“Since September, 2005, March of Dimes staff and volunteers have been making cribs, diapers, vitamins, emergency nutrition, other supplies, and educational material available in the Gulf Coast area to pregnant women and infants affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Three new March of Dimes mobile health care vans will soon bring much-needed medical services to pregnant women, mothers, and babies in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and other areas of Louisiana but, obviously, three vans are not enough to cover maternity and pediatric needs in the area. Although the March of Dimes, along with other organizations, has helped many individuals and families, we recognize that the physical devastation and mental stress of coping with the aftermath of the hurricanes can not be dealt with over a few months or a year.  Federal resources are essential to supplement privately funded initiatives if we, as a nation, are going to be able to provide the support needed by the citizens of the Gulf Coast to rebuild their lives.”