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statute requires the Federal Government to Governor-elect of the great State of Cali- make more of its electronic and information fornia, and I’m looking forward to it. technology resources, including Government I’ll tell you what we’re doing here tonight. websites, accessible to people with disabil- We’re laying the foundation for what is going ities. to be a great national victory in 2004. And As we recognize the contributions of peo- I appreciate you being on the team and want ple who are blind or visually impaired, we to tell you that I’m going to continue to count resolve to continue building a better America on your support when you go to your houses where all individuals are celebrated for their of worship or your community centers or abilities and encouraged to achieve their your coffee shops, and you tell the people dreams. who haven’t made up their mind yet that this The Congress, by joint resolution (Public administration will continue to work for Law 88–628) approved on October 6, 1964, what’s right and best for every single Amer- as amended, has designated October 15 of ican. each year as ‘‘White Cane Safety Day.’’ The political season is going to come in Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, its own time. I am kind of loosening up— President of the United States of America, [laughter]—and getting ready. But I’ve got do hereby proclaim October 15, 2003, as a job to do. I’m focused on the people’s busi- White Cane Safety Day. I call upon public ness, and there’s a lot on the agenda in Wash- officials, educators, librarians, and all the ington, DC. I will continue to work hard to people of the United States to join with me earn the confidence of all Americans by in ensuring that all the benefits and privileges keeping this Nation strong and secure and of life in our great Nation are available to prosperous and free. blind and visually impaired individuals, and to observe this day with appropriate cere- My one regret is that Laura isn’t with me monies, activities, and programs. tonight. That’s your regret too, I know. In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set [Laughter] You kind of got the short straw. my hand this fifteenth day of October, in the [Laughter] She was in the Dominican Re- year of our Lord two thousand three, and public today and is flying out. Tomorrow of the Independence of the United States of we’ll meet at March Air Force Base, and then America the two hundred and twenty-eighth. we’re on a very exciting journey to Asia. I’m proud that she’s going to be on my side. I’m George W. Bush going to get a few pointers from her about diplomacy. [Laughter] You might remember [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, that she recently took a trip to France. 8:45 a.m., October 16, 2003] [Laughter] You probably saw the picture of her visit there. [Laughter] I went to France. NOTE: This proclamation was published in the [Laughter] The people were nice to me, but Federal Register on October 17. I certainly wasn’t treated that well by Jacques Chirac. [Laughter] Laura is great. I’m really Remarks at a Bush-Cheney lucky that she’s my wife. She’s a great First Reception in Riverside, California Lady for our country. October 15, 2003 I appreciate very much two Members of the United States Congress coming today. I Thanks for the warm welcome. It’s nice know they flew out for this event. They’re to be back in Riverside, California. I appre- leaving in the morning for votes tomorrow, ciate your hospitality. I appreciate your and that’s Congressman Ken Calvert from friendship, and thank you for your strong this district—I appreciate you, Ken—and support. I’m proud to have it. Congresswoman Mary Bono from the great I understand there’s been a couple of State of California. Thank you, Mary. changes here in California since I was last I want to thank my friend Jim Brulte for time here. And tomorrow at the Mission Inn, being here today. I told him if he gets any I have the opportunity to congratulate the skinnier, he’s going to end up in a Subway

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ad. [Laughter] But I appreciate his leader- increased the defense budget to prepare for ship. He’s a great minority leader of the State the threats of a new era. And today, no one senate, the cochairman of this event. I also in the world can question the skill and the thank State Senator Dennis Hollingsworth strength and the spirit of the United States who is here. I appreciate you coming, Sen- military. ator. Jim Battin is here, another State sen- Two-and-a-half years ago, we inherited an ator. I appreciate you coming, Jim. Thank economy in recession. And then our country you. Ray Haynes, another State senator, is was attacked, and we had scandals in cor- here. Pretty soon we’re going to get the porate America, and our Nation marched to whole State Senate here. [Laughter] Bonnie war, all of which affected the people’s con- Garcia is a State assemblywoman. Russ Bogh fidence. But we acted. We passed tough new is here with us. Thank you, Russ, for coming. laws to hold corporate criminals to account. I’m honored you’re here. Bob Dutton, John And to get the economy going again, I have Benoit, members of the statehouse. I want twice led the United States Congress to pass to thank all the local officials who are here, historic tax relief for the American people. the supervisors and the mayors and—so hon- Here is what we believe and what I know, ored you all are here. I appreciate the folks that when Americans have more take-home who have worked so hard to make this such pay to spend, to save, or invest, the whole a successful event. economy grows, and people are more likely I particularly want to thank my friend Brad to find a job. We also know whose money Freeman and Gerry Parsky—my friends we spend in Washington. It is not the Gov- Brad Freeman and Gerry Parsky, who have ernment’s money; it is the people’s money. been the leaders in this State for my cam- With all these actions, we are laying the paign. As well I want to thank my friend Mer- foundation for greater prosperity and more cer Reynolds from Cincinnati, Ohio, who is jobs across our country, so that every single the Bush-Cheney national finance chairman. person in America has a chance to realize He’s taken a lot of time out of his life to the American Dream. We’re returning more make sure this campaign of ours is well-fund- money to people. We’re helping them raise ed. It seems like he’s doing a pretty darn their families. We’ve reduced capital gains good job. taxes and dividends. We’re helping small But most of all, thanks to you all again businesses. When I hear that someone is for being here. looking for a job who wants to work and can’t You know, in the last 21⁄2 years, our Nation find that job, we will continue to work to has acted decisively to confront great chal- create an environment that is strong for the lenges. I came to this office to solve prob- entrepreneur. We want the people of Amer- lems, not to pass them on to future Presi- ica working. dents and future generations. I came to seize Two-and-a-half years ago, there was a lot opportunities instead of letting them slip of talk about education reform, but there away. This administration is meeting the tests wasn’t much action. So I acted. I called for of our time. and the Congress passed the No Child Left Terrorists declared war on the United Behind Act. With a solid bipartisan majority, States of America, and war is what they got. we delivered the most dramatic education re- We have captured or killed many key leaders forms in a generation. See, we’re bringing of the Al Qaida network, and the rest of them high standards to public schools all across know we’re on their trail. In Afghanistan and America. And we’re going to have strong ac- in Iraq, we gave ultimatums to terror re- countability measures to make sure that gimes. Those regimes chose defiance, and those standards are met. In return for Fed- those regimes are no more. Fifty million peo- eral money, we’re now saying to the public ple in those two countries once lived under schools, ‘‘Show us whether our children can tyranny, and today they live in freedom. read and write and add and subtract. We be- Two-and-a-half years ago, our military was lieve they can. You show us if you’re teaching not receiving the resources it needed, and them how to do so.’’ You see, we’re chal- morale was beginning to suffer. And so we lenging the soft bigotry of low expectations.

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We believe every child can learn. We expect ists are desperately trying to throw Iraq into every school to teach so that not one single chaos by attacking coalition forces and aid child is left behind. workers and innocent Iraqis. They know that We reorganized the Government and cre- the advance of freedom in Iraq will be a ated the Department of Homeland Security major defeat for the cause of terror. This col- to better safeguard our borders and better lection of killers is trying to shake the will safeguard the American people. We passed of the United States of America. We will not trade promotion authority to open up mar- be intimidated. kets for California’s farmers and ranchers and We are aggressively striking at terrorists entrepreneurs. We passed budget agree- in Iraq, defeating them there so we will not ments that is helping to maintain much need- have to face them in our own cities. We’re ed spending discipline in Washington, DC. calling other nations to help Iraq to build On issue after issue, this administration has a free country, which will make all of us more acted on principle. We have kept our word, secure. And we’re standing with the Iraqi and we have made progress for the American people as they assume more of their own de- people. fense and move toward self-government. And the Congress deserves a lot of credit These aren’t easy tasks, but they are essential for the success we’ve had. It’s a great pleas- tasks. We will finish what we have begun, ure to work with Speaker Denny Hastert and and we will win this essential victory in the majority leader Bill Frist. We’re working war on terror. hard to try to change the tone in Washington, Our greatest security comes from the ad- DC, by focusing on results, not politics. We vance of human liberty, because free nations want to do what’s right for the American peo- do not support terror. Free nations do not ple. By the way, those are the kind of people attack their neighbors. Free nations do not I’ve called to service in my administration. threaten the world with weapons of mass ter- I have put together a superb team of Ameri- cans from all walks of life to serve in the ror. Americans believe that freedom is the administration. Our Nation has had no finer deepest need and hope of every heart. And Vice President than Dick Cheney. Mother I believe that freedom is the right of every may have a second opinion. [Laughter] person. And I believe that freedom is the future of every nation. In 21⁄2 years, we have done a lot. We have come far, but our work is only beginning. America also understands that unprece- I have set great goals worthy of a great na- dented influence brings tremendous respon- tion. First, America is committed to expand- sibilities. We have duties in this world, and ing the realm of freedom and peace for our when we see disease and starvation and own security and for the benefit of the world. hopeless poverty, we will not turn away. On And second, in our country, we must work the continent of Africa, America is now com- for a society of prosperity and compassion, mitted to bringing the healing power of med- so that every citizen has a chance to work icine to millions of men and women and chil- and succeed and realize the great promise dren suffering with AIDS. This great Nation of our country. is taking the lead. We’re leading the world It is clear that the future of freedom and in this incredibly important work of human peace depend on the actions of America. This rescue. Nation is freedom’s home and freedom’s de- We face challenges here at home as well. fender. We welcome this charge of history, I talked about our need to make sure we con- and we are keeping it. Our war on terror tinue to create the conditions for economic continues. The enemies of freedom are not growth and vitality, so people can find work. idle, and neither are we. This country will As well we have a duty to keep our commit- not rest; we will not tire; and we will not ment to America’s seniors by strengthening stop until this danger to civilization is re- and modernizing Medicare. Congress took moved. historic action. For the first time since the We are confronting that danger in Iraq, creation of Medicare, the House and the where Saddam holdouts and foreign terror- Senate passed reforms to increase choices for

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our seniors and to provide coverage of pre- Both Houses should reach agreement on scription drugs. The next step is for both the Faith-Based Initiative to support the ar- Houses to iron out their differences and to mies of compassion that are mentoring chil- get the bill to my desk. The sooner that Con- dren and caring for the homeless and offer- gress finishes the job, the sooner American ing hope to the addicted. This Nation is a seniors will get the health care they deserve. great nation because we believe in wor- And for the sake of our health care system, shiping freely. This Nation should not fear we need to cut down on the frivolous lawsuits faith and providing the compassionate help which increase the cost of medicine. People to people who hurt. We should welcome help who have been harmed by a bad doc deserve from the Christian community and the Jew- their day in court. Yet the system should not ish community and the Muslim community, reward lawyers who are simply fishing for a the Hindu community, to help people find rich settlement. Because frivolous lawsuits help they need. Love comes from houses of drive up the cost of health care, they affect worship. This Government ought to welcome the Federal budget. Medical liability reform the Faith-Based Initiative. is a national issue which requires a national A compassionate society must promote op- solution. The House of Representatives portunity for all, including the independence passed a good bill to reform the system. The and dignity that come from ownership. This bill is stuck in the Senate. The Senate must administration will constantly strive to pro- act, and those Senators holding up the bill mote an ownership society in America. We must understand that no one has ever been want more people to own their homes. We healed by a frivolous lawsuit in America. have a minority homeownership gap in I have a duty as President to make sure America, and today in Fresno, I discussed the judicial system runs well, and I have met ways to narrow that gap. that duty. I have nominated superb men and We want people to own and manage their women for our Federal courts, people who own health care plan. We want more people will interpret the law, not legislate from the to own and manage their own retirement ac- bench. Some Members of the Senate are try- counts. We want more people to own their ing to keep my nominees off the bench by own small business. You see, this administra- blocking up-or-down votes. Every judicial tion understands that when a person owns nominee deserves a fair hearing and an up- something, he or she has a vital stake in the or-down vote on the floor of the Senate. It future of our country. is time for some Members of the United In a compassionate society, people respect States Senate to stop playing politics with one another and take responsibility for the American justice. decisions they make. We’re changing the cul- This country needs a comprehensive en- ture of America from one that has said, ‘‘If ergy plan, and the Congress needs to act. it feels good, just go ahead and do it,’’ and This Nation must promote energy efficiency ‘‘If you’ve got a problem, blame somebody and conservation. We must use technologies else,’’ to a culture in which each of us under- to help us find energy in an environmentally stands we’re responsible for the decisions we sensitive way. But for the sake of economic make in life. security and for the sake of national security, If you are fortunate enough to be a mom we must become less dependent on foreign or a dad, you’re responsible for loving your sources of energy. child with all your heart. If you’re worried A strong and prosperous nation must also about the quality of education in the commu- be a compassionate nation. I will continue nity in which you live, you’re responsible for to advance our agenda of compassionate con- doing something about it. If you’re a CEO servatism by applying the best and most in- in corporate America, you’re responsible for novative ideas to the task of helping our fel- telling the truth to your employees and your low citizens in need. Congress should com- shareholders. And in the new responsibility plete the ‘‘Citizen Service Act,’’ so more society, each of us is responsible for loving Americans can serve their communities and our neighbor just like we’d like to be loved their countries. ourselves.

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We see the culture of service and responsi- Interview With Asian Print bility growing around us here in our country. Journalists I started what we call the USA Freedom October 14, 2003 Corps to encourage Americans to extend a compassionate hand to a neighbor in need, The President. I’ll make an opening state- and the response has been strong, just like ment. We’ll go around and see how many the response has been strong for charities all times we can make it around. across our country and just like the response First, I’m really looking forward to this has been strong in our faith-based institu- trip. It is a long trip, and it is an important tions. Policemen and firefighters and people trip. It is a chance for me to say thanks to who wear our Nation’s uniform are remind- a lot of nations for cooperating with America, ing us what it means to sacrifice for some- for being friends with America, for working thing greater than yourself. Once again, the with America to achieve common objectives. It’s a chance to strengthen alliances, long- children of America believe in heroes, be- standing alliances. Alliances are important, cause they see them every day. an important part of our foreign policy. To- In these challenging times, the world has gether we can accomplish a lot of important seen the resolve and the courage of America. objectives—no more important objective And I have been privileged to see the com- than continuing to fight terror. passion and the character of the American It’s going to be an important part of my people. All the tests of the last 21⁄2 years have discussions with each leader, to renew our come to the right nation. We’re a strong efforts to find those who would kill innocent country, and we use that strength to defend people and bring them to justice, disrupt the peace. We’re an optimistic country, con- cells, cut off financing, prevent the catas- fident in ourselves and in ideals bigger than trophes that have taken place, that have ourselves. taken innocent life, from happening again. Abroad, we seek to lift whole nations by That’s really our call. And I go with a strong spreading freedom. At home, we seek to lift determination to continue to work with the up lives by spreading opportunity to every leaders and to fight terror. And it’s very im- corner of America. This is the work that his- portant for them to look at me and listen tory has set before us. We welcome it. And to me, because my determination is just as we know that for our country and for our strong today as it was on September the 12th, cause, the best days lie ahead. 2001. May God bless you all. Thank you very Secondly, I’m looking forward to talking about economic matters. I will tell our much. friends that things are looking up for the U.S. economy but that there’s more work to be done. And one of the key components of eco- nomic growth in America and job creation NOTE: The President spoke at 6:05 p.m. at the here, as well as job creation with our friends, Riverside Convention Center. In his remarks, he referred to Governor-elect Arnold is a trade policy that opens markets and at Schwarzenegger of California; President Jacques the same time recognizes that what we call Chirac of France; Ray Haynes and Russ Bogh, a level playing field is prevalent, that trade California State assemblymen; Brad Freeman, must be free and it must, at the same time, California State finance chairman, Bush-Cheney be a fair policy, that people on both sides ’04, Inc.; Gerald L. Parsky, chairman, Team Cali- of any trade equation ought to be treated fornia, California Republican Party Board of Di- fairly. rectors; and former President Saddam Hussein of I’ll bring up the WTO, of course. It’s a Iraq. missed opportunity. I’ll talk about free trade

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