ADHS
News Release:
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A Year Later, Katrina Evacuee Says, “Thanks, Arizona!” |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –
August 28, 2006 |
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Michael Murphy, ADHS Public Information: (602) 542-1094 |
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A year after Hurricane Katrina, evacuee and Arizona Department of Health Services employee Ken Willis doesn’t spend much time looking back.
“No matter what happened, life moves on,” he said. “The world didn’t stop because of Katrina.”
Instead, Willis this week plans to return to the Phoenix Memorial Coliseum, where he and his fiancée spent a week and a half, to thank those who helped him find a new life in Arizona.
“It will give us a real opportunity to say, “Thanks, Phoenix!” Willis said. “Phoenix and Arizona came to our aid, and I think that is the important thing that needs to be said.”
“I’m very fortunate to be part of the Department of Health. When I got to the Coliseum, a job was not on my mind. We left the Coliseum with a roof over our heads and a job.”
Willis, 50, an Army veteran, works as an administrative assistant in the Department’s Division of Behavioral Health.
After Katrina hit, Willis and his fiancée, Lisa, left everything behind in New Orleans. They boarded a plane for evacuees they thought was bound for Houston, but when they landed, fate brought them to Arizona instead.
“My family and I left New Orleans that Saturday after the storm en route to what we thought was Houston. When we arrived at the gate, we were told that Houston was not an option and our final destination would be Phoenix,” Willis said.
They had never been to Arizona, and didn’t know what to expect.
“We had to leave everything,” Willis said. “You guys are the only ones who came to our aid. I’m very thankful for what the City of Phoenix and the State of Arizona have done for us.”
His feet are now firmly planted in Phoenix, although his brother still lives in New Orleans.
“I come to work because I really like coming to work,” he said. “I’m very fortunate to work for this agency.”
Willis plans to visit the Coliseum on Tuesday, when Gov. Janet Napolitano will thank state agencies, including ADHS, and organizations that helped evacuees relocate.
“It’ll bring back some nice memories. This was a starting point,” Willis said. “No matter how you slice it, you guys did an excellent job.”
Willis added: “Me and my girl just want to say, ‘Thank you, Arizona,’ because our lives would never be the same without you all.” |
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