2006年VOA标准英语-Former Presidents Bush, Clinton Donate Fun

By Greg Flakus
New Orleans
13 May 2006

 
Former presidents George H.W. Bush, left, and Bill Clinton shake hands
  
Former U.S. presidents George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton have announced several grants to communities along the Gulf¹ Coast that are still struggling to recover from Hurricane Katrina.

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The two former presidents made their announcement here in New Orleans at Kingsley House, a community outreach program that was one of the grant recipients². Altogether the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund gave $9.7 million to local governments and non-governmental organizations in the three states hit by Katrina: Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

Former president Bush said the fund he and former president Clinton head was made possible by donations from millions of ordinary citizens.

George H. W. Bush  
  
"We have been deeply touched by the generosity³ of the American people, who once again proved they know how to be good neighbors," said Mr. Bush.  "They opened their hearts and their wallets, and have given generously to so many funds, including ours. We anticipate that, by the time the last dime⁴ is counted, the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund will have raised $130 million."

Former president Clinton said the grants cover a wide range of programs and projects in the Katrina-ravaged areas.

 
Bill Clinton 
  
"The grants we announce today amount to almost $10 million," said Mr. Clinton.  "They go to all three states affected⁵, to build new homes, provide mental health and health care services, rebuild water, sewer⁶ and gas lines, build shoreline improvement projects, provide community and child development services, financial counseling and economic recovery."

The Bush-Clinton Fund awarded a $2 million grant to the city of Waveland, Mississippi, to bridge the gap between what federal funds provide and what the local community must pay to restore infrastructure⁷. Waveland City Clerk Lisa Planchard told VOA, the restoration of water, sewage and electricity will allow many displaced people to return.

Waveland City Clerk Lisa Planchard   
  
"They are hindered right now, because we do not have the infrastructure to accommodate the people who want to come back. They want to come home, but they just cannot," she explained.

Another grant went to the community of Bayou La Batre, Alabama, where 23 shrimp⁸ boats, mostly owned by Vietnamese immigrants, were blown ashore⁹. Tin Nguyen says the money will help him regain¹⁰ his livelihood¹¹.

 
Shrimper Tin Nguyen 
  
"The fund will provide us the necessary funds to put a vessel¹² down, to get us to start working again," he said.

That is welcome news to  who tells VOA the fish and shrimp boat operators, about half of whom are Asian-Americans, contribute greatly to the local economy.

Bayou La Batre Mayor Stan Wright and Tin Nguyen  
  
"All these people are going back to work," explained Wright.  "This is going to happen within 45 days. We are very grateful to the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund for providing us $1.6 million to the city of Bayou La Batre to remove these boats, and get them back in the water again, and get them working."

The two former presidents are in New Orleans for another event, as well, as the keynote speakers at the Saturday commencement ceremony at Tulane University.

1 gulf   

n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂

参考例句：

• The gulf between the two leaders cannot be bridged.两位领导人之间的鸿沟难以跨越。
• There is a gulf between the two cities.这两座城市间有个海湾。

2 recipients   

adj.接受的；受领的；容纳的；愿意接受的n.收件人；接受者；受领者；接受器

参考例句：

• The recipients of the prizes had their names printed in the paper. 获奖者的姓名登在报上。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The recipients of prizes had their names printed in the paper. 获奖者名单登在报上。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

3 generosity   

n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为

参考例句：

• We should match their generosity with our own.我们应该像他们一样慷慨大方。
• We adore them for their generosity.我们钦佩他们的慷慨。

4 dime   

n.（指美国、加拿大的钱币）一角

参考例句：

• A dime is a tenth of a dollar.一角银币是十分之一美元。
• The liberty torch is on the back of the dime.自由火炬在一角硬币的反面。

5 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

6 sewer   

n.排水沟，下水道

参考例句：

• They are tearing up the street to repair a sewer. 他们正挖开马路修下水道。
• The boy kicked a stone into the sewer. 那个男孩把一石子踢进了下水道。

7 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

8 shrimp   

n.虾，小虾；矮小的人

参考例句：

• When the shrimp farm is built it will block the stream.一旦养虾场建起来，将会截断这条河流。
• When it comes to seafood,I like shrimp the best.说到海鲜，我最喜欢虾。

9 ashore   

adv.在(向)岸上，上岸

参考例句：

• The children got ashore before the tide came in.涨潮前，孩子们就上岸了。
• He laid hold of the rope and pulled the boat ashore.他抓住绳子拉船靠岸。

10 regain   

vt.重新获得，收复，恢复

参考例句：

• He is making a bid to regain his World No.1 ranking.他正为重登世界排名第一位而努力。
• The government is desperate to regain credibility with the public.政府急于重新获取公众的信任。

11 livelihood   

n.生计，谋生之道

参考例句：

• Appropriate arrangements will be made for their work and livelihood.他们的工作和生活会得到妥善安排。
• My father gained a bare livelihood of family by his own hands.父亲靠自己的双手勉强维持家计。

12 vessel   

n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管

参考例句：

• The vessel is fully loaded with cargo for Shanghai.这艘船满载货物驶往上海。
• You should put the water into a vessel.你应该把水装入容器中。