1796 Nov. 30 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2005 that freedom is the destiny of every man, former President Saddam Hussein of Iraq; senior woman, and child on this Earth. Al Qaida associate Abu Musab Al Zarqawi; Usama Before our mission in Iraq is accom- bin Laden, leader of the Al Qaida terrorist organi- plished, there will be tough days ahead. A zation; Lt. Col. Todd Wood, USA, commander, time of war is a time of sacrifice, and we’ve 2d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, Task Force lost some very fine men and women in this Liberty; and Gen. George W. Casey, Jr., USA, war on terror. Many of you know comrades commanding general, Multi-National Force— Iraq. The Office of the Press Secretary also re- and classmates who left our shores to defend leased a Spanish language transcript of these re- freedom and who did not live to make the marks. journey home. We pray for the military fami- lies who mourn the loss of loved ones. We hold them in our hearts, and we honor their Remarks at a Reception for memory of every fallen soldier, sailor, air- Senatorial Candidate Michael S. man, coastguardsman, and marine. Steele in Baltimore, Maryland One of those fallen heroes is a marine cor- poral named Jeff Starr, who was killed fight- November 30, 2005 ing the terrorists in Ramadi earlier this year. After he died, a letter was found on his laptop The President. Thank you. As Maryland computer. Here’s what he wrote, he said, ‘‘If builds the bridge, you might as well make you’re reading this, then I’ve died in Iraq. it a ‘‘Steele’’ bridge. I’m proud to be here I don’t regret going. Everybody dies, but few to say to the good folks of this important get to do it for something as important as State, Michael Steele is the right man for freedom. It may seem confusing why we are the United States Senate. in Iraq. It’s not to me. I’m here helping these He’s a decent man. He’s an honorable people, so they can live the way we live, not man. He’s a family man. Those are the kind to have to worry about tyrants or vicious dic- of traits you want when you elect somebody tators. Others have died for my freedom, now to the United States Senate. And there’s no this is my mark.’’ doubt in my mind he’s going to win. People There is only one way to honor the sac- from both political parties are going to realize rifice of Corporal Starr and his fallen com- this man is capable of doing the job, that rades, and that is to take up their mantle, he’ll bring dignity to the office, that he’ll help carry on the fight, and complete their mis- heal racial wounds, that he’ll show there’s a sion. future for everybody in the State of Mary- We will take the fight to the terrorists. We land. will help the Iraqi people lay the foundations Michael has got a record. He’s served— of a strong democracy that can govern itself, you know, one of the things people look at sustain itself, and defend itself. And by laying when they’re looking at people running for the foundations of freedom in Iraq, we will office, do they know anything about the lay the foundation of peace for generations economy. The truth of the matter is a lot to come. of people are wondering whether or not You all are the ones who will help accom- they’re going to have a job. And under the plish all this. Our freedom and our way of Ehrlich-Steele administration, the unem- life are in your hands, and they’re in the best ployment rate here in Maryland is 4.1 per- of hands. I want to thank you for your service cent. That’s a record. It means people are to the cause of freedom. I want to thank you working. You can forget all the politics rhet- for wearing the uniform. May God bless you oric. People need to look at the bottom line. all, and may God continue to bless the People of this State are working. They’re able United States of America. to make a living. I’ve got some good economic news for our NOTE: The President spoke at 9:45 a.m. in Alumni Hall at the U.S. Naval Academy. In his remarks, Nation. The latest economic growth is at 4.3 he referred to Vice Adm. Rodney P. Rempt, USN, percent. America’s workers and businesses superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy; Adm. Mi- have overcome the challenges of two hurri- chael G. Mullen, USN, Chief of Naval Operations; canes and high energy prices, so the third VerDate Aug 31 2005 00:55 Dec 06, 2005 Jkt 208250 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P48DET4.002 P48DET4 Administration of George W. Bush, 2005 / Nov. 30 1797 quarter growth is at the 4.3 percent. It’s the upon high standards and excellence for every fastest rate in nearly 2 years. single child, not only in Maryland but around Just goes to show that when Government the country. He’ll be a great United States unleashes the power and potential of the Senator when it comes to education. American worker, the small-business owner, I appreciate Michael Steele helping to the entrepreneurs, when America promotes launch the Governor’s Office of Community free markets, lower taxes, and less regula- Initiatives here in Maryland. It’s part of the tions, the country will continue to prosper Faith-Based Initiative. The Faith-Based Ini- and maintain our economic leadership in the tiative recognizes there’s a limitation to the world. You need to put Michael Steele in capabilities of Government to cause people the United States Senate because he under- to love one another. Government is about stands that small businesses create the jobs. law and justice—that’s what Government is. I appreciate Andrea Steele. I appreciate But love comes from a higher calling. And her standing by her man during this cam- there are thousands of our fellow citizens paign. She’s going to be a great—a great Sen- who have heard that call to love a neighbor ator’s wife. Michael married well, and so did just like they’d like to be loved themselves I. [Laughter] And Laura sends all her best. and are willing to serve in some of the darkest Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele of Maryland. communities and areas of our country, where Thank you very much. people don’t have hope, where the light The President. I want to thank you all doesn’t shine in. But the light can shine in for being here. I want to thank you for con- if we unleash the vast potential of America, tributing to this good man. You see, when the great compassion. And Michael Steele you’re out there running for office, some- understands that. times it may feel a little lonely, until you walk Michael will come to Washington, DC— into a room just like this. [Laughter] It’s hard and he’s coming, by the way, with a nation to feel lonely when you’ve got this kind of that is at war. I wish I could report to you support, Michael. that we’re not at war, but we are. And we Lt. Gov. Steele. Yes, it is. need Members of the United States Senate The President. It’s important that you who understand the reality of the world in contribute to his campaign the way you have, which we live. and I want to thank you for doing that. It’s There’s an enemy out there that still wants also important that you contribute by talking to do us harm. And they want to because to your neighbors and when the time comes, their vision of the future is completely oppo- to pick up the telephone and encourage peo- site from ours. We believe in freedom. We ple to vote. And when you’re doing so, make believe in the right for people to worship sure you not only include Republicans but freely, to speak their mind freely, to print Democrats and independents as well. You their editorials freely. That’s what we believe. see, people in this country want there to be They believe in the opposite. They resent honest Government. No matter what party freedom. They have a totalitarian view of the they’re from, they want a decent, honorable world that says, ‘‘You either believe it my man to represent them. And in Michael way, or you’re going to be in trouble.’’ And Steele, you’ve got such a person. they want to spread that vision around the I like his attitude about education. And I world. How do I know? They’ve told us, and hope the people of Maryland do as well. Lis- we’ve got to take their words seriously. ten to what he said. He said, ‘‘We need to We should never forget the lessons of Sep- replace the systems that trap poor kids in fail- tember the 11th, 2001, that there’s an enemy ing schools.’’ In other words, his vision is to out there willing to inflict great harm on the focus on the children, not the system, but American people. And because we’re not the children.