Text 1498, 87 rader
Skriven 2005-09-27 23:34:06 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0509273) for Tue, 2005 Sep 27
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President Discusses Hurricane Rita Relief with Louisiana Officials
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 27, 2005

President Discusses Hurricane Rita Relief with Louisiana Officials
Chennault International Airport
Lake Charles, Louisiana


˙˙˙˙˙In Focus: Hurricane Relief

1:36 P.M. CDT

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 areas. 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 -- 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.

END 1:40 P.M. CDT

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