    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
    [September 5, 2005]
    [Page 1397]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at the Emergency Operations Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
    September 5, 2005

        First of all, thanks for doing your duty. You've faced one of the
    greatest challenges our country has ever faced. As a result of your
    compassion and your hard work and your dedication, a lot of people's
    lives were saved, and I want to thank you for that. I hope that makes
    you feel good, to know that you helped save life.
        We've got a lot of work to do. I told the Governor and the Senators and the Congress people, I said,
    ``You know, if it's not right, we're going to fix it, and if it is
    right, we're going to keep doing it.'' And this is just the beginning of
    a huge effort to--and we're going to continue to save life. But you've
    got to know that lives are still being saved as we speak because
    thousands of people are taking in these displaced souls, in their homes
    and churches and synagogues and mosques and providing love and
    compassion and food.
        This is one of these disasters that will test our soul and test our
    spirit. And--but we're going to show the world, once again, that not
    only we will survive, but that we will be stronger and better for it
    when it's all said and done, that amidst this darkness, there is light.
    And I want to thank you all for providing light, immediate light to
    people who needed help. You make your State and your local governments
    and your country proud.
        God bless you and your families. May God bless the victims, and may
    God continue to bless our country. Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 1:05 p.m. In his remarks, he referred to
    Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco of Louisiana.