    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book II)]
    [August 27, 2004]
    [Pages 1755-1756]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Hurricane Charley in Miami, Florida
    August 27, 2004

        I have just been briefed by Mike Brown here
    at FEMA about the progress that the Federal Government, in working with
    the State government, is making toward helping these poor people who got
    hurt by Hurricane Charley and Tropical Storm Bonnie.
        When I came down here a while ago, I said that--I promised that
    there would be a full-scale Federal focus on helping the State of
    Florida. And I tasked Mike Brown to make sure
    that that happened, and he has done a great job. I appreciate you
    serving the people of this State.
        And Jeb has done a fine job too. He is--he
    understands that a Governor must lead, and he had led. And he has helped
    focus resources on helping these people that need help.
        There is further work to be done here in Florida. Chairman Bill
    Young is with us. We have been discussing
    the need for a supplemental fund, supplemental funding request of the
    Congress for $2 billion to help continue to rebuild Florida. The
    chairman and I had a good discussion on this issue. He knows Florida
    well. He knows the west coast of Florida really well. And as
    importantly, he knows how the Congress works well. And he said as soon
    as they get back, they'll take this matter up. This money will help for
    cleanup and housing and other services, small-business loans that are
    provided through FEMA.
        As well, we're concerned about the citrus growers here in Florida,
    the nursery men and women in the State of Florida. We

    [[Page 1756]]

    think there is ample money in the agricultural budgets to handle the
    damage done by Charley to the citrus industry and the nursery industry
    and the vegetable industry. If not, we'll work with the chairman to provide money at the Federal level to help this
    State rebuild.
        The main thing that's happened here in Florida is the people have
    responded. I want to thank the Red Cross for being at the table here.
    The Red Cross is always first on the scene to provide compassion and
    love. Senator Miller used to be a Governor, and
    he spent time at disasters. And as Governor of Texas I have too, and
    Jeb obviously has, and as President I've been there
    too. And always, the Red Cross led the army of compassion at the sites.
    And the people of Florida have responded really well, provided
    compassion and decency and care.
        I also want to thank the power companies from the Southeast that
    have responded. It's amazing how much electricity has been restored.
    We're down to, here in this State, less than 20,000 people--I think it
    is, isn't it, Mike--that are looking for
    electricity. Heck, the last time I was here, it was 1.7 million people
    that didn't have electricity. And a lot of the reason why the
    electricity has been restored is, not only have the Florida power
    companies responded, but the power companies from around the Southeast
    have responded.
        What I'm saying is, is that these disasters cause a lot of harm and
    grief, but they also bring out the best in our citizenry. And there's a
    lot of compassion for the people whose lives have been turned upside
    down. And I want to thank those here in Florida and around this part of
    the world for providing that help.
        Again, Jeb, good job, and same to you,
    Mike. Thank you all for coming.

    Note: The President spoke at 4:36 p.m. at Fire Station Number Two. In
    his remarks, he referred to Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida; and Senator Zell
    Miller of Georgia. A tape was not available for verification of the
    content of these remarks.