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Florida, governor rise to occasion

The huge amount of aid pouring out of Florida is a godsend for the victims of Katrina. The state has sped security personnel, health care workers and supplies to the devastated region. Back home, communities have opened their houses, schools and hospitals to refugees. This rapid response speaks to the state's readiness and to the generosity of Floridians, who know all too well about deadly hurricanes and the suffering they leave behind.

Gov. Jeb Bush rises to these occasions. The equipment and expertise he sent to Mississippi - Florida's largest state-to-state aid in history - will help the immediate search and rescue effort and speed recovery. As of Friday, Florida had committed more than $41-million in aid to neighboring states and more than 2,800 Floridians were there or on the way. Another 500 members of the Florida National Guard were expected to be in Mississippi by Sunday.

This has been a focused, well-managed effort. Bush's involvement has moved the wheels of state government. With their toll-free hotline, education officials can route students from the Gulf Coast to openings in Florida's school system, from elementary to graduate school. Florida's emergency operations center will be open around the clock to move people and goods where needed. Tampa International Airport and regional hospitals have prepared to receive evacuees with critical medical needs. And already, grass-roots efforts have organized benefits to raise donations.

Hundreds of emergency workers from nearly three dozen states rushed here to help during Florida's last hurricane season. Now it's our turn to be as generous and help our fellow Americans.

[Last modified September 5, 2005, 01:15:10]