[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
[November 10, 2005]
[Page 1696]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks During a Meeting With Louisiana Local Officials
November 10, 2005

    The President. Mayor, thanks for coming.
    Mayor C. Ray Nagin. It's good to be here.
    The President. And I appreciate you sharing your thoughts and ideas 
with Don Powell and myself. I appreciate 
the Commission Chairman for coming and setting out a vision for New 
Orleans. And I know you've been through an awful lot of tough times, and 
I really appreciate your working with us to help get this city up and 
running so the great city of New Orleans will rise once again. As I said 
in my speech, Mr. Mayor, I can't imagine an 
America without a New Orleans.
    And we've got a lot of work to do, but you're making good progress, 
and you're showing strong leadership. I appreciate that.
    Mayor Nagin. Thank you, Mr. President.
    The President. Thank you.

Note: The President spoke at 3:40 p.m. in the Roosevelt Room at the 
White House. In his remarks, he referred to Donald E. Powell, Chairman, 
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, who is coordinating Federal gulf 
coast relief efforts.