Bush says that during Katrina and its aftermath, there was "an impressive display of leadership down here on the Gulf Coast." He called off the names of those were then the mayors of Mississippi Coast cities and the supervisors of its counties.
Bush says the 10th anniversary of the storm is "a good time to honor courage and resolve."
The former president also says he remembers how much damage was done on the coast.
He told those gathered: "It may be hard to see how much progress has been made. You've made a lot."