[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.