As
night fell on America on September the 11th, 2001, we felt grief and
great sorrow. Yet we also saw that, while the terrorists could kill the
innocent, they could not defeat the spirit of our nation. The despair
and tragedy of that day were overcome by displays of selflessness,
courage and compassion.
And in the days and weeks that followed, America answered history's
call to bring justice to our enemies and to ensure the survival and
success of liberty. And that mission continues today.
Four years later, Americans remember the fears and uncertainty and
confusion of that terrible morning. But above all, we remember the
resolve of our nation to defend our freedom, rebuild a wounded city, and
care for our neighbors in need.
Today, America is confronting another disaster that has caused
destruction and loss of life. This time the devastation resulted not
from the malice of evil men, but from the fury of water and wind.
Hurricane Katrina flattened entire towns along our Gulf Coast, and
left one of America's most storied cities under water. Tens of thousands
have lost homes and loved ones and all their earthly possessions. The
storm took countless lives and forced hundreds of thousands of people to
flee from their communities with no assurance of returning soon.
Once more our hearts ache for our fellow citizens, and many are left
with questions about the future. Yet we are again being reminded that
adversity brings out the best in the American spirit. In this time of
great suffering, we have seen the courage and determination of rescue
personnel who willingly risk their lives to save the lives of others. We
have seen the spirit of America's armies of compassion who have rallied
in response to this tragedy. Faith-based organizations and community
groups and individual citizens across the country are caring for those
affected by the storm, and comforting those whose loved ones are lost or
missing. Across our country, Americans are generously opening their
homes and hearts to their brothers and sisters in need.
To find out how you can help, I urge you to visit usafreedomcorps.gov,
or call 1-877-USA CORPS. The citizens of the Gulf Coast can count on
their fellow Americans in this time of trial, and their government is
standing with them, as well.
This week I signed legislation providing an additional $52 billion
for response and recovery efforts. We have already begun distributing
$2,000 in emergency relief to every displaced household, money they can
use immediately for food, clothing and other essentials. I have also
called for all people from disaster areas to be granted special evacuee
status, making it easier for them to collect federal benefits like food
stamps and Medicaid wherever they are in America.
We are assisting the victims of Hurricane Katrina, and we will help
the people of the Gulf Coast recover from adversity. Despite all they've
endured, the people of that region are determined to rebuild their homes
and reclaim their lives, and their fellow Americans are determined to
help them. To accomplish the difficult work ahead of us, our nation will
call upon our vast resources and the ingenuity of our citizens, and
these will be required in full measure.
Our greatest resource in such times is the compassionate character of
the American people, because even the most destructive storm cannot
weaken the heart and soul of our nation. America will overcome this
ordeal, and we will be stronger for it.
Even in the deepest darkness, we can see the light of hope, and the
light shows us the way forward. We will honor the memory of those we
have lost; we will comfort the victims of Katrina; and we will make the
Gulf Coast more vibrant than ever.
In all that lies before us, may God watch over the United States of
America. Thank you for listening.