A Good Start for the Gulf Coast; Let the Relief Begin

President Asks Bush and Clinton to Assist in Hurricane Relief Efforts Reminiscent of George W. Bush’s request of help from former Presidents George H. Bush and Bill Clinton with Tsunami Relief, GWB called upon the two once again to assist in the Hurricane Katrina Relief efforts. President George W. Bush said the following: (video of speech)

This recovery is going to be a long process. It’s going to take a lot of hard work and patience and resolve. It’s also going to require a lot of money. And the federal government will do its part. But the private sector needs to do its part, as well. And that’s why I’ve asked Presidents Bush and Clinton to lead a nationwide fund raising effort to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. In the days ahead, the former Presidents will ask Americans to open their hearts and their wallets to help those in need. And they’re going to talk to large corporations and small businesses and individual citizens across the nation. The contributions will benefit the relief organizations that are doing vital work on the ground. We’re going to take a look and make sure that the money raised is money needed. Right now if our fellow citizens want to help, they ought to give a cash donation to the Red Cross, which they can find at phone number 1-800-HELP-NOW.

Tonight the Senate met in a special summer break session to pass a high-speed $10.5 billion to cover Hurricane Katrina costs.

It’s no easy task, putting that kind of money on the fast track. But the devastation in New Orleans, Mississippi and other Gulf Coast areas puts unprecedented pressure on Congress to help. “This country’s never seen a refugee challenge,” Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., said Thursday on CNN’s “Larry King Live.” “Hot-lining a bill” is Senate shorthand for the expedited process by which leaders bring up and pass a bill with only a few members present because nobody objects.

It took the Senate roughly 30 minutes to pass the bill.

Walmart donated 15 million to to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Update: MSNBC; Music stars’ hearts are with Katrina victims

She ( Ellen DeGeneres) joined Donald Trump, Peter Boyle, Jason Ritter, Access’ own Nancy O’Dell and fellow New Orleans native Wynton Marsalis for the WNBC New York City Telethon on Wednesday night to raise over $8 million for hurricane victims.

“It hurts me, it’s my hometown,” Marsalis told us. “I know the spirit of New Orleans in in all of us.”