By Victor Parra
President & CEO
United Motorcoach Assn.

In thinking about the devastation that occurred in Louisiana and Mississippi, I am filled both with profound sadness and pride -- sadness for the enormity of the tragedy and pride at how our industry responded to it.

The evacuation of New Orleans and surrounding areas, as well as our industry's rescue of stranded individuals in parts of Gulfport, Miss. and nearby communities, was nothing short of heroic. despite the many obstacles encountered along the way.

At best, this was a poorly organized relief effort.

UMA called the Federal Emergency Management Agency the day the hurricane hit to get information as to how our members could help. Unfortunately, all we were able to get was a telephone number with an answering machine.

Our members were told to call the number and leave a message with information about how much and what kind of equipment they had available . should their assistance be needed.

It wasn't until Transportation Management Systems and Carey International stepped in that our members got definitive information about how they could help with the evacuation.

Still, once operators arrived on the scene, many waited in long lines to pick up those stranded in the Superdome. There was no staging area where drivers could rest after having driven -- in some cases -- more than 1,000 mile. Instead, they were forced to inch forward for up to nine hours before arriving at the front of the line.

There were reports from members of their drivers arriving at destinations and being turned away even after driving more than 12 hours. Drivers frequently had either been given wrong information about where to take evacuees, or the facility was at capacity and could no longer handle more people.

There are numerous stories such as these that highlight the poor coordination. Despite these challenges, our members persisted until they could find a temporary home for their passengers -- poor souls who had no way to leave New Orleans prior to Hurricane Katrina's arrival.

In addition, the risks involved were tremendous. In speaking with FEMA, we were told that while our members would be paid for their work, the agency considered their efforts "voluntary," and anything that occurred during the relief work was the responsibility of the individual operator, not Uncle Sam.

You have no doubt heard about the incident involving one of our members in which an evacuee attacked the driver, causing the bus to flip, resulting in a fatality.

And, more recently, we were advised by the federal Center for Disease Control that anyone involved with the relief effort should, at a minimum, be up to date with their tetanus shots.

Despite all this, our members jumped in and fully committed their equipment in much the same way they supported the relief work following the 9/11 terrorists attacks on New York and Washington.

Yet, our feeling of accomplishment is overshadowed by the grief we all feel for the tremendous loss of life. Many of our members witnessed this first hand -- not just on television like most Americans. The stories our members tell can only be described as shocking and sad.

The hardship those affected by Katrina have had to endure is beyond words and, for many, beyond comprehension. It's hard to believe that with all the wealth and resources our country possesses, that something of this magnitude could happen in the good ole' U.S. of A. And, yet, it did.

While we are tempted to lash out as we try to find out those responsible for this badly botched relief, there will be plenty of time for that later. Instead, I urge all of you to focus your energy and resources on helping the victims of Katrina. This is a time that we as Americans must pull together to do what we can to assist those affected by this tragedy.

For those who participated in the relief effort, I want you to know how proud I am of everything you did and thank you for your work during this crisis. And while the media gave you very little credit, know that your efforts didn't go unnoticed by the tens of thousands of men, women and children whose lives you may have saved.

Please keep all the victims of Katrina and their families in your prayers.