The President of the United States

ARRL Press Release
President Bush Addresses Florida ARES Net

NEWINGTON, CT, Jan 31, 2002--President George W. Bush spoke today via Amateur Radio to members of the Northern Florida Amateur Radio Emergency Service Net (NFAN). The president was in Florida to spotlight five volunteer groups--among them the Volusia County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)--for their value to the new Office of Homeland Security.

"I want to thank all the volunteers who help make sure that Florida is prepared for any kind of emergency," the president said in part, after checking in around 9:15 AM to a regular ARES net session. "I want to thank you all for helping your communities be prepared." (The text of President's Bush's remarks is available below.)

Northern Florida ARRL Section Manager Rudy Hubbard, WA4PUP, said Bush spoke from a portable station set up at a Daytona Beach fire station. Hubbard said that when Bush's visit was announced, Volusia County's emergency manager got in touch with the county's ARES Emergency Coordinator Joette Barnett, KG4HPN. She, in turn, contacted John Schmidt, AF4PU, and Clifford Fraser, KE4HIY. They arranged to have the station ready as a demonstration of Amateur Radio's role in emergency preparedness and in the hope that Bush would be willing to take a few minutes to address the 75-meter net. NFAN meets daily at 9 AM. Hearing the president check into the net was a pleasant surprise, Hubbard said.

ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, said he was "extremely gratified" that President Bush recognized the valuable service Amateur Radio operators provide in times of emergencies. "Volunteerism goes straight to the core of all radio amateurs who provide their communication skills, time and equipment in times of communication disruptions," Haynie said. "I know that all hams in the United States stand ready to do their part in America's Homeland Security Program." Haynie, who was re-elected this month, has said that defining Amateur Radio's role in homeland security would top his list of initiatives for his second term.

Hubbard said a copy of proposed expanded Amateur Radio (PRB-1) antenna legislation was given to the President and to the president's brother, Florida Gov Jeb Bush, for possible introduction in next year's Florida legislative session. "We Amateur Radio operators will volunteer however we're needed, and maybe it will be seen that we can greatly help the nation if we have the antennas we need," Hubbard commented.

The proposed bill would seek to have the Florida Legislature extend recognition of "the importance of Amateur Radio and the need to accommodate amateur radio emergency communications through erection of outdoor antennas of reasonable size and height" to private deed covenants, conditions and restrictions as well as to municipalities, now covered under Florida's existing PRB-1 law. As drafted, the measure would require local ordinances and land regulations as well as private deed restrictions, or covenants involving the placement, screening or height of antenna structures to "reasonably accommodate amateur radio communication" and "impose the minimum regulation and restrictions necessary to accomplish clearly defined objectives of the local government, association or property owner."

The Daytona Beach event marked a rare appearance on ham radio by a sitting president. Former President Gerald Ford spoke via a ham radio satellite hookup in 1986. In addition to Volusia County ARES, Bush also spotlighted Citizens on Patrol, a retiree group that patrols communities for the sheriff's office; Citizen Emergency Response Team, which helps coordinate neighborhood disaster response; the Council on Aging; and the Volusia County Fire-Police Volunteers. Bush's stop in Florida was part of a swing through the southeastern US, which included stops in North Carolina and Georgia.

ARRL Editors Note: Ham radio groups in your area are ready to assist the community during times of emergency. Contact the ARRL for local interviewees.

MP3 Audio File of President Bush's Remarks

(Requires a MP3 player)

Text of President George W. Bush's Remarks via Amateur Radio

I want to thank all the volunteers who help make sure that Florida is prepared for any kind of emergency. I also want to assure you that your federal government is doing everything we can to make sure that there is not an emergency--starting with unleashing the mighty US military overseas to bring the evil ones to justice. But should there be a need for a response, I want to thank you all for helping your communities be prepared. And finally, I just wanted to tell you--we're lucky to be Americans and may God continue to bless this great land of ours. Thank you very much.