June 11 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2002

This great country will show the world that NOTE: The President spoke at 2:50 p.m. in we fight for what we believe, as we seek the school’s gymnasium. In his remarks, he justice. And this great country will show referred to John Krueger, principal, Oak the world the true compassion and decency Park High School. of a great nation. Thanks for coming. May God bless.

Statement on Senate Action on Legislation To Increase the Public Debt Limit June 11, 2002

I commend the Senate for passing an and to meet our Government’s other obli- extension of the debt limit. We must en- gations. Today’s strong bipartisan vote is sure that we have the resources to wage important progress toward achieving this the war against terror, to protect retirees, goal.

Remarks at a Dinner for Senatorial Candidate James M. Talent in Kansas City June 11, 2002

Thank you all. Thank you very much. on the lawn there at the White House. Well, thanks for that most generous wel- It was a magnificent event. We were able come. It’s an honor to be here, back to to invite Republicans and Democrats from the great State of . I’m here to- the , but one person night for one reason: I urge the good folks was missing. So the next time I give a bar- of Missouri to send this good man to the becue, we might just decide to have bar- . becue from this part of the world, as we I want to thank all of you all for making eat barbecue with the next United States this evening, I’m told, an historic evening. Senator, Jim Talent. It’s incredibly successful. I want to thank I want to thank Brenda Talent for joining the good folks at the head table, who her husband in this great journey to serve worked hard to send a clear message to the people of Missouri. I know what it’s others in the State of Missouri that Jim like to marry somebody above myself. Talent’s got great support all across the [Laughter] I regret that Laura is not here State. I particularly want to thank those today. She is out in the western part of who man the phones and stuff the enve- our country. She was in Idaho and then lopes, the grassroots workers that make an Utah, going to go out to California later incredible difference on every election day. on today. And then she and I are going I understand this is the height of bar- to team up or meet back up in Crawford, becue season. [Laughter] I know a little Texas, for the weekend. I’ve got to get something about barbecue. [Laughter] We some culture here one of these days, so kind of think Texas barbecue is pretty good. I’m going back to Crawford. [Laughter] [Laughter] But we had a barbecue recently

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But you know, when I asked Laura to I want to thank you all for raising a man marry me, she was a public school librarian, who is doing a fantastic job for the country, and the truth of the matter is, she didn’t and that is the Attorney General of the particularly care for politics or politicians. United States, . I appreciate [Laughter] But the people of this country so very much your senior Senator, Kit are beginning to understand why I asked Bond, who is traveling with me today. I her to marry me. She’s a class act. A lot want to thank you, Senator, for your leader- of people are still scratching their heads ship. , and of wondering why she said yes. [Laughter] But the State of Missouri is with us as well, we’re doing great. A lot of you out there and I thank you all for being here. If you have prayed for my family. I want to thank see them leaving after my speech, it’s be- you for the precious gift of the prayers cause they want a free ride. [Laughter] It’s of the people, and we feel strong and con- not a bad way to travel, I might add. fident. [Laughter] I traveled here today with some fine We’ve also got a Congressman from the folks in my administration: Governor Tom great State of California with us. He’s the Ridge, who is Director of the Homeland chairman of the Rules Committee, a close Security; former Governor of the State of friend. He’s doing a fine job for America, New Jersey, who’s now the Administrator David Dreier. Thank you for coming, of the EPA, Christie Todd Whitman, is David. with us. And then, of course, there’s the Gov- Christie made a really good suggestion ernor of Kansas. I’m surprised you all let for our family right before the end of the him across the State line. [Laughter] But campaign in 2000. She suggested that I buy he’s a good friend. He’s done a fabulous Laura a birthday present. It’s a pretty good job. He’s brought a lot of dignity to the suggestion, actually. [Laughter] I had for- Governor’s office in the State of Kansas. gotten. [Laughter] And it turned out that And that’s Bill Graves. the gift was Barney, the Scottish terrier. And finally, I’m proud of your secretary Little Barney is a fabulous little guy. He’s of state of Missouri, . Matt was the son I never had. [Laughter] In that a Naval Reserve officer who just returned he’s only 11⁄2, he really doesn’t spend much from Operation Enduring Freedom. And time in the Oval Office. After all, we’ve I want to thank you for your service, Matt. got a new rug in there. [Laughter] But Jim Talent’s an easy man to support. I it’s the chance for me publicly to thank like his values. I like the fact that he makes Governor Whitman for her fine suggestion his family a priority. I like the fact that and a great addition to our family. he loves his country more than himself. Our family is also complete when we I like the fact that he’s an experienced talk about Spot the dog. Spot was born man. He served in the United States Con- at the White House when Mother and Dad gress, and when he served in the Congress, were there, and Spot gets to come in the he served with distinction. You all may re- Oval Office on a regular basis. member he was on the House Armed Serv- It is such an honor to walk into the Oval ices Committee. He believed we needed Office, dog or no dog. [Laughter] And I a strong military prior to September the want to thank you all for giving me the 11th. chance to serve this great country. I also appreciate the fact that he under- I particularly want to thank stands the significant role small business for her good work for the Republican Party plays in our society. It’s really important in Missouri as well as the national com- that our small-business sector be vibrant mittee. and strong, that there be less regulations

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on the small-business person, there be less has freed people from dependency upon taxation on the small business-person, and Government. It has encouraged people to that we think aggressively about how to find dignity in their lives through work. make sure small businesses can take care And whatever we do, for the good of the of their own, can help their employees. American people, we must not—we must That’s why his support of the association not—water down any welfare reform reau- health plans makes so much sense. It’s so thorization. We must insist upon work and logical. We need a logical mind, a can- family, for the good of the American peo- do fellow in the United States Senate rep- ple. resenting that junior seat. The next logical step for welfare reform I want to thank Jim as well for under- is to unleash the great compassion of Amer- standing the role of Government is not to ica, is to encourage faith-based and com- create wealth. The role of Government is munity programs to be an integral part of to create an environment in which the en- helping people help themselves. Jim Talent trepreneur and small-business owner can understands that Government should not flourish. And that is why it was vitally im- discriminate against programs based in reli- portant that we cut the taxes on the work- gious institutions. We ought to welcome ing people in America. those programs, for the good of people Occasionally you hear the voices up there whose lives we’re trying to save and whose in Washington saying, ‘‘Oh, the tax cut lives need additional hope. didn’t mean anything.’’ The tax cut meant So I look forward to having him in the a lot. When you let people keep more of United States Congress, and I look forward their own money, it increases demand. And when you increase demand for goods and to working with him to help us do our services, somebody is going to provide the most important job, which is to secure our goods and services. And when somebody homeland, which is to do everything we provides the goods and services, it means can to protect the American people. somebody can find work. This tax cut came I was telling you, I took Spot there in at the right time for America, and we need the Oval Office. I sit at the desk, by the to make it permanent. And Jim Talent will way, where the Roosevelts sat. Since I’m be a vote I can count on when it comes a President, I can—Ted and Franklin— to cutting the taxes on the American peo- [laughter]—Kennedy sat, Reagan sat. I go ple. in this magnificent office, which is really He understands that if you’re good at a shrine to the great democratic traditions something, you ought to promote it. We’re of our country, and I read an assessment good at agriculture in America. We’re good from our intelligence services about the at high tech in America. And we ought plans of the enemy. And it reminds me to be selling our products not only at home every day of two things: One, that we face but overseas. I need trade promotion au- nothing but a bunch of coldblooded killers, thority, and I need a vote in the United is the best way I can describe them; and States Congress that will give me trade pro- that all of us must work together to protect motion authority, for the good of American the innocent people of America. workers. And that’s why last week I proposed a One of the debates we’re going to have reorganization of agencies all throughout in Washington right now, and it may spill our Government into one Cabinet, called over when he’s the Senator, is welfare re- the Department of Homeland Security. My form. The 1996 law that Jim was integrally intention, of course, is not to create more a part of has made a significant difference Government. As a matter of fact, I ran— in the lives of millions of Americans. It I said, ‘‘Give me a chance. I won’t create

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more Government.’’ My intention is to is an incredibly important part of our— make Government work. of securing our border. The Coast Guard There are over 100 different agencies in- is—and they do a great job, by the way, volved with protecting our homeland, agen- and they’ve got a lot of tasks. But there’s cies scattered throughout the Federal bu- nothing more important than border secu- reaucracy, which means it’s kind of hard rity. And yet the Coast Guard reports to to determine who’s responsible, who is ac- the Transportation Department. The Trans- countable for the protection of the Amer- portation Department’s primary function is ican people. And so, for the good of our railroads and airplanes and highways, not country, I’ve called upon Congress to reor- the security of the United States. The Cus- ganize Government in a way that allows toms Department needs to be an integral us all to more effectively deal with the true part of enforcing our border, and yet the threats that face America. Customs Department reports to the Sec- This agency will be charged with enforc- retary of Treasury. His job isn’t homeland ing our border. Listen, we need to know security; his job is fiscal policy in the who’s coming into the country. We need United States. to how long they intend to stay. We need For the good of the American people, to know whether or not they’ve left like we need to align the responsibilities, align they said they were going to do. authority and responsibility so that I can We need to make sure that we can re- hold somebody to account, because I can spond to any bioterrorist attack. We need assure you, the American people are going to be wise about what can happen and, to hold me to account. if it does happen, what to do about it. I know you hear about all these threats, We need to reorganize so that we’ve got but you need to know we’re doing every- the capacity to deal effectively with local thing we can possibly do to prevent the governments, particularly our first-respond- enemy from hitting us. Prior to September ers, the brave police and fire and EMS the 11th, the FBI, for example, was focused crews that serve the public with such dis- on law enforcement, and that’s good. We tinction. want them to be focused on law enforce- And we need to make sure that any intel- ment. But the culture is changed. We’ve ligence gathered is analyzed properly so made—a lady came before it the other day that we can anticipate threats, so we get and brought some pretty good evidence, a better feel for what may be happening evidence that we needed to look at to make in America and then devise a plan to deal sure that if there’s any gaps, we deal with with it. them. People say, ‘‘Well, gosh, that sounds And now Director Mueller, who was on pretty simple to get done.’’ The problem the job one week prior to September the is, we’re dealing with some in Congress 11th, by the way, comes to my office every who guard what they call ‘‘turf.’’ They don’t morning, reporting in to me about what like the thought of losing jurisdiction over the FBI is doing to prevent attack. The one of the 100 groups. They don’t like the culture is shifting in Washington, DC, and idea of perhaps the appropriations process that’s incredibly positive for the American being taken away from them. But for the people. We’ve got a lot of work to do— good of the country, the United States we’ve got a lot of work to do, but we’re Congress needs to put political partisanship making good progress. aside. They need to put turf battles aside But you need to know how I think. The and do what’s right to secure the homeland. best way to secure the homeland of our Let me share a couple of examples about country is to hunt the killers down one what I’m talking about. The Coast Guard by one and bring them to justice. And

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that’s precisely what the United States is young ones in America, when you have a going to do. chance, that this great country of ours does I submitted a budget that prioritizes our not seek revenge. America seeks justice. national defense. It’s the largest increase And I ask you to point out to the young in defense spending since Ronald Reagan ones that when we went into Afghanistan, was the President of the United States. I we arrived not as conquerors but as lib- did so for two reasons: One, anytime we erators. As a result of the United States put our young into harm’s way, they de- and our friends and allies, young girls go serve the best training, the best equipment, to school for the first time in Afghanistan. the best pay possible; and two, it’s a signal By freeing the Afghan people from the to the American people, our allies, and as clutches of the most barbaric regime in importantly, to the enemy, that the United modern history, we have liberated people, States of America is in this war for the for the good of the people of Afghanistan. long pull. There is not a calendar on my Sometimes the American people will see desk that says, by such-and-such a moment, progress on their TV screens, and some- you’re going to quit. That’s not what some- times you won’t. In my speech the other body does when it comes to defending that night, I informed the American people that which we hold dear, and this country loves we’ve—we and our friends have arrested freedom. and detained over 2,400 terrorists. As you I can’t imagine what was going through read in the newspaper, we now need to the minds of the enemy when they attacked make that 2,401. us. They must have said, ‘‘Well, you know, We’re upholding the doctrine that says, these people in America are soft; they’re ‘‘Either you are with us, or you are with so materialistic and so self-absorbed and the terrorists. Either you love freedom, or so basically weak that all the great country you stand against the United States of might do is file a couple of lawsuits.’’ America.’’ No matter where these killers [Laughter] They were wrong. If anybody light, the United States and our friends and attacks our freedom, if anybody thinks the allies will bring them to justice, no matter United States of America will blink in the how long it takes, because history has called face of terrorist activity, they have signifi- us into action. History has given us the cantly, significantly underestimated the will opportunity to defend freedom, and that’s of the American people. precisely what we’re going to do. This is a war unlike any we’ve ever had. And freedom is not only at risk as a There’s not great columns of equipment result of one terrorist network; freedom’s moving across a country. There’s not vast at risk because of terrorist networks around industrial complexes manufacturing weap- the world. And freedom is at risk with the ons to be used in these armies. We fight thought that Al Qaida or an Al-Qaida-type a shadowy group of killers who like to hide organization could mate up or team up with in caves and send youngsters to their sui- one of these nations which develops weap- cide. They think they can hide from our ons of mass destruction. country and our coalition, but because That’s a nightmare scenario to think we’re patient and steadfast and brave and about. Think about the fact that people determined, there is no cave deep enough hate our freedoms, hate the fact that we for people who want to harm America and are tolerant of religion, hate the fact that take away our freedoms. we speak our minds freely, and they de- The enemy has suffered a significant de- velop the capacity to deliver a horrible feat in the first battle in the first war of weapon via ballistic missiles that could the 21st century, and that was in Afghani- change the dynamic of the ability for us stan. It is important for you all to tell the to keep peace. It could cause people to

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blanch, to blink in the face of such a threat. you’ve got a problem, blame somebody I’m a patient man. I’ll use all the tools else,’’ to a new culture which says, ‘‘Each at our disposal. But we will not let the of us are responsible for the decisions we world’s worst leaders hold America and our make in life.’’ If you’re a mom and a dad, friends and allies hostage with the world’s you’re responsible for loving your child with worst weapons. all your heart and with all your soul. If Ann mentioned I’m an optimistic fellow, you’re a responsible citizen of Kansas City, and I am. I believe that out of the evil you have the responsibility to help some- done to America will come some incredible body in need. If you run a company in good. You also need to tell people that corporate America, you have a responsi- we fight for peace. That’s what we fight bility to disclose all your assets and all your for. I long for a peaceful world. And I liabilities. You have a responsibility to your believe that if America continues to lead employees, and you have a responsibility with steadfast purpose and strong resolve, to your shareholders. that we not only can achieve peace for the And the reason I believe this is hap- American people, but we can achieve peace pening, because I believe Americans realize in places around the world that have seem- serving something greater than yourself in ingly no hope for peace. It’s important for life helps complete life. Serving something us to keep peace in mind. greater than your own self-interests is part And at home, I believe that we’re a bet- of what a full life is all about. And it’s ter country as a result of the evil done happening across America; it is. to us, because I believe Americans have I think perhaps the most significant mo- heard the call that if you want to join the ment after 9/11, or during 9/11, was Flight fight against evil, do some good; love your 93. We had people on an airplane, flying neighbor just like you’d like to be loved across our country. They thought they were yourself. I’m asked all the time, ‘‘What can on a business trip, or traveling—thought I do to help?’’ My answer is, mentor a it was a normal day. They were told on child. If you want to fight evil, tell some- their cell phones that the enemy was using body you love them. Show somebody your airplanes as a weapon. They realized that compassion. Join your church or synagogue the hijacked plane they were on was going and mosque’s programs to feed the hungry. to be used to kill, and they decided to It is important in this Nation for us to serve something greater than themselves. recognize there are pockets of despair and In this case, they served their country. hopelessness. And I believe that through They said a prayer, they told their loved compassion and love, we can save those ones they loved them, and they drove a people and show them America is meant plane into the ground. It is a sign to me for them. I recognize one person can’t do that the great courage and heart of America everything, but I want you to know, one is alive and strong. person can do something. One person can And all of us must use that example of be a part of saving America, one soul, one serving something greater than themselves conscience, one heart at a time. The Amer- as we join this war against evil. And by ican people are responding, because our so doing, out of the evil will come incred- people are deeply kind and compassionate ible good for America. People will realize people. People all across the country are the greatness of our country. People will taking responsibility for their lives. realize there’s hope where there is no hope, I believe out of the evil done to America, light where there seems to be darkness. there’s a good chance we’ll change our cul- And it’s going to happen in this country, ture from one which has said, ‘‘If it feels no doubt in my mind, because this is the good, just go ahead and do it,’’ and ‘‘If greatest nation on the face of the Earth.

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And it is a huge honor to be the President NOTE: The President spoke at 6:30 p.m. in of the greatest nation on the face of the the Imperial Ballroom at the Marriott Kansas Earth. City Downtown. In his remarks, he referred Thank you for coming. May God bless to Ann Wagner, chairman, Missouri Repub- you all. lican Party, and cochairman, Republican Na- tional Committee; and Gov. Bill Graves of Kansas.

Remarks on Signing the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 June 12, 2002

The President. Good afternoon, and Health and Education, Labor, and Pensions thank you all for coming. Committee, for working with Bill Frist. I On September the 11th, the world want to thank the other cosponsors from learned how evil men can use airplanes as the committee who are here. I appreciate weapons of terror. Shortly thereafter, we Members of the House Billy Tauzin and learned how evil people can use micro- John Dingell for combining their talents scopic spores as weapons of terror. Bioter- and experience and energy to get the bill rorism is a real threat to our country. It’s done. I want to thank Mike Bilirakis, Judd a threat to every nation that loves freedom. Gregg, who isn’t here, and all the other Terrorist groups seek biological weapons. Members of the Congress, to show the We know some rogue states already have American people that when people of both them. parties work together they can do good It’s important that we confront these real work on behalf of our country. threats to our country and prepare for fu- I want to thank Elias Zerhouni, who is ture emergencies. Protecting our citizens the Director of the National Institution of against bioterrorism is an urgent duty of Health, who is here with us today—I ap- American—American governments. We preciate you being here, Elias; Dr. Les must develop the learning, the technology, Crawford, who is the Acting Commissioner and the health care delivery systems that of the Food and Drug Administration; as will allow us to respond to attacks with well as Dr. David Fleming, who is the Act- state-of-the-art medical care throughout our ing Director of the Centers for Disease entire country. Control and Prevention. I want to thank I want to thank the Members of the you all for being here as well. United States Congress who are here today, Biological weapons are potentially the members of both parties who have worked most dangerous weapons in the world. Last together on this bill. I appreciate Governor fall’s anthrax attacks were an incredible Tom Ridge’s hard work, Tommy Thompson tragedy to a lot of people in America, and and your staff’s hard work on this bill. I it sent a warning that we needed and have want to thank Tony Principi and Christie heeded. We must be better prepared to Todd Whitman from the Veterans Depart- prevent, identify, and respond. And this bill ment as well as the EPA for being here I’m signing today will help a lot in this and working on this bill. essential effort. I appreciate very much Senator Ted First, the bill will enhance our ability Kennedy, the Chairman of the Senate to prevent and detect bioterrorist attacks.

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