[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 39 (Monday, October 3, 2005)]
[Pages 1457-1458]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
The President's Radio Address

September 24, 2005

    Good morning. This weekend I will visit U.S. Northern Command in 
Colorado where we're monitoring Hurricane Rita. As the hurricane 
continues along its destructive path, the American people can know, 
courageous and dedicated men and women are responding to our citizens in 
need. We are marshaling resources of the Federal Government to save 
lives and property, and bring comfort to those who have evacuated 
because of this storm.
    Over the past week, Federal, State, and local governments have been 
closely coordinating their efforts for Hurricane Rita. The Department of 
Homeland Security and FEMA prepositioned food, water, ice, and emergency 
response team, and helped with the evacuations in Texas and Louisiana. 
Military assets were also prepositioned so they could be deployed 
immediately after the storm passes.
    At this moment, the following Navy ships are in the region: the Iwo 
Jima, the Shreveport, the Tortuga, the Grapple, the Patuxent, and the 
Comfort. The Texas National Guard has activated its Guardsmen, nearly 
3,500 so far, with more on call if they are needed. Coast Guard cutters, 
aircraft, and helicopters are in place, ready to rescue, evacuate, and 
relocate civilians trapped by the storm. And additional Coast Guard air 
crews and aircraft are now arriving from around the country.

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    We've also organized and identified civilian volunteers, including 
more than 200 doctors and more than 400 registered nurses. The American 
Red Cross is prepared to deliver hundreds of thousands of meals a day. 
Our Government is taking every step possible to protect life and bring 
comfort to those affected.
    As we respond to Hurricane Rita, we're continuing our efforts to 
help the citizens of the gulf coast recover from Hurricane Katrina, a 
storm that has caused unprecedented destruction across an entire region. 
The recovery of Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi is a commitment of 
the American people, and in this effort, all Americans have a role to 
play. In the recovery effort, the Federal Government has a vital role, 
and we'll do our duty. We'll help rebuild roads, bridges, schools, water 
systems, and other infrastructure in the disaster zone. We will cut 
through redtape in Washington so we can speed the work of rebuilding and 
get the gulf coast region back on its feet.
    In the recovery effort, State and local leaders will play a vital 
role in laying out their plans and vision for the future of their 
communities. Earlier this week, I met with community leaders and local 
officials in the region to hear their ideas on rebuilding and recovery. 
I told them that the vision of a revitalized New Orleans should come 
from the people of New Orleans, and the vision of a new gulf coast of 
Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama should come from the people of those 
States. We will do everything we can to guide the recovery effort and 
help them realize their vision so that communities along the gulf coast 
are better and stronger than before the storm.
    In the recovery effort, the private sector will play a vital role. 
To rebuild lives and communities, we need to encourage small-business 
growth in that region, with immediate tax relief and other incentives 
for job-creating investment. Private enterprise is the engine for 
creating new jobs in America, and it will be the engine that drives the 
recovery of the gulf coast.
    In the recovery effort, the American people will play a vital role. 
This week, Laura visited Texas to thank leaders of faith-based groups 
who've rallied to help their Louisiana neighbors in desperate need. 
Charities and houses of worship and idealistic men and women across 
America have opened up their homes, their wallets, and their hearts to 
the victims of Katrina. And with the arrival of another violent storm, 
our neighbors in the gulf coast will need continued help. Our fellow 
citizens in the affected areas can know they can count on the good 
hearts of the American people.
    The past 3 weeks have tested our Nation and revealed the strength 
and resilience of our people. Americans have the determination and the 
will to overcome any challenge from man or nature. The courageous spirit 
of America will carry us through any storm, and the compassionate soul 
of our Nation will help us rebuild.
    Thank you for listening.

Note: The address was recorded at 12:50 p.m. on September 23 in the 
Cabinet Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on September 
24. The transcript was made available by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on September 23 but was embargoed for release until the 
broadcast. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish 
language transcript of this address.