pd05no01 Remarks Following a Meeting With the Secretary of the Treasury and the...

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patient.
    And you're the first students who ever learned the--who have had to 
learn the reality that we're having to fight a war on our

[[Page 1574]]

own land. You're the first generation of students who has ever witnessed 
a war fought in America. This is a two-front war we fight. On one front 
is the homefront. Our Government is doing everything we possibly can to 
disrupt and deny and destroy anyone who would harm America again. And 
the truth of the matter is, the best way to fight for the homeland is to 
find the terrorists wherever they hide, wherever they run, and to bring 
them to justice.
    I also want to make it clear that the doctrine I laid out to the 
United States Congress is a doctrine this Nation will enforce. It says 
clearly that if you harbor a terrorist, if you feed a terrorist, if you 
provide sanctuary to a terrorist, if you fund a terrorist, you are just 
as guilty as the terrorist that inflicted the harm on the American 
people.
    Our Nation gave those who harbor the Al Qaida organization ample 
opportunity to respond to reasonable demands. Our demands were just, and 
they were fair. We said very simply, ``Turn over Al Qaida. Send the 
terrorists out of your land. Release the innocent Americans and other 
foreigners you hold hostage in Afghanistan, and destroy Al Qaida 
terrorist camps and training activity camps.'' And we gave them ample 
opportunity to respond, and they chose the wrong course. And then--they 
will now pay a price for choosing the wrong course.
    This is a nation that is resolved to win. And win we must, not only 
for your generation but for generations to come.
    This country has always been able to count on men and women of great 
courage. From the day America was founded, 48 million have worn the 
uniform of the United States. More than 25 million veterans are living 
today, some of whom are with us at Wootton High, and you may know some 
of them in your families. I know one such veteran. He fought in World 
War II, like Senator Dole--my dad.
    We must remember that many who served in our military never lived to 
be called veterans. We must remember many had their lives changed 
forever by experiences or the injuries of combat. All veterans are 
examples of service and citizenship for every American to remember and 
to follow.
    In 12 days, on Veterans Day, we will honor them. We will remember 
the Bob Doles of the world. We will remember a generation that liberated 
Europe and Asia and put an end to concentration camps. We will remember 
generations that fought in the cold mountains of Korea and manned the 
outposts of the cold war. We will remember those who served in the 
jungles of Vietnam and on the sands of the Persian Gulf. In each of 
these conflicts, Americans answered danger with incredible courage. We 
were equal to every challenge. And now a great mission has been given a 
new generation, our generation, and we vow not to let America down.
    Today I have a special mission for our veterans and a special 
request of our schools. I ask all public, private, and home schools to 
join our Lessons for Liberty initiative by inviting a veteran to speak 
to your students during the week of Veterans Day. I'm particularly 
pleased to announce that Wootton High has already put out the call, and 
Ron Ten Eyck has answered. Ron's a veteran of World War II. You need to 
listen to what he has to say.
    Lessons of Liberty is supported by veterans groups all across 
America: American Legion, VFW, Military Order of the World Wars, as well 
as education groups all across our country. Anyone interested in 
participating in this important event should go to this Web page: 
www.va.gov, and then click on Veterans Day.
    In addition to launching Lessons of Liberty, I will sign a 
proclamation in a minute asking all Americans to observe the week of 
November 11th as National Veterans Awareness Week. In these difficult 
days here in America, I ask all of us, children and adults, to remember 
the valor and sacrifice of our veterans. American veterans have 
extraordinary stories. We should listen to them. American veterans 
preserved our world and freedom, and we should honor them. American 
veterans show us the meaning of sacrifice and citizenship, and we should 
learn from them.
    Americans should always honor our veterans. At this moment, we 
especially need the example of their character. And we need a new 
generation to set examples of its own,

[[Page 1575]]

examples in service and sacrifice and courage. These veterans have 
shaped our history, and with their values, your generation will help 
guide our future.
    God bless. May God bless America.

Note: The President spoke at 1:52 p.m. in the auditorium at Thomas S. 
Wootton High School. In his remarks, he referred to former Senator Bob 
Dole; Rebecca Newman, principal, Thomas S. Wootton High School; and Ron 
Ten Eyck, commander, American Legion Post 86, Rockville, MD.


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

[Page 1575-1576]
 
Monday, November 5, 2001
 
Volume 37--Number 44
Pages 1561-1597
 
Week Ending Friday, November 2, 2001
 
Proclamation 7491--Veterans Day, 2001

 October 30, 2001

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation<Q P='04'<ls-thn-eq>

    Two hundred and twenty-five years ago, the signers of the 
Declaration of Independence declared that ``all Men are created equal, 
that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, 
that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.''
    Throughout the course of American history, courageous men and women 
have taken up arms to secure, defend, and maintain these core principles 
upon which our Nation's freedoms depend. On September 11, 2001, 
terrorists ruthlessly attacked our land and these freedoms. The 
terrorists' deluded attempt to assail our spirit failed, and our 
Nation's response reveals that the spirit of freedom is as strong as 
ever. Our troops are now fighting overseas to defeat terrorism, and, in 
that effort, they follow in the footsteps of the 48 million men and 
women who, since our Nation's founding, have stepped forward to defend 
our land.
    Today, there are more than 25 million living veterans who served our 
Nation in times of peace and war. Many of them willingly entered harm's 
way to fight for our freedoms. These veterans have diverse religious 
beliefs and come from varying backgrounds and ethnicities. By their 
service, they kept America strong, and they have protected our way of 
life from tyranny's grip for over two centuries. At this moment, men and 
women of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard are serving 
around the world. They represent our resolute dedication to achieving a 
lasting peace out of the new challenges and threats of the 21st century.
    On Veterans Day, let us pause to reflect on the sacrifices of all of 
those who have put on the uniform to serve in the United States 
military. Let us honor our veterans, who proved their heroism and love 
of country time and again, from Yorktown and Gettysburg to Iwo Jima and 
the Persian Gulf. They consistently defended our ideals across the 
globe; and they continue to inspire those who defend America today, half 
a world away. More than a million have died in service to America; and 
more than a million and a half have been wounded. Some sustained serious 
injuries in combat and now live with disabilities. Our Nation will 
always be grateful for the noble sacrifices made by these veterans. We 
can never adequately repay them. But we can honor and respect them for 
their service.
    As we consider the sacrifices and efforts of our veterans, we must 
never forget that freedom comes at a cost. Therefore, I ask all schools 
to observe November 11 through November 17, 2001, as National Veterans 
Awareness Week, and to invite a veteran to speak at their school. This 
``Lessons in Liberty'' initiative will serve to honor America's 
veterans, while reminding young people of the strong principles upon 
which our Nation is founded. Our veterans have much to share with our 
young people about liberty, patriotism, democracy, and independence. 
They are living examples of the timeless truth that freedom is not free. 
I call upon our veterans to serve our country in a different way, by 
teaching a new generation of young Americans the importance of the 
liberties they helped secure.
    In respect and recognition of the contributions our service men and 
women have made to the cause of peace and freedom, the Congress has 
provided (5 U.S.C. 6103 (a)) that November 11 of each year shall be set 
aside as a legal public holiday to honor veterans.
    Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States of 
America, do hereby proclaim November 11, 2001, as

[[Page 1576]]

Veterans Day and urge all Americans to observe November 11 through 
November 17, 2001, as National Veterans Awareness Week. I urge all 
Americans to recognize the valor and sacrifice of our veterans through 
appropriate public ceremonies and private prayers. I call upon Federal, 
State, and local officials to display the flag of the United States and 
to encourage and participate in patriotic activities in their 
communities. I invite civic and fraternal organizations, places of 
worship, schools, businesses, unions, and the media to support this 
national observance with suitable commemorative expressions and 
programs.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day 
of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
sixth.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., November 1, 
2001]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on 
November 2.


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

[Page 1576-1578]
 
Monday, November 5, 2001
 
Volume 37--Number 44
Pages 1561-1597
 
Week Ending Friday, November 2, 2001
 
Remarks to the National Association of Manufacturers

October 31, 2001

    Thank you all. Welcome. Nice to see everybody. Thank you very much. 
I've just finished icing down my arm. [Laughter]
    Today there's some news out on our economy, and it confirms that the 
events of September the 11th really shocked the Nation. It affected our 
workforce and affected our business base. The gross domestic product for 
the third quarter was negative.
    People are having tough times in America. People are losing their 
jobs. And I'm deeply concerned about that, and I know you are, as well. 
Consumer confidence is down. After all, we're at war, and for the first 
time in our Nation's history, part of the battlefront is here at home.
    Shipments, particularly in the manufacturing sector, declined 
dramatically in recent months. And it's time for our Government to act 
in a positive and constructive way. The Congress needs to pass a 
stimulus package and get it to my desk before the end of November.
    I had breakfast today with the Speaker and Minority Leader, Majority 
Leader Daschle and Senator Lott. All five of us agreed that we need to 
work together to get a package, that we've got to put aside political 
differences and act swiftly and strongly on behalf of the American 
worker and the American business person. And so my call to Congress is: 
Get to work, and get something done. The American people expect us to do 
just that.
    I want to thank Paul O'Neill for being here. He is leading the 
charge on Capitol Hill for a commonsense economic stimulus package. He 
brings a lot of experience to the job. After all, he was a manufacturer 
at one time. He knows the struggles that you go through. And like me, he 
hurts with the workers who aren't finding work these days. And I 
appreciate Christie Todd being here, as well. One of the smartest things 
I've done is to tap some of my former Governor colleagues and ask them 
to come to the Government. I tapped a great one when I tapped Christie 
Todd Whitman. She brings a lot of sense and a good view of our 
environmental policy. And the American people are proud of the job she's 
doing, and so am I. Thank you for both being here.
    I also want to thank Tim very much for his friendship and his 
introduction. I didn't realize you were quite so eloquent. [Laughter] 
You must be taking speech lessons. [Laughter] I want to thank Don 
Wainwright as well and, of course, Jerry Jasinowski for his friendship 
and support.
    I--the American people know that we have acted quickly in terms of 
this attack that has taken place, and we've done so on the domestic 
front in quick order. Both Republicans and Democrats decided to spend a 
considerable sum of money to address the country's needs.
    We've allocated $55 billion, and it didn't take long to spend it, I 
might add. A big chunk of that is going to go to make sure we defend our 
country, make sure our Defense Department is bolstered during this war. 
A significant amount of money went to help New York City recover as it 
should. We want New York City to be on her feet. It's

[[Page 1577]]

an important symbol for the world that New York City be strong and 
vibrant.
    We spent a considerable amount of money for airplane security. My 
attitude was that the most directly affected industry was the airline 
industry, and therefore, we had to spend money to make sure the airlines 
survived and make sure there was loan money and make sure that the 
consumer realized that the Government was acting in a positive way to 
bring security to our airports. And the first act we took was to empower 
Governors to say, bring your guard to the gates; put troops so that 
people will see a visible presence. And we started to increase the air 
marshals. And Congress is now working on an airport security bill, and I 
hope I am able to sign that pretty quickly, too.
    But we are taking action. And we need to spend money on helping 
workers who were--lost their job as a result of the attack of September 
the 11th. I believe we need to expend--extend and expand the 
unemployment benefits to those workers. And I know we need to expand 
what they call national emergency grants, which will give Governors the 
latitude to take Federal monies and apply that money to workers'--
special workers' needs, such as health care benefits, to make sure that 
any laid-off worker can have--be able to pay the premiums of their 
health care plans.
    And so there will be--there's more need. But I caution the Congress 
not to overspend. The temptation is to fund everybody's good idea. And 
my attitude is that our money ought to be focused and effective--the 
spending ought to be focused. And we ought to ask the question, is this 
effective spending? We need to make sure that when we spend there's a 
strategy and a reason.
    And so I look forward to working with the appropriators to be 
responsible about how we spend taxpayers' money, particularly as we run 
up to what I hope is a recess around the Thanksgiving period. And we 
also ought to make sure that we offset any spending with tax relief, 
that the way to have a balanced stimulus package is to recognize we've 
spent a considerable amount of money up to date, and we need to spend 
some more for our workers, but we ought to offset that with tax relief. 
And I have laid out some ideas for Congress to consider.
    One the one hand, we've got to make sure that we bolster consumer 
demand by both accelerating the tax cuts that now exist as well as 
providing rebates for non-taxpayers, but who filed. In other words, 
there are some people who didn't get rebates last year--generally low-
income people--that filed an income tax return, but they didn't pay tax, 
and they ought to get a rebate. And Congress ought to act as quickly as 
possible to get that money into people's hands as quickly as possible to 
bolster demand.

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