"Helping Hand of a Friend"

On May 14, 2008, U.S. Ambassador to China Clark T. Randt, Jr., presented a check for $500,000 to the Red Cross to assist China's relief efforts in areas affected by the earthquake in Sichuan Province.  The funds are from the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance at the U.S. Agency for International Development.

At the presentation ceremony, Ambassador Randt reiterated President Bush's assurance that "The United States stands ready to help in any way it can."  The Ambassador said:  "Our hearts sincerely go out to those whose lives have been so cruelly changed by this catastrophe…   Accordingly, President Bush has extended the helping hand of a friend.  He has instructed me, on behalf of the American people and the United States Government, to present a check in the amount of $500,000 to the Red Cross…  To the people of China, our thoughts and prayers are with you at this extremely difficult time."