Bush, Clinton fly over Ike-ravaged area

GALVESTON, Texas, Oct. 14 (UPI) -- Former Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton got a bird's-eye view of Hurricane Ike's devastation in Texas Tuesday.

The two ex-presidents, who were joined by James Baker, a former U.S. secretary of state, were flown by helicopter over the Bolivar Peninsula and along the Texas coast before being given an update on the recovery efforts, the Houston Chronicle reported.

"What we have seen is abject devastation," said Bush. "We've also seen a determination to come back."

The Bush-Clinton Coastal Recovery Fund has raised $1.5 million so far to supplement government funding for infrastructure projects.

Clinton noted fundraising is tough these days because of the sour U.S. economy.

"What we hope is to say, 'hey, don't forget about this place,'" he said.