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help for those who hurt, and that Governor mind he’ll make a great Governor. There’s is going to be Ernie Fletcher. no doubt in my mind he’ll be a Governor I look forward to working with Ernie for every single person that lives in this vital Fletcher to make sure that the homeland se- and important State. There’s no doubt in my curity initiative is done well here in Ken- mind he’s got a vision that’s clear and hope- tucky. We want to make sure that there’s ful, a vision that will provide the best oppor- good coordination between the Federal, the tunity, so that everybody who lives here can State, and the local authorities, to make sure say, ‘‘I’ve been given my chance to succeed. your good police folks and firefighters and I’ve been given a good education. The envi- emergency-response teams have a coordi- ronment for finding a job is strong. I can nated strategy to be able to deal with a situa- raise my family in peace and security.’’ tion if it were to occur. The thing I appreciate There’s no doubt in my mind that the right about Ernie Fletcher is he understands what person to lead this great State into the 21st I know, that the best way to secure the home- century is Ernie Fletcher. land is to hunt the killers down, one by one, Thank you all for coming. May God bless. and bring them to justice, what America will God bless you all. Work hard. Thank you all. do. We must never forget the lessons of Sep- NOTE: The President spoke at 12:44 p.m. at Bar- tember the 11th, 2001. We must understand kley Regional Airport. In his remarks, he referred to Glenna A. Fletcher, wife of gubernatorial can- that we can’t sit back and hope for the best, didate Ernie Fletcher. that when we see danger we must respond. We must respond in a way that is responsible. We are responsible for the security of the Remarks in London, Kentucky people of this country. We must use every November 1, 2003 power we have to make sure that another attack does not occur. The lessons of Sep- The President. Thank you all for coming. tember the 11th, 2001, are indelibly etched Thank you for being here. I’m honored to in my mind. I will not forget the responsi- be here. Thanks for so many people showing bility that we have to the people, and neither up today. It’s a beautiful day to talk about will Ernie. the next Governor of the State of Kentucky. For those of you with loved ones in the My only regret is I wasn’t here a month United States military, you get a hold of them ago for the fried chicken festival. [Laughter] either by e-mail or phone or letter, and you I appreciate so many folks showing up. It’s tell them their Commander in Chief is in- a good sign, Ernie. It’s a good sign people credibly proud of the sacrifices they are mak- care about their government. It’s a good sign ing for this country. that people know they have got a responsi- But I also want you to know that we’ll stay bility to vote. I’m here to say as clearly I can, on the offensive, but we’ll also stay on the the right person to become the next Gov- offensive for the spread of freedom. The ernor of the State of Kentucky is Ernie greatest security America can gain is from Fletcher. the advance of human liberty. Free nations I want to thank you all for bringing your do not attack their neighbors. Free nations families. I also want to thank the Bush Volun- do not develop weapons of mass terror to teer Fire Department for coming. That’s a threaten or blackmail the world. No, the heck of a name you chose. [Laughter] I’m greatest security for America will come when proud to share it with you, and thanks for America continues to lead the world toward what you do. a free society. We understand—we under- I can say without any uncertainty at all that stand—that freedom is not America’s gift to Ernie is the right man to be the Governor. the world; freedom is God Almighty’s gift to Listen to this: He’s a fighter pilot. That says each and every person that lives in the world. something. And he’s a healer. He’s a doctor. In this war on terror, I’ve had no stronger He’s an engineer. He did a fine job in the supporter than Ernie Fletcher. I’m proud to United States Congress. He’s had good expe- stand with this man. There’s no doubt in my rience. He married well—[laughter]—just

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like me. I appreciate Glenna. I appreciate Kentucky really well. He also married well. the sacrifices she’s making for the people of [Laughter] He married so well, I put Elaine, this great State. his wife, into the Cabinet. [Laughter] I’m The people of this State must be assured proud of the job she’s doing for the working that when they elect somebody to high office, people of this country. I’m also proud to be that person will uphold the dignity of that here with Jim and Mary Bunning, two great office. You want your kids looking at some- citizens of this State. It is really important body who—for whom you can be proud. you send him back to the United States Sen- Ernie Fletcher values his faith. He values his ate in ’04. family. He understands the responsibilities The truth of the matter is, I’m here be- that you must assume when you get elected cause a great friend of my family’s said, ‘‘Lis- to high office. The right man for the job is ten, if you want to help Ernie, you make sure Ernie Fletcher. you come to London.’’ He said, ‘‘If you really It’s one thing to be listening to the speech- want to do some good for this good man, es; it’s another thing to be doing the work. you make sure you come to the heart of my I’m asking you to go out and turn out the district.’’ I think you know who I’m talking vote. I’m asking you to go to your coffee about. shops, your farm implement dealers, your Audience members. [Applause] community centers, your houses of worship The President. Yes. A great American, a and remind people they have a duty to vote. great friend, a wonderful Congressman from In this free land you have a duty to exercise this part of the world, one of the real powers your responsibility. And you might also re- in the Halls of Congress, a man who thinks mind them when they’re heading to the polls, constantly about the people in this district, he’s the right man for the job. and that would be Hal Rogers. It’s been a And don’t overlook those disgruntled real pleasure to get to know Cynthia as well. Democrats, either. [Laughter] They want I like a man who married a younger woman. good, clean government in Frankfort. [Laughter] There’s plenty of independents you can en- I’m also proud to be here with the former courage to go vote. This is voter turnout time Governor, Governor Louie Nunn. I appre- now. The good people of this part of the ciate Governor Nunn being here today as State understand what I’m talking about. You well. Thank you, Louie. Adam Koenig is with go find your neighbors and get them to the us. He’s running for the State treasurer, and polls, and you’ll be proud of the job he does he wants your vote. You talk about a man on behalf of everybody in this State. who picked a good name running for the Make sure that you also get them to vote commissioner of agriculture—[laughter]— for the Lieutenant Governor. [Laughter] It’s Richie Farmer is throwing his hat in the ring, kind of natural, isn’t it? I’m proud of the fact and he wants your help. that Ernie picked Steve Pence. He’s a good, I’m proud to be here with my friend David solid man. See, I picked him first. I don’t Williams, the president of the State senate. know if you know this or not, but I named Ellen Williams runs the party here, and Mike him to be the U.S. Attorney for western Ken- Duncan is the national committeeman. And tucky. I looked long and hard to get the right all of you all involved in the grassroots—that person to do this important job. Steve Pence means fixing to turn out the vote; that’s what was the man. He’s not only the man to be that means to me—thanks for coming. It’s the U.S. Attorney; he’s the man to become been a real joy to be here. your Lieutenant Governor. I also want to thank Rebecca Lynn How- Laura sends her love to the people of east- ard for singing so beautifully for you all. ern Kentucky. She’s a fabulous First Lady. What’s important for a Governor can- I’m really proud of her. You drew the short didate is to have a good agenda, a good plat- straw. You got me. [Laughter] form; you’ve got to run for a reason. And I’m so proud to be on the same platform Ernie is running for the right reason. First with two great United States Senators. First, of all, he and I share a concern: Anytime Senator Mitch McConnell—he represents any of our citizens who wants to work and

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can’t find a job, it says we’ve got a problem, suits make it hard for people to get good, and you better get you a Governor here in affordable health care. You need medical li- Kentucky who understands what it means to ability reform in this State. create the environment so jobs can grow. I used to say in Texas that education is You know, when I came into office, the to a State what national defense is to the Fed- country was in a recession. And then the eral Government. The top priority of any enemy hit us. And then we found out some State is to make sure every child gets a good of our citizens forgot what it means to be education. And that’s Ernie Fletcher’s top responsible. They didn’t tell the truth to their priority. Ernie is going to stand with the shareholders and their employees. By the teachers. Ernie is going to stand with the par- way, some of them are finding out what it ents. Most importantly, Ernie is going to means to be held accountable. stand with the children. He’ll challenge what I call the soft bigotry of low expectations. He So I went to the Congress and said, ‘‘We’ve believes every child can learn. He’ll raise the got to be concerned about the fact that peo- standards and insist that our children learn ple aren’t working.’’ But I went with this principle—and Ernie understands this; that’s to read and write and add and subtract. You why I’m bringing it up; it’s important you need a Governor who will make sure no child have a Governor who understands how to is left behind in the State of Kentucky. create that environment for job growth and job creation—when a person has more He’s right on a lot of the issues. He’s run- money in his or her pocket, he or she is likely ning on a good, solid platform. This is a plat- to demand a good or a service. And when form, by the way, that’s good for Republicans you demand a good or a service, somebody and Democrats and independents. This is a is going to produce that good or a service. Kentucky platform. And when somebody produces that good or One of the things I like most about his a service, somebody is more likely to find platform is his understanding of the role of a job. The tax relief that Ernie supported faith in our society. The state should never strongly came at the right time for the Amer- fund the church, and the church should ican economy and the American people. never try to be the state. But in order to When you have more money in your pockets, heal broken hearts, in order to address some somebody is more likely to find a job. of the deepest needs of our fellow citizens, In order to make sure that you’ve got an whether they be the homeless or the addict economy that’s strong here in Kentucky, you or the child who needs special love, we must better make sure you’ve got a Governor who welcome faith in our society. We must rally is wise with the people’s money. And that the armies of compassion. starts with understanding this principle: In government, we don’t spend the govern- I look forward to working with Ernie to ment’s money; that’s your money. We spend the people’s money. And Ernie is not going make sure the Federal efforts and the State to play politics with your money. He’s going efforts and the local efforts here in Kentucky to set priorities. He’s going to be wise about are well-coordinated when it comes to pro- how to spend the taxpayers’ money. tecting the homeland. I look forward to work- In order to make sure you’ve got an econ- ing with him to make sure that our first-re- omy that grows, you better have a legal sys- sponders, the brave police and firefighters tem that is fair and balanced. Junk lawsuits and emergency management teams, get re- make it hard to have a State that creates jobs. sources necessary to do the job you expect You need a Governor who’s willing to stand them to do. up to the plaintiff’s bar, somebody who will But I also want you to know, and he under- stand strong and say, ‘‘If you need your day stands this, that the best way to protect the in court, you’ll have a day in court, but frivo- homeland is to chase the killers down, one lous and junk lawsuits make it hard for peo- at a time, and bring them to justice. We must ple to find work.’’ And frivolous and junk law-

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never forget the lessons of September the Memorandum Waiving Prohibition 11th, 2001. We must understand we have a on United States Military Assistance duty and responsibility to provide security for to Parties to the Rome Statute the people of this country. Therapy is not Establishing the International going to work with that bunch. [Laughter] Criminal Court We must be smart. We must be tough. We November 1, 2003 will not tire. We will not rest until this danger to civilization is removed. Presidential Determination No. 2004–07

When I came into office, morale in the Memorandum for the Secretary of State U.S. military was beginning to suffer, so we Subject: Waiving Prohibition on United increased the defense budget. Ernie Fletcher States Military Assistance to Parties to the stood right by my side, making sure our Rome Statute Establishing the International troops, our brave troops, got the best train- Criminal Court ing, the best pay, and the best possible equip- ment. Consistent with the authority vested in me by section 2007 of the American But I want you to know, the best way to Servicemembers’ Protection Act of 2002 (the safeguard America is to work to spread free- ‘‘Act’’), title II of Public Law 107–206 (22 dom, is to make sure that freedom can take U.S.C. 7421 et seq.), I hereby determine that: hold around the world. See, free societies Antigua and Barbuda, Botswana, East don’t attack their neighbors. Free societies Timor, Ghana, Malawi, Nigeria, and Uganda do not develop weapons of mass terror to have each entered into an agreement with blackmail or threaten the world. We under- the United States pursuant to Article 98 of stand this—it’s very important—that free- the Rome Statute preventing the Inter- dom is not America’s gift to the world; free- national Criminal Court from proceeding dom is the Lord Almighty’s gift to each per- against U.S. personnel present in such coun- son in the world. tries, and waive the prohibition of section I’m proud that Ernie stood strong on these 2007(a) of the Act with respect to these coun- tough issues. I’m proud I could count on him. tries for as long as such agreement remains And you can count on him when he’s your in force; and Governor. He’s a good, honest man. He’s a It is important to the national interest of decent man. He’s an honorable man. And the United States to waive, for a period of I’m here to ask you to turn out the vote here, 6 months from the date of this determina- tion, the prohibition of section 2007(a) with in this important part of the State, and send respect to Romania, and waive that prohibi- this man to the statehouse, who will do you tion with respect to this country for that pe- a great job. riod. Thanks for coming. May God bless, and You are authorized and directed to report may God bless America. this determination to the Congress, and to arrange for its publication in the Federal Reg- ister. NOTE: The President spoke at 5 p.m. at London- Corbin Airport. In his remarks, he referred to George W. Bush Glenna A. Fletcher, wife of gubernatorial can- [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, didate Ernie Fletcher; Cynthia Rogers, wife of 8:45 a.m., November 7, 2003] Representative Harold ‘‘Hal’’ Rogers; Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao; and country music enter- NOTE: This memorandum was published in the tainer Rebecca Lynn Howard. Federal Register on November 10.

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