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Agency, will conduct an investment assess- tem—it’s old, and it’s tired, and it needs to ment mission to Afghanistan and that the be looked at in a way that recognizes we’ve Commerce Department will lead a private made a commitment to our country’s seniors. sector mission to Afghanistan to help identify But we want the commitment to work. Afghanistan’s investment needs and opportu- And so, the Members around this table nities for U.S. private sector participation in have all come back to town and said, ‘‘Let’s reconstruction. We welcome a U.S. Depart- get something done.’’ And I’m so thrilled to ment of Labor initiative to fund job genera- have them here, and I appreciate the spirit. tion and training programs for ex-combatants And it’s going to require that kind of spirit and women. to get it done. Finally, we pledge to enhance under- I’m looking forward to my speech tomor- standing between the citizens of our two row night. I will mention Medicare in my countries by promoting people-to-people ex- speech. We need to make it work; we need changes and cultural initiatives, including for there to be a prescription drug plan in through the Fulbright, International Visitor the program. and Humphrey programs, as well as through Thank you all for coming. non-governmental organizations. Recog- nizing that the Taliban destroyed several of Legislative Agenda in an Election Year Afghanistan’s great historic statues and cul- Q. Do you think it will be likely in an elec- tural sites, we agreed to work together to tion year, sir? Is it likely in an election year, help restore and preserve Afghanistan’s her- sir? itage. The President. You know, that’s why you run for office. Election year or no election NOTE: An original was not available for verification of the content of this joint statement. year, it’s time to get something done. And this is not an issue for the faint-hearted, but it’s the right thing to do. And Members Remarks Prior to a Meeting With around here understand it. Congressional Leaders and an Exchange With Reporters NOTE: The President spoke at 3:27 p.m. in the January 28, 2002 Roosevelt Room at the White House. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish lan- Medicare guage transcript of these remarks. The President. I want to thank the Mem- bers from both the House and the Senate, Statement on the Death of both of the political parties, for coming to Michael Hammond discuss an incredibly important issue, and January 29, 2002 that is Medicare. We had good discussions last year, and now it’s time to get something Michael Hammond was an accomplished done. conductor, composer, and advocate of the We need a comprehensive reform plan arts. His commitment to excellence and his that includes prescription drugs for every extraordinary talents will be greatly missed. senior. And the will of the folks around this table is to work together to do just that, is to make sure our seniors have got the capac- Address Before a Joint Session of the ity to have a—to purchase prescription drugs. Congress on the State of the Union That’s what we all want. January 29, 2002 And I believe that given the right focus and the right efforts, we can achieve that ob- Thank you very much. Mr. Speaker, Vice jective. And while we’re doing so, we want President Cheney, Members of Congress, Medicare to be modernized. We want it to distinguished guests, fellow citizens: As we be a system that is relevant for seniors today gather tonight, our Nation is at war; our and for tomorrow. And it’s not. It’s a sys- economy is in recession; and the civilized

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world faces unprecedented dangers. Yet, the Last month, at the grave of her husband, state of our Union has never been stronger. Micheal, a CIA officer and marine who died We last met in an hour of shock and suf- in Mazar-e-Sharif, Shannon Spann said these fering. In 4 short months, our Nation has words of farewell, ‘‘Semper Fi, my love.’’ comforted the victims, begun to rebuild New Shannon is with us tonight. Shannon, I assure York and the Pentagon, rallied a great coali- you and all who have lost a loved one that tion, captured, arrested, and rid the world our cause is just, and our country will never of thousands of terrorists, destroyed Afghani- forget the debt we owe Michael and all who stan’s terrorist training camps, saved a people gave their lives for freedom. from starvation, and freed a country from Our cause is just, and it continues. Our brutal oppression. discoveries in Afghanistan confirmed our The American flag flies again over our Em- worst fears and showed us the true scope of bassy in Kabul. Terrorists who once occupied the task ahead. We have seen the depth of Afghanistan now occupy cells at Guantanamo our enemies’ hatred in videos where they Bay. And terrorist leaders who urged fol- laugh about the loss of innocent life. And the lowers to sacrifice their lives are running for depth of their hatred is equaled by the mad- their own. ness of the destruction they design. We have found diagrams of American nuclear power- America and Afghanistan are now allies plants and public water facilities, detailed in- against terror. We’ll be partners in rebuilding structions for making chemical weapons, sur- that country. And this evening we welcomed veillance maps of American cities, and thor- the distinguished interim leader of a liber- ough descriptions of landmarks in America ated Afghanistan, Chairman Hamid Karzai. and throughout the world. The last time we met in this Chamber, the What we have found in Afghanistan con- mothers and daughters of Afghanistan were firms that, far from ending there, our war captives in their own homes, forbidden from against terror is only beginning. Most of the working or going to school. Today women 19 men who hijacked planes on September are free and are part of Afghanistan’s new the 11th were trained in Afghanistan’s camps, Government. And we welcome the new Min- and so were tens of thousands of others. ister of Women’s Affairs, Dr. Sima Samar. Thousands of dangerous killers, schooled in Our progress is a tribute to the spirit of the methods of murder, often supported by the Afghan people, to the resolve of our coa- outlaw regimes, are now spread throughout lition, and to the might of the United States the world like ticking timebombs, set to go military. When I called our troops into ac- off without warning. tion, I did so with complete confidence in Thanks to the work of our law enforce- their courage and skill. And tonight, thanks ment officials and coalition partners, hun- to them, we are winning the war on terror. dreds of terrorists have been arrested. Yet, The men and women of our Armed Forces tens of thousands of trained terrorists are still have delivered a message now clear to every at large. These enemies view the entire world enemy of the United States: Even 7,000 as a battlefield, and we must pursue them miles away, across oceans and continents, on wherever they are. So long as training camps mountaintops and in caves, you will not es- operate, so long as nations harbor terrorists, cape the justice of this Nation. freedom is at risk. And America and our allies For many Americans, these 4 months have must not and will not allow it. brought sorrow and pain that will never com- Our Nation will continue to be steadfast pletely go away. Every day a retired fire- and patient and persistent in the pursuit of fighter returns to Ground Zero to feel closer two great objectives. First, we will shut down to his two sons who died there. At a memorial terrorist camps, disrupt terrorist plans, and in New York, a little boy left his football with bring terrorists to justice. And second, we a note for his lost father: ‘‘Dear Daddy, must prevent the terrorists and regimes who please take this to heaven. I don’t want to seek chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons play football until I can play with you again from threatening the United States and the some day.’’ world.

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Our military has put the terror training is a regime that has something to hide from camps of Afghanistan out of business, yet the civilized world. camps still exist in at least a dozen countries. States like these and their terrorist allies A terrorist underworld, including groups like constitute an axis of evil, arming to threaten Hamas, Hizballah, Islamic Jihad, Jaish-e-Mo- the peace of the world. By seeking weapons hammed, operates in remote jungles and of mass destruction, these regimes pose a deserts and hides in the centers of large cit- grave and growing danger. They could pro- ies. vide these arms to terrorists, giving them the While the most visible military action is means to match their hatred. They could at- in Afghanistan, America is acting elsewhere. tack our allies or attempt to blackmail the We now have troops in the Philippines, help- United States. In any of these cases, the price ing to train that country’s armed forces to of indifference would be catastrophic. go after terrorist cells that have executed an We will work closely with our coalition to American and still hold hostages. Our sol- deny terrorists and their state sponsors the diers, working with the Bosnian Govern- materials, technology, and expertise to make ment, seized terrorists who were plotting to and deliver weapons of mass destruction. We bomb our Embassy. Our Navy is patrolling will develop and deploy effective missile de- the coast of Africa to block the shipment of fenses to protect America and our allies from weapons and the establishment of terrorist sudden attack. And all nations should know: camps in Somalia. America will do what is necessary to ensure our Nation’s security. My hope is that all nations will heed our We’ll be deliberate; yet, time is not on our call and eliminate the terrorist parasites who side. I will not wait on events while dangers threaten their countries and our own. Many gather. I will not stand by as peril draws clos- nations are acting forcefully. Pakistan is now er and closer. The United States of America cracking down on terror, and I admire the will not permit the world’s most dangerous strong leadership of President Musharraf. regimes to threaten us with the world’s most But some governments will be timid in the destructive weapons. face of terror. And make no mistake about Our war on terror is well begun, but it it: If they do not act, America will. is only begun. This campaign may not be fin- Our second goal is to prevent regimes that ished on our watch; yet, it must be and it sponsor terror from threatening America or will be waged on our watch. We can’t stop our friends and allies with weapons of mass short. If we stop now, leaving terror camps destruction. Some of these regimes have intact and terrorist states unchecked, our been pretty quiet since September the 11th, sense of security would be false and tem- but we know their true nature. porary. History has called America and our North Korea is a regime arming with mis- allies to action, and it is both our responsi- siles and weapons of mass destruction, while bility and our privilege to fight freedom’s starving its citizens. fight. Iran aggressively pursues these weapons Our first priority must always be the secu- and exports terror, while an unelected few rity of our Nation, and that will be reflected repress the Iranian people’s hope for free- in the budget I send to Congress. My budget dom. supports three great goals for America: We Iraq continues to flaunt its hostility toward will win this war; we will protect our home- America and to support terror. The Iraqi re- land; and we will revive our economy. gime has plotted to develop anthrax and September the 11th brought out the best nerve gas and nuclear weapons for over a in America and the best in this Congress. decade. This is a regime that has already used And I join the American people in applaud- poison gas to murder thousands of its own ing your unity and resolve. Now Americans citizens, leaving the bodies of mothers deserve to have this same spirit directed to- huddled over their dead children. This is a ward addressing problems here at home. I’m regime that agreed to international inspec- a proud member of my party. Yet as we act tions, then kicked out the inspectors. This to win the war, protect our people, and create

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jobs in America, we must act, first and fore- America will continue to depend on the eyes most, not as Republicans, not as Democrats and ears of alert citizens. but as Americans. A few days before Christmas, an airline It costs a lot to fight this war. We have flight attendant spotted a passenger lighting spent more than a billion dollars a month, a match. The crew and passengers quickly over $30 million a day, and we must be pre- subdued the man, who had been trained by pared for future operations. Afghanistan Al Qaida and was armed with explosives. The proved that expensive precision weapons de- people on that plane were alert and, as a re- feat the enemy and spare innocent lives, and sult, likely saved nearly 200 lives. And tonight we need more of them. We need to replace we welcome and thank flight attendants aging aircraft and make our military more Hermis Moutardier and Christina Jones. agile to put our troops anywhere in the world Once we have funded our national security quickly and safely. Our men and women in and our homeland security, the final great uniform deserve the best weapons, the best priority of my budget is economic security equipment, the best training, and they also for the American people. To achieve these deserve another pay raise. great national objectives—to win the war, My budget includes the largest increase in protect the homeland, and revitalize our defense spending in two decades, because economy—our budget will run a deficit that while the price of freedom and security is will be small and short term, so long as Con- high, it is never too high. Whatever it costs gress restrains spending and acts in a fiscally to defend our country, we will pay. responsible manner. We have clear priorities, The next priority of my budget is to do and we must act at home with the same pur- everything possible to protect our citizens pose and resolve we have shown overseas. and strengthen our Nation against the ongo- We’ll prevail in the war, and we will defeat ing threat of another attack. Time and dis- this recession. tance from the events of September the 11th Americans who have lost their jobs need will not make us safer unless we act on its our help, and I support extending unemploy- lessons. America is no longer protected by ment benefits and direct assistance for health vast oceans. We are protected from attack care coverage. Yet, American workers want only by vigorous action abroad and increased more than unemployment checks; they want vigilance at home. a steady paycheck. When America works, My budget nearly doubles funding for a America prospers, so my economic security sustained strategy of homeland security, fo- plan can be summed up in one word: jobs. cused on four key areas: bioterrorism, emer- Good jobs begin with good schools, and gency response, airport and border security, here we’ve made a fine start. Republicans and improved intelligence. We will develop and Democrats worked together to achieve vaccines to fight anthrax and other deadly historic education reform so that no child is diseases. We’ll increase funding to help left behind. I was proud to work with mem- States and communities train and equip our bers of both parties: Chairman John Boehner heroic police and firefighters. We will im- and Congressman George Miller; Senator prove intelligence collection and sharing, ex- Judd Gregg. And I was so proud of our work, pand patrols at our borders, strengthen the I even had nice things to say about my friend security of air travel, and use technology to Ted Kennedy. [Laughter] I know the folks track the arrivals and departures of visitors at the Crawford coffee shop couldn’t believe to the United States. I’d say such a thing—[laughter]—but our Homeland security will make America not work on this bill shows what is possible if only stronger but, in many ways, better. we set aside posturing and focus on results. Knowledge gained from bioterrorism re- There is more to do. We need to prepare search will improve public health. Stronger our children to read and succeed in school police and fire departments will mean safer with improved Head Start and early child- neighborhoods. Stricter border enforcement hood development programs. We must up- will help combat illegal drugs. And as govern- grade our teacher colleges and teacher train- ment works to better secure our homeland, ing and launch a major recruiting drive with

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a great goal for America, a quality teacher if their company fails. Through stricter ac- in every classroom. counting standards and tougher disclosure Good jobs also depend on reliable and af- requirements, corporate America must be fordable energy. This Congress must act to made more accountable to employees and encourage conservation, promote tech- shareholders and held to the highest stand- nology, build infrastructure, and it must act ards of conduct. to increase energy production at home so Retirement security also depends upon America is less dependent on foreign oil. keeping the commitments of Social Security, Good jobs depend on expanded trade. and we will. We must make Social Security Selling into new markets creates new jobs, financially stable and allow personal retire- so I ask Congress to finally approve trade ment accounts for younger workers who promotion authority. choose them. On these two key issues, trade and energy, Members, you and I will work together in the House of Representatives has acted to the months ahead on other issues: productive create jobs, and I urge the Senate to pass this legislation. farm policy; a cleaner environment; broader Good jobs depend on sound tax policy. homeownership, especially among minori- Last year, some in this Hall thought my tax ties; and ways to encourage the good work relief plan was too small; some thought it was of charities and faith-based groups. I ask you too big. But when the checks arrived in the to join me on these important domestic mail, most Americans thought tax relief was issues in the same spirit of cooperation we’ve just about right. Congress listened to the applied to our war against terrorism. people and responded by reducing tax rates, During these last few months, I’ve been doubling the child credit, and ending the humbled and privileged to see the true char- death tax. For the sake of long-term growth acter of this country in a time of testing. Our and to help Americans plan for the future, enemies believed America was weak and ma- let’s make these tax cuts permanent. terialistic, that we would splinter in fear and The way out of this recession, the way to selfishness. They were as wrong as they are create jobs, is to grow the economy by en- evil. couraging investment in factories and equip- The American people have responded ment and by speeding up tax relief so people magnificently, with courage and compassion, have more money to spend. For the sake of strength and resolve. As I have met the he- American workers, let’s pass a stimulus pack- roes, hugged the families, and looked into age. the tired faces of rescuers, I have stood in Good jobs must be the aim of welfare re- awe of the American people. form. As we reauthorize these important re- And I hope you will join me—I hope you forms, we must always remember the goal will join me in expressing thanks to one is to reduce dependency on government and American for the strength and calm and com- offer every American the dignity of a job. fort she brings to our Nation in crisis, our Americans know economic security can vanish in an instant without health security. First Lady, Laura Bush. I ask Congress to join me this year to enact None of us would ever wish the evil that a patients’ bill of rights, to give uninsured was done on September the 11th. Yet, after workers credits to help buy health coverage, America was attacked, it was as if our entire to approve an historic increase in the spend- country looked into a mirror and saw our bet- ing for veterans’ health, and to give seniors ter selves. We were reminded that we are a sound and modern Medicare system that citizens with obligations to each other, to our includes coverage for prescription drugs. country, and to history. We began to think A good job should lead to security in re- less of the goods we can accumulate and tirement. I ask Congress to enact new safe- more about the good we can do. guards for 401K and pension plans. Employ- For too long our culture has said, ‘‘If it ees who have worked hard and saved all their feels good, do it.’’ Now America is embracing lives should not have to risk losing everything a new ethic and a new creed, ‘‘Let’s roll.’’

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In the sacrifice of soldiers, the fierce brother- fathers and mothers, in all societies, want hood of firefighters, and the bravery and gen- their children to be educated and live free erosity of ordinary citizens, we have glimpsed from poverty and violence. No people on what a new culture of responsibility could Earth yearn to be oppressed or aspire to ser- look like. We want to be a nation that serves vitude or eagerly await the midnight knock goals larger than self. We’ve been offered a of the secret police. If anyone doubts this, unique opportunity, and we must not let this let them look to Afghanistan, where the Is- moment pass. lamic ‘‘street’’ greeted the fall of tyranny with My call tonight is for every American to song and celebration. Let the skeptics look commit at least 2 years, 4,000 hours over the to Islam’s own rich history, with its centuries rest of your lifetime, to the service of your of learning and tolerance and progress. neighbors and your Nation. Many are already America will lead by defending liberty and serving, and I thank you. If you aren’t sure justice because they are right and true and how to help, I’ve got a good place to start. unchanging for all people everywhere. To sustain and extend the best that has No nation owns these aspirations, and no emerged in America, I invite you to join the nation is exempt from them. We have no in- new USA Freedom Corps. The Freedom tention of imposing our culture. But America Corps will focus on three areas of need: re- will always stand firm for the nonnegotiable sponding in case of crisis at home; rebuilding demands of human dignity: the rule of law; our communities; and extending American limits on the power of the state; respect for compassion throughout the world. women; private property; free speech; equal One purpose of the USA Freedom Corps justice; and religious tolerance. will be homeland security. America needs re- America will take the side of brave men tired doctors and nurses who can be mobi- and women who advocate these values lized in major emergencies, volunteers to around the world, including the Islamic help police and fire departments, transpor- tation and utility workers well-trained in world, because we have a greater objective spotting danger. than eliminating threats and containing re- Our country also needs citizens working sentment. We seek a just and peaceful world to rebuild our communities. We need men- beyond the war on terror. tors to love children, especially children In this moment of opportunity, a common whose parents are in prison. And we need danger is erasing old rivalries. America is more talented teachers in troubled schools. working with Russia and China and India, USA Freedom Corps will expand and im- in ways we have never before, to achieve prove the good efforts of AmeriCorps and peace and prosperity. In every region, free Senior Corps to recruit more than 200,000 markets and free trade and free societies are new volunteers. proving their power to lift lives. Together And America needs citizens to extend the with friends and allies from Europe to Asia compassion of our country to every part of and Africa to Latin America, we will dem- the world. So we will renew the promise of onstrate that the forces of terror cannot stop the Peace Corps, double its volunteers over the momentum of freedom. the next 5 years, and ask it to join a new The last time I spoke here, I expressed effort to encourage development and edu- the hope that life would return to normal. cation and opportunity in the Islamic world. In some ways, it has. In others, it never will. This time of adversity offers a unique mo- Those of us who have lived through these ment of opportunity, a moment we must challenging times have been changed by seize to change our culture. Through the them. We’ve come to know truths that we gathering momentum of millions of acts of will never question: Evil is real, and it must service and decency and kindness, I know be opposed. Beyond all differences of race we can overcome evil with greater good. or creed, we are one country, mourning to- And we have a great opportunity during gether and facing danger together. Deep in this time of war to lead the world toward the American character, there is honor, and the values that will bring lasting peace. All it is stronger than cynicism. And many have

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discovered again that even in tragedy—espe- main in place for these exports and require cially in tragedy—God is near. review and approval on a case-by-case basis In a single instant, we realized that this by the United States Government. will be a decisive decade in the history of George W. Bush liberty, that we’ve been called to a unique role in human events. Rarely has the world The White House, faced a choice more clear or consequential. January 25, 2002. Our enemies send other people’s children NOTE: This message was released by the Office on missions of suicide and murder. They em- of the Press Secretary on January 30. brace tyranny and death as a cause and a creed. We stand for a different choice, made long ago on the day of our founding. We af- Executive Order 13254— firm it again today. We choose freedom and Establishing the USA Freedom the dignity of every life. Corps Steadfast in our purpose, we now press on. January 29, 2002 We have known freedom’s price. We have shown freedom’s power. And in this great By the authority vested in me as President conflict, my fellow Americans, we will see by the Constitution and the laws of the freedom’s victory. United States of America, it is hereby or- Thank you all. May God bless. dered as follows: Section 1. Policy. Building on our Na- NOTE: The President spoke at 9:15 p.m. in the tion’s rich tradition of citizen service, this Ad- House Chamber of the Capitol. In his remarks, ministration’s policy is to foster a culture of he referred to Corona, CA, resident Guillermo responsibility, service, and citizenship by Sobero, who was kidnapped May 27, 2001, and promoting, expanding, and enhancing public later killed by the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group oper- ating in the southern Philippines; President service opportunities for all Americans and Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan; and alleged ter- by making these opportunities readily avail- rorist Richard C. Reid. The Office of the Press able to citizens from all geographic areas, Secretary also released a Spanish language tran- professions, and walks of life. More specifi- script of this address. cally, this Administration encourages all Americans to serve their country for the equivalent of at least 2 years (4,000 hours) Message to the Congress on over their lifetimes. Toward those ends, the Termination of Suspensions executive departments, agencies, and offices Pertaining to the Export of Defense constituting the USA Freedom Corps shall Articles or Services to Japan coordinate and strengthen Federal and other January 25, 2002 service opportunities, including opportuni- ties for participation in homeland security To the Congress of the United States: preparedness and response, other areas of Pursuant to the authority vested in me by public and social service, and international section 902 of the Foreign Relations Author- service. The executive branch departments, ization Act, Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991 (Pub- agencies, and offices also will work with State lic Law 101–246) (the ‘‘Act’’), and as Presi- and local governments and private entities dent of the United States, I hereby report to foster and encourage participation in pub- to the Congress that it is in the national inter- lic and social service programs, as appro- est of the United States to terminate the sus- priate. pensions under section 902 of the Act insofar Sec. 2. USA Freedom Corps. The USA as such suspensions pertain to the export of Freedom Corps shall be an interagency ini- defense articles or defense services in sup- tiative, bringing together executive branch port of efforts by the Government of Japan departments, agencies, and offices with pub- to destroy Japanese chemical weapons aban- lic service programs and components, includ- doned during World War II in the People’s ing but not limited to programs and compo- Republic of China. License requirements re- nents with the following functions:

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