Home > 2002 Presidential Documents > pd06my02 Remarks at a Cinco de Mayo Reception...pd06my02 Remarks at a Cinco de Mayo Reception...
Good morning. This week, Americans had some good news about strong
growth in our economy, yet we cannot be content or complacent. Job
creation and business investment are still not what they should be. We
want short-term recovery to become long-term expansion. And one of the
best ways to encourage high-paying jobs and long-term growth is expanded
trade.
I'm pleased that the United States Senate is set to begin an
important debate on trade legislation that will help American workers
and farmers and consumers. I have traveled around the country and seen
the value of trade, and foreign leaders have told me how trade will
strengthen security and economic growth in our hemisphere.
The benefits of greater trade are beyond dispute. During the 1990s,
U.S. exporters generated about one-quarter of our economic growth
through the sale of American goods abroad. Trade boosts our productivity
and creates higher paying jobs. The latest global trade agreement and
NAFTA have improved the average standard of living for an American
family of four by up to $2,000 a year.
Now is the time to build on this record of success. The Senate
should pass the pending trade legislation without delay. Trade promotion
authority would give me the flexibility to negotiate with other
countries to open their markets and get the best deals for American
producers and workers. Congress would still have the final up or down
vote on any trade agreement. The previous five Presidents have had this
authority; it expired 8 years ago. And since then, America has
sacrificed its traditional leadership role in trade.
For two decades, trade promotion authority was a bipartisan
commitment. It was a commitment because it represented our national
interest in expanding foreign markets. More than 150 trade agreements
exist throughout the world. The European Union is party to 31 of them
and Mexico to 10. The United States is party to just three. Passage of
the TPA will give America's entrepreneurs and workers and farmers and
ranchers a fair shot at the markets of the world.
The Andean Trade Preference Act is a good example of how trade can
also help increase the security of America. Over the past 10 years, this
law has given the four Andean nations more access to our markets, which
they report has created 140,000 jobs. The law has also helped provide an
economic alternative to the production of drugs. We need to renew and
expand the Andean Trade Preference Act as soon as possible. If we fail
to act before May 16th, 90 days worth of import
[[Page 699]]
duties will come due, raising prices for American consumers and
hampering the region's economic development.
I recognize that some American workers may face adjustment
challenges as a result of trade. I support helping these workers by
reauthorizing and improving trade adjustment assistance programs that
will give workers impacted by trade new skills, help them find new jobs
quickly, and provide them with financial assistance.
Nearly 5 months have passed since the House of Representatives
approved trade promotion authority and the Andean trade legislation.
Every day we go without expanding trade is another day of missed
opportunities to strengthen our economy.
The Senate must act and affirm America's trade leadership in a
bipartisan manner. We cannot let this initiative fall victim to partisan
politics. Our trading partners are waiting for us. American workers are
depending on us. And America cannot afford further delay.
Thank you for listening.
Note: The address was recorded at 6 p.m. on April 25 at the Bush Ranch
in Crawford, TX, for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on April 27. The transcript
was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on April 26 but
was embargoed for release until the broadcast. The Office of the Press
Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of this address.
<DOC>
[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents]
[frwais.access.gpo.gov]
[Page 699-701]
Pages 697-742
Week Ending Friday, May 3, 2002
Remarks on the Situation in the Middle East and an Exchange With
Reporters in Crawford, Texas
April 28, 2002
The President. Good afternoon. I am pleased by today's developments
in the Middle East and believe they'll prove to be important steps along
the path to peace in the Middle East.
I commend the Israeli Cabinet for its decision this morning to allow
Chairman Arafat to move freely, to accept international monitoring of
six prisoners who are at Chairman Arafat's compound, and to withdraw its
forces from Ramallah. The Palestinian Authority has agreed to accept
this approach.
Many parties contributed to today's positive development. The United
Kingdom played an especially important role in creating a framework for
international monitoring of the six prisoners.
I've called on all parties to step up their responsibilities, and
today's developments are a positive sign that they are doing so.
Much hard work remains, and this is a time for all of us to commit
to fight terror and to promote peace in the Middle East. Chairman Arafat
should now seize this opportunity to act decisively, in word and in
deed, against terror directed at Israeli citizens. As we work to improve
the security situation in the region, all of us must step up our efforts
to bring humanitarian relief and economic assistance to the Palestinian
people.
This morning I called Crown Prince Abdullah to thank him for his
visit to the United States. Our discussions forged a personal bond of
friendship and strengthened the 60-year relationship between the United
States and Saudi Arabia. The Crown Prince has offered a number of
constructive ideas for making political progress between Israel and the
Palestinians. We will continue to build on these ideas as we move
forward to fight terror and to promote peace in the Middle East.
I'll answer a couple of questions. Sonya [Sonya Ross, Associated
Press].
Saudi Peace Plan
Q. Mr. President, on the Saudi peace plan, where are the points of
objection that you've not been able to agree upon?
The President. Well, they came with some constructive ideas, and we
listened very carefully to their ideas, and we will continue to work
with them and others in the region to promote them. I believe that there
is a lot of common ground, starting with all parties assuming
responsibility--their responsibilities.
The Crown Prince clearly understood there is a responsibility for
the Arab world. He also believes strongly that Chairman Arafat must step
up and believes that Israel should withdraw from the territories. And
that is taking place now.
Patsy [Patricia Wilson, Reuters].
[[Page 700]]
Ramallah/Bethlehem/Jenin
Q. Mr. President, is today's proposal that was accepted by Mr.
Sharon and Mr. Arafat a model for lifting the siege in Bethlehem? And
are you concerned that the Israelis have not allowed the U.N. monitors
into Jenin yet?
The President. Well, first of all, on the Jenin issue, that's being
worked out now at the U.N.
And secondly, in terms of Bethlehem, I believe we're making good
progress toward ending that part of the Israeli incursion, and hopefully
it will get done soon.
But the big news, of course, is Ramallah, and Chairman Arafat is now
free to move around and free to lead. And we expect him to do so.
Situation in the Middle East
Q. Mr. President----
The President. Okay, Stretch.
Q. ----on that point, what would you expect to see from Chairman
Arafat in the next 24, 48, 72 hours in terms of explicit demonstrations
of his leadership?
The President. Well, of course, one of the things that Chairman
Arafat must do is condemn and thwart terrorist activities. And it's
important he do so.
Again, I keep saying this, and it's so important for all of us
involved in this process to recognize there are clear responsibilities.
And his responsibility is just what I said, to renounce, to help detect
and stop terrorist killings. The Israelis have got responsibilities.
The key responsibility for the world at large is to help end the
suffering of the Palestinian people through humanitarian and economic
assistance. I am very serious about our Government's involvement in a--
in humanitarian relief. I--my heart grieves for a people who have no
hope, and there are a lot of people who have no hope in the Middle East.
There are some Palestinians--a lot of Palestinians who wonder whether or
not life is worth living. And we've got, as a world, have got to help
them understand there is a positive life ahead for they and their
children.
There is--people in Israel, of course, are deeply concerned about
their security, and I can completely understand that. And therefore, all
of us--Arab nation, Palestinians, United States, the EU--must all
continue our collective effort to fight terror.
There are clearly people in the Middle East who would use terror as
a weapon to derail any peace process. And for there to be peace--
something I long for and something I know that Israel and the
Palestinian people long for--in order for there to be peace, we must
continue to rout out terror. And the message can't be more clear, and
we're going to continue to hold people accountable for results.
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel
Q. Did you invite Mr. Sharon to visit?
The President. As I understand--yes, we did. Listen, I'm pleased
anytime people want to come and visit. We've had the King of Morocco;
we've had Crown Prince Abdullah, obviously. And when I talked to him on
the phone this weekend, the subject didn't come up, but as--I understand
that there is a--discussions going on about a potential trip. I welcome
a trip here to the United States. I welcome people from that part of the
world to come and bare their soul and discuss their plans for peace.
The thing I always look for when I talk to the leaders is a vision
for peace. It's impossible to achieve a peace unless there's a vision.
And one of the things I appreciated about the Saudi initiative a while
ago was it laid out a potential peace process, a plan for peace, a way
to get to peace in the region--something we all long for.
Chairman Yasser Arafat of the Palestinian Authority
Q. Are you ready to include Arafat in that open invitation? Are you
ready now to include Arafat in that open invitation?
The President. Mr. Arafat must perform. Mr. Arafat must do his job.
I've called upon Mr. Arafat in the past; I'll continue to call upon Mr.
Arafat to lead. The other day--somebody asked me one time, a while ago,
they said, ``Has he disappointed you? Has he lost your respect?'' I
said, ``Well, he hasn't earned my respect yet. He must earn my respect
by leading.'' And there are a lot of people, a lot of Palestinians who
are suffering, and now is the time for him to step up.
[[Page 701]]
This has been a hopeful day for the region, and we must continue to
press forward to peace.
I want to thank you all.
Note: The President spoke at 4:25 p.m. at the Bush Ranch.
<DOC>
[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents]
[frwais.access.gpo.gov]
[Page 701-703]
Pages 697-742
Week Ending Friday, May 3, 2002
Remarks at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico
April 29, 2002
Well, thank you very much for that warm, New Mexican welcome. It's
nice to be back in this beautiful State. I'm particularly delighted to
be sharing the podium with a remarkable American, Pete Domenici. He
didn't finish the story. After I interrupted him, he re-interrupted me--
[laughter]--and gave me my marching orders. [Laughter] I said, ``Yes,
sir, Mr. Senator.'' [Laughter]
No, I really enjoy working with Pete, and I appreciate so very much
that leaders such as Pete have been working to make America a more
welcoming place for people with disabilities. The work is progressing.
We are making progress, but it certainly isn't finished. There's a lot
to do, and some of the greatest health needs and obstacles and stigmas
concern mental health. We are determined to confront the hidden
suffering of Americans with mental illness.
Pete and I share a lot in common. We love the Southwest. We care
deeply about issues that face our country. And we both married above
ourselves. [Laughter] I love being with Pete and Nancy, because their
love and respect for each other is so evident and so profound. And I
love watching Nancy's face, because it reveals and is a window into a
compassionate heart. And I want to thank Nancy Domenici.
I also want to thank Charles Curie for coming. Pete introduced
Charles. Charles is a good hand, and I appreciate him being here. I also
want to thank Phil Eaton and all the good folks here at the University
of New Mexico. I'm so honored also to be traveling today with Heather
Wilson. Heather is a solid citizen who brings a lot of dignity to the
office she holds and a lot of class. And I'm proud to call her friend. I
want to thank the State officials who are here, the Lieutenant Governor,
thank you for coming.
I also want to tell you about a lady I met named Lucy Salazar.
Where's Lucy? Is she here? Lucy, thank you for coming. It's kind of off
the subject but really not off the subject, because one of the things I
try to do when I go into communities is herald soldiers in the armies of
compassion, those souls who have heard the call to love a neighbor like
you'd like to be loved yourself and have followed through on that call,
the selfless citizens whose compassion for their neighbor is really one
of the things that makes America so strong and powerful, particularly as
we stand tall in the face of evil.
I like to tell my fellow citizens that if you're interested in
fighting evil--which, by the way, we're going to do--if you're
interested--[laughter]. But one way to help is do some good. And it's
that collective good that will define the true value and character of
our country.
And Lucy Salazar is a retired Federal Government worker. She teaches
reading skills to pre-kindergarten and kindergarten children. She's
incredibly important. She helps those with disabilities participate in
the fine and performing arts. She volunteers through her church. She is
a great citizen, and oftentimes, citizens such as her never get the
praise they deserve. Lucy, thank you for coming and representing
thousands of people like you.
Millions of Americans--millions--are impaired at work, at school, or
at home by episodes of mental illness. Many are disabled by severe and
persistent mental problems. These illnesses affect individuals; they
affect their families; and they affect our country.
As many Americans know, it is incredibly painful to watch someone
you love struggle with an illness that affects their mind and their
feelings and their relationships with others. We heard stories today in
a roundtable discussion about that--what the struggle means for family.
Remarkable treatments exist, and that's good. Yet many people--too
many people--remain untreated. Some end up addicted to drugs or alcohol.
Some end up on the streets, homeless. Others end up in our jails, our
prisons, our juvenile detention facilities.
[[Page 702]]
Our country must make a commitment: Americans with mental illness
deserve our understanding, and they deserve excellent care. They deserve
a health care system that treats their illness with the same urgency as
a physical illness. To meet this goal, we've got to overcome obstacles,
and I want to talk about three such obstacles this morning.
The first obstacle is the stigma, the stigma that often surrounds
mental illness, a stigma caused by a history of misunderstanding, fear,
Other Popular 2002 Presidential Documents Documents:
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