Associated Builders and Contractors, Washington, D.C., recently took an active role in responding to the national tragedies in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania by establishing a special disaster relief fund to support families of the victims in the recent terrorist attacks.
"Our hearts go out to the families of victims of this tragedy in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania. We have heeded the call of President Bush and have established this fund to help families of victims of these terrorist attacks,” said ABC President and CEO Kirk Pickerel. “Our national office is located near the Pentagon where many of those who died were young men and women in the Army and Navy whose lives ended while fulfilling their mission to defend our freedoms. We want to provide our members with a way to help the victims of this national tragedy."
ABC's national headquarters has donated $5,000 to the fund, and has solicited contributions from the association's 23,000 members through its electronic newsletter, Newsline, and on its Web site. Staff members at the national office have also made additional contributions.
"ABC members and the million craft professionals they employ share the horror, disbelief, and anger that every American feels at the cowardly attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon by those who would spread their message of hatred by unspeakable acts of evil,” said ABC Chairman Henry Kelly. “We as contractors build the future, and we take special umbrage at those who would destroy it, but we can be proud of the role our industry is playing in helping our nation recover from this tragedy,"
According to ABC, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently contacted the organization and may request disaster cleanup assistance. ABC has ensured the Army Corps that the association is ready to assist. A Federal Emergency Management Agency Project Impact partner, ABC has also offered assistance to FEMA Director Joe Allbaugh and pledged "unconditional assistance to the federal government to aid in any way possible."
On the recovery front, ABC member-firm Hensel-Phelps Construction Co., Chantilly, Va., has been awarded the contract to rebuild the portion of the Pentagon damaged by the terrorist attack. The work, which will include renovations of some four million square feet of building space over 11 years, could be valued at $758 million.
"Hensel-Phelps was one of the contractors on the scene when the plane hit the Pentagon last week and helped in the evacuation of the facility. It is now a time for rebuilding and healing. We're delighted that ABC member-firm Hensel-Phelps has been awarded the contract to rebuild this important symbol of American strength," said Pickerel.
For more information on ABC’s response to this national tragedy, visit: www.abc.org.