TODAY'S MNA PRESS NEWS

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WYOMING REPUBLICAN SENATOR CRAIG THOMAS, ON HURRICANE KATRINA RELIEF EFFORTS
  by MONTANA NEWS

WASHINGTON -- "Our first priority is to get help to the people who have the greatest need from the devastation in the wake of Katrina - save
lives," said Craig Thomas, Wyoming's senior senator.

"This is the worst natural disaster this country has seen in 100 years. Federal agencies are responding in mass and will continue to respond.
Last night, the Senate passed a $10.5 billion emergency funding bill."

"The Administration is fully mobilizing resources to help those most in need under the National Response Plan. This catastrophic event will take
a great deal of cooperation. We need to work together, just as the federal, state, and local resources need to work together for our fellow
Americans in need. I call on Wyoming folks to get involved how they can, whether that's through giving money or offering their home to displaced Americans," Thomas said.

"There are a tremendous amount of Wyoming folks already involved. A contingent from FE Warren, part of the 187th Aeromedical Evacuation
Squadron, are already in New Orleans today. The Wyoming Army National Guard and four helicopters have also been sent, as well as two C-130's from the Air Force. Individuals and organization from across the state have already rolled up their sleeves and put their talents to work in this effort ," Thomas said.

In addition, the Red Cross is coordinating an effort for Wyoming folks who want to offer their homes for Americans displaced by Hurricane
Katrina.

The American Red Cross in Cheyenne and Casper are compiling a list of names of families wishing to offer housing to displaced Americans. For
more information call the Red Cross at (307) 638-8906 or (307) 237-8436.

"People in Wyoming and folks in neighboring states are opening their arms to displaced oil and manual labor workers from the states affected
by the hurricane - I think that's a creative and industrious effort," Thomas said. "We have a serious labor shortage in our energy industries
in Wyoming. We should make Wyoming jobs available and attractive to folks from the Gulf Coast who not only need work, but need basic
necessities."

For example, the Rock Springs Chamber of Commerce says 500 jobs are unfilled in Rock Springs and Green River and companies will not only
provide training for those willing to work, but that there would be efforts there for supplemental housing needs.

"90,000 square miles of land is under federal disaster declaration. Americans are giving generously and providing significant contributions
- this will be an ongoing effort," Thomas said. "I urge folks to donate to the Red Cross, Salvation Army and other recognized charities."