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| Houston: Saudi donations fund Habitat for Humanity homes for Katrina refugees |
| 2006-06-30 |
| Lots of fluff about one of the recipients to set the stage, obligatory statement of gratitude and friendship from Houston Habitat for Humanity Board Chairman Tom Owens, then, "When you need a cup of water, it doesn't matter where it comes from," he said. Saudis donated more than $600,000 to Habitat for Humanity for 25 homes built on the 11800 block of Greenmesa in northeast Houston. The donations will not only build homes for hurricane victims in Houston but 150 homes in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Through Habitat for Humanity, each family will be able to buy a house at cost and with a zero-interest loan. Deya Elyas, director of public affairs for Aramco Services Co., a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia's national oil company, which facilitated the donations, said the pain and emotion in the faces of the hurricane victims struck the hearts of the people of Saudi Arabia. "May your homes be blessed," he said In the home next door to Johnson's, Lynette Mearis and her 15-year-old daughter Raquel surveyed their home as they made plans to move in next week. Mearis said that the charity from Saudi Arabia reminded her of the U.S. efforts during the December 2004 tsunami. According to a 2005 report to the United Nations, Saudi Arabia donated more than $250 million to the Katrina relief fund — the largest contribution to come from any country outside the United States. Saudi Arabia leads in relief efforts for international disasters, according to U.N. officials in an Associated Press report earlier this week. This is as good as the Saudi's propaganda effort gets -- setting the bar pretty low, I think. |
| Posted by:trailing wife |
| #4 Generous only because there are few Jooooos in N.O. |
| Posted by: Frank G 2006-06-30 20:02 |
| #3 Yes, Azad. It was even mentioned in the article, hence the cup of water comment. A good deal more than $600,000, too. As I recall, Mayor Guiliani tore up the check in the Saudi ambassador's face. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2006-06-30 19:38 |
| #2 Sometimes the screwing you get just ain't worth the screwing you get. |
| Posted by: JohnQC 2006-06-30 19:28 |
| #1 Didn't they try to give money to Rudy Giuliani a short time after 9/11, too? I think Rudy told them to shove it. |
| Posted by: Azad 2006-06-30 19:09 |