[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 24 (Monday, June 23, 2008)]
[Page 885]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks in a Briefing on Flooding in the Midwest in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

June 19, 2008

    The President. Our job is to come down here--and I want to thank the 
Senator and Congressman and members of the Cabinet--just to listen to 
what you got on your mind. Obviously, to the extent that we can help 
immediately, we want to help, and then plan for recovery.
    I know a lot of farmers and cattlemen are hurting right now, along 
with the city people. The other thing I think is just very important is 
that--and the Senator and Governor have made it clear--that as we worry 
about Cedar Rapids, we also got to worry about the little towns. A lot 
of folks are wondering whether or not the government hears about them 
too. And I can assure you that I know the Governor cares deeply about 
it, and so do we.
    Paulison, who is the head of FEMA, tells me that there are 600 FEMA 
people moving around the State, and that ought to help the people in the 
smaller communities know that somebody is there to listen to them and 
care about them.
    Our hearts and prayers are--from around the Nation go out to people 
here. It's a tough time for you.
    Mayor Kathleen ``Kay'' Halloran of Cedar Rapids, IA. It is.
    The President. The good news is, the people in Iowa are tough-minded 
people. I mean, you'll come back better. Sometimes it's hard to see it 
when you're this close to the deal.
    Mayor Halloran. Well--and it's going to take time.
    The President. A lot of people aren't getting much sleep these days, 
but--[laughter]. You're exhausted; I understand that.
    But we want to--Congress passed a--is about to pass a big chunk of 
disaster money, which will put--help put people's mind at ease, and that 
will--we're going to help people--going to help you recover.
    Anyway, thanks for letting me come by and see you.
    Governor Chet Culver of Iowa. Thank you, Mr. President.
    The President. Yes.
    Governor Culver. If I could, just very quickly, I want to thank the 
President on behalf of the people of Iowa----
    The President. Get those cameras back in here. [Laughter]
    Governor Culver. And I want to make sure they get in trouble. 
[Laughter]. But I also want to thank this incredible team, all of these 
people in this room, just an amazing team. All the people standing up 
here, thank you. And we will rebuild this State and this city, and it 
will be even better and even stronger as a result. Thank you.

Note: The President spoke at 12:01 p.m. in the Lynn County Training and 
Response Center at Kirkwood Community College. In his remarks, he 
referred to Senator Thomas R. Harkin and Representative Dave Loebsack of 
Iowa. A portion of these remarks could not be verified because the tape 
was incomplete.