THE
PRESIDENT: Listen, Laura and I have come back down to Louisiana and then
we're going over to Mississippi to let the good people of this region
know there's a lot of work to be done, and we're going to continue
working with the local and state people to get it done.
The first mission, of course, is to save lives. And so long as any
life is in danger, we've got work to do, and they're going to continue
to save lives, whether it be in New Orleans, or the surrounding
parishes, or up and down the coast of Mississippi.
Secondly, we can help save lives once a person finds a shelter such
as this. That means getting people food, and water, and medicine, and
help, and in a place like this, love.
I want to thank the Pastor for having us. I want to thank my friend,
T.D. Jakes, for rallying the armies of compassion to help somebody like
the Mayor.
The response of this country to has been amazing. But T.D. tells me
about church family members of his who have adopted 20 people of the --
from New Orleans. The Pastor here has got his gymnasiums full of
families, and volunteers are now responding to help the families. I want
to thank every family member who's helping somebody who has been
displaced. I want to thank every church member who's helping people who
have been displaced.
America can be proud of the efforts of the churches and synagogues
and mosques and community organizations that are helping these people.
And this is a long-term project to help these people. And this country
is going to be committed to doing what it takes to help people get back
on their feet. And that's why I've come back to this state, and that's
why I'm going to Mississippi.
Again, I want to thank the Pastor. The response of this church is
indicative of the response of many around this nation -- and I mean,
cities big and cities small, families with -- who have got a lot of
money, and families with little money, all opening their arms to a
brother and sister in need.
And again, I want to thank you, Pastor. Thank you, T.D., for helping
to call people to action. I want to thank the Mayor, thank the folks of
Louisiana. We've got a lot of work to do, and that's why I'm here to
tell people, we'll get it done.
Thank you all.
Q -- does the government have --
THE PRESIDENT: So long as anybody's life is in danger, we've got work
to do. That's why I want people to be assured we're going to do it. And
-- but remember, this is a project that not only deals with the
immediate, we're going to have to deal with the long term, as well. The
immediate needs are being taken care of right here, and I fully
understand there's a lot of work to be done.
Q (Inaudible).
THE PRESIDENT: All levels of government are doing the best they can.
If it's not going right, we'll make it right.