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- Part of White House Staff Member and Office Files (Nixon Administration), President's Personal Files
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OCR Page 1 of 33FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 12, 1972
Office of the White House Press Secretary
(San Clemente, California)
THE WHITE HOUSE
TEXT OF A RADIO SPEECH BY THE
PRESIDENT
ON ADDITIONAL DISASTER RELIEF
No one who has ever witnessed a natural disaster can forget the terrible
devastation it leaves behind or can fail to be moved by the heroism and
the heartache of those who live through it.
Millions of Americans today are struggling to rebuild their lives in the wake
of Tropical Storm Agnes. More than 80 persons perished in the floods that it
brought. More than 128, 000 homes and businesses have been damaged or
destroyed. In terms of the property damage and of the sweeping extent
of the territory affected, this has been the worst natural disaster in the whole
of America's history.
Confronted with so massive a disaster emergency, our response as a Nation
must also be massive. Conscience commands it; humanity impels it.
From the earliest days of our Nation, whenever a disaster or hardship struck,
Americans have pulled together, neighbors helping neighbors. That spirit
enabled countless thousands to overcome seemingly hopeless obstacles in the
past -- and it is still a source of strength today.
Iknow, because I saw repeated evidence of that same spirit of neighborliness
and sharing when I visited the disaster area in Pennsylvania to inspect the
damage first hand. The destruction and loss were immense, almost over-
powering. But even more moving were the spirit, the optimism, and the
determination of the disaster victims themselves, and that of the government
and volunteer workers who were striving side by side with them to undo the
damage nature had wrought.
The progress that has been made to date is impressive. Temporary shelter,
feeding and medical treatment have been provided to more than 350, 000 victims
Debris removal and restoration of public facilities are underway.
An estimated 70, 000 workers unemployed as a result of the disaster will be
receiving temporary unemployment insurance benefits under regular and
disaster assistance programs, and direct Federal payments will create over
50 thousand man years of jobs for workers in affected areas.
All of this is impressive, and in the best tradition of American disaster relief
work. But, when so extraordinary a disaster strikes, only extraordinary
measures something beyond the normal effort will suffice.
That is why I am today announcing massive new measures to supplement those
that have already been taken. When a friend or relative is stricken hard by an
accident or illness, we rally to him. When this large a part of the Nation is
stricken by disaster, it is a family affair for all of us. So, when the Congress
reconvenes, I will submit a special request for additional emergency funds
totalling more than $1. 7 billion -- the largest single amount ever allocated to
recovery efforts in this country.
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