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He will join my Cabinet with a full agenda Democrat, independent, don’t care—that and with my full confidence. Mike, I appre- our message is one that is hopeful for every ciate your willingness to serve. I thank the single citizen who lives in this State. people of Utah as you leave office to take I’m loosening up. I’m getting ready— on this incredibly important assignment in [laughter]—cutting a lot of cedar—[laugh- our Nation’s Capital. ter]—running a lot of miles, getting ready [At this point, Gov. Leavitt made brief re- for the contest. But the political season will marks.] come in its own time. For me, now is not the time for politics. You see, I’ve got a job The President. Great job. Thank you. to do. I’m staying focused on the people’s Thank you all. Good job, Michael. business. I’m doing what you expect me to NOTE: The President spoke at 3:34 p.m. at the do in Washington, DC, and I’ll continue to Marriott Hotel. In his remarks, he referred to work to earn the confidence of every Amer- former President Charles Taylor of Liberia; Presi- ican by keeping this Nation secure and strong dent Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria; President and prosperous and free. John Agyekum Kufuor of Ghana; President Thabo I want to thank my friend the Governor Mbeki of South Africa; President Joaquim Alberto of the great State of . He is—he’s Chissano of Mozambique; Jacalyn S. Leavitt, wife done a fabulous job as your Governor. He of Gov. Leavitt, and their children Michael, Tay- lor, Anne Marie, Westin, and Chase; Martin R. does what he says he’s going to do, which Stephens, speaker, Utah State House of Rep- is nice, to have somebody in public office— resentatives; and L. Alma ‘‘Al’’ Mansell, president, [laughter]—who says something and means Utah State Senate. The transcript released by the it. And like me, he married above himself. Office of the Press Secretary also included the I’m honored to be here with the First Lady remarks of Gov. Leavitt. of the State of Colorado as well. I just called Laura and said that I’m fixing Remarks at a Bush-Cheney Dinner in to go see a lot of our friends from the State of Colorado. I said, ‘‘How’s—what’s it like , Colorado down there?’’ She said, ‘‘It’s only 103.’’ August 11, 2003 [Laughter] I said, ‘‘Well, if that’s the case, The President. Thank you all very much. it feels like winter here.’’ [Laughter] I appreciate you coming. Thanks for the I can’t tell you how great it is to be married warm welcome. There is nothing like heading to such a fine woman as Laura Bush. She west. is a great First Lady for our country. I spent a little time on our ranch in I appreciate the two Senators from the Crawford, get to see more cows than I do State of Colorado. Senator , the press corps. [Laughter] Seems like the who’s—turns out to be my State cochair, cows are handling the heat a little better too. along with working with the Governor here. [Laughter] He’s a great Senator. And so is Ben But I want to thank you all very much for Nighthorse Campbell. I’m going to tell you, your help. I appreciate your strong support. it’s important to put this man back into the I want to thank all those who made this fund- Senate. And if you’ve got a lit- raiser a record-setting fundraiser. I appre- tle something left in the wallet after to- ciate what you’re doing. You’re laying the night—[laughter]—and looking for a good foundation for what is going to be a great man to help, somebody who can use your victory in November of ’04. help, it’s Senator . I’m here to not only thank you; I’m here He’s a fine representative of the great State to tell you I’m going to need your support of Colorado, and I’m proud to call him in energizing the grassroots of the great State friend. of Colorado. I need your help in putting up Two members of the U.S. congressional signs. I need you to make the phone calls. delegation are with us. First, ; I need you to mail the letters. I need you Congressman Beauprez, thank you for com- to remind people of this State—Republican, ing. We didn’t exactly landslide them last

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time—[laughter]—but neither did I. [Laugh- can question the skill and the strength and ter] I know you’re back home working hard the spirit of the United States military. in your district to tell the people of that dis- Two-and-a-half years ago, we inherited an trict they made the right choice in putting economy in recession. Then the attacks hap- Bob Beauprez in the U.S. Congress. He’s a pened on our country and scandals in cor- fine man. And I appreciate porate America as well as the war—it all af- being here as well. Thank you, Congressman, fected the people’s confidence. People began for coming. I’m honored you’re here. to lose confidence. But we acted. We passed I want to thank the Lieutenant Governor, tough new laws to hold corporate criminals Jane Norton, for being here tonight. I want to account. to thank the treasurer for the great State of To get the economy going, I have twice Colorado, , for being here to- led the United States Congress to pass his- night. I appreciate the president of the State toric tax relief for the American people. Senate and the speaker of the House, Sen- Here’s what I believe, and here’s what we ator John Andrews and Lola Spradley, for know, that when Americans have more take- coming as well. Governor, I know it’s a pretty home money to spend or to save, to invest, good deal to be working with a Republican the whole economy begins to grow, and peo- Speaker and a Senate leader. I kind of like ple are more likely to find a job. And I under- it myself. [Laughter] stand whose money we spend in Washington, I want to thank very much our party chair- DC. It is not the Government’s money we man, Ted Halaby. I want to thank Bruce spend in Washington. It is the people’s Benson for putting this event on and for money. being the finance chairman. I want to thank all those who helped raise the money. I thank Now we’re returning more money to the my friend Mercer Reynolds, who is the na- American people to help them raise their tional finance chairman. But most of all, I families, reducing taxes on dividends and want to thank you all for your friendship, for capital gains to encourage investment. We’re your prayers, for your support, for getting giving small businesses proper incentives to ready to get to work on behalf of this reelec- encourage them to expand and to hire new tion campaign. people. With all these actions, we’re laying 1 the foundation for greater prosperity and You know, in the last 2 ⁄2 years, our Nation has acted decisively to confront great chal- more jobs across America so every one of lenges. I came to this office to solve prob- our citizens can realize the great promise of lems, not to pass them on to future Presi- our country. dents and future generations. I came to seize I want you to remember, 21⁄2 years ago opportunities instead of letting them slip there was a lot of talk about education re- away. We are meeting the tests of our time. form, but there wasn’t much action in Wash- Terrorists declared war on the United ington, DC. So I called for and our Congress States of America, and war is what they got. passed the No Child Left Behind Act. With We’ve captured or killed many of the leaders a solid bipartisan majority, we delivered the of Al Qaida, and the rest of them know we’re most dramatic education reforms in a genera- on their trail. In Afghanistan and Iraq, we tion. gave ultimatums to terror regimes. Those re- We’re bringing high standards and strong gimes chose defiance, and those regimes are accountability measures to every public no more. Fifty million people—50 million school in America. See, we believe every people—in those two countries once lived child can learn the basics of reading and under tyranny, and now they live in freedom. math. And we expect every school to teach And the world is better off for it. the basics of reading and math. I am chal- Two-and-a-half years ago, our military was lenging the soft bigotry of low expectations. not receiving the resources it needed, and The days of excuse-making are over. In re- morale was beginning to suffer. We increased turn for Federal money, we expect results the defense budget to prepare for the threats so that not one single child in America is of a new era. And today, no one in the world left behind.

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We’ve done a lot in 21⁄2 years. We reorga- fender. And this Nation welcomes this charge nized the Government and created the De- of history, and we are keeping this charge partment of Homeland Security to better of history. The war on terror continues. See, strengthen our borders to protect the Amer- the enemies of freedom are not idle, and nei- ican people. We passed trade promotion au- ther are we. This country will not rest. We thority to open up new markets for Colo- will not tire, and we will not stop until this rado’s entrepreneurs and farmers and ranch- danger to civilization is removed. ers. We passed budget agreements that helps Yet, our national interest involves more maintain spending discipline in Washington, than eliminating aggressive threats to our DC. On issue after issue, I want you to re- safety. Our greatest security comes from the mind the skeptics and the undecideds that advance of human liberty, because free na- this administration has acted on principle, tions do not support terror. Free nations do has kept its word, and has made progress on not attack their neighbors. Free nations do behalf of all the American people. not develop weapons of mass terror. Our Of course, we didn’t do this alone. A lot country believes that freedom is the deepest of the credit goes to Members of the United need and hope of every human heart. And States Congress. We’ve got a fabulous Speak- we believe that freedom is the right of every er of the House, Denny Hastert, a great ma- person. And we believe that freedom is the jority leader of the United States Senate, Bill future of every single nation. Frist. I appreciate so very much working with America also understands that unprece- them and the folks from the great State of dented influence brings tremendous respon- Colorado. sibilities. We have duties in the world. When And the difference now in Washington is, we see disease and starvation and hopeless is that we’re focusing on results, not process. poverty, we will not turn away. On the con- We’re working to change the tone in Wash- tinent of Africa, this great Nation is com- ington so we can get the people’s business mitted to bringing the healing power of med- done. And by the way, those are the kind icine to millions of men and women and chil- of people I’ve asked to serve in my adminis- dren who are now suffering with AIDS. This tration. I put together a strong team to work great land, this land for which I am so proud, on behalf of the American people. is leading the world in the incredibly impor- Our country has had no finer Vice Presi- tant work of human rescue. dent than Dick Cheney. Mother may have We face big challenges abroad, and we a second opinion. [Laughter] won’t shirk from those challenges. And we Audience member. I agree with you. face big challenges here at home. I will con- [Laughter] tinue to work on our economy. I’ll continue The President. Thank you. to make sure the entrepreneurial spirit is In 21⁄2 years, we have come far, but you strong. I will continue to try to lay the condi- know, we’re only just beginning. We’ve great tions for capital formation, so that anybody goals worthy of this great Nation. The job who wants to work and can’t find a job today of the President is to set our sights high. A will be able to do so. great nation requires great goals. I will continue to work to make sure we And here are the goals I’ve set: First, meet our commitments to America’s seniors America is committed to expanding the by modernizing Medicare. A few weeks ago, realm of freedom and peace for our own se- the United States Congress took historic ac- curity and for the benefit of the world; and tion to improve the lives of older Americans. secondly, in our own country, we must work I want you to remember this: For the first for a society of prosperity and compassion time—first time—since the creation of Medi- so that every citizen—every single citizen— care, the House and Senate have passed re- has a chance to work and to succeed and forms to modernize the system, to give sen- realize the American Dream. iors more choices, and to provide coverage It is clear that the future of freedom and for prescription drugs for our seniors. The peace depend on the actions of America. This next step is for both bodies to iron out their Nation is freedom’s home. It is freedom’s de- differences and to get a bill to my desk so

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I can sign it on behalf of the elderly of the See, there are still millions of men and United States of America. We have a solemn women in this land who want the independ- obligation, an obligation which I will con- ence and dignity that come from work. We tinue to call upon the Congress to keep. must build on the success of welfare reform For the sake of our health care system, to bring work to the lives of more of our we need to cut down on the frivolous lawsuits fellow citizens. Congress ought to complete which increase the cost of medicine all across the ‘‘Citizen Service Act’’ so more Americans our country. I fully understand that people can serve their community and their country. who have been harmed by a bad doctor de- Both Houses should finally reach agreement serve their day in court. Yet, the system on the Faith-Based Initiative to support the should not reward lawyers who are simply armies of compassion that are mentoring our fishing for rich settlements. Because frivo- children and caring for the homeless, healing lous lawsuits drive up the cost of health care, hearts, and helping the addicted. they affect the Federal budget. They affect A compassionate society must also be a so- the Medicare budget, the Medicaid budget, ciety which promotes opportunity for all, in- the veterans budgets. I view medical liability cluding the independence and dignity that reform as a national issue which requires a come from ownership. This administration national solution. The House of Representa- will constantly strive to promote an owner- tives passed a good bill to reform medical ship society in America. We want more peo- liability. It’s stuck in the Senate. The Senate ple to own their homes. I’m troubled by the must act. No one has ever been healed by fact we have a minority homeownership gap a frivolous lawsuit. We need medical liability in America, and I put forth policies—con- reform now. structive, smart policies to encourage more I have a responsibility as President to make homeownership all across America. sure the judicial system runs well, and I have We want people to own and manage their met that duty. I have nominated superb men own health care plan. We want people to own and women to the Federal bench, people and manage their own retirement accounts. who interpret the law, not legislate from the We want the entrepreneurial spirit to be bench. Yet, some Members of the United strong in America so that people feel con- States Senate are trying to keep my nominees fident in investing in their own small busi- off the bench by blocking up-or-down votes. ness. Every judicial nominee deserves a fair hear- Now, I understand an ownership society ing and an up-or-down vote on the Senate floor. It is time for some of the Members is one in which people have more hope for of the United States Senate to stop playing the future. In a compassionate society, peo- politics with American justice. ple respect one another, and they take re- The Congress needs to complete work on sponsibility for the decisions they make in a comprehensive energy plan. Our Nation life. We’re changing the culture of America, has got to promote energy conservation and slowly but surely, from one that has said, ‘‘If efficiency and develop cleaner technology so it feels good, just go ahead and do it,’’ and we can explore in more environmentally sen- ‘‘If you’ve got a problem, blame somebody sitive areas. Yet, for the sake of our economic else,’’ to a culture in which each of us under- security and for the sake of our national secu- stands that we are responsible for the deci- rity, we must be less dependent on foreign sions we make in life. sources of energy. If you’re fortunate enough to be a mother Our strong and prosperous Nation must or father, you’re responsible for loving your also be a compassionate nation. I will con- child with all your heart and all your soul. tinue to advance the agenda of compas- If you’re concerned about the quality of the sionate conservatism, which really means ap- education in the community in which you plying the best and most innovative ideas to live, you’re responsible for doing something helping our fellow citizens who hurt and who about it. If you happen to be a CEO in cor- are in need. porate America, you’re responsible for telling

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the truth to your employees and your share- Remarks Following a Meeting With holders. And in the new responsibility soci- Economic Advisers and an Exchange ety, each of us is responsible for loving our With Reporters in Crawford, Texas neighbor just like we’d like to be loved our- August 13, 2003 self. We can see that culture of respect, the cul- The President. Good morning. As you can ture of change and service growing around see, my economic team came down. We’ve us here in America today. You know, I started had some great briefings. Let me summarize what they call the USA Freedom Corps. It’s by saying that this administration is optimistic an opportunity for Americans to help neigh- about job creation. We believe strongly that bors in need, and the response has been fan- the tax relief plan that was approved by Con- tastic. Got people signing up for all kinds of gress in ’01 and most recently in ’03 is going ways to help in their community, and I’m to have a very positive effect on economic grateful. growth and vitality. We believe it is more Our faith-based charities are strong, and likely in the upcoming year that people are they’re vibrant, which is important to bring going to be able to find a job, and that’s ex- hope to those who hurt. Our policemen and actly what—where we focused our policy. firefighters and people who wear our Na- But I also know there’s more that can be tion’s uniform are reminding us what it done. I think one thing is certain, and we’ve means to sacrifice for something greater than spent a lot of time discussing this, there themselves in life, sacrifice for peace, sac- needs to be a strong message to Congress rifice for freedom, sacrifice for safe streets. not to overspend, set priorities and hold the line on the priorities. As well, we need an And once again, the children of America be- energy policy, and we need good tort reform. lieve in heroes because they see them every And I appreciate the fact that the House has day in America. passed a good energy bill and the Senate In these challenging times, the world has passed an energy bill. Now is the time to seen the resolve and the courage of America. get together and reconcile their differences I’ve been privileged to see the compassion and get a bill to my desk. I also appreciate and the character of the American people. the fact that the House passed good class- 1 The tests of the last 2 ⁄2 years have come action reform, and the Senate now needs to to the right nation. We’re a strong country, follow suit. and we use that strength to defend the peace. And I also look forward to working with We’re an optimistic country, confident in the Congress to get associated health care ourselves and in ideals bigger than ourselves. plans passed, which will make it easier for Abroad, we seek to lift up whole nations by small businesses to be able to write afford- spreading freedom. And at home, we seek able health care for their employees. So to lift up lives by spreading opportunity to there’s some things we can do to make sure every corner of our country. This is the work the economy continues to grow and so peo- that history has set before us, and we wel- ple can find work. If you’ll remember the come it. And we know that for our country tax relief plan that was passed was called the and for our cause, the best days lie ahead. jobs plan, the growth-and-jobs creation Thank you for coming. May God bless. plan—that’s what we’re interested in. We’re Thank you all. interested in people being able to work in America, and we’re upbeat about the chances NOTE: The President spoke at 5:44 p.m. at Wings for our fellow citizens who are looking for Over the Rockies Museum, Aviation & Space work to be able to find a job. Center of the Rockies. In his remarks, he referred I’ll answer some questions, starting with to Gov. Bill Owens of Colorado and his wife, Scott [Scott Lindlaw, Associated Press]. Frances; Ted Halaby, chairman, and Bruce Ben- son, former chairman, Colorado Republican Party; Liberia/Former President Charles Taylor and Mercer Reynolds, national finance chairman, Q. Thanks, Mr. President. President Tay- Bush-Cheney ’04, Inc. lor has met your demand to leave Liberia.

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