Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents

Monday, January 26, 2004 Volume 40—Number 4 Pages 91–136

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Addresses to the Nation Communications to Congress—Continued State of the Union—94 Terrorists who threaten to disrupt the Middle Addresses and Remarks East peace process, letter on continuation of national emergency—92 African-American clergy, spouses—93 Arizona, Mesa Community College in Interviews With the News Media Phoenix—107 Exchange with reporters in Roswell, NM— March for Life, telephone remarks—113 New Mexico, remarks in Roswell—113 122 Ohio, Owens Community College in Notices Perrysburg Township—101 Radio address—93 Continuation of the National Emergency With U.S. Conference of Mayors—123 Respect to Terrorists Who Threaten To World Series champion Florida Marlins—131 Disrupt the Middle East Peace Process— 91 Appointments and Nominations U.S. Court of Appeals, recess appointment of Statements by the President Charles W. Pickering, statement—91 See also Appointments and Nominations Communications to Congress Senate action on the ‘‘Consolidated Bosnia and Herzegovina, letter transmitting Appropriations Act, 2004’’ report on continued operations of U.S. Inaction—94 Forces—123 Passage—122 Bulgaria-U.S. Treaty Concerning the Supplementary Materials Encouragement and Reciprocal Protection of Investment, message transmitting Acts approved by the President—136 additional protocol—112 Checklist of White House press releases—136 Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Digest of other White House (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996, letter on review announcements—133 of Title III—92 Nominations submitted to the Senate—134

WEEKLY COMPILATION OF Distribution is made only by the Superintendent of Docu- PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS ments, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. The Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents will be furnished by mail to domestic subscribers for $80.00 per year Published every Monday by the Office of the Federal Reg- ($137.00 for mailing first class) and to foreign subscribers for ister, National Archives and Records Administration, Washing- $93.75 per year, payable to the Superintendent of Documents, ton, DC 20408, the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Docu- Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. The ments contains statements, messages, and other Presidential charge for a single copy is $3.00 ($3.75 for foreign mailing). materials released by the White House during the preceding The Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents is also week. available on the Internet on the GPO Access service at http:// The Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents is pub- www.gpo.gov/nara/nara003.html. lished pursuant to the authority contained in the Federal Reg- ister Act (49 Stat. 500, as amended; 44 U.S.C. Ch. 15), under There are no restrictions on the republication of material regulations prescribed by the Administrative Committee of the appearing in the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Docu- Federal Register, approved by the President (37 FR 23607; ments. 1 CFR Part 10).

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Statement on the Recess NOTE: This item was not received in time for pub- Appointment of Charles W. lication in the appropriate issue. Pickering To Serve on the United States Court of Appeals for the Notice—Continuation of the Fifth Circuit National Emergency With Respect to January 16, 2004 Terrorists Who Threaten To Disrupt the Middle East Peace Process Today I was proud to exercise my constitu- tional authority to appoint Judge Charles W. January 16, 2004 Pickering to serve on the United States Court On January 23, 1995, by Executive Order of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Judge Pick- 12947, the President declared a national ering has served with distinction as a United emergency pursuant to the International States District Judge since he was unani- Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. mously confirmed by the Senate in 1990. He 1701–1706) to deal with the unusual and ex- is highly qualified to serve on the Court of traordinary threat to the national security, Appeals and has widespread bipartisan sup- foreign policy, and economy of the United port from those who know him best. States constituted by grave acts of violence For the past 21⁄2 years, Judge Pickering has committed by foreign terrorists who threaten been waiting for an up-or-down vote in the to disrupt the Middle East peace process. On Senate. A bipartisan majority of Senators August 20, 1998, by Executive Order 13099, supports his confirmation, and if he were the President modified the Annex to Execu- given a vote, he would be confirmed. But tive Order 12947 to identify four additional a minority of Democratic Senators has been persons, including Usama bin Laden, who using unprecedented obstructionist tactics to threaten to disrupt the Middle East peace prevent him and other qualified individuals process. from receiving up-or-down votes. Their tac- Because these terrorist activities continue tics are inconsistent with the Senate’s con- to threaten the Middle East peace process stitutional responsibility and are hurting our and continue to pose an unusual and extraor- judicial system. dinary threat to the national security, foreign As a result of today’s recess appointment, policy, and economy of the United States, Judge Pickering will fill a seat on the Fifth the national emergency declared on January Circuit that has been designated a judicial 23, 1995, as expanded on August 20, 1998, emergency. He will perform a valuable serv- and the measures adopted on those dates to ice on a court that needs more judges to do deal with that emergency must continue in its work with the efficiency the American effect beyond January 23, 2004. Therefore, people deserve and expect. Again I call on in accordance with section 202(d) of the Na- the Senate to stop playing politics with the tional Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), American judicial system and to give my I am continuing for 1 year the national emer- nominees the up-or-down votes they deserve. gency with respect to foreign terrorists who

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threaten to disrupt the Middle East peace gion. Such actions constitute an unusual and process. extraordinary threat to the national security, This notice shall be published in the Fed- foreign policy, and economy of the United eral Register and transmitted to the Con- States. For these reasons, I have determined gress. that it is necessary to continue the national George W. Bush emergency declared with respect to foreign terrorists who threaten to disrupt the Middle The White House, East peace process and to maintain in force January 16, 2004. the economic sanctions against them to re- spond to this threat. [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, Sincerely, 9:21 a.m., January 20, 2004]

NOTE: This notice was published in the Federal George W. Bush Register on January 21. This item was not received in time for publication in the appropriate issue. NOTE: Identical letters were sent to J. Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Richard B. Cheney, President of the Senate. Letter to Congressional Leaders on This item was not received in time for publication Continuation of the National in the appropriate issue. Emergency With Respect to Terrorists Who Threaten To Disrupt the Middle East Peace Process Letter to Congressional Leaders on Review of Title III of the Cuban January 16, 2004 Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:) (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 Section 202(d) of the National Emer- January 16, 2004 gencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the automatic termination of a national emer- Dear lllll : gency unless, prior to the anniversary date Consistent with section 306(c)(2) of the of its declaration, the President publishes in Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity the Federal Register and transmits to the (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 (Public Law 104– Congress a notice stating that the emergency 114), (the ‘‘Act’’), I hereby determine and is to continue in effect beyond the anniver- report to the Congress that suspension for sary date. In accordance with this provision, 6 months beyond February 1, 2004, of the I have sent the enclosed notice, stating that right to bring an action under title III of the the emergency declared with respect to for- Act is necessary to the national interests of eign terrorists who threaten to disrupt the the United States and will expedite a transi- Middle East peace process is to continue in tion to democracy in Cuba. effect beyond January 23, 2004, to the Fed- Sincerely, eral Register for publication. The most recent notice continuing this emergency was pub- George W. Bush lished in the Federal Register on January 22, 2003 (68 FR 3161). NOTE: Identical letters were sent to Richard G. The crisis with respect to the grave acts Lugar, chairman, and Joseph R. Biden, Jr., rank- of violence committed by foreign terrorists ing member, Senate Committee on Foreign Rela- that disrupt the Middle East peace process tions; Ted Stevens, chairman, and Robert C. Byrd, that led to the declaration of a national emer- ranking member, Senate Committee on Appro- gency on January 23, 1995, as expanded on priations; Henry J. Hyde, chairman, and Tom Lantos, ranking member, House Committee on August 20, 1998, has not been resolved. Ter- International Relations; and C.W. Bill Young, rorist groups continue to engage in activities chairman, and David R. Obey, ranking member, that have the purpose or effect of threatening House Committee on Appropriations. This item the Middle East peace process and that are was not received in time for publication in the hostile to United States interests in the re- appropriate issue.

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The President’s Radio Address we’re adding better preventative care and a January 17, 2004 prescription drug benefit to the Medicare program. Many thought these reforms were Good morning. This coming week, I will impossible, yet members of both parties put report to the Congress and the American old debates behind them and fulfilled our people on the state of our Union. Over the promise to America’s seniors. past few years, America has been confronted On Tuesday night, I will outline the steps with great challenges, and the American peo- we must take to meet the goals of this Nation. ple have responded with strength and com- We will work to expand opportunities for all passion and confidence. This Nation is meet- Americans to own their own business. We’ll ing its priorities, both at home and abroad. press forward on an agenda of economic America continues to wage a relentless growth so that everyone who wants to work campaign against terrorists who threaten our can find a job. We’ll take steps to help fami- country. We’re fighting this war on the offen- lies and small businesses deal with the rising sive, denying terrorists refuge, identifying cost of health care. We will continue to help and seizing their secret finances, and holding schools and students meet the high standards terrorists and their sponsors to account. we’ve set so no child in America is left be- These terrorists are still dangerous, and we hind. We will encourage the good work of will stay on the hunt until they are destroyed. faith-based groups that bring hope to those Across the greater Middle East, America in need. For the sake of our own freedom is confronting dangers and promoting de- and security, we will continue to fight the mocracy and hope as the alternative to terror war on terror. and violence. Afghanistan, once ruled by the With all these actions, we will continue to brutal Taliban regime, has adopted a new confront the challenges of our time, and we constitution and is following the path of de- will continue to make America a more se- mocracy, including providing fundamental cure, more prosperous, and more hopeful rights to women. place. The leader of Libya has now pledged to Thank you for listening. disclose and dismantle all of his weapons of mass destruction programs. And in Iraq, the NOTE: The address was recorded at 9:20 a.m. on enemies of freedom are being systematically January 16 in the Cabinet Room at the White routed from their holes and rounded up. House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on January 17. Iraqis are assuming greater responsibility for The transcript was made available by the Office their own security and future Government. of the Press Secretary on January 16 but was em- American troops in that country are per- bargoed for release until the broadcast. In his re- marks, the President referred to Col. Muammar forming their duty with skill and courage, and Abu Minyar al-Qadhafi, leader of Libya. The Of- we’re proud of them all. fice of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish Here at home, we continue to build pros- language transcript of this address. perity and economic security for our people. Tax relief has helped turn our economy around. We’ve doubled the child tax credit, Remarks at a Luncheon With cut taxes for everyone who pays income taxes, Spouses of African-American Clergy and increased incentives for small businesses January 19, 2004 to invest in new equipment and create jobs. The results are clear. Our economy grew Thank you all. Please be seated. I have at its fastest pace in two decades in the third dropped by—[laughter]—because Laura told quarter of 2003. Manufacturers are seeing a me to. [Laughter] rebound in new orders in factory activity, and First of all, I want to welcome you all to more than a quarter-million new jobs have the people’s house, and I am so glad you’ve been created since August. come to celebrate this important national Our Government has also acted to holiday with Laura. My job is to introduce strengthen our Medicare system. To keep her so she can give some remarks. But before our commitment to America’s senior citizens, I do so, first of all I want to say thanks from

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the bottom of my heart for what you and Statement on Senate Inaction on your husbands and your communities do to Appropriations Legislation help, really, America realize the dream of January 20, 2004 Martin Luther King, which is to elevate the dignity of each person, the worth of each per- Today a minority in the Senate denied a son, the freedom of each person to realize vote on a spending bill that is 4 months over- his or her dreams. due and that fulfills important commitments: In my judgment, many times the most ef- commitments to veterans who need health fective programs to realize that national am- care; to Africans suffering from AIDS; to FBI bition is through our faith community, be- agents fighting terror; to children learning to cause people of faith have heard a universal read in our Nation’s public schools. This bill call. I remember when my friend Tony Evans stays within the spending limits I proposed. from Dallas one time talked about broken And the Senate needs to pass it. foundations, cracks on the wall. And the painter kept trying to repaint the wall of the Address Before a Joint Session of the house, and they could never get it right until, Congress on the State of the Union finally, somebody stepped up to them and January 20, 2004 said, ‘‘First you need to fix the foundation.’’ It’s that spirit of fixing foundations and help- Mr. Speaker, Vice President Cheney, ing people realize their true worth, through Members of Congress, distinguished guests, love and compassion and a—the truth of the and fellow citizens: America this evening is matter is—reliance on a being far greater a nation called to great responsibilities, and than Government, the Almighty, that enables we are rising to meet them. you all to do the works of mercy and kindness As we gather tonight, hundreds of thou- and neighborhood healing that goes on. The sands of American service men and women true strength of America truly is found in are deployed across the world in the war on the hearts and souls of our citizens. And in terror. By bringing hope to the oppressed my judgment, a way to honor the great Mar- and delivering justice to the violent, they are tin Luther King is to call upon Americans making America more secure. Each day, law enforcement personnel and to unleash that compassion. intelligence officers are tracking terrorist And so I want to welcome you here. You’re threats; analysts are examining airline pas- generals in the armies of compassion who are senger lists; the men and women of our new changing America one heart and one soul Homeland Security Department are patrol- and one conscience at a time, and for that, ling our coasts and borders. And their vigi- our Nation is grateful. lance is protecting America. And I am grateful that Laura said yes when Americans are proving once again to be I asked her to marry me. [Laughter] Our the hardest working people in the world. The First Lady. American economy is growing stronger. The tax relief you passed is working. NOTE: The President spoke at 12:22 p.m. in the Tonight Members of Congress can take State Dining Room at the White House. In his pride in the great works of compassion and remarks, he referred to Anthony T. Evans, senior reform that skeptics had thought impossible. pastor, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship. The transcript You’re raising the standards for our public released by the Office of the Press Secretary also schools, and you are giving our senior citizens included the remarks of the First Lady. A tape prescription drug coverage under Medicare. was not available for verification of the content We have faced serious challenges together, of these remarks. and now we face a choice: We can go forward

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with confidence and resolve, or we can turn ture of the terrorist Hambali, who was a key back to the dangerous illusion that terrorists player in the attack in Indonesia that killed are not plotting and outlaw regimes are no over 200 people. We’re tracking Al Qaida threat to us. We can press on with economic around the world, and nearly two-thirds of growth and reforms in education and Medi- their known leaders have now been captured care, or we can turn back to old policies and or killed. Thousands of very skilled and de- old divisions. termined military personnel are on the man- We’ve not come all this way, through trag- hunt, going after the remaining killers who edy and trial and war, only to falter and leave hide in cities and caves, and one by one, we our work unfinished. Americans are rising to will bring these terrorists to justice. the tasks of history, and they expect the same As part of the offensive against terror, we from us. In their efforts, their enterprise, and are also confronting the regimes that harbor their character, the American people are and support terrorists and could supply them showing that the state of our Union is con- with nuclear, chemical, or biological weap- fident and strong. ons. The United States and our allies are de- Our greatest responsibility is the active de- termined: We refuse to live in the shadow fense of the American people. Twenty-eight of this ultimate danger. months have passed since September the The first to see our determination were 11th, 2001—over 2 years without an attack the Taliban, who made Afghanistan the pri- on American soil. And it is tempting to be- mary training base of Al Qaida killers. As of lieve that the danger is behind us. That hope this month, that country has a new constitu- is understandable, comforting—and false. tion guaranteeing free elections and full par- The killing has continued in Bali, Jakarta, Ca- ticipation by women. Businesses are opening. sablanca, Riyadh, Mombasa, Jerusalem, Health care centers are being established, Istanbul, and Baghdad. The terrorists con- and the boys and girls of Afghanistan are tinue to plot against America and the civ- ilized world. And by our will and courage, back in school. With the help from the new this danger will be defeated. Afghan army, our coalition is leading aggres- Inside the United States, where the war sive raids against the surviving members of began, we must continue to give our home- the Taliban and Al Qaida. The men and land security and law enforcement personnel women of Afghanistan are building a nation every tool they need to defend us. And one that is free and proud and fighting terror, of those essential tools is the PATRIOT Act, and America is honored to be their friend. which allows Federal law enforcement to Since we last met in this Chamber, combat better share information to track terrorists, forces of the United States, Great Britain, to disrupt their cells, and to seize their assets. Australia, Poland, and other countries en- For years, we have used similar provisions forced the demands of the United Nations, to catch embezzlers and drug traffickers. If ended the rule of Saddam Hussein, and the these methods are good for hunting crimi- people of Iraq are free. nals, they are even more important for hunt- Having broken the Ba’athist regime, we ing terrorists. face a remnant of violent Saddam supporters. Key provisions of the PATRIOT Act are Men who ran away from our troops in battle set to expire next year. The terrorist threat are now dispersed and attack from the shad- will not expire on that schedule. Our law en- ows. These killers, joined by foreign terror- forcement needs this vital legislation to pro- ists, are a serious, continuing danger. Yet tect our citizens. You need to renew the PA- we’re making progress against them. The TRIOT Act. once all-powerful ruler of Iraq was found in America is on the offensive against the ter- a hole and now sits in a prison cell. Of the rorists who started this war. Last March, top 55 officials of the former regime, we have Khalid Sheik Mohammed, a mastermind of captured or killed 45. Our forces are on the September the 11th, awoke to find himself offensive, leading over 1,600 patrols a day in the custody of U.S. and Pakistani authori- and conducting an average of 180 raids a ties. Last August the 11th brought the cap- week. We are dealing with these thugs in

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Iraq just as surely as we dealt with Saddam world’s most dangerous weapons out of the Hussein’s evil regime. hands of the most dangerous regimes. The work of building a new Iraq is hard, When I came to this rostrum on Sep- and it is right. And America has always been tember the 20th, 2001, I brought the police willing to do what it takes for what is right. shield of a fallen officer, my reminder of lives Last January, Iraq’s only law was the whim that ended and a task that does not end. I of one brutal man. Today, our coalition is gave to you and to all Americans my com- working with the Iraqi Governing Council to plete commitment to securing our country draft a basic law with a bill of rights. We’re and defeating our enemies. And this pledge, working with Iraqis and the United Nations given by one, has been kept by many. to prepare for a transition to full Iraqi sov- You in the Congress have provided the re- ereignty by the end of June. sources for our defense and cast the difficult As democracy takes hold in Iraq, the en- votes of war and peace. Our closest allies emies of freedom will do all in their power have been unwavering. America’s intel- to spread violence and fear. They are trying ligence personnel and diplomats have been to shake the will of our country and our skilled and tireless. And the men and women friends, but the United States of America will of the American military—they have taken never be intimidated by thugs and assassins. the hardest duty. We’ve seen their skill and The killers will fail, and the Iraqi people will their courage in armored charges and mid- live in freedom. night raids and lonely hours on faithful Month by month, Iraqis are assuming watch. We have seen the joy when they re- more responsibility for their own security and turn and felt the sorrow when one is lost. their own future. And tonight we are hon- I’ve had the honor of meeting our service ored to welcome one of Iraq’s most respected men and women at many posts, from the leaders, the current President of the Iraqi deck of a carrier in the Pacific to a mess hall Governing Council, Adnan Pachachi. in Baghdad. Sir, America stands with you and the Iraqi Many of our troops are listening tonight, people as you build a free and peaceful na- and I want you and your families to know: tion. America is proud of you. And my administra- Because of American leadership and re- tion and this Congress will give you the re- solve, the world is changing for the better. sources you need to fight and win the war Last month, the leader of Libya voluntarily on terror. pledged to disclose and dismantle all of his I know that some people question if Amer- regime’s weapons of mass destruction pro- ica is really in a war at all. They view ter- grams, including a uranium enrichment rorism more as a crime, a problem to be project for nuclear weapons. Colonel Qadhafi solved mainly with law enforcement and in- correctly judged that his country would be dictments. After the World Trade Center was better off and far more secure without weap- first attacked in 1993, some of the guilty were ons of mass murder. indicted and tried and convicted and sent to Nine months of intense negotiations in- prison. But the matter was not settled. The volving the United States and Great Britain terrorists were still training and plotting in succeeded with Libya, while 12 years of di- other nations and drawing up more ambitious plomacy with Iraq did not. And one reason plans. After the chaos and carnage of Sep- is clear: For diplomacy to be effective, words tember the 11th, it is not enough to serve must be credible, and no one can now doubt our enemies with legal papers. The terrorists the word of America. and their supporters declared war on the Different threats require different strate- United States, and war is what they got. gies. Along with nations in the region, we’re Some in this Chamber and in our country insisting that North Korea eliminate its nu- did not support the liberation of Iraq. Objec- clear program. America and the international tions to war often come from principled mo- community are demanding that Iran meet its tives, but let us be candid about the con- commitments and not develop nuclear weap- sequences of leaving Saddam Hussein in ons. America is committed to keeping the power. We’re seeking all the facts. Already,

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the Kay Report identified dozens of weap- friends. So America is pursuing a forward ons-of-mass-destruction-related program ac- strategy of freedom in the greater Middle tivities and significant amounts of equipment East. We will challenge the enemies of re- that Iraq concealed from the United Nations. form, confront the allies of terror, and expect Had we failed to act, the dictator’s weapons a higher standard from our friend. To cut of mass destruction programs would continue through the barriers of hateful propaganda, to this day. Had we failed to act, Security the Voice of America and other broadcast Council resolutions on Iraq would have been services are expanding their programming in revealed as empty threats, weakening the Arabic and Persian, and soon a new television United Nations and encouraging defiance by service will begin providing reliable news and dictators around the world. Iraq’s torture information across the region. I will send you chambers would still be filled with victims, a proposal to double the budget of the Na- terrified and innocent. The killing fields of tional Endowment for Democracy and to Iraq, where hundreds of thousands of men focus its new work on the development of and women and children vanished into the free elections and free markets, free press, sands, would still be known only to the kill- and free labor unions in the Middle East. ers. For all who love freedom and peace, the And above all, we will finish the historic work world without Saddam Hussein’s regime is of democracy in Afghanistan and Iraq so a better and safer place. those nations can light the way for others and Some critics have said our duties in Iraq help transform a troubled part of the world. must be internationalized. This particular America is a nation with a mission, and criticism is hard to explain to our partners that mission comes from our most basic be- in Britain, Australia, Japan, South Korea, the liefs. We have no desire to dominate, no am- Philippines, Thailand, Italy, Spain, Poland, bitions of empire. Our aim is a democratic Denmark, Hungary, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Ro- peace, a peace founded upon the dignity and mania, the Netherlands, Norway, El Sal- rights of every man and woman. America acts vador, and the 17 other countries that have in this cause with friends and allies at our committed troops to Iraq. As we debate at side, yet we understand our special calling: home, we must never ignore the vital con- This great Republic will lead the cause of tributions of our international partners or dis- freedom. miss their sacrifices. In the last 3 years, adversity has also re- From the beginning, America has sought vealed the fundamental strengths of the international support for our operations in American economy. We have come through Afghanistan and Iraq, and we have gained recession and terrorist attack and corporate much support. There is a difference, how- scandals and the uncertainties of war. And ever, between leading a coalition of many na- because you acted to stimulate our economy tions and submitting to the objections of a with tax relief, this economy is strong and few. America will never seek a permission growing stronger. slip to defend the security of our country. You have doubled the child tax credit from We also hear doubts that democracy is a 500 to $1,000, reduced the marriage penalty, realistic goal for the greater Middle East, begun to phase out the death tax, reduced where freedom is rare. Yet it is mistaken and taxes on capital gains and stock dividends, condescending to assume that whole cultures cut taxes on small businesses, and you have and great religions are incompatible with lib- lowered taxes for every American who pays erty and self-government. I believe that God income taxes. has planted in every human heart the desire Americans took those dollars and put them to live in freedom. And even when that desire to work, driving this economy forward. The is crushed by tyranny for decades, it will rise pace of economic growth in the third quarter again. of 2003 was the fastest in nearly 20 years; As long as the Middle East remains a place new home construction, the highest in almost of tyranny and despair and anger, it will con- 20 years; homeownership rates, the highest tinue to produce men and movements that ever. Manufacturing activity is increasing. In- threaten the safety of America and our flation is low. Interest rates are low. Exports

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are growing. Productivity is high, and jobs extra help to middle and high school students are on the rise. These numbers confirm that who fall behind in reading and math, expand the American people are using their money advanced placement programs in low-income far better than Government would have, and schools, invite math and science professionals you were right to return it. from the private sector to teach part-time in America’s growing economy is also a our high schools. I propose larger Pell grants changing economy. As technology transforms for students who prepare for college with de- the way almost every job is done, America manding courses in high school. I propose becomes more productive, and workers need increasing our support for America’s fine new skills. Much of our job growth will be community colleges, so they can—I do so, found in high-skilled fields like health care so they can train workers for industries that and biotechnology. So we must respond by are creating the most new jobs. By all these helping more Americans gain the skills to actions, we’ll help more and more Americans find good jobs in our new economy. to join in the growing prosperity of our coun- All skills begin with the basics of reading try. Job training is important, and so is job and math, which are supposed to be learned creation. We must continue to pursue an ag- in the early grades of our schools. Yet for gressive, progrowth economic agenda. too long, for too many children, those skills Congress has some unfinished business on were never mastered. By passing the No the issue of taxes. The tax reductions you Child Left Behind Act, you have made the passed are set to expire. Unless you act, the expectation of literacy the law of our country. unfair tax on marriage will go back up. Unless We’re providing more funding for our you act, millions of families will be charged schools, a 36-percent increase since 2001. $300 more in Federal taxes for every child. We’re requiring higher standards. We are Unless you act, small businesses will pay regularly testing every child on the fun- higher taxes. Unless you act, the death tax damentals. We are reporting results to par- will eventually come back to life. Unless you ents and making sure they have better op- act, Americans face a tax increase. What tions when schools are not performing. We Congress has given, the Congress should not are making progress toward excellence for take away. For the sake of job growth, the every child in America. tax cuts you passed should be permanent. But the status quo always has defenders. Our agenda for jobs and growth must help Some want to undermine the No Child Left small-business owners and employees with Behind Act by weakening standards and ac- relief from needless Federal regulation and countability. Yet the results we require are protect them from junk and frivolous law- really a matter of common sense: We expect suits. third graders to read and do math at the third Consumers and businesses need reliable grade level, and that’s not asking too much. supplies of energy to make our economy run, Testing is the only way to identify and help so I urge you to pass legislation to modernize students who are falling behind. This Nation our electricity system, promote conservation, will not go back to the days of simply shuf- and make America less dependent on foreign fling children along from grade to grade with- sources of energy. out them learning the basics. I refuse to give My administration is promoting free and up on any child, and the No Child Left Be- fair trade to open up new markets for Amer- hind Act is opening the door of opportunity ica’s entrepreneurs and manufacturers and to all of America’s children. farmers, to create jobs for American workers. At the same time, we must ensure that Younger workers should have the oppor- older students and adults can gain the skills tunity to build a nest egg by saving part of they need to find work now. Many of the their Social Security taxes in a personal re- fastest growing occupations require strong tirement account. We should make the Social math and science preparation and training Security system a source of ownership for the beyond the high school level. So tonight, I American people. And we should limit the propose a series of measures called Jobs for burden of Government on this economy by the 21st Century. This program will provide acting as good stewards of taxpayers’ dollars.

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In 2 weeks, I will send you a budget that erage for preventive screenings against dia- funds the war, protects the homeland, and betes and heart disease, and seniors just en- meets important domestic needs while lim- tering Medicare can receive wellness exams. iting the growth in discretionary spending to In January of 2006, seniors can get pre- less than 4 percent. This will require that scription drug coverage under Medicare. For Congress focus on priorities, cut wasteful a monthly premium of about $35, most sen- spending, and be wise with the people’s iors who do not have that coverage today can money. By doing so, we can cut the deficit expect to see their drug bills cut roughly in in half over the next 5 years. half. Under this reform, senior citizens will Tonight I also ask you to reform our immi- be able to keep their Medicare just as it is, gration laws so they reflect our values and or they can choose a Medicare plan that fits benefit our economy. I propose a new tem- them best, just as you, as Members of Con- porary-worker program to match willing for- gress, can choose an insurance plan that eign workers with willing employers when no meets your needs. And starting this year, mil- Americans can be found to fill the job. This lions of Americans will be able to save money reform will be good for our economy because tax-free for their medical expenses in a health employers will find needed workers in an savings account. honest and orderly system. A temporary- I signed this measure proudly, and any at- worker program will help protect our home- tempt to limit the choices of our seniors or land, allowing Border Patrol and law enforce- to take away their prescription drug coverage ment to focus on true threats to our national under Medicare will meet my veto. security. On the critical issue of health care, our I oppose amnesty, because it would en- goal is to ensure that Americans can choose courage further illegal immigration and un- and afford private health care coverage that fairly reward those who break our laws. My best fits their individual needs. To make in- temporary-worker program will preserve the surance more affordable, Congress must act citizenship path for those who respect the to address rapidly rising health care costs. law while bringing millions of hard-working Small businesses should be able to band to- men and women out from the shadows of gether and negotiate for lower insurance American life. rates, so they can cover more workers with Our Nation’s health care system, like our health insurance. I urge you to pass associa- economy, is also in a time of change. Amaz- tion health plans. I ask you to give lower in- ing medical technologies are improving and come Americans a refundable tax credit that saving lives. This dramatic progress has would allow millions to buy their own basic brought its own challenge, in the rising costs health insurance. of medical care and health insurance. Mem- By computerizing health records, we can bers of Congress, we must work together to avoid dangerous medical mistakes, reduce help control those costs and extend the bene- costs, and improve care. To protect the doc- fits of modern medicine throughout our tor-patient relationship and keep good doc- country. tors doing good work, we must eliminate Meeting these goals requires bipartisan ef- wasteful and frivolous medical lawsuits. And fort, and 2 months ago, you showed the way. tonight I propose that individuals who buy By strengthening Medicare and adding a pre- catastrophic health care coverage as part of scription drug benefit, you kept a basic com- our new health savings accounts be allowed mitment to our seniors. You are giving them to deduct 100 percent of the premiums from the modern medicine they deserve. their taxes. Starting this year, under the law you A Government-run health care system is passed, seniors can choose to receive a drug the wrong prescription. By keeping costs discount card, saving them 10 to 25 percent under control, expanding access, and helping off the retail price of most prescription drugs, more Americans afford coverage, we will pre- and millions of low-income seniors can get serve the system of private medicine that an additional $600 to buy medicine. Begin- makes America’s health care the best in the ning next year, seniors will have new cov- world.

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We are living in a time of great change contract sexually transmitted diseases that in our world, in our economy, in science and can harm them or kill them or prevent them medicine. Yet some things endure: courage from ever becoming parents. In my budget, and compassion, reverence and integrity, re- I propose a grassroots campaign to help in- spect for differences of faith and race. The form families about these medical risks. We values we try to live by never change, and will double Federal funding for abstinence they are instilled in us by fundamental insti- programs, so schools can teach this fact of tutions such as families and schools and reli- life: Abstinence for young people is the only gious congregations. These institutions, these certain way to avoid sexually transmitted dis- unseen pillars of civilization, must remain eases. strong in America, and we will defend them. Decisions children now make can affect We must stand with our families to help their health and character for the rest of their them raise healthy, responsible children. lives. All of us, parents and schools and gov- When it comes to helping children make ernment, must work together to counter the right choices, there is work for all of us to negative influence of the culture and to send do. the right messages to our children. One of the worst decisions our children A strong America must also value the insti- can make is to gamble their lives and futures tution of marriage. I believe we should re- on drugs. Our Government is helping parents spect individuals as we take a principled confront this problem with aggressive edu- stand for one of the most fundamental, en- cation, treatment, and law enforcement. during institutions of our civilization. Con- Drug use in high school has declined by 11 gress has already taken a stand on this issue percent over the last 2 years. Four hundred by passing the Defense of Marriage Act, thousand fewer young people are using ille- signed in 1996 by President Clinton. That gal drugs than in the year 2001. In my budg- statute protects marriage under Federal law et, I propose new funding to continue our as a union of a man and a woman and de- aggressive, community-based strategy to re- clares that one State may not redefine mar- duce demand for illegal drugs. Drug testing riage for other States. in our schools has proven to be an effective Activist judges, however, have begun rede- part of this effort. So tonight I propose an fining marriage by court order, without re- additional 23 million for schools that want gard for the will of the people and their elect- to use drug testing as a tool to save children’s ed representatives. On an issue of such great lives. The aim here is not to punish children consequence, the people’s voice must be but to send them this message: We love you, heard. If judges insist on forcing their arbi- and we do not want to lose you. trary will upon the people, the only alter- To help children make right choices, they native left to the people would be the con- need good examples. Athletics play such an stitutional process. Our Nation must defend important role in our society, but unfortu- the sanctity of marriage. nately, some in professional sports are not The outcome of this debate is important, setting much of an example. The use of per- and so is the way we conduct it. The same formance-enhancing drugs like steroids in moral tradition that defines marriage also baseball, football, and other sports is dan- teaches that each individual has dignity and gerous, and it sends the wrong message, that value in God’s sight. there are shortcuts to accomplishment and It’s also important to strengthen our com- that performance is more important than munities by unleashing the compassion of character. So tonight I call on team owners, America’s religious institutions. Religious union representatives, coaches, and players charities of every creed are doing some of to take the lead, to send the right signal, to the most vital work in our country: mentoring get tough, and to get rid of steroids now. children, feeding the hungry, taking the hand To encourage right choices, we must be of the lonely. Yet Government has often de- willing to confront the dangers young people nied social service grants and contracts to face, even when they’re difficult to talk these groups, just because they have a cross about. Each year, about 3 million teenagers or a Star of David or a crescent on the wall.

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By Executive order, I have opened billions school; listen to your mom or dad; help some- of dollars in grant money to competition that one in need; and when you and your friends includes faith-based charities. Tonight I ask see a man or woman in uniform, say, ‘‘Thank you to codify this into law, so people of faith you.’’ And Ashley, while you do your part, can know that the law will never discriminate all of us here in this great Chamber will do against them again. our best to keep you and the rest of America In the past, we’ve worked together to bring safe and free. mentors to children of prisoners and provide My fellow citizens, we now move forward treatment for the addicted and help for the with confidence and faith. Our Nation is homeless. Tonight I ask you to consider an- strong and steadfast. The cause we serve is other group of Americans in need of help. right, because it is the cause of all mankind. This year, some 600,000 inmates will be re- The momentum of freedom in our world is leased from prison back into society. We unmistakable, and it is not carried forward know from long experience that if they can’t by our power alone. We can trust in that find work or a home or help, they are much greater power who guides the unfolding of more likely to commit crime and return to the years. And in all that is to come, we can prison. So tonight I propose a 4-year, $300 know that His purposes are just and true. million prisoner reentry initiative to expand May God continue to bless America. job training and placement services, to pro- vide transitional housing, and to help newly NOTE: The President spoke at 9:12 p.m. in the released prisoners get mentoring, including House Chamber of the Capitol. In his remarks, from faith-based groups. America is the land he referred to Khalid Sheik Mohammed, senior of second chance, and when the gates of the Al Qaida leader responsible for planning the Sep- prison open, the path ahead should lead to tember 11 attack, who was captured in Pakistan a better life. on March 1, 2003; Nurjaman Riduan Isamuddin For all Americans, the last 3 years have (known as Hambali), Al Qaida’s chief operational planner in Southeast Asia; former President Sad- brought tests we did not ask for and achieve- dam Hussein of Iraq; and Col. Muammar Abu ments shared by all. By our actions, we have Minyar al-Qadhafi, leader of Libya. The Office shown what kind of nation we are. In grief, of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish lan- we have found the grace to go on. In chal- guage transcript of this address. lenge, we rediscovered the courage and dar- ing of a free people. In victory, we have shown the noble aims and good heart of Remarks in a Discussion at Owens America. And having come this far, we sense Community College in Perrysburg that we live in a time set apart. Township, Ohio I’ve been witness to the character of the January 21, 2004 people of America, who have shown calm in times of danger, compassion for one another, The President. Thank you, Dr. Adams. and toughness for the long haul. All of us Well done. [Laughter] You read it just like have been partners in a great enterprise. And I wrote it. [Laughter] I appreciate your invi- even some of the youngest understand that tation. Thank you for your leadership. I want we are living in historic times. Last month to thank you all for coming. I particularly a girl in Lincoln, Rhode Island, sent me a want to thank the panelists who are here. letter. It began, ‘‘Dear George W. Bush. If We’re about to have a discussion about how there’s anything you know I, Ashley Pearson, a community college can change people’s age 10, can do to help anyone, please send lives in a positive way, how we can use our me a letter and tell me what I can do to community college system to help people save our country.’’ She added this P.S.: ‘‘If who want to work gain the skills necessary you can send a letter to the troops, please to find jobs in what is a changing economy. put, ‘Ashley Pearson believes in you.’ ’’ Before we get there, I do want to say a Tonight, Ashley, your message to our few comments, now that you’re stuck here. troops has just been conveyed. And yes, you [Laughter] First, it’s great to be in Toledo, have some duties yourself: Study hard in the home of the Mud Hens. I’ve always been

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intrigued by the nickname, the ‘‘Mud Hens.’’ whom understand the solemn obligation to [Laughter] protect the people. We will never forget the I’m glad to be in the presence of two lessons of September the 11th. We will stay Members of the United States Senate who on the offensive. We will win the war on ter- actually hitched a ride on Air Force One. ror and make sure that America is secure and They endured a rather long speech last night, free. then got on the airplane and endured another I see local officers here. It is very impor- speech. [Laughter] And that would be Sen- tant that we provide law enforcement with ator George Voinovich and Senator Mike the tools necessary to fight and win this war. DeWine. I want to thank you for coming. I called for the renewal of the Patriot Act. There they are, yes. I want to tell you why. It is important that I was telling—talking to George about we be able to share information at the Fed- what we were going to do here today. He eral level. It’s important we have the author- said, ‘‘You know, when I was a Governor, ity to be able to seize assets. These tools in I recognized the role of community colleges the Patriot Act, most of the tools, we have in job training.’’ And I want to give George been using for years against embezzlers or credit where credit is due. He was a pioneer criminals. We’re at war. It seems like to me in making sure that the curriculum of the it is logical that we apply tools that we’ve community college system in Ohio was rel- used to catch embezzlers to be able to catch evant to the needs of employers and potential terrorists. The Congress needs to renew the employees. What we’re really here to talk Patriot Act so we can win the war on terror about is something that George Voinovich and secure the homeland. started, and I’m grateful. I also reminded the people that we’ve been That tradition is being carried on by your through a lot in this country, particularly current Governor, Governor Bob Taft. I’m when it comes to the economy. Just a brief honored you’re here, Governor. Thank you recap: We’ve been through a recession. That for coming. I appreciate Paul Gillmor; Con- means three quarters of negative growth, gressman Gillmor is with us today. Congress- which means people get laid off their jobs. man, thank you for coming. He was quick We had a terrorist attack which affected the to point out that Owens is in his district. psychology of the country. It really did. It [Laughter] I’m quick to point out, you better changed foreign policy, by the way. When take care of Owens. It’s doing a fine job, Con- you see a gathering threat, we can no longer gressman. I appreciate you. And you are— ignore it and hope it goes away. It also said and you are. to America that we are—we can be hurt by We’ve got a lot of local officials here, may- an enemy that hates us. And it affected us. ors, and—I appreciate you coming. We’ve It really did. got members of the school board who are We had corporate scandals. I oftentimes here, trustees of this important college, and talk about the need to usher in a period of I want to thank you all for being here. personal responsibility. If you’re a CEO in Last night I had the opportunity to address corporate America, you’re responsible for the Nation. I talked about a lot of subjects telling the truth to your shareholders and that were on my mind. One of them, of your employees. And we passed laws to make course, is that we still fight the war on terror. that abundantly clear. I just want to assure you that I understand, And then, we marched to war. We took my most important obligation as your Presi- gathering threats seriously, and we dealt with dent is to keep this country secure and them. The world is better off without Sad- strong. And there are a lot of really good peo- dam Hussein and the Taliban. But all that— ple working on your behalf, whether it be the march to war affected our psychology and people in the Homeland Security Depart- confidence. It is hard to be optimistic about ment—and thank you for training people for the future when you turn on your TV screens the Homeland Security Department—local and say, ‘‘America is marching to war.’’ War police, local firefighters, or the brave men is not positive. War is—it sends the signal and women who wear our uniform, all of that there will be uncertainty. We’re not

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marching to peace. But we overcome a lot, going to run up the cost of health care and and it’s important for our citizens to remem- drive good docs out of business. And that ber that. affects the ability for employers to keep peo- We overcame it, in my judgment, because ple working. Congress needs to pass medical we properly stimulated the economy by let- liability reform now. ting people keep their money. And now we’re These are some of the ways to make sure growing. Nationwide, this economy is strong: the manufacturing activity of this State re- Housing up; inflation’s low; interest rates are mains strong. But the truth of the matter is, low. We had good exports the last quarter. there is job growth in other sectors, and New jobs are being created—I mean, last therefore, we’d better have a system which month on the exports. Things are happening. is able to be flexible enough to help people I fully recognize, in Ohio there are still who want to work find a job, to match willing troubled times. The manufacturing here is worker with willing employer. And that’s sluggish at best, and therefore, people are what we’re here to talk about. looking for work. People who could rely upon Very quickly, the first stage to make sure a steady job in the manufacturing sector are workers are trained is to make sure our pub- hoping to be able to realize their hopes by lic education system does its job. The No finding work elsewhere. Child Left Behind Act is challenging what There are some things we can do to make I call the soft bigotry of low expectations. sure the Ohio manufacturing sector is strong. We’re raising standards. We’re trusting local One is to make sure our trading partners un- people to make the right decisions. But we derstand, we expect there to be free, but expect every child—every child—not just a level—the playing field needs to be level, few but every child to learn the basics of that we expect countries like China to under- reading and math. Like I said last night, I’m stand that trade imbalances doesn’t mean— going to repeat here, the days of just quitting that says that the trade is not balanced and on kids early and shuffling them through our fair, that they’ve got to deal with their cur- public schools is over. rency. The ability for these community colleges We also need an energy policy, by the way. to do their job means we better have people If you rely upon manufacturing to have a vi- coming out of high school who can read and brant job base, you’ve got to have an energy write and add and subtract. The best place policy. Manufacturers need to have a reliable to start is early. And we’re starting early now source of energy. We’re too dependent on in America. We’re testing to make sure we foreign sources of energy. We got public pol- figure out who needs extra help. And the icy that is—that makes it difficult for Ohio’s Federal Government is increasing Federal manufacturers to say, ‘‘We got a reliable spending, particularly on Title I students, in source of energy.’’ We’ve run up the demand dramatic fashion. I also think we need to for natural gas. We haven’t had a cor- spend additional money for kids in high responding increase in natural gas. It’s hard school. See, there’s a learning gap where the to keep people working when your energy accountability systems are late in arriving in bills are going out of sight. We need an en- certain places, and therefore, some kids have ergy policy. I called on Congress to pass one, been shuffled through. and they need to get one to my desk. Last night I didn’t specify what I meant, One other issue that makes it hard for peo- but I’ll tell you right now what I meant. I ple to stay working in certain industries is think we need to spend an additional $100 that we got a problem with medical liability. million for high school and intermediate There are junk and frivolous lawsuits which reading programs. We want these kids at are running good docs out of business. Now, least reading when they’re coming out of look, any doctor who is a bad doc deserves high school, and you’ve got to be honest to be held to task. But you can’t have a sys- about it. And these presidents of these com- tem where people just file lawsuit after law- munity colleges will tell you, sometimes suit after lawsuit, fishing for a rich settle- they’re getting kids out of high school that ment, because what that’s going to do is, it’s can’t read. And that’s a shame. And that’s

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not right, and we can focus extra resources two students. They may look old to be stu- there. dents—[laughter]—but nobody’s too old to We need people who are more steeped be a student. in math and sciences. And therefore, it’s im- Let me—why don’t we—you heard from portant for us to encourage scientists and Dr. Adams. I don’t know if you want to elabo- mathematicians to teach part-time and to rate beyond this, Dr. Adams. I thought your make sure our teachers are properly trained explanation about what your community col- in the math and sciences so they can impart lege is doing was great. It should be clear knowledge that is necessary for kids to have to people when you hear the number of stu- a bright future. We got extra teacher training dents being trained for work—18,000, I think money, about $120 million a year. you said—is the reason I’m here. You’ve got I think we need to have more advanced 18,000 people coming through here who are placement programs in low-income schools better skilled to meet the jobs being gen- to encourage rigorous curriculum for all stu- erated in this part of the world. And if you dents. See, if you’re challenging the soft big- want to elaborate on that, you can. She also otry of low expectations, you believe every told me a lot about nursing, by the way. child can learn. And therefore, we ought to We’ve got a nursing—[applause]—yes, there be raising that bar for all students. And so you are. It’s a nursing shortage? we’ve got money in the budget, $28 million Participant. Yes. to encourage advanced placement programs The President. Forty thousand students? to go into neighborhoods that have not had Well, anyway. the benefit of an advanced placement pro- [At this point, the discussion continued.] gram. And then, to coincide that, I think we ought to have increased Pell Grants for stu- The President. Yes, I appreciate the guy dents who qualify and take rigorous cur- who is responsible for making sure the cur- riculum, and that would be Pell Grants of riculum actually adjusts and doesn’t stay up to $1,000 additional money. stuck. What you’ve got to worry about, if I’m telling you—what I’m telling you is you’re in the local community, you’ve got to we’re focusing on people who can achieve ask this question to a provost, ‘‘Are you flexi- the great promise of our country. We’re not ble?’’ [Laughter] In other words, if somebody going to quit on anybody, and we’re going shows up and says, ‘‘We’ve got a demand for to make sure the community college system jobs,’’ will the community college adjust? does its job. As you know full well, particu- It used to be, in the old days when they larly if you’re a trustee of the community col- held Governors to account as to whether or lege, that most of the money is local money, not we were meeting workforce require- but the Federal Government can help, par- ments, it didn’t matter what job you trained ticularly when it comes to job training. somebody for. All that mattered is, you train The president talked about the job training them. So—I’m sure this didn’t happen with initiative I talked about last night. It’s $250 Voinovich; it might have happened with million of direct money to help on these pro- me—you go out and train 1,000 hairdressers grams which match workers with employers. for 50 jobs. But everybody said, ‘‘You’re There’s no better place to do that than the doing a fine job. You’re training a lot of peo- community college system. The community ple.’’ college system is flexible. The community The key is to train people for the work college system is local. The community col- which actually exists. No better place to do lege system accepts input. that than in a community college; that’s why And that’s what we’re here to talk about. we’re spending $250 million to encourage It’s very important for people who are listen- that. ing to this conversation that if you’re running Paul Unger is with us. He’s the provost— a community college, I want you to pay atten- fancy word for the guy responsible for mak- tion to what Owens has done. And as impor- ing sure it works. [Laughter] And he is. tantly, if you’re somebody out there who [Paul Unger, provost, Owens Community doesn’t see a bright tomorrow, listen to the College, made brief remarks.]

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The President. Yes, see, I hope everybody with our placement service, the Wood Coun- listened to what he just said. He said, ‘‘We ty’s placement service, or Lucas County or take input.’’ Sometimes institutions of higher whatever county that that company happens education don’t take input and miss oppor- to reside in. And we match those people up tunity. Owens takes input because they’re to find them the right job. So it’s a two-way willing to listen to the people on the street. frontlines of hiring, making the hiring deci- The President. Good job. Here’s the sions, for which I’m grateful. thing, that—he talks about one-stop; let me Jim Gilmore is the coordinator here of the tell you what that means. That means there’s Skilled Trades Technology and Integrated one place at the local level where a—some- Systems Technology Programs. Why don’t body who is looking for work can go to try you tell us what that means, what a coordi- to find a job. That’s what that means. And nator does, and—just tell me what you do. there’s a lot of opportunities around the Mr. Gilmore. Coordinator is a fancy word country at one-stops. It’s one of the inter- for the guy who does a lot and—— esting innovations which Government put in The President. And gets no credit. place in the past decade to make sure that Mr. Gilmore. And gets no credit. [Laugh- people are able to find a job. They can find ter] help there. They can find counseling serv- [The discussion continued.] ices. Better to explain the one-stop than me is Mr. Gilmore. The other part of my posi- Ruth Larabee. She is the director of the tion is to work with local area business and Wood County Department of Jobs and Fam- industry and find out what those needs are, ily Services. Would you please tell everybody what are they looking for, and if they have what a one-stop does, what your day is like, an opening, to put those students with those what—here in the community, are people companies and match them up. looking for workers? What do you see and The President. How do you do that? In what do you hear? other words, if some person out there says, ‘‘I need to hire five new people,’’ how does [Ruth Larabee, director, Wood County De- that person get in touch with you? How partment of Jobs and Family Services, made does—— brief remarks.] Mr. Gilmore. What are you looking for, Mr. President? [Laughter] The President. Thanks, I appreciate you The President. I’m trying to think of a sharing that with us. You heard me talk about cute answer. [Laughter] statistics, and they’re good. There’s no doubt Mr. Gilmore. The quiet ones are dan- things are getting better, and that’s positive. gerous. [Laughter] There’s no doubt the economy is changing The President. That’s right. I don’t need because of technology, and that’s interesting. a new wife, fortunately. [Laughter] I married It makes for great, interesting opportunities. really well. [Laughter] But one of the things we’ve got to recog- Mr. Gilmore. In my position, companies nize in our society, as technology races will usually seek us out and ask us specifi- through the economy, some people could cally, ‘‘We are looking for people with these conceivably be—are being left behind be- skills.’’ For example, a company might say, cause of the skill sets, and that we welcome ‘‘We’re looking for maintenance people, and innovation, productivity increases. These are we need our maintenance people to have all positive for labor stability, higher wages, skills in hydraulics, pneumatics, electronics, better opportunity. But this country of ours PLCs.’’ And they might come to me and say, must also recognize that the workforce needs ‘‘Do you have somebody in mind or can you to be constantly trained to stay up with the put me in touch with a placement service, technological advances. with anybody that would have an idea of what And two people to best talk about that are Owens and Owens students have to offer?’’ with us today—students, people who are not And most typically, we’ll put them in touch satisfied with falling behind, people who have

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found that there’s opportunity and are willing to what Mike has to say. Mike, why don’t to seize it. you let her go. I was teasing Becky, publicly, of course, Mike Potter, maintenance technician, Oracle here. [Laughter] But I did so with pride in [ Packaging, made brief remarks. my voice, I want you to know, because she ] is—has struggled. And here she sits with a The President. How long did it take? I bright future. And so I want you to share mean, you’re laid off; you come here. How your story with us, Becky. She’s a good soul long did it take you to get prepared, to get— who has got—and I told Becky coming in to be ready for the new kind of job, the high- here today, I said, ‘‘There’s people just like er paying job? Because, frankly, he was more you, Becky, who are probably watching, or productive as a worker. He had the skills nec- may be watching, who just got to know that essary to fit into the changing economy. How because of what you have done here at long were you here for? Owens, they’ve got a shot, too. They’ve got Mr. Potter. The program—actually it’s a an opportunity to improve themselves.’’ So self-based program. It’s an excellent program let her go. for anybody that doesn’t have much trouble with—well, that has trouble with bookwork, [Rebecca Albritton, student, Owens Commu- I’m sorry. It’s hands-on, self paced, and that’s nity College, made brief remarks.] what was a great part. It actually took me The President. This good soul says, ‘‘I’ve about, probably about maybe 3 or 4 months got a skill set; I need to upgrade it,’’ that to finish the program. ‘‘The world is changing; I need to change The President. So it’s not a lifetime? with it.’’ Community colleges need to Mr. Potter. No, no, not at all. change, but people also have got to make The President. You’re able to come in, the conscious decision to seize opportunity, move quickly, get some skills, and all of a to see a brighter future. That’s what I love sudden, somebody says, ‘‘I love his attitude. about Becky’s story. She could have just said, He’s a hard worker, and he’s got the skill ‘‘Well, I quit.’’ But she didn’t. She found op- sets necessary to fit into this new workforce.’’ portunity. That’s what people need to know. Some of the people may be out there won- Mr. Potter. Everything is changing. Peo- dering whether or not this is affordable, ple don’t just want to see a person with just whether or not there is any help. And why one skill anymore. They want several skills, don’t you tell us, Becky, what you found. and that’s what the IST program offers. Ms. Albritton. I found, when I went out The President. That’s good. Thanks for to the one-stop, that tuition was available, sharing. You did a great job. and they pay for your tuition; they pay for Our two students here are serving as men- your books. The only thing they don’t pay tors, in a way, aren’t they? They’re saying for is your time. That’s honest. what is possible. And I want to thank you The President. That’s good. [Laughter] all for sharing your story. I’m sure it was a Let me ask you this question. Is it worth it? nerve-wracking experience—[laughter]— Ms. Albritton. Very much so, very much thinking about coming here. [Laughter] Look so. at all those cameras. The President. There you go. We’ve got another mentor with us today. The other living example of what is pos- Bruce Vanisacker is with us. He came out sible when people make up their mind to to the airport to meet me. It’s an interesting improve themselves and seek opportunity, idea he’s doing. He has started what’s called and the local community provides those op- First Robotics, that teaches and inspires portunities, is Mike. Mike Potter is with us. young people to be interested in the sciences, He’s the pretty one down there on the end. and that’s important. Science and engineer- [Laughter] I asked Mike to share his story ing and mathematics are all essential as we with you because I think you’ll find it inter- head into the 21st century. esting. I think anybody who wonders whether I appreciate Bruce coming because it gives or not they can learn a new skill should listen me a chance to remind people here and in

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Toledo and around the State of Ohio and cent—[laughter]—thought for a minute you the country that the true strength of the were from Texas. [Laughter] Then he told country lies in the hearts and souls of our me he was from Australia. And we really ap- fellow citizens, that we’re a mighty military preciate our friends from Australia. country—we’ll stay that way, in order to keep First, I want to thank you for letting me the peace—that we’ve got wealth, compared come by. This is going to be an interesting to other countries, and that’s good. But the dialog to talk about how to make sure our true strength can be found in neighborhoods community college systems—not only here where people have decided to mentor a in Arizona but around the country—meet the child, to teach a person to read or write, to needs of the modern workforce. Let me put love the homeless, to help feed the hungry. it another way—make sure that people get Bruce is with us. Bruce, thank you for the skills necessary to find work. And that’s coming. You might stand up right quick. He what we’re really here to talk about. happens to be interested in science and ro- The reason why we’re here at Mesa is be- botics, but really what he’s doing, when you cause you’re doing a great job. I’m sure we’ll think about it, is mentoring a child. hear some of that soon. Before we do, This country is prosperous. We’re going though, I want to recognize Members of the to be more prosperous, but we don’t want United States Congress who are here. I ap- anybody left behind. No child should be left preciate so very much them coming. That behind in the education system, no worker would be J.D. Hayworth and Trent Franks left behind because we haven’t created a and Jeff Flake. I don’t know if you guys were flexible system in order to get skills, nobody there last night—this is the ultimate loyalty, who needs love left behind. Government when they hear a long speech last night, then can’t make people love one another, but we they come and get to hear another speech, darn sure can encourage people who love to back to back. But thank you all for being reach out to a neighbor in need. America can here. I appreciate your service to our country change for the better one heart, one soul, and your State. one conscience at a time, and I call upon I know there’s elected officials here. I you to be a part of the army of compassion, know there are members of the community to help make this community and this State college board of trustees. I met the chairman, and our country one of hope for every single by the way, who did a fine job of lobbying citizen who lives here. on behalf of the funding for the community It’s such an honor to be here today. I thank college system—[laughter]—in this vital part our panelists for what I have found to be of our country. an interesting discussion. I hope you have Let me—just a couple of comments, and as well, and thank you all for coming. then we’ll start the dialog. First, we’re still May God bless you all. at war. And we’re going to win the war, be- cause there’s a lot of really brave, capable, NOTE: The President spoke at 10:24 a.m. In his courageous Americans who are willing to sac- remarks, he referred to former President Saddam rifice for liberty and freedom. Hussein of Iraq. The President also referred to Title I of the Improving America’s Schools Act I was so touched, when I went to Baghdad of 1994 (Public Law No. 103–382), which amend- or when I met our troops around our country, ed Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Edu- to realize there are people in our country cation Act of 1965 (Public Law No. 89–10). who are serving something greater than themself. I think that’s such a wonderful part of our Nation and our culture. And you just Remarks in a Discussion at Mesa got to know, our Government will do every- Community College in Phoenix, thing we can to keep us safe—keep us safe Arizona by staying on the offensive, by changing parts January 21, 2004 of the world that had embraced tyranny. We believe strongly in America that freedom is The President. Well, I appreciate you the Almighty God’s gift to every person who having me here. You’ve got an interesting ac- lives in the world, every man and woman.

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And America will continue to have a forward I strongly believe that the tax relief we passed strategy of freedom to make the world more is helping this economy grow and that people peaceful. have more money in their pocket. So there And it’s hard work. I know it is. But in are jobs. my judgment, it’s essential work. It’s essential Now, I’m going to talk about—we’ll talk work so that our children can grow up in about the new jobs of the 21st century. There a peaceful and free society. It’s essential work are some old jobs, however, that are being so others’ children can grow up in a peaceful filled by people from other countries. Let’s and free world as well. be very frank about what I’m about to tell At home, we got a lot of good people work- you. There are some jobs that employers are ing in homeland security. I met the Governor having trouble filling because Americans at the airport today. It rained. [Laughter] I don’t want to do them. And therefore, there said, ‘‘Do you want to take credit for the rain, are people from foreign countries coming to or do you want me to take credit for the do the jobs. rain?’’ [Laughter] But she’s working hard, There’s a spirit of parenthood in and the coordination between the Federal everybody’s heart, if you happen to be a mom and State and local authorities is good. We’re or a dad. There’s a deep desire for people doing everything we can to protect us. to put food on the table to fulfill their obliga- The other thing that’s happening is, is that tions. And that’s what’s happening a lot when our economy is beginning to grow. And that’s people come from countries like Mexico to important. There’s no need to talk about job work. They’re coming to make a living, and training if we’re not creating new jobs. And they’re filling jobs that, frankly, others won’t that’s what we’re here to discuss. do. It seems like to me that we ought to have I just want to remind everybody right a policy that’s open and honest about this quick what we have been through, just to phenomena. It’s a policy that, in my judg- show you how strong America is and how ment, should say, where there’s a willing great the American people are. We’ve been worker and a willing employer, those two through a recession. We went—we were at- ought to be matched up together in a legal tacked. And make no mistake about it, the way, so long as the employer can’t find an attack hurt. The attack hurt because it made American to do the job. it abundantly clear that this Nation is no What I’m talking about is a temporary- longer protected by oceans and that we’ve worker program that recognizes the reality got to get on the offensive if we’re interested of our economy. It’s a temporary-worker pro- in keeping us peace and safe. We had some gram that also says clearly, we’re a land of corporate scandals. That hurt us. It hurt us rule of law, that having people in the shadows when citizens who should know better didn’t of our economy is not really the American tell the truth to their employees and their way, is it? So what I want to do is to say, shareholders. They’re now being held to ac- let’s have it all legal, in this sense: You can count, by the way, because of good laws we come to our country for a period of time so passed. Then we marched to war. When long as there’s a job available for you. you’re marching to war to make our country Now, that doesn’t mean there’s automatic more secure and the world more free, it is citizenship; quite the contrary. I strongly op- not conducive to capital investment. That’s pose what they call ‘‘amnesty’’ because all a negative thought. When you turn on your amnesty would do is invite more illegal immi- TV screens for a lot of last year, it said gration. All amnesty would do would say to ‘‘March To War.’’ And that didn’t instill a those who are waiting in line in a legal way lot of confidence in the people, because to become a citizen that legality—being legal there’s a lot of uncertainty when ‘‘a march doesn’t matter in America. It does matter. to war.’’ We’re now marching to peace, and So what I wanted Congress to consider for we’re changing the world in a better way. certain kinds of jobs is to put out a tem- And the economy is growing, and jobs are porary-worker card; to get rid of all this busi- getting better. There will be honest disagree- ness about people forging documents that ment about what I’m about to tell you, but put employers at risk; that say, for the period

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of time you’re here, you can go home and find good work. And so Congress needs to take money back without fear of being ar- pass $250-million job training money to go rested. It’s a humane way to approach citi- specifically to community colleges to fund zens of the world. Imagine being a worker the kind of programs we’re going to talk here, and you get abused, and you don’t dare about here today. call the abuser to account because you might I’ve been talking too much over the last get sent home and you can’t do your job of 24 hours, so I want Martin to tell us how making money for your family. So that’s what this collaborative effort got going. Now, one I call on Congress to do. of the things that’s interesting, I told our pan- It also is going to help our Border Patrol. elists, is that not only are you speaking to It’s essential for the security of this country the folks here, but there’s a lot of people that we have a legal system so we don’t have listening. I hope community college systems this terrible problem of ‘‘coyotes’’ smuggling pay attention to what they’re about to hear, these people across the hot Arizona or Texas pay attention to what they’re—what’s taking deserts, making money off the system that place here in Arizona. It’s a interesting idea. has now developed in America. I think we And it’s one, I might add, that the Depart- ought to let the sunshine in, have a legal sys- ment of Labor has helped fund to get started. tem, recognize realities. So Martin, why don’t you educate the peo- At the same time in our country we have ple? a debate over those kind of jobs, we’ve always At this point, Martin Bean, chief operating got to remember to make sure that Ameri- [ officer, New Horizons Computer Learning cans can find work too, of course. One of Centers, and chair, CompTIA Policy Com- the interesting phenomena is the techno- mittee, made brief remarks. logical changes that are charging through our ] economy. And this Government—[inaudi- The President. Obviously, the IT industry ble]—for us to understand that as tech- is strong here in Arizona. nologies change, oftentimes people can be Mr. Bean. Absolutely. left behind. And we’ve got to address it The President. Well—and tell us how this straight on. got started. And one of the greatest places to address Mr. Bean. How we got started? that phenomena is at the community college The President. Yes. Did you call every- system. And the reason why it’s the commu- body in the room and said, ‘‘All right, let’s nity college system, it’s flexible in its cur- get after it?’’ Somebody needs workers, obvi- riculum. The old days of workforce training ously. And so you came up with an inter- are now changing. It used to be they said, esting idea. ‘‘Look, just go train people,’’ so States would Mr. Bean. It really got started because go out and train 1,000 beauticians for 50 jobs. educators got frustrated that they had to re- And there would be 950 beauticians without invent the wheel in every community college, work. But they’d say, ‘‘Oh, we punched our and employers got frustrated that there was ticket. We actually trained people.’’ no clear way for them to be able to mentor Now we’ve got a new attitude in America. and coach employees. And as the industry’s We’re going to train people for the jobs that association, CompTIA said, ‘‘Fine, we’ll work actually exist, and therefore requires a system with the Department of Labor, and instead that is flexible, a system willing to take input of building programs for where there aren’t from the employers, a system that is willing any jobs, we’ll build a set of standards for to change curriculum, if need be, to meet people to educate to employers’ needs to get the demands of local—of the local workplace. work.’’ So last night in my speech, I talked about The President. A strategy. spending additional money to focus directly Mr. Bean. There we go. And now we’re on these programs, these collaborative pro- executing. grams at the community college level, that The President. Now you’re imple- takes the input from business, takes the de- menting. sire of workers, matches them so people can Mr. Bean. Exactly.

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The President. Well, why don’t we hear— [Dr. Vanis, director, Center for Workforce let’s talk to some of the implementers. Larry Development, Maricopa Community Col- is the president of Mesa Community College, leges, made brief remarks.] Larry Christiansen. Thank you for your hos- The President. It’s the ultimate commu- pitality. nity outreach. Dr. Christiansen. Thank you, Mr. Presi- Dr. Vanis. It’s a great community out- dent. reach. The President. I appreciate your staff for The President. It works because it’s ad- putting up with this giant entourage of mine. ministered at the State and local level. It’s [Laughter] really good public policy. Dr. Christiansen. It’s been a fun few Dr. Vanis. It’s a great policy. days. The President. I presume some of our The President. I bet it has, yes. [Laugh- students—it’s interesting to call you a stu- ter] dent, isn’t it? [Laughter] You never thought you would be a student, did you, at this stage [Dr. Christiansen made brief remarks.] of your life, which sets a classic example for The President. Good. How many people others to understand that if times get tough come to this particular campus? and if you’ve got the desire, somebody will Dr. Christiansen. Just at our little place want to help you. And in Arizona, you get here, at Mesa Community College, we have help right here. Good job. 27,000 students. You want to start? Stacey is with us, Stacey The President. Right. Leedom. She is a student. Stacey, why don’t Dr. Christiansen. We have about 3,000 you tell us your story? I told Stacey and Bill that participate in our Business and Industry and Bob that you just don’t know, somebody Center. might be watching our discussion here, won- The President. And the Business and In- dering whether or not he or she can have dustry Center’s sole purpose is to train peo- a bright future. And to the extent that you ple for jobs? can help shed light on where you’ve been Dr. Christiansen. That’s correct. and where you’re going, it would awfully helpful. The President. And you’ve got 3,000 now? [Ms. Leedom made brief remarks, concluding Dr. Christiansen. Right. That is in addi- as follows.] tion to, as all of our colleges, we have other Ms. Leedom. I was lucky enough to get occupational programs that focus on job hired on by a company called Cable One, training as well. But much of what our Busi- contracting first through a temporary service. ness and Industry Center does is partnering But they are actually owned by the Wash- with industry. ington Post. [Laughter] The President. Right. Here we’re talking The President. Can you change the edi- about IT. I went to a community college in torial page? [Laughter] North Carolina. There we talked about Ms. Leedom. I’ll ask. [Laughter] health care. And the only reason I bring that The President. Good luck. I hope you rise up is that there are several fields where quickly in the ranks. [Laughter] there’s really fast-growing opportunities. It Ms. Leedom. Sorry about that. just requires a certain skill. You just can’t The President. Yes. walk into the job unless you’re able to be Ms. Leedom. Again, it helps me with a educated into the ways of that particular in- daughter. I want her to go to college. I don’t dustry. And in our country, it’s—a changing want her to make mistakes I made of not economy provides interesting opportunities. going at a young age and having a full future And Mary is responsible for making sure it and a full retirement plan and everything. all works, aren’t you? I now have insurance for her. I have insur- Dr. Mary I. Vanis. We hope so. ance for myself. It’s a future. And I’m right The President. Yes. Tell us your job. now, at an entry level, where I was after 15

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years of being a graphic artist, on income. The President. It happens to me all the And that is—in the end, who has to pay the time. [Laughter] bills? Mom has to pay the bills. Mr. Chapman. Then I’m in good com- The President. That’s a really—first of all, pany. [Laughter] being a single mom is the toughest job in The President. Well, thank you. America. Being a single mom who needs more education and has the desire to do so [The discussion continued.] is doubly tough. And yours is a wonderful The President. I think it’s important for story. It is a story that others need to listen people who wonder whether or not they can to. If you’re worried about your skill set, afford to go back to community college, you’re never too old to learn. As a matter there’s pots of money that will help—Pell of fact, we all learn in different ways, don’t grants in this case, trade adjustment money we? You’ve been able to take your desire to in your case. And I assume the financial bur- do your duty as a responsible citizen and con- den has been eased quite significantly. vert it to a employable skill. What’s really interesting about what she [The discussion continued.] said—I want people to hear this—when you The President. You mentioned a word hear about productivity increases and the changing economy, she just said by taking that I want to spring off here for a second— time to develop new skills, she makes more mentoring. I just want everybody to know in her new job, in the new world, than she that the true strength of the country is not did after 15 years in her old job. our military power or the fact that we’re the wealthiest nation in the world. The true The changing economy can leave people strength of the country is the fact that we’ve behind if we’re not wise. But the changing got people with really good hearts. That’s the economy also is good news. It creates higher strength of America; it’s the decency and paying, higher quality jobs. And that’s what’s happening here in America. And that’s why honor of our people. Obviously, what you just it’s essential that these kind of programs that said is part of what I’m talking about, men- we’re talking about provide willing souls with toring to help people. the skills necessary to take advantage of it. Hilary Juel is with us today. Hilary, I’m Fifteen years of work, her pay now is higher sorry to embarrass you. You shouldn’t have in one year—how long have you been at Cap- come out to see me at Air Force One if you ital One? didn’t want me to introduce you. [Laughter] Ms. Leedom. I’ve actually not been there She is a—she’s with Make a Difference serv- a year; I’ve been there about 6 months. ice group here in Phoenix. Their job is to match loving hearts with broken hearts, is The President. I rest my case. I appre- the best way to describe it; is to help people ciate that. Good job. who heard the call to love a neighbor to just Ms. Leedom. Thank you, sir. do that; is to help save this community and The President. Bob Chapman. ultimately our country, one soul at a time. [Mr. Chapman, a Mesa Community College I want to thank you for being a soldier student, made brief remarks, concluding as in the army of compassion. I want to urge follows.] people in this community to gather up the spirit of the Hilarys or what you’ve heard Mr. Chapman. And at the moment now, here today, to make a difference in some- I plan on getting my degree this spring, and body’s lives. And it doesn’t take much to do so I’m right now out looking for a job. I was so, by the way. If you teach a child to read, able to use some of the resources at the—— you’re helping America. If you go to a shut- The President. Yes, one-stop center. in’s house and just tell him you love him on Mr. Chapman. One-stop center. [Laugh- a regular basis, you’re making a difference. ter] That’s the easiest way. I was trying to No, the strength of this country is the fact say the formal name for it—at the one-stop that we’ve got citizens willing to serve some- center. thing greater than themself.

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I think the community college system of with the European Commission and six coun- America is one of our great strengths. I hope tries that will join the European Union (EU) that people who have listened here can see on May 1, 2004 (the Czech Republic, Esto- that in the living proof of three citizens who, nia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and the Slovak because of their own will and their own de- Republic), as well as with Bulgaria and Ro- sire, took advantage of the opportunity and mania, which are expected to join the EU are now working or soon-to-be working. in 2007. [Laughter] Well, two working and one filling The understanding is designed to preserve out a resume. [Laughter] U.S. bilateral investment treaties (BITs) with But I appreciate you all sharing your sto- each of these countries after their accession ries with us. It’s important to know that— to the EU by establishing a framework ac- for people to know that as this economy ceptable to the European Commission for changes, there’s opportunity. You’ve just got avoiding or remedying present and possible to seize it, just like you three have done. I future incompatibilities between their BIT want to thank you for your—for the example obligations and their future obligations of EU you’ve set. I want to thank the folks here membership. It expresses the U.S. intent to for providing a great service to our Nation. amend the U.S. BITs, including the BIT with And may God bless you all. Bulgaria, in order to eliminate incompati- NOTE: The President spoke at 4:06 p.m. In his bilities between certain BIT obligations and remarks, he referred to Gov. Janet Napolitano of EU law. It also establishes a framework for New Mexico; and Bill Moses, student, Mesa Com- addressing any future incompatibilities that munity College. may arise as European Union authority in the area of investment expands in the future, Message to the Senate Transmitting and endorses the principle of protecting ex- isting U.S. investments from any future EU the Additional Protocol Amending measures that may restrict foreign invest- the Bulgaria-U.S. Treaty Concerning ment in the EU. the Encouragement and Reciprocal The United States has long championed Protection of Investment the benefits of an open investment climate, January 21, 2004 both at home and abroad. It is the policy of the United States to welcome market-driv- To the Senate of the United States: en foreign investment and to permit capital With a view to receiving the advice and consent of the Senate to ratification, I trans- to flow freely to seek its highest return. This mit herewith the Additional Protocol Be- Additional Protocol preserves the U.S. BIT tween the United States of America and the with Bulgaria, with which the United States Republic of Bulgaria amending the Treaty has an expanding relationship, and the pro- Between the United States of America and tections it affords U.S. investors even after the Republic of Bulgaria Concerning the En- Bulgaria joins the EU. Without it, the Euro- couragement and Reciprocal Protection of pean Commission would likely require Bul- Investment of September 23, 1992, signed garia to terminate its U.S. BIT upon acces- at Brussels on September 22, 2003. I trans- sion because of existing and possible future mit also, for the information of the Senate, incompatibilities between our current BIT the report of the Department of State with and EU law. respect to this Additional Protocol. I recommend that the Senate consider this My Administration has already forwarded Additional Protocol as soon as possible, and to the Senate a similar Additional Protocol give its advice and consent to ratification at for Romania and expects to forward to the an early date. Senate shortly Additional Protocols for the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, George W. Bush Poland, and the Slovak Republic. Each of these Additional Protocols is the result of an The White House, understanding the United States reached January 21, 2004.

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Telephone Remarks to the March for I strongly support the Unborn Victims of Life Violence Act, which the House Judiciary January 22, 2004 Committee approved yesterday. And now the entire Congress should act on this bill so I The President. Well, thank you very can sign it into law. much, Nellie. I appreciate your kind intro- We’ll also work with Congress to pass with- duction, and thank you for including me in out delay a comprehensive and effective ban this celebration of life. I’m calling you today on human cloning. We can push the limits from Roswell, New Mexico. And it sounds of medical science while maintaining the like you’ve got some people who know where highest of ethical standards. Human life is Roswell is here in the audience. a creation, not a commodity, and should not I know that good folks have gathered there be used as research material for reckless ex- on The Mall from every corner of America periments. to take part in the 31st March for Life. And Above all, we must continue, with civility I want you to pass on my best to each one and respect, to remind our fellow citizens of them in person, please, and tell them how that all life is sacred and worthy of protec- much I appreciate their devotion to such a tion. I know, as you return to your commu- noble cause. nities, you will redouble your efforts to You believe, as I do, that every person, change hearts and minds one person at a however frail or vulnerable, is a blessing. time. And this is the way we will build a last- Each of us has a special dignity, a place and ing culture of life, a compassionate society purpose in this world. And in the Declaration in which every child is born into a loving fam- of Independence, our Founders stated this ily and protected by law. self-evident truth: The right to life does not Ms. Gray. We pledge that to you, Mr. come from government; it comes from the President. Creator of life. The President. Thank you, Nellie. I ap- During the past 3 years, we’ve made real preciate so very much the opportunity to progress toward building a culture of life in speak to you and the assembled crowd. May America. As President, I’ve signed the Born- God bless you all, and may He continue to Alive Infants Protection Act. I have signed bless America. Thank you very much. legislation supporting maternity group homes. Working with the Congress, we have NOTE: The President spoke at 10:08 a.m. from refused to spend taxpayers’ money on inter- Roswell, NM, to march participants on the Na- tional Mall in Washington, DC. In his remarks, national programs that promote abortion he referred to Nellie J. Gray, president, March overseas. We’re opposed to the destruction for Life Education and Defense Fund. of embryos for stem cell research. And last November, it was my honor to sign into law a ban on the brutal procedure of partial-birth Remarks in Roswell, New Mexico abortion. January 22, 2004 Nellie, I want you to know that our admin- istration is vigorously defending this law The President. Thank you all. Thanks for against those who would seek to overturn it coming. in the courts. I also want you to know, with- Audience member. We love you, Presi- out your hard work and dedication to the dent Bush! cause of life, these achievements would not The President. Thank you. It’s nice to be have been possible. back in New Mexico. I understand you had But we all know there is still more to do. reports this morning of an unfamiliar aircraft. Earlier this week, I proposed that we double [Laughter] No worry, it was just me. [Laugh- Federal funding for abstinence education ter] It’s good to be back here. The last time programs. We will continue to support crisis I came to Roswell, I wasn’t on Air Force One. pregnancy centers, adoption, parental notifi- I was headed to Ruidoso from Midland. cation laws, and the vital work of faith-based [Laughter] Roswell was what we call a water- groups. ing stop. [Laughter] You’ve got great people

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in this part of the State. I’m proud to be it at the end of last year, and then it got in this wonderful town. Thank you for invit- stuck. We’re going to unstick it for the good ing me. of the country. I appreciate you showing up to hear me Pete, I appreciate your friendship. Just one talk. If you listened to the State of the Union, piece of advice: Just remember, it’s the birds I appreciate that. And I can assure you, it’s that’s supposed to suffer, not the hunter. not—I can assure you, I’m not going to be [Laughter] quite as windy. But I do have some things I’m honored to be traveling today with I want to share with you today. This Nation your Congressman, Steve Pearce. He’s what is called to great responsibilities, and we’re they call a freshman—that’s first-year—but meeting them all. The state of this Union as a freshman, he’s making a huge difference. is strong, and it is confident. Let me tell you something: You sent some- I’m proud to be here with the Corps of body up there from this part of the world the New Mexico Military Institute, the West who’s effective and strong, who’s not going Point of the West. I appreciate the values to back down one inch from what he believes. instilled at this fine institution, of discipline And he’s plenty capable, and he’s making a and service and honor. I know many folks difference. He worked hard on bills that mat- who have come to this fine place, some of ter to this part of the State, like the healthy them from Midland, Texas. I happen to have forests bill—commonsense legislation. He hired one, an alumnus of this school, for my worked to help on the defense appropriations Cabinet, Mr. Tony Principi, who is rep- bill for an amendment that says, ‘‘We can resenting America’s veterans so capably as defend our country and, at the same time, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. conserve our resources in a wise way.’’ No, I want to thank the law enforcement and he’s an effective member of the United first-responders who are here with us. Thank States Congress, and I’m proud to call him you for wearing the uniform that says clearly friend. you’re willing to dedicate your lives to make I’m proud to be traveling with Congress- your community a safer place. Thank you for woman Heather Wilson as well. She’s over being on the frontline of securing our home- there, from Albuquerque. She’s plenty capa- land. I appreciate your service. ble. She’s a distinguished Member of the I appreciate Lt. Gen. Robert Beckel for United States Congress. She’s a graduate of his greeting me here today. He was from the the U.S. Air Force Academy and reminded first graduating class of NMMI in 1959. He me coming in that General Beckel was one doesn’t look that old. [Laughter] But he’s had of her instructors. General, you did a heck a distinguished service for our country. Gen- of a job in preparing this good woman for eral, I appreciate what you’re doing. Thank public service. I’m proud to be working with you for leading this fine institution. my friend Heather Wilson. Thank you for I’m so proud to be up here with Pete coming. Domenici. What a class act he is. He’s an I’m honored that the mayor came to see honorable man, an honorable man who cares me. Mayor Owen, I appreciate you coming. deeply about New Mexico and all its citizens. My only advice is, fill the potholes. [Laugh- He cares deeply about our country. He’s a ter] strong leader. He sets the pace in the United I appreciate the business and community States Senate. He’s taken the lead on a vital leaders who have come. I’m honored you all piece of legislation, the energy bill. This are here. You’ll hear me talk about the country needs an energy bill. We need an strengths of our country. One of the energy bill that makes sure our electricity sys- strengths is that we’re prosperous and getting tem works well. We need an energy bill that more prosperous. That’s a strength. One of encourages technologies that advance con- the strengths is we’ve got a military that is servation. We need an energy bill that makes second to none, and we aim to keep it that this country less dependent on foreign way. That’s a strength as well. But that’s not sources of energy. The Senator worked hard the strongest part of our country. The strong- on this piece of legislation. I thought we had est part of the country is the people, because

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of the hearts of the people of America. The ple, I’m beginning to see some results in compassion of America really defines the some important areas that say optimism de- strength of America. fines the future of this country. Today, when I landed at the airport, I met Let me talk about the economy, for start- Amy Coppin. She is a senior at NMMI. She ers. This economy is strong, and it is getting came to say hello because she is a mentor. stronger. I tell you I’m optimistic not only She teaches children. She’s taking time out because of the numbers; I’m optimistic be- of her busy life as a senior in college to make cause I remember where we have come a difference in somebody’s life. She’s serving from. In March of 2000, the stock market, something greater than herself by loving a which is an indicator of—sometimes an indi- neighbor just like she would like to be loved cator of economic times to come, started to herself. She is a soldier in the army of com- decline. And then we had a recession. In ’01, passion. the first quarter of ’01 was recession, and When you hear me talk about the strength that’s negative growth. And when the econ- of America being the heart and soul of the omy is not growing, it’s hard for people to people, what I’m talking about are the Amy find a job. And then we kind of got going, Coppins of the world, and people in this got things going. The Congress passed the crowd who are serving your community and stimulus package—I want to thank the Sen- your country by helping somebody who ator and the Members of Congress for work- hurts. ing on that—and things started getting bet- One of the most profound initiatives I put ter. out, I think, in order to help change America And then we got hit by the enemy. And is for the Federal Government to welcome make no mistake about it, the enemy attack faith-based programs in delivery of essential affected America. It affected the way I think services. I believe strongly that our Govern- about foreign policy because we can no ment should not discriminate against reli- longer take gathering threats for granted. If gious institutions. Quite the contrary: I be- we see a threat gathering overseas, the lesson lieve we ought to welcome religious institu- of September the 11th says we must pay at- tions into providing much-needed social tention to it. We just can’t—and if it gets services, because many of the problems of so bad, we’ve got to do something about it. our society are problems of the heart. Many We cannot assume that oceans protect us of the problems of society require a power anymore. It affected our psychology in Amer- greater than Government to help people re- ica. It also affected the economy. And things alize the great potential of their lives. were beginning to get okay, and all of a sud- Where’s Amy? Amy didn’t get a very good den, the attack came, and it hurt us. It hurt seat. Well—[laughter]—trust me; she’s here. us bad. But we recovered because America’s And I hope the cadets here follow her exam- strong. We recovered because the American ple, and as you go on to life, remember part people are strong. of service to your country is to help some- And just as we were beginning to get our body in need. And for those of you in this feet on the ground again, we had a problem community who are a part of the army of with some of our fellow citizens telling the compassion, thank you from the bottom of truth. We had corporate scandals. We had my heart. And for those of you who want CEOs that did not understand what it meant to figure out how to contribute to our society, to be a responsible citizen. If you’ve got re- do so. Do so, and reach out a hand to some- sponsibilities, you’ve got obligations. In a so- body who might be hungry or homeless or ciety that tries to promote responsibilities, lonely or hurt. The power of love in America there are certain obligations. If you’re a mom is a power that will change our society, one or a dad, you have the obligation to love your soul at a time. child with all your heart. If you’re a CEO I hope you could tell last night and so far in corporate America, you have the responsi- today that I’m incredibly optimistic about our bility to tell the truth to your shareholders Nation’s future. And I’ve got reason to be. and your employees. And if you don’t, there Not only do I know the character of the peo- has to be a consequence. We passed tough

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laws, and now people are beginning to—you small business. Most new jobs are created begin to read what it means to have con- by small-business owners in America. If sequences for not telling the truth. And that’s you’re a small-business owner, you know the way it should be. what I’m talking about. We stimulated small- And then we marched to war. I made the business investment and, therefore, growth. tough decision of war, and I want to thank If Congress doesn’t act, small businesses will the Members of Congress who made the pay taxes. tough vote on war. It’s not easy, but we acted We decreased the—well, we got rid of the because of the lessons of September the death tax or put it on its way to extinction. 11th. We acted based upon the facts. We We listened to New Mexico’s farmers and acted to make the country more secure and ranchers and small-business owners that un- the world more free. But when you’re march- derstand if you work all your life to build ing to war, it’s tough on the economy. For up an asset, you shouldn’t be taxed twice. this reason, the message, march to war, is You shouldn’t be taxed once as you’re build- not conducive for optimistic investment. ing up your asset and twice after you go on. Marching to war is negative, not positive. It’s And then, in order to stimulate our econ- hard to be optimistic about the future when omy, everybody got tax relief. You see, we you look on your TV screen and it says, didn’t try to pick and choose who won and ‘‘America is marching to war.’’ Now we’re who lost. We said, ‘‘If there’s going to be marching to peace and freedom. tax relief, let’s be fair about it. If you pay So I’ve seen firsthand, and you’ve seen taxes, you ought to get relief.’’ If the Con- firsthand, what this Nation and our economy gress doesn’t act, those taxes will go up. If has been through. Those are plenty high hur- the Congress doesn’t act, the economy will dles to cross, but we’re crossing them. One suffer and people will make more taxes. Con- reason we’re crossing them is because the gress must make the tax relief they gave the Congress and this administration acted bold- people permanent. ly. We weren’t afraid to act. We knew what Now, things are looking pretty good. to do. And we passed economic stimulus Third-quarter growth last year was the high- packages, which is a fancy word for giving est in 20 years. And home construction is people their money back. We acted on this high. And homeownership levels are high, principle. It was a principled decision. It was and that’s really important. We want people based upon this principle, that when you owning things in America, don’t we? We have more money in your pocket, you’ll want people owning their own home. There’s spend, save, or invest. And when you do so, nothing like owning your own home or your it drives the whole economy forward. The own business to have a vital stake in the fu- American people are driving the economy ture of this country. Productivity is high. forward. We’ve got the best workforce in the world. But I want to warn you, the stimulus pack- Manufacturing activity is strong. Exports are age we passed is set to expire. Congress, in on the rise. Jobs are increasing. We’re doing order to get the bill out, had to expire certain well—we’re doing well. of the provisions, one of which was the child But we’ve got a new economy we’re deal- credit, which went up from—went up to ing with. And one of the things I addressed $1,000, will decline to $700. If Congress yesterday in Arizona was how do you make doesn’t act, you get a tax increase if you have sure that as technology changes, people’s a child. skills change with it so they can find work. The marriage penalty, we wanted the code See, my attitude is, if somebody is looking to say: We want marriage to work. If we be- for a job and can’t find one, that says, no lieve in marriage, we ought to say so in the matter what the numbers look like, we still Tax Code. And so we began to phase back have got an issue in America. We want peo- the marriage penalty. If Congress doesn’t act, ple working. We want people to be able to the marriage penalty goes back up. put food on the table. See, we understand that if you’re inter- Before I talk about how to make sure ested in job creation, you’ve got to stimulate American workers are trained, I do want to

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bring up a subject that I had addressed in and honest, it will help stop the flow of illegal the State of the Union and before, that I immigration. It will cut down on those think it’s important for me to continue to ‘‘coyotes’’ that are putting people in the back clarify for the American people. We’ve got of these trailers and driving them across in- people doing jobs in America that Americans credibly hot desert. It will stop—it will make won’t do, and that’s helpful to our economy. sure that those who are working to secure It’s helpful that there are some people that our borders will focus on the true threats to are willing to the do the work that others America, the illegal drugs or the contraband won’t do. And I think we need to be honest or the potential terrorists that could be com- about what’s taking place in America. After ing across our borders. all, we’re a country of the rule of law, and No, this plan makes sense. I call upon the we’ve got people breaking law. And the ques- Congress to do what is good for our econ- tion is how best to bring what’s happening omy, what is good for our security, and what to light in an honest and legal way. is compassionate, and pass the temporary- My attitude is this—my attitude is: So long worker plan. as there is a willing worker and an employer I also want to talk about how to make sure looking to hire somebody, we ought to have American workers don’t get left behind. By a system that allows for temporary work in the way, that starts with making sure our America, in an honest, open way, in a way public schools work. It starts by making sure that talks to the values of our country. I op- our public schools teach the basics. pose amnesty, loud and clear, because am- I went up to Washington, and thanks to nesty will encourage further illegal immigra- Pete’s help and to Heather’s help and to tion. Amnesty rewards somebody for break- Steve’s, now, help, we passed—[laughter]— ing the law. On the other hand, I do want we passed the No Child Left Behind Act. to change a system that has ignored reality Let me just tell you the principles behind and allow willing employer to be matched that as plainly as I possibly can. Every one with willing employee in an honest, open of us needs to challenge the soft bigotry of way. low expectations. We need to raise that bar. We should not say to somebody who’s If you believe every child has got the capacity working on a temporary-worker basis, ‘‘You to learn, you need to raise the bar. I don’t get added—you get a special break when it care what the color of skin of that child may comes to citizenship.’’ You don’t. You don’t be; everybody can learn. And that’s the prin- get a special break. But think about a system ciple of No Child Left Behind. We raise the that has people working in the shadows of standards. We expect everybody to learn. America. That’s not the American way. That’s We’ve increased Federal education spend- not the way we do business in this country. ing, particularly for poor students, dramati- People are working who are trying to put cally. But now, for the first time, we’re asking food on the table for a family in Mexico. the question, ‘‘Are we meeting expecta- You’ve got to understand why they’re here. tions?’’ In return for increased Federal They’re motivated out of the deep love of spending, the Federal Government is saying their children and their wife. They’re work- to local districts, ‘‘Show us whether or not ing just as hard as any other mom or dad the children are learning to read and write do, for the same reason: They have an obliga- and add and subtract.’’ I don’t think that’s tion and a responsibility. Those people need too much. I don’t think it’s too much to in- to be treated with respect. They need to be crease budgets and in return say, ‘‘What are honored for their commitment to their fami- the results?’’ If you believe every child can lies. learn to read and write and add and subtract, A temporary-worker plan that’s honest and then you’re not afraid to ask the question: open will be good for this economy. It will Are they learning to read and write and add also be good for the security of the country. and subtract? We’ve got a lot of Border Patrol agents work- This administration trusts local people. We ing hard to stop the flow of illegal immigra- know you can chart the path to excellence. tion. I believe if we make the system open Your decision is on how to get there. All we

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want to know is, are you doing what we ex- century. And that’s what this administration pect you to do? Are you just meeting those is going to do. obligations? In the bill we passed, there’s No, I’m optimistic about this country, be- extra help for students who fall behind. Lis- cause I understand the character of the peo- ten, when you find out a third grader is not ple. And I’m optimistic because I know we’re reading at grade level, get him or her extra doing the right things when it comes to edu- help. We provide money to do that. We don’t cating our children and workers. I’m opti- want any child in America left behind. The mistic about the economy. I’m also optimistic bill we passed is a great piece of legislation because we’re going to win the war on terror. for America’s children. The greatest responsibility of the Federal There’s more we need to do. I talked about Government, and my first responsibility as making sure that some of the high school stu- your President, is to defend and protect dents who are falling behind in reading and America. math get a little extra help. We’ve got to I remember talking to the country after make sure there’s—literacy is the law of the September the 11th and reminding people land. I talked about making sure that we ex- that this would be a different kind of war pand advance placement programs in certain we faced. Sometimes you’d see action, and low-income schools in order to keep raising sometimes you wouldn’t; that we’d be on a that bar, Pell grants for students that take manhunt to find the terrorists who destroyed rigorous curriculum, in order to encourage us. It would require a different kind of atti- excellence. We want to make sure our com- tude about chasing these people down. I also munity college system is flexible and viable knew that time would pass and people would to help people find jobs that exist. take the comfortable position of saying the Yesterday I was in Arizona, and I reminded dangers had passed as well. That’s just not people that in the old days of workforce train- reality. I wish it was reality, but it’s not re- ing, they said, ‘‘Just go train people.’’ So we’d ality. My job as your President is to be real- go out and train 1,000 hairdressers, and there istic, be open-eyed, to understand the lessons might be 50 slots. But you’d have 950 well- of September the 11th, 2001, to understand trained hairdressers with nothing to do. Now there’s terrorists who still plot against us. By the workforce program says, ‘‘Let’s match up our will, by our steadfast determination, by employers with the community college sys- our courage, we will prevail in the war—first tem to train people for jobs that actually exist, war of the 21st century. for jobs that work.’’ So we’ve got $250 million In the United States, where the war in the budget to go directly to community begun, we will continue our vital work to pro- colleges, to invigorate the business commu- tecting American people, by protecting our nities and the community college, invigorate ports and borders and safeguarding infra- a joint strategy to help people find work. structure, preparing for the worst. I men- Yesterday I sat with some folks on the tioned the first-responders. I can’t tell you stage. They were not student age, let’s put how pleased I am with the coordination now it that way. They had worked for years. One between the Federal Government, the State woman worked for 15 years as a graphic de- Government, and local governments for pre- signer. She’s a single mom, by the way, and paring our homeland. I’m going to submit that’s the toughest job in America. She was a budget to Congress next month which will struggling to get ahead. She went back to include spending of $30 billion for homeland the community college. She gained new security. That’s—more than 30 billion—al- skills, and in her first year in her new job, most 3 times the amount that we were spend- she’s making more than she did after 15 years ing prior to September the 11th, 2001. as a graphic designer. We understand our obligation in Wash- Education—what I’m telling you is as the ington. Our obligation is never to forget what economy changes, there’s tremendous op- happened on September the 11th. And our portunities for workers. We’ve just got to obligation is to support the homeland secu- make sure the education system matches rity people, those on the frontlines, to pre- people with the skills necessary for the 21st pare for a potential threat.

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I think it’s very important for the country that people can pick up in this part of the to understand the PATRIOT Act. See, that’s world is, when you say something, you better an important part of fighting the war on ter- mean it. That’s particularly true in diplo- ror. It’s essential that the FBI and the CIA macy. If you say something, you better mean be able to share information if you want to it. I meant it, and the Taliban found out what whip the terrorists. See, it’s a different kind we meant. of war. We’re in a different era. We need Afghanistan was the primary training base to view law differently. We’ll always protect for Al Qaida. That’s where the killers were our Constitution and safeguard individual learning the skills necessary to destroy inno- rights, but our law enforcement, those who cent life. And we gave the Taliban a chance, collect information and share information and then they, of course, rejected—rejected and expected to act on information, must be the ultimatum I laid out. And so they no able to talk together. longer exist, thanks to the United States mili- Many of the tools in the PATRIOT Act tary and our friends and allies. have been used by law enforcement to chase This barbaric regime is no more, and the down embezzlers and criminals. It is essential people of Afghanistan are better off for it. that those same tools be used in fighting You see, America loves freedom, but we un- against terrorists. We’re in a different era. derstand that freedom is not America’s gift The PATRIOT Act is going to expire. The to the world. It’s the Almighty God’s gift to Congress needs to renew it for the sake of each man and woman in this world. We love fighting the war on terror. the fact that people in Afghanistan are now We’ll protect the homeland. The best way free. Remember, prior to our arrival, the to protect America, however, is to go on the Taliban wouldn’t even let young girls go to offensive, stay on the offensive, and bring the school, and today, they do. They have written terrorists to justice. I said in the speech the a constitution; the people of Afghanistan other night, two-thirds of known Al Qaida leaders have been captured or killed. We’re have written a constitution which is—guaran- making progress against them. The rest of tees free elections, freedom, full participa- them are hiding. They think they are, but tion in government by women. Things are they cannot escape the justice of America. changing. Freedom is powerful. The people We’ve got thousands of troops, thousands of of Afghanistan are opening up health care brave soldiers. We’re chasing them, one by centers and new businesses. Times are one. We’re on an international manhunt for changing, because they have been liberated. those who would do harm to America or for America is safer because the Taliban doesn’t anybody else who loves freedom. One by exist. America is safer because Afghanistan one, we’ll bring them to justice. There is no is now free, and we stand strongly with the hole deep enough to hide from America. freedom-lovers in Afghanistan. Not only are we after Al Qaida, we will I made a tough decision, with the Con- continue to confront regimes that harbor or gress’ support, to remove Saddam Hussein support terrorists, regimes that could supply from power, and we did. And the world is them with weapons of mass destruction. The safer; America is more secure; and the world United States and our allies refuse to live is more free because we got rid of Saddam under the shadow of this ultimate danger, Hussein. This brutal dictator attacked his refuse to be in a position where—to find our- neighbors, used weapons of mass destruction selves in a position where terrorists could against his own people, plotted, was devious. show up with weapons of mass murder. Our He tortured Iraqis. We discovered mass obligation is, defend our country. Our obliga- graves of thousands of men and women and tion is to be clear-eyed about the threats, and children. He had torture rooms for some- our obligation is to deal with them. body who spoke out against him. I laid down a doctrine early on that said, Saddam Hussein was found in a hole, hid- ‘‘If you harbor a terrorist, if you feed a ter- ing. Saddam Hussein, the once all-powerful rorist, if you hide a terrorist, you’re just as tyrant who used his brutal dictatorship to in- guilty as the terrorist.’’ One of the lessons timidate and destroy lives, will no longer be

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able to do so in Iraq. He sits in a prison cell, free society, that institutions in a free society and the Iraqi people are free. are always bigger than the people, and he Fifty-five of the top officials, former offi- understood that. cials in that regime—of the 55, 45 have been And they’re working hard. The Iraqi peo- captured or killed. The other 10 have got to ple are taking the brunt of most of these be nervous. [Laughter] They’re out there. killings that are taking place. They also un- They’re out there trying to shake our will. derstand it’s their responsibility to secure the See, these people are murderers. They’ll take country, so we’ve increased in large number innocent life to try to convince others that the number of police and people who are freedom isn’t worth it. They will kill indis- willing to help secure the country. More criminately—they don’t care who—to try to Iraqis are now coming forward. They realize shake our confidence, to try to get in the the killings that are taking place—sometimes heads of the American people. They don’t maybe by foreign terrorists, obviously some- understand America. America will never be times by former Ba’athist officials—will stop intimated by thugs and assassins. the march to freedom. They want to be free. We’re making progress. It’s important for You’ve got to understand, these people, like you to know that we’re on the offensive in you and I, love freedom. It’s in everybody’s Iraq. As I said the other night, we’re leading heart, and Pachachi understands that, and so over 1,600 patrols a day, 180 raids every does the Governing Council. week. I mean, we’re chasing them down. Freedom is happening in Iraq. And you’ve We’re bringing them and foreign terrorists got to understand why it’s important. Free- to justice there, so we don’t have to face them dom in the heart of the Middle East, free- in America. We’re bringing them there be- dom and democracy in the place that has cause we understand freedom is vital for our breeded resentment and terror, is in our na- future, freedom in Iraq is vital for our future. tional interests. A free Iraq will help change I’m pleased with the progress we’re mak- the world. A free Iraq will help change a ing with the Iraqi citizens who are interested neighborhood that needs to be changed. A in running their own country. I met with the free Iraq will make it easier for our children Acting President of the Governing Council, to grow up in a peaceful society. Adnan Pachachi. He sat next to Laura during People say, ‘‘What are you doing in the the State of the Union. By the way—let me long term? We know what you’re doing in digress—I’m really glad I married a west the short term. We can hear you and see Texas woman. She is a fabulous, fabulous— you; you’re sending troops after the killers. she’s great. She’s doing well, and she sends What about the long-term plan against ter- her love. [Applause] You Texans, calm down. rorists?’’ Free societies do not breed ter- [Laughter] You know the reputation you rorism. Free societies are peaceful nations. have here in eastern New Mexico. [Laughter] What we’re doing for the long term, we’re Anyway, she was sitting next to Acting promoting freedom. President Pachachi—— The world is changing for the better. The Audience member. We can’t hear you. world is getting more free and peaceful and The President. I can hear you. [Laughter] less dangerous. Recently, Muammar Qadhafi And I met with him prior—in the Oval made a wise decision to show and get rid Office prior to the State of the Union. I was of his weapons of mass destruction programs. pleased with his vision, his understanding of The British Government and the American freedom. The Oval Office is an interesting Government worked for 9 months to con- place to meet, particularly, people who are vince in negotiations with Qadhafi about beginning to struggle with democracy and what to do with his programs. You want to freedom because it’s a reminder that the in- remember, I want to contrast that with the stitutions, at least in this country, are always 12 years of diplomacy that took place at the bigger than the people. Sometime we’ve got United Nations when nothing happened. I an all-right President; sometimes he’s not all mean, we had resolution after resolution right. But the Presidency itself exists. It’s a after resolution just totally ignored by Sad- reminder of the power of institutions in a dam Hussein—sometimes not ignored but

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played with, is a better way to describe it. the Guard and Reserve members from Nine months of intense discussions with Qa- around the country—but particularly, now dhafi worked because the word of the coun- that I’m in New Mexico, from New Mexico— try—word of this country matters. When you who have served our country so ably and so say something, you better believe it. People well. now trust the word of America. People now We’ve also got thousands of service men understand. and women who are based in this State, at And we’re not doing this work alone. I just Kirtland and Cannon and Holloman Air told you that Great Britain was very much Force Bases. The people in the military from involved with the intense discussions with this State have done and continue to do vital Colonel Qadhafi. And I appreciate my friend work on the war against terror. And like ev- Prime Minister Blair and the people he as- eryone who serves in uniform today, you are signed to—people he assigned to the task. making this Nation grateful and proud. We’re working together with people. And And I appreciate their families. I appre- that’s positive. We’re working together with ciate the moms and dads, husbands and wives people who love freedom and understand the who are staying at home as their loved one stakes of the war against terror, people who goes off to defend America and to spread clearly see a future that’s peaceful and posi- freedom. Their loved ones sacrifice, and so tive but understand sometimes you have to do the families. America’s military families make the tough choice to get there. You have are steadfast and strong. Not only should we to do the hard things to achieve a positive show them the gratitude, but we need to vision of peace and freedom. make them this promise: Your loved one will There are 34 nations that have joined us have the resources you need to fight and win in Iraq. That’s too long to list. The Senator the war on terror. might fall out on me if I start trying to read It’s an honor to be here in Roswell. I’m them all. [Laughter] Thirty-four—[laugh- optimistic about the future. I’m optimistic ter]—34 nations stand with us in that coun- about the future for a lot of reasons, but the try. Thirty-seven nations in NATO are con- main reason is, I’m optimistic about the fu- tributing to joint efforts in Afghanistan. I’ve ture because I understand the country. I worked hard to bring people along. I meet know the values of America. I know the de- with foreign leaders all the time to explain cency of our people. I know the willingness the intentions of America, to talk about what of the American citizen to serve a cause we see in the future. greater than themself. There is a difference, however, between It’s the great strength of America. It’s an leading a coalition of nations and shutting unbelievably great country we have, because down efforts because a few object. It’s a big the people are so strong, so resilient, so com- difference. It’s the difference between being passionate, and so decent. We believe values willing to gather a group of like-minded na- in our heart that we just won’t change. We tions and lead the world towards freedom believe everybody has dignity, everybody has and peace or allowing some to object and, worth. We believe in freedom. We believe therefore, nothing happens. That’s not the people yearn for freedom. We have an obli- way this administration functions. As I said gation to unleash freedom in the world, and the other night, we will never seek a permis- we’re not afraid to lead. This country stands sion slip to defend the American people. strongly on the values that make us great, This war, this new war of the 21st century, and we’re not the least bit afraid of sharing has fallen hardest on our military. And I want those values in a world that needs peace and to thank those of you who have got relatives freedom. in the United States military. And if you do, I’m proud to be here. I’m proud to lead please tell them the Commander in Chief the greatest nation on the face of the Earth. is really proud of their service. I’m proud to be in front of some of the great We mourn for the fallen. We send our citizens of America. May God bless you all, prayers to their loved ones, and we thank and may God continue to bless our great them for their service. I also want to thank country.

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NOTE: The President spoke at 10:24 a.m. at the this lady’s business. It makes it more likely Roswell Convention and Civic Center. In his re- somebody is going to find work. So instead marks, he referred to Lt. Gen. Robert D. Beckel, of asking questions, answer mine: Are you USAF (ret.), superintendent, New Mexico Mili- going to buy some food? tary Institute; Mayor Bill B. Owen of Roswell, Q. Yes. NM; Col. Muammar Abu Minyar al-Qadhafi, lead- er of Libya; and Prime Minister Tony Blair of the The President. Okay, good. What would United Kingdom. The Office of the Press Sec- you like? retary also released a Spanish language transcript Q. Ribs. of these remarks. The President. Ribs? Good. Let’s order up some ribs. Q. What do you think of the Democratic Exchange With Reporters in Roswell, field, sir? New Mexico The President. See, his job is to ask ques- January 22, 2004 tions; he thinks my job is to answer every question he asks. I’m here to help this res- President’s Visit to Roswell taurant by buying some food. Terry [Terry The President. I need some ribs. Moran, ABC News], would you like some- Q. Mr. President, how are you? thing? The President. I’m hungry, and I’m going Q. An answer. to order some ribs. Q. Can we buy some questions? Q. What would you like? The President. Obviously these people— The President. Whatever you think I’d they make a lot of money, and they’re not like. going to spend much. I’m not saying they’re overpaid; they’re just not spending any Homeland Security money. Q. Sir, on homeland security, critics would Q. Do you think it’s all going to come say you simply haven’t spent enough to keep down to national security, sir, this election? the country secure. The President. One of the things David The President. My job is to secure the does, he asks a lot of questions, and they’re homeland, and that’s exactly what we’re good, generally. going to do. But I’m here to take somebody’s order. That would be you, Stretch [Richard NOTE: The exchange began at 11:25 a.m. at the Keil, Bloomberg News]—what would you Nuthin’ Fancy Cafe. A tape was not available for like? Put some of your high-priced money verification of the content of this exchange. right here to try to help the local economy. You get paid a lot of money, you ought to be buying some food here. It’s part of how Statement on Senate Passage of the the economy grows. You’ve got plenty of ‘‘Consolidated Appropriations Act, money in your pocket, and when you spend 2004’’ it, it drives the economy forward. So what January 22, 2004 would you like to eat? Q. Right behind you, whatever you order. I am pleased that the Senate has passed the omnibus budget bill, which fulfills impor- Nuthin’ Fancy Cafe tant commitments like AIDS relief, edu- The President. I’m ordering ribs. David cation and DC school choice, veterans health [David Gregory, NBC News], do you need care, law enforcement, and other priorities. a rib? This bill stays within the spending limits Q. But Mr. President—— I proposed, which is necessary as we work The President. Stretch, thank you, this is to cut the deficit in half over the next 5 years. not a press conference. This is my chance I will continue to work with the Congress to help this lady put some money in her pock- to focus on priorities, cut wasteful spending, et. Let me explain how the economy works. and be wise with the people’s money. I look When you spend money to buy food, it helps forward to signing this bill into law.

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Letter to Congressional Leaders to my constitutional authority to conduct Reporting on Continued Operations U.S. foreign relations and as Commander in of United States Forces in Bosnia and Chief and Chief Executive. Herzegovina I am providing this report as part of my efforts to keep the Congress fully informed January 22, 2004 about developments in Bosnia and Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:) Herzegovina. I will continue to consult close- In my report to the Congress of July 22, ly with the Congress regarding our efforts 2003, I provided information on the deploy- to foster peace and stability in the former ment of combat-equipped U.S. Armed Yugoslavia. Forces to Bosnia and Herzegovina and other Sincerely, states in the region in order to participate George W. Bush in and support the North Atlantic Treaty Or- ganization (NATO)-led Stabilization Force NOTE: Identical letters were sent to J. Dennis (SFOR). The SFOR began its mission and Hastert, Speaker of the House of Representatives, assumed authority from the NATO-led Im- and Ted Stevens, President pro tempore of the Senate. plementation Force on December 20, 1996. I am providing this supplemental report, pre- pared by my Administration and consistent Remarks to the United States with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law Conference of Mayors 93–148), to help ensure that the Congress January 23, 2004 is kept fully informed on continued U.S. con- tributions in support of peacekeeping efforts Thanks for your kind words, Big Jim. in the former Yugoslavia. [Laughter] I’ve known him for quite a while, The U.N. Security Council authorized and he’s an honorable man who’s doing a fine Member States to continue SFOR for a pe- job for the mayors. And I appreciate you all riod of 12 months in U.N. Security Council giving me a chance to come by and visit. I’ve Resolution 1491 of July 11, 2003. The mis- got some thoughts I’d like to share with you sion of SFOR is to provide a focused military about how we can work together to make presence in order to deter hostilities, stabilize this country hopeful and safe and secure. and consolidate the peace in Bosnia and I want to, first, thank you for serving your Herzegovina, contribute to a secure environ- communities. It’s not easy to be a mayor. ment, and provide, within its means and ca- Probably a lot harder than being a President. pabilities, selective support to key tasks and After all, I don’t have to fill potholes— key civil implementation organizations. [laughter]—or empty the trash. [Laughter] The U.S. force contribution to SFOR in But I do really want to thank you. This coun- Bosnia and Herzegovina is approximately try is a fabulous country because we’ve got 1,800 personnel. United States personnel good, honorable people who are willing to comprise approximately 15 percent of the serve at all levels of government. And one total SFOR force of approximately 12,000 of the key levels of government, of course, personnel. During the second half of 2003, is running the city hall, and you’re doing a 14 NATO nations and 11 others provided fine job. And I look forward to working with military personnel or other support to SFOR. you, and so does my administration. Most U.S. forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina I do want to thank you all for the invitation. are assigned to Multinational Brigade, North, I want to thank Mayor Plusquellic, who’s headquartered near the city of Tuzla. The going to be chairman next year. Is that done? U.S. forces continue to support SFOR efforts Yes—okay, good. I didn’t want to jump the to apprehend persons indicted for war crimes gun. [Laughter] I look forward to working and to conduct counterterrorism operations. with you. Mayor O’Neill, thank you very In the last 6 months, U.S. forces have not much for having me. sustained any combat-related fatalities. Mayor Riley, it’s good to see you, sir. You I have directed the participation of U.S. reminded me, my mother went to high Armed Forces in these operations pursuant school in the town he runs in South Carolina,

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and I reminded him that she graduated— It has happened? Well, that’s good. Be care- [laughter]—like her son, barely. ful what you bet. [Laughter] Speaking about sons, there’s nothing I wish I could report to you that the war wrong with a guy following in his father’s on terror is over with and America is safe footsteps. In this case, this guy is doing it and secure, but I cannot. I can’t tell you that really well. Mayor Daley, I appreciate you. in good conscience because I don’t believe Great mayor. in it. The truth is that there’s an enemy that I appreciate my temporary Mayor, Mayor still lurks out there. And we must continue Williams. He’s a really good guy. He’s the to work together to protect our country. It Mayor of Washington, DC. I notice you were is the most solemn duty of government, is over lobbying Laura the other day to handle to protect American people. a project. [Laughter] He knows where the It’s important for all of us in positions of power is in the White House. [Laughter] I responsibility never to forget the lessons of appreciate you, Tony. He’s a good fellow. We September the 11th, 2001. It is natural that worked hard on an interesting education ini- we would, as distance passes, that we would tiative. He took a bold leadership position kind of try to think for the best and hope on education, and we worked with the Con- for the best and think that time has maybe gress to get some scholarship money to poor solved the problem of the first war of the students in Washington, DC, who are going 21st century. It’s just not the case. It’s not to schools that are failing, that will help lib- the case, and so we will continue to work erate them and their parents to be able to with you on homeland security. choose new schools. And this is a landmark My ’05 budget has got $30 billion in there piece of legislation that’s going to change for homeland security. That’s 3 times the people’s lives for the better. And the Mayor amount spent prior to September the 11th. showed strong leadership. He got out on It’s important that the money be spent wisely front on a tough issue, and as a result, the and focused on the protection of the Amer- children of this city are going to benefit. And ican people. I appreciate you, Mayor, a lot for taking that Mayor Jim just told me, on the way in he on. said, ‘‘You know, one of the problems we I want to thank the mayors who are here face, we mayors face, is that the money is from Texas. Yes. Behave yourselves. [Laugh- allocated and gets stuck.’’ And I appreciated ter] Go to bed early. [Laughter] Don’t whoop that recognition of the problem, and so we’ll and holler. [Laughter] But I’m glad you’re work with the mayors to make sure it gets here. I miss my home State. I love Texas. unstuck. I understand sometimes it gets I love the people who represent our State, stuck not in Washington; it gets stuck at the and thanks for coming today. State level, as I understand. Look I don’t— I also want to thank Pat McCrory for meet- hold on, I’m an ex-Governor, so I’m—[laugh- ing me. You might remember he is the mayor ter]—and we’re hosting the Governors pretty of Charlotte, North Carolina. We worked to- soon. [Laughter] But it will provide an op- gether on brownfield legislation, which, portunity to work this out so that it works Tommy, I want to thank you and the organi- better. zation for working on that important piece Listen, I’m not interested in pointing fin- of legislation. It will change America for the gers. I’m interested in making the system better. It’s a collaborative effort between the work better. Our most solemn duty is to work administration and the mayors to do some together to protect our people. That is the good environmental policy that will make most important responsibility we have. And communities a better place. I want to thank you for the coordination that McCrory—I wanted to talk about is taking place between the Federal Govern- brownfields—of course, he wanted to talk ment, the State Government, and the local about football. [Laughter] And I bet Mayor governments. Menino does too. [Laughter] So perhaps I I’ve asked Tom Ridge often, how well are can arrange a little bit of a friendly wager we doing communicating with each other, between you two, if it hasn’t happened yet. how good is the city response mechanism?

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And the report is very good. And the mayors ment is doing and will continue to do. There get the credit. The mayors get the credit for are thousands of military personnel, with aid energizing Joint Terrorism Task Forces. The from intelligence personnel, on an inter- mayors get the credit for good communica- national manhunt. Slowly but surely, we are tion. The mayors get credit for good re- dismantling the Al Qaida network that sponse. caused such great harm to America and still Recently, over the Christmas holidays, Los continues to plot, by the way. Angeles and Las Vegas and Washington, DC, I said in the speech the other night that and New York were put on especially high two-thirds of known leaders have been cap- alert, and I’m telling you, the mayors and tured or killed. That’s a significant number their offices did a fabulous job of coordi- when you think about where we were prior nating information and activity. And I don’t to September the 11th. We’re, slowly but know if they’re out there, but mayor, you de- surely, demolishing them. If you—if Al Qaida serve a lot of credit for doing the right thing was a corporation in America, you’d have the and for responding. board of directors somewhat intact, but the I know there’s some talk in your commu- operators, the middle management, retired, nities about the PATRIOT Act. Let me tell no longer useful, no longer a part of the prob- you about the PATRIOT Act right quick. lem. We’re in a new war, a different kind of war. And we’re going to stay on the hunt, which We need to be able to share information requires good intelligence, good cooperation, across jurisdictional boundaries at the Fed- good participation with friends and allies eral level. Do you realize, prior to September around the world. As the world saw, there the 11th, 2001, the CIA could not pass infor- is no hole deep enough from the long arm mation to the FBI or vice versa? By law, they of American justice. were prohibited from sharing information. How can you fight a war against terrorists We’re making progress. It’s important for who hide in dark corners of the world and America to speak clearly and, when America maybe slide into our country if you can’t says something, to mean it. And so when I share information? We need the CIA and the said right after September the 11th, ‘‘If you FBI to be able to talk to each other. harbor a terrorist, you’re just as guilty as the As I said in the State of the Union, many terrorist,’’ I meant it. I meant it as clearly of the provisions in the law have been used as I could say it. And the Taliban found out to catch embezzlers or criminals. We need what we meant. Thanks to a coalition, a large to make sure those provisions stay in the law. coalition of freedom-loving nations, we re- We’re at war. We’re trying to hunt terrorists. moved the Taliban from power. And America It’s a different kind of war. is more secure for it, because remember, Af- In the old days, you know, you could meas- ghanistan was a haven for training bases. This ure progress based upon tanks destroyed or is where many of the Al Qaida fighters airplanes brought down to Earth, you know, learned how to fight and kill. by missiles or air-to-air combat. It’s no longer And as importantly, the people of Afghani- the way it is in the 21st century. We’re on stan are free. They’re free from the clutches an international manhunt. We have to find of one of the most barbaric regimes in his- these people before they come and get us. tory. It is hard for the Western mind to fath- And in order to do so, we need the best intel- om such a regime, a regime that refuses to ligence and the capacity to share that intel- allow young girls to go to school, but that’s ligence across jurisdictional boundaries. The the way it was. And today, thanks to our coali- PATRIOT Act is vital for our security, and tion and our deep love for freedom and our Congress needs to renew it. intense desire to protect ourselves, young We want to work with you on defending girls go to school in Afghanistan, and the America. The best way to defend America, world is better off for it. however, is to stay on the offensive and to And as you know, I made a tough decision find these killers, one by one, and bring them to take out Saddam Hussein, and I did so to justice. That’s precisely what our Govern- for this reason: September the 11th made it

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clear that America can no longer ignore gath- tary. I try the best I can to thank them for ering threats. Oceans no longer protected us their service. I hope you do as well. I know from harm. We just couldn’t say, ‘‘Okay, well, you do. I know you’re just as proud of them there’s a gathering threat. Let’s just hope it as I am. But I want to assure you as leaders goes away.’’ I’m never going to forget the in your community, these troops will have lessons of September the 11th, 2001. the resources they need to be successful in And so, when we saw a threat—we saw the war against terror. a threat; we dealt with it. We dealt in this We’re making good progress—we really way: I went to the United Nations, and I said, are—in parts of the world. Afghanistan has ‘‘You’ve given this man warning after warning now got a constitution which talks about free- after warning, and he’s totally ignored you. dom of religion and talks about women’s You’ve got to have credibility.’’ We want rights. I don’t think anybody would have international institutions to work, but he ig- dreamed that would have been possible prior nored them. And the more he ignored them, to September the 11th, and now it’s a reality. the weaker the United Nations became. So Democracy is flourishing. The world is better I said, ‘‘Let’s pass a resolution,’’ which was off because of that. passed unanimously. ‘‘Now let’s enact, enact I met with some of the city council leaders the resolution. Let’s be a credible body. Let’s in Baghdad when I snuck in over Thanks- be people, when you say something, people giving. I hope someday that you’re able to believe it for the sake of peace and freedom.’’ welcome them to your own cities. And these And we moved. We moved against a man are people that are—you can imagine what who had used weapons of mass destruction their vision might be like. First of all, they’re against his own people, attacked his neigh- overwhelmed with the thought of being free. bors, a man who we found out subsequently That makes sense, because they had been had murdered thousands of men, women, locked in this cell of a country by a brutal and children and buried them in mass graves, a person who when he found dissenters, tor- tyrant. And they’re learning what it means tured them, a person who ruled with utmost to be a free country, and they’re learning fear. what it means to be able to get along with No, we acted in our own—for our own their neighbor that may have a different view security. No one can say the world is not of how to worship the Almighty. But it’s hap- more safe with Saddam Hussein sitting in a pening. jailhouse. It is more safe, and so is America. Adnan Pachachi was with us the other day. Our most important duty is to protect He sat next to Laura at the State of the America. But I also want you to know that Union. He came to the Oval Office. He’s a something else drives me. And it’s that my distinguished gentleman who believes in the belief that freedom is not America’s gift to possibilities of the Iraqi people. He sees a the world, but freedom is the Almighty God’s clear vision of a free country, and we’re mov- gift to each man and woman in this world. ing that way, moving toward a basic law that And it’s the spread of freedom that will bring honors minority rights, a basic law that— peace. Free societies are peaceful societies. based upon the principles of human dignity. And yet, we’re running against a pretty I hope to have the sovereignty passed over, strong current, because some in the world and I think we will, by June the 30th. But say that certain people, evidently, can’t be there’s still work to do—you read about it self-governing and can’t be free. That’s not in your newspapers—because people are try- what Americans believe. We believe that ing to shake our will. That’s what you’ve got people—all people from all walks of life— to understand is happening. They’re willing have got freedom indelibly etched in their to kill innocent life to shake our will, but heart. And I believe this Nation has an obli- thugs and assassins will not intimidate Amer- gation to lead the world to be more free and ica. We will stay the course until the job is more peaceful. done, because a free Iraq in the heart of the I know many of you—you hear from fami- Middle East will make the world more lies whose sons and daughters are in our mili- peaceful. These are historic times. This is an

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historic opportunity to change the world, and They just don’t want to measure results, and America will continue to lead. I think that’s a shame. If you believe that At home, I’m optimistic as well. I’m opti- every child can learn, then you want to know mistic because I see the economy is growing. whether or not that’s happening. It seems That’s important for the health of our cities. like to me that if the expectation is for excel- And it’s getting better, and statistics say it’s lence, we ought to measure. getting better. One aspect about the growing We ought to measure in a way that is open, economy that I believe speaks to why it’s measure in a way that puts the results out growing is the tax cuts we passed. We’ll have for everybody to see, including the mayors. a philosophical argument about that here in So you know for a fact whether or not the Washington, DC, of course. I look forward obligations of our society are being met to to it. But I will tell you that one of the things the youngest of our children. In the bill, in in the tax relief plan that I hope you find the No Child Left Behind Act, not only do inspirational for your cities is it is aimed at we insist upon local control of schools, an the entrepreneur. Much of the tax relief is accountability system designed at the State aimed at the small-business owner. And the or local level, we also say that when you see truth of the matter is the vibrancy of the failure early, there’s additional money to inner cities of our country depend upon own- make sure children aren’t left behind. This ership. is an important piece of legislation, and I will When more people own a small business, resist any attempt to undermine it. when people are starting their own business, I laid out the other night a Jobs for the when people are creating small businesses, 21st Century program. A part of that is to they’re creating jobs. They’re not only cre- make sure there’s additional money to help ating a more vibrant and hopeful community; junior high and high school students who more jobs are being created. And the tax re- have been just simply shuffled through the lief we passed was, in part, aimed at small system. And that’s what’s happened, as you businesses for this reason: Most small busi- know. If you want to be blunt about what nesses are sole proprietorships or Subchapter has taken place, sometimes when you don’t S corporations, and they, therefore, pay tax measure, you just shuffle kids through. Then at the individual income tax rate. And so, you wake up at the high school level and find therefore, when you reduce individual in- out that the literacy level of our children are come taxes, you’re injecting capital into the appalling. I expect you, as mayors, to chal- small business-sectors of America’s cities. lenge the soft bigotry of low expectations. I The entrepreneurial spirit is strong in challenge you to keep raising that bar and America. You know it as well as I do. The standards. desire for some to own their business is And we want to help here. We’ve got strong, and the tax relief we passed helped money for that. We’ve got money for addi- invigorate that spirit. tional grants for Pell grants for low-income So this economy is growing, and we’ve got kids who are taking a good, strong cur- to make sure people are prepared to meet riculum. I told you what the Mayor did. He’s the jobs of the 21st century. It starts with challenging the soft bigotry of low expecta- making sure there’s a literate America, tions. It might not have been the most politi- which—make sure that the schools work cally popular thing in certain editorial pages well. No Child Left Behind Act—let me tell or around the city, but he’s taken the lead. you my view of that important piece of legis- He’s not afraid to lead, and that’s what we lation, since I was the person that asked Con- expect from people at the local level when gress to pass it. I said, first of all, ‘‘We’ll in- it comes to insisting that every child learn crease the budgets,’’ which we have done by and no child be left behind in America. 49 percent since 2001. But I’ve also said, ‘‘In I also hope you work with your community return for additional money, primarily aimed colleges. The community college system pro- at Title I students, we should expect results.’’ vides a great opportunity to make sure you You see, some people aren’t interested— match willing workers with the skills nec- well, I’m sure they’re interested in results. essary to occupy the jobs of the 21st century.

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Some of you who have been around long American employer, you can hire a willing enough may remember the old days when foreign employee that has a temporary-work- they had workforce training requirements er card, so long as there’s not an American that said, ‘‘Just go train people.’’ So they’d worker available. In other words, people are go out and train 1,000 hairdressers for 50 doing jobs Americans aren’t doing. And jobs. You’d have 950 well-trained hair- they’re coming to our country, and they’re dressers, but they weren’t working. taking great risk. And we’ve got a lot of Bor- We’ve got to make sure the workforce der Patrol agents trying to chase the good, training programs focus on the needs of the hard-working people down. If we make the employers. And I know many of you are system work right, if we make it legitimate, doing that in your communities and many then our Border Patrol will be able to chase of you are working with your local chambers. down true threats to our national security. I went to Phoenix, and if the mayor is here, They’ll be able to focus on the threats. We thank you, Mr. Mayor, for your hospitality. won’t be putting our employers in a position But there is a really interesting collaboration where they’re hoping the documentation between the high-tech community and the that’s presented to them is real. community college system, all aimed at pro- Now, this isn’t an amnesty program. Let viding people with the skills so that when me be clear about this. This is a temporary- the job base expands, and as it is in many worker program to be registered and above- communities, they’ve got the skills necessary board. I oppose amnesty because amnesty— to fill the work. amnesty would encourage further illegal im- There is a health care shortage of workers migration. And I oppose amnesty because in America. You need to work with your com- amnesty would reward those who have bro- munity colleges to make sure that those col- ken the laws of the United States. We’ve had leges are able to provide the skills in the people in line trying to become a citizen of health care industry so that people who want our country. They’ve been waiting in line for to work can do so. And that’s what we’re talk- a long period of time, and this program will ing about when you hear about this commu- not allow people to jump ahead in the line nity college initiative of $250 million. I cer- tainly hope the Congress listens as well, be- of those who have been here legally. cause it makes sense to use the community I think this is a realistic approach to make college system wisely. sure the employer-employee relationship is Speaking about workers, I want to talk honest in this country. And I also think it’s about illegal immigrants who are working in necessary. I think it’s necessary because I your cities. I believe strongly that this Nation don’t like the thought of hard-working citi- is a nation of rule of law, and therefore, we zens, no matter where they may be from, not must be open about what’s taking place. And willing to report abuse, for example, because as you know, there’s a lot of people here on they’d then get shipped home and wouldn’t false papers who have been smuggled in by be able to do their job as a mom or a dad. ‘‘coyotes,’’ who have risked their lives to This is a humane country, and we need to come and do what many of us—many of our treat people humanely, with good, reason- citizens do, which is to work hard to put food able, commonsense law. I look forward to on the table for their families. And they’re Congress to getting it passed. I thank you here, and they’re working, and they’re mak- for giving me a chance to explain that piece ing a contribution to the economy. And yet of policy. we don’t have a system to deal with them, I’m winding down. I’m sure Daley is won- do we? We have a system that’s under- dering when he’s going to quit. [Laughter] ground, that’s in the shadows of society. And Being from the Windy City he’s—[laugh- in my judgment, that’s not right. ter]—he sees the President is a little windy, So what I think we need to do is have what himself. [Laughter] I call a temporary-worker program, to issue Let me talk about housing right quick. I a card, a temporary-worker card that’s legiti- know housing is important for the mayors. mate and real, that says, if you’re a willing We want people owning their own home in

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America. This administration has been con- ship. And Congress also, by the way—and sistent about promoting what I call an owner- they need to pass the single family housing ship society. You heard me talk about cre- credit to help people who are building these ating environments for the entrepreneur to homes, these affordable homes inside Amer- flourish. I want people owning their own ica’s cities. home. Homeownership is high in America. And we’re making progress, by the way. I think it’s the highest ever, which is really The gap is narrowing. There’s more work to positive. It’s positive for our country. We un- do. I look forward to working with the mayors derstand, when somebody owns something, to close the minority homeownership gap in he or she has a vital stake in the future of America, for the good of the country—for this country. the good of your cities, but for the good of But we’ve got more work to do. There’s the country as well. still a minority homeownership gap in Amer- Let me conclude by talking about a really ica. I think here at the mayors’, I laid out important domestic initiative, at least as far some initiatives that, in the past, one of which as I’m concerned, and that’s the Faith-Based just recently passed the Congress, which is Initiative—see if I can explain it properly to the downpayment assistance program. I’m you. First of all, we strongly believe in the asking Congress for $200 million to help peo- separation of church and state here in Wash- ple with their downpayment. As you know ington, DC, and that’s the way it’s going to better than me, many citizens have the desire be. Secondly, I love the fact that people are to own a home, but they don’t have the able to worship freely in our country, and dough to make the downpayment. And there- if you choose not to worship, you’re just as fore, they balk at making the decision. So patriotic as your neighbor. Freedom of reli- we want to help families with downpayments, gion means freedom to practice any religion and we’ve now got a plan to do so. Congress you choose or the freedom not to practice. needs to fund it. It’s authorized. It now needs Thirdly, there has been discrimination to be funded. against faith-based programs in Washington, The print on these contracts is a little too DC. Sure, you can receive a Federal grant, fine for first-time homebuyers. And frankly, but you have to take the cross off the wall it’s a little too fine for multiple-time home in order to do so or the Star of David down buyers. It’s hard to understand the contracts. or the crescent. Well, how can you be a faith- And I know HUD is working to simplify the based program if you can’t practice your contracts and to make it easier and less ex- faith? All of a sudden, you become just an- pensive for people to enter the process of other program. buying a home, by simplifying the forms. Fourthly, I want you to know that out of I don’t know if you felt it yet. We’re ex- frustration with Congress, I’ve asked them panding counseling services around the to pass a Faith-Based Initiative. I just de- country, many times run by faith-based cided through Executive order to open up groups, by the way, to help people under- as much Federal money as we possibly could, stand what it means to buy a home. First- the grantmaking process, to faith-based pro- time homebuyers are sometimes confused by grams, to let them apply. We want people not only the regulations but the obligations. of faith involved in solving people’s lives. And we’ve got counseling services being ex- I know that you have opened an office to panded out of HUD. And if you haven’t had expedite Federal monies or the process or one in your neighborhood, call HUD. Get the grantmaking progress—process—for them to show up. It’s a useful service. It’s your faith-based programs in your commu- a helpful service to close the homeownership nities. I urge you to take advantage of it. I gap. urge you to take advantage of it. You know I’m going to talk to the Congress about as well as I do that many of the problems allowing the Federal home administration to your citizens face are problems of the permit zero-percent downpayment loans to heart—addiction—and programs sometimes low-income Americans. That needs to hap- work. Government programs sometimes pen in order to encourage more homeowner- work, but sometimes they don’t work. And

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sometimes it requires a higher power than somebody with their arms out there saying, a government program to help change a per- ‘‘I love you, brother,’’ or ‘‘I love you, sister. son’s life. You’ve got armies of compassion What can I do to help you reenter our soci- in your communities that I’m confident, by ety?’’ working together, we can unleash, for the That’s not exactly the traditional approach, betterment of the people we serve. I readily concede, to prison—to rehabilita- You know, I was down in New Orleans. tion programs. I know that. But sometimes Ray Nagin is the fine mayor of that city. And traditional rehabilitation programs have fall- we had a Faith-Based Initiative there, and en short of the mark. Sometimes, it’s that he has got a faith-based coordinating group extra ingredient called love that will make to not only work in the city but with the State a fundamental difference in somebody’s fu- of Louisiana. I also urge you—kind of like ture. And our houses of worship are houses the grant problem we got in other areas, of love. That’s what they exist for. The uni- sometimes the money goes to the States, and versal call, love your neighbor just like you’d if the State is not anxious to be involved with like to be loved yourself, is a important part the faith programs, it gets stuck and doesn’t of the soul of your community. Use it. And make it to you. And so I urge you to work the Federal Government want to help you. with your Governors to make sure that their Towey’s job is to make sure that we cut faith-based offices are up and running and through the strings, to make sure your faith that they help cut through the inherent prej- groups are able to access the money without udice toward faith programs, the inherent losing their faith. You’re going to hear people prejudice in government. say, ‘‘Why do I want to interface with the And I’m talking about all faiths, by the Government? They’re going to call me to way. There’s fantastic Jewish charities in have to do something I don’t want to do.’’ America that are helping change this country, Towey’s job—and by the way, just to show one soul at a time. You ought to look at those and welcome them and encourage them. you what kind of society we have, before he Same with the Muslim charities and, of came, he was Mother Teresa’s lawyer. course, the Christian charities that are [Laughter] I’m not going to get into lawsuit strong. This Government is—will continue to abuse—[laughter]—but he’s doing a good work hard to make sure this vision becomes job. And his job is to make sure that the ar- reality. mies of compassion are unleashed. Jim Towey—raise your hand, Towey; right So those are the things that are on my over there—he runs the faith-based office in mind. I thank you for giving me a chance the White House. We’ve got faith-based of- to come by and share them with you. I’ll tell fices throughout bureaucracies. I see that the you what else is on my mind. I understand Deputy Secretary of HUD designee is with ’04 is going to be a difficult year for some. us. We’ve got a faith office at HUD that can But I want you to know this—[laughter]— be used by mayors and community groups I want you to know this. I don’t want—I don’t to access Federal money. Billions of dollars want politics to get in the way of me doing are now available. I encourage you—I en- my job and you doing your job for the people. courage you to use this source of fund and I want you to know, I assure you—I under- empower one of the greatest strengths we stand it, and so do you. But let us not let have in our country, the faith community. the elections get in the way of our solemn There are other initiatives. I laid out the responsibility. I don’t care what your party prison initiative, $300 million to help on the is. I don’t care who you’re for, for President. prison reentry program. This will make a big I have a job to do, and so do you. And by difference in your communities. It will make working together, by working together on key a big difference in people’s lives. Call upon initiatives in a way that respects our dif- your faith-based programs to help with these ferences, honors our values, we can do our souls that are looking for help. You know, job for America. the clinical probation program sometimes And that’s what I expect of you, and I know works. But oftentimes, it’s helpful to have that’s what you expect of me. And together,

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we’re going to make this country continue him—I’ll never forget when he first came up. to be great. Thanks for coming. I think it’s true that he got married on the same day that he got a hit—is that right, Isa- NOTE: The President spoke at 10:25 a.m. at the bel? The same day he got his first big league Capital Hilton Hotel. In his remarks, he referred hit? to Mayor James A. Garner of Hempstead, NY, Mrs. Rodriguez. Yes. president, U.S. Conference of Mayors, who intro- duced the President; Mayor Donald L. Plusquellic The President. Yes, that’s right; yes. of Akron, OH, vice president, U.S. Conference [Laughter] The same day he got his first big- of Mayors; Mayor Beverly O’Neill of Long Beach, league hit—I think it was against the Chicago CA, advisory board chair, U.S. Conference of White Sox—— Mayors; Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr., of Charleston, Audience member. It was. SC; Mayor Richard M. Daley of Chicago, IL; The President. ——he got married. And Mayor Anthony A. Williams of Washington, DC; here he sits as a member of the great world Mayor Thomas M. Menino of Boston, MA; former champs. Pudge, congratulations for being a President Saddam Hussein of Iraq; Adnan good friend and a great player. Pachachi, Acting President, Iraqi Governing You’re so good about predicting victories, Council; Mayor Phil Gordon of Phoenix, AZ; and Roy A. Bernardi, Assistant Secretary for Commu- you got any suggestions for, like, ’04? nity Planning and Development, Department of [Laughter] Housing and Urban Development. Audience member. [Inaudible]. The President. I hope so. I do want to thank Porter Goss and Tom Remarks Honoring the 2003 World Feeney, Congressmen from the great State Series Champion Florida Marlins of Florida, great supporters of the Marlins, January 23, 2004 for coming. I appreciate you boys being here. They left—they let an interloper in here, The President. Thank you for coming. Howard Coble, he’s the Congressman from Please be seated. Bienvenidos a la Casa Blan- North Carolina. You’re wondering why a guy ca. [Laughter] Thanks for coming to the from North Carolina is here. It’s because he White House. I’m honored to be here to wel- and the manager are members of the Old come the world champs, the Florida Marlins. Geezers Club—[laughter]—and they’re Maybe this will cause one of your biggest friends. Howard is a good one, isn’t he? fans to stop bragging, the Governor of Flor- Mr. Jack McKeon. That was nice, and for ida—[laughter]—my brother. I appreciate that compliment, here you go. [Laughter] you being here, Jeb. Thanks for coming. It’s At this point, Mr. McKeon presented the good to see you. [Laughter] [ President with a cigar. I don’t know if you know this or not, but ] I’ve had the fortune of being a part of base- The President. Thank you, sir. But How- ball, and I’ve never been so impressed by ard is a good one. Howard is a good one. a club that came together and played to- Appreciate you coming. gether as the Marlins. It speaks a lot to the Mayor, I’m glad you’re here. Manny— ownership and the manager and the support Mayor Diaz is here. Congratulations for personnel and the players, that they were being the mayor of a great city. Jeffrey Loria willing to play together to win. And they won and Sivia have been friends of mine for a when a lot of people said they weren’t sup- long time. And one of the most joyous phone posed to win, which is the way we kind of calls I have made since I was the President like it here in Washington, DC. [Laughter] was to call Jeffrey and congratulate him on I remember when my friend Pudge being the owner of the world champs. And Rodriguez stood up to the world and said, gosh, the joy in his voice was just worth the ‘‘2003 is going to be the year of the Marlin.’’ phone call. And a lot of people said, ‘‘I’m not so sure See, what you don’t know is when I was he knows what he’s talking about.’’ Turns out fortunate enough to be with the Rangers, he he did know what he’s talking about, and I was the owner of the AAA Oklahoma City want to congratulate Pudge. I’ve known club, our AAA affiliate. So we got to know

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each other, and every time we’d call up a The Hawk, Dawson is with us, Andre good player, he’d call and get madder than Dawson as well. He’s another great champ. heck about it, and say, ‘‘You’re running me One reason why this organization obviously out of talent.’’ And I’d say, ‘‘Well, that’s what did well is it found excellence and incor- happens when you’re in the minor leagues.’’ porated excellence throughout the organiza- And here he is in the major leagues, the tion. Tony Perez as well, a hall-of-famer. I world championship, and I never even came mean, Jack and Jeffrey were not afraid to find close. [Laughter] But I want to congratulate the very best people they could and say, you, Jeff, for being a solid owner. ‘‘Help us fashion a team,’’ and you did. And David Samson came through one of these I welcome you all here. endless receiving lines that politicians stand I do have to take some credit for the suc- in. And he said, ‘‘I’m David Samson.’’ I said, cess. [Laughter] You know how politicians ‘‘I know who you are.’’ He said—I said, are. You got Doug Davis, former Ranger— ‘‘How’s the club look?’’ He said, ‘‘We’re [laughter]—a guy we used to call Rosie, going to win it all this year.’’ And I kind of Wayne Rosenthal is the pitching coach, dismissed him like another crank and moved former Ranger, Perry Hill, former Ranger. him on. [Laughter] [Laughter] Somehow, the Rangers deserve Team member. Just like everybody else. a little bit of credit, you know? We never— [Laughter] [laughter]. The President. Yes. And lo and behold, I want to congratulate the three folks I just he was right. David, congratulations. And I named. I got to know them there in Arling- appreciate you bringing Cindi. ton. Really fine people as well. I know it’s Larry Beinfest is the general manager. It’s a thrill for them to be here as well. I do want hard to be the general manager of any ball to help the team a lot. club. It’s hard to figure the right ingredients You know, champs are people that play and to put it all together, but he has. And hard, play smart, and play as a team, and Larry, I want to congratulate you—and con- that’s exactly what the Marlins did. The kind gratulate you and Jeff for figuring—David for of a lineup that was pesky at the top, tough figuring out that Jack McKeon was the right in the middle, and reliable at the bottom. catalyst to serve as the manager of the club. And you could field your positions, and it He’s what I call the Donald Rumsfeld of was a true team effort to win. baseball—[laughter]—kind of crusty but I’ll never forget watching the classic Series knows what he’s doing, you know? [Laugh- game against the Yankees in Australia. The ter] And I want to congratulate you. time thing was a little awkward, so we taped You’ve started a trend, recycling old guys it. But it was a dramatic victory, and it spoke to bring championships. [Laughter] But you to the character of the team. And this team know what you’re doing. You’re a great base- does have character, and it’s character not ball man, which is a high compliment. And only on the field but off the field. And the you’re standing up here as a world champ, other night in the State of the Union, I said and it must be a thrill. something I think is vital, that professional I appreciate Ozzie Guillen being here. sports has got an obligation to send the right First, I want to congratulate Ozzie for going message to our children. over to the White Sox to be a—to be the And there’s ways you do that. One is you manager. I remember when Ozzie was a play hard and play fair, and when you win, shortstop for the White Sox and he always you’re good sports. Another way to do it is had such a wonderful smile on his face. It you keep your bodies clean. And I hope the was a joy to watch a guy participate in obvi- Florida Marlins and the players and players ously an activity he loves so much. And all around America join me in getting rid of Ozzie, I want to congratulate you for not only steroids out of sports right now, so as to send being a world champ but for now being in the right signal to our kids and help parents a position where you can bring a world cham- raise healthy children. Character matters. pionship perhaps to the Chicago—the south And these performance-enhancing drugs say, side of Chicago. ‘‘What matters more is achievement over

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character.’’ And that’s just not the way we here to herald, and it’s a fantastic—fantastic think, and championship teams are teams moment for the ballplayers and the fans and made of character. everybody involved with the organization. I also appreciate so very much the fact that But winners also do things off the field too. the players and the organization understands Winners understand they have obligations. that when you’ve got the spotlight, you have They’ve got obligations to be a good mom an obligation to serve your community. And or a dad. They’ve got obligations to give I’m very aware that the Marlins management something back to the community and to the contributes to Florida’s Adopt-a-Classroom country that has made this opportunity for program. I appreciate that, Jeffrey, and I ap- them possible. preciate you using your position to not only And the Marlins are fulfilling it all. They provide entertainment for the people of won on the field, and they’re winning off the South Florida but to help lives, improve lives field. And I’m grateful. Congratulations to one person at a time. the world champs. I appreciate the fact that Josh Beckett— a big, old Texan I might add—[laughter]— NOTE: The President spoke at 2:50 p.m. in the East Room at the White House. In his remarks, is involved with youth baseball. I hope that he referred to Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida; Mayor youth baseball reaches into places where a Manuel Diaz of Miami, FL; Ivan ‘‘Pudge’’ lot of kids may have lost hope. There’s noth- Rodriguez, catcher, Florida Marlins, and his wife, ing more hopeful than for a person to be Maribel; Jeffrey H. Loria, chairman, chief execu- able to play on a team and realize their God- tive officer, and managing general partner, Florida given talents on the athletic field. It’s essen- Marlins, and his wife, Sivia; David Samson, presi- tial that baseball brings us joy, to not only dent, Florida Marlins, and his wife, Cindi; Jack suburbia but inner-city America as well. And McKeon, manager, Larry Beinfest, senior vice Josh, I appreciate you understanding the vi- president/general manager, Ozzie Guillen, former third base coach, Andre Dawson and Tony Perez, tality of youth baseball in America. special assistants to the president, Doug Davis, I appreciate A.J. Burnett working with the bench coach, Wayne Rosenthal, pitching coach, Florida division of the Center of Missing and Perry Hill, first base/infield coach, Josh Beckett Exploited Children, being willing to be in- and A.J. Burnett, pitchers, and Juan Pierre, out- volved, to use his position as somebody who fielder, Florida Marlins. South Florida looks up to, to help children. And what I found interesting is that more than 30 children featured in his ‘‘Play It Safe’’ days at Marlins games have been rescued. You know, winning baseball games is one Digest of Other thing; rescuing children has got to be a fan- White House Announcements tastic accomplishment. And A.J., I appreciate so very much your heart. The following list includes the President’s public And then there’s Juan Pierre. Every team schedule and other items of general interest an- in baseball wants him leading off, feisty little nounced by the Office of the Press Secretary and guy that he is and a great ballplayer. [Laugh- not included elsewhere in this issue. ter] Yes, don’t worry about putting weight on, you did all right. [Laughter] Whatever January 17 you did last year, do it again this year. In the morning, at Camp David, MD, the [Laughter] And keep doing what you’re President had an intelligence briefing. doing—it’s called ‘‘Pierre’s Pack.’’ It brings underprivileged kids to the ballpark. See, he January 18 makes a good living, and he’s willing to share In the afternoon, the President and Mrs. those hard-earned dollars with the under- Bush returned to Washington, DC. privileged kids. To me, this is what being leaders are all January 19 about and champs are about. It’s one thing In the morning, the President had an intel- to win on the field, and that’s what we’re ligence briefing.

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January 20 Nominations In the morning, the President had an intel- Submitted to the Senate ligence briefing. Later, in the Oval Office, he met with Minister of External Affairs Yashwant Sinha of India to discuss India- The following list does not include promotions of Pakistan and India-U.S. relations. members of the Uniformed Services, nominations to the Service Academies, or nominations of For- Later in the morning, also in the Oval Of- eign Service officers. fice, the President met with Adnan Pachachi, interim President of the Governing Council of Iraq, and other Governing Council mem- Submitted January 20 bers. Claude A. Allen, of Virginia, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the January 21 Fourth Circuit, vice Francis D. Murnaghan, In the morning, the President had an intel- Jr., deceased. ligence briefing. Later, he traveled to Toledo, Paul S. Diamond, OH, where, upon arrival, he greeted USA of Pennsylvania, to be U.S. District Judge for Freedom Corps volunteer Bruce Vanisacker. the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, vice He then traveled to Perrysburg Township, Herbert J. Hutton, retired. OH. Later in the morning, the President trav- Robert Bryan Harwell, eled to Phoenix, AZ, where, upon arrival in of South Carolina, to be U.S. District Judge the afternoon, he greeted USA Freedom for the District of South Carolina, vice C. Corps volunteer Hilary Juel. Weston Houck, retiring. George P. Schiavelli, January 22 of California, to be U.S. District Judge for In the morning, the President had an intel- the Central District of California, vice ligence briefing. Later, he traveled to Lourdes G. Baird, retiring. Roswell, NM, where he greeted USA Free- dom Corps volunteer Amy Coppin. Submitted January 21 In the afternoon, the President returned Charles Johnson, to Washington, DC. of Utah, to be Chief Financial Officer, Envi- The President announced his intention to ronmental Protection Agency, vice Linda nominate John J. Young, Jr., to be Deputy Morrison Combs. Under Secretary of Defense for Acquistion and Technology. Stephen L. Johnson, of Maryland, to be Deputy Administrator of January 23 the Environmental Protection Agency, vice In the morning, the President had an intel- Linda J. Fisher, resigned. ligence briefing. Gerard Schwarz, In the afternoon, the President had lunch of Washington, to be a member of the Na- with James A. Baker III, his personal envoy tional Council on the Arts for the remainder on the issue of Iraqi debt. of the term expiring September 3, 2006, vice The President announced his nomination Earl A. Powell III, resigned. of Scott H. DeLisi to be Ambassador to Eri- trea. Bradley D. Belt, The President announced his nomination of the District of Columbia, to be a member of Aubrey Hooks to be Ambassador to Cote of the Social Security Advisory Board for a d’Ivoire. term expiring September 30, 2008, vice Stan- The President announced his nomination ford G. Ross, term expired, to which position of Joseph D. Stafford III to be Ambassador he was appointed during the last recess of to The Gambia. the Senate.

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Cynthia Boich, Ronald E. Meisburg, of California, to be a member of the Board of Virginia, to be a member of the National of Directors of the Corporation for National Labor Relations Board for the term of 5 years and Community Service for a term expiring expiring August 27, 2008, vice Rene Acosta, October 6, 2007, vice Thomas Ehrlich, term resigned, to which position he was appointed expired, to which position she was appointed during the last recess of the Senate. during the last recess of the Senate. Claudia Puig, Albert Casey, of Florida, to be a member of the Board of of Texas, to be a Governor of the U.S. Postal Directors of the Corporation for Public Service for a term expiring December 8, Broadcasting for a term expiring January 31, 2009, vice Tirso del Junco, term expired, to 2008, vice Winter D. Horton, Jr., term ex- which position he was appointed during the pired, to which position she was appointed last recess of the Senate. during the last recess of the Senate. Fayza Veronique Boulad Rodman, Clark Kent Ervin, of the District of Columbia, to be a member of Texas, to be Inspector General, Depart- of the Broadcasting Board of Governors for ment of Homeland Security (new position), a term expiring August 13, 2006, vice Robert to which position he was appointed during M. Ledbetter, Jr., term expired, to which po- the last recess of the Senate. sition she was appointed during the last re- cess of the Senate. Gay Hart Gaines, of Florida, to be a member of the Board of Raymond Simon, Directors of the Corporation for Public of Arkansas, to be Assistant Secretary for Ele- Broadcasting for a term expiring January 31, mentary and Secondary Education, Depart- 2004, vice Ritajean Hartung Butterworth, re- ment of Education, vice Susan B. Neuman, signed, to which position she was appointed resigned, to which position he was appointed during the last recess of the Senate. during the last recess of the Senate.

Dorothy A. Johnson, Withdrawn January 21 of Michigan, to be a member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National Mark C. Brickell, and Community Service for a term expiring of New York, to be Director of the Office October 6, 2007 (reappointment), to which of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, position she was appointed during the last Department of Housing and Urban Develop- recess of the Senate. ment, for a term of 5 years, vice Armando Falcon, Jr., resigned, which was sent to the Robert Lerner, Senate on June 12, 2003. of Maryland, to be Commissioner of Edu- Submitted January 22 cation Statistics for a term expiring June 21, 2009, vice Pascal D. Forgione, Jr., term ex- David Safavian, pired, to which position he was appointed of Michigan, to be Administrator for Federal during the last recess of the Senate. Procurement Policy, vice Angela Styles. Henry Lozano, Submitted January 23 of California, to be a member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National Scott H. DeLisi, and Community Service for a term expiring of Minnesota, a career member of the Senior October 6, 2008, vice Christopher C. Galla- Foreign Service, class of Counselor, to be gher, term expired, to which position he was Ambassador Extraordinary and Pleni- appointed during the last recess of the Sen- potentiary of the United States of America ate. to the State of Eritrea.

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Aubrey Hooks, Advance text of the State of the Union Ad- of Virginia, a career member of the Senior dress Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, Fact sheet: The State of the Union to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Pleni- potentiary of the United States of America Fact sheet: New Initiatives in President to the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire. Bush’s State of the Union Address Joseph D. Stafford III, Released January 21 of Florida, a career member of the Senior Transcript of a press gaggle by Press Sec- Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, retary Scott McClellan to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Pleni- potentiary of the United States of America Fact sheet: Jobs for the 21st Century to the Republic of The Gambia. Released January 22 John J. Young, Jr., Transcript of a press gaggle by Press Sec- of Virginia, to be Deputy Under Secretary retary Scott McClellan of Defense for Acquisition and Technology, vice Michael W. Wynne. Fact sheet: Progress in the War on Terror Released January 23 Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- Checklist retary Scott McClellan of White House Press Releases Statement by the Press Secretary announcing that the President signed H.R. 2673 The following list contains releases of the Office Fact sheet: Protecting Communities by of the Press Secretary that are neither printed as Helping Returning Inmates Find Work items nor covered by entries in the Digest of Other White House Announcements. Fact sheet: Seeking Fair Treatment for Faith-Based and Community Charities Released January 19 Statement by the Press Secretary announcing that Special Presidential Envoy James A. Acts Approved Baker III will travel to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia on by the President January 19–22 Released January 20 NOTE: No acts approved by the President were received by the Office of the Federal Register State of the Union Excerpts during the period covered by this issue.

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