Senator Bingaman wrote me back

[all.of.me]

i wrote last wednesday in CAPITAL LETTERS asking that he get some help to the gulf coast. he wrote back yesterday. must have been on vacation....

i also wrote to Domenici and Udall. nothing back yet.

anyway, now i have a bunch of OTHER questions to ask him. but here is his response.


Dear <concerned du-er lol>,

Thank you for contacting me about the tragic aftermath of
Hurricane Katrina. I appreciate your taking the time to write.

My heart goes out to all those affected by the devastation
left behind by Hurricane Katrina. This is a tragedy the scale of
which we are just beginning to understand, and we will be dealing
with its aftermath for years to come. From all accounts, the federal
government's response to this disaster, from prevention to
response, has been inadequate at best. The Senate has plans to
conduct an investigation into these problems and concerns,
including such issues as the time it took to initially respond, the
effect of cuts in Army Corp of Engineers funding on the levees
surrounding New Orleans, and whether National Guard troop
deployments overseas affected our ability to respond to the
hurricane. However, the first priority in the days and weeks to
come should be to work together as Americans to support those in
need in any way that we can.

I am pleased that the Senate has acted on the first wave of
aid by providing $10.5 billion to the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) and $500 million to the Department
of Defense to rush help to the communities and individuals in
distress all across the South. Although the authority for FEMA
rests with the President, please be assured that I will continue to do
everything I can to ensure that the President has adequate funding
for FEMA relief and rebuilding activities. There is far more we
must be doing in the days, weeks and months ahead to help people
rebuild their lives, their homes, and their businesses, and it is my
hope that the people of New Mexico and the country will come
together and do all they can for those in need of help. As you may
know, New Mexico has offered to house up to 6,000 evacuees, and
so far approximately 100 individuals have been relocated to our
state. Should you wish to provide assistance with donations of
goods and services, please contact The New Mexico Human
Services Department at [phone], or by e-mail,
[e-mail].

Again, thank you for writing. Please do not hesitate to
contact me regarding any other matter of importance to you and
your community.

Sincerely,

JEFF BINGAMAN
United States Senator

[blonndee]

1. I called his office last week begging for him to try to help the

people who were dying...I got a bunch of BS runaround. I was very disappointed. However, that doesn't mean we shouldn't keep writing and calling.

Good for you for writing.