[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book II)]
[September 22, 2004]
[Pages 2164-2165]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks on Recovery Efforts in Millvale, Pennsylvania
September 22, 2004

    Listen, thank you all for coming. I have just flown over Allegheny 
County. I have seen the devastation that took place. The storm and the 
floods were lethal, and they cause a lot of heartache and damage. I know 
there are people in this part of our country who are grieving for lost 
ones, and we send our prayers to all who grieve.
    I know there are people here who are concerned as to whether or not 
they'll ever get their life back together. I hope my visit here with 
the Senators and 
Congressmen say as clearly as we can that we care about the devastation 
that took place, that we understand the Federal Government has an 
obligation to help, and we will.
    Most of all, I'm here to thank the people of this community who have 
risen up to deal with the hardship. My message not only is to the people 
of the Millvale but is to Etna and Carnegie as well, communities in this 
part of the world that were hard hit. You know, the volunteer 
firefighters here, I was honored to be able to shake hands with some. I 
looked in the guy's eyes and said, ``You got flood eyes''--obviously, he 
had no sleep. He's doing all he could do to help save lives and help 
begin to heal the hurt.
    The first thing I want to do is thank all the first-responders, 
firefighters and the police and the EMS teams. I want to thank Dave 
Sanko, of the State of Pennsylvania for--he's 
the FEMA--he's the emergency management director who has been on top of 
the situation ever since the flood started to come. I'm absolutely 
convinced that as a result of the coordination between the Federal 
Government, the State government, and local governments, loss of life 
had been minimized. Dave has done a terrific job, and I appreciate your 
service to your State.
    Mike Brown is with me. He's the head of the 
FEMA. I'm down here to let people know that FEMA is going to move 
quickly. The best way to make sure people understand FEMA is going to 
move quickly is bring the main guy with me and let the mayor, Mayor 
Burn, talk to him and county executive of Allegheny Country. I wanted him to hear firsthand what 
the people in these communities and this county have been through. And I 
want Brown to know that he's going to respond as quickly as he can, and 
that's what I want the people to know.
    I want to thank the local officials who are working hard to help the 
people in this community. You know, what happens when these disasters 
hit: The real character of a community comes out; people show up; 
neighbors love neighbors; firefighters help save lives. You met the 
storm--this storm with compassion and courage. You showed the true 
spirit of the American people by how you've responded and are responding 
to this--these floods.
    I want to thank the National Guard and Coast Guardsmen who worked 
hard all across the State of Pennsylvania to save lives and do their 
duty. I want to thank the power workers, people that--and the telephone 
crews--for getting electricity back up and running for the people of 
this part of the world. I know there are some homes that still don't 
have their electricity hooked up, but I've been assured that the power 
company is working as hard as they can to get electricity up. I know 
there's

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some people without natural gas. I know they're working hard to get the 
natural gas lines fixed so people can have power in their homes.
    I appreciate the men and women of the Red Cross. The Red Cross has 
been tested during the last months. I've seen Red Cross workers all 
across our country. They're out there providing compassion and care. The 
Red Cross is a great organization, mainly because it's got great 
workers, people who care a lot.
    I want to thank the faith-based communities who have been responding 
to this disaster. You know, the concept of neighbor loving neighbor is a 
powerful concept. It helps lift people's spirits. I met the lady who 
runs the food bank here. She's working overtime to make sure people have 
got something to eat. I want to appreciate all those who are working at 
the food banks. I asked her, I said, ``Do you have enough food to make 
sure the good people of this part of the world got something on the 
table to eat?'' She said, ``Absolutely.'' People are responding to the 
crisis, and out of the harm is coming some good.
    I want to let you know that we're dedicated to responding as quickly 
as we possibly can. I've been told that those who have registered with 
FEMA have started to receive checks. I urge people to find out the 
facts, to get 800 numbers that are available, and to sign up for help. 
We can't help you unless you sign up for the help.
    Again, I want to reassure the people of western Pennsylvania that a 
lot of people are praying for you. You know, I saw the look in the 
people's eyes when I was driving through the town here--small-business 
owners and entrepreneurs whose businesses were destroyed, their stuff 
piled up in front of their business, wondering whether or not there's a 
future. There is a future. I predict to you, Mr. Mayor, that within a reasonable period of time this town is 
going to be back on its feet, better than ever, more hopeful than ever.
    We ask God's blessings on everybody who lives here. And may God 
continue to bless our country. Thank you all for coming.

Note: The President spoke at 4:19 p.m. In his remarks, he referred to 
David M. Sanko, director, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency; 
Mayor James Burn of Millvale, PA; and Allegheny County Chief Executive 
Dan Onorato.