pd06my02 Remarks at a Cinco de Mayo Reception...

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security, for a response to bioterrorism, monies for our bold and brave 
first-responders, the police, the fire, and the EMS teams all across 
America. No, we're active, and we're serious. But the surest way to 
protect the homeland is to chase these killers down, one by one,

[[Page 714]]

and bring them to justice. And that's exactly what we're going to do.
    I oftentimes think about what was going through the minds of the Al 
Qaida killers. They must have taken a look at America and said, ``This 
nation is so self-absorbed and so materialistic and so self-centered and 
so weak that all they would do would be to file a lawsuit.'' [Laughter] 
They were wrong. They have learned firsthand that when it comes to 
defending our freedoms, our Nation is strong, united, and resolved. And 
we're making good progress, thanks to a fantastic coalition of nations 
that heard the call, ``Either you're with us, or you're with the 
terrorists.'' And a lot of nations have made the right choice.
    And they also learned firsthand that when it comes to defending 
freedoms, we're plenty tough, because of a fantastic United States 
military. For those of you who have got relatives in the military, you 
thank them on behalf of a grateful Commander in Chief. And I thank you 
for supporting them.
    I submitted a budget to the United States Congress that 
significantly increases our defense spending. I did so for two reasons: 
One, that any time we put a soldier in harm's way, he or she deserves 
the best training, the best equipment, the best possible pay; and 
secondly, I submitted a significant budget because I wanted the world 
and our coalition and the enemy to realize we're in this battle for the 
long pull. I don't have a calendar on my desk, that beautiful desk, that 
says, ``By such-and-such a date, you will be finished.'' That's not how 
I think. I think that whatever it takes, no matter how long it takes, I 
will lead this Nation to defend freedom against terrorist killers.
    But the spirit of this Nation is so strong and powerful, and the 
world has got to know and the youth of America must know that this great 
Nation doesn't seek revenge. There's no revenge in our heart. We seek 
justice. And when we rid--when we got rid of the most--one of the most 
barbaric regimes in the history of mankind, the Taliban, we didn't go to 
that country as conquerors; we went as liberators. I want you all to 
remember that for the first time, many young girls were able to go to 
school, thanks to the United States of America.
    The first phase ended with the Taliban out. Oh, some of them are 
hiding in caves, but there's no cave dark enough to hide from the United 
States of America. The second phase is to make sure that Al Qaida can't 
bunch up anywhere else, that they can't use a weak country as a training 
base or a place to recruit or a place to operate--from which to operate. 
And we're making good progress there. When the United States stays 
strong and steady, the world looks for our leadership. And that's the 
way it's going to be.
    So we're in this for the long pull, and America understands that. I 
can't tell you how grateful I am to be the President of a nation that is 
so united and so resolved and so strong and so willing to defend that 
which we hold dear to our hearts, our freedom.
    You know, history has called our Nation into action. It's a unique 
moment. And we've responded mightily, and we will continue to respond, 
much to the chagrin of the enemy. If America goes to sleep, the rest of 
the world is in trouble. If we blink, the rest of the world will close 
their eyes. So we're not blinking, and we're not going to sleep.
    This war against terror is bigger than one person or one 
organization. You've heard me talk about nations which harbor weapons of 
mass destruction. Let me repeat again: We owe it to our children and our 
children's--and our children's children to make sure that some of the 
worst nations in the world are never able to blackmail America and our 
friends and our allies with the worst kind of weapons.
    It is essential that we remain strong. It's essential that we defend 
freedom. And as we do, out of this incredible evil done to America can 
come some really good things.
    I truly believe that if we lead in a strong and resolute way, we can 
achieve peace in the world. My dream is for the world to be peaceful in 
parts--in regions where people have lost hope for peace. I believe we 
can achieve peace. I believe we can achieve peace in the Middle East. I 
believe we can achieve peace between India and Pakistan. I believe, by 
being constant and vigilant and tough against terror, we will achieve 
peace. And therefore, out of the evil done to us on September the 11th 
will come incredible good for the world.

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    And here at home, we have a chance to show the world what we're made 
out of. I mean, we're more than just a military. We're more than just an 
economic engine. We're a nation of incredibly compassionate and decent 
people. We are one nation, under God. We're a nation that believes no 
matter where you're raised or where you're from, no matter what your 
religion may be, you can succeed in America. And that's an important 
message for people around the world to continue to hear.
    But we can do more than that. If you're interested in fighting evil, 
love your neighbor just like you'd like to be loved yourself. If you're 
interested in standing strong against those who attacked us, mentor a 
child. Go to your church or synagogue or mosque and rally good people to 
feed the homeless. There are pockets of despair in America, and we must 
deal with those pockets not only with money but with compassion and 
decency and love. The Boys and Girls Clubs or the Boy Scouts and Girl 
Scouts or Big Brothers and Big Sisters are all part of this great fabric 
of America which shows our true compassion and kindness and decency.
    Today I had the honor of going to south central Los Angeles, and I 
was in a room full of people from different religions and different 
races. But I was so proud to be in a room bound by one common dream, and 
that is to extend the hope of America through every neighborhood, not 
only in Los Angeles but all across America. No, out of this evil done to 
us is going to come some great good, because we're a great nation.
    You know, I also believe that what happened to us on September the 
11th is beginning to change our culture in America. The culture for 
years has said, ``If it feels good, just go ahead and do it,'' and ``If 
you've got a problem, blame somebody else.'' I see a different culture 
emerging. It's one that says, each of us are responsible for the 
decisions we make in life. Each of us are responsible for loving our 
children with all our heart and all our soul. There's a responsibility 
era. It says that if you're a citizen in America, you have a 
responsibility to help a neighbor in need. If you're running a 
corporation, you have a responsibility to be honest with your employees 
and your shareholders.
    There's a new culture emerging. And perhaps it was best defined by 
what took place on Flight 93. On September the 11th, people were flying 
from one city to the next. They were told on the telephones that 
somebody was attacking America. They realized their plane had become a 
weapon. They told their loved ones on the phone that they loved them. 
They said a prayer. One guy said, ``Let's roll,'' and they made the 
ultimate sacrifice. They drove the plane in the ground to save other 
people's lives. It's the ultimate act of personal responsibility.
    In this country, people are beginning to realize that serving 
something greater than yourself in life is important. It's an important 
part of our society. And it's an important part of being a whole person. 
No, out of the evil done to America is going to come incredible good. 
And the reason why is because we are such a good nation.
    People say they pray for me and my family, and for those of you who 
do, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I want to tell you 
that it is an unimaginable honor to be the President of this great land. 
It is amazing feeling, to be able to represent the greatest people on 
the face of the Earth. I want to thank you for that honor. I want to 
thank you for supporting a good man to become the next Governor of the 
State of California.
    May God bless you all, and may God bless America.

Note: The President spoke at 7:25 p.m. in the Los Angeles Ballroom at 
the Westin Century Plaza Hotel. In his remarks, he referred to former 
Gov. Ann Richards of Texas; and Gov. Gray Davis of California.


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

[Page 715-719]
 
Pages 697-742
 
Week Ending Friday, May 3, 2002
 
Remarks on Compassionate Conservatism in San Jose, California

April 30, 2002

    Well, thank you very much for that warm welcome. I am so grateful 
for the Commonwealth Club and the Churchill Club for inviting me here. I 
appreciate you all coming, and I appreciate your hospitality. I want to 
thank Dr. Gloria Duffy for her generous introduction and for her 
invitation. I want to thank Silvia Fernandez, who's the president of the

[[Page 716]]

Churchill Club, for joining the Commonwealth Club to host this event. I 
want to thank all the elected officials who are here. I want to thank my 
fellow citizens for coming.
    Whenever I visit California, I'm impressed by the beauty of this 
State and by the spirit of the people. Because of its size, the health 
of the California economy influences every American. And California has 
got a culture of optimism and energy that touches all of us as well. 
This is a vital and a vibrant place, and I'm glad to be back.
    The last time I visited San Jose, the Silicon Valley was still in an 
economic boom, and America was at peace. For many in this valley and 
across our country, those times are a world away. After a recession made 
worse by a national emergency, we have seen some good news. Our economy 
is beginning to grow. Just last week, we had the good news about strong 
growth in the first quarter. Yet, this vital region reminds us that a 
lot of work remains to be done.
    Business investment and job creation are not what they should be. We 
cannot be content with one quarter's news. We cannot be complacent. My 
attitude is that we'll let the statisticians talk about the numbers, but 
so long as somebody who wants to work can't find work, that's a problem 
for America. We have a great task ahead of us. We must turn our short-
term recovery into long-lasting expansion that reaches every part of our 
country.
    Our economy grows when trade barriers fall. I ask the Senate to join 
the United States House of Representatives in giving me what's called 
trade promotion authority. It's important to be a confident country, and 
I'm confident in the ability of American entrepreneurs and producers to 
compete in the world. I'm confident that our farmers and ranchers can 
compete in the world. And I know American technology companies are the 
best in the world. And we must open new markets so they can sell to the 
world.
    Our economy grows when the tax burden goes down and stays down. Much 
of the growth we have seen this quarter is the result of consumer 
spending, fueled by well-timed tax deductions. To encourage growth in 
job creation, we must protect the lower tax rates we've enacted, and we 
must make them permanent. And to make sure there is economic vitality 
around our country, our Government must control its appetite for 
excessive spending.
    Our economy grows when entrepreneurs are rewarded for their success, 
not hounded by regulations and needless litigation. We must enact 
reforms that free entrepreneurs from pointless regulation and endless 
litigation. And to restore trust in our economy, corporate leaders must 
be held to the highest ethical standards.
    And as your State knows, our economy grows when we have steady, 
stable, and affordable sources of energy. In Washington, we must adopt--
finally adopt--a comprehensive strategy to conserve more, to produce 
more, and to deliver the energy that keeps our economy running. Both 
Houses have passed a energy--passed energy legislation. I expect them to 
get a bill to my desk soon, for the good of American economy and 
American jobs. By acting in the above way, we confirm that the role of 
Government is not to create wealth; the role of Government is to create 
the conditions for economic growth.
    Since I was last here, America has also accepted a great challenge 
in the world: to wage a relentless and systematic campaign against 
global terror. The security of the American people is the central 
commitment of the American Government. We are in for a long and 
difficult war. It will be conducted on many fronts, but as long as it 
takes, we will prevail.
    In the first phase of our military operation, American and coalition 
forces have liberated--have liberated--the people of Afghanistan from a 
barbaric regime. Our Armed Forces performed with skill and success and 
honor. A regime has fallen, terrorists in that country are now 
scattered, and the children of Afghanistan have returned to school, boys 
and girls. Our work in that country is not over. We are helping the 
Afghan people to rebuild their nation. And in every cave, in every dark 
corner of that country, we will hunt down the killers and bring them to 
justice.
    We have entered the next phase of the war with a sustained 
international effort to rout out terrorists in other countries and deny 
Al

[[Page 717]]

Qaida the chance to regroup in other places. Across the world, 
governments have heard this message: You're either with us, or you're 
with the terrorists.
    And for the long-term security of America and civilization itself, 
we must confront the great threat of biological and chemical and nuclear 
weapons in the hands of terrorists or hostile regimes. We will not allow 
the world's most dangerous regimes to threaten America or our friends 
and allies with the world's most destructive weapons.
    History has called us to these responsibilities, and we accept them. 
America has always had a special mission to defend justice and advance 
freedom around the world. Whatever the difficulties ahead, we are 
confident about the outcome of this struggle. Tyranny and terror and 
lawless violence will not decide the world's future. As Ronald Reagan 
said and as every generation of Americans has believed, ``the future 
belongs to the free.''
    In a time of war, we reassert the essential values and beliefs of 
our country. In the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln pointed toward a new 
birth of freedom. Leading America in a global war, Franklin D. Roosevelt 
defined the four freedoms: freedom of speech and religion, freedom from 
fear and want. Whenever America fights for the security of our country, 
we also fight for the values of our country. In our time, we will defend 
the land we love, and we will act on the ideals that gave it birth.
    In America, we've not always lived up to our ideals, yet we always 
reach for them. We believe that everyone deserves a chance, that 
everyone has value, that no insignificant person was ever born. We 
believe that all are diminished when any are hopeless. We are one 
people, committed to building a single nation of justice and 
opportunity.
    America rejects bigotry. America rejects--[applause]--we reject 
every act of hatred against people of Arab background or Muslim faith. 
We reject the ancient evil of anti-Semitism, whether it is practiced by 
the killers of Daniel Pearl or by those who burn synagogues in France. 
America values and welcomes peaceful people of all faiths, Christian, 
Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, and many others. Every faith is practiced 
and protected here, because we are one country. Every immigrant can be 
fully and equally American, because we're one country. Race and color 
should not divide us, because America is one country.
    These American ideals of opportunity and equality come to us across 
the generations, and they have attracted millions from across the world. 
Yet, there are young Americans growing up here, under this flag, who 
doubt the promise and justice of our country. They live in neighborhoods 
occupied by gangs and ruled by fear. They are entitled by law to an 
education, yet do not receive an education. They hear talk of 
opportunity and see little evidence of opportunity around them.
    Every American must believe in the promise of America, and to reach 
this noble, necessary goal, there is a role for Government. America 
doesn't need more big Government, and we've learned that more money is 
not always the answer. If a program is failing to serve people, it makes 
little difference if we spend twice as much or half as much. The measure 
of true compassion is results.
    Yet we cannot have an indifferent Government, either. We are a 
generous and caring people. We don't believe in a sink-or-swim society. 
The policies of our Government must heed the universal call of all 
faiths to love a neighbor as we would want to be loved ourselves. We 
need a different approach than either big Government or indifferent 
Government. We need a Government that is focused, effective, and close 
to the people, a Government that does a few things and does them well.
    Government cannot solve every problem, but it can encourage people 
and communities to help themselves and to help one another. Often the 
truest kind of compassion is to help citizens build lives of their own. 
I call my philosophy and approach compassionate conservatism. It is 
compassionate to actively help our fellow citizens in need. It is 
conservative to insist on responsibility and on results. And with this 
hopeful approach, we can make a real difference in people's lives.
    Compassionate conservatism places great hope and confidence in 
public education. Our economy depends on higher and higher skills, 
requiring every American to have the

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