President Bush: Good morning. Today, I am traveling to Minneapolis to the site of Wednesday's tragic bridge collapse. Like millions of Americans, I was shocked and saddened when I heard the news that the I-35 bridge gave way during rush hour. The bridge was a major traffic artery, and when it collapsed dozens of cars fell into the Mississippi River.Laura and I join all Americans in mourning those who lost their lives and in sending our thoughts and prayers to their families. And we pray that those injured will make a full recovery.
On Thursday morning, Transportation Secretary Mary Peters and Federal Highway Administrator Richard Capka traveled to Minneapolis. They announced $5 million in immediate federal funding for debris removal and to help restore the flow of traffic. This is just the beginning of the financial assistance we will make available to support the state in its recovery efforts. Several federal agencies are on the ground aiding state and local officials, including the National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Coast Guard, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
I recognize how important the I-35 bridge is to the state of Minnesota, and my administration is committed to working closely with Governor Pawlenty and Mayor Rybak to rebuild this bridge as quickly as possible.
In times of tragedy, our hearts ache for those who suffer, yet our hearts are also lifted by acts of courage and compassion. We saw those qualities in the residents of a nearby apartment building who rushed to the scene to offer their help. We saw them in the divers who fought the mighty currents of the Mississippi to reach victims. And we saw them in the firefighters who searched car to car for survivors.
Among the survivors was a group of kids returning from a summer field trip. Their school bus had just passed over the Mississippi River, when the bridge below them gave way. The bus dropped more than 20 feet and came to rest on the guardrail of the collapsed bridge span. A staff member named Jeremy Hernandez quickly swung into action. He broke open the backdoor and helped evacuate the terrified children to safety. The mother of one of the children on board credited Jeremy's presence of mind with helping spare her daughter from tragedy. She put it this way: "I don't know what he was thinking but it must have been something really good."
Our country is fortunate to have brave and selfless citizens like Jeremy, and all those who risked their own safety to aid in the rescue. This is a difficult time for the community in Minneapolis, but the people there are decent and resilient, and they will get through these painful hours. As they do, they know that all of America stands with them, and that we will do all we can to help them recover and rebuild.
May God bless those who are hurting in Minneapolis, and may God bless our wonderful country.
Thank you for listening.
2 comments:
I am sure most people care deeply about this tragedy and many have come forward to lend a hand to help this unfortunate people.
Sometimes it seems that the U.S. survivors catastrophe after catastrophe and we see those who jump right in and do what they can.
Unfortunately we also see those who pretend to care but use it as an opportunity to blast others such as the President.
To me these people who proclaim that they are compassionate and really care for their fellow human beings also seem to do little except criticise and do not volunteer time or money to help those in need.
I know my heart goes out for these people.
You know Sam,
It truly is sad. Anytime something like this happens, it should be , and pretty much is, human nature to pull together to help those in need. When this, Katrina, or other natural disasters happen, most people lay aside the fact they are Democrats, Republicans, Conservatives, Liberals, Black, White, Christian, Jew, Man, Woman, straight, gay, whatever. They set all that aside and come together a members of the HUMAN race, and do whatever it takes to help those in need.
It truly is sad, that it seems that this minute little band of LWL members can no longer do that. That see death and destruction as an excuse to attack Bush. This really has become a disease. BDS needs to be officially studied and from that evidence, a determination needs to be made on whether or not it should be classified as such. Anything that MAKES you go against what most see as human nature, needs to be investigated.
Peter
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