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An Order Establishing a Task Force to Assist Americans Affected by Hurricane Katrina
September 5, 2005
05 FY 06/07
WHEREAS, the States of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama were severely impacted by the destructive force of Hurricane Katrina; and
WHEREAS, the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama will require the efforts of the entire country to help the area recover; and
WHEREAS, several thousands of Americans displaced from their homes will need safe, secure and stable housing in the weeks and months to come; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of the State of Maine have generously come forward to offer their assistance; and
WHEREAS, the resources of State Government will be needed to coordinate and facilitate Maine’s support for these displaced Americans:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, John E. Baldacci, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby establish The Hurricane Katrina Assistance Task Force as follows:
Duties
The Task Force is charged with recommending to the Governor a strategy to coordinate and facilitate possible relocation of residents of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama due to the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina. To that end, the Task Force shall:
a. Examine the short term and long term ramifications of an influx of displaced residents to Maine and the effects on the State’s school systems and economy;
b. Determine the resources that Maine facilities and families will need to accept the numbers of persons displaced by the hurricane that may potentially be relocated to Maine; and
c. Examine options for planning, organizing and coordinating the acceptance of persons displaced by the hurricane and matching them with any potential available housing in Maine.
Membership
The Task Force shall be chaired by the Director of the Maine Emergency Management Agency. The Task Force membership shall be composed of the Director of the Maine State Housing Authority, the Director of Homeless Initiatives, the Commissioner of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, the Commissioner of the Maine Department of Education, the Secretary of State, the President of the Maine Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), the Executive Director of the Maine Holocaust Human Rights Center, a representative of the Organization of Catholic Charities in Maine and a representative of the American Red Cross in Maine. In addition, the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate are each invited to appoint one member of their respective bodies to serve on the Task Force in an ex-officio capacity.
Procedure
The State agencies involved in the Task Force shall designate at least one (1) staff person, or more as needed, to coordinate efforts out of the Maine Emergency Management Agency’s offices in Augusta. The Task Force shall meet at times and places called by the Chair as necessary and appropriate to carry out its activities. The cost for implementing the tasks included in this Executive Order will come from existing resources. The members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation.
Final Report
The Task Force shall provide a report to the Governor recommending a strategy for accepting potential displaced residents of the southern states affected by Hurricane Katrina into Maine.
Effective Date
The effective date of this Executive Order is September 5, 2005.
