President Bush Tours Tornado Damage in Tennessee
Lafayette Neighborhood
Lafayette, Tennessee

12:43 P.M. CST

THE PRESIDENT: Phil and June Spears have just -- I looked in their eyes and saw incredible sadness and worry. And I know the Governor joins me in sharing our concerns with you. But I hope a couple of things become evident to you. One is, a lot of people who care about you, total strangers showing up here in this community to help you get back on your feet.

And the government has got a role to play. I want to thank the senators and congressmen for being here, because they know that there is programs available for you. And one of the things people have got to do is call a number. Life has been turned upside down here. If you've been affected you ought to call 1-800-621-3362, 1-800-621-3362. And that's where you can find out the help that is available.

President George W. Bush holds the hands of Phil and June Spears after touring their Lafayette, Tennessee neighborhood Friday, Feb. 8, 2008. The President assured the Spears that they'd receive the care they needed in the wake of Tuesday's deadly tornadoes, and said, "And you're going to find you got some new friends showing up, too. When they know there's a neighbor in need, they'll come and help you." White House photo by Chris Greenberg What happened is, is that the Governor and his team quickly moved as this storm moved through this -- moved through the state of Tennessee, and he made an assessment and he sent the paperwork up to me. And because he moved quickly I was able to sign a disaster declaration that then frees help. And so we want the folks to know there is help from the federal government, and he can get the number I just outlined; but there's also going to be a lot of help from loving neighbors.

And we're sorry you're going through what you're going through. You know, life sometimes is unfair and you don't get to play the hand that you wanted to play. But the question is when you get dealt the hand, how do you play it? And I've come away with this impression of the folks in Macon County: one, you're down to earth, good, hard-working people; they have a respect for the Almighty; and this community is going to be as strong as ever. That's what I think. I bet you feel the same way.

MR. SPEARS: Yes, sir. If it wasn't for my friends, I don't know what I'd do.

THE PRESIDENT: And you're going to find you got some new friends showing up, too -- a lot of people you've never heard of, they don't know who you are, total strangers. But when they know there's a neighbor in need they'll come and help you. And I appreciate you giving me a chance to come by, and I know the folks traveling with me appreciate. We're so sorry you're going through what you're going through, but there's help -- that's what you've got to know.

Anyway, God bless. Thank you.

END 12:45 P.M CST

President Bush Briefed on Regional Tornado Damage

 

Lafayette Fire Department - Atwell & Scruggs Fire Station
Lafayette, Tennessee

10:12 A.M. CST

THE PRESIDENT: Listen, I want to thank you for the briefing. People have got to understand here in the region that a lot of folks around America care for them. And I'm here to listen, to determine -- to make sure that the federal response is compassionate and effective. I don't want people to think something is going to happen that's not going to happen. And therefore when we say something is going to happen to help them get their feet back on the ground, it will happen.

President George W. Bush attends a briefing on regional tornado damage shortly after arriving Friday, Feb. 8, 2008, at the Lafayette Fire Department in Lafayette, Tennessee. The President visited the area in the wake of Tuesday's deadly tornadoes. White House photo by Chris Greenberg Secondly, I am here to thank the people that will provide the compassion for people who hurt. I notice we've got the Red Cross sitting over there. They're good responders; they respond to help people in need.

Thirdly, I will make it clear to people here that I have no doubt in my mind this community will come back better than before. Macon County people are down to earth, hard-working, God-fearing people, who if just given a little help will come back stronger.

So I want to thank you all for the briefing. Governor, again, thank you for being here. Appreciate the senators and congressmen joining us too.

END 10:13 A.M. CST