Clinton honors unity after quake disaster

Clinton honors unity after quake disaster

Officials celebrate speedy renovation of campus, morale

By Phillip Carter

and Gil Hopenstand

Daily Bruin Senior Staff

Commemorating the one-year anniversary of the devastating
Northridge earthquake, President Bill Clinton spoke at California
State University, Northridge yesterday, giving praise to his
administration’s speedy efforts in rebuilding the campus and the
surrounding area.

The speech, which drew officials from all levels of government,
was part of Clinton’s two-day visit to the Southland, which
included a tour of the flood-damaged areas of Northern
California.

"I said that we wouldn’t let you pick up the pieces alone ­
that we would stay on until the job is done," Clinton said.
"Twenty-seven federal agencies worked with state and local
officials in unprecedented ways ­ this was the most efficient
and effective disaster operation in American history."

Praise for the government’s assistance also came from Los
Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan, who quipped that so many
administrators were assigned to quake relief that Clinton had to
hold cabinet meetings in California.

"Clinton’s A+ team has been with us since the beginning," he
said.

"It was a true team effort," agreed Frederico Pena, secretary of
transportation, adding that the recovery team set aside political
grounds to come together.

Citing the $11.5 billion in federal aid to Los Angeles as an
example of the federal government’s support, Clinton attacked
political pundits for saying that government was unneeded and
unimportant.

"There are those who say government is inherently bad, by always
taking our money that never amounts to anything," he said. "Well
I’m saying, look at the difference it’s made in dealing with this
disaster."

The president also thanked the Northridge university community
for their dedication and diligence in repairing their school.

"(CSUN) is a symbol of the ability of the people of this state
to keep coming back (following) adversity after adversity," Clinton
said. "The greatest earthquake ever recorded in the history on this
continent destroyed a great deal on this campus, but as (Riordan)
said, ‘Mother Nature shook you, but she can’t break you.’"

The crowd gave the speeches mixed reviews, some complaining that
the rebuilding has gone extraordinarily slow.

"The recovery is not over because our buildings are still down
­ the rest of the FEMA procedures should be sped up," said
CSUN graduate student Maria Ramos. "There was really nothing new
(in his speech,) it was bland and boring."

Clinton’s remarks earned good marks from a CSUN professor in
attendance, who said that he made important points in his
speech.

"It was very encouraging for the people here at Northridge, with
all the work people have done to get the college back (in
operation) from the quake," said Kenyon Chan, chair of the
Asian-American department.

The president was scheduled to take a tour of the campus after
his speech, however time delays and the discovery of three fake
"pipe-bombs" forced that part of his visit to be called off, U.S.
Secret Service officials said.

After leaving CSUN, the president flew to Roseville, Calif.,
near Sacramento, to view flood damage from last week’s storms.

With reports from James Snyder