    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
    [September 20, 2005]
    [Pages 1460-1461]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks to Reporters in New Orleans, Louisiana
    September 20, 2005

    Hurricane Katrina Recovery

        The President. I want to thank the folks here at the Folger plant
    for inviting us to come say hello. The reason I've come with the
    mayor and with Admiral Allen is because I want the people to know that

    [[Page 1461]]

    there's progress being made in this part of the world. We've got some
    people working here because of the ingenuity of the plant managers.
    Behind me you see temporary housing where this company has provided
    housing for the folks who work here.
        Mayor C. Ray Nagin. FEMA helped.
        The President. And FEMA helped with that. And what you're beginning
    to see is a revitalized economy. Progress is being made toward meeting
    the mayor's vision of a--and my vision and
    everybody's vision involved with this of a vibrant New Orleans and
    surrounding parishes.
        The other thing, I've just come from a briefing about Hurricane
    Rita--or Storm Rita, now a category 2 hurricane--and we were watching
    very closely, of course, its track. All up and down this coastline,
    people are now preparing for what is anticipated to be yet another
    significant storm. Admiral Allen is going to
    stay in charge of the Louisiana/Mississippi area. We've got another
    admiral who is now being stationed in Texas to coordinate the relief
    response. We've got military assets that are being taken out of the New
    Orleans area, out of harm's way, and have come back in behind the storm,
    to follow up where it's needed.
        I've been in touch with the Governor of Texas. I've been briefed on the planning for what we pray is
    not a devastating storm--but there's one coming. And I appreciate the
    mayor recognizing that, and he made a wise
    decision to say to people, ``Be cautious about returning here because a
    flood--a rain of any amount could cause these levees to break again.''
        But progress is being made. As I said in Mississippi, I was pleased
    to see the progress being made on the ground. There's still a lot of
    work, but they're making progress. And they're making progress here in
    New Orleans too. Again, we've got a lot of work to do, but people are
    determined to get the job done.
        Anyway, I want to thank you for having me. Thanks for having me
    back. Thank you all.

    Note: The President spoke at 3:40 p.m. at the Folgers Coffee plant. In
    his remarks, he referred to Mayor C. Ray Nagin of New Orleans, LA; Vice
    Adm. Thad W. Allen, USCG, U.S. Coast Guard Chief of Staff; Rear Adm.
    Larry L. Hereth, USCG, commander, Fifth Coast Guard District; and Gov.
    Rick Perry of Texas.