Presidential Perspective
As you are all aware, Hurricane Katrina has created unspeakable destruction along the Gulf Coast stretching from Louisiana to the western panhandle of Florida. The survivors of this disaster will face unprecedented hardship in the days, weeks, months and years ahead. This catastrophe has destroyed lives and property, yes, but it cannot break the spirit of the men and women and families who will rebuild their communities stronger, tougher, sturdier and more vibrant than ever before.
To our brothers and sisters along the Gulf Coast: Congratulations for a job well done. You all persevered under incredible hardship and against all odds. You evacuated your airports as the storm approached, and you brought them back to life before the waters even began to recede. Every single one of you is a hero to your families, your coworkers, your union and your country. I hope that if I am ever faced with the terrible trauma you faced on Aug. 29 and beyond I will have one tenth the strength and wisdom you have all displayed in the face of great challenge and adversity.
In New Orleans: I want you all to know how deeply worried about you we are, and how committed your union is to your safety. We are grateful that there wasn’t loss of life, and we are strong and unwavering in our support for you. Your ability to bring much-needed order to the chaos enveloping the airport prevented further tragedy from unfolding and facilitated the saving of many lives. You continued to save lives without even knowing what had become of your own families or property while working unheard of hours with little relief. Your living conditions are miserable, your food and water supply tenuous and even your basic needs sometimes cannot be met. In the face of those odds you have not only survived, but also succeeded in ways unimaginable.
In Baton Rouge: You should feel pride in knowing that when your country needed you, you did not let her down. You ducked the worst of the storm and then punched back with a professional fury like none I have ever seen. You grew your airport by 500 percent in a matter of hours handling life-flights, rescues and tens of thousands of evacuations. You stepped up, you strapped in, and you never looked back. If you had looked back, you would have seen the world’s busiest airport, handled so expertly by the few of you that even the most veteran controller marveled at your skills and abilities. Your actions saved lives, and continue to save lives, even as you improvise procedures, work long hard hours and work on rebuilding your own lives and community.
For all of you, every single one of you, your union stands behind you 150 percent. We grieve for your losses and admire your tenacity and professionalism in the face of such overwhelming tragedy. The brave work that you are all doing will carve your names in the history books forever, and I will forever be in your debt for the manner in which you’ve handled our nation’s worst disaster. Your actions reflect great credit not only upon yourselves, but upon your union as well.
I am incredibly humbled and proud to work among you.
NATCA Southwest Regional Vice President Darrell Meachum and his team have already rushed much needed supplies and manpower into the area, and more is coming. We will follow the first wave with direct cash disbursements for anyone who needs it. I understand and appreciate that we cannot replace what you have lost, but we are dedicated to standing with you as you face the challenges of the next days and weeks and months. I know the path you are on is a difficult one, but I want you to know that you will not be walking it alone. You will be walking it with 15,000 of your brothers and sisters. We are all here for you, and you will not walk a single step of this journey alone. Stay strong, stay united, and keep up the outstanding work. Your nation owes you a debt they can never repay.
To all NATCA members: Our brothers and sisters will need your help. Within days after the storm, NATCA rescue missions from Texas and Florida traveled into the devastated areas bearing baby wipes, bug spray, food, generators, satellite telephones, water and other critically needed supplies. We will continue to let the needs of those affected drive our response, and we stand ready to assist them every step of the way.
Please, to sustain us in helping others, we need your support. The NATCA Disaster Relief Fund needs financial contributions to continue to purchase supplies and provide direct financial aid to our members. You can contribute, your local can contribute, and every dollar will be used to assist members and their families in their time of desperate need.
Please make checks payable to “NATCA Disaster Relief Fund,” and send them to the NATCA National Office (1325 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20005), attention Ruth Marlin. Members may also contribute electronically through www.paypal.com. The e-mail address to enter when making your donation is natcarelief@natcadc.org. Your contributions will help change the lives of people whose lives have been torn asunder by this terrible storm.
Thank you, and God bless you all.
Sincerely,
John S. Carr
