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

<R04>
Remarks During a Briefing on Hurricane Rita in Colorado Springs, 
Colorado

September 24, 2005

    Admiral, thank you very much for a series of briefings that really 
do comfort me in knowing that our Federal Government is well-organized 
and well-prepared to deal with Rita. I've come here to watch NORTHCOM in 
action, to see first hand the capacity of our military to plan, 
organize, and move equipment to help the people in the affected areas, 
in this case, of Louisiana and Texas.
    We've had full briefings on the storm, it's activities. The first 
order of business now is to surge search-and-rescue teams, to pull 
people out of harm's way. Just had an assessment by General Honore, of 
Lake Charles, Louisiana. It got hit hard. We've got teams on the ground, 
beginning to analyze the situation and prepare the necessary response to 
stabilize the situation and, more importantly, save lives there as well.
    It's very important for the citizens who have headed into east Texas 
to understand that even though the storm has passed the coastline, the 
situation is still dangerous because of potential flooding. A lot of 
people have left the coastline and headed into east Texas and parts of 
western Louisiana. It is important for them to listen carefully to the 
local authorities about whether or not it is safe to return back to 
their home. It's going to take a while for the authorities on the ground 
to fully understand the impact of the flooding. And therefore, people 
who are safe now ought to remain in safe conditions.
    At any rate, Admiral, thank you very much for your hospitality. I 
appreciate your leadership. I want to thank all the folks who work here 
in NORTHCOM for doing their duty, which is to organize and rally the 
assets of the of the Federal Government, to help our fellow citizens who 
are in need.
    Thank you very much.

Note: The President spoke at 7:50 a.m. at Peterson Air Force Base. In 
his remarks, he referred to Adm. Timothy J. Keating, USN, commander, 
U.S. Northern Command; and Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honore, USA, commanding 
general, First United States Army.