VOA标准英语2008年-Bush to Inspect Damage in Flooded Iowa

By Scott Stearns
White House
17 June 2008

U.S. President George Bush will visit the Midwest state of Iowa Thursday to inspect damage from major flooding along the Mississippi River. VOA White House Correspondent Scott Stearns reports, Mr. Bush says he will work with Congress to replenish¹ funds used to help those affected² by natural disaster.
　

Aerial view of Cedar3 Rapids, Iowa, 14 Jun 2008

Federal officials briefed the president on efforts to shore-up levees along the Mississippi River and help those displaced by the flooding. Crews along the river have been working feverishly⁴ stacking sandbags to keep the water from spilling out into low lying areas.

Speaking to reporters after that briefing, Mr. Bush said there has been close coordination⁵ between federal and state authorities.

"We're in constant contact with people on the ground to help make sure that we save lives," he said. "Now that the water is beginning to recede⁶, the question is how do we help with the recovery?"

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is still assessing the economic impact of the flooding. President Bush says he understands many people are upset about loosing their homes and businesses.

"We are worried about farmers and ranchers. The country that is being affected by these floods has got a lot of farm country, a lot people raising livestock," he said.

Officials are reinforcing levees in Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri to prevent further damage from river water that has already closed bridges and destroyed homes.

President Bush said there is enough money in a federal emergency fund to pay for the clean-up and help those affected by the flooding. He will work with lawmakers to ensure those funds are replaced ahead of another natural disaster.

"Congress doesn't need to worry about working with the White House on this because we think the supplemental is the way to go," he said. "What they do need to worry about is making sure there is enough but not too much money in the fund so that we can say we've done our job."

The president will visit Iowa Thursday to meet with some of those affected by the flooding.

1 replenish   

vt.补充；(把…)装满；(再)填满

参考例句：

• I always replenish my food supply before it is depleted.我总是在我的食物吃完之前加以补充。
• We have to import an extra 4 million tons of wheat to replenish our reserves.我们不得不额外进口四百万吨小麦以补充我们的储备。

2 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

3 cedar   

n.雪松，香柏(木)

参考例句：

• The cedar was about five feet high and very shapely.那棵雪松约有五尺高,风姿优美。
• She struck the snow from the branches of an old cedar with gray lichen.她把长有灰色地衣的老雪松树枝上的雪打了下来。

4 feverishly   

adv. 兴奋地

参考例句：

• Feverishly he collected his data. 他拼命收集资料。
• The company is having to cast around feverishly for ways to cut its costs. 公司迫切须要想出各种降低成本的办法。

5 coordination   

n.协调，协作

参考例句：

• Gymnastics is a sport that requires a considerable level of coordination.体操是一项需要高协调性的运动。
• The perfect coordination of the dancers and singers added a rhythmic charm to the performance.舞蹈演员和歌手们配合得很好，使演出更具魅力。

6 recede   

vi.退(去)，渐渐远去；向后倾斜，缩进

参考例句：

• The colleges would recede in importance.大学的重要性会降低。
• He saw that the dirty water had begun to recede.他发现那污浊的水开始往下退了。