The National Guard has served America as both a wartime force and the first military responders in times of domestic crisis. Hundreds of times each year, the nation's governors call upon their Guard troops to respond to fires, floods, hurricanes and other natural disasters.

When you form a team, why do you try to form a team? Because teamwork builds trust and trust builds speed.

You cannot depend on a sandbag dike to save your life. You put it up to try to save your property.

Teamwork builds trust and trust builds speed

I think American industry has lost perspective about their products.

Hurricane Sandy was one of the most vicious storm systems to hit the New York City area in nearly two centuries.

Before Katrina, it was a longstanding tradition in our country for political officials to wait until the last minute to warn, to take action, to evacuate. No more. With Irene, you had mass evacuations - mandatory ones - issued days ahead of time. That was the right thing to do.