Clinton.
Added Mr. Bush: "We need to make sure these organizations can continue to provide their necessary services to the community, and that they are not punished for doing such important work."
Mr. Bush and Mr. Clinton named Don Evans, former commerce secretary, and Alexis Herman, former labor secretary, as co-trustees who "will guide the fund" on behalf of the two former presidents, according to the charity.
For information about today's announcement, go to the fund's Web site, http://bushclintonkatrinafund.org.