    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book I)]
    [March 1, 2007]
    [Page 207]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Prior to a Lunch Meeting With Elected Officials and Community
    Leaders in New Orleans, Louisiana
    March 1, 2007

        It is my pleasure to be back in New Orleans. I want to thank the
    Lieutenant Governor, the mayor, the head of the City Council, the parish presidents for joining me.
        I've committed to stay involved in the rebuilding of--and the United
    States Senator, excuse me, Senator--and the
    Congressman, I beg your pardon. I
    committed to the people of this part of the world and the gulf coast
    that the Federal Government would fund recovery and stay committed to
    the recovery. And one of the reasons I have come down is to hear from
    you. I fully understand that there are frustrations, and I want to know
    the frustrations. And to the extent we can help, we'll help. I told the
    people that I would work with the Congress to write a $110 billion check
    to help the people of Louisiana and Mississippi, and that check has been
    written. And now it's incumbent upon us to get the money into people's
    hands.
        Sometimes it's hard to see progress when you're living close to the
    scene. I guess the New Orleans Saints football team represents to me
    what's happening in this part of the State. It is a resurgence; there's
    a renewal. Even though there's a lot of work done, the spirit of the
    people down here is strong.
        And so I want to thank these leaders for joining me. It means a lot
    to me. It's good to be with you. It's also good to be in a place where
    you can buy some pretty good food. [Laughter] I'm looking forward to the
    visit.

    Note: The President spoke at 2:22 p.m. at Lil' Dizzy's Cafe. In his
    remarks, he referred to Lt. Gov. Mitchell J. Landrieu of Louisiana;
    Mayor C. Ray Nagin of New Orleans, LA; Oliver M. Thomas, Jr., president,
    New Orleans City Council; Aaron F. Broussard, president, Jefferson
    Parish, LA; Kevin Davis, president, St. Tammany Parish, LA; Billy
    Nungesser, president, Plaquemines Parish, LA; Henry Rodriguez,
    president, St. Bernard Parish, LA; M.E. Taylor, president, Washington
    Parish, LA; and Sen. David Vitter; and Rep. William J. Jefferson.