    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book II)]
    [October 25, 2007]
    [Pages 1387-1389]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks in Escondido, California
    October 25, 2007

        Governor, thank you very much.
    First thing I want to let the people know out here in southern
    California is that many across our Nation have been moved by the plight
    of the citizens who have lost their homes, lost their possessions, and
    particularly those who have lost their life. It's very important for
    those who are wondering about their future to know, there's a lot of
    good citizens all across America who are praying for your future and who
    really want to stand with you.
        I appreciate the leadership of Governor
    Schwarzenegger. I said earlier,
    when we were at the neighborhood, there's no hill he's not willing to
    charge, no problem he's not willing to solve. And we've got a big
    problem out here, and I appreciate his leadership. It makes a
    significant difference when you have somebody in the statehouse willing
    to take the lead. I've come to make sure that the Federal Government
    provides the help for people here at the local level.
        I do want to thank Senator Feinstein
    for joining us. I want to thank the local mayors, statehouse folks, the
    Congresspeople for being with us as well.

    [[Page 1388]]

        Really, it's important for me to come out here and see firsthand the
    situation. And there's no question, a lot of people are suffering. And
    there's no question, there's been terrible losses.
        I also am out here to make sure these firefighters behind me and the
    first-responders know how much I appreciate and how much the country
    appreciates their courage and bravery. Firefighters are on the scene and
    on the frontlines. The police have helped maintain order. Emergency
    medical teams have treated the sick. And our National Guard personnel is
    providing very important assistance. It turns out, when the President
    shows up, so does a lot of the other brass. I'm proud to be here with
    General Tuck [Blum],* who runs the entire
    National Guard Bureau.
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        *White House correction.
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        All of us associated with the Federal Government, Governor, are here
    to make sure that the resources at our disposal are deployed to help
    you. And that's why there's all kinds of people from all different
    Departments at the Federal level to assess the needs, to listen to the
    concerns, and to respond. And that's exactly what we've been doing, and
    that's exactly what we'll continue to do.
        As the Governor mentioned, I
    did just issue an emergency declaration which allows Federal Agencies
    across the Government to help State and local authorities. It empowers
    FEMA to provide vital supplies as well as to pay emergency grants to
    help pay for the cost of firefighting, evacuation shelters, and traffic
    control.
        Our Department of Agriculture and Interior have provided elite
    firefighters and equipment. As I mentioned, the Department of Defense is
    in this to help you through NORTHCOM. The military has got assets that
    we can help you with. General, thanks
    for coming. We've got a four-star general with us today. He runs
    NORTHCOM, and the reason he's here, Governor, is to listen to you, find out what assets we can continue
    to deploy to help you.
        As the Governor mentioned,
    yesterday I signed a second declaration to help California's recovery
    and rebuilding efforts. The major disaster declaration authorizes the
    release of Federal funds for debris removal and long-term assistance to
    individuals and businessowners. People affected by the fires can now
    apply for assistance for temporary housing and home repair and low-cost
    loans to cover uninsured property losses.
        Now, people here in this part of the world are wondering, is there a
    number they can call to get help? And here's the number: 1-800-621-FEMA.
    If you want to find out whether or not you qualify for help, Federal
    help, just call 1-800-621-FEMA or go to the web site FEMA.gov. And
    there's a third way that you can find out whether you get help, and that
    is through a mobile disaster recovery center that FEMA's deployed around
    this State. And Arnold Schwarzenegger's right. These fires are going to go out because of the
    bravery of the people behind us, but there's still going to be needs and
    concerns.
        And the final reason I've come is to let you know, we're not going
    to forget you in Washington, DC; that we want the people to know that
    there's a better day ahead; that today your life may look dismal, but
    tomorrow life's going to be better; and to the extent that the Federal
    Government can help you, we want to do so.
        I do want to thank all the volunteers who have stepped forth to help
    a neighbor in need. There's an impressive number of people that have
    heard the call that one of their neighbors needs help. And for all of
    those who are volunteering their time to help somebody get their feet
    back on the ground, I thank you from the bottom of our Nation's heart.
        May God bless those who suffer, may God bless those who are helping
    the people who are hurting, and may God continue to bless our country.
    Thank you.

    [[Page 1389]]

    Note: The President spoke at 12:24 p.m. in Kit Carson Park. In his
    remarks, he referred to Lt. Gen. H. Steven Blum, USA, chief, National
    Guard Bureau; and Gen. Victor E. Renuart, Jr., USAF, commander, North
    American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command.