George H.W. Bush: “Yes, I would encourage them to use these tent cities. If they don't want to stay there all night long, they ought to go…”

“Yes, I would encourage them to use these tent cities. If they don't want to stay there all night long, they ought to go there, get medical attention, get showers, use the sanitary facilities there, get the food that's there. But I've talked to Governor Chiles about this. He has expressed his confidence not only in the National Guard, who has the security function and will be patrolling, but all of us have expressed our support for the local law enforcement people. I think it's a tribute to the spirit of Florida and the people of Florida that the acts of violence have been far less than predicted. We would, of course, condemn any violence, any taking advantage of one's neighbor. But nevertheless, I think that my message to them would be, use the facilities that exist. I met a family right across the way here, literally less than a block from here. They needed medical attention for a child. And they were asking, ``We need medical attention. Where can we get help?'' Here are these fantastic volunteers, right here, less than a block away, who stand ready to help in whatever the ailment, whatever the illness. And so I think the city officials, the Mayor, the city manager are doing what they can now to get the message out. The Army has distributed, I think it's 10,000 radios. Those will be in the communities. And over those radios will be broadcast: What's available? How do you get your insurance? How do you get your Social Security check? Where do you go for medical attention? And once that communication networks gets going, say nothing of word of mouth, then I think these people will be beautifully served. Some are scared to leave their homes. And I would simply say to them, trust in the security that's being provided in the neighborhoods. You don't have to be gone for all the time. If you feel more comfortable in your home or what's left of it, go, take the kid and go and leave somebody else in the house, and then come back. But soon that confidence will build, because these military people that have set up the camps, these private sector people, the Red Cross and others that have set up these facilities really have the spirit that will give the people the reassurance they need. And it'll take care of itself, but we need to get the message out. And we're going to continue to try to do that. Thank you all very, very much. Note: The President spoke at 10 a.m. to community members at Homestead Middle School.”