|
Mexico City, September 13, 2005. As Mexico’s Independence Day approaches, the Mexican people are deservedly proud of their distinguished history, rich culture, and independence. On this Independence Day, I want the Mexican people to know that they also have the respect, gratitude and heartfelt appreciation of the people of the United States. The quick, neighborly, and well-coordinated response of the Mexican people, along-side our friends from around the world of all colors and creeds, provided aid and comfort to thousands of frightened and destitute victims of Hurricane Katrina, and assisted U.S. officials in the immense task of helping Americans and foreign nationals whose homes and livelihoods have been destroyed to begin to rebuild.
The image of President Bush standing shoulder-to-shoulder with rescue workers from the Mexican navy symbolizes the strong ties and reservoir of good feeling between the peoples of our two countries. Speaking at an elementary school that had just been restored, the President commended both U.S. and Mexican troops for “working together to help get the school up and running.”
The United States and the world have learned some very hard lessons from the Hurricane Katrina disaster. Cooperation between national and local government, disaster planning, and the very idea of how large concentrations of people can live in certain disaster-prone regions, are just a few of the questions the American people will want answered. The list is long, and as foul water is drained from New Orleans and the shattered lives of millions are pieced back together, I have no doubt there will be serious soul-searching in the coming weeks and months.
Some lessons have already been learned. One of these was the demonstration to the American people that they have international friends and partners on whom they can count. For decades, U.S. government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and volunteers have been at the forefront of efforts to help victims of natural and man-made disasters. Our assistance to victims of the Asian Tsunami and the relief efforts in support of the victims of civil strife in Sudan’s Darfur region are just two recent examples of American aid to those in need. As we confront the worst natural disaster to strike our country in over a century, I am certain that Americans will remember those who stood with them in their time of great need as well.
The United States will certainly remember Mexico’s generosity during this difficult period. The outpouring of contributions from our southern neighbor has been heartening, and the delivery of supplies and expertise from the Mexican government and military is needed, welcomed, and will certainly generate gratitude for years to come. We were thankful to receive the Mexican army’s convoy of relief supplies, and the Mexican navy’s dispatch of vessels containing food and water purification equipment, along with medical personnel and engineers with expertise in repairing levees. And we welcome ideas and collaboration on relief management from the experts in Protección Civil.
Thanks to the bravery, self-sacrifice, and around-the-clock efforts of the American people and their international friends, it is clear that we have turned the corner in our efforts to put the Gulf Coast region on the path to recovery.
Antonio O. Garza, Jr.
|
