    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [April 22, 2008]
    [Pages 559-560]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Meeting With Community Leaders in New Orleans
    April 22, 2008

        I want to thank the Governor,
    thank the mayor, thank the parish presidents, Congressmen. Thank you all very much--city
    council leaders, compassionate citizens from New Orleans. Thank you very
    much for briefing me and my team and the new Coordinator from the White
    House, Doug O'Dell, for keeping us
    abreast of progress that has been made down here and challenges that
    remain.

    [[Page 560]]

        You know, one of the things--I came to New Orleans and spoke about
    the Federal commitment, and I said, it's been a devastating period, and
    the Federal Government is committed and will remain committed to
    helping. Thus far, the Federal Government's committed $120 billion--
    little more than that--of taxpayers' money to help all along the coast.
    I think it's money well spent. I think it's important for our country
    that the Gulf Coast region and the great city of New Orleans recover as
    quickly as possible.
        My impression is that--you know, that there's a lot more hope now
    than there was even from a year ago. I mean, there's just--people have a
    little different bounce in their step. But there are some significant
    problems. One is we got to make sure these levees meet the obligations
    and meet the standards.
        Secondly, I am concerned about the health care system that was torn
    up and needs to be rebuilt in a way that encourages there to be good
    health care and in a way that recognizes the changing population of New
    Orleans.
        Thirdly, I have been concerned about the stories on crime, just like
    the citizens have been worried about the stories on crime. And I
    appreciate the Federal attorney giving me an
    update, and I appreciate the mayor's efforts to work hard to hold people
    to account for breaking the law. That's what the average citizen
    expects; that's what the taxpayers who are helping the people down here
    want to see.
        All in all--and then, finally, public housing restoration--it's a
    big issue in New Orleans. It's--but it's an issue where there is a plan,
    and we just need to follow through on the plan.
        So there are some hurdles, but this city has come a long way and--to
    the point where I felt very comfortable hosting the international
    conference with the President of Mexico and the Prime Minister of Canada. And I will tell you that not only did the leaders
    feel welcomed in New Orleans and feel comfortable in New Orleans and
    feel relaxed in New Orleans, but so did the delegations they brought
    with them. New Orleans is a great city to host a meeting or host a
    convention. They know what they're doing down here. The city is
    recovered, it's on its feet, and it's bouncing back. And it is an honor
    to be back here.
        And I want to thank you all for sharing your thoughts with me. And
    thank you for being leaders and helping this part of the--vital part of
    the country recover.

    Note: The President spoke at 2:07 p.m. at Galatoire's Restaurant. In his
    remarks, he referred to Gov. Piyush ``Bobby'' Jindal of Louisiana; Mayor
    C. Ray Nagin of New Orleans, LA; Douglas V. O'Dell, Jr., Federal
    Coordinator, Office of Gulf Coast Rebuilding; Jim Letten, U.S. Attorney
    for the Eastern District of Louisiana; President Felipe de Jesus
    Calderon Hinojosa of Mexico; and Prime Minister Stephen Harper of
    Canada.