[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 36 (Monday, September 6, 2004)]
[Pages 1713-1714]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks to Journalists in
Miami, Florida

August 27, 2004

Hurricane Charley

    I have just been briefed by Mike Brown here at FEMA about the 
progress that the Federal Government, in working with the State 
government, is making toward helping these poor people who got hurt by 
Hurricane Charley and Tropical Storm Bonnie.
    When I came down here a while ago, I said that--I promised that 
there would be a full-scale Federal focus on helping the State of 
Florida. And I tasked Mike Brown to make sure that that happened, and he 
has done a great job. I appreciate you serving the people of this State.
    And Jeb has done a fine job too. He is--he understands that a 
Governor must lead, and he had led. And he has helped focus resources on 
helping these people that need help.
    There is further work to be done here in Florida. Chairman Bill 
Young is with us. We have been discussing the need for a supplemental 
fund, supplemental funding request of the Congress for $2 billion to 
help continue to rebuild Florida. The Chairman and I had a good 
discussion on this issue. He knows Florida well. He knows the west coast 
of Florida really well. And as importantly, he knows how the Congress 
works well. And he said as soon as they get back, they'll take this 
matter up. This money will help for cleanup and housing and other 
services, small-business loans that are provided through FEMA.
    As well, we're concerned about the citrus growers here in Florida, 
the nursery men and women in the State of Florida. We think there is 
ample money in the agricultural budgets to handle the damage done by 
Charley to the citrus industry and the nursery industry and the 
vegetable industry. If not, we'll work with the Chairman to provide 
money at the Federal level to help this State rebuild.
    The main thing that's happened here in Florida is the people have 
responded. I want to thank the Red Cross for being at the table here. 
The Red Cross is always first on the scene to provide compassion and 
love. Senator Miller used to be a Governor, and he spent time at 
disasters. And as Governor of Texas I have too, and Jeb obviously has, 
and as President I've been there too. And always, the Red Cross led the 
army of compassion at the sites. And the people of Florida have 
responded really well, provided compassion and decency and care.
    I also want to thank the power companies from the Southeast that 
have responded. It's amazing how much electricity has been restored. 
We're down to, here in this State, less than 20,000 people--I think it 
is, isn't it, Mike--that are looking for electricity. Heck, the last 
time I was here, it was 1.7 million people that didn't have electricity. 
And a lot of the reason why the electricity has been restored is, not 
only have the Florida power companies responded, but the power companies 
from around the Southeast have responded.
    What I'm saying is, is that these disasters cause a lot of harm and 
grief, but they also bring out the best in our citizenry. And there's a 
lot of compassion for the people whose lives have been turned upside 
down. And I want to thank those here in Florida and around this part of 
the world for providing that help.
    Again, Jeb, good job, and same to you, Mike. Thank you all for 
coming.

Note: The President spoke at 4:36 p.m. at Fire Station Number Two. In 
his remarks, he referred to Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida; and Senator Zell 
Miller of Georgia. A tape was not available for verification of the 
content of these remarks. This item was not received in time for 
publication in the appropriate issue.

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