pd06ja03 Checklist of White House Press Releases...

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the case that Saddam Hussein--a Saddam Hussein with weapons of mass 
destruction is a threat to the security of the American people.
    Q. But can this economy afford to fight a war?
    The President. This economy cannot afford to stand an attack. And 
I'm going to protect the American people. The economy is strong; it's 
resilient. Obviously, so long as somebody is looking for work, we've got 
to continue to make it strong and resilient. My most important job is to 
protect America and Americans, and I take that job seriously. And that's 
exactly what this administration is going to do.
    John.

FBI Persons of Interest

    Q. Sir, are you concerned about the report that had five people have 
come across the Canadian border illegally? Are you concerned that 
there's any--there are any new threats to the American security right 
now, as we go into this new year?
    The President. I have authorized the Federal Bureau of 
Investigation, the FBI, to put out an all-points bulletin for five 
individuals who we believe have been smuggled into the country. We need 
to know why they have been smuggled into the country, what they're doing 
in the country. And if anybody has any information about the five, I 
would hope they would contact their local authorities.
    John, we don't have any idea of what their intentions may be, but we 
are mindful that there are still some out there who would try to harm 
America and harm Americans. And so, therefore, we take every threat 
seriously and every piece of evidence seriously. And the American people 
need to know there's a lot of good people working hard, whether it be on 
New Year's Eve or any other time, to protect the American people.
    Mike, you got anything?

Republican Party and Minorities

    Q. Yes. Good afternoon, Mr. President.
    The President. Thank you.
    Q. What effect do you think that----
    The President. That's plenty. No. [Laughter]
    Q. What effect do you think that the attention to Senator Lott's 
comment has had on the image of the Republican Party across the country? 
And what do you plan to do to repair any damage?
    The President. Well, first of all, I think that most people 
understand that their Republican Party cares deeply about each 
individual, regardless of the color of their skin or their religion. And 
I will continue to promote policies that enable the American individual 
to achieve his or her dreams. I believe in equal access to the greatness 
of America. And this administration is committed to that and will 
continue to work toward that goal.
    Yes. I'll show you how generous I am. [Laughter]

Domestic Safety in 2003

    Q. Mr. President, looking ahead here, with a possible war with Iraq 
looming, North Korea nuclear conflict, as well as Usama bin Laden still 
at large, is the world safer as we look ahead to 2003?
    The President. Yes, it's a lot safer today than it was a year ago, 
and it's going to be safer after this year than it was this year because 
the United States of America will continue to lead a vast coalition of 
freedom-loving countries to disrupt terrorist activities, to hold 
dictators accountable, particularly those

[[Page 4]]

who ignore international norm and international rule. And the American--
this Government will continue lead the world toward more peace. And the 
American people need to be mindful of the fact that our Government is 
committed to peace and committed to freedom.
    And we hope to resolve all the situations in which we find ourselves 
in a peaceful way. And so that's my commitment, to try to do so 
peacefully. But I want to remind people that Saddam Hussein--the choice 
is his to make as to whether or not the Iraqi situation is resolved 
peacefully.
    You said we're headed to war in Iraq. I don't know why you say that. 
I hope we're not headed to war in Iraq. I'm the person who gets to 
decide, not you. I hope this can be done peacefully. We've got a 
military presence there to remind Saddam Hussein, however, that when I 
say we will lead a coalition of the willing to disarm him if he chooses 
not to disarm, I mean it. And we will continue to work to resolve the 
situation on the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful way.
    And it was right here in Crawford, Texas, where I had a meaningful 
and good discussions with Jiang Zemin. Heck, it wasn't all that long ago 
that a U.S. leader never spoke to the Chinese leader. And right here in 
Crawford we had a dialog where we both committed ourselves to working in 
a way to convince Kim Chong-il that it's not in his country's interests 
to arm up with nuclear weapons. And I believe that can be resolved 
peacefully.
    Listen, thank you all. I'm thinking about a little nature walk in a 
couple of days. Anybody interested?
    Q. How far is it? How long is it?
    The President. About 4 miles. I know you're interested.
    Q. I have a question for you.
    The President. Yes, Patsy.

New Year's Resolution

    Q. Did you keep last year's resolution to eat less cheeseburgers?
    The President. A matter of fact, it's an interesting question she 
asked: Did I keep last year's resolution to eat less cheeseburgers? 
[Laughter] And the answer is yes, to the extent that I'm now comfortable 
in having a cheeseburger today. [Laughter]
    I hope you all are enjoying yourself here.
    The First Lady. Happy New Year, everybody.
      

Note: The exchange began at 12:50 p.m. at the Coffee Station restaurant. 
In the exchange, the President referred to President-elect Roh Moo-hyun 
of South Korea; President Jiang Zemin of China; and President Saddam 
Hussein of Iraq. A reporter referred to Chairman Kim Chong-il of North 
Korea; and Usama bin Laden, leader of the Al Qaida terrorist 
organization. A tape was not available for verification of the content 
of this exchange.


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[Page 4i]
 
Pages 1-26
 
Week Ending Friday, January 3, 2003
 
Statement on the Kenyan Democratic Elections

December 31, 2002

    I congratulate President Mwai Kibaki on his election as the third 
President of the Republic of Kenya and look forward to working with him. 
I also congratulate the Kenyan people who on December 27th demonstrated 
their deep commitment to democracy and provided to the world a clear 
example of peaceful, democratic change. And I commend former President 
Moi for his leadership and vision during this crucial period of 
democratic transition and for his years of leadership in the region.
      
    The elections have opened a hopeful new chapter in Kenya's history. 
I commend the Presidential candidates, Uhuru Kenyatta and Simeon 
Nyachae, for peacefully accepting the outcome of the election and for 
pledging to work constructively within the democratic framework of the 
National Assembly. The United States will work closely with Kenya's new 
Government to deepen the strong and enduring friendship between the 
United States and Kenya and to help the new Government build a future of 
greater freedom, peace, and prosperity for all of Kenya's citizens.

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[Page 5i]
 
Pages 1-26
 
Week Ending Friday, January 3, 2003
 
Statement Calling for Congressional Action on a Pay Increase for the 
Federal Judiciary

December 31, 2002

    Today I have issued an Executive order entitled ``Adjustments of 
Certain Rates of Pay.'' This order implements the January 2003 pay raise 
for members of the uniformed services and for Federal civilian employees 
under the General Schedule and certain related pay systems.
    This Executive order sets forth the unadjusted pay schedule for 
members of the Federal judiciary. Due to section 140 of Public Law 97-
92, I do not have the authority to order a pay increase for Federal 
judges. I hereby urge the Congress to specifically authorize a pay 
increase for Federal judges.


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[Page 5i]
 
Pages 1-26
 
Week Ending Friday, January 3, 2003
 
Executive Order 13282--Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay

December 31, 2002

    By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and 
the laws of the United States of America, including the laws cited 
herein, it is hereby ordered as follows:
    Section 1. Statutory Pay Systems. The rates of basic pay or salaries 
of the statutory pay systems (as defined in 5 U.S.C. 5302(1)), as 
adjusted under 5 U.S.C. 5303(a), are set forth on the schedules attached 
hereto and made a part hereof:
    (a) The General Schedule (5 U.S.C. 5332(a)) at Schedule 1;
    (b) The Foreign Service Schedule (22 U.S.C. 3963) at Schedule 2; and
    (c) The schedules for the Veterans Health Administration of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs (38 U.S.C. 7306, 7404; section 301(a) of 
Public Law 102-40) at Schedule 3.
    Sec. 2. Senior Executive Service. The rates of basic pay for senior 
executives in the Senior Executive Service, as adjusted under 5 U.S.C. 
5382, are set forth on Schedule 4 attached hereto and made a part 
hereof.
    Sec. 3. Executive Salaries. The rates of basic pay or salaries for 
the following offices and positions are set forth on the schedules 
attached hereto and made a part hereof:
    (a) The Executive Schedule (5 U.S.C. 5311-5318) at Schedule 5;
    (b) The Vice President (3 U.S.C. 104) and the Congress (2 U.S.C. 31) 
at Schedule 6; and
    (c) Justices and judges (28 U.S.C. 5, 44(d), 135, 252, and 461(a), 
and section 140 of Public Law 97-92) at Schedule 7.
    Sec. 4. Uniformed Services. Pursuant to section 601(a)-(b) of Public 
Law 107-314, the rates of monthly basic pay (37 U.S.C. 203(a)) for 
members of the uniformed services and the rate of monthly cadet or 
midshipman pay (37 U.S.C. 203(c)) are set forth on Schedule 8 attached 
hereto and made a part hereof.
    Sec. 5. Locality-Based Comparability Payments.
    (a) Pursuant to sections 5304 and 5304a of title 5, United States 
Code, locality-based comparability payments shall be paid in accordance 
with Schedule 9 attached hereto and made a part hereof.
    (b) The Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall take 
such actions as may be necessary to implement these payments and to 
publish appropriate notice of such payments in the Federal Register.
    Sec. 6. Administrative Law Judges. The rates of basic pay for 
administrative law judges, as adjusted under 5 U.S.C. 5372(b)(4), are 
set forth on Schedule 10 attached hereto and made a part hereof.
    Sec. 7. Effective Dates. Schedule 8 is effective on January 1, 2003. 
The other schedules contained herein are effective on the first day of 
the first applicable pay period beginning on or after January 1, 2003.
    Sec. 8. Prior Order Superseded. Executive Order 13249 of December 
28, 2001, is superseded.
                                                George W. Bush
 The White House,
 December 31, 2002.

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., January 7, 
2003]

Note: This Executive order and the attached annexes will be published in 
the Federal Register on January 8.

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[Page 6i]
 
Pages 1-26
 
Week Ending Friday, January 3, 2003
 
Message on the Observance of New Year's Day, 2003

December 31, 2002

    The past year has been a time of achievement, progress, and renewed 
hope for the American people. As our citizens continue to demonstrate a 
spirit of resolve and unity, we are building a culture of service, 
citizenship, and responsibility that strengthens our country and offers 
hope to those in need. To counter new threats, we are enhancing security 
at home, and we are part of the global coalition against terrorism that 
has made significant progress in opposing the forces of tyranny and 
oppression.
    We will continue our efforts to secure America, win the war on 
terrorism, focus on education, promote compassion, create new jobs, and 
ensure the economic security of all our citizens. As we move forward 
into the New Year, I encourage all Americans to give thanks to the 
Almighty for His many blessings, and to join with me in reaffirming our 
commitment to helping people around the world achieve peace and freedom.
    At the dawn of this New Year, America is a land of justice, liberty, 
and tolerance. We will work together to build on our successes and 
embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
    Laura joins me in sending our best wishes for a Happy New Year. May 
God bless you, and may God continue to bless the United States.
                                                George W. Bush

Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of 
this message.


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[Page 6i-19]
 
Pages 1-26
 
Week Ending Friday, January 3, 2003
 
Remarks During a Walking Tour of the Bush Ranch and an Exchange With 
Reporters in Crawford

Other Popular 2003 Presidential Documents Documents:

Other Documents:

2003 Presidential Documents Records and Documents