Obama: When Americans see strangers in need, they ‘step up’

Former President Obama said he “could not be prouder” of Americans for their response to help victims of the recent hurricanes that struck the U.S.

Obama, speaking at the One America Appeal benefit concert for hurricane victims Saturday night, praised Americans who are helping in the recovery efforts.

“All of us on this stage here tonight could not be prouder of the response of Americans,” Obama said. “When they see their neighbors and they see their friends, they see strangers in need, Americans step up.”

“And as heartbreaking as the tragedies that took place here in Texas and in Florida, in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have been, what we’ve also seen is the spirit of America at its best: When ordinary people step up and do extraordinary things.”

Obama also thanked former presidents George W. Bush and George H.W. Bush for their work in the relief efforts.

He spotlighted George H.W. Bush as “an outstanding American, somebody who has always show grace and character and courage and served America nobly throughout the years.”

“He sets an example for all of us, as does First Lady Barbara Bush,” Obama said.

Obama was at the concert in Texas alongside the four other former living presidents to fundraise for disaster relief after the series of hurricanes that struck the U.S. over the past few months.

The former leaders launched a joint fundraising effort in the wake of Hurricane Harvey in Texas and announced hours before the concert that they had raised $31 million so far.