    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
    [September 10, 2005]
    [Pages 1412-1414]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    September 10, 2005

        Good morning. On Sunday, our Nation will observe the fourth
    anniversary of the September the 11th terrorist attacks. Every American
    has memories of that day that will never leave them. We remember the
    images of fire and terror at the Pentagon, in Pennsylvania, and in the
    heart of New York City.
        We remember the ruthlessness of those who murdered the innocent and
    took joy in their suffering. We remember the courage of the police and
    firefighters and rescue personnel who rushed into burning buildings to
    save lives, knowing they might never emerge. And we remember the
    victims, moms and dads, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters,
    husbands and wives, and the loved ones they left behind.
        As night fell on America on September the 11th, 2001, we felt grief
    and great

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    sorrow. Yet we also saw that while the terrorists could kill the
    innocent, they could not defeat the spirit of our Nation. The despair
    and tragedy of that day were overcome by displays of selflessness,
    courage, and compassion.
        And in the days and weeks that followed, America answered history's
    call to bring justice to our enemies and to ensure the survival and
    success of liberty. And that mission continues today.
        Four years later, Americans remember the fears and uncertainty and
    confusion of that terrible morning. But above all, we remember the
    resolve of our Nation to defend our freedom, rebuild a wounded city, and
    care for our neighbors in need.
        Today, America is confronting another disaster that has caused
    destruction and loss of life. This time the devastation resulted not
    from the malice of evil men but from the fury of water and wind.
        Hurricane Katrina flattened entire towns along our gulf coast and
    left one of America's most storied cities under water. Tens of thousands
    have lost homes and loved ones and all their earthly possessions. The
    storm took countless lives and forced hundreds of thousands of people to
    flee from their communities, with no assurance of returning soon.
        Once more, our hearts ache for our fellow citizens, and many are
    left with questions about the future. Yet we are again being reminded
    that adversity brings out the best in the American spirit. In this time
    of great suffering, we have seen the courage and determination of rescue
    personnel who willingly risk their lives to save the lives of others. We
    have seen the spirit of America's armies of compassion who have rallied
    in response to this tragedy. Faith-based organizations and community
    groups and individual citizens across the country are caring for those
    affected by the storm and comforting those whose loved ones are lost or
    missing. Across our country, Americans are generously opening their
    homes and hearts to their brothers and sisters in need.
        To find out how you can help, I urge you to visit
    usafreedomcorps.gov or call 1-877-USA-CORPS. The citizens of the gulf
    coast can count on their fellow Americans in this time of trial, and
    their Government is standing with them as well.
        This week I signed legislation providing an additional $52 billion
    for response and recovery efforts. We have already begun distributing
    $2,000 in emergency relief to every displaced household, money they can
    use immediately for food, clothing, and other essentials. I have also
    called for all people from disaster areas to be granted special evacuee
    status, making it easier for them to collect Federal benefits like food
    stamps and Medicaid wherever they are in America.
        We are assisting the victims of Hurricane Katrina, and we will help
    the people of the gulf coast recover from adversity. Despite all they've
    endured, the people of that region are determined to rebuild their homes
    and reclaim their lives, and their fellow Americans are determined to
    help them. To accomplish the difficult work ahead of us, our Nation will
    call upon our vast resources and the ingenuity of our citizens, and
    these will be required in full measure.
        Our greatest resource in such times is the compassionate character
    of the American people, because even the most destructive storm cannot
    weaken the heart and soul of our Nation. America will overcome this
    ordeal, and we will be stronger for it. Even in the deepest darkness, we
    can see the light of hope, and the light shows us the way forward. We
    will honor the memory of those we have lost. We will comfort the victims
    of Katrina, and we will make the gulf coast more vibrant than ever.
        In all that lies before us, may God watch over the United States of
    America.
        Thank you for listening.

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    Note: The address was recorded at 7:50 a.m. on September 9 in the
    Cabinet Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on September
    10. The transcript was made available by the Office of the Press
    Secretary on September 9 but was embargoed for release until the
    broadcast. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish
    language transcript of this address.