Thanks to 8th District relief effort

To the editor:

I would like to thank everyone in the 8th District who is helping with relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

From Cape Girardeau, Kennett, Leadwood and all along the I-55 corridor, contributions of much-needed supplies have been driven south. From Farmington and other communities, firefighters and emergency personnel have left their families to help out. In Rolla, a radio telethon raised over $100,000 for relief efforts in two days. From Perryville, Company B of the 1140th Army National Guard has deployed to Mississippi and Louisiana just months after returning from Iraq. Guard units from all over our state, including the 1137th and 1138th, have also deployed to help. An 18-wheeler from Dexter is on its way to the Gulf Coast laden with supplies. Churches have become clearinghouses for donations and relief supplies. In towns like Piedmont, families have opened their homes to people whose homes were destroyed by Katrina. A Sikeston men's clothing store donated hundreds of pairs of pants and shirts. Poplar Bluff businesses have set up collection points and sent tractor trailers to points throughout the region. A convoy of water and emergency supplies from West Plains, Brandsville, Thayer, Cabool and Summersville set out for a suburb of New Orleans. I went with them.

We have shown our best character and our true spirit through good works like these all across our district. Thank you for every effort, every donation and every hour volunteered. Let's keep it coming.

JO ANN EMERSON, U.S. Representative, 8th District, Cape Girardeau