SENATORS KENNEDY AND ENZI SEEK 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. – Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy and Senator Michael Enzi 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 and Senator Enzi will follow today’s meeting at 12:15 PM in Room 430 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. WHO: SENATOR KENNEDY SENATOR ENZIHurricane Katrina Relief OrganizationsWHAT: Press availability following Senator Kennedy’s meeting with to enhance response efforts and to examine urgently needed changes to national response systemsWHERE: Dirksen Senate Office Building Room 430WHEN: TODAY, Tuesday, September 6, 2005 at 12:15 PM