Release #451-98

"New Yorkers have responded as they always do when friends and neighbors are in need: with open hearts and tremendous generosity," Governor Pataki said. "These latest flights reflect New York's long and deep ties to the people of Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republican and the Caribbean region. The message is clear: we will be there for you in your time of need.

"I am proud of New Yorkers, who, by answering Mayor Giuliani's and my call for support, have shown the entire world that the people of this great City and State are a caring and generous people," the Governor said. "These crucial airlift sorties would not have been possible without the assistance of Senator D'Amato, who has worked tirelessly with the U.S. Defense Department to get necessary approvals for these missions."

Mayor Giuliani said, "Our neighbors in the Caribbean know from past experience that they can count on our prayers as well as our help. The immediate and overwhelming number of donations and contributions is tangible proof of this. Furthermore, the coordinated efforts of the State and New York City's Office of Emergency Management guarantee that this help will get where it's most needed, to the people."

Senator D'Amato said, "Millions of New Yorkers have family in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic and throughout the Caribbean. I'm proud to be a part of the effort to help their families and friends recover from Hurricane Georges."

Two large military aircrafts are scheduled to depart JFK International Airport in New York today, both containing relief supplies donated from citizens and community groups.

A C-5A jumbo super jet, from the Air Guard's 105th Military Airlift Wing, will fly to Roosevelt Roads Naval Air Station, Puerto Rico. The second, a C-130 Hercules from the Air Guard's 109th Airlift Wing in Scotia flies to the Dominican Republic.

The C-5A bound for Puerto Rico will carry crucially needed electrical generators, potable water, emergency equipment and emergency response personnel. The C-130 bound for the Dominican Republic will carry potable water and donated relief goods from New York City neighborhoods.

The flight to Puerto Rico includes four 50-kilowatt generators, bottled water, non- perishable food items, medicine, anti-biotics and blankets. The flight to the Dominican Republic contains, bottled water, medical supplies, and canned goods. Roughly half of the medical supplies, blankets and food donated by the ArchDiocese of New York that is delivered to the Dominican Republic will be set aside and transported to Haiti.

The Governor said that Senator D'Amato along with the state Division of Military Affairs, the Mayor's Office of Emergency Management, the National Guard and the State Emergency Management Office (SEMO) have worked aggressively with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Defense Transportation Command (TRANSCOMM) to ensure that the New York Air Guard continues to receive clearance for the humanitarian flights.

General Fenimore said the Air National Guard flew 2 million pounds of relief supplies, 52 separate sorties (flights) and airlifted more than 500 relief workers to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands for 1989's devastating Hurricane Hugo. "We are fully capable of exceeding that level of help, and we are prepared to do it quicker than it was done then."