    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [June 6, 2008]
    [Page 761]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Meeting on Earthquake Relief Efforts in China
    June 6, 2008

        Thank you very much, Bonnie, for
    inviting me here. I'm proud to be here with Secretary of State
    Rice, Secretary of Treasury
    Paulson. Ambassador, thank you for being here.
        I've just been briefed about how the United States private sector,
    faith-based community, NGO community's responding to what is a horrible
    human disaster in China--estimated 70,000 people have died, 18,000
    people missing, 15 million people homeless, and the tally is still being
    counted. There's no question, this is a major human disaster that
    requires a strong response from the Chinese Government, which is what
    they're providing, but it also responds--a compassionate response from
    nations to whom--for--that have got the blessings--good blessings of
    life, and that's us.
        I told the folks assembled here that I'm not surprised that the
    American people have responded to this challenge. And the reason I'm not
    surprised is, we're a compassionate, decent nation that cares deeply
    about a stranger who hurts. And so the response of the--so far of our
    American citizens have been impressive--unprecedented and unparalleled
    in its compassion.
        There'll be more work that needs to be done. My message to the
    Chinese Government is, thank you for welcoming our aid, thank you for
    taking a firm response to this disaster, and just know the American
    people care about the people of China. When a brother and sister hurts,
    we care about it.
        And so that's why our response has been so robust and so
    compassionate to date. I want to thank you all from the bottom of my
    heart for showing the great compassion of America.
        Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:43 a.m. at the American Red Cross
    National Headquarters. In his remarks, he referred to Bonnie McElveen-
    Hunter, chairman of the board of governors, American Red Cross; and
    China's Ambassador to the U.S. Zhou Wenzhong.