[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 27 (Monday, July 12, 1993)]
[Pages 1287-1288]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
The President's Radio Address From Tokyo

 July 8, 1993

    This is President Clinton. Although I'm in Japan at a meeting of our 
economic allies, I'm deeply concerned about the disaster hitting many of 
you in the Midwest. As the waters continue to rise, I'm keeping in touch 
through Vice President Gore and Federal officials in Washington. My 
direction to them is simple, urgent, and clear: All Federal agencies 
delivering services to you must coordinate their actions. Teamwork is 
the order of the day.
    I want the services you need to be delivered responsibly, 
efficiently, and without delay. And most of all, I want you to be 
treated the way every American would ask to be treated if they were on 
the receiving end of this disaster, with compassion and effectiveness as 
neighbors and friends.
    When I was Governor of Arkansas, I worked with farmers in my State 
through a number of natural disasters, including very serious floods. 
What I saw in Iowa last weekend when I was there with Secretary Espy 
were conditions as bad as I've ever seen.

[[Page 1288]]

That's why I'm determined to have a Federal response that rises to the 
occasion and deals effectively with the problems you're facing.
    Before I left for Japan, I asked Vice President Gore to monitor 
actively the efforts to deal with this disaster. With his leadership and 
the hard work of a number of dedicated Federal officials, relief and 
response efforts are already underway. We're organizing the appropriate 
Federal agencies to ensure that they work together as a team. The 
Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, is working around the clock, 
cooperating with each of the affected States and managing our 
coordinated response. FEMA personnel are in five States now, assisting 
State governments with preparedness and recovery efforts. And FEMA's in 
close coordination with other States.
    Where disasters are declared, FEMA will set up facilities called 
``disaster application centers'' to provide a speedy and efficient one-
stop process for recovery. It's also providing an 800 number for victims 
of the flooding which allows for rapid application for aid by telephone. 
The Department of Transportation is monitoring the conditions of barge 
traffic and damage to highways. The Army Corps of Engineers and the 
National Guard are out fortifying levees and flood walls, providing 
security and traffic control and simply doing their best to stop or 
alleviate water damage wherever they can. The Department of Agriculture 
is making shelter available, helping farmers with their loan 
obligations, and working to alleviate crop losses and losses farmers 
experience when they can't plant their crops. The Emergency Broadcast 
System is being used throughout the region to provide notifications of 
flash floods, evacuations, and tornadoes.
    Efforts are being made now to remove debris in Minnesota, to provide 
sandbags in Iowa and Illinois, to guard against public health problems, 
and to provide potable water where needed. I've asked our Budget 
Director, Leon Panetta, to begin assembling a funding bill that will 
provide emergency assistance to the region. We'll be working with 
Congress early next week to get this process underway. We'll ask for 
Federal funds on an emergency basis to help pay for crop losses and 
damage to homes, businesses, and public property.
    Times of turmoil and trouble bring out the best in Americans. This 
flood has been no exception. Members of the Red Cross and the Salvation 
Army are doing what these organizations have always done, bringing 
comfort to people of your region who have had their lives turned upside 
down by this flood. National Guard personnel have been mobilizing, 
filling sandbags and providing assistance wherever they can. Some of 
them have cancelled vacations to come home and help the people of their 
communities, strangers and friends alike. These are good people, and I'm 
thankful to them for all they're doing.
    In closing, let me ask each of you to take heart and have faith. As 
hard as these times are, you know that the waters will soon recede and 
the work of recovery will begin. The people who grow our food and the 
communities that surround and support you are central to the American 
way of life. Just as we depend upon you for the harvest, you can depend 
upon us for support at this critical moment in your lives. For that is 
the American way.
    Thanks for listening, and God bless you all.

Note: The President spoke at 11:06 p.m. from the Okura Hotel for 
broadcast in the United States.