[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992-1993, Book II)]
[August 27, 1992]
[Page 1445]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks in Toledo, Ohio, on Additional Disaster Assistance for Florida 
Following Hurricane Andrew
August 27, 1992

    The President. I want to make a brief statement on the hurricane 
situation in south Florida. I've been on the phone with Secretary Card; 
with the White House, of course; and with Governor Chiles, the Governor 
of Florida. Secretary Card is the head of this Federal task force that 
is responding to the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew, and I talked to both 
him and Governor Chiles about what more needs to be done.
    I've directed the Federal troops to be immediately alerted and begin 
to provide additional emergency assistance to the victims of the 
disaster. We are going to fulfill the request of the Governor for 
Federal participation by the military. And then we will be doing a lot 
more because, as these reports have come in today, the damage is far 
more widespread than even we had feared. We directed the Department of 
Defense to supply comprehensive assistance to the affected areas, 
including mobile tents, food, water, field kitchens. I've also directed 
them to supply whatever transportation is necessary, including aircraft 
and helicopters, to fulfill that vital mission.
    The damage has created tragedy for millions of Floridians. Some are 
estimating it may be the worst national disaster this country has seen, 
natural disaster. And on behalf of every American, of course, let me 
just express profound concern to those residents of Florida.
    But the military is moving, and there's meetings right now to 
further enhance this mobilization. So help is on the way. It will be a 
major effort because the National Guard in Florida, according to the 
Governor, has been fully mobilized now. I think we saw half the troops 
mobilized as of yesterday, but even that, with a lot of troops, have not 
been able to handle this job. So the Federal Government is not only 
prepared to assist but is in this instance very eager to assist. So that 
will be underway, and relief will be forthcoming very, very soon.
    Q. Mr. President, what will the role of the troops be? Is there a 
problem of looting there?
    The President. No, I think the Florida Guard has done a good job in 
the security aspects. And I think these troops and these facilities will 
be used for sanitation, for feeding, for housing, tents, for example, 
and to bring that kind of relief to the people.
    Thank you all very, very much.
    Q. Do you want to talk about politics a little bit?
    The President. I'd better not right now.

                    Note: The President spoke at 5:40 p.m. at the Toledo 
                        Express Airport prior to his departure for 
                        Washington, DC.