Oct. 3 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2001
Remarks at DeSoto Elementary School in New York City October 3, 2001
The President. Okay. Thanks for letting And one of the things that we’re learn- us come. Can I introduce some people ing, out of our sadness, is what a great here? Mayor Rudy—do you know the country this is. And the best way to realize mayor of New York, Rudy Giuliani? The this country is to learn how to read and Governor, George Pataki, of New York; and write, and that’s what you’re doing here; I’m President George Bush. And I wanted is to study hard, because this country says, to come by your school to say a couple if you work hard, you can realize your of things. dreams. And that’s what we’re here to say First, I want to say to the teachers who to you. work in this school, and all throughout New We want to thank you very much for York, how much we appreciate the courage letting us come by. We want to thank your that New York teachers showed. There are principals and thank your teachers. Tell some—there’s a lot of talk about heroes your moms and dads hello. It’s good to in our society. A hero is somebody you see you. look up to, of course, and the teachers of Anybody have any questions for me or New York City were very heroic. the mayor? They were not only heroic in taking boys Q. Mr. President—— and girls your age out of the buildings and The President. You’ve already asked your helping them find places to stay at night questions. [Laughter] I’ve never seen some- or making sure nobody got hurt; they’re body try to ask so many questions in one heroic today. You know why? Because they day in my life. [Laughter] love you. And if you’ve got any worries Well, anyway, thank you very much— about what took place at the World Trade are you planting questions? [Laughter] Center, they want to help you. Some of Thanks for letting us come by. A lot of you—yes, they do want to help you, sure. people care for you—they really do—start- They want to comfort you, and they want ing with your moms and your dads and to make sure that you understand what your teachers here. A lot of people love went on. And I want to thank the teachers you, too. Thanks for letting us come by a lot. And I know the mayor and the to say hello. Governor join me as well. Bye-bye. I also want to tell you, you live in a great country. You know that; you’ve been NOTE: The President spoke at 12:14 p.m. in telling me that. The principal’s saying that room 204 of the school, P.S. 130. In his re- you’re practicing—that they’re learning marks, he referred to Mayor Rudolph W. about patriotism. It looks like they’ve got— Giuliani of New York City; Gov. George E. Stephen, for example, ‘‘I love America,’’ he Pataki of New York; and Lily Woo and How- writes. Do you know what? There’s a lot ard Epstein, principal and assistant principal of people who love America today. of the school.
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