May 9, 2007

12:05 P.M. CDT

THE PRESIDENT: I bring the prayers and concerns of the people of this country to this town of Greensburg, Kansas. A lot of us have seen the pictures about what happened here and pictures don't do it justice. There is a lot of destruction¹. Fortunately, a lot of folks had basements here in this part of the world and lived to see another day. Unfortunately, too many died, and we offer our prayers and condolences to those who died.

I am struck by the strength of the character of the people who live here in the Plains -- people who refuse to be -- who refuse to have their spirit affected² by this storm; as a matter of fact, who are willing to do what it takes to rebuild in a better way. America is blessed to have such people. And the people here will be -- will find they're blessed to have neighbors who care, a total stranger who will come and help them.

Our role as government officials is to work with the states and local folks to get whatever help is appropriate here, whatever help is in the law be here as quickly as possible. My mission³ is to -- today, though, is to lift people's spirits as best as I possibly can and to hopefully touch somebody's soul by representing our country, and to let people know that while there was a dark day in the past, there's brighter days ahead.

So I want to thank the Governor⁴ and I want to thank the Senators⁵ for being here. Most importantly, I want to thank the people of Greensburg and their neighbors for helping⁶ them out. God bless the people here. Thank you.

END 12:07 P.M. CDT