June 14 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2002
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June 14 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2002 and international organizations to achieve Human Rights adopted by the United Na- particular purposes and to require the Sec- tions General Assembly on December 10, retary to submit a report to congressional 1948,’’ added to section 2(b)(1)(B) of the committees on the contents of negotiations Export-Import Bank Act by section 15 of and certain related executive deliberations. the bill, as only providing examples of types These provisions interfere with the Presi- of human rights that the President may dent’s constitutional authority to conduct wish to consider in making a determination the Nation’s foreign affairs, supervise the under section 2(b)(1)(B) and not as giving unitary executive branch, and withhold in- the Universal Declaration the force of U.S. formation the disclosure of which could im- law. pair foreign relations, the national security, the deliberative processes of the executive, GEORGE W. BUSH or the performance of the executive’s con- The White House, stitutional duties. Accordingly, the executive branch shall construe these provisions as June 14, 2002. precatory rather than mandatory. The executive branch shall construe the NOTE: S. 1372, approved June 14, was as- reference to the ‘‘Universal Declaration of signed Public Law No. 107–189. Remarks at a Reception for Governor Rick Perry of Texas in Houston June 14, 2002 The President. Thank you for that warm It’s hard to believe that a public school welcome. It’s another reason I’m glad to librarian who didn’t particularly care about be home—[laughter]—that, plus getting a politics or politicians—[laughter]—is now little culture. [Laughter] I can’t tell you the First Lady of this great country, and how great it is to see so many friends. she’s doing a magnificent job. I’m really I want to thank you for your prayers, for proud of her. Of course she, like my moth- your friendship. I want to thank you for er, is still telling me what to do. [Laughter] helping Laura and me serve our country. Marjorie, I’m of course listening. [Laugh- I’m here today to talk about a man ter] But we’re doing great. We really are. who—there’s no doubt in my mind—is not Our family’s strong. Our spirit is strong. only going to win in November but do a Our love for our country has never been fine, fine job on behalf of the Texas people. greater. We’ve shared a lot. We have both been I want to thank all the elected officials Governors. And we both married above who are here. I particularly want to say ourselves. [Laughter] I appreciate Anita something about the next attorney general, Perry, the first lady of the State of Texas, Greg Abbott. Greg, I want to thank you and she’s bringing a lot of class to the for your—[applause]. I want to thank office. Henry Bonilla for being here and for his I’m sorry Laura isn’t here with me. She’s work on behalf of our party and the Victory in Crawford. Committee. I want to thank Justices Audience member. We are, too. Jefferson and Rodriguez, who are here with The President. Well, I’m sure you are. us tonight. I can understand that. [Laughter] You I know there’s all kinds of candidates— probably wish she was speaking. [Laughter] Judge Carter, who’s running in the 31st 990 24 2004 10:45 Jul 26, 2004 Jkt 193762 PO 00000 Frm 00990 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 E:\HR\OC\193762A.XXX 193762A Administration of George W. Bush, 2002 / June 14 Congressional District this year. I know my But when we find children who aren’t friend—thank you, Judge. I know my friend learning, children who can’t read, we’ve got Tommy Craddick is here. And members to address the problems early, before it’s of the statehouse, both Republicans and too late. You see, every child is important Democrats, are here tonight, and I want in the State of Texas. Every child matters. to thank you all for coming. And you can’t tell whether or not children I want to thank you all for supporting are learning to read and write and add and Rick. I want to thank you for contributing subtract unless you have the courage to your money and, as importantly, thank you hold people accountable. for contributing your time. I see a lot of Texas must not go backwards. Texas what they call grassroots activists here. I must continue to have strong accountability tell you, I know I could never have won systems, so that this business about just the Governor’s race and/or the Presidency shuffling children through the system stops. without those of you who man the phones You see, it’s easy to quit on a young black and sign the envelopes and lick them and child. It’s easy to say, ‘‘That person can’t mail them and do all the hard work. And learn. Let’s just move them through.’’ It’s so on behalf of grateful candidates, thanks easy to quit on somebody whose parents for what you have done and thanks for may not speak English as a first language. what you’re going to do come November. It’s easy to quit. But by having account- I appreciate Rick’s record. I want to talk ability and local control of schools, we a little bit about education. It is a passion measure each child, because each child of mine, and it’s a passion of Rick’s. It counts. You cannot possibly fix the problem is absolutely essential that at all levels of unless you know the problem exists. government we have people who are willing to raise standards for every child. It is abso- Education is the number one priority for lutely essential for the good of the State this Governor. And it’s the number one of Texas that we have a Governor who be- priority for the State of Texas, and that’s lieves every child can learn, somebody who as it should be. And we’re making progress. doesn’t lower the bar. See, if you lower We are. One of the things I love about the standards, if you expect mediocrity, Rick is, his vision of Texas includes every- you’ll get mediocrity, and that’s not good body, not just a few. His vision of Texas enough for the State of Texas. says every child counts, and no child will As Rick mentioned, we reformed the be left behind in the great State of Texas. education code out of the Federal Govern- One of the big initiatives in Washington, ment. It mirrors what Rick is doing here DC, is the reauthorization of welfare. One in Texas. Let me explain it to you right of the great successes in our country has quick. It says that if you receive money been the 1996 welfare reform bill. And it from the taxpayers, you’ve got to measure. basically said that we can do better than If you get help from the Federal Govern- dependency upon Government, that we can ment or the State Government, you’ve got free people by insisting upon work and by to show the taxpayers but more importantly helping those learn how to work. It gives the parents whether or not the children me great confidence to know that Rick is all across the State of Texas are learning. going to be the Governor of Texas as we And if they’re learning, we’ll praise the talk about reauthorization. The cornerstone teachers. If they’re meeting standards, if of helping people is to help them find the they’re meeting expectations, there will be dignity of a job. And with Rick Perry as all kinds of praise for the hard-working Governor, I’m confident that that dignity teachers all across the country and in the will spread throughout all parts of the great State of Texas. State of Texas. 991 r 24 2004 10:45 Jul 26, 2004 Jkt 193762 PO 00000 Frm 00991 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 E:\HR\OC\193762A.XXX 193762A June 14 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2002 I appreciate a man who understands it came at exactly the right time. There’s there needs to be fiscal sanity when it a school of thought in Washington that comes to spending money, spending your says, if you take more of the people’s money. And Rick saved the State $500 mil- money, the economy will benefit. I don’t lion as a result of some bold actions he read the same textbook. [Laughter] My atti- took. And as you know, the economy kind tude is, when times are slow, you let people of slowed down a little bit, and thankfully, have their own money. And when they you had a Governor who is willing to make keep their own money, they spend it. And the tough fiscal choices that’s going to when they spend their own money, they stand Texas in good stead in the years to demand a good and service. And when you come. I appreciate your courage, Rick, and demand a good and service, somebody’s I appreciate your leadership. going to provide the good and service, But the thing I appreciate most is your which means somebody’s going to be able integrity and your values, the fact that you to work.