Contact: White House, Office of the Press Secretary, 202-456-2580

LAFAYETTE, Tenn., Feb. 8 /Christian Newswire/ -- The following text is of remarks by President Bush after briefing on regional tornado damage:    

Lafayette Fire Department - Atwell & Scruggs Fire Station
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.

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