[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.