Jan. 26 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2002

every terrorist group of global reach has against future attacks, and their Govern- been found, stopped, and defeated. In this ment will be as well. work, our military must have every re- The third key of my budget is to fight source, every weapon needed to achieve the recession and build economic security full and final victory. for the American people. Government My budget calls for the largest increase doesn’t create jobs, but it can encourage in defense spending in the last 20 years, an environment in which jobs are created. investing in more precision weapons, mis- I’m glad the Senate is finally moving for- sile defenses, unmanned vehicles, and high- ward, and I urge it to pass a strong stim- tech equipment for our soldiers on the ulus bill like one that passed the House ground. I will also seek another pay in- last year. crease for the men and women who wear Every budget reflects fundamental our country’s uniform. We will spend what choices, and my administration has made it takes to win the war against terrorism. choices to fit the times. We’ll work to cre- A related priority is homeland security. ate jobs and renew the strength of our We will pursue a sustained strategy to pro- economy. We’ll protect our people in every tect our people from the threat of ter- way necessary, and we will carry on the rorism. The Federal Government has al- campaign against global terror until we ready acted to increase airport security, in- achieve our goal, the peace that comes vestigate terrorist activity, and improve our from victory. response capability. In the next budget, we Thank you for listening. will do even more. I’ll be calling on Con- gress to nearly double funding for home- land defense to $38 billion. We will com- NOTE: The address was recorded at 9:21 a.m. plete the hiring of tens of thousands of on January 25 in the Cabinet Room at the new Federal airport security workers. We White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on will strengthen the Border Patrol, hire an- January 26. The transcript was made avail- other 300 FBI agents to help fight the war able by the Office of the Press Secretary on on terror. We’ll provide more money so January 25 but was embargoed for release that State and local firefighters, police offi- until the broadcast. The Office of the Press cers, and EMTs have the equipment they Secretary also released a Spanish language need. The American people are on watch transcript of this address.

Remarks Honoring the 2001 National Association Champion January 28, 2002

Please be seated. Mr. Commissioner, one way for us to congratulate you for good to see you, sir. Thank you for coming. being champs. I appreciate the Buss family members for I want to thank the members of the Cali- being here. Thank you. Welcome to the fornia congressional delegation. I think East Coast. I’m so honored that Phil we’ve got six Members here. Thank you Jackson has come with players from the all for coming. I know you’re as proud of mighty LA Lakers championship team. I the team as the people of California are. want to welcome you all the to White I also want to thank the Boys and Girls House. We’re thrilled you’re here. This is Clubs of Atlantic City in New Jersey and

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Maryland for being here. I’m just as excited doing something good. You fight evil by as you are for meeting these players. teaching a child that somebody loves them. [Laughter] And thanks for coming. You fight evil by being an LA Laker that I first want to congratulate Coach convinces somebody to be a mentor for Jackson on learning how to win champion- some child in inner-city Los Angeles who ships for different teams. He’s got to be wonders whether there’s any love or hope a pretty remarkable guy to figure out how in the world. That’s how you fight evil. to win on a consistent basis. And so, Phil, And so I want to thank the organization congratulations for coming back to the and the players and the coach for assuming White House. a position of responsibility in our society. I also want to thank the players. Being I was hoping that on his birthday, Mark champs on the court means you’ve got to Madsen would dance for us. [Laughter] I be champs off the court as well. And I actually—as I said, I was hoping. [Laugh- know these players understand that every ter] I’m afraid the Secret Service might time they do something, some kid is watch- react violently if you did. [Laughter] ing. Every time they say something, some But I’m glad you all are here. It’s an kid is listening. And I want to thank the honor to welcome champs to the people’s players who understand that with victory house. LA Lakers, good luck this year. comes huge responsibility to encourage Congratulations for two fabulous seasons. people to make the right choices in life. Welcome. To me, that’s the true sign of a champ. I also want to thank the LA Lakers for NOTE: The President spoke at 10:10 a.m. in being involved in your community. the East Room at the White House. In his People ask me all the time after the at- remarks, he referred to David Stern, com- tack of 9/11, ‘‘What can I do to help? How missioner, National Basketball Association; can I participate in the war against terror?’’ and Jerry Buss, owner, , coach, And the answer is, you fight evil with acts and Mark Madsen, forward, Los Angeles of decency and kindness. You fight evil by Lakers.

The President’s News Conference With Chairman Hamid Karzai of the Afghan Interim Authority January 28, 2002

The President. It’s a great honor for me and free from want. The United States to welcome to the White House the Chair- strongly supports Chairman Karzai’s interim man of the Afghan Interim Authority, Government. And we strongly support the Hamid Karzai. Bonn agreement that provides the Afghan Mr. Chairman, welcome. people with a path towards a broadly based Chairman Karzai. Thank you very much. government that protects the human rights The President. I also want to welcome of all its citizens. the ministers of the Interim Authority who The Afghan people have already taken have accompanied him to Washington. the first steps along this path by committing Chairman Karzai is a determined leader, to rid their country of Al Qaida terrorists and his Government reflects the hopes of and remnants of the Taliban regime who all Afghans for a new and better future, supported the terrorists. Yet, even as the a future free from terror, free from war, war against terrorism continues, the world

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