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power to save these young lives. Conscience And I want to congratulate you on opening demands we do so. up your new building last night, right there Thank you very much. on Capitol Hill. I bet it was pretty well built. [Laughter] Audience member. It’s union. NOTE: The President spoke at 9:04 a.m. in the Rose Garden at the . In his remarks, The President. Yes. And I appreciate the he referred to Anthony S. Fauci, Director, Na- fact that you had Ted Kennedy and Elaine tional Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Chao, the fine Secretary of Labor, there to National Institutes of Health. open it up. It is a good sign of—it’s a good sign as to how to—how Washington ought to deal with problems. Remarks to the United Brotherhood I’ll be the first to admit there’s too much of Carpenters and Joiners of America politics in this town. [Laughter] There’s too Legislative Conference much putting the party ahead of the country. June 19, 2002 And I’m a proud Republican. Many of you are probably proud Democrats, but first and The President. Well, Doug, I appreciate foremost, we’re all proud Americans. those kind remarks. I thought you were on I also appreciate my friend Congressman Air Force One because you wanted a free Rob Portman for coming by this morning. ride. [Laughter] But I had a good visit with I appreciate Rob’s energy and enthusiasm Doug. I believe I’m a pretty good judge of and his drive. character, and I appreciate this man’s char- I want to talk about the challenges Amer- acter. I’ll tell you why. First, he said, ‘‘We ica faces. I worry about our security. I’m wor- don’t agree 100 percent of the time.’’ I re- ried about our homeland security. I’m wor- member my friend Bullock, who was the ried about our national security, and I’m wor- Lieutenant Governor of , Democrat ried about economic security. And that’s Lieutenant Governor, when I was the Gov- what I want to talk to you about. ernor of Texas. He said, ‘‘You know, if we First, let me talk about the homeland. I agreed 100 percent of the time, one of us remind people that every morning I go into wouldn’t be necessary.’’ [Laughter] He’s nec- the —and by the way, it is a huge essary. He’s necessary in Washington, DC, honor to walk in the Oval Office. I’m never on behalf of the working people. going to get tired of walking into this beau- He—you know, in this town, sometimes tiful office that we have built for our Presi- people don’t shoot straight with you. They dents. It’s an honor that—it’s hard for me kind of come in and tell you something, and to describe how—what an honor it is. But then they leave, and you’re wondering what I walk in there. That’s, by the way, after I they said, or if they said something, whether get the First Lady some coffee every morn- they mean it. And Doug’s a straight shooter. ing. [Laughter] I don’t want to put any pres- That’s high on my list of the kind of people sure on you guys, but—[laughter]—the I like to talk to and deal with. President does get to set the example. The other thing I like about Doug is, his [Laughter] Then take the dogs out, Spot and vision for a better union means more skills Barney. Spot was born in the White House for those who are members of the union. You in 1989 when my dad and mother were up see, Doug understands that through edu- here, so she’s quite comfortable with the sur- cation and training, you can enhance a man’s roundings. Barney’s new, kind of a young fel- or a woman’s skills. And that enables that low, so he doesn’t get to go in the Oval Of- person to more better realize their dreams. fice, though, in the mornings. We just put He understands the vision of a union is not a new rug in there. [Laughter] only to work for jobs but to enhance the abil- At any rate, I read threat assessments on ity of members within the union to improve the country. I sit at this magnificent desk— their lives. And I appreciate that vision of a desk, by the way, that Theodore Roosevelt putting union members first. Doug, you’re used and Franklin Roosevelt used and John a good leader. You’re a good leader. Kennedy used and Ronald Reagan used—

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and I read threat assessments. The Sun’s it so there’s responsibility and authority so coming up, and the first thing I do is open we can have accountability, and help change up a book that says, here’s what the potential cultures in agencies to the primary responsi- threats are to our country. It reminds me on bility of the day, which is to protect the a daily basis, my most important job is to American homeland. And so I’ve asked Con- defend the homeland, to protect innocent gress to do this. Americans from the deaths of the killers. Now, I understand it’s going to be a dif- People say—a lot of young people say, ficult task. First, I appreciate the response ‘‘Well, why America? Why would anybody of both Republicans and Democrats, and want to come after us? Why would anybody that’s good. It’s going to be a little difficult, want to fight a war with this Nation?’’ And because there is a tendency on Capitol Hill the answer is, because we love freedom. for people to what they call protect their turf. That’s why. And they hate freedom. We love In other words, if you’ve got responsibility the idea of people being able to worship free- over funding one agency and that agency is ly in America. We love the idea of people going to be moved away from you, you might being able to come to our country and realize be somewhat resistant. And what I’d like to dreams. We love the idea of people having do is to call upon Congress—and I hope you free—being able to freely debate issues. We do as well—to think first and foremost about love freedom, and these coldblooded killers how best to protect the homeland, not how hate freedom. And that’s why they want to best to protect their political turf. And I think come and hurt America, and we are not going it’s going to happen. I do. And I think it’s to let them. going to be able to make us—enable us to I say we’re not going to let them—we’re do our job in better fashion. going to do everything in our power. And Along those same lines, the FBI and CIA one of my points I want to make to you today are thinking differently. And as we have seen, is that we are focused, and we are buttoning they needed to think differently about how up this homeland as securely as we can make to better coordinate information, about how it. to understand the new threats that face us I proposed a new Cabinet department. I in the 21st century. want to explain quickly why I did so. There You see, a lot of Washington was all geared are over 100 agencies involved with home- up for the old days of war where, you know, land defense, and they’re scattered all tanks would be moving across battlefields or throughout Washington. It makes it difficult army platoons would be going here. And now to do a job if you’re trying to chase down we’re facing a new kind of enemy. These guys 100 different agencies, because they’re in dif- are killers. I mean, they’re international kill- ferent departments. ers. They’re—these are the kind of people The Coast Guard is in the Transportation that are secretive, and they’re plenty smart. Department, and that’s fine, except for the It doesn’t require a lot of money for them fact that there’s a new world in America to operate. They send youngsters to their where our number one priority is to protect death, and they hide in a cave. That’s how the homeland, and the job of the Transpor- they think. And we’ve got to match those tation Department is not homeland security. threats with a new way of thinking, which Or take the Customs Department. Customs means we’ve got to do a better job of col- is an important agency to protect the home- lecting and sharing intelligence. land. It’s part of understanding what’s com- When I first—the man I named, Mueller, ing into our country and whether we want Bob Mueller, who’s the head of the FBI, it in our country or not. And yet, it’s a part came to work one week before September of the Treasury Department. The Treasury the 11th. And I told him in one of my first Department is not responsible for homeland meetings right after September 11th, ‘‘We’ve security. got a new world, and while the job of the What we need to do is to bring these agen- FBI is to chase down criminals and arrest cies under one Cabinet Secretary, organize them—you still have that job—your most im- it so that information flows freely, organize portant job now is to prevent, is to run down

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every possible lead. If you get a hint that going to be strongly supported here in Wash- somebody’s fixing to do something to Amer- ington, DC. ica, you and your agents need to run them And the second reason why the defense down. We need to know. We need to know increase is large and significant is because who’s coming into the country and why this is—this war is going to take a while to they’re coming in. We need to know if they’re win. This is—just because we’ve routed the leaving the country when they’re supposed Taliban in Afghanistan doesn’t mean the war to be leaving the country. We need you run- has ended. We have got a long way to go ning down every single hint.’’ to secure the homeland, to defend freedom, And we want you, the CIA, to continue and to defeat this enemy. And it’s important to gather information outside of the country, for the American people to understand that. but make sure, if you’ve got a relevant piece You know, sometimes there’s kind of a of information, to share it with the FBI. The sense that, well, so-and-so was captured, and number one priority of this Government is therefore, this deal is over. That’s just not to button up our homeland so that the Amer- the way it is. The war on terror is going to ican people can go about their lives without take a while. The good news for us and the fearful—without fear of another attack from bad news for the enemy is, the American one of these killers. And we’re making people are united, are patient, are resolved progress. to win this war. They understand the stakes, and so do I. And I want to appreciate those on the It’s important for our country to send a frontline, the police and fire on the frontline, very clear signal that we’re in this for the for working hard. long run, and that’s what the budget does. But the best way to secure the home- It says there’s no time—there’s not a cal- land—you need to know just how I think— endar on my desk that I flip and say, okay, the best way to secure our homeland is to it’s over, you know, it’s time to quit. No, it’s run these killers down one by one and bring time to quit when the homeland is secure. them to justice, which is precisely what we And we’re making progress. We really are. will do, so long as I am the President of the I mentioned the fact that we routed out the United States. Taliban. These people were barbaric people It is not an easy task because, as I just who wouldn’t even let young girls go to described, the nature of the enemy is dif- school. And so I can safely say to the young- ferent than we’re used to. You know, I can’t sters here that your country went into Af- imagine what was going through their minds ghanistan not to conquer people but to lib- when they attacked America. I guess and as- erate people, to give them freedom, to give sume that they thought we were so weak, people a chance to express their will, to give so feeble, so self-absorbed, so materialistic, young girls a chance to go to school, to give that after September the 11th we might file women a chance to participate in govern- a lawsuit or two. [Laughter] But they found ment. No, we’re tough when we need to be out America thinks differently, and they’re tough, but we also uphold values as we fight finding out we’ve got a fabulous military. this war on terror, values that will not be Now, the budget I submitted, the defense compromised. budget I submitted—you’ve probably heard The war on terror is bigger than just a per- about this defense budget, and it is big; son or a network. The war on terror is to there’s no question about it. And I’ll tell you address the threats that will face our children why. First of all, my attitude is, anytime we in the future. And there’s a major threat, and commit one of our youngsters into battle or that is the threat of weapons of mass destruc- into harm’s way, they deserve the best train- tion in the hands of regimes that are run by ing, the best equipment, the best pay pos- leaders that hate freedom. There’s a major sible. And for those of you with relatives in threat that an Al-Qaida-type organization the military, I want you to thank them on could mate up with one of those countries behalf of their Commander in Chief and a that I labeled ‘‘’’ and, therefore, grateful country and need to know they’re have the capacity to have a ballistic missile

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threat that could conceivably allow them to needs to be a permanent part of the Tax blackmail freedom-loving countries into inac- Code so people can plan. You see, I believe tion. And we’ve got to deal with that threat. the more money a person has—has in his I’m a patient man. We use all tools at our or her pockets, the more likely it is they’re disposal. But for the good of our children going to be able to realize their dreams. Tax and for the good of freedom, we must not relief was the right thing to do. allow the world’s worst regimes to threaten And so is passing this terrorist insurance us and our friends and allies with the world’s bill. And I want to thank you all and your worst weapons. leadership for working with us to get Con- And so I spend time making sure this coali- gress to act, to provide terrorism insurance tion of freedom-loving countries is strong. so that some of these big building projects And they’re kind of looking at the United can go forward in America. It’s an incredibly States, and if I blink, it’s likely they’ll go to important piece of legislation. And Doug has sleep. So we’ve got to stay strong and deter- been on the frontlines of working with both mined to lead—to lead the world to defend Republicans and Democrats. our freedoms, and I’ll do just that. I can as- sure you of that. I feel it. And it’s a problem, and let me give you And I also believe it’s important for the some examples. This guy Dave Creamer, President of the United States to speak plain- who is the chairman and CEO of GMAC ly, to speak his heart, and I believe this is Commercial Mortgage—they’re the lenders. a struggle of good versus evil. And I don’t People have got to borrow money to build mind calling evil by its name. And you know these big projects. He’s turned down more what’s going to happen? Good will overcome than a billion dollars of new loans this year evil with the leadership of the United States, because projects were not insured against and we’re going to provide that leadership. acts of terror. To me, that’s a problem we’ve I’m also worried about the economic secu- got to address. If the concern is more jobs, rity of our country. This is a town where they and people aren’t lending money because like to talk statistics, and that’s all right— there is no insurance against acts of terror, you know, good employment for some of the Congress needs to deal with it. He also re- numbers crunchers. But behind every num- ports that loans are not limited to projects ber, there’s a story. And my attitude is, so in New York or Los Angeles or Chicago, the long as somebody who wants to work can’t big cities; they’re nationwide. And you know find work, we’ve got a problem, and we need that as well as I know that. to deal with it. And we need to figure out There’s a guy who’s trying to build an how to expand jobs. apartment complex. He’s not going to get— Doug and I spent a lot of time talking he’s not going to get funding for an apart- about job expansion. What can the Federal ment complex in the Washington/Baltimore Government do to create more paying jobs area, a $50-million complex that would re- for people? How do we make sure the econ- quire—that would allow for 250 construction omy is vibrant so people can find work? jobs for 3 years, because he can’t get a loan, That’s my concern. And we’ve talked about because he can’t get the insurance. a lot of issues. I happen to believe letting people keep more of their hard-earned dol- And so they’re working on a bill. The lars is a good way to create economic activity. House passed one. The Senate passed one. I believe that there is a proper role for the They need to get it to conference, and they Federal Government, but there’s also a rec- need to get it to my desk as quickly as pos- ognition that when you put more money in sible. And the bill has got to make sure that a woman’s or man’s pockets, they spend it. insurance companies remain engaged in cov- And when they spend it, they demand some- ering terrorism losses—that the Government thing. And when they demand something, will help but not help all the way. And they’ve somebody builds it for them. got to make sure that this bill doesn’t open And so this tax cut that we passed came up all kinds of lawsuits. What we’re inter- at the right time in American history. It ested in is job creation, not lawsuit creation.

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We’ve got plenty of lawsuits all around Amer- culture in which each of us understands ica as it is. And so it’s a—I spend time think- we’re responsible for decisions we make in ing about jobs, and Doug and I talk about life. If you’re a mom or a dad, you’re respon- it. sible for loving your child with all your heart We talked about an energy bill. He sup- and all your soul. If you’re a good citizen ported the energy bill. I support the energy in this country, you’re responsible for helping bill for two reasons: One, it will help jobs— a neighbor in need, mentoring a child, ex- the more infrastructure we build in America, tending a hand of kindness and compassion the more jobs there will be—two, I don’t par- to somebody. If you run a corporation in ticularly care for the fact that we get a lot America, you’re responsible for telling the of our energy from overseas. Over 50 percent truth on the assets and liabilities on your bal- of our energy comes from overseas, and some ance sheet. of the suppliers aren’t real friendly to Amer- I see it in the country where this is taking ica. For the good of economic security and place. It’s a change for the better. I went for the good of national security, we need to Ohio State University and gave the gradua- a sound energy policy here in America. tion speech last Friday; 70 percent of the I was impressed by—Doug mentioned graduating class at one time during their ca- Ground Zero. It was an honor to go there reer at Ohio State had volunteered to help that day. And I know that you all join me, somebody in need. There’s an ethic which if you’re not from New York, in expressing I hope is coming into the hearts and souls our appreciation to the Union Local 79 for of the country that says, we’re responsible their hard work in cleaning up Ground Zero. for this great Nation. It was an unbelievable feat of dedication and And perhaps that example was best shown hard work and focus. Jeff Zelli said, ‘‘We can us all on Flight 93. I want you to think about rebuild now. We’re on our feet already, and that moment. People flying across the coun- we’re going to build something beautiful.’’ try. They realized the plane they were on That was his comment, the head of Union was going to be used as a weapon. They told Local 79. That’s how I feel. You know, we’re their loved ones they loved them. They said on our feet, and we can rebuild something a prayer. They said, ‘‘Let’s roll,’’ and served beautiful. something greater than themselves in life. You see, I believe out of the evil done to I believe that out of the evil done to Amer- America can come incredible good. I believe, ica will come incredible good. The world is if we’re strong, we can achieve peace, and going to be more peaceful. America will be that’s what I want. We fight for peace. We more secure. And millions of Americans un- not only fight to defend our country and de- derstand that serving something greater than fend liberty and the values that we love, we yourself in life is an important part of having yearn for peace. That’s what—we want our a full life. kids to grow up in a peaceful world. It is my honor to come and visit with you But I also believe here at home that there’s all. You’re citizens, as you know, of the great- going to be some good that comes out of est country on the face of the Earth. And the evil, starting with the fact that more of I’m sure proud to be the President of the us understand the need to love a neighbor greatest country on the face of the Earth. just like we’d like to be loved ourself, that And now it is my special privilege to de- if you’re interested in fighting evil, you can clare that this conference of the United do so by doing some good, by mentoring a Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners is of- child, by going to a shut-in’s house and say, ficially adjourned. ‘‘What can I do to help you?’’ You see, it’s God bless you all, and God bless America. those small acts of kindness that really end NOTE: The President spoke at 10:13 a.m. in the up defining the true character of this country. Hall of Battles at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill. I also believe that the culture is changing In his remarks, he referred to Douglas J. in America from one that has said, ‘‘If it feels McCarron, general president, United Brother- good, just go ahead and do it, and if you’ve hood of Carpenters and Joiners of America; and got a problem, blame somebody else,’’ to a Jeff Zelli, member, Laborers Union Local 79.

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Remarks at the White House McIntyre, and Moore. Thank you all for com- Conference on Character and ing. My Congressman—as you know, I’m a Community voting resident of Crawford, Texas. My Con- June 19, 2002 gressman, Chet Edwards, is here. I appre- ciate you answering my mail, Mr. Congress- Thank you all. Well, thanks for that warm man. [Laughter] I won’t write you if you welcome. Welcome to your house. [Laugh- don’t write me. [Laughter] ter] We’re glad you’re here, and I really ap- I believe that public schools are the most preciate the theme of this conference and important institutions in democracy, and a the importance of the conference. good education is the birthright of every I know you’ve heard from some really im- American child. Every public school must be pressive people, and I want to thank all the the pathway to a better life. And because speakers and students who are here. You public schools are America’s great hope, even heard from a member of my family, and making them work for every child is our Na- I want to thank the First Lady for doing such tion’s greatest duty. a great job and being so patient with the We passed good education reform here in President. Washington, DC. This wasn’t a Republican The thing I appreciate is that you under- bill. It wasn’t a Democrat bill. It was an stand education should prepare children for American bill. It really was. We worked to- jobs, and it also should prepare our children gether to get a good piece of legislation out. for life. I join you in wanting our children Here are the principles. It says, every child to be not only rich in skills but rich in ideals. can learn. In other words, we believe in high Teaching character and citizenship to our standards. I’m one of these fellows that be- children is a high calling. It’s a really high lieves if you lower the bar, you get lousy re- calling. And I’m grateful for your work. sults. If you believe in the best and raise the I appreciate Secretary of Education Rod bar, you can get high standards. Paige. Mr. Secretary, thanks—thanks for It also says that if you receive money from joining on this important cause. You know, the Federal Government, you must show us here in Washington there’s a lot of people whether or not children are learning to read who are good on theory and not so good on and write and add and subtract. For the first action, so when I picked a man to be the time, the Federal Government is asking the head of the—Secretary of Education, I want- question, is every child learning? I don’t ed somebody who had been on the frontlines. mean a few children. I don’t mean a group Rod had been the superintendent of the of children. I mean, is every child learning Houston Independent School District, and to read and write and add and subtract? And I figured that’s a pretty good definition of if we aren’t, we must correct problems early, frontlines. [Laughter] And he had done a before it’s too late. great job—Mr. Secretary, and I appreciate In other words, we’ve had high standards. your concern and care. We demand excellence. We’re willing to I understand Colin Powell spoke here ear- challenge failure to make sure that not one lier. I’m—right after this brief speech, he and single child is left behind. And I firmly be- I have a meeting. He is doing a fabulous job lieve the reforms we put in place, when fully for our country too. I’m proud to call him enacted, will make sure that no child is left a member of our team. behind in America. I appreciate Michelle Engler and Hope It is more than—we’ve got to do more than Taft for being here. Thank you both for com- just teach our children skills and knowledge. ing. I know you all are very much involved That’s one part of education, and it’s an im- in your State of Michigan and Ohio for not portant part—no question about it. We also only making sure every child can read but want to make sure they’re kind and decent, teaching children the difference between compassionate and responsible, honest and right and wrong. self-disciplined. Our children must learn to I appreciate the Members of Congress make a living, but even more, they must learn who are here, Wamp, Lucas, Edwards, how to live. And that’s a big responsibility.

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