    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [February 28, 1998]
    [Page 304]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 304]]

    Remarks on Disaster Assistance in Los Angeles, California
    February 28, 1998

        Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I'd like to begin by thanking
    Congressman Gallegly, Congresswoman
    Millender-McDonald, Congressman
    Sherman, and Gloria Molina and Zev Yaroslavsky for
    joining me here.
        I have just met with some of the people who were hurt by the
    terrible weather you've had in southern California over the last week,
    as well as a number of the people who were involved in the rescue
    effort. Let me begin by saying that our hearts and prayers are with the
    families who lost their loved ones. I especially want to send our
    condolences to the families of Officer Rick Stovall and Officer Brit Irvine who gave
    their lives in the line of service as they responded to the emergency in
    Santa Maria.
        There were many people of all ages who lost their lives in this
    terrible tragedy. I received a fax from a friend of mine yesterday whose
    son lost a childhood friend of his, a young fellow student. I met a
    young woman in there in the meeting who lost her fiance after he had
    saved the lives of a woman and her three young children.
        There is very little that anyone can say at this moment to ease the
    human loss. We do know that the weather we are experiencing now has been
    dramatically aggravated because of El Nino. I have visited with families
    in Florida where 39 people were killed in the worst tornadoes in 50
    years, in northern California, and now here today.
        The Federal Emergency Management Agency has spent a lot of time in
    southern California in the last 5 years and couple of months since I've
    been President. I talked with James Lee Witt
    in some detail before I came down here today. We are determined to do
    all we can. FEMA is responding swiftly to provide disaster relief funds
    in 35 counties, including over $2 million more for Glenn County. The SBA
    has an outreach office in Orange County, and Federal Highway
    Administration personnel have already released $40 million to California
    for road repairs.
        There will be a lot more to be done. The Members of Congress and the
    local officials have talked to me about other things that we need to do
    to deal with the particular problems of people who lost everything or
    who are still at risk of further natural calamities.
        Let me just say today, I want more than anything else to praise the
    courage of those who worked so hard during this disaster--the fire, the
    police personnel, the emergency personnel, all the others who were
    involved; many of them risked their lives, and as we know, two lost
    their lives--and to praise the courage of the people who have lost
    everything they have but still have their lives. I want to encourage
    them, to tell them their fellow Americans are thinking about them, and
    to pray for tranquil weather as we begin the rebuilding process.
        Thank you very much.

    Note: The President spoke at 6:05 p.m. on the tarmac at Los Angeles
    International Airport. In his remarks, he referred to Gloria Molina and
    Zev Yaroslavsky, members, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors; and
    California Highway Patrol officers Rick Stovall and Brit Irvine.