    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 38 (Monday, September 26, 2005)]
    [Pages 1433-1434]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Remarks to Reporters in New Orleans, Louisiana

    September 20, 2005

    Hurricane Katrina Recovery

        The President. I want to thank the folks here at the Folger plant
    for inviting us to come say hello. The reason I've come with the mayor
    and with Admiral Allen is because I want the people to know that there's
    progress being made in this part of the world. We've got some people
    working here because of the ingenuity of the plant managers. Behind me
    you see temporary housing where this company has provided housing for
    the folks who work here.
        Mayor Nagin. FEMA helped.
        The President. And FEMA helped with that. And what you're beginning
    to see is a revitalized economy. Progress is being made toward meeting
    the mayor's vision of a--and my vision, and everybody's vision involved
    with this--of a vibrant New Orleans and surrounding parishes.
        The other thing, I've just come from a briefing about Hurricane
    Rita--or Storm Rita, now a category 2 hurricane--and we were watching
    very closely, of course, its track. All up and down this coastline,
    people are now preparing for what is anticipated to be yet another
    significant storm. Admiral

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    Allen is going to stay in charge of the Louisiana/Mississippi area.
    We've got another admiral who is now being stationed in Texas to
    coordinate the relief, response. We've got military assets that are
    being taken out of the New Orleans area, out of harm's way, and have
    come back in behind the storm, to follow up where it's needed.
        I've been in touch with the Governor of Texas. I've been briefed on
    the planning for what we pray is not a devastating storm--but there's
    one coming. And I appreciate the mayor recognizing that, and he made a
    wise decision to say to people, ``Be cautious about returning here
    because a flood--a rain of any amount could cause these levees to break
    again.''
        But progress is being made. As I said in Mississippi, I was pleased
    to see the progress being made on the ground. There's still a lot of
    work, but they're making progress. And they're making progress here in
    New Orleans too. Again, we've got a lot of work to do, but people are
    determined to get the job done.
        Anyway, I want to thank you for having me. Thanks for having me
    back. Thank you all.

    Note: The President spoke at 3:40 p.m. at the Folgers Coffee plant. In
    his remarks, he referred to Mayor C. Ray Nagin of New Orleans, LA; Vice
    Adm. Thad W. Allen, USCG, U.S. Coast Guard Chief of Staff; Rear Adm.
    Larry L. Hereth, USCG, commander, Fifth Coast Guard District; and Gov.
    Rick Perry of Texas.