Administration of George W. Bush, 2002 / Feb. 1

Remarks at the ‘‘Congress of Tomorrow’’ Republican Retreat Luncheon in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia February 1, 2002

President Bush. Thank you all. Please be at the end of the convention, which I’m seated. Thank you. It is rare that a fellow sure most of you have memorized by now. can give two 50-minute addresses in the [Laughter] It says, ‘‘Sarah and I live on same week. [Laughter] I knew you’d be the east side of the mountain. It is the thrilled. [Laughter] sunrise side, not the sunset side. It is the J.C., thanks for those kind words, and side to see the day that is coming, not thanks for your leadership. One of us didn’t to see the day that is gone.’’ get the dress code right. [Laughter] It’s so important for a President to see Audience member. You didn’t get the a day that is coming, that is positive. And memo. I do. In clear and vivid ways, I see a day President Bush. Yes, I didn’t get the that is much better for not only America memo. [Laughter] and Americans but the world. We have an At any rate, I’m delighted to be here; historic opportunity to fight a war that will I am. First, I want to say something about not only liberate people from the clutches the leaders of the two bodies represented of barbaric behavior but a war that could here. Your Speaker and the majority lead- leave the world more peaceful in the years er—I call him majority leader—are two to come. really good men to work with. I have loved None of us asked for this war. None my experience working with Denny and of us wished that what happened on Sep- Trent last year. I really enjoy the candid tember the 11th happened, and we con- discussions. But most importantly, what I tinue to pray for the victims. But now that really appreciate is the desire to work to- it’s happened, this Nation is ready to seize gether to do what’s right for the country. the moment. And I’m so proud that the We’re lucky to have two such strong and people in this room and on this podium good men leading the country. And so it’s understand the historic opportunity we an honor to be with the Speaker and Sen- have, and I want to thank you for joining ator Trent Lott. And I look forward to a this most noble and just cause. fabulous year working with the two men We fight for freedom, and we stand for in 2002. freedom, and we won’t relent until we de- I think this is going to be a great year; fend freedom at its core. And that’s why I do. I’ve never been more optimistic about the budget I sent up there has got a signifi- anything in my life. In the Oval Office cant increase in defense spending, because there’s a painting by a friend of mine we owe it to the defenders of freedom to named Tom Lea. And when you come in give them the best equipment, the best the Oval Office, you’ll notice it’s the west- housing, the best training, and another pay ern-looking painting right by the door raise. where Logan used to sit. By the way, this Now in my speech, I tried to educate is Logan’s last day working for me, which the American people about what we’re up is—I didn’t fire him; he voluntarily left. against. I talked about the fact that thou- But anyway, if you were to work where sands of people had gone through Al Qaida Logan used to be, there’s a painting that killer camps, and they’re still roaming shows a great expanse of west Texas. It around. And so long as they’re roaming is the—the guy who painted the painting around with the intention of hurting us, was the person who wrote the quote I used this Nation will hunt them down.

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I’ve been traveling the country, as you with terrorist groups that will threaten the know, and I’m so pleased with the fact United States and our allies. that the American people are incredibly pa- Now we’ve got nations on notice as a tient and resolved and share our determina- result of the speech last Tuesday night. Of tion to achieve our noble objective. They course, I hope they change behavior on know that we have succeeded in one phase their own. I hope they hear the message of our war in Afghanistan; we liberated of not only the United States but a vast women and children by demolishing the coalition of freedom-loving countries as we Taliban and its repressive government. clearly say, get your house in order; don’t They also know that the stage we’re now develop weapons of mass destruction. And in, which is hunting down the cave dwell- then people say, ‘‘What are the con- ers, is going to take a while. They under- sequences?’’ They’ll find out in due course, stand that, and I am grateful for the peo- if they can’t get their house in order. The ple’s understanding. They understand that mighty United States will do whatever it this is a dangerous phase of the war. But takes to defend our security. Make no mis- they have also been assured by me and take about it, if you threaten us with weap- by you all that we’re not going to weary. ons of mass destruction, if you threaten We’re not going to rush our military. We’re our allies and friends with weapons of mass going to be steady and relentless until we destruction, we will do whatever it takes achieve the objective of getting the Al to protect our people. Qaida killers and bringing them to justice. And that’s what we’re doing at home. But they also understand that we are not And I want to thank you all for working preoccupied by one or two people, that with us. There’s been some great ideas that while bin Laden thinks he can hide in a have come out of the Congress about how cave or Mullah Omar thinks he can run, best to protect the homeland, and we’ve it’s just a matter of time. I don’t know incorporated a lot of them in the initial how much time, and I don’t worry about strategy that we’re outlining, not only in the time about when he is brought—or our budget but over the course of the last they are brought to justice. That’s just not couple of weeks, and we’ll continue to do one of my concerns. It’s going to happen. so. And Tom Ridge and our team is open And you know, we’ve got them running, for more suggestions about how to protect and it’s just—we’ll get them. the people. But that’s not our—we’re preoccupied. And so our bioterrorism initiative is sub- And the American people understand that, stantial and real. And I want to thank you because they understand our goal is broad- for working on it. Our first-responder initia- er than just two individuals. It is terror tive, where we’re working with local gov- wherever terror exists, and it’s upholding ernments, through Governors, is going to that doctrine, forcefully upholding the doc- be real and meaningful. Our airport secu- trine that says if you harbor a terrorist, rity measures are strong. I mean, we’re if you feed a terrorist, if you hide a ter- doing everything we can, and the American rorist, you too are as guilty as a terrorist. people need to know that. But the moment is broader than just de- And so when you go back to your dis- stroying terrorist training camps or finding tricts, I thank you very much for sharing terrorist trainers and bringing them to jus- our mutual concern and our knowledge that tice. The moment that we must seize says the enemy still wants to hit us, but our that in order for the world to be peaceful Government is responding forcefully. You for our children and grandchildren, we’ve need to know, and I know you know this, got to prevent nations which develop weap- that the FBI, under Bob Mueller, has ons of mass destruction from mating up changed its culture. It’s still after spies and

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white-collar criminals, and that’s important. American, in fighting the war against terror, But the primary focus of 4,000-plus agents can walk across the street to a neighbor is to disrupt the enemy, is to find out any who is shut in and say, ‘‘I care for you.’’ information possible and run it down. We And it’s those millions of acts of kindness take every lead seriously. We take every on a daily basis that define our country hint of evidence seriously. We understand and stand defiantly in the face of evil. the intentions of the enemy, and your con- And so one of the things I’ve tried to stituents must know that this Government do is to capture the magnificent spirit of is doing everything in our power to make the country. And we’ve set up what’s called America safe. the USA Freedom Corps. And somebody But the best way to secure the homeland who is interested in joining can dial 1– for the long run is to get them, get them 877–USA–CORPS, or if you happen to be where they hide, get them where they computer-literate, usafreedomcorps.gov. train, and bring them to justice. And you And it’s a chance for citizens to heed my just need to know something about your call, which says we’d like you to serve your President; I am not going to tarry like I— country for 2 additional years, or 4,000 wary—weary, on this subject, like I said hours over your lifetime. in my first speech in September after the Now, I understand many in this room war. I understand the call. My determina- and many of your constituents are al- tion today is as strong as it was when I ready—have heard the call. And keep addressed you all in October, and my de- doing—my call is, keep doing it. But some termination 3 years from now will be just don’t know where to start, and here is a as strong then as it is today. I understand good place for people to start. And if they the call. I understand the mission. And this great country will defend freedom to its call the USA Freedom Corps number, they core. will find ways to—if you’re a senior citizen, I said in my State of the Union that participate in Senior Corps; or if you want I stand in awe of the American people, to teach, Teach For America; or if you want and you know what I’m talking about. to go to the Peace Corps, we’re expanding You’ve seen it in your communities when the Peace Corps to take our values and you go back home. You’ve seen it in your compassion into the Islamic world, for ex- coffee shops. You’ve seen it in your dif- ample. There’s all kinds of opportunities ferent clubs. You’ve seen it when you’ve to serve. And we’re calling on the American seen your neighbors. I mean, this country people to do so. And it’s really to help is a country that is not only strong and change our culture. That’s how I view it. determined, but it’s a compassionate coun- A lot of us grew up in a culture which try as well. has said, ‘‘If it feels good, just go ahead People often ask me, ‘‘What can I do and do it; if you’ve got a problem, blame to participate in the war against terror?’’ somebody else.’’ See, I believe out of this And as you know, in this particular issue, evil can come a new cultural—a new cul- I see things pretty clearly, in just plain ture, a new assessment of what America terms. Since this is a war of good versus is all about. Our hope is that the country’s evil, those of—who want to participate in culture changes to one of responsibility, the war against terror can do acts of kind- that each of us are responsible for the deci- ness to overwhelm the evil done to the sions we make in life. country. People can participate in the war If you are a mom and dad, you are re- against terror all kinds of ways. You can sponsible for loving your child with all your help serve as eyes and ears; you can alert— heart and all your soul. If you’re a compas- be alert. But you can love a neighbor. An sionate neighbor, you’re responsible for

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helping a neighbor in need. If you’re cor- strictions they impose on their workers. If porate America, you’re responsible for mak- it’s okay for the sailor, it ought to be okay ing sure you reveal all your assets and li- for the captain. My plan also requires that abilities to your shareholders and your em- workers be given a 30-day notice before ployees. So part of the ushering in the re- any blackout period begins, so workers can sponsibility era, not only from the indi- plan to make changes in their investments. vidual basis but on the corporate basis, I It’s a matter of fairness. It’s a matter of have proposed some pension reforms I openness. It’s a matter of respect for the would like to outline briefly for you today process. And I look forward to working and ask you to take them up as quickly with you to get something done. as possible. I also look forward to working with you We are announcing some proposals to to continue the progress we’ve made on protect pensions. My plan will strengthen a lot of issues. I think America appreciates the workers’ ability to manage their own it when people come to this body or your retirement funds by giving them more free- respective bodies and work hard for what’s dom to diversify, better access to profes- good for the country. We’ve made good sional investment advice, and quarterly in- progress doing that. formation about their investments. I am so proud of working with you. I’m Employers should be encouraged to proud to be able to call you a colleague make generous contribution to workers’ here in Washington, DC. It’s been a re- 401(k) plans. It’s a positive development markable experience for me. It’s a joy to when employers give stock to people who exchange ideas. It’s been sometimes a joy work for them. About 42 million workers to watch the legislative process. [Laughter] own 401(k) accounts with a total of $2 tril- Generally, it’s an amazing experience to lion in assets, and that’s a critical part of watch. [Laughter] But I’m looking forward retirement security for workers all across to working with you to make sure that the America. legislation that does come out is positive But workers should also have the free- and hopeful for the American people. dom to choose how to invest their retire- Thanks for your friendship. God bless. ment savings. And so the proposal I’ll sub- mit to Congress and work with Members here in this room will allow workers to NOTE: The President spoke at 12:38 p.m. in sell company contributed stock and diver- the Colonial Hall at the Greenbrier. In his sify into other investment options after 3 remarks, he referred to Representative J.C. years of participation in their company’s Watts, Jr., of Oklahoma; outgoing Presi- plan. dential Aide Logan Walters; Usama bin To ensure that blackout periods are fair, Laden, leader of the Al Qaida terrorist orga- the plan will ensure that company execu- nization; and Mullah Omar, former head of tives be bound by the same blackout re- the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.

The President’s Radio Address February 2, 2002

Good morning. In my State of the Union great goals: To win the war; to secure our Address, I committed our Nation to three homeland; and to defeat the recession.

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