Photo: Office of the President of Mexico |
Mr. President, Secretary Abascal, Members of the Cabinet, Mr. Mayor, Distinguished Members of the Press, Ladies and Gentlemen, and Friends:
Twenty years ago, an earthquake struck Mexico City, changing the city forever. Buildings fell, thousands of people died, and many others were buried under the debris.
Life teaches us that the characters of nations, like people, are forged by their response to human tragedy. It is during such times, more than any other, that we regard one other as human beings. Many Mexicans have proudly told me that modern Mexico found its soul that day, through the labors of each individual, and through the thousands of efforts, both great and small, which lead to the reconstruction of this great city.
Today, this same spirit of mutual support and friendship are as evident as they were 20 ago. In the past few days, as a result of Hurricane Katrina, Americans witnessed one more demonstration of Mexican generosity. I was moved by the compassion and solidarity in the faces of those Mexicans who worked shoulder-to-shoulder with the American people and who helped us start down a new path.
The 1985 earthquake and what we have lived through the last few weeks, are events that make us remember that we can never elude the powerful force of nature. Today, we remember the lives that were lost, and we stop to appreciate the joy of life and the commitment that we have to our fellow human beings.
In times of need it is our friends who help us to ease the pain and who help us to look towards the future. In the name of the United Status and President Bush I want to thank the Mexican people, President Fox and his government for their friendship.
Our countries have always had strong ties, and we will always be ready to help when God defies our capacity to understand, and when only faith in Him and in one another, fills us with strength to move forward. We are blessed to have this great country as a friend and neighbor.
May God bless Mexico and the United States.
|
