[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 39 (Monday, October 3, 2005)]
[Pages 1467-1468]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Following a Briefing on Hurricane Rita in Lake Charles, 
Louisiana

September 27, 2005

    The President. Governor, thank you very much for your hospitality. 
It's been my honor to talk to some of these parish presidents and mayors 
of the affected area. I came down to make sure that things are going as 
best as they possibly can go.
    First of all, I want to compliment the local folks for the heroic 
efforts they made to save life. I understand there's a lot of 
frustrations with the people who left this part of the country. People 
that are scattered around want to come back and see their homes, and 
they want to come back to the communities they love. But it's very 
important for them to understand that now is not the time to come back, 
until they get the utilities up and running and until they can get the 
sewer systems running and until they get some water people can drink.
    I heard loud and clear from the parish presidents and the mayors 
that, you know, people are getting frustrated. And I understand that 
frustration. But I think it's very important to listen to the 
Governors--the Governor and the local folks about the conditions at 
home. People are working hard to get the utilities up. They're working 
hard to get fuel here for people. And this area is going to rebuild, and 
it's going to grow again.
    Those who've been displaced, those in the affected areas know that 
they can call a FEMA number to get a $2,000 check for each family. And 
that will help you in your time away from your home, so please call and 
register. Last night we made the decision that the people affected by 
Rita will be treated the same way, with a $2,000 check, as those 
treated--those affected by Katrina.
    So anyway, Governor, thanks for having me. Senators and Congressmen, 
thank you for coming. I particularly want to thank these parish 
presidents and mayors for their--if you look at them, you see--if you 
look in their eyes you see people who have been through a lot. And 
they're showing strong leadership, and I admire their stand and the 
courage they take.
    Governor, if you'd like to say something.
    Governor Blanco. Well, Mr. President, first, let me say thank you 
for joining us today. You know, as you understand well, our people have 
been through a lot in southwest Louisiana. I do want to tell you that 
some things worked right this time. We learned a lot of lessons from our 
previous experience with Katrina. Our communications network stayed up. 
All of these folks could continue communicating their needs to us 
because there was a communications system that was--not in place; it was 
brought in by your people and our people, working together.
    I want to thank you because we have to continue a very close 
partnership in order for our recovery to be effective and in order for 
Louisiana to become whole again. We want to be players in this national 
economy. Our industries across this State have been impaired for the 
time being, but we know we can bring them back. The oil and gas industry 
is dependent on our health--on a healthy Louisiana. The fisheries are 
dependent on Louisiana. We provide food to the people of the United 
States out of these parishes. Our agricultural industry is tremendously 
stressed.
    But we know we can make it back, but we only can make it back with 
your help. So thank you again for coming. Thank you for letting all 
these folks tell you about their personal experiences. And we believe 
that we're going to make it back because you're here with us, and we 
know we have a good partnership.
    The President. Listen, thank you all. Appreciate you.

[[Page 1468]]

Note: The President spoke at 1:36 p.m. at the Chennault International 
Airport. In his remarks, he referred to Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco 
of Louisiana.