[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 37 (Monday, September 13, 2004)]
[Pages 1895-1896]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks in a Visit to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida

September 8, 2004

    The President. Good afternoon. I want to thank Max Mayfield for this 
really interesting tour of this important facility. And I want to thank 
you, Max, for your service to our country.
    Director Max Mayfield. My pleasure.
    The President. You did a fabulous job. You did a fabulous job. It's 
good to be here with my brother, Jeb, as well.
    A short time ago, I visited the relief efforts at Port St. Lucie, 
and I've just toured the National Hurricane Center. The people I met 
today are committed, and they are compassionate. They're doing a 
fantastic job, and I appreciate their dedicated service to our country.
    Once again, Florida has faced the devastation of a hurricane. And 
once again the people of Florida are showing their character and their 
strength and their deep concern for their neighbors.
    The damage from high winds and flooding reaches the Atlantic Coast 
to the Panhandle. Some have lost their lives. Many have had their homes 
damaged. Some have lost their homes. Families have lost power. Small 
businesses have suffered. Citrus growers have lost much of their crop. 
And all those here in Florida are in the thoughts and prayers of the 
American people. People all across this country know that--know what 
you've been through and care deeply about you.
    I want the people of Florida and other affected areas to know that 
the Federal Government is doing everything we can to help you. This 
morning, I signed legislation providing $2 billion in additional funding 
for cleanup and FEMA relief operations and emergency food, shelter, and 
medical care. I want to thank the Members of Congress for their 
bipartisan support of this bill. I've also directed the Department of 
Agriculture to help compensate citrus growers for lost crops and trees, 
to help fund the clearing of debris, and with other agencies to help 
migrant farm workers find shelter. As the damage is assessed, I will ask 
Congress for

[[Page 1896]]

additional resources for infrastructure repair and disaster loan 
assistance to businesses and homeowners.
    Jeb is doing a really fine job down here, and I appreciate, Jeb, you 
and your staff for working so hard on behalf of the people of this 
State.
    I want to thank Mike Brown of FEMA and the FEMA staff that have 
worked long hours to help coordinate efforts for--for the people of 
Florida. I want to thank the local officials for their outstanding work 
as well in preparing and responding to Hurricanes Charley and Frances. 
And of course, again, I want to thank Max and his staff for doing a 
really fine job of helping to predict these hurricanes and watching them 
carefully, and using all the technology available to them to better 
prepare the people of the United States if a hurricane were to hit.
    I want to thank the emergency operation centers all across the State 
of Florida, the first-responders, the police and firefighters. People 
are working long hours here to help bring stability and help into the 
communities in this State, and they're doing a really fine job.
    I want to thank the Red Cross--and I appreciate the president, Marty 
Evans, joining us today. It seems like every time I've been to a 
disaster, the Red Cross is always there first. And that means a lot to 
the people of our country.
    I want to thank the people from the Convoy of Hope. Jeb and I had a 
chance today to pass out ice and water and food supplies to people who 
needed help. We were there because the Convoy of Hope set up an aid 
station of compassion, and I want to thank those people there. They're 
from all around the country.
    I want to thank the Salvation Army. I want to thank all the faith-
based groups and citizens who have showed up to help somebody who needs 
help.
    I want to thank the power and telephone crews who have worked so 
hard to restore service. A lot of people lost their electricity. And 
thanks to the good work of people here in Florida and repair folks from 
around the Southeast, electricity is being restored as quickly as 
possible.
    I know the people of Florida will always remember the nurses and 
others who have worked incredibly long shifts at shelters to care for 
the elderly and the vulnerable.
    The people of this State are overcoming adversity, once again. The 
Government is responding with needed resources. Businesses and community 
and faith-based groups are helping to speed the recovery. And in 
tragedy, the people of this State and the people across America are 
responding with goodness and generosity.
    May God bless those who hurt. May God bless those who mourn the loss 
of life. And may God continue to bless this State and our country. Thank 
you very much.

Note: The President spoke at 3:55 p.m. In his remarks, he referred to 
Max Mayfield, Director, National Hurricane Center; Gov. Jeb Bush of 
Florida; and Marsha J. Evans, president and chief executive officer, 
American Red Cross.