[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 36 (Monday, September 12, 2005)]
[Pages 1350-1351]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
The President's Radio Address

September 3, 2005

    Good morning. Yesterday I saw the aftermath of one of the largest 
natural disasters ever to strike America. A vast coastline of towns and 
communities are flattened; one of our great cities is submerged. The 
human costs are incalculable.
    Biloxi, I met Bronwynne Bassier and her sister, Kim. Bronwynne told 
me that the only earthly possessions she has left were the clothes on 
her back. I also met relief and rescue workers who are performing 
heroically in difficult circumstances. They've been working around the 
clock, risking their own lives to save the lives of others. Yet, despite 
their best efforts, the magnitude of responding to a crisis over a 
disaster area that is larger than the size of Great Britain has created

[[Page 1351]]

tremendous problems that have strained State and local capabilities. The 
result is that many of our citizens simply are not getting the help they 
need, especially in New Orleans. And that is unacceptable.
    During my visit I discussed these problems at length with Governor 
Riley of Alabama, Governor Barbour of Mississippi, Governor Blanco of 
Louisiana, and Mayor Nagin of New Orleans. Each State will have its own 
set of challenges and issues to solve. Yet all of us agree that more can 
be done to improve our ability to restore order and deliver relief in a 
timely and effective manner.
    This morning I received a briefing on the latest developments on the 
ground. Right now there are more than 21,000 National Guard troops 
operating in Louisiana and Mississippi, and more are on the way. More 
than 13,000 of these troops are in Louisiana. The main priority is to 
restore and maintain law and order and assist in recovery and evacuation 
efforts. In addition to these National Guard forces, the Department of 
Defense has deployed more than 4,000 active duty forces to assist in 
search and recovery and provide logistical and medical support.
    Hour by hour, the situation on the ground is improving. Yet the 
enormity of the task requires more resources and more troops. Today I 
ordered the Department of Defense to deploy additional active duty 
forces to the region. Over the next 24 to 72 hours, more than 7,000 
additional troops from the 82d Airborne, from the 1st Cavalry, the 1st 
Marine Expeditionary Force, and the 2d Marine Expeditionary Force will 
arrive in the affected areas. These forces will be on the ground and 
operating under the direct command of General Russ Honore.
    Our priorities are clear: We will complete the evacuation as quickly 
and safely as possible. We will not let criminals prey on the 
vulnerable, and we will not allow bureaucracy to get in the way of 
saving lives.
    Yesterday I also signed a $10.5 billion emergency aid package to 
fund our ongoing relief efforts. This is a downpayment on what will be a 
sustained Federal commitment to our fellow citizens along the Gulf 
Coast. I want to thank the Congress for their quick, bipartisan action, 
and I look forward to working with them in the days and weeks ahead.
    I know that those of you who have been hit hard by Katrina are 
suffering. Many are angry and desperate for help. The tasks before us 
are enormous, but so is the heart of America. In America, we do not 
abandon our fellow citizens in their hour of need. And the Federal 
Government will do its part. Where our response is not working, we'll 
make it right. Where our response is working, we will duplicate it. We 
have a responsibility to our brothers and sisters all along the Gulf 
Coast, and we will not rest until we get this right and the job is done.
    This week we've all been humbled by the awesome powers of Mother 
Nature. And when you stand on the porch steps where a home once stood, 
or look at row upon row of buildings that are completely under water, 
it's hard to imagine a bright future. But when you talk to the proud 
folks in the area, you see a spirit that cannot be broken.
    The emergency along the Gulf Coast is ongoing. There's still a lot 
of difficult work ahead. All Americans can be certain our Nation has the 
character, the resources, and the resolve to overcome this disaster. We 
will comfort and care for the victims. We will restore the towns and 
neighborhoods that have been lost in Louisiana, Mississippi, and 
Alabama. We will rebuild the great city of New Orleans. And we will once 
again show the world that the worst adversities bring out the best in 
America.
    May God bless you, and may God continue to bless our country.

Note: The President spoke at 10:06 a.m. in the Rose Garden at the White 
House. In his address, he referred to Gov. Bob Riley of Alabama; Gov. 
Haley Barbour of Mississippi; Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco of 
Louisiana; Mayor C. Ray Nagin of New Orleans, LA; and Lt. Gen. Russel L. 
Honore, USA, commanding general, First United States Army. The Office of 
the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of this 
address.