Louisiana - September 08, 2005
On Tuesday, Sept. 6, Andrew Liveris, Dow president and CEO, and Gary Veurink, Dow corporate vice president, Manufacturing & Engineering, went to Union Carbide Corporation's St. Charles Operations (SCO) in Hahnville, Louisiana, and Louisiana Operations in Plaquemine to meet with employees whose lives were impacted by Hurricane Katrina and to grasp the situation first-hand. The leaders personally thanked them for all their hard work in preparing for and managing through the hurricane and its aftermath.
"The visit has been overwhelming and yet energizing." said Liveris. "Many worked 'round the clock' without even knowing their personal situation - whether their house was still standing. The spirit and strength of these employees is inspiring. I thank them for sharing their stories of the hurricane's destruction. The humility of those who have experienced loss, yet are quick to point out that others have experienced far worse, is truly admirable."
The leaders visited many of the plants in Plaquemine, where Liveris had worked nearly 20 years ago. He hugged an old friend and fondly recalled how he learned to drink Cajun coffee and eat jambalaya. Liveris and Veurink also met with members of the Hurricane Squad at St. Charles Operations who successfully brought the entire site down safely and managed it through 90 miles-per-hour winds.
"The SCO employees did a tremendous job putting the pre-hurricane shut-down plan into action," said Veurink. "They did it safely without a single injury and without environmental incidents. I want to especially recognize the SCO Hurricane Squad as well as the support teams from other locations, including Plaquemine and Texas Operations for their tireless efforts and dedication. Considering the stress of the situation, I can't begin to imagine the extra care these folks took to ensure the safety of the site and the community. Each and every one of the SCO employees has been through an incredibly difficult time and some have suffered great losses. They have my sincerest empathy and respect. This is another great example of Dow people at their best."
At the end of the visit, the leaders stopped by the two new temporary housing sites for employees and their families. Dow has provided temporary housing for those employees who do not have homes in which to return. One woman, who had been living out of her car for nine days, emotionally expressed her gratitude for the trailer residence.
"It means a great deal to me to be here in person and talk with SCO employees…to understand how the hurricane has personally affected them…to comprehend the upheaval and emotional distress…and to let them know we're here to help," said Liveris.
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For Editorial Information:
Joel Stein
The Dow Chemical Company
(985) 783-4990
