Presidential Visit
Marine One, carrying President George W. Bush, flies over a swath of destruction
near Lafayette, Tennessee, as he arrived Friday, Feb. 8, 2008, to see first-hand
the damage left in the wake of Tuesday's tornadoes. White House photo by Chris
Greenberg
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.
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 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
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here to listen to audio. |
President George W. Bush comforts a resident of Lafayette, Tennessee during his
tour Friday, Feb. 8, 2008, of the destruction left in the wake of Tuesday's
deadly tornadoes. White House photo by Chris Greenberg
President George W. Bush embraces residents of Lafayette, Tennessee during his
visit Friday, Feb. 8, 2008, to the region that was hard hit by Tuesday's
tornadoes. White House photo by Chris Greenberg
President George W. Bush walks a rubble-strewn stretch of highway in Lafayette,
Tennessee Friday, Feb. 8, 2008, during his visit to the region that was hard hit
by tornadoes earlier in the week. White House photo by Chris Greenberg
President George W. Bush puts his arm around a woman as he meets residents of
Lafayette, Tennessee, Friday, Feb. 8, 2008, during his visit to assess the
damage and offer comfort to those impacted by Tuesday's deadly tornadoes. White
House photo by Chris Greenberg
President George W. Bush walks a rubble-strewn stretch of highway in Lafayette,
Tennessee Friday, Feb. 8, 2008, during his visit to the region that was hard hit
by tornadoes earlier in the week. White House photo by Chris Greenberg
President George W. Bush stands with Phil and June Spears of Lafayette,
Tennessee, as he speaks to the media after touring the region that was among the
hardest hit by Tuesday's deadly tornadoes. Said the President, "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? I've come away with
this impression of the folks in Macon County: ...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." White House photo by Chris Greenberg
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
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 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
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here to listen to audio |
President George W. Bush spends a moment with Shelvy Linville, Mayor of Macon
County, Tennessee, after attending a briefing Friday, Feb. 8, 2008, on the
regional tornado damage left in the wake of Tuesday's deadly storms. White House
photo by Chris Greenberg
