[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 9 (Monday, March 5, 2001)]
[Pages 367-368]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Exchange With Reporters in Council Bluffs, Iowa

February 28, 2001

Seattle Earthquake

    Q. Mr. President, any reaction to the earthquake news?
    The President. I talked to the FEMA Director. He is on top of it. He 
is gathering all the information. He is in touch with the officials in 
the State of Washington. I think the Governor is on an airplane now, but 
as soon as he lands, we'll be in touch. Then we will assess whatever 
damage, and we will provide whatever resources are necessary to help the 
people.
    Q. When were you told?
    The President. I was told in Omaha.
    Q. Do you have a message for the people of Washington?
    The President. Well, God bless, obviously. Anything we can do to 
help, we will do so.
    Q. Can you talk about your contingency plan as part of your budget 
outline and how this----
    The President. Well, we've got money set aside for emergencies such 
as these.

Note: The exchange began at approximately 2:35 p.m. at the Old Carnegie 
Library. In his remarks,

[[Page 368]]

the President referred to Gov. Gary Locke of Washington. A tape was not 
available for verification of the content of this exchange.