    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book I)]
    [July 8, 1993]
    [Pages 1032-1033]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Radio Address to Midwest Flood Victims
    July 8, 1993

        This is President Clinton. Although I'm in Japan at a meeting of our
    economic allies, I'm deeply concerned about the disaster hitting many of
    you in the Midwest. As the waters continue to rise, I'm keeping in touch
    through Vice President Gore and Federal officials in Washington. My
    direction to them is simple, urgent, and clear: All Federal agencies
    delivering services to you must coordinate their actions. Teamwork is
    the order of the day.
        I want the services you need to be delivered responsibly,
    efficiently, and without delay. And most of all, I want you to be
    treated the way every American would ask to be treated if they were on
    the receiving end of this disaster, with compassion and effectiveness as
    neighbors and friends.
        When I was Governor of Arkansas, I worked with farmers in my State
    through a number of natural disasters, including very serious floods.
    What I saw in Iowa last weekend when I was there with Secretary Espy
    were conditions as bad as I've ever seen. That's why I'm determined to
    have a Federal response that rises to the occasion and deals effectively
    with the problems you're facing.
        Before I left for Japan, I asked Vice President Gore to monitor
    actively the efforts to deal with this disaster. With his leadership and
    the hard work of a number of dedicated Federal officials, relief and
    response efforts are already underway. We're organizing the appropriate
    Federal agencies to ensure that they work together as a team. The
    Federal Emergency Management Agency,

    [[Page 1033]]

    FEMA, is working around the clock, cooperating with each of the affected
    States and managing our coordinated response. FEMA personnel are in five
    States now, assisting State governments with preparedness and recovery
    efforts. And FEMA's in close coordination with other States.
        Where disasters are declared, FEMA will set up facilities called
    ``disaster application centers'' to provide a speedy and efficient one-
    stop process for recovery. It's also providing an 800 number for victims
    of the flooding which allows for rapid application for aid by telephone.
    The Department of Transportation is monitoring the conditions of barge
    traffic and damage to highways. The Army Corps of Engineers and the
    National Guard are out fortifying levees and flood walls, providing
    security and traffic control and simply doing their best to stop or
    alleviate water damage wherever they can. The Department of Agriculture
    is making shelter available, helping farmers with their loan
    obligations, and working to alleviate crop losses and losses farmers
    experience when they can't plant their crops. The Emergency Broadcast
    System is being used throughout the region to provide notifications of
    flash floods, evacuations, and tornadoes.
        Efforts are being made now to remove debris in Minnesota, to provide
    sandbags in Iowa and Illinois, to guard against public health problems,
    and to provide potable water where needed. I've asked our Budget
    Director, Leon Panetta, to begin assembling a funding bill that will
    provide emergency assistance to the region. We'll be working with
    Congress early next week to get this process underway. We'll ask for
    Federal funds on an emergency basis to help pay for crop losses and
    damage to homes, businesses, and public property.
        Times of turmoil and trouble bring out the best in Americans. This
    flood has been no exception. Members of the Red Cross and the Salvation
    Army are doing what these organizations have always done, bringing
    comfort to people of your region who have had their lives turned upside
    down by this flood. National Guard personnel have been mobilizing,
    filling sandbags and providing assistance wherever they can. Some of
    them have canceled vacations to come home and help the people of their
    communities, strangers and friends alike. These are good people, and I'm
    thankful to them for all they're doing.
        In closing, let me ask each of you to take heart and have faith. As
    hard as these times are, you know that the waters will soon recede and
    the work of recovery will begin. The people who grow our food and the
    communities that surround and support you are central to the American
    way of life. Just as we depend upon you for the harvest, you can depend
    upon us for support at this critical moment in your lives. For that is
    the American way.
        Thanks for listening, and God bless you all.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:06 p.m. from the Okura Hotel in Tokyo
    for broadcast in the United States.