    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
    [September 27, 2005]
    [Pages 1491-1492]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks to Reporters in Beaumont, Texas
    September 27, 2005

        I just met with local county judges and mayors, along with the
    Governor. Obviously this area is hurt. The
    Governor knows that. I saw it firsthand, how it's hurt. We've got some
    priorities that we're in the process of working together to achieve. The
    first is food and water. The second is electricity and generators moving
    this way; there's a rational plan to distribute the generators. Thirdly,
    there's fuel. We fully understand that it's hard to maintain order if
    you don't have fuel for your cars and first-responders.
        And I appreciate the planning that the Governor put into this. The State of Texas is--took precautions
    before the storm hit and is now responding. And our job is to work with
    the State. I have the top people here with me, the Coast Guard
    admiral, who is in charge of the Federal
    response. I had the head of FEMA with me,
    and I had a three-star Army general here,
    all of them here to help make sure these people can get their lives back
    together.
        Again, the Governor has got a plan to make
    sure people don't come back too early. He's listening to the local
    judges and the mayors. Obviously, we want people to come home as quickly
    as possible. We want them to be able to do so in an orderly way. And
    when they get home, they find that there's a--you know, as best as
    possible, power and water.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:58 a.m. at Southeast Texas Regional
    Airport. In his remarks, he referred to Gov. Rick Perry of Texas; Rear
    Adm. Larry L. Hereth, USCG, commander, Fifth Coast Guard District; R.
    David Paulison, Acting Director, Federal Emergency Management Agency;
    and Lt. Gen. Robert T. Clark, USA, commander, Joint Task Force--Rita. A
    tape was not available for verification of the content of these remarks.

    [[Page 1492]]