Statement on Formal Withdrawal from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile

Administration of George W. Bush, 2002 / June 14 1011

Statement on Formal Withdrawal based on common interests and, increasingly, From the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile common values. Under the Treaty of Mos- Treaty cow, the nuclear arsenals of our nations will June 13, 2002 be reduced to their lowest levels in decades. Cooperation on missile defense will also Six months ago, I announced that the make an important contribution to furthering United States was withdrawing from the the relationship we both seek. 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty, and today that withdrawal formally takes ef- fect. With the treaty now behind us, our task Commencement Address at Ohio is to develop and deploy effective defenses State University in Columbus, Ohio against limited missile attacks. As the events June 14, 2002 of September 11 made clear, we no longer live in the cold war world for which the ABM Thank you all very much. I appreciate that Treaty was designed. We now face new very warm welcome. President Kirwan, thank threats, from terrorists who seek to destroy you for inviting me. Governor Taft, Chair- our civilization by any means available to man Patterson, distinguished members of the rogue states armed with weapons of mass de- Ohio State faculty, trustees, family members, struction and long-range missiles. Defending distinguished guests, and most importantly, the American people against these threats is members of the mighty class of 2002. Con- my highest priority as Commander in Chief. gratulations. You’ve earned a degree at a The new strategic challenges of the 21st great American institution, and you have century require us to think differently. But every right to be proud. they also require us to act. I call on the Con- I want to congratulate your parents. Many gress to approve the full amount of the fund- of you have written your last tuition check. ing I have requested in my budget for missile [Laughter] That must be nice. I’m still writ- defense. This will permit the United States ing them. [Laughter] You’ve given so much to work closely with all nations committed encouragement and support to your children, to freedom to pursue the policies and capa- and their gratitude will only increase over the bilities needed to make the world a safer years. I also commend Ohio State’s fine fac- place for generations to come. ulty, which has done so much to shape the I am committed to deploying a missile de- minds and hopes of the graduating class. fense system as soon as possible to protect One more word of congratulations is in the American people and our deployed order. Today I had the honor of meeting forces against the growing missile threats we Coach Jim Tressel—most polite of him to face. Because these threats also endanger our share with me the really fine experience that allies and friends around the world, it is es- the Buckeyes had up in Ann Arbor this year. sential that we work together to defend And I appreciate so very much the hon- against them, an important task which the orary degree you’re conferring upon me ABM Treaty prohibited. The United States today. I’m delighted that George will deepen our dialog and cooperation with Steinbrenner is receiving one as well. I guess other nations on missile defenses. we’re both being honored as legends of base- Last month, President Vladimir Putin and ball—[laughter]—legends, at least, in our I agreed that Russia and the United States own minds. [Laughter] would look for ways to cooperate on missile I am now the only person standing be- defenses, including expanding military exer- tween you and your diploma. The tradition cises, sharing early warning data, and explor- of commencement addresses is to be brief ing potential joint research and development and forgotten. I assure you that this speech of missile defense technologies. Over the will be shorter than it seems. past year, our countries have worked hard Your senior year was special in your life, to overcome the legacy of the cold war and and the months since last September have to dismantle its structures. The United States been extraordinary in our country’s history. and Russia are building a new relationship On a Tuesday morning, America went from

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a feeling of security to one of vulnerability, First, your idealism is needed in America. from peace to war, from a time of calm to In the shadow of our Nation’s prosperity, too a great and noble cause. We’re called to de- many children grow up without love and fend liberty against tyranny and terror. We’ve guidance. Too many women are abandoned answered that call. We will bring security to and abused. Too many men are addicted and our people and justice to our enemies. illiterate, and too many elderly Americans In the last 9 months, we’ve seen the true live in loneliness. These Americans are not character of our country. We learned of fire- strangers; they are fellow citizens, not prob- fighters who wrote their Social Security num- lems but priorities. They are as much a part bers on their arms with felt tip pens, to mark of the American community as you and I, and identify their bodies, and then rushed and they deserve better from this country. into burning buildings. We learned of the Government has essential responsibilities: desperate courage of passengers on Flight Fighting wars and fighting crime; protecting 93, average citizens who led the first counter- the homeland and enforcing civil rights laws; attack in the war on terror. We watched the educating the young and providing for the searchers, month after month, fulfill their old; giving people tools to improve their lives; grim duty and New Yorkers line the streets helping the disabled and those in need. But to cheer them on their way to work each you have responsibilities as well. Some Gov- morning. And in these events, we relearned ernment needs—some needs Government something large and important: The achieve- cannot fulfill, the need for kindness and for ments that last and count in life come understanding and for love. A person in crisis through sacrifice and compassion and serv- often needs more than a program or a check. ice. He needs a friend, and that friend can be Some believe this lesson in service is fad- you. We are commanded by God and called ing as distance grows from the shock of Sep- by our conscience to love others as we want tember the 11th, that the good we have wit- to be loved ourselves. Let us answer that call nessed is shallow and temporary. Your gen- with every day we are given. eration will respond to these skeptics, one Second, service is important in your own way or another. You will determine whether life, in your own character. No one can tell our new ethic of responsibility is the break you how to live or what cause to serve, but of a wave or the rise of a tide. You will deter- everyone needs some cause larger than his mine whether we become a culture of selfish- or her own profit. Apathy has no adventures. ness and look inward or whether we will em- Cynicism leaves no monuments. And a per- brace a culture of service and look outward. son who is not responsible for others is a per- Because this decision is in your hands, I’m son who is truly alone. confident of the outcome. Your class and By sharing the pain of a friend or bearing your generation understand the need for per- the hopes of a child or defending the liberty sonal responsibility, so you will make a cul- of your fellow citizens, you will gain satisfac- ture of service a permanent part of American tion that cannot be gained in any other way. life. After all, nearly 70 percent of your class Service is not a chain or a chore. It gives volunteers in some form, from Habitat for direction to your gifts and purpose to your Humanity to Big Brothers and Big Sisters to freedom. OhioReads. Ohio State has been a leading Lyndsey Holben is an OSU sophomore source of Peace Corps volunteers since 1961. majoring in business. When she was in high I honor the 29 ROTC members in today’s school, Lyndsey had a friend and a classmate graduating class for their spirit of service and who died from an illness, and Lyndsey de- idealism. cided she wanted to work with children who I hope each of you—I hope each of you suffer from life-threatening diseases. Today, will help build this culture of service, for Lyndsey is a leader among volunteers for the three important reasons: Service is important Make-A-Wish Foundation. Here’s what she to your neighbors; service is important to had to say: ‘‘It’s hard enough to put a smile your character; and service is important to on someone’s face but especially someone your country. who is hurting. Even if that’s all you can do,

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that is something, and there is no better feel- stand up for the weak, who speak up for their ing in the world.’’ Lyndsey and others here beliefs, who sacrifice for a greater good. today have learned that every life of service America needs your energy and your leader- is a life of significance. ship and your ambition. And through the Third, we serve others because we’re gathering momentum of millions of acts of Americans, and we want to do something for kindness and decency, we will change Amer- the country we love. Our Nation is the great- ica one soul at a time, and we will build a est force for good in history, and we show culture of service. our gratitude by doing our duty. I have asked all Americans to commit at Patriotism is expressed by flying the flag, least 2 years—4,000 hours over a lifetime— but it is more. Patriotism means we share to the service of our neighbors and our Na- a single country. In all our diversity, each tion. My administration created what we call of us has a bond with every other American. the USA Freedom Corps to help Americans Patriotism is proven in our concern for oth- find service opportunities at home and ers, a willingness to sacrifice for people we abroad. We’re doubling the size of the Peace may never have met or seen. Patriotism is Corps. We’ll increase AmeriCorps by 50 per- our obligation to those who have gone before cent. We’ve created Citizen Corps to help us, to those who will follow us, and to those protect the homeland. who have died for us. And today I’m announcing an historic part- In March of this year, Army Ranger Marc nership. We are bringing together the broad- Anderson died in Afghanistan, trying to res- est group of service organizations ever as- cue a Navy SEAL. Marc and five others gave sembled to create the USA Freedom Corps their lives in fulfilling the Ranger creed: ‘‘I Network. The USA Freedom Corps Network will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into includes America’s Promise, the Points of the hands of the enemy.’’ Light Foundation, the United Way, Marc, from Westerville, Ohio, was a re- markable man. Instead of pursuing a career VolunteerMatch, SERVEnet, and many that might have made him wealthy, Marc de- other organizations—will be the most com- cided to be a math teacher in a high school prehensive clearinghouse of volunteer oppor- in a tough neighborhood. He was a mentor, tunities ever assembled. This network will a tutor, and the best teacher many students enable you to find volunteer opportunities ever had. After September the 11th, Marc within your neighborhoods and communities joined the fight against terrorism. ‘‘I’m and in countries around the globe. trained, and I’m ready,’’ he wrote to his One of the main reasons people give for friends. Before Marc left for Afghanistan, he not volunteering is that no one has asked arranged for part of his life insurance to pay them to do so. Another reason: They don’t for one of his former students to attend col- know where to start. Well, today I’m asking lege. Today, that student, Jennifer Massing, each of you to serve your country, and plans to go to the University of Florida to through the USA Freedom Corps Network, study architecture. you’ve got a place to start. All that remains Marc Anderson considered this country is for you to answer the call to service. I hope great enough to die for. Surely it is great you do, and I believe you will. enough to live for. And we live for America A life of service isn’t always easy. It in- by serving others. And as we serve others, volves sacrifices, and I understand many this challenge can only be answered in indi- other things will lay claim to your time and vidual hearts. Service in America is not a to your attention. In serving, however, you matter of coercion; it is a matter of con- will give help and hope to others. You will— science. So today I’m making an appeal to your own life will gain greater purpose and your conscience, for the sake of our country. deeper meaning. You will show your love and America needs more than taxpayers, spec- allegiance to the United States, which re- tators, and occasional voters. America needs mains what it has always been, a citadel of full-time citizens. America needs men and freedom, a land of mercy, the last, best hope women who respond to the call of duty, who of man on Earth.

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And so to the graduates of Ohio State Uni- Accordingly, the executive branch shall con- versity: Congratulations on your achieve- strue these provisions as precatory rather ment. I want to thank you for this honorary than mandatory. degree. I leave here a proud member of the The executive branch shall construe the class of 2002. I leave here confident that you reference to the ‘‘Universal Declaration of will serve our country and a cause greater Human Rights adopted by the United Na- than self. May God bless you and your fami- tions General Assembly on December 10, lies, and may God bless America. 1948,’’ added to section 2(b)(1)(B) of the Ex- port-Import Bank Act by section 15 of the NOTE: The President spoke at 10:17 a.m. in Ohio bill, as only providing examples of types of Stadium, after receiving an honorary doctorate in human rights that the President may wish public administration. In his remarks, he referred to consider in making a determination under to William E. Kirwan, president, James F. Patter- section 2(b)(1)(B) and not as giving the Uni- son, chairman of the board of trustees, and Jim Tressel, head football coach, Ohio State Univer- versal Declaration the force of U.S. law. sity; Gov. Bob Taft of Ohio; and George George W. Bush Steinbrenner III, principal owner, New York Yankees. The White House, June 14, 2002.

Statement on Signing the Export- NOTE: S. 1372, approved June 14, was assigned Import Bank Reauthorization Act of Public Law No. 107–189. An original was not available for verification of the content of this 2002 statement. June 14, 2002 I have today signed into law S. 1372, the Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act of 2002. This legislation will ensure the contin- Digest of Other ued effective operation of the Export-Import White House Announcements Bank, which helps advance U.S. trade policy, facilitate the sale of U.S. goods and services abroad, and create jobs here at home. The following list includes the President’s public The executive branch shall carry out sec- schedule and other items of general interest announced by the Office of the Press Secretary and tion 7(b) of the bill, which relates to certain not included elsewhere in this issue. small businesses, in a manner consistent with the requirements of equal protection under the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amend- June 9 ment to the Constitution. In the afternoon, the President returned Subsections 10(a) and 10(b)(2) of the bill from Camp David, MD, to Washington, DC. purport to require the Secretary of the Treas- ury to negotiate with foreign countries and June 10 international organizations to achieve par- In the morning, the President had intel- ticular purposes and to require the Secretary ligence and FBI briefings and then met with to submit a report to congressional commit- the National Security Council. tees on the contents of negotiations and certain related executive deliberations. These June 11 provisions interfere with the President’s con- In the morning, the President had a tele- stitutional authority to conduct the Nation’s phone conversation with Gracia Burnham to foreign affairs, supervise the unitary execu- express his condolences concerning the tive branch, and withhold information the death of her husband, Martin Burnham, an disclosure of which could impair foreign rela- American missionary who had been held hos- tions, the national security, the deliberative tage in the Philippines by the Abu Sayyaf ter- processes of the executive, or the perform- rorist group and was killed June 7 during a ance of the executive’s constitutional duties. rescue attempt.

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