President George W Bush on Saturday urged Americans to contribute to charities responding to the tsunami disaster, saying he had extended a tax benefit for Americans who support such groups.
The world is "seeing the good heart of America in an outpouring of generosity here at home," Bush said in his weekly radio address. "Private citizens are showing their compassion in creative and inspiring ways."
He noted that he had recruited two former presidents, his father, George Bush, and Bill Clinton, "to encourage contributions both large and small, directly to the organizations with recovery efforts underway in the disaster area.
"To encourage support for these groups, I have signed legislation allowing Americans to deduct from their 2004 federal income tax cash contributions made to tunami relief efforts this month. I urge all Americans to contribute as they are able."