Home > 2001 Presidential Documents > pd05mr01 Exchange With Reporters During a Tour of Control Concepts Corporation in...pd05mr01 Exchange With Reporters During a Tour of Control Concepts Corporation in...
Andean Free Trade Treaty
Q. [Inaudible].
President Bush. For trade? Absolutely. It's a very important treaty.
She is asking about the free trade treaty of the Andean nations. Yes,
sir--yes, ma'am, I'll be pushing it. I'm a free trader.
Q. [Inaudible]--to help the economy?
President Bush. Through trade, absolutely. And the President made a
very strong case for broadening the trade agreement. I will bring up the
matter with Ambassador Zoellick, who is my trade negotiator.
Adios.
Note: The President spoke at 2:10 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White
House. In his remarks, he referred to President Vicente Fox of Mexico. A
tape was not available for verification of the content of these remarks.
<DOC>
[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents]
[frwais.access.gpo.gov]
[Page 350-351]
Monday, March 5, 2001
Volume 37--Number 9
Pages 335-396
Week Ending Friday, March 2, 2001
Notice--Continuation of the National Emergency Relating to Cuba and of
the Emergency Authority Relating to the Regulation of the Anchorage and
Movement of Vessels
February 27, 2001
On March 1, 1996, by Proclamation 6867, President Clinton declared a
national emergency to address the disturbance or threatened disturbance
of international relations caused by the February 24, 1996, destruction
by the Government of Cuba of two unarmed U.S.-registered civilian
aircraft in international air space north of Cuba. In July 1996 and on
subsequent occasions, the Government of Cuba stated its intent to
forcefully defend its sovereignty against any U.S.-registered vessels or
aircraft that might enter Cuban territorial waters or airspace while
involved in a memorial flotilla and peaceful protest. Since these
events, the Government of Cuba has not demonstrated that it will refrain
from the future use of reckless and excessive force against U.S. vessels
or aircraft that may engage in memorial activities or peaceful protest
north of Cuba. Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the
National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing the
national emergency with respect to Cuba and the emergency authority
relating to the regulation of the anchorage
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and movement of vessels set out in Proclamation 6867.
This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and
transmitted to the Congress.
George W. Bush
The White House,
February 27, 2001.
[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 11:08 a.m., February
27, 2001]
Note: This notice was published in the Federal Register on February 28.
<DOC>
[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents]
[frwais.access.gpo.gov]
[Page 351]
Monday, March 5, 2001
Volume 37--Number 9
Pages 335-396
Week Ending Friday, March 2, 2001
Message to the Congress Transmitting a Notice on Continuation of the
National Emergency With Respect to Cuba
February 27, 2001
To the Congress of the United States:
Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d))
provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless,
prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President
publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice
stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the
anniversary date. In accordance with this provision, I have sent the
enclosed notice to the Federal Register for publication, which states
that the emergency declared with respect to the Government of Cuba's
destruction of two unarmed U.S.-registered civilian aircraft in
international airspace north of Cuba on February 24, 1996, is to
continue in effect beyond March 1, 2001.
George W. Bush
The White House,
February 27, 2001.
<DOC>
[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents]
[frwais.access.gpo.gov]
[Page 351-357]
Monday, March 5, 2001
Volume 37--Number 9
Pages 335-396
Week Ending Friday, March 2, 2001
Address Before a Joint Session of the Congress on Administration Goals
February 27, 2001
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of Congress: It's a great
privilege to be here to outline a new budget and a new approach for
governing our great country. I thank you for your invitation to speak
here tonight. I know Congress had to formally invite me, and it could
have been a close vote. [Laughter] So, Mr. Vice President, I appreciate
you being here to break the tie. [Laughter]
I want to thank so many of you who have accepted my invitation to
come to the White House to discuss important issues. We're off to a good
start. I will continue to meet with you and ask for your input. You have
been kind and candid, and I thank you for making a new President feel
welcome.
The last time I visited the Capitol, I came to take an oath on the
steps of this building. I pledged to honor our Constitution and laws,
and I asked you to join me in setting a tone of civility and respect in
Washington. I hope America is noticing the difference, because we're
making progress.
Together, we are changing the tone in the Nation's Capital. And this
spirit of respect and cooperation is vital, because, in the end, we will
be judged not only by what we say or how we say it, we will be judged by
what we're able to accomplish.
America today is a nation with great challenges but greater
resources. An artist using statistics as a brush could paint two very
different pictures of our country. One would have warning signs:
increasing layoffs, rising energy prices, too many failing schools,
persistent poverty, the stubborn vestiges of racism. Another picture
would be full of blessings: a balanced budget, big surpluses, a military
that is second to none, a country at peace with its neighbors,
technology that is revolutionizing the world, and our greatest strength,
concerned citizens who care for our country and care for each other.
Neither picture is complete in and of itself. And tonight I
challenge and invite Congress to work with me to use the resources of
one picture to repaint the other; to direct the advantages of our time
to solve the problems of our people. Some of these resources will come
from Government--some but not all.
Year after year in Washington, budget debates seem to come down to
an old, tired argument: on one side, those who want more Government,
regardless of the cost; on the other, those who want less Government,
regardless of the need. We should leave those
[[Page 352]]
arguments to the last century and chart a different course.
Government has a role, and an important role. Yet, too much
Government crowds out initiative and hard work, private charity and the
private economy. Our new governing vision says Government should be
active but limited, engaged but not overbearing. And my budget is based
on that philosophy.
It is reasonable, and it is responsible. It meets our obligations
and funds our growing needs. We increase spending next year for Social
Security and Medicare, and other entitlement programs, by $81 billion.
We've increased spending for discretionary programs by a very
responsible 4 percent, above the rate of inflation. My plan pays down an
unprecedented amount of our national debt. And then, when money is still
left over, my plan returns it to the people who earned it in the first
place.
A budget's impact is counted in dollars but measured in lives.
Excellent schools, quality health care, a secure retirement, a cleaner
environment, a stronger defense: These are all important needs, and we
fund them. The highest percentage increase in our budget should go to
our children's education. Education is not my top priority--education is
my top priority, and by supporting this budget, you'll make it yours, as
well.
Reading is the foundation of all learning. So during the next 5
years, we triple spending, adding $5 billion to help every child in
America learn to read. Values are important, so we've tripled funding
for character education to teach our children not only reading and
writing but right from wrong. We've increased funding to train and
recruit teachers, because we know a good education starts with a good
teacher. And I have a wonderful partner in this effort. I like teachers
so much, I married one. Laura has begun a new effort to recruit
Americans to the profession that will shape our future--teaching. She
will travel across America to promote sound teaching practices and early
reading skills in our schools and in programs such as Head Start.
When it comes to our schools, dollars alone do not always make the
difference. Funding is important, and so is reform. So we must tie
funding to higher standards and accountability for results.
I believe in local control of schools. We should not, and we will
not, run public schools from Washington, DC. Yet when the Federal
Government spends tax dollars, we must insist on results. Children
should be tested on basic reading and math skills every year between
grades three and eight. Measuring is the only way to know whether all
our children are learning. And I want to know, because I refuse to leave
any child behind in America.
Critics of testing contend it distracts from learning. They talk
about teaching to the test. But let's put that logic to the test. If you
test a child on basic math and reading skills and you're teaching to the
test, you're teaching math and reading. And that's the whole idea. As
standards rise, local schools will need more flexibility to meet them,
so we must streamline the dozens of Federal education programs into five
and let States spend money in those categories as they see fit.
Schools will be given a reasonable chance to improve and the support
to do so. Yet if they don't, if they continue to fail, we must give
parents and students different options: a better public school, a
private school, tutoring, or a charter school. In the end, every child
in a bad situation must be given a better choice because, when it comes
to our children, failure is simply not an option.
Another priority in my budget is to keep the vital promises of
Medicare and Social Security, and together we will do so. To meet the
health care needs of all America's seniors, we double the Medicare
budget over the next 10 years. My budget dedicates $238 billion to
Medicare next year alone, enough to fund all current programs and to
begin a new prescription drug benefit for low income seniors. No senior
in America should have to choose between buying food and buying
prescriptions.
To make sure the retirement savings of America's seniors are not
diverted into any other program, my budget protects all $2.6 trillion of
the Social Security surplus for Social Security and for Social Security
alone.
My budget puts a priority on access to health care, without telling
Americans what doctor they have to see or what coverage they
[[Page 353]]
must choose. Many working Americans do not have health care coverage, so
we will help them buy their own insurance with refundable tax credits.
And to provide quality care in low income neighborhoods, over the next 5
years we will double the number of people served at community health
care centers. And we will address the concerns of those who have health
coverage, yet worry their insurance company doesn't care and won't pay.
Together this Congress and this President will find common ground to
make sure doctors make medical decisions, and patients get the health
care they deserve with a Patients' Bill of Rights.
When it comes to their health, people want to get the medical care
they need, not be forced to go to court because they didn't get it. We
will ensure access to the courts for those with legitimate claims. But
first, let's put in place a strong, independent review so we promote
quality health care, not frivolous lawsuits.
My budget also increases funding for medical research, which gives
hope to many who struggle with serious disease. Our prayers tonight are
with one of your own who is engaged in his own fight against cancer, a
fine Representative, and a good man, Congressman Joe Moakley. I can
think of no more appropriate tribute to Joe than to have the Congress
finish the job of doubling the budget for the National Institutes of
Health.
My New Freedom Initiative for Americans with disabilities funds new
technologies, expands opportunities to work, and makes our society more
welcoming. For the more than 50 million Americans with disabilities, we
must continue to break down barriers to equality.
The budget I propose to you also supports the people who keep our
country strong and free, the men and women who serve in the United
States military. I'm requesting $5.7 billion in increased military pay
and benefits and health care and housing. Our men and women in uniform
give America their best, and we owe them our support.
America's veterans honored their commitment to our country through
their military service. I will honor our commitment to them with a
billion-dollar increase to ensure better access to quality care and
faster decisions on benefit claims.
My budget will improve our environment by accelerating the cleanup
of toxic brownfields. And I propose we make a major investment in
conservation by fully funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Our
national parks have a special place in our country's life. Our parks are
places of great natural beauty and history. As good stewards, we must
leave them better than we found them. So I propose providing $4.9
billion over 5 years for the upkeep of these national treasures.
And my budget adopts a hopeful new approach to help the poor and the
disadvantaged. We must encourage and support the work of charities and
faith-based and community groups that offer help and love, one person at
a time. These groups are working in every neighborhood in America to
fight homelessness and addiction and domestic violence, to provide a hot
meal or a mentor or a safe haven for our children. Government should
welcome these groups to apply for funds, not discriminate against them.
Government cannot be replaced by charities or volunteers. Government
should not fund religious activities. But our Nation should support the
good works of these good people who are helping their neighbors in need.
So I propose allowing all taxpayers, whether they itemize or not, to
deduct their charitable contributions. Estimates show this could
encourage as much as $14 billion a year in new charitable giving, money
that will save and change lives.
Our budget provides more than $700 million over the next 10 years
for a Federal compassion capital fund, with a focused and noble mission,
to provide a mentor to the more than one million children with a parent
in prison and to support other local efforts to fight illiteracy, teen
pregnancy, drug addiction, and other difficult problems.
With us tonight is the mayor of Philadelphia. Please help me welcome
Mayor John Street. [Applause] Mayor Street has encouraged faith-based
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