Mar. 30 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2005

nest egg you own is for—is to be a part The President. First of all, I want to of a retirement system. In other words, the thank our panelists for joining us. I hope Government is going to be able to afford you found this to be an educational discus- something, and on top of that will be your sion about a problem that we need to solve own nest egg. It’s a part of the retirement now. If you’re over 55 years old, you’ll get system. And that asset base that you build your check. I don’t care what the propa- will not only help you in retirement, but ganda says. I don’t care what the pamphlet- if you so choose, you can leave it to whom- eers say. I don’t care what the ads say. ever you want, which is, I think, a vital You’re going to get your check. Now, if part of having a vibrant society, that assets you’re a younger person here at this fine are passed from one generation to the next. community college, you need to be asking Good job. the people in the United—you don’t have Mr. Knudsen. Thank you. to worry about your Senator and Congress- man, but you need to be a part of people The President. You want to have the final saying, ‘‘We have a problem. You all got word, or you want me to? elected for a reason. Now, what are you Mr. Knudsen. I can go ahead and talk going to do about it to make sure the Social a little more if you would like. [Laughter] Security system is permanently solved.’’ I think the other key thing that most peo- Thanks for coming today. I appreciate ple are forgetting is the fact that if I felt your time. God bless. that I wasn’t wise enough to invest my money and I wasn’t confident in myself, NOTE: The President spoke at 12:23 p.m. at I have the option not to accept the personal Kirkwood Community College. In his re- account and leave the system as it is and marks, he referred to Mick Starcevich, presi- take the system. So I have the option of dent, and Steve Ovel, executive director of doing it if I care to or not. governmental relations, Kirkwood Commu- The President. Precisely right. I appre- nity College; Iowa State Senator Chuck ciate you understanding that. I got the final Larson; Mayor Paul D. Pate of Cedar Rapids, word. [Laughter] IA; and former professional baseball player Mr. Knudsen. Okay. Rocky Colavito.

Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting a Report on Trade Negotiations March 30, 2005

Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:) the Congress, my Administration has com- Consistent with section 2103(c)(2) of the pleted trade agreements with 12 nations on Trade Act of 2002, I ask that the Congress 5 continents that will open a combined extend trade promotion authority proce- market of 124 million consumers for Amer- dures for 2 years, and I enclose a report ica’s farmers, manufacturers, and service prepared by my Administration on trade providers. negotiations conducted under those proce- dures. We must continue to pursue bilateral and Trade promotion authority is essential to regional agreements to open new markets, expanding opportunities for American busi- and we must complete negotiations in the nesses, workers, and farmers. Working with World Trade Organization to reduce global

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barriers to trade. We will continue to en- to the continued close cooperation with the force vigorously the trade laws so that Congress in pursuing these objectives. American businesses and workers are com- Sincerely, peting on a level playing field. GEORGE W. BUSH Free and fair trade creates jobs, raises living standards, and lowers prices for fami- NOTE: Identical letters were sent to J. Den- lies here at home. Trade agreements also nis Hastert, Speaker of the House of Rep- deepen our partnerships with countries that resentatives, and Richard B. Cheney, Presi- want to trade in freedom. I look forward dent of the Senate.

Remarks Prior to a Briefing on the Findings of the Commission on the Intelligence Capabilities of the Regarding Weapons of Mass Destruction March 31, 2005

Death of Theresa Marie Schiavo ahead of constantly changing intelligence Today millions of Americans are sad- challenges. dened by the death of Terri Schiavo. Laura So last year I issued an Executive order and I extend our condolences to Terri creating an independent Commission to Schiavo’s families. I appreciate the example look at America’s intelligence capabilities, of grace and dignity they have displayed especially our intelligence about weapons at a difficult time. I urge all those who of mass destruction. I asked two fine Amer- honor Terri Schiavo to continue to work icans to chair this Commission, Judge Lau- to build a culture of life, where all Ameri- rence Silberman and former Senator Chuck cans are welcomed and valued and pro- Robb. They have done an excellent job. tected, especially those who live at the I appreciate your service to our country. mercy of others. The essence of civilization is that the I also want to thank the other members strong have a duty to protect the weak. of the Commission, Senator John McCain, In cases where there are serious doubts , , Walt Slocombe, and questions, the presumption should be Bill Studeman, Judge , Chuck in the favor of life. Vest, and . I want to thank them for their hard work. They spent a lot of time on this project. I asked these Intelligence Capabilities distinguished individuals to give me an un- varnished look at our intelligence commu- The most solemn duty of the American President is to protect the American peo- nity, and they have delivered. ple. Since September the 11th, 2001, we’ve This morning the Commission presented taken bold and vigorous steps to prevent me with their recommendations, which are further attacks and overcome emerging thoughtful and extremely significant. The threats. We face a new and different kind central conclusion is one that I share: of enemy. The threats today are unprece- America’s intelligence community needs dented. The lives of our citizens are at fundamental change to enable us to suc- stake. To protect them, we need the best cessfully confront the threats of the 21st intelligence possible, and we must stay century.

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