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“TRIP DIARY ON BEHALF OF THE HURRICANE KATRINA FARMWORKERS DISASTER RELIEF EFFORT” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Commerce was published in the Senate section on pages S12230-S12234 on Nov. 2, 2005.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRIP DIARY ON BEHALF OF THE HURRICANE KATRINA FARMWORKERS DISASTER
RELIEF EFFORT
Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the trip diary of Dr. John Arnold on behalf of the Hurricane Katrina Farmworkers Disaster Relief Effort.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:
Trip Diary Hurricane Katrina Farmworkers Disaster Relief Effort (The
Largest Interstate Non-Governmental Relief Effort of the Katrina/Rita/
Tornado Aftermath Disasters)
Trip log of Dr. John David Arnold on his 6-day trip to the Hurricane Katrina Disaster States of Mississippi and Alabama from Friday, September 9, 2005 to Wednesday, September 14, 2005--His debriefing trip to federal agencies and Congressional Representatives in Washington, D.C. September 29 and 30, 2005.
INTRODUCTION
Why go to the Mississippi and Alabama? Perhaps because they are rural states with many farmworkers that are consistently ignored and would be forgotten about in the Hurricane Katrina/Rita relief efforts. Also, because of the abject poverty these workers are in. They would be hard pressed to find resources to evacuate. Most had no credit cards, no bank accounts, no gas, nor cars to put it in. A key concern was the remoteness of these rural agricultural states and the lack of adequate infrastructure to deal with Hurricane disasters. Another key factor is that the coastal region infrastructure was all but compromised by the storms. Our long-term relationship with two sister farmworker organizations, Mississippi Delta and Telamon Alabama farmworker councils as contacts would facilitate our relief assistance as their headquarters are located far inland and their infrastructure was intact. This was an opportunity to move much needed relief supplies to that region for present needs as well as establish for the future a permanent emergency relief supply distribution and training center. The following is my diary of the 6 days spent in the Gulf States region from September 9th--September 14, 2005, and subsequent events.
Pre-Weekend Collecting Phase
September 7, 2005: Initial Contact Phase with Gulf States region partners
A. Initial contact with sister agencies Mississippi Delta and Alabama Telamon Farmworker Councils.
B. Conference call LULAC Executive Board to secure
$5,400.00 to pay for the costs of the first convoy of three
(3) trucks with emergency relief supplies from Arizona to Clarksdale, Mississippi
September 8th: PPEP Katrina Relief Effort in Tucson, AZ
I spent most of the day (AM) arranging for transport vehicles and volunteer laborers to load the (3) 26' Penske rental trucks with emergency relief supplies. By noon trucks had been secured as well as 12 students from PPEP TEC Charter H. S., Fernandez Learning Center. Initially the donated items came from both of the 13 PPEP TEC Charter High Schools, the general public, and later the bulk of the items from World Care. Lisa and Pam, from World Care were most generous with the relief supplies they had collected as well as with volunteers, trucks and drivers. The students of PPEP TEC were also great and we worked loading the 3 26' trucks for about 4-5 hours in 107 deg. heat. One of the young ladies passed out and was taken to urgent care--she was fine. The hungry student volunteers were treated to the Home Town Buffet all you can eat buffet. The media was great; CBS Channel 13 showed up and interviewed us about what we were doing as well as the Tucson Citizen photographer Gary Gaynor. During the loading, I was interviewed by Maria Garza live on her Hispanic radio network program. One of about a dozen such interviews daily while I was in the gulf state region. The Washington Post tracked me down in Clarksdale on the abuses to the immigrant workers. We spoke about the need for mobile medical clinics, bilingual volunteers to translate for Spanish speaking volunteers wanting to fill out FEMA Emergency relief applications. There was discussion about Wal-Mart and Home Depot making discounts and jobs for Katrina low income victims to repair their home--of course many do not even have homes to fix nor are the insurance companies willing to pay for it if they did have insurance. The students that helped us load the trucks were impressed with that because of their hard work they were ``now humanitarians--they showed there is hope for the future generations.''
September 9th: Mobilizing Volunteers, Resources, Departure to
Clarksdale, Miss.
A press conference was held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 9, 2005 to thank everyone involved with the relief effort as well as a send off for those 7 individuals on the PPEP staff that volunteered to make the some 25 hour 1,500 mile drive from Tucson to Clarksdale, Mississippi to our drop off point and then fly back to Tucson. They were Art Benge, Olivia Bernal, David Green, Suzette Hamill, George Long, and Samuel Lopez. I flew down ahead of time to make preparations for their arrival and visit farmworker camps in the region. George Long from PMHDC would head up the first convoy. The press conference was attended by the Arizona Star, Tucson Citizen and Channel 4 (NBC) provided coverage. About 35 students and staff along with Representative Ted Downing participated in the send off. Representative Ted Downing spoke of the loss psychologically that Katrina victims have sustained. This includes disorientation because the landmarks are gone, time of day no longer matters, whether it's Sunday or Saturday is meaning less. Despair, poverty, disease, loss of family members and possessions blur everything. Time seems to stand still until the shock wears off, relief or rescue arrives, if ever. During Maria Garza's live radio broadcast, I brought up these points and others; such as need for volunteer bilingual psychological counseling, legal assistance for the victims, bio-hygiene was also discussed as crucial, just to feel clean again. Among the items transported were health, personal hygiene kits, canned food, clothing of all ages, bedding, water, crutches, walkers, infant needs, and even pet food there was need for insect repellent as the mosquito population was exploding carry diseases. Clorox is a priority as the monster mold that sets in afterwards.
My flight to Clarksdale was rerouted to Little Rock, Arkansas 2 hours away from Clarksdale. My purpose for flying ahead of the relief convoy was to make preparations in Clarksdale to set up the proposed storage facility to be used later for distribution of the contents of the three trucks of donated items. Furthermore, we were to have a press conference and tour on Saturday the local emergency shelter with Hector Flores, President of LULAC, Congressman Benny Thompson as well as consult with local emergency officials.
Initially, LULAC contributed the $5,400 to cover rental of the 3 trucks, airfare for drivers to return home, gas and lodging. PPEP, Inc. contributed the staff hours, logistics on both ends of the trip. My flight arrived at Little Rock at 10:24 p.m. where I was greeted by Mr. Nathan Norris a representative from Mississippi Delta Farmworker Council who drove me to Clarksdale. Because of several detours we arrived in Clarksdale at 4:00 a.m.
September 10th Clarksdale, Mississippi Tour/Press Conference/Outreach to Farmworkers, Morning
Don Green picked me up from the Best Western and we had breakfast and talked over strategies for recovery the efforts including microbusiness and housing development. Afterward we went to the Mississippi Delta Farmworker Council office in Clarksdale and greeted Barbara Thompson and met the other staff. I located Hector Flores President of LULAC that had flown into Jackson, Mississippi, and rented a car. During the morning, two groups of Mexican farmworkers came into the office and I translated for them as there were no Spanish speaking workers there or anywhere I went. We made arrangements to go visit the farmworkers that evening where they lived as well as present the services available in Don's job training organization. Don and I went out to Stovall Farms where we saw some farmworkers and also promised to return with Pizza's in the evening and talk to the rest of the group. Back at the office we made preparations for the press conference at 1:30 p.m. Mr. Hector Flores arrived with assistant Mr. Briones and he talked to some of the farmworkers whom had come into the office and took photos with them. We then took off to the local shelter located at the Clarksdale Expo Center. The center was being toured by the local, State, and congressional representative Bennie Thompson. The center was very well organized, equipped, and supplied all with local resources--mainly none governmental. After the shelter tour, we went back to the Mississippi Delta office for the press conference. Hector, myself, and Congressman Thompson spoke to the press and the group assembled there. The balance of the afternoon was devoted to making flyers in Spanish, which I translated, and ordering 60 pizzas and sodas for the evening farmworkers meetings.
At 5 p.m. went back to Stovall Farms passing the Indian burial mounds. We found the farmworkers playing volleyball behind one of the houses. Corn, barley, marlo, cotton, soybeans, rice, and catfish farming are common to the area. There are also some casinos along the river. Some of the people say the once rich soil is being depleted and contaminated by overuse of pesticides. The farmworkers at Stovall listened to our presentation of services, ate pizza, and we took pictures together. Don's group played volleyball with the farmworkers, an important bonding between two diverse cultures yet with the same farm work background. We then left for a trailer park near Clarksdale that housed farmworkers, unlike Stovall farms most spoke English. We ate pizza together with these workers whom were interested in computer, CDL, and technical classes. The Stovall farmworkers wanted English classes. Both types of classes were going to be looked into by Barbara Thompson from Delta.
The last stop was to visit some farmworkers was at Vance, Mississippi, about 15 miles south of Clarksdale. One group of male farmworkers invited us into their home where we exchanged pizza and a Mexican dish prepared by the farmworkers. Afterwards, we took the balance of the pizza to the shelter for the evacuees whom were mostly out for the evening in town. We spoke to the sheriff safety officers at the shelter and they advised us if we were going to the coastal cities of Biloxi and Gulfport we should take extra gas rations as supplies were non-existent. Also, suggested we travel with armed guard or get Military Police escort while in the immediate coastal area as there are armed gangs, car jacking, and looting. Once there, I saw none of that, only people whose dreams were shattered and praying that relief would arrive soon. Also suggested, was that we must leave before it gets dark because it is extremely dangerous and the military has a curfew and will snipers shoot at you. I then returned to my hotel. Most all the hotels in Mississippi are completely filled with evacuees. The first available reservations were in December.
September 11th: Trip to Gulf Coast Region--PPEP Convoy Arrives
We left Clarksdale at 6 a.m. and traveled down Highway 49 through Indianola, Jackson, and Hattiesburg to 1-10 and Gulfport. One of Don's staff personal that drove was armed in case of an emergency. We arrived in Jackson and stopped for fuel to ensure we could get in and out of the Gulf area. From that point on we began to see damage of trees uprooted and buildings in disrepair.
As we got closer to Biloxi and Gulfport, there was evidence of military personnel, shelter tents and relief stockpiles in the open, mainly donated items that were being distributed. People were returning and the areas inland north of the US-90 were congested with vehicles. Perhaps loading up with supplies, rebuilding materials, and families returning to survey what was left if anything. Some of the gas stations were open (long lines) and a few restaurants were all very busy. As we got closer to downtown Gulfport the road was blockaded and cars were screened by the Military Police. The Downtown was abandoned as far as business activity since most of them were damaged, many beyond repair or blown away.
As we approached US-90 the buildings were leveled and the large hotels facing the beach were blown out and only their structural frames remained. Once on US-90 we were stopped again and screened carefully to continue westbound. Once heading west, the evidence of the magnitude of the storm was alarming. The floating casinos were beached. One casino had rested atop what was once a 3-story motel and flattened it. All the businesses along the route were swept away and barely a trace left where they once stood. The large oaks were leveled and stripped of their leaves. Most were up rooted. The banana industry warehouses and trucks near the docking areas were gone. Their mangled and twisted trailer truck frames were scattered everywhere. I took several hundred digital photos with one hand and attempted to videotape the unbelievable devastation with the other hand. As we proceeded east on US-90 in Gulfport, I noticed only empty spaces where many stately mansions I remembered previously seeing were swept away. All that was left was mangled truck frames, vehicles, scattered railroad cars, and enormous uprooted oak trees. Occasionally there were cement steps that once led up to the houses otherwise there was no evidence of some ones home ever being there.
The only structure that remained with some semblance in its former state was the Gulfport Girls College where my mother once attended school, now Mississippi State College. However, upon closer inspection only the walls remained. The building had been gutted by the wind and water surges that were some 30 feet high and winds up to 200 mph. The newer school structures were gone. One heartening thing was the 300-year-old oak tree known as the Friendship Tree apparently survived. I took some photos there and called my daughters Chaska and Tika and let them know the tree they played on was still there. In order to enter the area we had to have a military escort as helicopters were flying overhead watching closely for looters. Military Humvees were patrolling the area and checked on our presence. I took so many photos because I knew I could never describe what I saw nor would anyone believe me. These photos were some of the first taken as we were admitted to the areas shortly as it was opened up to public access. The roadway was not stable in some places and washed away in others. I was careful not to take photos of any families' victims of Katrina that might be surveying the damage. We headed back east on US-90 towards Biloxi, Miss. Once again the former business district was totally devastated or washed away. All the homes were devastated or completely gone. All that was left in some cases were the foundations and front steps. Some owners had left an American flag where there house once stood. One sign said
``Pray for Us'' others said ``looters will be shot.'' We stopped at the Biloxi Fire station to pick up Jacobo Brado from the Mexican Consulate. He was on loan from the Mexican Embassy to provide relief, cash, and airfare back to Mexico for certain evacuees. Also, they were running interference with the local military base that had arrested some illegal workers of one of the re-constructions contractors. He took us to a small Hispanic-owned grocery store where we talked to the owner and patrons whom came into the store about conditions in the Latino community. We also visited a nearby apartment complex where many Latinos live that worked in the casinos that were now damaged. It will take 9 months to a year, weather permitting to get them open again. Most of the tenants at the apartments lost their furniture and personal items during the Hurricane. We also went to a barrio we were told once housed hundreds of immigrants with their businesses and homes. Nothing was left but mounds of rubble, tree fragments, foundations, and heavily damaged vehicles. Some of the rubble was piled 20-30 feet high. It was total devastation. There was a terrible smell of sewage, perhaps rotting flesh, etc. I just could not imagine the once happy neighborhood now devastated beyond recognition. Proceeding west on US-90 in Biloxi was most difficult as the roadway was washed out in several places. Along the beach was a grouping of military tents called
``camp recovery'' I we also saw a hovercraft beached as well as some navel vessels docked. There was also a Mexican Navy ship with medical personnel and portable water purification units there. They were being delayed we were told because of U.S. Customs red tape. After our coastal tour we went and had lunch, there we left Jacobo and his three cell phones and headed back toward Clarksdale, Mississippi. All totaled it was a 6-hour drive from Clarksdale to Gulfport; we stayed 5 hours on the coast and 7 hours returning as we stopped in Indianola, Miss. to see Clanton Beaman.
Clanton heads up the Mississippi Delta Housing programs for farmworkers. I have known him for over 30 years and we talked about the funding of the programs and what would be needed for the reconstruction. Ironically USDOL had cut of all of his emergency and temporary housing funds this year.
We had dinner there and arrived at the Best Western in Clarksdale shortly after midnight. We also were informed that the PPEP relief convoy of 3-26' Penske rental trucks and the 1998 Pontiac van loaded with computers (donated by PPEP Inc) had arrived safely that evening. The Mississippi Delta staff had greeted them and provided a dinner. The sheriff also escorted them from the Arkansas/Mississippi border into Clarksdale.
september 12th: unloading relief supplies from tucson, az
We met the PPEP drivers at 8:00 a.m. and went to the Clarksdale Hospital Cafe, which provided us a free breakfast and lunch. That morning we drove the trucks to the Mississippi Delta distribution point but it was too small. So the Chamber of Commerce provided us a 60,000 sq. ft. warehouse with 3 loading bays free of charge. It took several hours for the local crew to unload the trucks. We contacted World Care in Tucson about the increased storage space for a regional distribution center and Pam from World Care immediately dispatched a 53 semi loaded with more relief supplies. Mississippi Delta received that day 130 calls for relief. They desperately need Spanish speaking personal to reach the Latino Community and farmworkers. We made pleas through the media to get Spanish speaking volunteers to come to Clarksdale. LULAC responded and will send someone and Mississippi Delta will provide housing.
The media, local, national, and international was great. Everyday at noon I provided an update over Maria Garza, Miami based National Hispanic Radio Program. The Washington Post called as did the Hispanic Magazine. The Arizona Daily Star also did a story and photo. These all helped us get more relief supplies and donations to World Care.
Once the trucks were un-loaded, Mississippi Delta treated the PPEP workers to a trip to the ``Rhythm and Blues'' Museum as Clarksdale, as it is the nation's capital for contributions to that music. Many of the greatest blues singers are from that region. Afterwards we returned to the Mississippi Delta office for the signing over of the 1998 (6) passenger van being donated by PPEP along with 5 computers for use in the emergency relief and re-training the farmworkers. We also visited the Chamber of Commerce to see if they would sell the warehouse we are using to distribute the emergency relief supplies. They are asking $650,000 for the property which is an about 10 acres and has railroad and 3 loading docks.
September 13th: Trip to Mobile and Baldwin County--Agriculture Region
Alabama
I left Clarksdale for Memphis to catch a Delta flight to Mobile, Alabama via Atlanta, Georgia. The purpose of the Alabama visit is to identify farmworkers Katrina disaster relief victims and find their whereabouts and needs. On my way to Mobile, I spoke to LULAC and obtained an additional
$4,000 to transport two more 53' semi-trucks to Clarksdale. World Care said they would match several more 53' semi-trucks eventually making it 9 semi-trucks, and 3--26' foot delivery. trucks to Clarksdale. Also, I spoke to Hector Flores to see if he could help Mississippi Delta purchase the warehouse as a permanent regional emergency relief center. LULAC will secure appointments with USDA, HUD, Commerce, and other agencies for my upcoming trip to D.C.
Once in Mobile, Alabama, I headed to the Mexican Consulate located in the Hispanic Ministries building on Dolphin Island Parkway. After briefing the Mexican consulate staff we waited for Michelle Coel of the Alabama Telamon Farmworker Council and her assistant Elizabeth. We all then went to a very crowded Olive Garden Restaurant to have a late lunch and exchange information about what each was doing. Afterwards we went with the Mexican Consulate staff to Fairhope located in Baldwin County. This is a major agricultural region for peanuts, cotton, peaches, etc. Names of the Mexican Consulate staff were: Alberto Diaz (Atlanta), Alfonso Joule (Chicago), David Penaflor (Florida), and Astrid Diaz
(SRE. D.F.), Enrique Maldonado (Consul General), Jorge Cesar (Atlanta).
When we arrived one of Michelle's contacts greeted us and took us to a grocery store where farmworkers shop. There were 75 farmworkers there waiting for us. I translated for Michelle as she explained what Telamon Alabama Farmworker Council does and the services they offer. The Mexican Consulate team that included Enrique Maldonado from the Mexican Consulate in Atlanta, Georgia and staff from other branches of the SRE. They made presentations of their government's services. The farmworkers raised a number of concerns such as;
1. Abuses by local law enforcement officers stopping, citing, and harassing Hispanic drivers to a point they are afraid to drive.
2. Landlord abuses of charging high rents and surcharges along with steep fines if late. Shutting off water arbitrarily. Also having vehicles towed off and throwing out their furniture in the street. Non-refundable deposits of
$1800 are required to move into dilapidated trailers.
3. Abuses by employers refusing to pay workers for their labor. Threatening to call immigration and have them deported if they complained.
4. Fear of government and law enforcement to the point they do not report crimes against them such as robberies, assaults, rapes, etc.
5. No recreation available for the youth, which breeds drinking and drug abuse.
6. No one to turn to for help or to be their advocate.
7. Need for picture identification cards and classes to learn English were top priorities.
8. Expressed the desire to be working and helping with the reconstruction efforts in the region.
Both the Mexican Consulate and Telamon Alabama staff gave out checks for rental assistance, and other emergency needs that surfaced from the workers. The Mexican Consulate and I visited a family in a trailer park that needed to be repatriated to Mexico. Airfare was made available as well as the logistics to get to the airport. There was mention that the US Immigration Authorities were honoring an Amnesty directive to not arrest Katrina victims. Maybe someone in Washington got smart and realized we might need these workers to repair the devastated Gulf States. Later I found out this was contradicted by numerous arrests of illegal workers. The message from Washington on this issue was not clear. Also, it was reported in the newspaper that several victims whom applied for disaster assistance were in deportation hearings. This experience pointed out how poorly we are prepared to make accessible emergency relief services or even to notify and evacuate these workers when danger is eminent. Also, it pointed out the greed that drives abuses and discrimination and harassment directed towards our farmworkers. Also, the need for Spanish speaking workers at hospitals, schools, banks, police forces, county, state, and federal offices. Ironically, it was at the Mexican Consulate I found that they were the only governmental agency on the scene along with the USDOL NFJP WIA 167 grantees that provided Spanish speaking services. They also rescued me and provided lodging in Mobile as there were no hotels available. We crashed with the Mexican media and staff in a 4-bedroom house.
September 14th: Tour of Bayou La Batre and Pascagoula, Miss. Disaster
Regions
I got up early and called the airport transportation dispatcher and told her I wanted to tour the coastal disaster areas. I left at 8:00 a.m. from the Mexican Consulate house and proceeded west to Bayou Batre. I was told this is one of the most important gulf shrimp and fishing areas mostly run by Cambodian and Vietnamese immigrants. There were reports that Latinos were moving into the area as well. I noticed at the local store ``Jurritos sodas'' and other favorite food of Latinos. However neither the Asians nor Latinos could be found because there homes were wiped out.
As for the fishing port area it was heavily damaged and well as the residential and business districts. There is grave concern about the water quality for the shrimp and fish. Government workers were on rafts testing the waters. The stench was almost nauseating. The driver took me along the coastal area where the fisherman once lived. There were very few structures left as the storm surge was up to 30 feet. The fishing peers were just poles in the water and none of the infrastructure survived. I could see the water line on the trees as well as debris high up on the limbs. There were fishing ships overturned and some pushed far inland. Upon returning to highway 90 I proceeded to Pascagoula, Mississippi. By the way, the driver ``James'' pointed out the alligator farm that made the national news because of the 200 alligators that had escaped. We stopped and I saw an enormous bull alligator still in his confinement.
However, across the parking lot in a shallow pond, there was a small alligator that peered up at me, when I approached him he lunged forward at me.
Once in Pascagoula, Mississippi, I observed much of the devastation I saw in Gulfport and Biloxi, but on a much larger scale. The devastation on the waterfront neighborhoods was total. Some huge homes had been pushed inland, others destroyed on their foundations. Most of the lots had only their concrete front steps. Otherwise, their lots were swept clean by the force of the winds and 20' to 30' water surges. Some locals said that the gusts of winds got up to 200 miles an hour. In the interior neighborhoods the people were just returning and you could see clothing drying out and mounds of ruined furniture and appliances piled up, tagged, out front for removal. Some streets were still blocked because of the debris, service trucks, and removal equipment.
Everywhere there were utility vehicles restoring power, dump trucks, cranes, front loaders, and emergency vehicles. There was definitely a bustle of activity to restore some semblance of the community. There were some gruesome stories such as before one hardware store could open 5 dead bodies had to be removed from the roof. As for comparisons to Hurricane Camille the old timers said Katrina by far was the worst. Even the elevated railroad bridge and Highway 90 were breached this time. I had to hurry back to Mobile to catch a plane, but the driver said there was not enough time so we continued on the Pensacola, Florida to catch a flight to Tucson, Arizona via Dallas, Fort Worth. On the way to Pensacola, Maria Garza gave me 25 minutes on her program to discuss the aforementioned negative situations with the farmworkers we found in Baldwin County, Alabama.
Upon my return to Tucson we had a press conference to debrief and thank the volunteers and our partners such as LULAC, PPEP TEC Charter High School students, and World Care. By then five more 18-wheelers from World Care had arrived in Clarksdale, Miss. In Mobile, Alabama, we have located another warehouse as a sub regional distribution center. Yes there was another Hurricane since then, ``Rita'' who spawned high winds, water, and tornados in the Clarksdale region. Both Hurricanes were category 5 and three weeks apart.
After Rita, the only indoor relief center was in Clarksdale as most others were left to the elements and ruins. Don and I made plans to travel to Washington, D.C. to hopefully meet with government officials; USDOL, USDA, HUD and Commerce to find resources to keep the relief center permanent for economic development and training. We also will attend the National LULAC Board meeting while there and thank them for their donations. We will show a PowerPoint we developed showing the relief efforts, the devastation, as well as a photo album and this trip diary.
Summary
What was accomplished on this short trip to the Gulf States was the following:
1. Collection and transporting of emergency relief supplies from Tucson, Arizona that included 6 53' semi-trucks, 3 26' semi-trucks, donation of 1998 (6) passenger van with (5) computers. PPEP, INC. staff which drove these trucks came from our school, property management, finance, and housing divisions. World Care whom we owe the greatest thank you provided 9 semis and CDL drivers. Lisa and Pam of World Care get 3 gold stars! They never said ``No''--just that ``more trucks are on the way.'' LULAC earns a gold star for providing $10,000 to cover the cost of 3 drivers' food, 2 semi's, lodging, 3 rental trucks, gas and associated costs.
2. Establishing in Clarksdale, Mississippi a permanent regional emergency relief distribution, training, and economic development center. We secured free of charge a 10 acre 60,000 sq. ft. modern warehouse with 3 truck bays, railroad spur for securing storing and distribution of emergency supplies. We need $650,000 to purchase the building.
3. We helped bond relationships between the African American community and the Latino community everywhere we went. Jesse Jackson and Hector Flores of LULAC have named this the ``New South'' partnership.
4. We have helped surface the abuses and discrimination that is on going in the region against Latinos. We owe much gratitude to Maria Garza and her national Hispanic radio program that aired my updates each day. As well as the Mexican Consulate staff from Atlanta, Georgia.
5. We have given the local farmworkers staff and the farmworkers our love and concern and the knowledge that there are many of us out there that care about them and this forgotten region.
6. Learned to appreciate what it means to lose all your earthly possessions, pets, including loved ones.
7. Set the foundation to continue supporting the long-term recovery efforts long after FEMA, Red Cross, and the Salvation Army, which never arrived for the farmworkers and other relief agencies, depart the region.
8. We found out great and lasting relief efforts for those forgotten really do work--even without federal dollars.
An important thought came to me; President James Madison once said ``those societies that honor the workers that toil the fields shall endure.'' I observed that in the Katrina crisis brought out the best and worse in our society. If all the dedicated efforts I witnessed made during the aforementioned relief efforts are any indication--then President Madison would be proud of them.
The Debriefing in D.C.--Post Katrina/Rita/Tornado Aftermath
On Friday, September 30, 2005, Don Green and myself made several visits in D.C. on Capitol Hill as well as meeting with federal officials to present our Katrina/Rita emergency relief report and recommendations on what is needed not to help provide much needed relief as will as re-construction of the rural agriculture regions.
Furthermore, the important of the Clarksdale facility as a permanent emergency relief distribution training center, we also presented our concerns on civil rights violations, and wide spread abuse by tenant landlords and the failure of FEMA, Salvation Army, and the Red Cross to reach farmworkers hurricane victims. Perhaps a good reason not to give to the Red Cross or Salvation Army because at it never will get to farmworkers. Best give to local charities and relief organizations that have on going contacts with farmworkers. We presented the fact that these agencies had they found the farmworkers there were no Spanish speaking field workers. We also discussed the failure of federal agencies medium of communication to warn farmworkers of eminent danger as well as relief efforts. Most federal agencies were putting the word out over their websites or in the media but in English. Of course farmworkers do not have computers and when electricity was out so were the radios.
USDOL Meeting
We raised the concern with USDOL that by sending all its relief monies to the State Work Force Investment Boards the relief does not get to the farmworker community or the organizations that serve them. We also made note that USDOL contracting with privately owned personnel agencies that have no previous experience providing job referrals to farmworkers. Furthermore, we made mention that the government and relief agencies bypassed the USDOL WIA 176 NFJP farmworker job training grantees in Alabama and Mississippi that had a combined 40 years experience serving local migrant and seasonal populations. Don Green submitted a proposal to USDOL for $80,000 to hire 3 Spanish speaking outreach workers to assist the farmworkers victims. USDOL is to get back with him on that request. We also requested USDOL for funding to create a training program for operating an emergency relief warehouse and distribution center. Training would include forklift operations, CDL truck drivers, warehouse management, inventory, receiving and distribution, accounting, computer, and English classes.
HUD Meeting
Meeting took place in the office of the Deputy HUD Secretary Roy A. Bernardi, whom we presented the need for acquiring the $850,000 needed to purchase and renovate the Clarksdale facility. Our Katrina/Rita Relief Report was also presented and we requested that Secretary Jackson take this report to his briefing at the White House later in the day.
USDA Meeting
Met with Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Charles F. Conner and his assistant Annabelle J. Romero and also presented the need to provide funding to obtain the Clarksdale Relief Facility. We also presented to the Civil Rights Deputy Assistant and presented the civil rights and blatant abuses of farmworkers in Baldwin County, Alabama.
US Department of Commerce
We met with Secretary Gutierrez and presented him the Katrina/Rita Report. He was most interested and indicated that we would contact HUD and USDA and see how the 3 agencies could be of assistance in obtaining the Clarksdale Facility.
Direction of Office Personal Management
We met with Director Carol Springer and staff regarding Spanish media outlets to get the word out to farmworkers during emergencies. Also, requested her to talk to FEMA and other governmental agencies about the need for hiring and training Spanish speaking workers to interface with farmworkers and others in the workforce.
On Capitol Hill
We were able to also present our Katrina/Rita Relief Reports to Arizona Congressman Raul Grijalva, Senator John McCain, and Ken Salazar (Col) directly. We also spoke to the staff of Senator Mike Enzi (WY); Senator Lieberman of Connecticut, Senator McCain took special interest in the report because of family roots in Mississippi.
LULAC
Don Green and I were recognized at the LULAC luncheon, and allowed to give our profound thanks for the $10,400 LULAC contributed for trucking of relief supplies from Tucson to Clarksdale, Mississippi. Don Green received the LULAC Presidential Citation Award by President Hector Flores for the job he and his agency had done to help farmworkers in Mississippi.
That evening Leticia Aragon, President of LULAC Council 1091 of San Luis, Arizona, presented Don Green a check for
$1,075 which was collected by the farmworkers adult and youth from her hometown to help fellow farmworkers in Mississippi. Eight farmworker youth who were attending the National LULAC Leadership Conference in D.C. joined in the presentation. On Saturday, I officially presented the Katrina/Rita Relief report to the LULAC National Board meeting and thanked them for their generous support both financially and other support including opening doors to the government agencies to hear our case.
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