Administration of George W. Bush, 2002 / July 29 1277 ought to ask the question, ‘‘What works?’’ If an example. I want to thank you for being your program is a faith-based program and a part of the greatest country on the face it changes people’s lives and they become of the Earth. less addicted, we ought to say thank you, and May God bless you all, and may God bless you can have equal access to money, and you America. don’t even have to change your mission. We understand the power of faith in our society, NOTE: The President spoke at 11 a.m. in the and we ought to welcome it. school’s gymnasium. In his remarks, he referred I understand the strength of America. The to Patrick J. Patterson, program assistant, Sisters strength of America is our people. It’s not of Charity Foundation. The Office of the Press our Government. It’s the people. And ours Secretary also released a Spanish language tran- is a compassionate and decent nation. You script of these remarks. know, I said earlier, out of the evil done to us will come some good. People in America understand that we’re into a different era, Remarks at a Luncheon for we’re heading into a different culture. It’s Gubernatorial Candidate Mark one that says, ‘‘Serving something greater Sanford in Charleston than yourself is an important part of being July 29, 2002 an American.’’ It’s a lesson that came through on Flight 93. People flew an airplane in the The President. Well, thank you, Gov- ground to save other’s lives. ernor. [Laughter] I want to thank you all for That example is one that I think is going coming. I’m really glad to be back in South to stand like a beacon for future generations Carolina. I’ve got a lot of fond memories to understand what it means to be an Amer- here, if you know what I mean. [Laughter] ican. It means that you, of course, make a And we’ve got a lot of friends here, too. It’s living for your family. But it also means that a great State. After all, it’s the State where when you find a neighbor in need, you love my mother went to high school. that person. It also means that while one of But it’s an honor to be here to work for us can’t do everything, each of us can do the next Governor of the State of South something to change America, one soul at Carolina. I want to thank you all very much a time. for supporting Mark. You know that when Out of the evil done to America will come you find a good one, you’ve got to help him, incredible good, because our fellow citizens and you’ve found a good one in Mark San- have taken a step back, taken an assessment ford. of what’s important in life, and realized serv- I particularly thank those who are going ing our Nation means helping somebody in to put up the signs and lick the envelopes need. The old culture used to say, ‘‘If it feels and make all the phone calls, those tireless good, just go ahead and do it, and if you’ve workers at the grassroots level who can de- got a problem, blame somebody else.’’ I cide the fate of an election. You’ve got a vi- sense a new change in America, where each brant Republican Party here in South Caro- of us understands we’re responsible for the lina. You’ve got a lot of folks who never get decisions we make in life. Each of us are re- thanked enough. And so not only do I want sponsible for loving our children, if we’re for- to thank those who have helped Mark finan- tunate enough to be a mom or a dad, loving cially, I want to thank those of you who are our children with all our heart and all our going to put some shoe leather out there to soul. And each of us understands that in work hard to make sure that you turn out order to be a patriotic American, we must the vote next November. It’s important for love our neighbor like we’d like to be loved our country; it’s important for this State that ourself, help a fellow American in need. this good man become the next Governor of And that’s happening all across our coun- the State of South Carolina. try. I want to thank those of you who are And I love a family man. They started com- doing just that. I want to thank you for hear- ing through the photo op line; I never ing the call. I want to thank you for setting thought the Sanford kids were going to stop. VerDate 11-MAY-2000 01:19 Aug 07, 2002 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P31AUT4.002 txed01 PsN: txed01 1278 July 29 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2002 [Laughter] But it was an honor to meet Mar- publican candidate for the third congres- shall, Landon, Bolton, and Blake, but more sional district. We’re pulling for you, Gresh- importantly, the mom, Jenny Sanford, the am. We wish you all the best. Thank you for great future first lady of the State of South being here. Carolina. I think it’s fairly important to have some- We both married above ourselves. [Laugh- body who is going to be your Governor who ter] I’m sorry the First Lady is not here with is willing to change the tone if the tone is me. She’s hiking. But I can’t tell you how divisive. See, what we need is more people proud I am of her. She’s doing a fabulous in public office who understand it’s impor- job as the First Lady of the United States. tant to unite people to get things done. And Who would have thought a former public there’s nothing worse than old-style politics, school librarian, who didn’t like politics or the politics that wants to pit one group of politicians—[laughter]—would be where she people against another; the politics that says is? Thank goodness. She’s doing great. it’s much better to call somebody names than A lot of you who I met earlier said they’re to lead. praying for me and praying for my family. And when Mark says he wants to change It’s the kindest gift you can give a President the tone in the statehouse in South Carolina, and his family, and I want to thank you from I believe him. And I believe it will be impor- the bottom of my heart for your prayers. tant for the people of South Carolina to have I want to thank members of the fine South a change of tone in the capital, so he can Carolina delegation who are here. That get some things done on behalf of all the would be Congressman Henry Brown, right people of this State. Not just the Republicans here from Charleston; Congressman Joe Wil- but all the people of South Carolina need son, I first met him one time when I was a Governor who’s willing to set big goals, a marching with him in the Okra Strut in Irmo; strong agenda, willing to bring people to- Congressman Jim DeMint, from up north— [laughter]—and the next United States Sen- gether to work toward those goals. ator from South Carolina, Lindsey Graham. And there’s nothing more important than I appreciate some of the State folks show- to making sure that every single child in this ing up, too. There will be two former Gov- State gets a good, quality education. We ernors here, Carroll Campbell and Jim Ed- passed some good legislation in Washington. wards. I want to thank them both for being And one of the things that legislation does here. And Mark, when you win, you need is passes power out of Washington, so that to ask their advice. They were great Gov- the local folks can figure out the path to ex- ernors for the great State of South Carolina. cellence for every child. And I’m confident I also want to thank Iris for being here as in saying to the people of South Carolina, well. Iris, it’s great to see you again. And I flexibility, with Mark as the Governor, will want to thank Ann Edwards as well. make it more likely that every child in this I also want to thank my friend the Lieuten- State will be educated. ant Governor, Bob Peeler, for being here as It also means you better have somebody well. Thank you for coming, Bob. And I want as the Governor who believes every child can to thank you and the attorney general, Char- learn. It means setting the highest of high lie Condon, for working hard to unite the standards. You see, I found out as the Gov- Republican Party. ernor of Texas, and I have learned as the And I know the Speaker is here. President, if you set the bar low, if you don’t Mr. David H. Wilkins. Yes, sir. believe everybody can learn, you’re going to The President. Mr. Speaker—oh, there get bad results. If you have low standards you are. [Laughter] I appreciate you coming.