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Telethon Call--Hurricane Andrew 8/27/92 [OA 7579]
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Originally Processed With FOIA(s): FOIA Number: S S FOIA MARKER This is not a textual record. This is used as an administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential Library Staff. Record Group/Collection: George H.W. Bush Presidential Records Collection/Office of Origin: Speechwriting, White House Office of Series: Speech File Backup Files Subseries: Chron File, 1989-1993 OA/ID Number: 13828 Folder ID Number: 13828-009 Folder Title: Telethon Call--Hurricane Andrew 8/27/92 [OA 7579] Stack: Row: Section: Shelf: Position: G 26 22 7 4 (Smith/Nix) Draft Three August 27, 1992 PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: TELETHON CALL PALM BEACH, FLORIDA THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 1992 Thanks, Bill. I'm pleased to have this chance to speak to you about something very important. I know that even though the storm has passed, the situation is still urgent in South Florida. As you know, I came down to Florida Monday to make sure the Federal government is doing everything it can to get you through this tragedy. Let me tell you the actions we've taken so far. I immediately signed Governor Chiles' request for a disaster declaration making available the full span of Federal disaster assistance programs to residents, businesses, and governments. Yesterday, I asked my Transportation Secretary, Andy Card, to lead a Federal Task Force to work with state and local officials and provide any additional Federal assistance. Today, I spoke with Secretary Card. He is in Florida today with the head of FEMA, where they met with Governor Chiles and local officials. I also spoke with the Governor. On the basis of these reports, I am directing Federal troops immediately to help FEMA in providing additional emergency assistance. In particular, I have directed the Department of Defense to supply comprehensive assistance for the affected areas, including tents, food, water, electrical generators, portable sanitary facilities, and mobile field kitchens. I've 2 also directed the Department of Defense to supply whatever transportation is necessary, including aircraft and helicopters, to fulfill this mission. O I know many Floridians are without food. So in addition, beginning tomorrow morning, we'll provide nearly 422,000 pounds of donated food for emergency programs in the hardest-hit areas. / We've got Washington and our regional center in Atlanta operating 24 hours a day to put our disaster relief programs in place. / We've moved in additional staff. Our Catastrophic Disaster Response Group is directing Federal agencies to work with state and local governments. / We've set up a joint State-Federal disaster field office. And we're working now to open Disaster Application Centers so those in need can apply for aid. O Our disaster programs are making available several kinds of aid to those in need: Temporary Housing Assistance for those who've lost their homes. Grants to individuals and families for emergency needs such as clothing, transportation, or medical expenses. / Small Business loans for damaged or destroyed businesses -- and flood insurance. O Let me be clear on one thing: There's no room for politics. This is about helping people. Governor Chiles and I are working hand-in-hand. But what we're doing is only a start. No one knows that more than you. / I've seen what's happening. People without blankets / without food or shelter. But I also saw something else. I saw businesses and neighbors / local 3 police and fire fighters / the Red Cross and all the other wonderful groups. O The damage caused by this hurricane has created tragedy for millions of Florida and Louisiana residents. My heart goes out to all of you. I'll stop here and Bill, I've got time for some questions. # # # # IIIIIII mm <<<<<<<< <<<<<<<06 I XXXXXXXX numa <<<<<<<01 <<<<<<<01 into OFFICE OF PRESIDENTIAL SPEECHWRITING FACSIMILE TRANSMITTAL SHEET Number of Pages (Including Cover) 4 To Linde Tapp Fax Number X 1125 Date 8/27 From Office Number 2930 ****** COMMENTS ****** Linda- As promised -DMS 92 AUG 27 P4: 07 Date: August 27, 1992 TO: Boyden Gray FROM: KATHY SUPER K.Super Deputy Assistant to the President for Appointments and Scheduling RE: Proposed Presidential Telephone call into Palm Beach Telethon CURT May I please have your recommendation ASAP on the attached proposal. My concerns: President has never participated in a telethon -- this would be the exception to our past policy F41. The funds for this go only to Good Palm Beach County. What about the other areas? Dade? point! Sounds like someone has already had discussions with Bill Brooks, the Station Manager. 8/27 no legal with problem as al fustreate Sarticipation such exceptions not in to lightly a lons telethon, standars. Talkine points consistint with Snon Wed remarks THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON August 27, 1992 SCHEDULE PROPOSAL TO: KATHERINE SUPER DEPUTY ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR APPOINTMENTS AND SCHEDULING FROM: RONALD C. KAUFMAN TH for KCK DEPUTY ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS REQUEST: Recommended phone call from the President to a telethon in Palm Beach, Florida on behalf of the hurricane victims. PURPOSE: To show compassion and support for those victims hit by hurricane Andrew in south Florida. BACKGROUND: NBC affiliate WPTV, out of Palm Beach, will be hosting a telethon this evening in an effort to raise much needed funds for the victims of hurricane Andrew that ravaged residents of southern Florida earlier this week. The fundraising goal is $1 million and proceeds would go to victims within Palm Beach county. Florida Governor Lawton Chiles and both U.S. Senator Bob Graham and Connie Mack are scheduled to personally attend this telethon. All six local television affiliates have agreed to pre-empt their regular scheduled pay programing to carry this telethon live as have 10 radio stations from the Palm Beach men in my nbn irl injo county area. Additionally, NBC has agreed to throw this telethon on a satellite uplink in order to provide any local affiliates across the country to pick up this program. g 8/27 123 SCHEDULE PROPOSAL PAGE TWO DATE: Thursday, August 27, 1992 Between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. LOCATION: The White House PARTICIPANTS: The President Mr. Bill Brooks, Host of WPTV Telethon and General Manager of WPTV. OUTLINE OF EVENT: The President would call in to the station and immediately patched through to Mr. Brooks who will be anticipating the call. The President and Mr. Brooks would exchange brief conversation relating to the hurricane and the President would make a donation to the telethon. REMARKS REQUIRED: None required. ? MEDIA COVERAGE: Open. RECOMMENDED BY: Ronald C. Kaufman (Smith/Nix) Draft Two August 27, 1992 BEACH PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: TELETHON CALL PALM BEACH, FLORIDA THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 1992 Governor Chiles. Senators Mack and Graham. Fellow Americans. It is an honor to speak with you -- and to ask you to join in a noble cause: Showing how Americans are at their best when disaster is at its worst. // As you know, Monday I came to Florida to make sure the Federal government does everything it can to ease your suffering. At a time like this neighbor must help neighbor. So I Tony immediately signed Governor Chiles' request for a disaster Vinti declaration making available the full span of Federal disaster FEMA assistance programs to residents, businesses, and governments. / Pub Affairs 6410-4600 Pressment 0 Yesterday, I named Transportation Secretary Andy Card. 8/8/24 to lead a Federal Task Force to meet with state and local officials and provide any additional Federal assistance. / O [ [This afternoon, I spoke with Secretary Card. He is in Florida today with FEMA Director Wallace Stickney, where they met with Governor Chiles and local officials. A short time ago, I also spoke with the Governor, who described the current situation in his state. ]] [ [In response to the efforts, I am activating Federal troops to immediately provide additional emergency assistance to the victims of this disaster. I have directed the Department of Defense to supply comprehensive assistance for the affected 2 areas, including mobile tents, food, water, and field kitchens. I have also directed the Department of Defense to supply whatever transportation is necessary, including aircraft and helicopters, to fulfill this mission. ]] O [[The damage caused by this hurricane has created tragedy for millions of Florida and Louisiana residents. On behalf of all Americans, I send my sympathy and support to the victims of Hurricane Andrew during this difficult period of recovery. ]] Anthony Vinti O We want to help. So our national center in Washington Director and our regional center in Atlanta are operating 24 hours a day of to put our disaster relief programs in place. / We've moved in PHBD additional staff. Our Catastrophic Disaster Response Group is Affairs FEMA ensuring Federal agencies do everything in their power to help state and local governments respond. / We've set up a joint State-Federal disaster field office. And shortly we expect to open Disaster Application Centers so those in trouble can apply for aid. // O Our disaster programs are ready to make available several kinds of aid to victims of Andrew's wrath. / Temporary Housing Assistance for those who've lost their homes. / Grants to individuals and families for emergency needs such as food, clothing, or hospital expenses. / Damaged or destroyed businesses are eligible for loans from the Small Business Administration. / Flood insurance may also be available. / 3 All this the Federal government will do. Yet it's only a start -- as no one knows more than you. / That's why I was so moved by what I saw in Florida: Businesses and neighbors / local police and fire fighters / the Red Cross and other wonderful groups. Each lending a hand / tending a wound / putting your community back on its feet. // Already your courage has amazed the Nation -- shown that Florida may bend but it will never break. / Americans will never forget what we've seen. Homes ripped apart. People left without blankets / without food or shelter. But as you have proved: People are never without hope -- and never without each other. // O What nature has pulled apart is no match for people who pull together. All we can we must do -- as Americans, and friends. Barbara and I are pleased to do our part -- as you are doing yours. God bless you -- and the United States of America. # # # #