sign in sign up
<<
Home , Shimon Peres

May 3 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2001

chair, National Day of Prayer Task Force; evangelist Rev. Billy Graham. The National Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida; gospel singer Day of Prayer proclamation of April 27 is Wintley Phipps; Angela Perez Baraquio, Miss listed in Appendix D at the end of this vol- America; Rev. Adrian Rogers, pastor, Belle- ume. vue Baptist Church, Memphis, TN; and

Remarks to the American Jewish Committee May 3, 2001

Well, Bruce, thank you very much for are incredibly important for our future. We that kind invitation. I’m glad I came, and want our friend to the south to be strong I’m proud to call you friend. and vibrant. A strong Mexico, a healthy I appreciate, David Harris, your elo- Mexico is good for the United States of quence. I want to say welcome to the for- America. eign dignitaries who are here, Members of The four of us don’t always agree; we the Congress, Justice O’Connor, my friend occasionally have our differences. But one Mayor Williams. And I’m proud to be here thing, obviously, we all agree on is when tonight with such close friends of America: Bruce Ramer invites us somewhere, we go. Mi amigo, un hombre muy fuerte, muy [Laughter] inteligente, el Presidente de Mexico, Vicente I took a look at this weekend’s program Fox; Foreign Minister Fischer; and Foreign before coming here. I was flattered to read Minister Peres. that ‘‘understanding the new administra- I had the honor of meeting with Foreign tion’’ is called a ‘‘central feature’’ of this Minister Peres today in the . year’s meeting. Well, I may be able to save It is not the first time we have met. He you some time. [Laughter] had a sparkle in his eye some 12 years I believe in equal opportunity for all ago when we met; he still has this mar- without discrimination or prejudice of any velous sparkle in his eye. I love his opti- kind. I believe that tolerance and respect mism. As Bruce mentioned, he said, ‘‘When must be taught to all our children because you talk to Shimon Peres, you feel like too many young minds and souls are lost you’re talking to a poet; you know you’re to hate. I believe that our Government talking to a leader.’’ He’s been a good should support the works of charity that friend of the United States throughout his are motivated by faith, but our Government many years of public service, and I look should never fund the teaching of faith forward to showing him my friendship for itself. the state of over the coming years. I am a Christian, but I believe with the And Mr. Fischer, welcome to Wash- Psalmist that the Lord God of Israel nei- ington. Please take back my best regards ther slumbers nor sleeps. Understanding to your Chancellor; I had a great visit with my administration should not be difficult. him, as well, in the Oval Office. We will speak up for our principles. We And Mr. President, thank you for coming will stand up for our friends in the world, by. He also was in the Oval Office. I had and one of the most important friends is a pretty busy day. [Laughter] This is the the state of Israel. third time I’ve met with President Fox, and Incredibly enough, when I visited Israel it’s right that it be that way because rela- 2 years ago, I had the honor of touring tions with Mexico and the United States many parts of that land in a helicopter with

486

VerDate Dec 13 2002 12:33 May 21, 2003 Jkt 193361 PO 00000 Frm 00486 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 E:\HR\OC\193361A.014 193361A Administration of George W. Bush, 2001 / May 3

Ariel Sharon. I’m pretty confident he didn’t Washington’s rejection of religious bigotry think I was going to be the President. has matured from a foundation of our do- [Laughter] The truth is, I wasn’t sure he mestic politics into a guiding doctrine of was going to be the Prime Minister. our foreign policy. [Laughter] But nevertheless, here we are. The American Jewish Committee de- I look forward to working with the Prime serves special credit for this progress. You Minister. As Foreign Minister Peres told were among the very first groups to support me today—and I agree—he’s a man who the International Religious Freedom Act of knows how to keep his word, and that’s 1998. Formed to resist anti-Semitic perse- important when it comes to foreign diplo- cution in czarist Russia, the American Jew- macy. ish Committee has emerged as a great For a Texan, a first visit to Israel is an champion of religious liberty worldwide. eye opener. At the narrowest point, it’s only I am proud to say that it was a fellow 8 miles from the Mediterranean to the old Texan, Leo Napoleon Levi, who was re- armistice line. That’s less than from the sponsible for one of the earliest American top to the bottom of Dallas-Fort Worth protests against anti-Semitic violence. Levi, Airport. [Laughter] The whole of pre-1967 a Galveston, Texas, lawyer and the presi- Israel is only about 6 times the size of dent of the national B’nai B’rith, drafted the King Ranch. It’s a small country that President a telegram has lived under the threat throughout its denouncing a Russian pogrom in 1903. The existence. czar of Russia was so stung by Roosevelt’s At my first meeting of my National Secu- message that he formally refused to accept rity Council, I told them that a top foreign it. Some Americans complained that Roo- policy priority of my administration is the sevelt had gone too far. He replied that safety and security of Israel. My administra- there were no crimes so monstrous—that tion will be steadfast in supporting Israel there were crimes so monstrous that the against terrorism and violence and in seek- American conscience had to assert itself. ing the peace for which all pray. And there still are. Such crimes are The Middle East is the birthplace of being committed today by the Government three great religions, Judaism, Christianity, of Sudan, which is waging war against that and Islam. Lasting peace in the region must country’s traditionalist and Christian peo- respect the rights of believers in all these ples. Some 2 million Sudanese have lost faiths. That’s common sense. But it is also their lives; 4 million more have lost their something more: It is moral sense, based homes. Hospitals, schools, churches, and upon the deep American commitment to international relief stations have often been freedom of religion. bombed by Government warplanes over the That commitment was expressed early 18 years of Sudan’s civil war. The Govern- and eloquently by our first President, ment claims to have halted air attacks, but George Washington, in his famous letter they continue. Women and children have to the Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode been abducted and sold into slavery. Island. He argued for an attitude beyond UNICEF estimates that some 12,000 to mere tolerance, a respect for the inherent 15,000 people are now held in bondage and equal right of everyone to worship God in Sudan. as they think best. ‘‘The Government of The story of the Exodus still speaks the United States,’’ he said, ‘‘which gives across the millennium: No society in all to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no of history can be justly built on the backs assistance, requires only that they who live of slaves. Sudan is a disaster area for under its protection should demean them- human rights. The right of conscience has selves as good citizens.’’ Over the years, been singled out for special abuse by the

487

VerDate Dec 13 2002 12:33 May 21, 2003 Jkt 193361 PO 00000 Frm 00487 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 E:\HR\OC\193361A.014 193361A May 3 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2001

Sudanese authorities. Aid agencies report But the Chinese Government continues that food assistance is sometimes distrib- to display an unreasonable and unworthy uted only to those willing to undergo con- suspicion of freedom of conscience. The version to Islam. We must turn the eyes Chinese Government restricts independent of the world upon the atrocities in the religious expression. We hear alarming re- Sudan. ports of the detention of worshipers and Today I have appointed a special human- religious leaders. Churches, mosques have itarian coordinator, USAID Administrator been vandalized or demolished. Traditional Andrew Natsios. He will provide the lead- religious practices in Tibet have long been ership necessary to ensure that our aid goes the target of especially harsh and unjust to the needy without manipulation by those persecution. And most recently, adherents ravaging that troubled land. This is the first of the Falun Gong spiritual movement have step. More will follow. been singled out for arrest and abuse. Our actions begin today, and my admin- China aspires to national strength and istration will continue to speak and act for greatness. But these acts of persecution are as long as the persecution and atrocities acts of fear and, therefore, of weakness. in the Sudan last. This persecution is unworthy of all that I’m pleased to say that many countries China has been, a civilization with a history in the region show considerable and im- of tolerance. And this persecution is unwor- proving respect for religious liberty—Mo- thy of all that China should become, an rocco, Tunisia, , and Bahrain among open society that respects the spiritual dig- them. But there are other regimes, not only nity of its people. in north Africa and the Middle East, whose No one is a better witness to the tran- disrespect for freedom of worship is seri- sience of tyranny than the children of Abra- ously disturbing. Iraq murders dissident re- ham. Forty centuries ago, the Jewish people ligious figures. Iran systematically maltreats Jews, Christians, and adherents of the were entrusted with a truth more enduring Baha’i faith. The Burmese junta tortures than any power of man. In the words of adherents of Islam, Buddhism, and Christi- the prophet Isaiah, ‘‘This shall be My cov- anity. Cuba monitors and harasses inde- enant with them, said the Lord: My spirit pendent priests and ministers. Afghanistan’s which is upon you, and the words which Taliban government has horrified the world I have placed in your mouth, shall not be with its disdain for fundamental human absent from your mouth, nor from the freedoms, epitomized by its destruction of mouth of your children, nor from the ancient Buddhist works of art. And the mouth of your children’s children, said the newly independent republics of central Lord, from now, for all time.’’ impose troubling limits on religious expres- It is not an accident that freedom of sion and missionary work. We view with religion is one of the central freedoms in special concern the intensifying attacks on our Bill of Rights. It is the first freedom religious freedom in China. of the human soul, the right to speak the In many respects, China has made great words that God places in our mouths. We strides toward freedom in recent decades. must stand for that freedom in our country. China’s economy has opened. Chinese peo- We must speak for that freedom in the ple enjoy greater personal mobility, more world. And I thank the American Jewish secure property rights, and enlarged access Committee for your willingness to do both. to information. These are not small God bless. achievements, and they do promise even greater change.

488

VerDate Dec 13 2002 12:33 May 21, 2003 Jkt 193361 PO 00000 Frm 00488 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 E:\HR\OC\193361A.014 193361A Administration of George W. Bush, 2001 / May 4

NOTE: The President spoke at 8:22 p.m. at dent Vicente Fox of Mexico; Foreign Min- the National Building Museum. In his re- ister and Chancellor marks, he referred to Bruce M. Ramer, presi- Gerhard Schroeder of Germany; and Foreign dent, and David A. Harris, executive direc- Minister Shimon Peres and Prime Minister tor, American Jewish Committee; Mayor An- of Israel. thony A. Williams of Washington, DC; Presi-

Message on the Observance of Cinco de Mayo May 2, 2001

I am pleased to send warm greetings to riched the United States. Hispanic Ameri- all those gathered to celebrate Cinco de cans contribute to the shared traditions that Mayo. are part of our history, including entrepre- May 5th marks the triumph of the spirit neurship, a sense of community where of freedom for the people of Mexico. The neighbor helps neighbor, faith, and love of victory of General Ignacio Zaragoza and his family. On this special day, I encourage Mexican troops over the superior French Americans to reaffirm the ties of culture forces at the Battle of Puebla served as and friendship we share with the people a stirring reminder of the determination to of Mexico and with Hispanic Americans. win the fight for Mexico’s freedom from As you enjoy the day with parades, folk- foreign intervention. The Cinco de Mayo loric dancing, and other festive activities, display of courage and purpose is a source Laura joins me in sending best wishes for of pride for all freedom-loving people. a joyous celebration. We Americans cherish our deep histor- ical, cultural, economic, and, in many cases, GEORGE W. BUSH family ties with Mexico and Latin America. Cinco de Mayo celebrations remind us how NOTE: This message was made available by much Hispanics have influenced and en- the Office of the Press Secretary on May 4.

Remarks on Presenting the Commander in Chief’s Trophy to the United States Air Force Academy Falcons May 4, 2001

Good morning. Thank you all for coming. gridiron supremacy amongst our Nation’s It’s my honor to welcome you all to the service academies. The Falcons’ record of White House. I want to thank the generals success in service academy football is truly who are here and the members of the con- stellar. They won this trophy 10 of the last gressional delegation that have come. Most 12 years, 14 times overall. The seniors on of all, I want to welcome Coach DeBerry this team completed their careers with a and the Fighting Falcons of the United 37–12 record. It’s the next-to-best record States Air Force Academy. of any group of seniors in academy history, It is my honor to present the Com- and I want to congratulate you all. mander in Chief’s Trophy, which recognizes

489

VerDate Dec 13 2002 12:33 May 21, 2003 Jkt 193361 PO 00000 Frm 00489 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 E:\HR\OC\193361A.014 193361A