Press Room

AAI in the News

White House calls on mostly Black ministers for Katrina support

By Karen E. Pride
Chicago Defender
Posted on Friday September 9, 2005

In what may appear to be a move by the White House to regain support in the African American community in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is reaching out to a group of ministers, mostly African American.

Rev. Anthony Williams, pastor of St. Stephen Lutheran Church, told the Defender that Michael Jackson, assistant deputy of the Department of Homeland Security, and Claude Allen, President George W. Bush’s chief domestic policy advisor, called on him and 10 other Black pastors and religious leaders Saturday.

Williams said he participated in a conference call along with Dr. James Dobson, founder of Focus on Families; Memphis Bishop Gilbert Patterson, presiding bishop of the Church of God in Christ, Inc.; and Bishop (Vashti) McKenzie of the African Episcopal Methodist Church.

White House spokeswoman Maria Tamburri confirmed to the Defender the call with Allen took place.

“There were representatives from national volunteer and faith-based organizations,” she said, but she did not have a list of participants.

Williams said he was contacted because of the social work he does around the country, adding that he has organized his church members in collecting needed items for the hurricane evacuees and adopting a displaced family.

“I was asked by the president to step up to the plate and to comfort people, not with lies, but from out of my own experience in my own geographical area,” he said. “It’s (Hurricane Katrina) a great human tragedy, but in the meantime, what’s the upside of this? They’re going to rebuild New Orleans.”

The president also wants him to get the word out he is concerned about Black people, Williams said. Bush has come under withering attacks nationally, none more so than African Americans, who have slammed the federal government’s response to the tragedy.

President Bush’s job approval rating has taken a big hit over his handling of relief and recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina, according to a survey released today by Zogby International. His rating dropped to an all-time low of 41 percent, based on responses from a Sept. 6-7 survey of 1,157 likely voters.

It’s not clear if any of those surveyed were African American.

Williams accepted the president’s invitation, not because he favors either political party – he says he’s an independent – but because he’s an American and wants Blacks to exercise their citizenship.

While he said he was asked to spread the president’s message, Williams says he’s no administration cheerleader.

“I’m being asked to be an American who cares for his country,” he said.

Williams said he is working with investment banker Harold Doley Jr. and Allen to create a “consortium of legitimate African American construction business people” to get involved in the New Orleans rebuilding effort.

In the meantime, he held a forum at St. Stephen’s Thursday night to expand on those opportunities for Blacks.

Williams said earlier that day the issues of public health and safety, employment and environmental issues would be addressed.

“This hurricane allows Black Americans to step forward for their finest hour, but we need to be educated about what’s really going on in this process,” said Williams. “Bush is going to be in the White House and we need to make some inroads and push the Black agenda forward.”