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and justice. Love comes from the hearts and I want to thank the Governor for being souls of individuals. And I need a soul like here today. Governor, thank you for coming. Bob Corker in the United States Senate who I want to thank your two fine United States understands that many of the social problems Senators, Senator Hatch and Bennett for we face require something greater than gov- joining us. I thank Congressmen Matheson, ernment, require the help of people who Bishop, and Cannon for being here as well. hear a higher calling to love their neighbor I want to thank you all for coming. just like they would like to be loved them- Most of all, I want to thank you all for selves. staying up a little past your bedtime, for some America can change one heart and one of you, to greet me. soul and one conscience at a time. Govern- I’m looking forward to talking tomorrow ment should not fear faith; government to our veterans. I’m going to tell the veterans ought to welcome the good works of faith- how much America appreciates their service based and community-based organizations to to the United States of America. And I’m help make this country as strong as it possibly going to thank our veterans for setting such can be. a great example for incredibly fine men and And so I want to thank you for coming women who wear the uniform of the United tonight. I’m proud to share the stage with States military today. a good man who is leaving the United States These are challenging times. I wish I could Senate. People of this State will be able to report to you that all is well, but there’s still say, Bill Frist, job well done. And I’m proud an enemy that wants to harm the United to be serving—sharing this stage with a man States of America because of what we stand who I look forward to serving with, to do for. We learned that lesson earlier this what’s right for this country. He doesn’t need month, when, because of the good work of to take a poll; he doesn’t need to run a focus our friends in Great Britain and some of our group to determine what’s right and what we own help, we stopped a terrorist plot against need to do. He’ll make you proud. He’s the the United States. This is the challenge of kind of United States Senator you want. It’s our time and my most important duty. And my honor to endorse and strongly support the most important duty of our Government Bob Corker for the United States Senate. is to protect the American people from fur- Thank you all for coming. ther attack. We will stay on the offense and defeat the NOTE: The President spoke at 5:45 p.m. at the terrorists abroad so we do not have to face Loews Vanderbilt Hotel. In his remarks, he re- them here at home. And as we do so, we’ll ferred to Elizabeth Corker, wife of senatorial can- remember the power of freedom and liberty didate Bob Corker; former President Saddam to transform regions of hate to regions of Hussein and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki of compassion. I believe there’s an Almighty, Iraq; Gen. John P. Abizaid, USA, combatant com- and I believe the great gift of the Almighty mander, U.S. Central Command; and Prime Min- to every man and woman on the Earth is ister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan. the desire to live in freedom. Iraq is the central front in this war on ter- Remarks on Arrival in Salt Lake City, ror. If we leave the streets of Baghdad before Utah the job is done, we will have to face the ter- rorists in our own cities. We will stay the August 30, 2006 course. We will help this young Iraqi democ- racy succeed, and victory in Iraq will be a War on Terror major ideological triumph in the struggle of Thank you all for coming out. I can’t thank the 21st century. you enough for this fantastic Utah welcome. I firmly believe we’ll succeed. We’ll suc- I am delighted to be here in Salt Lake City. ceed in spreading liberty. And as we do so, My only regret is that Laura is not here to we can say that this generation did our duty see this great crowd. She sends her best; she and laid the foundation of peace for genera- sends her love. tions to come.

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For those of you with loved ones in the to our Nation, and I’m proud to join you United States military, I thank you from the today. bottom of my heart. I can’t tell you how First, I want to thank Tom Bock, the na- proud I am to be the Commander in Chief tional commander, for his kind introduction of such a fantastic group of young men and and his strong leadership. I always am women. And I’ll make this pledge to you: Our pleased to welcome the commander to the Government will make sure your loved ones Oval Office to discuss common issues, and have all the support, all the help, all the train- you’ve done a fine job leading this organiza- ing necessary to do their job of defending tion, Tom. I also want to thank your wife, freedom, defending America, and spreading Elaine, and I particularly want to pay respect liberty that will yield the peace we all want. to your son, Captain Bock of the United So I want to thank you all for coming. It States Army, who’s joined us today. warms my heart to see such a huge crowd. I appreciate being here with Carol Van May God bless the great State of Utah, and may God bless America. Thank you all very Kirk, the national president of the American much. Legion Auxiliary. And I want to thank all the Auxiliary members who are with us here NOTE: The President spoke at 9:04 p.m. at the today as well. Utah Air National Guard base at the Salt Lake I’m proud that the Governor of this great International Airport. In his remarks, he referred State, Jon Huntsman, and his wife, Mary to Gov. Jon M. Huntsman, Jr., of Utah. A tape Kaye, have joined us. Governor, thank you was not available for verification of the content of these remarks. for your time. I’m also proud to be joined by two United States Senators who are strong supporters of the United States military, Sen- Remarks at the American Legion ator Orrin Hatch and Senator Bob Bennett. National Convention in Salt Lake Members of the congressional delegation City from the State of Utah have joined us, Con- August 31, 2006 gressman Rob Bishop and Congressman Chris Cannon. Thank you both for coming. Thank you all very much. Please be seated. Proud you’re here. I thank the State Senator Thanks for the warm welcome. It’s great to John Valentine, who is the president of the join you here in one of America’s most beau- Utah State Senate. I appreciate Speaker tiful cities. I appreciate your hospitality. I’m Greg Curtis. I want to thank all the State proud to stand before some of our country’s and local officials who have joined us here finest patriots, our veterans and their fami- today. Most particularly, I want to thank you lies. And I’m pleased to call you my fellow all for giving me a chance to come and speak Legionnaires—I suspect I may be the only to you. I particularly want to thank all the one here, though, from Post 77, Houston, Gold Star families who have joined us today. Texas. That’s what I thought. [Laughter] If May God bless you. May God bless you. you’re from Post 77, behave yourself here As veterans, all of you stepped forward in Salt Lake. [Laughter] Laura did remind me the other night, when America needed you most. From north though, that a few of my fellow members— Africa to Normandy, Iwo Jima to Inchon, at least I’ve joined a few of my fellow mem- from Khe Sanh to Kuwait, your courage and bers in another illustrious organization, the service have made it possible for generations ‘‘Over 60 Club.’’ [Laughter] to live in liberty. And we owe you more than For almost 90 years, Legionnaires have just thanks; we owe you the support of the stood proudly ‘‘for God and country.’’ From Federal Government. And so in my first 4 big cities to small towns, the American Le- years as President, we increased funding for gion name brings to mind the best of our veterans more than the previous administra- Nation—decency, generosity, and character. tion did in 8 years. Since then, we’ve in- I thank you for a lifetime of service. I thank creased it even more. My budget for this year you for the positive contributions you make provides more than $80 billion for veterans—

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