1254 July 25 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2002

Statement on Senate Action on the I know you all will join me in wishing Jesse Proposed ‘‘Sarbanes-Oxley Act of Helms all the best, and he needs to get back 2002’’ to Washington. We need his vote—[laugh- ter]—and he will be. And I appreciate so very July 25, 2002 much for being here and Today’s passage by Congress of corporate former Senator as well. Thank accounting reforms is a victory for America’s you both for coming, and thank you for your shareholders and employees. House and Sen- service. ate passage of this legislation demonstrates I want to thank all the folks who are in- what can happen when leaders work together volved with the Republican Party of the great to solve problems. I look forward to signing State of . I want to thank Bill these important reforms into law. In Feb- Cobey and Linda Shaw, and I want to thank ruary I also proposed tough changes to re- all the grassroots workers who are here. You form employee pension programs, and the know, you win a campaign if you can get peo- House quickly responded. I urge the Senate ple to show up to lick the envelopes and to to act before they recess to protect the sav- make the phone calls and to hold the signs ings of America’s workers. and to turn out the vote. The grassroots are excited here in North Carolina because they’ve got a candidate who is an exciting NOTE: The statement referred to H.R. 3763, the candidate and somebody who is going to proposed ‘‘Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.’’ make a big difference. So I want to thank you all for what you’ve done and what you Remarks at a Dinner for Senatorial got to do between now and November. I Candidate in want to thank Fred Blackman for being the Greensboro, North Carolina master of ceremonies of this event. I want to thank all the sponsors and the cohosts and July 25, 2002 the people that have done an extraordinary job of supporting Elizabeth Dole. Thank you Well, thank you very much, Senator. [Laughter] I want to thank you all for com- for having me. ing. I’m here for this reason: It is important She is a—she’s got a lot of great experi- for North Carolina, it is important for our ence, and that matters in my judgment. You country that Elizabeth Dole become the next know, the thing I love about Elizabeth is Senator from North Carolina. she’s constantly breaking what they call the And I want to thank you all for helping. And glass ceiling. She shows what is possible. And there’s no doubt in my mind, with your help that’s important, particularly for a lot of and her hard work, she’s going to win. young women looking for a role model, She married well. [Laughter] But Bob got somebody who has done a—[applause]—a the better end of the deal—[laughter]—just person of accomplishment. In Washington, like I did when I married. [Laughter] I’m we’ve got a lot of good talkers, but we need sorry that Laura isn’t here tonight. She is— doers, people who can get the job done. And but she sends her love to Elizabeth and her Elizabeth Dole is that kind of person. thanks to you all. I’m really proud of Laura. She is not only a trailblazer; she is a—she’s She is, in my unobjective judgment, a great got a deep, abiding passion for people from First Lady, no question a great wife. She’s all walks of life. Her compassion is real, and a great wife. She’s come a long way from it’s heartfelt. When Elizabeth goes walking being a public school librarian in Texas— down the streets of smalltown North Caro- [laughter]—one who, frankly, didn’t like pol- lina, for example—and I understand she’s itics too much and didn’t really care for poli- doing a lot of that—she doesn’t ask some- ticians either. [Laughter] But here she is, the body when they shake their hand, ‘‘Are you First Lady of the greatest country on the face a Republican? Are you a Democrat?’’ She of the Earth, and she’s doing a great job, looks them in the eye as a fellow American, and she sends her best. wanting to represent all the people of this

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