    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book I)]
    [March 1, 2007]
    [Pages 205-206]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Visit With Gulf Coast Grant Recipients in Long
    Beach, Mississippi
    March 1, 2007

        You know, it's interesting to come back down here to the gulf coast.
    I tried to think back about what it was like the first time I came after
    the storm hit. And I guess the--my most vivid recollection is the piles
    of rubble, literally debris stacked upon debris. It was--it's hard to
    believe then that I would be--I had faith that I'd be able to come to a
    home, but I had trouble visualizing it. And then I kept coming down, and
    I watched the improvement, because of the hard work of the local
    citizens--people like the mayor here and
    the Governor, who set a vision that was a
    hopeful vision.
        The Federal Government's role has been to write checks. The
    Governor's role and the mayor's role is help to expedite the Federal money to the
    local folks. And today we are able to sit in a homeowner--the Woodwards' home. Again, one
    of the things I like to say is, when somebody walks in, ``Welcome to my
    home.'' And it has a special ring to it here in the gulf coast, because
    there was a time when their home was totally destroyed.
        Part of the reason I've come down is to tell the people here in the
    gulf coast that we still think about them in Washington, and that we
    listen to the Governor when he speaks. The
    other reason I've come down is I want the taxpayers of the United States
    to see firsthand what their money has done to help revitalize a series
    of communities that were literally wiped out because of a major storm.
        It's a--this is a hopeful day. There's obviously a lot more work to
    be done. You can see vacant lots where there's going to be new building.
    There's still work to be done here in Mississippi, and the
    Governor and I are going to go listen to some
    of the local officials describe to me what's on their mind and how we
    can continue to help. But times are changing for the better, and
    people's lives are improving, and there is hope. And I congratulate the
    good folks in this part of the country for their resiliency, their
    courage, and the fact that they never abandoned hope.
        So thank you for giving us a chance to come by. We're proud to be
    with you. Love being with you. Thank you all for your hospitality.
    Appreciate it. Thank you all.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:11 a.m. at the home of Cheryl and Ernie
    Woodward. In his remarks, he referred to Mayor William Skellie, Jr., of
    Long Beach, MS; and Gov. Haley R. Barbour of Mississippi.

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