Marc Morial on a Matter of Fairness

Dear Urban League Katrina Fund Supporters:

Sometimes it takes a natural disaster to reveal a social disaster. The U.S. Census Bureau recently reported that 4 million MORE people live below the poverty line today than in 2001. And 60% of the neighborhoods hit by Katrina were comprised of people of color, and they were twice as likely to be poor than the national average and not own a car.

Katrina is a wake-up call for the nation to lift many from the throes of poverty. There must be job training and construction jobs for the evacuees to rebuild their lives. There is a long road ahead to recovery as temporary shelters close and housing vouchers expire, especially for the most disadvantaged victims of Katrina. But, the National Urban League is working to connect evacuees to jobs and housing throughout the nation to help Katrina survivors rebuild and recover. And, you can help.

This disaster gives this nation an extraordinary opportunity to right many wrongs. And, it is an opportunity we cannot afford to waste.

Marc Morial
President and CEO
National Urban League