    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book II)]
    [September 8, 2004]
    [Pages 1961-1962]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks During a Visit to the National Hurricane Center in Miami,
    Florida
    September 8, 2004

        The President. Good afternoon. I want to thank Max
    Mayfield for this really interesting tour of
    this important facility. And I want to thank you, Max, for your service
    to our country.
        Director Max Mayfield. My pleasure.
        The President. You did a fabulous job. You did a fabulous job. It's
    good to be here with my brother, Jeb, as well.
        A short time ago, I visited the relief efforts at Port St. Lucie,
    and I've just toured the National Hurricane Center. The people I met
    today are committed, and they are compassionate. They're doing a
    fantastic job, and I appreciate their dedicated service to our country.
        Once again, Florida has faced the devastation of a hurricane. And
    once again the people of Florida are showing their character and their
    strength and their deep concern for their neighbors.
        The damage from high winds and flooding reaches the Atlantic Coast
    to the Panhandle. Some have lost their lives. Many have had their homes
    damaged. Some have lost their homes. Families have lost power. Small
    businesses have suffered. Citrus growers have lost much of their crop.
    And all those here in Florida are in the thoughts and prayers of the
    American people. People all across this country know that--know what
    you've been through and care deeply about you.
        I want the people of Florida and other affected areas to know that
    the Federal Government is doing everything we can to help you. This
    morning, I signed legislation providing $2 billion in additional funding
    for cleanup and FEMA relief operations and emergency food, shelter, and
    medical care. I want to thank the Members of Congress for their
    bipartisan support of this bill. I've also directed the Department of
    Agriculture to help compensate citrus growers for lost crops and trees,
    to help fund the clearing of debris, and with other agencies to help
    migrant farm workers find shelter. As the damage is assessed, I will ask
    Congress for additional resources for infrastructure repair and disaster
    loan assistance to businesses and homeowners.
        Jeb is doing a really fine job down here, and I
    appreciate, Jeb, you and your staff for working so hard on behalf of the
    people of this State.
        I want to thank Mike Brown of FEMA and the
    FEMA staff that have worked long hours to help coordinate efforts for--
    for the people of Florida. I want to thank the local officials for their
    outstanding work as well in preparing and responding to Hurricanes
    Charley and Frances. And of course,

    [[Page 1962]]

    again, I want to thank Max and his staff for
    doing a really fine job of helping to predict these hurricanes and
    watching them carefully, and using all the technology available to them
    to better prepare the people of the United States if a hurricane were to
    hit.
        I want to thank the emergency operation centers all across the State
    of Florida, the first-responders, the police, and firefighters. People
    are working long hours here to help bring stability and help into the
    communities in this State, and they're doing a really fine job.
        I want to thank the Red Cross--and I appreciate the president, Marty
    Evans, joining us today. It seems like every
    time I've been to a disaster, the Red Cross is always there first. And
    that means a lot to the people of our country.
        I want to thank the people from the Convoy of Hope. Jeb and I had a chance today to pass out ice and water and
    food supplies to people who needed help. We were there because the
    Convoy of Hope set up an aid station of compassion, and I want to thank
    those people there. They're from all around the country.
        I want to thank the Salvation Army. I want to thank all the faith-
    based groups and citizens who have showed up to help somebody who needs
    help.
        I want to thank the power and telephone crews who have worked so
    hard to restore service. A lot of people lost their electricity. And
    thanks to the good work of people here in Florida and repair folks from
    around the Southeast, electricity is being restored as quickly as
    possible.
        I know the people of Florida will always remember the nurses and
    others who have worked incredibly long shifts at shelters to care for
    the elderly and the vulnerable.
        The people of this State are overcoming adversity, once again. The
    Government is responding with needed resources. Businesses and community
    and faith-based groups are helping to speed the recovery. And in
    tragedy, the people of this State and the people across America are
    responding with goodness and generosity.
        May God bless those who hurt. May God bless those who mourn the loss
    of life. And may God continue to bless this State and our country. Thank
    you very much.

    Note: The President spoke at 3:55 p.m. In his remarks, he referred to
    Max Mayfield, Director, National Hurricane Center; Gov. Jeb Bush of
    Florida; and Marsha J. ``Marty'' Evans, president and chief executive
    officer, American Red Cross.