1740 Dec. 2 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2003 the peace. We’re an optimistic country, con- Representative Collins. [Inaudible] fident in ourselves and in ideals bigger than The President Yes. You are a ‘‘Bubba.’’ ourselves. Abroad, we seek to lift up whole [Laughter] I’m glad you all are here. I nations by spreading freedom. At home, we thought you might be here just because you seek to lift up lives by spreading opportunity were looking for a fast ride back up to the to every corner of this country. This is the Capitol. work that history has set before us. We wel- I want to congratulate Matt Kenseth, the come it, and we know that for our country, 2003 Winston Cup points champion. Like all the best days lie ahead. champs, he succeeded because of his dedica- God bless you all. Thank you for coming. tion and his hard work. He started racing Proud you’re here. late-model cars in his home State of Wis- consin before he was 20 years old. He NOTE: The President spoke at 11:58 a.m. at the worked his way up the ranks to the Busch Westin Convention Center Hotel. In his remarks, Series. I kind of like the name of that series. he referred to Pittsburgh Steelers running back [Laughter] This year, he drove his number Jerome Bettis; Pennsylvania State Attorney Gen- 17 Ford all the way to the Winston Cup title. eral Mike Fisher; Allegheny County Chief Execu- He’s a great driver, and, like me, he married tive Jim Roddey; and David Girard-diCarlo, Penn- sylvania State cochairman, and Leslie Gromis well. We appreciate Katie coming here today. Baker, campaign chairperson for the mid-Atlantic Thanks for being here, Katie. region, Bush-Cheney ’04, Inc. But every NASCAR fan knows that behind the—the talent behind the wheel is not just enough, that NASCAR is a team sport. When Remarks Honoring 2003 NASCAR you hear these drivers talk after a victory, Drivers they’re always talking about how well their December 2, 2003 team performed, how well the team did. He had a great group in the pit, obviously—oth- The President. Good to see you all. erwise, he wouldn’t be the champion—start- Thanks for coming. Welcome. Please be seat- ing with the cat in the hat, the team owner, ed. Thanks for coming. Welcome to the Jack Roush. Thank you for coming, Jack, and White House, and congratulations on a great congratulations. Every team needs a strong NASCAR Winston Cup Series. We’re hon- crew chief, and Matt had a great one in ored you all are here. I see a lot of the Robbie Reiser. Robbie, thank you for com- ‘‘Bubbas’’ who work in my administration ing. I appreciate you being here. Some of who have shown up. [Laughter] I wonder the other members of the crew are here as why. I’ve hosted champions from many well. Where are they, Robbie? Where are the sports here at the White House—first time, members of your crew? Well, they must however, we ever parked stock cars in the have—couldn’t pass the security check. Let South Lawn. [Laughter] We’re proud you all them in the gate. [Laughter] But all of you are here. have earned your right—earned the right to I’m proud to be here with such an out- call yourselves champs. I congratulate you. standing group of NASCAR drivers. I didn’t We welcome you to the White House. I’m realize you all dressed up so well—[laugh- really proud of the job you’ve done. ter]—with the NASCAR owners, the crew One of the reasons for the success of members, and the executives of this fine NASCAR is the strength of its leadership. sport. I want the thank Mike Helton, who is the I appreciate the Members of Congress president of NASCAR, for coming today. who are here. I see Senator John Kyl of Ari- Mike, you’re doing a great job. zona. I didn’t realize you were such a race But there’s no doubt NASCAR is where fan, Senator—helped us get the Medicare it is today because of a great entrepreneur, bill through the Senate, by the way. I appre- a person who understands the consumer, the ciate Bart Gordon of Tennessee for joining customer, and built this sport up to what it us. Congressman Mac Collins—I knew he is, and that is Bill France, Jr. We’re honored was a race car fan. It’s good to see you, Mac. you’re here, Bill. Thank you for coming. I VerDate jul 14 2003 11:43 Dec 09, 2003 Jkt 203250 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P49DET4.005 P49DET4 Administration of George W. Bush, 2003 / Dec. 3 1741 appreciate Betty Jane coming as well. It’s one of the things I like most about NASCAR. great to see you again, Betty Jane. I’m also You know the work you do away from the so pleased that Lesa Kennedy, who is the track is really what makes the NASCAR driv- president of the Daytona International ers the true champs. After Hurricane Isabelle Speedway, is with us; Brian France, who’s and the California wildfires, Jimmie Johnson taken over his dad’s position at NASCAR. worked with Lowe’s and the American Red You know, there’s nothing wrong, Brian, with Cross to raise money for the victims for those following your father’s footsteps. [Laughter] disasters. Tony Stewart donated $1 million The France family is a great American family, to the Petty family for the Victory Junction and we’re really proud you’re here. Gang Camp, which is a great facility in North We’re proud some of the members of the Carolina where seriously ill children can have board from NASCAR are with us today. I’m fun while undergoing treatment. Jeff Gordon glad my friend, former Governor Bill Graves, has run a foundation to benefit children and is here. Thank you all for coming. families in need. These champs are champs We also have some former Winston Cup on the racetrack, and they’re champs off the champs—Tony Stewart—I had the honor of racetrack, for which this country is grateful. greeting Tony at the Oval Office last year. I also appreciate the strong support that Bill Elliott is with us. Some pretty fine Tex- NASCAR’s drivers and crew members and ans are up here too—the Labonte boys, executives continue to give to our Armed Bobby and Terry—from Corpus, right? Forces. By reminding your millions of fans That’s what I thought. You still from Corpus? that America’s heroes are the men and They still claim you in Corpus. Yes. [Laugh- women who defend our Nation, you’re re- ter] minding us all about the importance of serv- Mark Martin is not on the stage with us, ing a cause greater than ourself. but he’s one of the fine drivers on the I want to thank you all for coming today. NASCAR circuit. Mark, we’re proud you’re I want to congratulate you all for being such here. Thank you for coming. Some of the great champs. Good luck in the upcoming young drivers are with us today. These are year. May God bless you all, and may God the ones that are attracting some of the continue to bless our great country. Thanks young fans to this fantastic sport—Jimmie for coming. Johnson and Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Kevin Harvick, and Ryan Newman. I’m really glad you all are here. Thanks for coming. It’s such NOTE: The President spoke at 3:05 p.m. on the a thrill to have you on the South Lawn. South Lawn at the White House. In his remarks, he referred to Jack Roush, owner, Roush Racing; NASCAR is one of the fastest growing Bill France, Jr., co-vice chairman, NASCAR, his sports in America today; 75 million Ameri- wife, Betty Jane, and their children, Brian France, cans now count themselves as fans. And chief executive officer and chairman of the board, NASCAR has followers around the world NASCAR, and Lesa France Kennedy, president, who listen to your races in 21 languages and International Speedway Corp.; and Bill Graves, a hundred different countries. It’s a fantastic member, board of directors, International Speed- international sport. And it’s easy to figure out way Corp. why the sport is so popular. The competition is intense, the drivers and their crews are skillful, the finishes are oftentimes dramatic. Remarks on Signing the Healthy NASCAR has a proud history dating back Forests Restoration Act of 2003 to 1948. And today, you’re carrying on the December 3, 2003 tradition set by some of the great legends of American sport, Richard Petty and Cale Thanks for coming. Thanks for finally in- Yarborough and Dale Earnhardt. viting me to the Department of Agriculture. It’s a time of change for NASCAR. It’s one [Laughter] It’s an honor to be here. I’m really of the reasons why the sport is continuing glad to be here as our Government takes a to attract a lot of fans. Yet the values long major step forward in protecting America’s held by the drivers in this sport endure. It’s forests. VerDate jul 14 2003 07:35 Dec 09, 2003 Jkt 203250 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P49DET4.005 P49DET4.