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NTEU is looking to contribute in every way possible to ensuring the continued delivery of essential government services to those impacted by Hurricane Katrina. To that end, I have both spoken with and sent a letter to officials of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) offering NTEU’s assistance in such activities as marshalling volunteers. I am pleased to learn that OPM is providing information to federal agencies on its web site concerning available flexibilities for agencies and encouraging agencies to make use of these provisions to assist affected employees and encourage volunteerism. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a call for volunteers, and I am proud to learn that the response from those in the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), where NTEU represents employees, has been overwhelming. NTEU also will be contacting individual agencies to offer our assistance, including our willingness to work together to implement new ideas that may be called for in these unusual circumstances. NTEU also is encouraging federal workers to donate to the Federal Employees Education and Assistance (FEEA) Hurricane Fund and the union is helping distribute information about how federal employees impacted by this natural disaster can obtain help.