[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.
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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.