For Immediate Release:
September 9, 2005

BOSTON DELEGATION LEAVES FOR HOUSTON TO WELCOME EVACUEES TO MASSACHUSETTS

BOSTON — A delegation of leaders from Boston traveled to Houston last night in an effort to encourage and welcome evacuees that may soon travel to the Otis Air Force Base on Cape Cod. Senator Dianne Wilkerson (D-Boston) and State Representative Gloria Fox (D-Boston), along with Reverend Richard Richardson and Reverend Gerald Bell of the Black Ministerial Alliance (BMA) will visit the evacuees in hopes of answering any questions and concerns they may have regarding what to expect from their stay in the Commonwealth.

“It is my hope that the survivors of Hurricane Katrina will look at staying in Massachusetts as a positive option,” said Wilkerson. “It is important that they know we are rolling out the red carpet for them and are prepared to answer their questions as to what to expect when they arrive. We have 3,000 warm beds and we would like to fill them with as many evacuees as we can and take them out of the misery we have all witnessed.”

Members of the delegation were especially disturbed after they learned directly from evacuees in Houston that the evacuees knew nothing about Massachusetts and that there was nobody on the ground to tell them anything.

“When we greeted evacuees arriving at Otis this afternoon, they cheered when they hit the ground and were greeted by actual residents of Massachusetts,” said Bell. “By visiting Houston, we hope to welcome many more people to our state.”

The Otis Air Force Base has the amenities that would allow for a large group of people to be adequately sheltered while their homes are being rebuilt. Along with recreational and educational facilities, the delegation believes that the dedication and good faith the people of Massachusetts have shown since the hurricane make it an ideal spot to house evacuees until it is safe for them to return to their hometowns.

“I’m glad to be able to have a first hand look at what is happening in Houston and try to give them reassurance that people in Massachusetts are prepared to work with them,” said Richardson. “On behalf of my Senator, my Representative, and the BMA, I consider it a privilege to visit the survivors
and see what we can do to try and help those who come to the Commonwealth.”

The delegation is also interested in the long term implications of the rebuilding of cities impacted by the hurricane so that the survivors actually benefit from this rebuilding. As the placement in Massachusetts is only temporary, it is crucial that there be a plan for the future of both their emotional and social
stability.

“I look forward to finding out how those of us in Massachusetts can assist in any way and how we can help in the long term plans and process for moving evacuees to permanent homes in both the cities they came from and beyond,” said Fox. “It is my hope that we can also unite our congressional delegation, the National Caucus of Black State Legislators, and community activists, among other groups, to discuss how we can enhance business and economic stabilization in the destroyed areas.”

The delegation returns to Boston at 6 p.m. on Saturday, September 10.