SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY SEEKS ADVICE FROM RELIEF ORGANIZATIONS TO ENSURE SUPPORT FOR EVACUEES Works to Establish Legislative Agenda in the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Dedicated to Establishing Stronger Infrastructure for Response and Relief

Washington, D.C. – Tomorrow, Senator Edward M. Kennedy will meet with representatives from over a dozen agencies that are currently providing relief to victims of the Hurricane Katrina tragedy. Kennedy will take recommendations from the groups as the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, of which he is the ranking member, considers ways to help with the response. Chairman Mike Enzi has announced a hearing to address Katrina relief needs on Thursday. Kennedy said, “Our priorities in Congress should be to spend our time providing adequate resources and programs to help those who need us most right now, rather than giving away trillion dollar tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans. We cannot allow our attention to be consumed by the confirmation hearings of Judge Roberts when our fellow citizens in New Orleans and the Gulf require our full attention. The nation’s eyes—and hearts—should be focused on what we can do to help those suffering from the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina.” A press availability with Senator Kennedy will follow tomorrow’s meeting at 12:15 PM in a TBD room.