pd05au02 Monday, August 5, 2002...

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Congress to make sure that we bring all these agencies involved with 
protecting America under one Cabinet office, so that we can set a clear 
priority, and if need be, change cultures to make sure we're doing 
everything in our power to protect America.
    Let me give you some examples of what we need to have happen. On the 
border, it's important to know who's coming into the country, what 
they're bringing into the country, and whether or not they're leaving 
when they say they're going to leave. On our borders, we can be 
respectful to people and our neighbors and, at the same time, be tough 
on terror. But there's three Federal agencies full of good, decent 
people who are working hard on border. There's INS and Border Patrol and 
Customs, three really fine agencies, full of good people, but sometimes 
they don't share the same strategy. They've got different uniforms. 
Sometimes they don't work as closely as they should, because of rules, 
bureaucratic rules.
    And so I've asked the Congress, give me the power to, in the name of 
national security, to be able to effect those work rules, so that we can 
better say to the American people, ``We're doing everything we can to

[[Page 1879]]

protect you.'' The House heard the call. The Senate hadn't. The Senate 
hadn't moved--another reason we need to change the leadership in the 
Senate so we can get a--so we can have a Homeland Security Department 
where this President and future Presidents are able to put the right 
people at the right place with the right equipment at the right time, to 
protect the American people.
    I don't have to worry about old Steve Pearce's vote on that issue or 
Pete Domenici's. I want you to know that no matter how hard we work here 
at home--and we'll work hard; however long it takes, we'll work hard--
the most effective way to protect the homeland is to hunt these killers 
down, one at a time, and bring them to justice. That's the most 
effective thing, and we're doing it. Slowly but surely, we're hunting 
them down.
    Now, it's hard to tell progress sometimes because this is a 
different kind of war. I'm sure we've got some vets out there who 
remember the wars where, ``Yes, we're making progress because we 
destroyed some tanks,'' or, ``We're making progress because we shot some 
airplanes out of the sky.'' That's not the type of enemy we face now. 
These people are ones who hide in caves, kind of lurk in the dark 
corners of some of the cities in the world. Then they send youngsters to 
their suicidal deaths. It's a new kind of war, a different kind of army. 
But that doesn't mean we can't win. As a matter of fact, I'm confident 
we will win. And I know we're making progress.
    And part of my confidence rests in the fact that we've got the 
finest United States military in the world. And I just signed a new 
defense bill. It's the largest increase in defense spending since Ronald 
Reagan was the President. The message--there's two messages in that 
bill; it's important to hear. One, anytime this country puts our troops 
into harm's way, we owe it to the troops, and we owe it to the loved 
ones of the troops, to make sure they've got the best training, the best 
equipment, and the best possible pay.
    And the second message is that--and this is a message to our friends 
and to our foes alike--that we're in this deal for the long haul. It 
don't matter how long it takes. When it comes to the defense of our 
freedom, when it comes to the--defending the American people, it doesn't 
matter how long it takes. There is not a calendar in the Oval Office 
which says, on this day, Mr. President, you haul them home. That just 
doesn't exist in my way of thinking. It doesn't exist in the way of 
thinking of most Americans. They understand what is at stake. They 
understand we have an obligation. They understand no matter how long it 
takes, no matter what the cost, we're going to do our duty, and that is 
to defend freedom and to defeat the enemy of terror, to defeat that 
enemy that loves terror as a weapon.
    We've hauled in a couple of thousand of them so far. I say ``we''--
the doctrine still stands which says, ``Either you're with us, or you're 
with the others.'' That doctrine still exists, and there is still a 
coalition of people working together. The other day we got a guy named 
bin al-Shibh. He thought he was going to be the 20th hijacker. That's 
what he wanted to be. He popped his head up. He is no longer a problem 
to America.
    A couple of thousand of them have been hauled in by America and our 
friends, and we're still making progress, one at a time. We're putting 
that spotlight into caves, and we're hauling them out of there. We're 
finding them in the dark corners. A like number hadn't been so lucky, by 
the way. And they're not a problem, either. Slowly but surely, it 
doesn't matter how long it takes.
    You know, I don't know what was going through the mind of the enemy. 
They probably took a look at America and said, you know, ``These folks 
are shallow. They've got one religion called materialism. They're self-
absorbed.'' After they hit us, we'd probably take a step back and maybe 
file a lawsuit or two. [Laughter] No, they made a big, big mistake. They 
don't understand the character of the country.
    See, this country is strong; it's steady. This country is 
determined. And so long as we remain strong and determined, so long as 
we remember that freedom is not created by America, freedom is God-given 
for everybody around the world, so long as we hold our values dear, we 
can bring peace. I want you to tell your kids that amongst all the talk 
about war, there's a burning and deep desire to make the world peaceful, 
to make America

[[Page 1880]]

peaceful--not only to make America peaceful because we value each life, 
everybody counts, peace in other parts of the world, as well.
    I truly believe that out of the evil done to America can come some 
incredible good--some incredible good. And that good is going to be a 
peaceful world. I also know here at home that we can be a better 
America. I've talked about ways for Government to help, but you've got 
to know that Government, even though it can hand out money, it can never 
put hope in people's hearts or a sense of purpose in people's lives. The 
best healing there is in America, the best way to eliminate pockets of 
despair and hopelessness which exist in this land, the best way to make 
sure that the American experience is for everybody, is for our fellow 
citizens to put their arm around somebody who hurts and say, ``I love 
you. I love you.''
    If you want--I used to tell people right after September the 11th, 
if you want to join the war on terror, if you want to fight evil, do 
some good. Do some good. Do some good right here in Alamogordo, New 
Mexico. Help feed the hungry. Help--mentor a child. If you really want 
to do some good, teach a child how to read. See, our society is going to 
change, one heart, one soul, one conscience at a time.
    The enemy hit us. They didn't know who they were hitting us. They 
didn't realize they were hitting not only a strong nation, a tough 
nation, but a compassionate nation as well. The great strength of 
America lies not in our halls of Government; the great strength of our 
country lay in the hearts and souls of our fellow citizens.
    You know, one of the things that's happened after September the 11th 
is that a lot of Americans took a step back and said, ``How best to live 
my life--what can I do? How best to realize the American experience?'' I 
think a lot of it had to do with what took place on Flight 93 that day, 
when our fellow citizens were flying across the country. They learned 
that the airplane they were on was going to be used as a weapon to 
destroy life. On their cell phones they told their loved ones goodbye. 
They told their loved ones they loved them. They said a prayer; they 
prayed for guidance and strength. A guy said, ``Let's roll.'' They took 
the plane into the ground to serve something greater than themselves in 
life.
    The aftermath of the evil done to America has caused a lot of 
Americans to understand that a full life, a decent life, a complete life 
is to serve something greater than yourself in life. If you're a mom or 
a dad, remember your most important job will be to love your child with 
all your heart and all your soul. If you care about your community here 
in New Mexico, get involved with your schools. Help people in need. If 
you're running corporate America, you remember you have a responsibility 
to tell the truth and not lie and cheat employees and shareholders.
    No, the enemy hit us, but they hit a great nation, a nation which 
will work to keep the peace, and a nation which will respond in a way 
here at home, where that great hope of America, the great promise of our 
country, the spirit that caused Mel's mother and daddy to send him here 
to America, applies to everybody.
    There's no question in my mind, fellow citizens, that we've got 
hurdles ahead of us. No question in my mind we're going to leap those 
hurdles, because this is the finest nation, full of the most decent 
people on the face of the Earth.
    Thanks for coming. God bless you all. And God bless America.

Note: The President spoke at 9 a.m. at the Riner Steinhoff Soccer 
Complex. In his remarks, he referred to Steve Pearce, candidate for New 
Mexico's Second Congressional District; gubernatorial candidate John 
Sanchez; Mayor Donald E. Carroll of Alamogordo; President Saddam Hussein 
of Iraq; and Ramzi bin al-Shibh, an Al Qaida operative suspected of 
helping to plan the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, who was 
captured in Karachi, Pakistan. The President also referred to Senator 
Paul Wellstone of Minnesota, who died in the October 25 crash of a twin 
engine King Air aircraft in Eveleth, MN.


<DOC>
[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents]
 [frwais.access.gpo.gov]
                         

[Page 1880-1886]
 
Pages 1865-1925
 
Week Ending Friday, November 1, 2002
 
Remarks in Denver, Colorado

October 28, 2002

    The President. Thanks for coming. Thanks for such a warm welcome. 
It's nice to be in a part of the world where the cowboy hats outnumber 
the ties. I'm honored so

[[Page 1881]]

many of you all came. Please be seated, unless you don't have a seat. 
[Laughter] I'm honored so many came out today.
    I've got some things on my mind that I'd like to share with you. One 
thing that's on my mind is that we have a duty to our country to 
participate in the political process. See, if you believe in freedom, 
you have a duty to exercise your right to vote to begin with. One of the 
reasons I'm coming to this big State is to encourage people to do their 
duty, to go to the polls. I want all people, no matter what their 
political party is or whether they even like a political party, to 
exercise their obligation to vote.
    Now, I've got some suggestions when you go--[laughter]--I've got 
some suggestions. For the sake of Colorado and for the sake of the 
country, Wayne Allard needs to be sent back to the United States Senate.
    Audience members. Six more years! Six more years! Six more years!
    The President. Whether he wins or not is going to depend upon many 
of you here. See, grassroots politics makes a big difference--turning 
out that vote, getting on the telephones and putting up the signs, going 
to your coffee shops or your houses of worship or your community centers 
to put out the word that, when you've got a good one like Wayne, you've 
got to do everything you can to help him get back to Washington.
    You know, in Colorado, I'm sure you understand this. Around 
Crawford, we kind of know the difference between a show horse and a work 
horse. [Laughter] With Wayne, you've got somebody who's willing to work 
on your behalf. When he says something, he means it. And he does not 
need a focus group or a poll to tell him what to think.
    I'm proud to have traveled in with Joan today, too. Like me, he 
married well. He drew the short straw. If he'd have been smart, he'd 
have invited Laura to come and speak instead of me. [Laughter] And she's 
doing great, by the way. She's on her way from Crawford back to 
Washington.
    I don't know if you remember the story. I see my friend Ricky Griess 
here. He and I both went to San Jacinto Junior High with Laura. When I 
married her, when I asked her to marry me--or asked her to marry me, she 
was a public school librarian. And she didn't like politics. [Laughter] 
And she didn't care for politicians, either. [Laughter] Thank goodness 
she said yes when I proposed. She is a fabulous First Lady for America, 
and she's for Wayne Allard.
    And like me, she's also awfully fond of your Governor and first 
lady, Bill Owens. Governor Bill Owens is one of the finest Governors in 
the United States. And you better make sure you put him back in, too. 
He's got a great record. He cares deeply about the citizens of this 
State, and he's proven that he's a Governor of everybody. The thing I 
like about Governor Owens, he campaigns proudly as a Republican, but he 
serves all the people of this State. And he's going to get a big vote 
from Republicans and Democrats and independents because of the job he 
has done. I'm not saying that just because he was born in Texas. 
[Laughter] I'm saying that because his record speaks loud and clear. And 
we love Frances, too. She's done a great job as the first lady of 
Colorado.
    I'm proud to be up here with another fine United States Senator. Ben 
Nighthorse Campbell is a class act and a good man. I'm honored to be 
here with two Members of the United States Congress, Bob Schaffer and 
Tom Tancredo. I appreciate them coming.
    And I'm here to make sure--to encourage you to work hard, to make 
sure that Denny Hastert remains the Speaker of the House of 
Representatives. And if you're interested in joining me in doing that, 
you'll make sure Bob Beauprez gets elected to the United States 
Congress.
    I appreciate Bob. He represents the Colorado story, the Colorado 
story from a pioneering family. He's an entrepreneur. He's a hard 
worker. He's a God-fearing man. He's a decent soul. For the sake of the 
country, it's important that Bob Beauprez become the United States 
Congressman from the Seventh District.
    You need to work hard to get out the vote in this close race. You 
need to turn out everybody you can find. And once you get through 
getting him elected, make sure you don't forget Marilyn Musgrave, who's 
going to be the Congresswoman from Colorado. Marilyn knows what she's 
doing. She doesn't need

[[Page 1882]]

a bunch of on-the-job training in Washington. She'll be a good, steady 
hand from the get-go.
    I also want to--you to work hard for senator--State senator Ken 
Chlouber. Ken's running--Ken's running for the Congress. He too is a 
good, honest man, a good, decent fellow who will make a fine United 
States Congressman.
    No, it's important for the sake of our future that Denny Hastert 
remain the Speaker of the House. I can work with him. And we need to 
work together, because we've got some big projects ahead for America, 
we've got some big challenges for our country. But you've got to know 
you're looking at an optimist. There's nothing this country can't 
achieve when we put our mind to it.
    Some of the biggest challenges we face will require us being able to 
work together in the--with the administrative branch and the legislative 
branch, in concert. We're doing what's right for America. Listen, I 
worry about the fact that some people can't find a job here in America. 
Anytime one's looking for work and can't find a job means we've got to 
do--we've got to have a pro-growth agenda. Anytime somebody wants to 
work and can't put food on the table means we've got a problem in 
America.
    Let me tell you what we think. People on this stage believe that the 
tax cuts we passed, the tax cuts that Congress enacted, was one of the 
best remedies for making sure people can find work. And the reason why 
is because when somebody has more of his own or her own money in their 
pocket, they're more than likely to demand an additional good or a 
service. And in the marketplace, when you demand a good or a service, 
somebody is likely to produce the good or a service. And when somebody 
produces the good or a service, somebody in Colorado or elsewhere in the 
country is more likely to find work. The tax relief we passed came at 
exactly the right time in American economic history.
    And I want to thank Senator Allard for his support. I don't have to 
worry about his position on tax relief. Nor do I have to worry about Bob 
Beauprez's position on tax relief. And that's the kind of representation 
you need to have in Washington. It's still an issue, because the Senate 
rules are such that after 10 years, the tax relief we passed goes away. 
See, that creates a sense of uncertainty in the marketplace. It's hard 
to plan if the tax rules are going to change on you.
    The tax relief plan we passed made eminent sense for our small 
businesses. Seventy percent of the new jobs in America are created by 
small businesses. And when you reduce the rates, the individual tax 
rates, it affects small-business growth because most small businesses 
are sole proprietorships or limited partnerships. For the sake of job 
creation, for the sake of enhancing the entrepreneurial spirit, for the 
sake of strengthening the small-business sector in America, you need to 
send people to the Senate and the Congress who will make the tax relief 
permanent.
    I know there is concern about what they call ``urban sprawl'' here 
in Colorado. One of the reasons why urban sprawl can get out of hand is 
because farmers and ranchers are forced to sell their property before 
they want to because of the death tax. The tax relief plan we passed 

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