pd07ap03 Executive Order 13295--Revised List of Quarantinable Communicable...

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terrorist attack. In the finest traditions of the Coast Guard, you are 
rising to the challenge.
    This is a vital task and a massive undertaking. More than 90 percent 
of our combat materials and our trade moves by sea. At this port alone, 
thousands of cargo containers arrive every day. Your job of protecting 
our Nation's port is essential to our economic security and to our 
national security.
    The appropriations bill I signed into law earlier this year 
increased Coast Guard funding to over $6 billion, the highest level 
ever. We're directing new resources to pay for better intelligence 
capabilities, new technologies to monitor and safeguard our ports, a 
more modern fleet of Coast Guard cutters and aircraft, and up to 700 new 
smaller, faster response boats that will further protect America's 
shorelines. By giving the Coast Guard new resources, we are supporting 
the men and women who defend us all.
    All Americans understand that we face a continuing threat of 
terrorism. We know that our enemies are desperate; we know that they're 
dangerous. The dying regime in Iraq may try to bring terror to our 
shores. Other parts of the global terror network may view this as a 
moment to strike, thinking that we're distracted. They're wrong.
    We are meeting threats and acting to prevent dangers. The United 
States and allied troops are shattering the Al Qaida network. We're 
hunting them down, one at a time. We're finding them. We're 
interrogating them, and we're bringing them to justice. We will end the 
Iraqi regime, an ally of terrorist groups and a producer of weapons of 
mass destruction.
    And here at home, we're acting. Shortly before we began the 
liberation of Iraq, we launched Operation Liberty Shield to implement 
additional measures to defend the American homeland against terrorist 
attacks.
    This nationwide effort is focused on five specific areas. First, we 
are taking even greater security measures at our borders and ports. We 
have relocated hundreds of security personnel on our borders. We've 
added additional reconnaissance aircraft patrols at our borders. And the 
Coast Guard is monitoring ports for suspicious activity. This Nation is 
determined. Friends and immigrants will always be welcome in this land. 
Yet we will use all our power to keep out the terrorists and the 
criminals so they can't hurt our citizens.
    Second, we are strengthening protections throughout our national 
transportation system. We're enforcing temporary flight restrictions 
over some of our major cities. We've stepped up surveillance of 
hazardous material shipments within our country and taken measures to 
keep them away from places where large numbers of people gather. This 
Nation is determined. We will do all in our power to make sure our skies 
and rails and roads are safe from terror.
    Third, we've increased surveillance of suspected terrorists. Certain 
individuals with ties to Iraqi intelligence services have been ordered 
out of this country. We're interviewing Iraqi-born individuals on a 
voluntary basis for two reasons, to gain information on possible 
terrorist plans and to make sure they've not experienced discrimination 
or hate crimes. This Nation is determined. Iraqi Americans will be 
protected, and enemy agents will be stopped.
    Fourth, under Operation Liberty Shield, we are guarding our Nation's 
most important infrastructure with greater vigilance. Under the 
direction of our Governors, thousands of National Guardsmen and State 
police officers are protecting chemical facilities and nuclear power 
sites, key electrical grids, and other potential targets. This country 
is determined. We will keep up our guard and do all we can to protect 
our fellow citizens.
    And finally, we're strengthening the preparedness of our public 
health system. The Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human 
Services have increased field inspections of livestock and crops. Public 
health officials have increased medical surveillance in major cities. 
This Nation is determined. We will stand watch against the dangers of 
the new era.
    After our Nation was attacked on September the 11th, 2001, America 
made a decision: We will not wait for our enemies to strike before we 
act against them. We're not

[[Page 403]]

going to permit terrorists and terror states to plot and plan and grow 
in strength while we do nothing.
    The actions we're taking in Operation Liberty Shield are making this 
Nation more secure. And the actions we're taking abroad against a terror 
network and against the regime in Iraq are removing a grave danger to 
all free nations. In every case, by acting today, we are saving 
countless lives in the future.
    America has many advantages in this war on terror. We have resolute 
citizens. We're vigilant and know that freedom must be defended. We have 
a just cause to guide us, and we have the strength and character of the 
men and women who serve our country.
    You in the Coast Guard take rightful pride in the uniform you wear 
and the mission you have accepted. You and all who serve in our military 
are ready for any challenge. And by your skill and by your courage, we 
will prevail.
    May God bless you, and may God bless America.

Note: The President spoke at 2:50 p.m. at the U.S. Coast Guard Marine 
Safety Office. In his remarks, he referred to Adm. Thomas H. Collins, 
commandant, and Vice Adm. James D. Hull, Atlantic Area commander, U.S. 
Coast Guard; Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll and State Attorney General 
D. Michael Fisher of Pennsylvania; Mayor John F. Street of Philadelphia; 
and President Saddam Hussein of Iraq. The Office of the Press Secretary 
also released a Spanish language transcript of these remarks.


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[Page 403-404]
 
Pages 397	411
 
Week Ending Friday, April 4, 2003
 
Proclamation 7658--National Donate Life Month, 2003

April 1, 2003

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    Advances in medical research and technology are helping our citizens 
to live longer and better lives. An important aspect of these 
improvements is transplant technology. Today, up to 50 lives can be 
saved or enhanced by just one organ and tissue donor. During National 
Donate Life Month, we honor living and deceased donors and their 
families across our Nation who have renewed the lives of others, and we 
call upon more Americans to follow their example.
    Through our Nation's organ and tissue donor programs, thousands of 
Americans have given the gift of life. In 2002, 24,851 organ transplants 
and 32,744 corneal transplants were performed in the United States. In 
addition, the National Bone Marrow Donor Registry facilitated an average 
of 173 transplants each month. These donors' spirit of giving reflects 
the compassion of our great Nation.
    Unfortunately, the current rate of donation is inadequate to meet 
the growing needs of our fellow Americans. Nearly 81,000 of our citizens 
are on the national organ transplant waiting list. Each day, an average 
of 68 of these individuals receive an organ transplant, yet another 17 
on the waiting list die. As a Nation, we must strive to meet the needs 
of all Americans awaiting such donations.
    Through the ``Gift of Life Donation Initiative,'' my Administration 
is working to educate our Nation about the importance of becoming a 
donor. During National Donate Life Month, more than 6,000 partners, 
including Federal agencies, State governments, private industries, 
unions, fraternal organizations, and associations have committed to 
promoting organ and tissue donation awareness. As a result, millions of 
Americans will learn about the many ways they can help those in need and 
save lives.
    Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States of 
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and 
laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 2003 as National 
Donate Life Month. I call upon our citizens to sign an organ and tissue 
donor card and to be screened for bone marrow donation. I also urge 
healthcare professionals, volunteers, educators, government agencies, 
and private organizations to help raise awareness of the important need 
for organ and tissue donors in communities throughout our Nation.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this First day of 
April, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the

[[Page 404]]

Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
seventh.
                                                George W. Bush

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., April 3, 
2003]

Note: This proclamation was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on April 2, and it was published in the Federal Register on 
April 4.


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[Page 404]
 
Pages 397	411
 
Week Ending Friday, April 4, 2003
 
Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting a Report on Implementation 
of the Inter-American Convention Against Corruption

April 1, 2003

Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. Chairman:)

    Pursuant to the resolution of advice and consent to ratification of 
the Inter-American Convention Against Corruption adopted by the Senate 
on July 27, 2000, I submit the enclosed report, prepared by my 
Administration, on implementation of the Convention.
    This third report to the Congress indicates that 28 of the 34 
members of the Organization of American States have formally ratified 
the Convention (Brazil and Suriname ratified the Convention in 2002) and 
that 27 have adopted the evaluation mechanism established by the 
Organization of American States to oversee implementation.
    The United States Government continues to reinforce the 
implementation and enforcement of the Convention in the hemisphere 
through numerous initiatives and programs that are described in the 
report. Moreover, since the last report, my Administration has moved 
forward with our proposed Millennium Challenge Account, which is 
intended to link U.S. foreign development assistance to, among other 
factors, the recipient's commitments to good governance and 
anticorruption efforts. The Convention recognizes that the problem of 
corruption is a major obstacle to development in the Americas. As such, 
it has energized the work of the United States and its hemispheric 
partners to find common solutions to common anticorruption challenges.
    I look forward to working with you to ensure that we continue to 
combat corruption in our hemisphere and across the globe.
    Sincerely,
                                                George W. Bush

Note: Identical letters were sent to J. Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the 
House of Representatives, and Richard G. Lugar, chairman, Senate 
Committee on Foreign Relations. This letter was released by the Office 
of the Press Secretary on April 2.


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[Page 404]
 
Pages 397	411
 
Week Ending Friday, April 4, 2003
 
Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting a Report on Chemical 
Weapons Convention Compliance

April 2, 2003

Dear _____ :

    Enclosed is a report prepared by my Administration covering Chemical 
Weapons Convention compliance. This report is prepared pursuant to 
Condition 10(C) of the resolution of advice and consent to ratification 
of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, 
Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction. The 
report is provided in both a classified and unclassified version.
    Sincerely,
                                                George W. Bush

Note: Identical letters were sent to Richard G. Lugar, chairman, and 
Joseph R. Biden, Jr., ranking member, Senate Committee on Foreign 
Relations; and Henry J. Hyde, chairman, and Tom Lantos, ranking member, 
House Committee on International Relations.


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[Page 404-407]
 
Pages 397	411
 
Week Ending Friday, April 4, 2003
 
Remarks to the Community at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

April 3, 2003

    The President. Thank you all very much. Thank you all so very much 
for that warm welcome. It's such an honor to be here--especially pleased 
to be traveling today with a great First Lady, Laura Bush. We really 
appreciate your welcome, and we're proud to be with the marines and 
sailors and families of Camp Lejeune. There's no finer sight--no finer 
sight--than to see 12,000

[[Page 405]]

United States marines and corpsmen, unless you happen to be a member of 
the Iraqi Republican Guard.
    For more than 60 years, marines have gone forth from Camp Lejeune to 
fight our country's battles. Now America has entered a fierce struggle 
to protect the world from a grave danger and to bring freedom to an 
oppressed people. As the forces of our coalition advance, we learn more 
about the atrocities of the Iraqi regime and the deep fear that Saddam 
Hussein has instilled in the Iraqi people. Yet, no scheme of this enemy, 
no crime of a dying regime, will divert us from our mission. We will not 
stop until Iraq is free.
    Audience member. We love you, President Bush!
    The President. When freedom needs defending, America turns to our 
military. And as they do their job, our men and women in uniform count 
on their families, like you all here today. This is a time of hardship 
for many military families. Some of you have been separated from your 
loved ones for quite a while because of long deployments. All of America 
is grateful for your sacrifice, and Laura and I are here to thank each 
one of you.
    We're here to thank the Marines. I also want to thank the men and 
women of the Marine Forces Reserve who are serving here and abroad. 
Hundreds of reserve units across America have been activated in this 
time of war, and our country thanks these fine citizens and their 
employers for putting duty first.
    I want to thank Major General David Mize for his hospitality and his 

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