Editorial: Tsunami aid gets boost

Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2005 | 9:07 a.m.

The Bush administration has been responding in phases to the tsunamis that hit Southern Asia the day after Christmas. First it pledged $15 million and prepared the Air Force, Navy and Marines to send troops, equipment and supplies. On Dec. 29 it pledged an additional $20 million. Then on New Year's Eve it boosted the cash commitment to $350 million. And all the while it has been saying that this is our initial effort and that more help will be committed as needed. The United States' response to this epochal tragedy has so far been well coordinated and generous, in our view.

We believe the next phase, announced Monday by President Bush, to be equally important. He chose his father, former President George H.W. Bush, and former President Bill Clinton to head a national effort to raise funds from private sources. With the initial needs for food, clean water and health care being met by the United States and numerous other countries, there must be ongoing efforts to meet the long-term needs. Millions of Asian people are homeless and grief stricken, and the infrastructure of their regions has been destroyed.

Tens of millions of dollars have already been contributed to relief organizations by American companies and individuals. With former presidents Bush and Clinton about to add their leadership, it's conceivable that hundreds of millions, maybe more, could be raised. Let's respond to our former presidents and let history record, once again, our generosity and compassion.