[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992-1993, Book II)]
[September 8, 1992]
[Pages 1499-1500]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks and an Exchange With Reporters on Proposed Disaster Relief 
Legislation
September 8, 1992

    The President. Let me just first express my most sincere condolences 
at the death of Senator Burdick of North Dakota, a great American, 
served his country with great

[[Page 1500]]

distinction. And particularly to our friends from the Senate who are 
here today, I want to tell you how deeply Barbara and I feel about that 
loss. I know I speak for everybody here on both sides, the House and the 
Senate, both sides of the aisle, about the loss of this great Senator.
    On to the business at hand. This morning I'm submitting to the 
Congress emergency supplemental requests to cover the cost of cleaning 
up the consequences of the devastating hurricane that hit both Florida 
and Louisiana. There's been a tremendous cooperative effort, many around 
this table participating to the fullest, private citizens, volunteers, 
government officials at all levels, to help people who have been so 
devastated by this storm. And I think it has been a truly bipartisan, 
put it this way, nonpartisan effort. It's worked very well, I think.
    Today we're asking the Congress to join the effort officially on the 
Hill. We're asking for over $7.6 billion in budgetary resources to pay 
for everything from temporary shelter to guaranteed loans for new homes. 
It's a large financial burden, but the personal and human need is even 
more staggering. And our country must be able to answer the cries for 
help from those people who have lost so much and yet, I feel, remain so 
strong. So I'm asking that the Congress move promptly on this 
legislation with--I'm asking that it not become entangled in other 
issues. So I would welcome the support of everybody here. We're with 
you, the Senators and House Members from the affected area. I think we 
can get this done. Thank you all.
    Q. Mr. President, is it your impression the Congress will go along 
with this request?
    The President. Well, one of the things we're going to talk to these 
leaders about is just exactly that and see what we can do. But I know 
the Governors of both States, Governor Chiles, Governor Edwin Edwards, 
are prepared to pitch in. And it is my feeling that the country is 
together on this one. It's hard----
    Q. Does this break the budget?
    The President. Some of it unquestionably will be over the budget, 
not all of it. And I'm going to ask Dick Darman to explain this to the 
Members here in a minute.
    Q. Is this the gridlocked Congress you're asking?
    The President. Not on this issue. I don't think there's any gridlock 
at all, Helen [Helen Thomas, United Press International]. I think the 
country is together. I think the Members of Congress have been superb. I 
have spoken out publicly in gratitude for the support of both Governor 
Chiles and Governor Edwards. So nice try, but not on this issue. We'll 
go to general quarters on other issues, not this one. We're together on 
this.
    Q. Will anything be accomplished, Mr. President, in this election 
year session of Congress?
    The President. This one's going to get accomplished. We've got to 
get this done for the people, and I'm confident that it will.
    Q. Anything else?
    The President. Well, I'll get a little advice on that from some 
around the table here.
    Thank you all.

                    Note: The President spoke at 9:35 a.m. in the 
                        Cabinet Room at the White House prior to a 
                        meeting with congressional leaders.