Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
November 6, 2001
2:30 PM
2123 Rayburn House Office Building

Good afternoon. Mr. Chairman, Mr. Ranking Member, members of the Subcommittee, thank you for this opportunity to discuss how United Ways across the country have responded to the September 11^th tragedy.

United Way of America

I am the Interim President and CEO of United Way of America. United Way of America is the national service and training center for the 1,400 member strong United Way system. Each United Way is independent, separately incorporated, and governed by local volunteers. United Way of America's role is to equip United Ways - as well as their corporate and philanthropic partners - with the tools that they need to make a measurable impact in the communities they serve.

United Ways collectively raised nearly $4 billion in last year's campaign. But United Way is more than a fundraiser.

Listening to diverse voices in their communities, local United Ways are identifying the most urgent of needs and focusing their efforts on priority issues. These issues vary from community to community, but United Ways across the country are working to strengthen and support families, help children and youth succeed, build vital and safe neighborhoods, and promote self-sufficiency. This work is at the heart of the United Way mission.

United Way System Responds to Recent Tragedies

Communities across the country have instituted programs to combat the "ripple effect" of the September 11^th attacks. As you have heard/will hear the September 11^th Fund, a crisis response effort established by the United Way of New York City and The New York Community Trust, is currently making allocations to agencies providing direct financial assistance, emergency services, counseling and other critical community supports. On September 11^th United Way of America received its first corporate gift in response to this tragedy from Williams. Later that day, this gift became the first corporate support of the September 11^th Fund. We received many other generous gifts, as did Local United Ways, in support of The Fund.

Next, United Way of America convened a group of crisis veterans from local United Ways that have dealt with terrorist situations, such as Oklahoma City, natural disasters like Hurricane Andrew in Miami, and other traumatic events, such as the Columbine shootings. This group, and their lessons learned, were made available for the ground zero United Ways and others to advise them on how to deal with the crisis.

Other vital programs have been launched in communities countrywide. Right here in Washington, the United Way of the National Capital Area has brought together a volunteer governance committee to oversee the disbursement of funds that have been raised to benefit those affected by the attack on the Pentagon. In addition, our hometown United Way is helping to coordinate health and human service agencies responding to the crisis, and linking victims to those agencies so their immediate and long-term recovery needs will be met.

Included in my written testimony is the "United Way in Service to the Nation" report. In the wake of the September 11th tragedy, United Ways across the country have been doing what they do best - mobilizing their communities to deal with their most urgent needs. Local United Way donor contributions are being put to use helping children cope with loss and fears, readying families facing military deployment, promoting tolerance and assisting families affected by the layoffs and the economic impact.

Let me give you a few examples. Dealing with the stress and grief associated with a tragedy of unprecedented magnitude can be a tremendous burden. We all know that a crisis like this can be especially hard on our children. Many United Ways have brought their efforts to bear on this area of concern by communicating with children through the support of counseling and other services directed at children.

The United Way in Detroit, Michigan convened a meeting with more than 100 children from United Way agencies, players from the Detroit Lions football team and various social workers and counselors to discuss September 11^th.

Many employees, especially in the airline and tourism industries, were laid off as a result of the current economic downturn. United Ways, especially those in high tourism areas, are acting quickly to deal with these particular needs.

The United Way in Orlando, Florida is leading an effort with local foundations to provide immediate financial assistance to workers in the tourism and travel industries who have lost their jobs or are experiencing reduced income. They will also develop long-term plans for a community safety net for times of crisis.

Looking ahead, United Way of America's Board of Governors is in the process of developing a national response committee which will, among other things, develop a national crisis response plan for the United Way system that will ensure a swift, coordinated and effective response to any future major national crisis.

The events of September 11th will have a lasting effect on people and communities across the country. Beyond the lives and buildings shattered by the attack, the images of devastation that we witnessed as a nation will forever tarnish our sense of security. United Way is a living, breathing part of the communities directly impacted by the terrorist attacks. Long after the rescue teams have dispersed, United Way will be there to heal lives, families and communities.

Thank you for your time.

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