Rice reassured by camp for Katrina evacuees

PELHAM, Ala. (AP) — Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visited a camp for Hurricane Katrina evacuees on Sunday and said she was reassured that the residents, all housed in recreational vehicles, are well treated.

"For the time being, they've got a lot of people who care about them," she said. "And they've got kids in schools, and that's really terrific." Most of the residents are from Louisiana.

Rice said she had met one woman who had wandered aimlessly for nine weeks before arriving at the camp on Saturday.

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw accompanied Rice. He has been her constant companion on each stop since she began the rounds of her home state on Friday.

"I'm really struck by the spirit and determination by the volunteers from the state of Alabama," Straw said.