By Frank James -From NPR.org

clintonbushhaitifund.org.

In a show of bipartisan unity, President Barack Obama was joined with his predecessors George W. Bush and Bill Clinton who he named to lead a new money-raising effort for Haitian relief, recovery and rebuilding efforts.

It was Bush’s first time back at the White House since leaving a year ago on Inauguration Day and just the visual of the three men who at various times have been adversaries with each other was for more striking than anything that was said.

Nevertheless, it was an event meant to underscore the nation coming together for the sake of helping a hemispheric neighbor.

Obama noted that the use of former presidents was patterned after what then-President Bush did in the aftermath of the 2004 Asian tsunami when he asked his father, the 41st president, George H. W. Bush, and Clinton to lead relief efforts in a demonstration that an extraordinary disaster required leadership of the highest of stature that transcended politics.

“As the scope of the destruction became apparent, I spoke to each of these gentlemen and they each asked the same simple question: ‘how can I help?’

“In the days ahead, they’ll be asking everyone what they can do — individuals, corporations, NGOs, and institutions.”

Obama also provided the address of a new website for people who want to make donations to the relief and recovery efforts — www.clintonbushhaitifund.org.

“We’re fortunate to have the service of these two leaders. President Bush led America’s response to the Asian tsunami, aid and relief that prevented even greater loss of life in the months after that disaster. His administration’s efforts to fight HIV in Africa treated more than 10 million men, women and children.

“As president, Bill Clinton helped restore democracy in Haiti. As a private citizen, he has helped to save the lives of millions of people around the world. And as the United Nations special envoy to Haiti, he understands intimately the daily needs and struggles of the Haitian people.

“And by coming together in this way, these two leaders send an unmistakable message to the people of Haiti and to the people of the world. In these difficult hours, America stands united. We stand united with the people of Haiti who have shown such incredible resilience and we will help them to recover and to rebuild.”

“We’re fortunate to have the service of these two leaders. President Bush led America’s response to the Asian tsunami, aid and relief that prevented even greater loss of life in the months after that disaster. His administration’s efforts to fight HIV in Africa treated more than 10 million men, women and children.

“As president, Bill Clinton helped restore democracy in Haiti. As a private citizen, he has helped to save the lives of millions of people around the world. And as the United Nations special envoy to Haiti, he understands intimately the daily needs and struggles of the Haitian people.

“And by coming together in this way, these two leaders send an unmistakable message to the people of Haiti and to the people of the world. In these difficult hours, America stands united. We stand united with the people of Haiti who have shown such incredible resilience and we will help them to recover and to rebuild.”