January 19,2005

Baucus Praises Donations to Disaster Effort

Senator Encourages More Contributions to Aid Those Affected by Indian Ocean Tsunami

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) Today, U.S. Senator Max Baucus (D-Mont), ranking member of the
Senate Finance Committee, praised the efforts by relief organizations and American citizens that
have raise hundreds of millions of dollars for the victims of the Indian Ocean Tsunami that
struck the area last December. Americans have reacted to the tragedy by donating over $406
million to charity.
In response to the tragedy, Senator Baucus, joined by Chairman Charles Grassley,
introduced legislation allowing extra time for Americans to make cash donations to charities
supporting relief operations in the Indian Ocean basin. Under the new law enacted earlier this
month, taxpayers will be permitted to claim a tax deduction in tax year 2004 for cash donations
made before January 31, 2005, for tsunami disaster relief.
“Many innocent victims continue to suffer from of one of the most devastating natural
disasters in recent history, and they will endure hardships for decades to come,” Baucus said.
“The Indian Ocean basin is one of the most beautiful and vibrant places in the world. The
countries affected by this disaster will be able to heal and rebuild more quickly because of the
outpouring of generosity demonstrated by Americans. I commend those who have made
donations and encourage America to keep making contributions to this worthy cause,” Baucus
added.
Charitable organizations have been receiving generous donations to aid with the relief
efforts. Those coordinating the efforts have been asking for cash donations to eliminate the
burden of shipping goods overseas and to stimulate economic growth by allowing cash to flow
into local economies.
Charles F. MacCormack, President and CEO of Save the Children, expressed gratitude
for all of the donations his organization has received for the Indian Ocean Tsunami disaster.
"Save the Children is profoundly grateful for the generous contributions of private
individuals and corporations in support of our work to help children and their families recover
from the devastating tsunami tragedy,” MacCormack said. He continued, “We are also aware
that there are long-term needs that will require billions of dollars and years of effort on the part
of millions of people and governments worldwide."
Americans have less than two weeks to receive a tax deduction for their contributions to
aid the tsunami victims for the 2005 filing season. The provision expires for donations made
after Monday, January 31, 2005.
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(WASHINGTON, D.C.) Today, U.S. Senator Max Baucus (D-Mont), ranking member of theSenate Finance Committee, praised the efforts by relief organizations and American citizens thathave raise hundreds of millions of dollars for the victims of the Indian Ocean Tsunami thatstruck the area last December. Americans have reacted to the tragedy by donating over $406million to charity.

In response to the tragedy, Senator Baucus, joined by Chairman Charles Grassley,introduced legislation allowing extra time for Americans to make cash donations to charitiessupporting relief operations in the Indian Ocean basin. Under the new law enacted earlier thismonth, taxpayers will be permitted to claim a tax deduction in tax year 2004 for cash donationsmade before January 31, 2005, for tsunami disaster relief.

“Many innocent victims continue to suffer from of one of the most devastating naturaldisasters in recent history, and they will endure hardships for decades to come,” Baucus said.“The Indian Ocean basin is one of the most beautiful and vibrant places in the world. Thecountries affected by this disaster will be able to heal and rebuild more quickly because of theoutpouring of generosity demonstrated by Americans. I commend those who have madedonations and encourage America to keep making contributions to this worthy cause,” Baucusadded.

Charitable organizations have been receiving generous donations to aid with the reliefefforts. Those coordinating the efforts have been asking for cash donations to eliminate theburden of shipping goods overseas and to stimulate economic growth by allowing cash to flowinto local economies.

Charles F. MacCormack, President and CEO of Save the Children, expressed gratitudefor all of the donations his organization has received for the Indian Ocean Tsunami disaster."Save the Children is profoundly grateful for the generous contributions of privateindividuals and corporations in support of our work to help children and their families recoverfrom the devastating tsunami tragedy,” MacCormack said. He continued, “We are also awarethat there are long-term needs that will require billions of dollars and years of effort on the partof millions of people and governments worldwide."

Americans have less than two weeks to receive a tax deduction for their contributions toaid the tsunami victims for the 2005 filing season. The provision expires for donations madeafter Monday, January 31, 2005.

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