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The faith of this country—[applause]. We’re to lead this great Nation, and I will do so. a strong country because of our values. We We’ve got a lot on our agenda in Washington, believe in justice, we believe in human dig- DC. And what I’m going to do until the polit- nity, and we believe in freedom. And it is ical season comes, I will work hard to earn such an honor to represent this great land. the confidence of every American by keeping May God bless you all, and may God bless this Nation strong and secure and prosperous America. Thank you all. and free. Rick, I want to thank you for your leader- NOTE: The President spoke at 10:29 a.m. In his ship and thank you for your kind introduc- remarks, he referred to former President Saddam Hussein of Iraq; David Kay, CIA Special Advisor tion. I’ve known Rick for a while. When he for Strategy Regarding Iraqi Weapons of Mass says we’re going to win, I believe him. And Destruction Programs; Albert Hentzen, president I want to appreciate him energizing the and chief executive officer, Hentzen Coatings, grassroots, and I want to thank all of you Inc.; John Stollenwerk, president and chief execu- grassroots participants for getting ready to tive officer, Allen-Edmonds Shoe Corp.; and John go. R. Weise, president, F. Barkow, Inc. I traveled today with a really good, fine friend, a man I’d say you trained well, a per- Remarks at a Bush-Cheney son who is making an enormous contribution Luncheon in to my Cabinet and to our country, a person October 3, 2003 who has got a huge job running the Depart- ment of Health and Human Services, and Thanks for coming. Thanks for that rous- that’s Tommy Thompson. ing welcome. It’s such an honor I heard Tommy whispering to somebody; to be back here. It’s a great State, full of he said, ‘‘You know, the campaign made a a lot of really neat people, and I want to mistake in sending George W. They should thank you for your friendship. And I want have sent Laura.’’ [Laughter] Speaking about to thank you for your contributions and help Laura, she just got back from a sensitive dip- and prayers. With your help, Vice President lomatic mission. [Laughter] You probably Cheney and I came pretty darn close of car- saw the picture in the newspaper. [Laughter] rying this State in 2000. There’s no doubt But I’m proud that she represented our in my mind, in 2004 we’re going to win the country, because she does it with such class. State of Wisconsin. And that victory in Wis- She is a fabulous First Lady. consin is going to be part of a great nation- She sends her best and sorry she can’t be wide victory in November of 2004. here. Right after here, I’m going to fly back I want to thank you for your help in getting to Washington, and she’s organizing a Na- there. I appreciate the fact that you’ve con- tional Book Festival. She loves books. She tributed your money, and now I need you loves the idea of people teaching kids how to contribute your time. When you put up to read books, and she’s going to herald some those signs at the right time, knock on the of our great authors. She’s making an enor- doors, when you go to your coffee shops— if you live in a community with a coffee mous contribution. I’m lucky she said yes shop—you tell them that this administration when I said, ‘‘Will you marry me?’’ [Laugh- is working for everybody. We believe in a ter] hopeful, positive, optimistic vision for every I want to thank the Members of the Con- single person who is fortunate enough to live gress flying with us today—who flew with us in this country. You tell them that this is an today, and one who met us here today. The administration focused on the people’s busi- chairman, Jim Sensenbrenner, is with us, and ness. it’s been a joy to work with Jim. He’s a good, You know, I’m loosening up for this cam- strong patriot. is with us today, paign. I’m kind of getting ready. [Laughter] good, honorable, decent guy. Tom, I want But the political season will come in its own to thank you for your friendship, and I appre- time. I’ve got a job to do. I’ve been entrusted ciate you coming today. A young star—we’ve

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got some young stars from the State of Wis- Iraq, we gave ultimatums to terror regimes. consin, people who are making a big dif- Those regimes chose defiance, and those re- ference in the Halls of Congress, and they’ve gimes are no more. Fifty million people— done so in a quick period of time. That would 50 million people in those two countries once be , the Congressman from this lived under tyranny, and today, they live in part of the world, and Congressman Mark freedom. Green. Two-and-a-half years ago, our military was I want to thank people from the statehouse not receiving the resources it needed, and who have joined us today. John Gard, who morale was beginning to suffer. So we acted. is the speaker of the assembly. Mary Panzer, We increased the defense budget to prepare who is the senate majority leader, is with us for the threats of a new era, and no one today today. Mary, thank you for coming. Jack in the world can question the skill and the Voight, your State treasurer is with us. Jack, strength and the spirit of the United States thank you for being here. Scott McCallum, military. the former Governor, is with us. Scott, I’m Two-and-a-half years ago, we inherited an honored that you’re here. Thank you for economy in recession. And then we had the coming. And Scott Walker, local man, is with attacks on our country, coupled with the us today. I appreciate you, Scott. Thanks for march to war, and corporate scandals. All of the good work you’re doing. those events affected the confidence of the My friend Mercer Reynolds from Cin- American people. But we acted. We passed cinnati, Ohio, who is the national finance tough laws to hold corporate criminals to ac- chair of the Bush-Cheney 2004 campaign, count. And to get the economy going, I have he’s taking time out of his business to travel twice led the to pass the country with us and organize this very historic tax relief for the American people. important fundraising effort we’re doing na- We believe and know that when people tionwide. Mercer, I want to thank you for have more money in their pocket, more coming. Glad you’re here. money to spend, to save, or invest, the whole I appreciate my longtime friend Jim economy grows, and someone is more likely Klauser for taking on the State campaign to find a job. We also understand whose chairman role for the State of Wisconsin. San money we’re spending in Washington, DC. Orr is the State finance chairman. Jon We’re not spending the Government’s Hammes is the State finance cochair. San money. We spend the people’s money. And Orr is the cochair as well. We’ve got cochair- we’re sending more of the people’s money men here. I’m thankful for your hard work. back to them so they can help raise their fam- Thanks for making this event go so well. ilies. We reduced the taxes on dividends and Mary Buestrin is the national committee- capital gains to encourage investment. We’re woman from this State. I appreciate all of giving small businesses incentives to expand you all, again, for coming. their businesses and hire new people. I particularly want to say something about With all these actions, by being proactive, the Arrowhead High School Choir. I am glad we’re laying the foundation for greater pros- you’re here. Thanks for coming. perity and more jobs, so that each and every In the last 21⁄2 years, this Nation has acted single purpose—person in this country has decisively to confront great challenges. I a chance to realize the American Dream. came to this office to solve problems, not to Two-and-a-half years ago, there was a lot pass them on to future presidents and future of talk about education reform in Wash- generations. I came to seize opportunities ington, DC, but there just wasn’t much ac- and not let them slip away. This administra- tion. So I acted. I called for and Congress tion is meeting the tests of our time. passed the No Child Left Behind Act. With Terrorists declared war on the United a solid, bipartisan majority, we delivered the States of America, and war is what they got. most dramatic education reforms in a genera- We’ve captured or killed many of the key tion. Finally we are bringing high standards leaders of Al Qaida, and the rest of them and accountability to public schools. We said, know we’re on their trail. In Afghanistan and in return for the receipt of Federal money,

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‘‘Please show us whether or not a child is First, America is committed to expanding learning to read and write and add and sub- the realm of peace and freedom for our own tract.’’ We’re challenging the soft bigotry of security and for the benefit of the world. And low expectations. We believe in raising the second, in our own country, we must work bar. We believe in high standards. We be- for a society of prosperity and compassion, lieve every child can learn. And for the first so that every citizen has a chance to work time in Federal history, we’re insisting that and to succeed and to realize the great prom- every child learns. We don’t want one single ise of our land. It is clear that the future child left behind in America. of freedom and peace depend on the actions We reorganized our Government and cre- of America. This Nation is freedom’s home, ated the Department of Homeland Security and we are freedom’s defender. We welcome to better safeguard our borders and ports and this charge of history, and we are keeping to protect the American people. We passed it. trade promotion authority to open up new The war on terror continues. There’s still markets for Wisconsin’s entrepreneurs and people out there that hate America, cold- manufacturers and farmers. We passed, with blooded killers who hate what we stand for. the Congress, much needed spending dis- These people are not idle, and neither are cipline. We passed budget agreements to we. This country will not rest; we will not help hold the line on spending. tire; we will not stop until this danger to civ- On issue after issue, this administration ilization is removed. has acted on principle. We have kept our We continue to confront that danger in word, and we have made progress for the Iraq, for Saddam holdouts and foreign terror- American people. And the Congress gets a ists are desperately trying to throw Iraq into lot of credit. I’ve got a great relationship with chaos by attacking coalition forces, aid work- Speaker Denny Hastert. He’s a good, solid ers, innocent Iraqis. See, they know that the man. I’ve got a great relationship with Sen- advance of freedom in Iraq will be a major ator Bill Frist, the majority leader. We’re defeat in the cause of terror. This collection working together; we’re working together to of killers is trying to shake our will. They’re get results for the American people. We’re trying to frighten the civilized world. They working hard to change the tone in Wash- don’t understand this country. They don’t un- ington, DC. It needs a—it needs a tonal derstand this administration. We will not be change. There’s too much partisan bickering. intimidated. There’s too much zero-sum politics. We need We are aggressively striking the terrorists to focus on results, not politics. And those in Iraq, defeating them there so we will not are the kind of people I’ve surrounded myself have to face them in our own country. We’ll with in Washington. call on other nations to continue to help us I’ve put together a fantastic administration in Iraq. See, by making Iraq a free country, for the American people. We’ve got a great it’ll make the world more secure. We’ll stand National Security staff, a great economic with the Iraqi people as they assume more team. We’ve got people who have come to of their own defense and move toward self- Washington to serve the people, not petty government. These aren’t easy tasks. I know partisan politics. Richard B. Cheney is the that. But they’re essential tasks. We will fin- greatest Vice President our country has ever ish what we have begun, and we will win had. Mother’s got a second opinion. [Laugh- this essential victory in the war on terror. ter] Our greatest security comes from the ad- In 21⁄2 years, if you think about it—and vance of human liberty, because free nations you tell them at the coffee shops—in 21⁄2 don’t support terror. Free nations do not at- years, this administration has come far. tack their neighbors. Free nations do not We’ve done a lot. We’ve tackled a lot of threaten the world with weapons of mass ter- tough problems. But our work is only begin- ror. believe that freedom is the ning. My job is to set great goals worthy of deepest need and hope of every human a great nation. heart. And I believe that freedom is the right

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of every person, and I believe that freedom are simply fishing for a rich settlement. Be- is the future of every nation. cause of frivolous lawsuits, docs practice de- America also understands that unprece- fensive medicine, which drives up the cost dented influence brings tremendous respon- of health care. And they therefore affect— sibilities. We have duties in the world. And frivolous lawsuits affect the Federal budget. when we see disease and starvation and Medical liability reform is a national issue hopeless poverty, we will not turn away. On which requires a national solution. The the continent of Africa, this great Nation is House of Representatives passed a good bill committed to bringing the healing power of to reform the system. It is stuck in the United medicines to millions of men and women and States Senate. The Senators must understand children now suffering with AIDS. I want to that no one has been healed by a frivolous thank Tommy for his good work. He’s a part lawsuit in America. of our great land’s leadership. We’re leading I have a responsibility as the President to the world in providing this incredibly impor- make sure the judicial system runs well. And tant work of human rescue. I have met that duty. I have nominated su- We face challenges here at home as well, but we’ll be equal to those challenges. First perb men and women for the Federal bench- of all, any time anybody who is looking for es, people who will interpret the law, not leg- work and can’t find a job is still looking, I islate from the bench. Yet some Members think we’ve got a problem. I will continue of the United States Senate—you might to work to create an environment in which know some of them—[laughter]—are trying the entrepreneurial spirit flourishes, in which to keep my nominees off the bench by block- small businesses can grow, so that people in ing up-or-down votes. Every judicial nomi- America can find work. nee deserves a fair hearing and an up-or- I just had a great session with small-busi- down vote on the Senate floor. It is time for ness owners here in Milwaukee. The opti- some Members to stop playing politics with mism is high. The spirit is strong. We will American justice. continue to create the conditions for in- The Congress needs to complete work on creased employment in America, so every- a comprehensive energy plan. Wisconsin is body can find a job. a State—it is a manufacturing State. Manu- We also need to keep our commitment to facturers need reliable sources of energy. America’s seniors by strengthening and mod- The manufacturing sector lags in America. ernizing Medicare. A few weeks ago, earlier And one way to help us was good trade policy in the summer, Congress took historic action that levels the playing field, good tax policy to improve the lives of older Americans. For that encourages investment, less regulations. the first time since the creation of Medicare, But as well we need to have an energy the House and the Senate have passed re- plan. I submitted one 2 years ago. This sum- forms to increase the choices available for mer, we had a problem with our electricity America’s seniors and to provide coverage for grid. You might remember that. It should be prescription drugs. Tommy’s working this a wake-up call to the Congress that we need issue on . He’s working with the to modernize our ability to move electricity House and the Senate so they can iron out their differences and get a good bill to my around America. We need to make sure that desk. We have a duty to America’s seniors. reliability standards for electricity are manda- We have a duty to those of us who are going tory, not voluntary. We need to encourage to be seniors to make sure that we have a more investment into modernizing the grid. modern Medicare system. We need to use our technological capacities And for the sake of our health care system, to increase conservation, to find new sources we need to cut down on the frivolous lawsuits of energy. But we need to use the old sources which increases the cost of medicine. People of energy in an environmentally friendly way who have been harmed by a bad doc deserve to make sure we’re less dependent on foreign their day in court, no doubt about it. Yet, sources of crude. The Congress needs to get the system should not reward lawyers who an energy bill to my desk. For the sake of

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national security and for the sake of eco- of us understands that we are responsible for nomic security, they need to get a bill to my the decisions we make in life. desk soon. If you’re fortunate enough to be a mom Our strong and prosperous Nation must or a dad, you’re responsible for loving your also be a compassionate nation. I will con- child. If you’re worried about the quality of tinue to advance our agenda of compas- the education in which you live, you’re re- sionate , which means we’ll sponsible for doing something about it. If apply the best and most innovative ideas to you’re a CEO in corporate America, you’re the task of helping our fellow citizens in responsible for telling the truth to your need. There’s still millions of men and shareholders and your employees. women who want to end their dependence And in a responsibility society, each of us on Government and become independent are responsible for loving a neighbor just like through hard work. We must build on the we’d like to be loved ourself. We can see success of welfare reform, to bring work and the culture of service and responsibility dignity into the lives of more of our fellow growing around us here in America. I started citizens. what’s called the USA Freedom Corps to en- Congress should complete the ‘‘Citizen courage Americans to extend a compas- Service Act,’’ to encourage more Americans sionate hand to a neighbor in need. The re- to serve in their communities. And Congress sponse has been very strong. Go to the web page and take a look at it, if you’re interested should finally pass my Faith-Based Initiative, in serving your community by helping some- to help empower the armies of compassion body who hurts. which exist all across America. The soldiers Our faith-based charities are strong in in that army mentor children; they care for America. People have heard the call, just like the homeless; they offer hope to the ad- policemen and firefighters and people who dicted. One of the great strengths of America wear our Nation’s uniform are reminding us is the faith of the American people. People what it means to sacrifice for something of all faiths, Hindu, Muslim, Christian, and greater than ourselves. Once again, the chil- Jew, should be welcomed by our Govern- dren of America believe in heroes, because ment to help people who hurt, to help save they see them every day. In these challenging lives. This Government should not fear faith. times, the world has seen the resolve and We should welcome faith. courage of America, and I have been fortu- A compassionate society must promote op- nate enough to see the compassion and the portunity for all, including the independence character of the American people. and dignity that come from ownership. This All the tests of the last 21⁄2 years have come administration will constantly strive to pro- to the right nation. We are a strong country, mote an ownership society in America. We and we use our strength to defend the peace. want more people owning their own home. We’re an optimistic country, confident in We want people to own and manage their ourselves and in ideals bigger than ourselves. own retirement accounts. We want people Abroad, we seek to lift up whole nations by to own and manage their own health ac- spreading freedom. At home, we seek to lift counts. And we want more people owning up lives by spreading opportunity to every a small business. You see, we understand in corner of America. This is the work that his- this administration that when somebody tory has set before us. We welcome it, and owns something, he or she has a vital stake we know that for our country and for our in the future of our country. cause, the best days lie ahead. In a compassionate society, people respect May God bless you. Thank you all. one another, and they take responsibility for the decisions they make. The culture of NOTE: The President spoke at 12 noon at the America is changing from one that has said, Italian Community Center. In his remarks, he re- ‘‘If it feels good, just go ahead and do it,’’ ferred to Rick Graber, chairman, Republican and ‘‘If you’ve got a problem, blame some- Party of Wisconsin; and Milwaukee County Exec- body else,’’ to a new culture in which each utive Scott Walker.

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Digest of Other Space Station Expedition 6 crew and NASA White House Announcements Administrator Sean O’Keefe. The President announced his intention to nominate Mary Kramer to be Ambassador to The following list includes the President’s public Barbados and to serve concurrently and with- schedule and other items of general interest an- out additional compensation as Ambassador nounced by the Office of the Press Secretary and to St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Antigua and not included elsewhere in this issue. Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, and St. Vin- cent and the Grenadines. September 27 The President announced his intention to In the morning, at Camp David, MD, the appoint Charles A. Calhoun as Commis- President had an intelligence briefing. sioner of the Pecos River Commission for In the afternoon, the President returned New Mexico and . to Washington, DC. The President announced his intention to The White House announced that on Sep- appoint Maria Pilar Aristigueta as a member tember 26 the President declared a major of the Board of Trustees of the Christopher disaster in Pennsylvania and ordered Federal Columbus Fellowship Foundation. aid to supplement State and local recovery The President announced his intention to efforts in the area struck by Tropical Storms nominate the following individuals to be Henri and Isabel and related severe storms members of the National Commission on Li- and flooding on September 15–23. braries and Information Science: Jose Anto- nio Aponte, Sandra Frances Ashworth, Ed- September 29 ward Louis Bertorelli, Carol L. Diehl, Allison In the morning, the President had an intel- Druin, Beth Fitzsimmons, Patricia M. Hines, ligence briefing. Colleen Ellen Huebner, Stephen M. Ken- In the afternoon, in the Eisenhower Exec- nedy, Herman Lavon Totten, Bridget L. La- utive Office Building, the President met with mont, and Mary H. Perdue. congregational rabbis. September 30 October 2 In the morning, the President had an intel- In the morning, the President had an intel- ligence briefing. Later, he traveled to Chi- ligence briefing. cago, IL. In the afternoon, the President had lunch In the afternoon, the President traveled to with Vice President Dick Cheney. Later, he Cincinnati, OH, where, in the evening, he met with Secretary of State Colin L. Powell. attended a Bush-Cheney ’04 reception at a The President announced his intention to private residence. nominate Edward Baxter O’Donnell for the Later in the evening, the President re- rank of Ambassador during his tenure of turned to Washington, DC. service as Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues. October 1 The President announced his intention to In the morning, the President had an intel- designate Rita E. Hauser as a member of ligence briefing. Later, he met with Secretary the Intelligence Oversight Board, a standing of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld. committee of the President’s Foreign Intel- Later in the morning, in the Oval Office, ligence Advisory Board. the President met with President Alvaro Uribe of Colombia. In the afternoon, the President had a brief- October 3 ing at the Department of Homeland Secu- In the morning, the President had an intel- rity. ligence briefing. Later, he traveled to Mil- Later in the afternoon, in the Oval Office, waukee, WI. the President participated in a photo oppor- In the afternoon, the President returned tunity with members of the International to Washington, DC.

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