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 Home > News & Policies > February 2008

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
February 8, 2008

President Bush Briefed on Regional Tornado Damage

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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