Former president George W. Bush offered words of comfort to the people of Texas on Tuesday while visiting a Southern Methodist University football practice.
“I know there’s some people from Houston here and the Houston area, and I know you’re going through a really tough time,” Bush told the team, the SMU Mustangs, referring to historic flooding in the area in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. “Just know that there’ll be a lot of people that are going to help you, help the people down there. A lot.”
Bush, who served as Texas governor before he ran for the White House in 2000, acknowledged that “the days are dark now” but said “they’re going to get better.”
“Right now, they’re recovering, and so the key thing on the recovery is to keep people safe,” Bush continued. “And then, it’s going to be rebuilding. And if you’re from that area, you’ll be amazed at the people that come down there to help. All kinds of people.”
Thank you President Bush for coming to practice today to offer support to our players from the Houston area!@TheBushCenter pic.twitter.com/7lQRfWGrjQ
— #PonyUp FootbaII (@SMU_Football) August 29, 2017
Bush is no stranger to being commander in chief during a natural disaster having been president when Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana in 2005. However, his administration was slammed by critics for its sluggish response to the devastation.
Despite rain still falling in the south, the Hurricane Harvey recovery effort is already underway, with 20,000-30,000 National Guard troops being prepared to help with the cleanup.
