Oso Firehouse Oso, Washington

4:13 P.M. PDT

THE PRESIDENT: Well, good afternoon, everybody. I just had a chance to tour some of the damage from last months mudslide. And, most importantly, I had a chance to spend some time with the families whose loved ones have been lost. I also had a chance to thank some of the amazing first responders, the firefighters, police officers, search and rescue crews, and members of the Washington National Guard who have been working around the clock to help this community recover from this devastating incident.

Governor Inslee, Senator Murray, Senator Cantwell, Congresswoman DelBene, Congressman Larsen, and the rest of the elected officials who are here, theyve been relentless in making sure that Oso had the resources that it needs. And from the day of the tragedy, Ive instructed my team to make sure that they get what they need to make sure that the search and rescue mission is going forward the way it should.

A FEMA Incident Management Assistance Team was on the ground immediately after the mudslide, and a search and rescue team was deployed to help locate and recover victims. We immediately approved an emergency declaration to provide additional resources to state and local responders. And I followed that by approving a major disaster declaration to help residents and business owners rebuild, and to help state and local and tribal governments with emergency work.

Today, that work continues. There are still families who are searching for loved ones. There are families who have lost everything, and its going to be a difficult road ahead for them. And thats why I wanted to come here -- just to let you know that the country is thinking about all of you and have been throughout this tragedy.

Were not going anywhere. Well be here as long as it takes. Because while very few Americans have ever heard of Oso before the disaster struck, weve all been inspired by the incredible way that the community has come together and shown the love and support that they have for each other in ways large and small.

Over the past month, weve seen neighbors and complete strangers donate everything from chainsaws to rain jackets to help with the recovery effort. Weve seen families cook meals for rescue workers. Weve seen volunteers pull 15-hour days, searching through mud up to 70 feet deep. One resident said, Were Oso. We just do it. Thats what this community is all about. And I think the outstanding work of Sheriff Willy Harper here helping to coordinate all of this -- I was saying, hes a pretty young sheriff, but he has shouldered this burden in an incredible way. And were very, very proud of him, as we are of all the local responders.

This is family. And these are folks who love this land, and its easy to see why -- because its gorgeous. And theres a way of life here thats represented. And to see the strength in adversity of this community I think should inspire all of us, because this is also what America is all about.

When times get tough, we look out for each other. We get each others backs. And we recover and we build, and we come back stronger. And were always reminded that were greater together. Thats how well support each other every step of the way.

I have to say that the families that I met with showed incredible strength and grace through unimaginable pain and difficulty. Uniformly, though, they all wanted to say thank you to the first responders. They were deeply appreciative of the efforts that everybody has made. And I know that many of the first responders have heard that directly, but it doesnt hurt to repeat that were very appreciative of what youve done.

And I also want to say that some terrific lessons were learned in the midst of very hard times during this process, because almost uniquely, we had not just coordination between state, local and federal officials, but also coordination between volunteers and those officials. And I know that it required some improvisation and some kinks getting worked out, but it was important for the family members themselves and the community themselves to be hands-on and participate in this process -- particularly a community like this one where folks are hearty and know how to do things, and take great pride in being self-reliant. It was important that they werent just bystanders in this process, they were involved every step of the way.

One last point Ill make. Ive received a number of letters from residents -- either Darrington, or Arlington, or Oso itself -- over the last several weeks, and one in particular struck me. It was from a firefighter who I may have met today; he didnt identify himself. But he pointed out how those who were operating the heavy machinery during this whole process did so with an incredible care and delicacy because they understood that this wasnt an ordinary job, this wasnt just a matter of moving earth; that this was a matter of making sure that we were honoring and respecting the lives that had been impacted.

And two things were of note in that letter: Number one, that this firefighter pointed out properly the incredible work thats been done under very tough circumstances. Number two, he was pointing out what others were doing, not what he was doing. And to see a community come together like this and not be interested in whos getting credit, but just making sure that the job gets done, that says a lot about the character of this place.

And so were very, very proud of all of you. Michelle and I grieve with you. The whole country is thinking about you. And were going to make sure that were there every step of the way as we go through the grieving, the mourning, the recovery. Were going to be strong right alongside you.

Thank you very much. God bless you. God bless America. Thank you. (Applause.)

END 4:21 P.M. PDT