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Hurricane Relief
Hurricane Relief 2004 Photo Essay
Laura Bush works with volunteers and The Army National Guard at the Indian River County Distribution Center passing out water, ice and Meals Ready To Eat, MRE, to residents in Vero Beach, Fla., Oct. 1, 2004.
Laura Bush works with volunteers and The Army National Guard at the Indian River County Distribution Center passing out water, ice and Meals Ready To Eat, MRE, to residents in Vero Beach, Fla., Oct. 1, 2004.
 
Flying aboard Marine One, President George W. Bush surveys the damage from Hurricane Charley in Fort Myers, Fla., Aug. 15, 2004. Hurricane Charley made landfall Aug. 13. Throughout the next several three more storms would make landfall: Hurricane Frances on Sept. 5, Hurricane Ivan on Sept. 15, and Hurricane Jeanne on Sept 26. “It's been a devastating period for the state of Florida. It is the first time in nearly 120 years that four hurricanes have hit the same state in a single season,” said the President during a visit to the region Sept. 29.” President Bush consoles a resident during a visit to Punta Gorda, Fla., Aug. 15, 2004. As the region was repeatedly struck by storms, the President visited many times and listened to the needs of the local communities. “I've asked Congress to provide $12.2 billion to respond to Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne. My request provides resources to repair bridges and highways and hospitals. It includes funding for the Small Business Administration to make loans to home owners and small businesses,” said the President during a Sept 29th visit to the region.
Laura Bush works with volunteers and The Army National Guard at the Indian River County Distribution Center passing out water, ice and Meals Ready To Eat, MRE, to residents in Vero Beach, Fla., Oct. 1, 2004. Helping pass out water, President Bush visits with residents affected by Hurricane Frances at an emergency relief center in Ft. Pierce, Fla., Sept. 8, 2004.
President Bush walks with Pat McKenna through a hurricane-battered orange grove in Lake Wales, Fla., Sept. 29, 2004. Located in the heart of Florida's citrus country, almost half of the McKenna brothers' orange grove was destroyed by the hurricanes. Laura Bush speaks with American Red Cross Disaster Relief workers at the Vero Beach Community Center where disaster relief is offered to local residents Oct. 1, 2004. Vero Beach, Fla., was one of the areas hardest hit by Hurricanes Jeanne and Frances. "See, these volunteers show the true heart of America, because we're a compassionate people, we care when a neighbor hurts, we long to help somebody when help is needed," said President Bush during a visit with volunteers in Stuart, Fla., Sept. 30. "They have the gratitude of all they've served, and they have the admiration for our whole country."
On September 19th, 2004, a few days after Hurricane Ivan made landfall, President Bush visited Pensacola, Fla., where residents took him on a walking tour through homes that no longer existed. The following week, President Bush visited Millvale, Pa., an Allegheny community flooded by the same storm. President Bush declared the county a major disaster site and ordered federal aid for Allegheny and several nearby counties. President Bush spends time with local residents during a walking tour of hurricane damage in Pensacola, Fla., Sept. 19, 2004. Talking with first responders about available aid, the President said, “But the governors and I fully understand there are people inland who have been affected; there are people in rural Alabama, small-town Alabama whose lives have been turned upside down by this storm, as well; people in rural Florida who have been affected by this storm,” said the President in Orange Beach, Ala., Sept. 19, 2004.

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