[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.