[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 36 (Monday, September 12, 2005)]
[Page 1353]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at the American Red Cross Disaster Operations Center

September 4, 2005

    I've come to the Red Cross to, one, thank the good folks here who 
are working here. We've got people from around the country who have come 
to help heal the lives of those who have been affected by this terrible 
disaster.
    I told some folks back there that the world saw this tidal wave of 
disaster ascend upon the Gulf Coast, and now they're going to see a 
tidal wave of compassion. There's over 5,000 Red Cross--or nearly 5,000 
Red Cross volunteers that are working long hours at shelters in 19 
States to help these folks that have been displaced get their feet back 
on the ground.
    I can't think of anything more encouraging for someone who has 
endured the tragedy of a storm than to have a loving soul say, ``I'm 
here to help you. And I want you to know a lot of people care for you.'' 
And that's the spirit of the Red Cross and its volunteers.
    If you want to help--help this country heal after the result of this 
disaster, please give cash money to the Red Cross. I just passed the 
place where volunteers and staffers are taking calls from around the 
country, and the response has been good, but there's more that needs to 
be done. Remember, it's the Red Cross that provides much of the first 
compassion that a person finds. It's the Red Cross that helps provide 
cash money for somebody, to help them transition from being disrupted--
having their lives disrupted to a more normal life. It's the Red Cross 
that helps feed. And so the Red Cross needs money.
    The Red Cross can use volunteers. People--this is a storm of 
enormous magnitude. A lot of people's lives have been affected. I know 
much of the country is focused on New Orleans, Louisiana, but parishes 
outside of New Orleans have been ruined. Up and down the coast of 
Mississippi, communities have been destroyed. And so we need more 
manpower. And if you want to help, please call the Red Cross, and--your 
local Red Cross, and they'll find a way for you to help.
    And finally, the Red Cross is in need of blood, and there's a blood 
drive going on. As a matter of fact, the White House will be having a 
blood drive on Friday. And I will be encouraging the employees there to 
donate blood. And I hope others will do so as well.
    This country is coming together to help people who hurt. And one of 
the leaders of the army of compassion is the Red Cross. And I'm grateful 
for your leadership, Marty. I want to thank all the good folks here who 
have--who really show the world the great compassion of our country. And 
thanks for letting me come by to say hello.

Note: The President spoke at 10:43 a.m. In his remarks, he referred to 
Marsha J. ``Marty'' Evans, president and chief executive officer, 
American Red Cross.