    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book I)]
    [March 3, 2007]
    [Page 226]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Briefing on Tornado Damage in Enterprise, Alabama
    March 3, 2007

        You know, Mayor, I told the people
    yesterday that I come down with a heavy heart, and I will try, to the
    best of my ability, to comfort those who lost life and property. I know
    you and your council and the citizens here have done that as well.
        I hope it helps for the citizens here to hear that we declared your
    county a major disaster area, which will provide some relief. You can
    never heal a heart, but you can provide comfort, knowing that the
    Federal Government will provide help for those whose houses were
    destroyed or automobiles were destroyed. And I would strongly urge the
    citizens here to--if you've got a question, to call 1-800-621-FEMA, and
    there will be somebody answering your call and will give you a chance to
    find out whether or not you will qualify for the relief under the major
    disaster declaration.
        Secondly, I was talking to the Governor, and
    he has said that there have been some funds set up to help the people
    who suffered. And my call to people here in Alabama and around the
    United States is, if you feel the generosity in your heart to help
    people affected by this terrible tornado, I would ask you to contribute.
    One such fund is the Red Cross. There will be others. We will make sure
    that USA Freedom Corps will have posted on it a place where people can
    contribute money. Some people are going to need your help. There have
    been some poor citizens who may or may not qualify for Federal help, but
    are going to need the help of our fellow citizens. And I would ask you
    to, out of the generosity of your heart, to help the folks down here.
        This storm is a tough storm. It went 8 miles and affected a lot of
    lives. And this country is a prayerful country. There are a lot of
    people praying for you.

    Note: The President spoke at 8:40 a.m. at Enterprise Municipal Airport.
    In his remarks, he referred to Mayor Kenneth W. Boswell of Enterprise,
    AL; and Gov. Robert R. Riley of Alabama.