Administration of George W. Bush, 2002 / Jan. 4

Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting a Report on the National Emergency With Respect to the Taliban January 3, 2002

Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:) Taliban that was declared in Executive As required by section 401(c) of the Na- Order 13129 of July 4, 1999. tional Emergencies Act, 50 U.S.C. 1641(c), Sincerely, and section 204(c) of the International GEORGE W. BUSH Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), 50 U.S.C. 1703(c), I transmit NOTE: Identical letters were sent to J. Den- herewith a 6-month periodic report on the nis Hastert, Speaker of the House of Rep- national emergency with respect to the resentatives, and Richard B. Cheney, Presi- dent of the Senate.

Remarks on the Unveiling of the President’s Portrait in Austin, Texas January 4, 2002

Thank you. Thank you, Laura. You need I appreciate, Scott, your taking time to try to know, I listen to her every day. [Laugh- to figure me out. It’s a real pleasure for ter] Whatever success we’ve had is because me to work with you. I know it’s a chal- she’s constantly telling me what to do. lenge from your part, but it looks like you [Laughter] I’m proud of Laura, and I can’t did me justice, and I thank you. And it’s tell you what a great job she has done also good to see your brother, Stuart. The for America—you know that, yourself. But Gentlings are a part of the really fantastic she brings such a steadiness and a calm artistic community we have here in Texas. resolve, and I’m really proud of her. These guys may seem a little odd when I want to thank the Governor and the you meet them upstairs, but they’re really first lady. Thank you all very much for your good at what they do. [Laughter] hospitality. It’s great to see the Lieutenant I’ve got to tell you, I was talking with Governor and Sally, the speaker and Nelda. Bomerlast night, and we started laughing It’s good to see you all. I can’t help but about all the wonderful times we had in notice that my friend Jan Bullock is here, this building. And as I look around the as well. Jan, thank you for coming. room, I see many who helped make that We’ve got all kinds of dignitaries here. happen. This was a joyous 6 years for us I want to thank you for taking time out here. It kind of reminds me of what Harry of your day to come and witness my hang- Truman said. He said, ‘‘I’ve tried never to ing. [Laughter] Fortunately, it’s my portrait. forget who I was or where I’d come from [Laughter] and where I was going back to.’’ And that’s I’m particularly pleased to be here with what this capitol says to us. And so does the artist. Now, I was somewhat concerned Crawford, by the way. It’s our home. when Laura told me that the Gentlings One of the things that happened here were famous painters of birds—[laugh- is that we made a lot of friends. You know, ter]—but they would make time to paint sometimes in politics, friends are just a my picture. [Laughter] Pretty tough old fleeting memory. But that’s not the case bird here to paint, wasn’t I? [Laughter] But for us. Our friends are permanent parts

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of our life. We don’t view such things as tics or being the Governor or being the political friends. You’re either our friend, President of the United States. You’re only or you’re not our friend, no matter what successful if you’re able to convince a lot your politics are like. of good folks to join on the team and to That’s why we have got such fond memo- empower them to achieve the common ob- ries of working with Pete and Nelda Laney. jectives. Oh, I know he’s got the Democrat label, And that’s exactly what we did here in but somehow our relationship transcended Austin. I think history will show that the that. And the same with Bullock. I can’t staff of Governor George Bush was one help but chuckle about our breakfasts that of the greatest staffs ever assembled. You we used to have in this building, Pete, with should be applauding because you’re the Bullock. I’d like to share some of the sto- ones who were on the staff, in this room. ries with the people watching on C– [Applause] We had fun. We got some posi- SPAN—[laughter]—but unfortunately, I tive things done for Texas. We worked can’t repeat them in mixed company. hard. And it was the memories that I’ll [Laughter] never forget. And so I want to thank you But the truth of the matter is, whether all who worked on our team. it be the speaker or Bullock or Janelle or It should be noted that many of them others, from both parties, we came in this who were on this team moved to Wash- building with one desire, to do what’s right ington: Pinky Allbaugh—[laughter]—he’s for Texas. We’ve got political labels around not here, so I can say it—[laughter]— our name, no question about it. But we Karen, of course; Karl Rove; Gonzales— made up our mind to try to figure out I see Al is here, the chief attorney; Mar- what was best for our State and to work garet Spellings, she’s got a new last name together. now—those of us who know her husband And so I went up to Washington with are somewhat amazed—[laughter]—Albert a wonderful sense of being able to get Hawkins; Harriet Miers. These are all the things done, because of my relationships folks that I rely on. These are people who and my experience here in the State cap- have got great judgment and care deeply itol. I still believe that can happen. But about our country. And America is really sometimes Washington needs to figure out better off by the fact that they decided that politics isn’t what’s most important; the to make a huge sacrifice, leave their be- people are what’s most important. loved State, and go to Washington, DC. And so I’m going to take that can-do We also have got a lot of others up there Texas spirit to Washington for however that many of you knew: Ashley, Izzy, long I’m there and remind people that re- Logan—it’s such an honor for Logan to sults are matter—results are what matters, know that we named one of our cows after not rhetoric; remind people that if you’re him that was recently born—[laughter]— willing to share credit, if you’re willing to Margaret Wilson and Stuart Bowen and tell the other person that you’re going to Vickers Meadows, Pat Wood. These are all succeed, as well, amazing things can hap- folks—we worked together here in Aus- pen; and remind people that our country, tin—who are now serving our Nation. And just like our State, is much bigger than I truly believe America is better off as a the political process. result of the influx of Texans who showed Those are the lessons I learned here in up. this State capitol. I also learned you cannot I always will remember—and this paint- succeed without a good team around you. ing helps remind me of the fact that all There’s no such thing, in my judgment, of us were a part of a larger story, a story as a one-man band when it comes to poli- much bigger than ourselves. Many have

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come before us, and many will follow. Mine referred to Gov. Rick Perry of Texas and his is just one of 46 portraits in this Dome, wife, Anita Thigpen Perry; Lt. Gov. Bill and I’ll always be in good company here. Ratliffe of Texas and his wife, Sally; Speaker It is amazing for me to think, when I of the Texas House of Representatives James step back and think this will be hanging E. ‘‘Pete’’ Laney and his wife, Nelda; Janelle here forever, along with J. Pinckney Hen- Bullock, widow of former Lt. Gov. Bob Bul- derson. I didn’t know Henderson very well. lock of Texas; artists Scott and Stuart Gen- [Laughter] But I did read about Sam Hous- tling; Texas Secretary of State Elton Bomer; ton or John Connolly and the first Texas Joe M. Allbaugh, Director of the Federal Governor I ever knew, Allan Shivers. It’s Emergency Management Agency; Karen an honor to be hanging with these men. Hughes, Counselor to the President; Karl It’s also amazing to think that it’ll be here Rove, Senior Adviser to the President; for a long, long time. I just hope Governor Alberto R. Gonzales, Assistant to the Presi- Richards doesn’t mind being my neighbor dent and White House Counsel; Assistant to for eternity. [Laughter] the President for Domestic Policy Margaret I want to thank you all for coming. It’s Spellings and her husband, Robert; Albert a day I’ve really been looking forward to Hawkins, Assistant to the President and Sec- for a long time. We look forward to seeing retary to the Cabinet; Harriet Miers, Assist- you upstairs for the little coffee we’re hav- ant to the President and Staff Secretary; Ash- ing. ley Estes, the President’s Personal Secretary; Again, I remember you; I won’t forget Special Assistant to the President Israel Texas. It’s a huge honor to be the Presi- ‘‘Izzy’’ Hernandez; Presidential Aide Logan dent, by the way. But one of these days Walters; Commerce Department Deputy I’ll be back, settled in, sitting on my porch General Counsel Margaret Wilson; Deputy in Crawford, looking for somebody to come Assistant to the President Stuart Bowen; and recount old war stories with. Vickers B. Meadows, Assistant Secretary of May God bless you all. Housing and Urban Development; Patrick Henry Wood III, Chairman, Federal Energy NOTE: The President spoke at 10:07 a.m. at Regulatory Commission; and former Gov. the Texas State Capitol. In his remarks, he Ann Richards of Texas.

Remarks at a Townhall Meeting in Ontario, California January 5, 2002

The President. Thank you all very much. a new year that I believe is going to be Mario, muchas gracias por tu palabras. a fantastic year for America. And I look Thank you all for coming. forward to answering some questions you may have. [At this point, the President spoke in Span- I want to thank your Governor for being ish, and no translation was provided.] here. Governor Gray Davis kindly took time Thank you for letting me come. Thank out of his schedule for coming. Governor, you for taking time out of your fin de thank you for coming. I want to thank some semana para hablar con el Presidente. I’m of the members of the mighty—and I honored that so many came out for this mean, mighty—congressional delegation weekend. It gives me a great chance to from the State of California. We’ve got share some thoughts with you as we begin Gary Miller, whose district this is. Gary,

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