[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 43 (Monday, October 29, 2007)]
[Pages 1414-1415]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks in Escondido, California

October 25, 2007

    Governor, thank you very much. First thing I want to let the people 
know out here in southern California is that many across our Nation have 
been moved by the plight of the citizens who have lost their homes, lost 
their possessions, and particularly those who have lost their life. It's 
very important for those who are wondering about their future to know, 
there's a lot of good citizens all across America who are praying for 
your future and who really want to stand with you.
    I appreciate the leadership of Governor Schwarzenegger. I said 
earlier, when we were at the neighborhood, there's no hill he's not 
willing to charge, no problem he's not willing to solve. And we've got a 
big problem out here, and I appreciate his leadership. It makes a 
significant difference when you have somebody in the statehouse willing 
to take the lead. I've come to make sure that the Federal Government 
provides the help for people here at the local level.
    I do want to thank Senator Feinstein for joining us. I want to thank 
the local mayors, statehouse folks, the Congresspeople for being with us 
as well.
    Really, it's important for me to come out here and see firsthand the 
situation. And there's no question, a lot of people are suffering. And 
there's no question, there's been terrible losses.
    I also am out here to make sure these firefighters behind me and the 
first-responders know how much I appreciate and how much the country 
appreciates their courage and bravery. Firefighters are on the scene and 
on the frontlines. The police have helped maintain order. Emergency 
medical teams have treated the sick. And our National Guard personnel is 
providing very important assistance. It turns out, when the President 
shows up, so does a lot of the other brass. I'm proud to be here with 
General Tuck [Blum] *, who runs the entire National Guard Bureau.
    * White House correction.
    All of us associated with the Federal Government, Governor, are here 
to make sure that the resources at our disposal are deployed to help 
you. And that's why there's all kinds of people from all different 
Departments at the Federal level, to assess the needs, to listen to the 
concerns, and to respond. And that's exactly what we've been doing, and 
that's exactly what we'll continue to do.
    As the Governor mentioned, I did issue an emergency declaration 
which allows Federal Agencies across the Government to help State and 
local authorities. It empowers FEMA to provide vital supplies as well as 
to pay emergency grants to help pay for the cost of firefighting, 
evacuation shelters, and traffic control.
    Our Department of Agriculture and Interior have provided elite 
firefighters and equipment. As I mentioned, the Department of Defense is 
in this to help you through NORTHCOM. The military has got assets that 
we can help you with. General, thanks for coming. We've got a four-star 
general with us today. He runs NORTHCOM, and the reason he's here, 
Governor, is to listen to you, find out what assets we can continue to 
deploy to help you.
    As the Governor mentioned, yesterday I signed a second declaration 
to help California's recovery and rebuilding efforts. The major disaster 
declaration authorizes the release of Federal funds for debris removal 
and long-term assistance to individuals and businessowners. People 
affected by the fires can now apply for assistance for temporary housing 
and home repair and low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses.
    Now, people here in this part of the world are wondering, is there a 
number they can call to get help? And here's the number: 1-800-621-FEMA. 
If you want to find out whether or not you qualify for help, Federal 
help, just call 1-800-621-FEMA or go to the web site FEMA.gov. And 
there's a third way that you can find out whether you get help, and that 
is through a mobile disaster recovery center that FEMA's deployed around 
this

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State. And Arnold Schwarzenegger's right. These fires are going to go 
out because of the bravery of the people behind us, but there's still 
going to be needs and concerns.
    And the final reason I've come is to let you know, we're not going 
to forget you in Washington, DC; that we want the people to know that 
there's a better day ahead; that today your life may look dismal, but 
tomorrow life's going to be better; and to the extent that the Federal 
Government can help you, we want to do so.
    I do want to thank all the volunteers who have stepped forth to help 
a neighbor in need. There's an impressive number of people that have 
heard the call that one of their neighbors needs help. And for all of 
those who are volunteering their time to help somebody get their feet 
back on the ground, I thank you from the bottom of our Nation's heart.
    May God bless those who suffer; may God bless those who are helping 
the people who are hurting; and may God continue to bless our country. 
Thank you.

Note: The President spoke at 12:24 p.m. in Kit Carson Park. In his 
remarks, he referred to Lt. Gen. H. Steven Blum, USA, chief, National 
Guard Bureau; and Gen. Victor E. Renuart, Jr., USAF, commander, North 
American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command.