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Ex-Presidents Call for More Ike Funds

Bush and Clinton, having raised $1.5M, see more need in devastated Texas

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 14, 2008 4:50 PM CDT

(Newser) – Former presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton called today for more money to aid Texas communities devastated by Hurricane Ike, the Houston Chronicle reports. The pair, who toured the Galveston area, has raised $1.5 million for their Bush-Clinton Coastal Recovery Fund. The money will be used to augment state and local efforts once reconstruction begins.

Clinton conceded that fundraising wasn’t easy in the current economic environment, but hoped the presidents’ presence would say, in effect, “Hey, don't forget about this place.” The elder Bush painted a bleak picture with a silver lining. “What we have seen is abject devastation,” he said. “We've also seen a determination to come back.”

A woman tries to recover any of her salvageable belongs after her Crystal Beach, Texas, home was completely destroyed last month by Hurricane Ike.
A woman tries to recover any of her salvageable belongs after her Crystal Beach, Texas, home was completely destroyed last month by Hurricane Ike.   (AP Photo)
Clinton and Bush.
Clinton and Bush.   (AP Photo)
Former presidents Bill Clinton, left, and George Bush, center, talk with former Secretary of State James Baker standing nearby.
Former presidents Bill Clinton, left, and George Bush, center, talk with former Secretary of State James Baker standing nearby.   (AP Photo)
Former presidents George Bush, left, and Bill Clinton sit near a damaged beach house in Galveston, Texas.
Former presidents George Bush, left, and Bill Clinton sit near a damaged beach house in Galveston, Texas.   (AP Photo)
Former Presidents Bill Clinton, left, and George Bush walk through the debris left by Hurricane Ike on the beach.
Former Presidents Bill Clinton, left, and George Bush walk through the debris left by Hurricane Ike on the beach.   (AP Photo)
Destruction following Hurricane Ike
Destruction following Hurricane Ike   (AP Photo)
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