September 09, 2005
September 9, 2005
State Government Committed to Helping Katrina's Victims
LANSING – In her weekly radio address, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today highlighted Michigan’s commitment to protecting citizens in Michigan as well as those affected by Hurricane Katrina.
“Whether it’s caring for families after a natural disaster or making sure that seniors are not the victims of abuse, the role of government is always to uplift and protect citizens,” Granholm said. “And in Michigan last week, from housing hurricane evacuees to protecting consumers at the pump, state government was working to do just that.”
To date, Michigan has welcomed hundreds of evacuees at Fort Custer in Augusta, near Battle Creek. The state has deployed more than 600 men and women from the Michigan National Guard, more than 30 Michigan State Police, who were part of a larger group of state and local law enforcement officials, and 50 conservation officers from the Department of Natural Resources, among others. Thousands of citizens have called the state’s Hurricane Helpline to donate goods and services to help the evacuees, and many more are continuing to donate money to the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and other relief efforts.
Even as the state is assisting in the relief effort, Granholm stressed that state government has continued to take steps to protect Michigan’s families.
To combat high gas prices, Governor Granholm increased the number of gas inspectors in the state, declared an energy emergency to ensure gas could be quickly delivered where it was needed most, called on President Bush to cap oil profits, and spoke with executives from Marathon Oil Corporation about reducing gas prices, and commended them for doing so.
“I want to encourage citizens to remember that there are people in need every day across our state – and whether its during a time of national crisis or a time of need for a Michigan family, each one of us can help to heal the pain of others,” Granholm said.
The Governor’s weekly address is released each Friday at 10:00 a.m. and may be heard on broadcast stations across the state through an affiliation with the Michigan Association of Broadcasters. The address will also be available on the Governor’s Website on Mondays as a podcast for general distribution to personal MP3 players and home computers.
Broadcasters Note: Governor Granholm’s radio address can be accessed through Sunday evening exclusively through the Members Only Page of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters website: www.michmab.com.
Publishers Note: The text of today’s address is attached.
