[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 36 (Monday, September 12, 2005)]
[Pages 1355-1356]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at the Emergency Operations Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

September 5, 2005

    First of all, thanks for doing your duty. You've faced one of the 
greatest challenges our country has ever faced. As a result of your 
compassion and your hard work and your dedication, a lot of people's 
lives were saved, and I want to thank you for that. I hope that makes 
you feel good, to know that you helped save life.
    We've got a lot of work to do. I told the Governor and the Senators 
and the Congress people, I said, ``You know, if it's not right, we're 
going to fix it, and if it is right, we're going to keep doing it.'' And 
this is just the beginning of a huge effort to--and we're going to 
continue to save life. But you've got to know that lives are still being 
saved as we speak because thousands of people are taking in these 
displaced souls, in their homes and churches and synagogues and mosques 
and providing love and compassion and food.
    This is one of these disasters that will test our soul and test our 
spirit. And--but we're going to show the world, once again, that not 
only we will survive, but that we will be stronger and better for it 
when it's all said and done, that amidst this darkness, there is light. 
And I want to thank you all for providing light, immediate light to 
people who needed help. You make your State and your local governments 
and your country proud.
    God bless you and your families. May God bless the victims, and may 
God continue to bless our country. Thank you.

[[Page 1356]]

Note: The President spoke at 1:05 p.m. In his remarks, he referred to 
Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco of Louisiana.