[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 40 (Monday, October 4, 2004)]
[Pages 2173-2174]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Following an Inspection of Hurricane Damage in Lake Wales, 
Florida

September 29, 2004

    I want to thank the McKenna boys for showing us around here, giving 
us a chance to see the devastation that took place here from not just 
one hurricane but three hurricanes. I want to thank my brother Jeb for 
his hospitality and his leadership. I want to thank Secretary of 
Agriculture Ann Veneman, for being down here. I want to thank Charlie 
Bronson, secretary of agriculture. I want to thank Adam Putnam, 
Congressman from this part of the world. Every time I see Adam, all he 
does is talk about oranges. His hair is kind of orange.
    I understand a lot of people in this area, like Marty and Pat, were 
hit hard by Jeanne and Charley and Frances. These are storms that have 
taken lives, storms that have created severe flooding, storms that 
caused major power outages, and storms that damaged farms and homes and 
hospitals and roads. It's been a devastating period for the State of 
Florida. It is the first time in nearly 120 years that four hurricanes 
have hit the same State in a single season. People of Florida have met 
historic challenges with extraordinary strength and generosity.
    State emergency response teams have saved lives by evacuating people 
before the storm and responding swiftly after the storm arrived. Power 
crews and telephone workers are putting in long hours to restore 
services. Despite week after week of strain, faith-based groups like 
Southern Baptists and the Salvation Army are setting up kitchens to feed 
the hungry. The Red Cross is running shelters and providing medical 
services for the injured. The National Guard is distributing supplies 
and conducting safety patrols. Across the State, people are showing 
great compassion and helping their neighbors make it through these 
storms, and I thank them for their care and their decency.
    The Federal Government is continuing our active role in the recovery 
efforts. We're working closely with Governors like Jeb and with other 
State and local officials to make sure resources reach the people who 
need it. I've asked Congress to provide $12.2 billion to respond to 
Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne. My request provides 
resources to repair bridges and highways and hospitals. It includes 
funding for the Small Business Administration to make loans to 
homeowners and small businesses. It includes more than $8 billion for 
FEMA, the largest amount ever provided in response to a natural 
disaster. FEMA has responded rapidly to all four storms, and they 
continue working to make disaster assistance available to people in 
need.
    I want to thank Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and FEMA 
Director Mike Brown for their tremendous work these past few weeks. 
They, and those who work for FEMA, have the gratitude of the 
administration and the people of this country.
    I know Florida's agriculture sector has been hit especially hard. 
Marty and Pat almost lost half their orange crop. I know a lot of other 
growers have lost a lot of crop too. My budget request will provide 
vital assistance to the citrus growers and to other farmers and ranchers 
who've suffered losses. Secretary Veneman and I will also ensure that 
Florida farmers are treated fairly on the global market and that no 
country takes advantage of citrus growers during this time of

[[Page 2174]]

disaster. My administration will make sure that citrus remains a strong 
part of this State's economy.
    The Federal Government is committed to helping people here get back 
on their feet. I call on Congress to pass my supplemental request 
quickly so we can get more people in Florida the help they need. These 
have been trying weeks for Americans across the Southeast, especially in 
this State. Once again, I want to thank Jeb for his outstanding 
leadership. I thank the citizens of Florida for their great courage and 
their decency. Our Nation is praying for the victims of these storms. We 
pray for all who come to their aid.
    May God bless you all. Thank you.

Note: The President spoke at 3:39 p.m. in an orange grove owned by 
brothers Marty and Pat McKenna. In his remarks, he referred to Gov. Jeb 
Bush of Florida; Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Charles H. Bronson; 
and Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and 
Response Mike Brown. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a 
Spanish language transcript of these remarks. A tape was not available 
for verification of the content of these remarks.