News Releases for September 2005
September 20, 2005
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Hoeven, Legislators Accept $50,000 Donation From Atlantik Brücke For Hurricane Evacuees
BISMARCK , N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven, Rep. Dave Weiler and Rep. Bob Martinson today thanked Dietrich Lindemann of the German-American friendship association Atlantik-Brücke for a $50,000 commitment to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina now residing in North Dakota. Weiler and Martinson are members of the group, which hosted Weiler for a conference in Germany last year and recently held its annual U.S. conference in Bismarck days before the hurricane struck the U.S. Gulf Coast.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency 38 families affected by the hurricane have relocated to North Dakota. The North Dakota Department of Emergency Services has had 29 individuals register for state or local assistance.
The project, called Bridge of Hope, will be funded from an account set up by Atlantik-Brücke at the Bank of North Dakota and be administered through the North Dakota Community Action Agency and the North Dakota Division of Community Services to help families, children and college students displaced by the storm. Bridge of Hope funds will be used for needs not covered by federal programs, like transportation, clothing, prescription medications, tuition, beds and furnishings. Community Action Agencies (CAAs) are nonprofit organizations originally established under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. North Dakota has seven CAAs. These seven agencies provide essential services to every region and all 53 counties of the state.
“Atlantik-Brücke’s Bridge of Hope project demonstrates in the most tangible way what a friendship association means – lending a helping hand during a time of need,” Hoeven said. “On behalf of the people of North Dakota, on behalf of the hurricane victims who are now our guests, I want to say thank you to Atlantik-Brücke and the people of Germany for their generous gift.”
“North Dakota has opened its doors and resources to evacuees from the disaster, which include families, high school and university students,” Lindemann said. “Bridge of Hope is contributing funds that will bridge the gaps where the government cannot provide funding.”
“This initiative is the beginning of a long friendship between Atlantik-Brücke and North Dakota,” Rep. Weiler said. “Atlantik-Brücke has invited the first group of high school teachers from North Dakota to two-week study trips to Germany this spring.”
“Atlantik-Brücke was formed to create better ties between the United States and German governments,” Rep. Martinson said. “This generous gift will take us a step beyond that to create lasting relationships between the people of the United States and Germany.”
Individuals who would like to offer assistance to hurricane victims should contact the North Dakota Community Action Association at 1-800-223-0364. Evacuees who have not yet registered with the state should do so by calling the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services at 1-877-468-9407.
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