Administration of George W. Bush, 2002 / Jan. 31 157 being alert. But I’m asking people to fight in my mind: We’ll prevail. Right is on our evil with good. As you can probably tell from side. And we’ll prevail because we’re a fabu- my speeches, I don’t see any shades of gray lous nation, and we’re a fabulous nation be- in the war against terror. It’s either evil— cause we’re a nation full of fabulous people. [applause]. I also believe that we as a nation It’s my honor to be your President. God can overwhelm the evil ones by rising up and bless. support a new culture of responsibility by volunteering. NOTE: The President spoke at 12:41 p.m. in the Marquis Ballroom at the Atlanta Marriott Mar- And so I’ve asked the Nation, each of us, quis. to volunteer 4,000 hours, minimum, over the rest of our lifetime, or 2 years in service to your country. And I know many in Atlanta Remarks at Booker T. Washington do that, and I thank you for that. You come High School in Atlanta out of your churches or synagogues or January 31, 2002 mosques, and you’ve got a program based upon faith, and you’re working hard to Thank you all. Please be seated. Nice to change people’s lives. You’re already doing be here at the home of the mighty Bulldogs. it. Just keep doing it. It’s good for America, Whew, I’m glad I’m not on the other team. and it’s good in the fight against evil. I’m so honored to be here. But some don’t know where to help, and I was specially interested to learn this was so we’ve started what’s called the USA Free- Martin Luther King, Jr.’s, high school. And dom Corps. And it’s a chance for people to I want the students to understand something participate in homeland security or partici- about his life. It goes to show that an indi- pate in spreading American values and kind- vidual can make a huge difference in the lives ness and generosity around the world of our fellow citizens. In his case, he made through the Peace Corps or to participate at history. In your case, it could be just loving home in inner-city neighborhoods. Join somebody. The lesson of Martin Luther King Teach For America, for example, which is is a powerful lesson and is part of my—what a fantastic program that I’m going to go her- I want to talk about today. ald at Booker T. Washington High School. But before I do so, I’ve got some introduc- There’s a way to join Senior Corps, and tions I want to make. First, I am honored there’s all kinds of ways to help our country. that your Governor is with us, Governor Roy And if you’re interested, call 877—[laugh- Barnes. I appreciate it—and the first lady. ter]—USA–CORPS, or And like me, he married above himself. usafreedomcorps.gov. [Laughter] First lady of Georgia, it’s good My fellow Americans, if you want to join to see you. Thank you. the fight against terrorists, join up. Volunteer I appreciate members of the congressional to make your community a better place. delegation coming. Oh, I know generally a Spread love and compassion throughout our Democrat is not supposed to show up when country. The way I like to define it is, we a Republican shows up, and a Republican’s will overcome evil through the gathering mo- not supposed to show up when a Democrat mentum of millions of acts of kindness and shows up. But there is a new attitude in decency. America today. I’m a proud Republican. And after all, it’s going to happen, because Cynthia McKinney and John Lewis and Zell you know why? This is such a decent and Miller are proud Democrats. Saxby’s a proud compassionate country. We’re a country Republican. Cleland is a proud Democrat. based on fabulous values. We’re a country But first and foremost, we’re all proud Amer- open to everybody. We’re a country based icans. upon the principle that says, ‘‘Freedom is im- I appreciate so very much members of the portant. Freedom is essential. Freedom is House and the Senate—State House and the nonnegotiable.’’ Senate—for coming over to say hello today. No question in my mind these are tough I’m honored that your mayor is here. Thanks times for America, but there’s no question for coming. VerDate 11-MAY-2000 00:13 Feb 06, 2002 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P05FET4.001 txed01 PsN: txed01 158 Jan. 31 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2002 I’m so pleased that a member of my Cabi- around the country. I am proud to stand up net came. I picked a good man when I picked and talk about the best of America in Wendy the Secretary of Education. I didn’t pick Kopp. Wendy, thank you for what you do. somebody who dwelt on theory. I picked on I am proud of a country that is unified somebody who is experienced. You know, and strong. You know, I like to put it this you have a chance to—got to choose all kinds way: The enemy must have been watching of people when you pick your Cabinet. I too much daytime TV. They thought we were wanted somebody who actually understood weak. They thought we would roll over by how public education worked because he had one single attack. My, my, were they mis- lived in public education. This man ran the taken. The enemy thought that we were too toughest, biggest, orneriest school district in materialistic, too self-absorbed, that we the State of Texas, the Houston Independent would tire and weary. No, this United States School District, and he did a great job there. is united. We are strong. We are determined. And he’s doing a great job as the Secretary We are patient. We are resolved to rout out of Education. I appreciate you. terror wherever it exists to save the world I want to thank your superintendent of for freedom. schools here in Atlanta, Dr. Beverly Hall. And it’s important to do so. History has Thank you for coming, Beverly. called us into action. And we cannot weary. One lesson I have learned not only as Gov- Oh, I know some are—some, the farther we ernor but as President, that a school really get away from September the 11th, are going functions well if it’s got a fine principal. And to say, ‘‘Well, gosh, do we really need to go you’ve got a fine principal. They love you. through this?’’ Listen, I want you all to know, I want to thank all the teachers who are here. every morning I walk into a fabulous office, I’m honored to be in your presence. I want the Oval Office, and I sit down in my desk, to thank not only the Teach For America and I read a report, a threat assessment about teachers who are here, I want to thank all what the enemy wants to do. There are still the teachers who are here. Yours is a noble, designs on America. The evil ones can’t stand important profession. a nation that is free. Evil people can’t stand For those of you who have yet to graduate free people. And so, they still want to hit from high school, who are wondering what us. My most important job is to make sure life might hold for you, wondering what your that this Nation is secure and safe. career might be, please give teaching a con- We’re doing everything we can at home sideration. Please look at teaching. There is to find out, to track down anybody who no better way to leave a mark, a positive mark would dare hurt innocent United States citi- on the life of America. zens. And we’re making pretty good progress. One of the things I like to do is herald The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s major kind of the quiet heroes of our society. In task now, its most important job, is to protect this case, I want to talk about a social entre- the homeland. We’ve got thousands of agents preneur, someone who had a dream and a tracking down any hint, any lead, making vision and implemented it. And that’s the sure that America is safe. founder and president of Teach For America, I’ve got a Homeland Security Office, all Wendy Kopp. Now, for those of you who designed to work to make sure that a bioter- don’t—she brought some of her family mem- rorist attack can be responded to, to make bers here. [Laughter] sure our heroic police and firefighters have It is—Wendy shows that, with strength of the tools necessary to respond, to be active purpose and setting goals and striving for a and first-responders, to make sure we under- better tomorrow, it is possible to make a huge stand who’s coming into our country and difference. Out of an idea came the desire who’s leaving our country. to convince folks to teach in schools that are We’re doing everything we can at home.