Honor Jabbar Gibson for Saving Lives During Hurricane Katrina

We, as citizens of the United States, and other nations trust that it is within our power to affect actions at the highest levels of government. We believe we can be heard, and we hope and expect that our elected officials will respond to our heartfelt expressions of concern, as our representatives at the national level.

We have been extraordinarily moved by the story of Jabbar Gibson, and the initiative he displayed in commandeering a bus to drive Hurricane Katrina victims out of New Orleans. We were very alarmed to hear that he was at one time in danger of prosecution. Mr. Gibson declared to the news media, "I dont care if I get blamed for it, as long as I saved my people." But WE care if he gets blamed for it.

We are citizens, voters, property owners and taxpayers. We are determined to move Heaven and Earth to see to it that anyone who dares prosecute Jabbar Gibson will never be re-elected.

When others were turning to crimes of the most brutal sort, he turned despair to hope; saving the lives of his fellow strangers and using the resourcefulness that is the hallmark of the American spirit. This young man deserves the highest honors this nation can bestow upon him.

Though he did not know how to drive a school bus, this practical and level-headed young man took control of the situation he found himself in. He took advantage of the slim opportunity at his disposal. Loading a school bus with 100 survivors, he drove seven hours straight through to the Houston evacuation center, arriving ahead of even the coordinated evacuation efforts.

There is no need to speculate what might have become of those he saved for the news has been replete with cases of death, rape, and murder.

Are these the qualities that invite prosecution in this nation? Are bravery, common sense and initiative to be criminalized in the aftermath of such unprecedented disaster?

We, the undersigned, give a resounding no! We request that this young man be awarded appropriately with a Presidential Medal of Freedom and a full four-year scholarship to the college of his choice. For we truly believe that Jabbar Gibson as an individual, exemplified the courage and the spirit that is the best part of America and in so doing became emblematic of the actions many others who responded bravely and selflessly in the face of this disaster. He is someone we should support, encourage, and see prosper in this great nation. Jabbar Gibson and those like him are the future of America!