[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 39 (Monday, October 3, 2005)]
[Pages 1466-1467]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks to Reporters in Beaumont, Texas

September 27, 2005

    I just met with local county judges and mayors, along with the 
Governor. Obviously this area is hurt. The Governor knows that. I saw it 
firsthand, how it's hurt. We've got some priorities that we're in the 
process of working together to achieve. The first is food and water. The 
second is electricity and generators moving this way; there's a rational 
plan to distribute the generators. Thirdly, there's fuel. We fully 
understand that it's hard to maintain order if you don't have fuel for 
your cars and first-responders.
    And I appreciate the planning that the Governor put into this. The 
State of Texas is--took precautions before the storm hit and is now 
responding. And our job is to work with the State. I have the top people 
here with me, the Coast Guard Admiral, who is in charge of the Federal 
response. I had the head of FEMA with me, and I had a three-star Army 
general here, all of them here to help make sure these people can get 
their lives back together.
    Again, the Governor has got a plan to make sure people don't come 
back too early. He's listening to the local judges and the mayors. 
Obviously, we want people to come home as quickly as possible. We want 
them to be able to do so in an orderly way. And when

[[Page 1467]]

they get home, they find that there's a--you know, as best as possible, 
power and water.

Note: The President spoke at 10:58 a.m. at the Southeast Texas Regional 
Airport. In his remarks, he referred to Gov. Rick Perry of Texas; Rear 
Adm. Larry L. Hereth, USCG, commander, Fifth Coast Guard District; R. 
David Paulison, acting Director, Federal Emergency Management Agency; 
and Lt. Gen. Robert T. Clark, USA, commander, Joint Task Force--Rita. A 
tape was not available for verification of the content of these remarks.