Administration of George W. Bush, 2002 / Sept. 5 1489

Remarks to the Community in I want to thank the members of the Louis- Louisville, ville community who happen to be small- September 5, 2002 business owners for coming to visit. We just had a good hour discussion about small-busi- Thank you all very much. Thank you all. ness issues. You see, one of the best ways It is great to be here in the State of Kentucky. to make sure that our economy grows is to Let me tell you, it’s great to be back to the have an environment in which the entre- State of Kentucky. I want to thank you all preneur can flourish and the small business for coming. It is my—it’s going to be my can be strong. Most new jobs are created in honor today to talk to you about our country, America by small businesses, and therefore, our future. I want to talk about how to make we’d better worry about the health of small our country a safer country and a stronger businesses, if we’re worried about the health country and, as importantly, a better country. and security of the country. And there’s no better place to do it than Lou- And I’m worried about the health and se- isville, Kentucky. curity of our country; I am. And we’ve got I want to thank Anne for her kind intro- a lot of work to do. I’m not worried about duction, and I want to thank the other mem- bers of the Kentucky delegation who are here our future because I’m optimistic about today who are my friends, and that would America. We’ve got a great future ahead of be Senator and Congressman us. But so long as anybody who wants to work . I appreciate all three members can’t find work, I think we’ve got a problem of the congressional delegation coming down in America. And so, therefore, our thought today. As you know, they’re up there in process ought to be how to create jobs, how Washington meeting, and it’s an honor that best to make sure that the foundation of eco- three Members decided to come and hear nomic growth remains strong and that we go the President. [Laughter] forward with creating jobs. I want to thank your Governor, Paul Pat- And that’s why I met with the small-busi- ton, for coming today. Governor, I appreciate ness owners and listened to their concerns you taking time to be here. I’m honored that and heard their points of view. First, let me you’re here. I want to thank Elaine Chao, tell you the foundation for our economy is who is a member of my Cabinet, the Sec- strong. I mean, after all, interest rates are retary of Labor. I appreciate you coming, low. Inflation is low. We’ve got the best work- Elaine. I want to thank the head of the Small ers in the world. Our productivity is high. Business Administration, Hector Barreto, for We’ve got the best farmers and ranchers in joining us as well. Thank you, Hector. Oh, the world. We’re really good at a lot of things I forgot—I forgot to mention the first lady in America which creates the foundation for of Kentucky. One thing you learn is never growth. I am not satisfied, however, until ev- to forget to mention the first ladies. I appre- erybody can find work. And so, fundamen- ciate Judi Patton being here as well. Thank tally, what can we do? you for coming, Judi. First, you’ve got to understand the role of Speaking about first ladies, my wife is Government is not to create wealth. It’s to doing great, too. I like to remind people that when I married her, she was a public school create an environment in which people can librarian. And for all the public school librar- realize their dreams, in which small busi- ians out there, you’ve got an advocate in the nesses can grow to be big businesses. And White House. For all the teachers out there, one way to encourage that is to let people I want to thank you for being teachers, too. keep more of their own money. She didn’t like politics, and she didn’t like When we came in, it turns out the country politicians when I married her. Now she’s was in a recession. That’s three quarters of stuck with one. [Laughter] She’s doing a negative growth. Fortunately, I was able to great job. I’m really proud of her. She sends team up with members of both political par- her love and her best to all the people of ties to take a chapter out of this textbook. Kentucky. It’s the chapter that says, if you let people 1490 Sept. 5 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2002 keep more of their own money, they will de- wants to find work is more likely to be able mand a good or a service. And if they de- to do so if the tax relief is permanent. mand a good or a service, somebody is likely In order to make sure people find work to produce that good or a service. And when and our economy is strong, Congress must somebody produces that good or a service, not overspend. Every idea sounds like a good somebody is more likely to find work. The idea in Washington—just that they cost bil- tax relief came at the right time for the Amer- lions of dollars. We need to set priorities, and ican economy. we have set priorities in Washington, prior- If you listen carefully to some of the dialog ities of how to make America safer, stronger, in Washington, you begin to hear a little tone and better. And it’s my job to hold the line about, ‘‘Well, maybe we ought to stop the on spending the people’s money. tax relief from being fully implemented.’’ That would be a mistake for our economy. See, it’s important to have the right mind- That would be a terrible mistake for jobs and set up there. We’re not spending Govern- job creation. Not only should we resist any- ment money; we’re spending your money. In body who wants to undo the tax relief, we order to make sure it’s spent wisely—I look need to make the tax relief permanent. forward to working with Congress to make Well, people say, ‘‘How can cutting in- sure we spend your money wisely. If we over- come taxes on the people affect small busi- spend, it will serve as a drag on our economy. ness?’’ Well, most small businesses are sole If we overspend, it will make it harder for proprietorships, which means they pay tax at people to find work. I’m worried about peo- the individual income tax rate level. Or most ple finding work. I want anybody who wants small businesses are limited partnerships. a job to be able to find one here in America. And so when you cut the taxes on the people, There’s some other practical things we can you’re really cutting the taxes on the sole pro- do in Washington, DC. We need to get us prietors and on limited partnerships. You’re a terrorism insurance bill, to get our hardhats helping small business grow. And when small back to work. Over $10 billion of construc- businesses grow, America is better off. tion projects are not going forward because But let me also tell you that in the tax relief people can’t get the proper insurance be- plan we began to mitigate the effects of the cause of what the terrorists did to America. marriage penalty. Listen, the Tax Code ought The Government ought to help here. It to encourage marriage, not discourage mar- makes sense that the Government help. We riage. And the other thing is we sent the want our hardhats back to working. The con- death tax on the way to extinction. The death struction trades believe that over 300,000 tax is bad for Kentucky farmers; it’s bad for workers will go back to work if we can get Kentucky ranchers; and it’s bad for Kentucky this bill out of Congress. I want a bill out entrepreneurs. of Congress that helps the hardhats, not And then you say, ‘‘Well, why, Mr. Presi- helps the plaintiffs’ attorneys. I want people dent, do you need to talk about making the going back to work in America. tax relief permanent?’’ Because a quirk in the We need an energy bill. A good energy law in the Senate says that you won’t—we’re going to cut your taxes, but in bill will create jobs in America. We also need 10 years it will have come back. It’s hard for an energy bill which will encourage conserva- me to explain. I mean, how can you say, ‘‘On tion and the use of renewable energy. We the one hand, we’re cutting your taxes, on can do that, but we also need an energy bill the other hand, it goes away after 10 years?’’ that will encourage exploration here in Amer- Well, that’s just the way the Senate happens ica, exploration in environmentally friendly to work right now. But there’s a way to ways, so that we become less dependent on change that, and that is to get the United foreign sources of crude oil. An energy bill States Senate to agree to make all this tax is good for jobs, and it’s good for national relief permanent. It will help people plan. security, and it’s time the Congress quit talk- It will help good policy, and anybody who ing and get an energy bill to my desk. Administration of George W. Bush, 2002 / Sept. 5 1491

Now, I’m optimistic about our economy. think this war and this hatred is going to go I’m optimistic about job growth. I’m opti- away anytime soon—that future Presidents mistic about the future because I understand can deal with the threat on the homeland, America. We’ve got problems, no question, I’ve asked for a new department in Wash- but we have a spirit that is indomitable and ington called the Department of Homeland strong. I’m also optimistic about being able Security. The reason I did is because there’s to do my most important job, which is to over 100 agencies in Washington, DC, that protect the homeland. have something to do with protecting the You know, one of my concerns was the homeland. They’re scattered everywhere. In farther we got away from September the order to make sure the number one priority 11th, the more likely it would be that some of these agencies is your protection, I’ve in our country might not think the enemy asked that they be put under one umbrella, still existed. But they do, and they’re nothing one Cabinet Secretary to be confirmed by but a bunch of coldblooded killers. That’s all the . they are. People in our country wonder why, I want to be able to align authority and why would somebody hate America? It’s be- responsibility. I want to be able to say clearly cause we love freedom; that’s why. We love to the American people, ‘‘We’re doing a bet- the idea that free people can worship an al- ter job of protecting our borders.’’ See, we mighty God any way they so choose in Amer- need to know who’s coming into America, ica. We value the freedom for people to what they’re bringing into America, and speak their mind in this country. We value whether or not they’re going to leave Amer- a free press. We value freedom. And the ica when they say they’re going to leave more we value freedom, the more they hate America. We need to do a better job of co- us. That’s why. That’s why the enemy still ordinating our first—the strategy of our first- exists. responders, the brave police and fire and And there’s another reason. Every life EMS teams that you’ve got right here in Lou- matters in America. Everybody counts. Ev- isville and all across America. We need to erybody has worth. And these killers don’t do a better job of being able to respond to think that way. They’re willing to take inno- potential weapons of mass destruction at- cent life in the name of a hijacked religion. tacks—need to do a better job of taking the And so my job is to do everything we can intelligence we have and analyzing it and ad- to protect our homeland—it’s to make Amer- dressing the vulnerabilities that may be evi- ica more secure. dent here in America. You need to know there’s a lot of good And so I’ve asked Congress to act, and I folks working hard to protect us. I mean, any appreciate the fact that the House of Rep- time we’re getting a hint that the enemy resentatives has acted. And I’m sure on your might be thinking about doing something to TV screens, if you bother to watch TV, you’ll us, we’re moving on it. We communicate bet- see that the Senate is debating this bill. I’ve ter. We’re aware. We’re aware of their ha- got deep concerns about where the Senate tred. Prior to September the 11th, we would is headed, however. I need the flexibility nec- never assume that America would be a bat- essary to be able to move people to the right tlefield. It is now. It’s a different era. I want place at the right time in order to protect you to know that you should take comfort America. And I’ll give you an example. in the fact that a lot of good people are doing On our borders we’ve got three different everything they can to make sure that Amer- agencies involved with protecting the border, ica is secure, not only at the Federal level Customs, INS, and Border Patrol. They wear but at the State level and here at the local different uniforms. They have different strat- level. A lot of really good people are getting egies. They’ve got different bosses. For the better information and are acting on it as sake of protecting America, any administra- quickly as possible. tion must have the flexibility to move people I went to Congress, and I said, in order around to address our vulnerabilities. The to help me and future Presidents—and no- enemy moves quickly, and so should the Fed- tice I say future Presidents, because I don’t eral Government be able to move quickly. 1492 Sept. 5 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2002

And yet, the bill out of the Senate has got States military or if you’re in the United rules this thick. They want to micromanage States military, this Nation is incredibly the process. The Senate must hear this: I ex- proud of what your relative is doing. pect to get a bill that is not in the best inter- I have submitted a defense spending bill ests of vested interests in Washington but in that is the largest increase since Ronald the best interests of protecting the American Reagan was the President. And I did so for people. The best way to protect our home- two reasons—two reasons: One, any time we land is to hunt the killers down, one by one, put our troops into harm’s way, they deserve and bring them to justice. The best way to the best pay, the best equipment, and the secure America—the best way to secure our best training; and secondly, I did so because country and to protect our freedom is to find I want to send a message to friend and foe the killers. alike that we’re in this deal for the long haul. This is a different kind of war, but the war When it comes to the freedoms we love, goes on. We’ve got some great veterans in when it comes to something we hold dear, this hall who remember the way war used this country is determined and patient and to be. You could determine the size of the plenty resolved to achieve victory. enemy based upon the number of tanks they Congress is back. The House passed a might have or the number of airplanes they version of the defense bill. The Senate passed have or the number of ships. This is a dif- a version of the defense bill. I expect the ferent kind of enemy. These are commanders Congress to work together and get that de- who hide in dark caves and then send young- fense bill to my desk as soon as possible. It’s sters to their suicidal death. They kind of in the interests of the United States. The slither into cities and hope not to get caught. American people are not going to like it if They’re sophisticated. They understand they see the Congress playing politics with we’re after them. And they’re elusive, and the defense bill when we’re at war. they’re determined. But so are we. We’ve got a fabulous United States military, and they’re We’re making progress. See, because the on the hunt. We’ve got a strong coalition of enemy is different and the nature of the war nations which have heard, as Anne men- is different, sometimes you don’t see what’s tioned, the doctrine that says, either you’re going on. As I said early on, and right after with us or you’re with the enemy. We have September the 11th, sometimes you’ll see upheld the doctrine that says, if you harbor what’s happening, and sometimes you won’t. a terrorist, you’re just as guilty as the ter- That’s just the nature of this war. Sometimes rorist. one of these killers will be brought to justice, And I want you to tell your youngsters, and you’ll hear about it, and sometimes they your children and your grandchildren, that won’t. But we’re making progress. Slowly but when this great Nation went into Afghani- surely, we’re making progress. Slowly but stan, we didn’t go to conquer anybody. We surely, we’re bringing people to justice. went in to liberate. We went in to liberate Notice I don’t say, ‘‘Slowly but surely, people from the clutches of the most bar- we’re seeking revenge.’’ I said, ‘‘Slowly but baric regime in history. This great Nation and surely, we’re bringing people to justice.’’ We our friends and allies not only upheld an im- owe that to our children. We owe that to portant doctrine, but as a result of our action, our children’s children. We must stay on the many young girls go to school for the first hunt for the sake of freedom here. We must time in Afghanistan. continue to deny sanctuary. Once we get And we’re not leaving. We believe so them on the run, we’ve also got to make it strongly that every individual counts, that we hard for them to light anywhere. We must want to help democracy flourish in that re- make sure that those who would like to har- gion. And we’re not leaving because there’s bor them continue to get the message that still Al Qaida and their buddies roaming there will be a consequence. We must antici- around. And there’s a lot of brave folks on pate problems before they occur. We must the hunt, probably some of your relatives. deal with threats to our security today, before And if you’ve got a relative in the United it can be too late. Administration of George W. Bush, 2002 / Sept. 5 1493

Yesterday I announced to the country that I believe out of the evil done to America— I would be working closely with our United and make no mistake, it was an incredibly States Congress and the American people to evil act—will come incredible good. You explain the threat that Saddam Hussein poses need to tell your loved ones, the little ones to world peace. I take the threat very seri- in particular, that when they hear the Presi- ously. I take the fact that he develops weap- dent talking about Al Qaida, Iraq, and other ons of mass destruction very seriously. I re- places, I do so because I long for peace. See, member the fact that he has invaded two I believe out of the evil done to America, countries before. I know for a fact that he’s if we’re strong and focused and determined, poisoned his own people. He doesn’t believe we can achieve peace. We can not only in the worth of each individual. He doesn’t achieve peace today for America but peace believe in public dissent. in the long term—but not only for America. I look forward to a dialog. I’m a patient See, every life matters in this country. And man. I’ve got tools—we’ve got tools at our you don’t have to be an American for you disposal. And therefore, yesterday I began an to matter, as far as this Nation is concerned. important discussion about our future, about We want peace in parts of the world that peace, about freedom; a discussion that I will have quit on peace. We want there to be continue to have with the United States Con- peace in the Middle East. We want there gress, Republican and Democrat alike; a dis- to be peace in South Asia. We act because cussion I will carry on with the American we believe in peace. And out of the evil done people; a discussion I will begin at the United to America can come a more peaceful world. Nations next week; a discussion I will have And out of the evil done to America can with the Prime Minister of Britain Saturday; come a more compassionate America, too. a discussion I’ll have with the Prime Minister A lot of people say, ‘‘Well, what can I do of Canada on Monday; a discussion I’ll be on the war against terror?’’ You can love your having with the President of Russia, Premier neighbor like you’d like to be loved yourself, of China, President of France tomorrow. is what you can do. I will remind them that history has called No, I’m for a safer and strong America, us into action, that we love freedom, that and I’m for a better America. A better Amer- we’ll be deliberate, patient, and strong in the ica begins, by the way, with making sure values that we adhere to, but we can’t let every child gets an education in this country the world’s worst leaders blackmail, threaten, and no child is left behind. A better America hold freedom-loving nations hostage with the is when we take care of people who can’t world’s worst weapons. help themselves with a health care system I can’t imagine what went through the en- that’s modern. A better America is one that emy’s mind when they hit us. I can’t imagine calls upon the best of America. See, Govern- what they were thinking. Let me guess. They ment can hand out money—we do a pretty probably said, America is so selfish and so good job of it. But what Government cannot self-absorbed and so materialistic, that after do is put hope into people’s hearts or a sense September the 11th we might file a lawsuit of purpose in people’s lives. That’s done or two, but that’s all we would do. They were when a loving individual puts his arm around wrong. See, they don’t understand America. a fellow citizen and says, ‘‘I love you. What They don’t understand our character, and can I do to help you?’’ they don’t understand our fiber. They don’t You see, America is changing, one person understand that, when we love something, at a time—one person at a time. We’re saving we love it dearly. We love life, and we love America one soul, one conscience at a time, freedom. because thousands of our fellow citizens have And they understand one thing about us, recognized it’s important to serve something too. When we need to be plenty tough, we’re greater than yourself. going to be plenty tough. And they’re learn- Robert Mihalovic is here. I met two groups ing another thing about America. When we of people—I met one group of people, and need to be compassionate and loving, we can I met one person. I met Robert. I also met be compassionate and loving, too. You see, the Louisville Little League team, both kind 1494 Sept. 5 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2002 of heroes in their own way. One group of Secretary also released a Spanish language tran- kids won a championship. I did remind them, script of these remarks. it’s just beginning for you. You’ve got a re- sponsibility now that you’re champs, a re- sponsibility to make the right choices in life. Remarks at a Luncheon for Robert is here—Robert, if you don’t mind Representative Anne M. Northup standing up—I’ll tell you why Robert is here. in Louisville He’s a Navy World War II veteran. He’s a September 5, 2002 Korean war veteran. But let me tell you something about him. He mentors children. I want to thank you all. Thanks for coming. See, he’s decided that in order to make a I’m really honored to have been invited back difference, in order to be a patriot, he wants to Louisville by Anne to help in her reelec- to help a child in need. Robert told me at tion effort. She is a incredibly—she is a Air Force One that his most beautiful mo- breath of fresh air in Washington, let me put ments come when the child hugs him and it to you that way. She’s honest. She’s open. says, ‘‘Thank you,’’ when the child says, The thing I love about Anne is her heart. ‘‘Thanks for giving me some hope, and thanks It is as big as Texas. [Laughter] She cares for giving me love.’’ deeply about her fellow citizens. No Government program can do that. It You see, what we need in the political happens because thousands of citizens like process is people who put the people ahead Robert, who I call soldiers in the armies of of partisanship. They put people’s concerns compassion, have heard the call to love their and hopes and aspirations ahead of personal neighbor like they’d like to be loved them- success—their own personal success. selves. One person, one Robert can’t do ev- See, I love the idea that this is a soul who erything, but he can do something. He can is willing to work in neighborhoods where help change America, one heart, one soul at somebody might not have ever voted for her. a time. She’s not the kind of citizen who said, ‘‘Did The enemy hit us. They did tremendous you vote for me,’’ and therefore, ‘‘I’m going evil to America. But out of that evil is going to help you.’’ She’s the kind of citizen who to come a more compassionate country. We says, ‘‘I’m honored to be in the position I’m can deal with addiction and hopelessness and in, and what can I do to make Kentucky, and despair when our fellow citizens answer the Louisville, Kentucky, as hopeful a place for call to make America a compassionate and every citizen?’’ deserves to be a decent place. And that’s what’s happening reelected to the . in this country. It’s happening in America. I value her advice. I value her friendship. No, out of the evil done to America is going I value being able to work with her to do to come incredible good—peace and a better what’s right for America. I also like the fact society, because we’re the greatest Nation, that she loves her family. She’s got her prior- full of the greatest people on the face of the ities straight. She loves Woody, and she loves Earth. her kids. I love the fact that Anne is an adopt- Thank you for coming. God bless. God ed mom. It shows something special about bless America. her heart and her willingness to love. I en- joyed meeting her mother and dad. She NOTE: The President spoke at 11:40 a.m. in the probably listens to her mother about as much Broadbent Arena at the Kentucky Fair and Expo- as I do—listen to mine. [Laughter] But she sition Center. In his remarks, he referred to Rep- is—she’s got her priorities straight, her faith resentative Anne M. Northup of Kentucky, who and her family and the people of Louisville, introduced the President; Gov. Paul Patton of Kentucky. Kentucky, and his wife, Judi; President Saddam Hussein of Iraq; Prime Minister Tony Blair of the So I want to thank you all for coming to United Kingdom; Prime Minister Jean Chretien help this good lady. I want to thank you for of Canada; President Vladimir Putin of Russia; contributing, and I urge you to contribute President Jiang Zemin of China; and President your time. It’s—this fundraiser is going to Jacques Chirac of France. The Office of the Press be history in about 30 minutes, or if I keep