pd08de03 Statement on Signing the Energy and Water Development Appropriations...

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``Construction, General'' in title I purport to require the approval of 
committees of the Congress before executive branch execution of aspects 
of the Act or to preclude executive branch execution of a provision of 
the Act upon the written disapproval of such a committee. The executive 
branch shall construe such provisions to require only notification to 
the Congress, as any other construction would contravene the

[[Page 1733]]

constitutional principles set forth by the Supreme Court in INS v. 
Chadha.
                                                George W. Bush
 The White House,
 December 1, 2003.

Note: H.R. 2754, approved December 1, was assigned Public Law No. 108-
137.


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[Page 1733]
 
Monday, December 8, 2003
 
Volume 39_Number 49
Pages 1719	1764
 
Week Ending Friday, December 5, 2003
 
Proclamation 7740--World AIDS Day, 2003

December 1, 2003

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    The HIV/AIDS pandemic presents one of the greatest medical and 
social challenges of our time. On World AIDS Day, members of the global 
community come together to demonstrate our shared commitment to turning 
the tide against the spread of HIV/AIDS, bringing hope and healing to 
those who are suffering, and finding a cure.
    Over the last two decades, AIDS has claimed the lives of more than 
20 million people. Three million have died in the last year alone. 
Today, more than 40 million people are living with HIV, including nearly 
30 million in Africa. Behind these staggering numbers are the names and 
faces of orphaned and suffering children, devastated communities, and a 
continent in crisis.
    In my State of the Union Message to the Congress in January of this 
year, I announced an ``Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief,'' with a goal of 
helping millions around the world affected by HIV/AIDS, particularly 
those in the most afflicted nations in Africa and the Caribbean. In May, 
the Congress responded by passing the ``United States Leadership Against 
HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003,'' which I signed into 
law. A life-saving initiative, the Act commits $15 billion over the next 
5 years to prevent 7 million new HIV infections, treat at least 2 
million people with life-extending drugs, provide care for at least 10 
million people affected by AIDS, continue bilateral programs in over 75 
countries, and increase support for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, 
Tuberculosis, and Malaria. This work of mercy will help overcome fear, 
stigma, and discrimination and create a cycle of hope and promise that 
will benefit millions.
    Here at home, we will spend more than $15 billion this year to 
combat AIDS in America. This money will support research activities, 
care and treatment services, and prevention programs, including the wide 
availability of rapid HIV testing.
    Fighting HIV/AIDS is not only a great challenge but also a moral 
imperative for those who believe in the value and dignity of every human 
life. This World AIDS Day, the United States remains committed to taking 
action, showing compassion, and bringing hope to those affected by HIV/
AIDS around the world.
    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 December 1, 2003, as World 
AIDS Day. I urge the Governors of the States and the Commonwealth of 
Puerto Rico, officials of the other territories subject to the 
jurisdiction of the United States, and the American people to join me in 
reaffirming our commitment to combating HIV/AIDS. I encourage all 
Americans to participate in appropriate commemorative programs and 
ceremonies in houses of worship, workplaces, and other community centers 
to remember those who have lost their lives to this deadly disease and 
to comfort and support those living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of 
December, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
eighth.
                                                George W. Bush

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

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on 
December 4.

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[Page 1734-1735]
 
Monday, December 8, 2003
 
Volume 39_Number 49
Pages 1719	1764
 
Week Ending Friday, December 5, 2003
 
Remarks on Signing the Adoption Promotion Act of 2003

December 2, 2003

    The President. Good to see you all. Thank you. Thanks. Please be 
seated. Hi, Mary. Thank you, Jim. Thanks for coming. Thank you all for 
coming. Gosh, we got a lot of great families with us today. We're really 
proud you all are here. I want to thank you for coming to the Roosevelt 
Room. I'm delighted you're here.
    The adoption of a boy or a girl is a moment of joy for a family, and 
it's a act of great generosity. When parents share their homes and all 
they have with a child, the child they adopt and love as their own, all 
their lives are transformed forever. Isn't that right?
    Diana Martin. Yes.
    Christopher Martin. Yes. [Laughter]
    The President. In every young life, there is a great need to belong. 
For the sake of our children, this Nation has a responsibility to 
encourage adoption of children at all ages, from infants to adolescents. 
The legislation I'm about to sign today sends a clear message: Our 
society is building a culture that values every life, and our Government 
strongly supports adoption.
    I appreciate Deputy Secretary Claude Allen from the Department of 
Health and Human Services for joining us. I want to thank three Members 
of the Congress who have been instrumental in this legislation, and I 
appreciate their good, hard work. Senator Mary Landrieu of the great 
State of Louisiana is with us, Jim Oberstar of Minnesota, and Dave Camp 
of Michigan. Thank you all for coming. I appreciate you taking time to 
come to herald this important piece of legislation. I'm honored you all 
are here.
    Bruce Willis is not with us, but I do want to thank him for being 
the national spokesperson on foster care and adoption. His message is 
helpful. It's important to help spread the word about the joys of 
adoption, and Bruce has been mighty helpful in doing just that.
    I want to thank the parents of adoptive children who are with us 
today. The Martin family, the Hendrix family are with us, the Morris 
family and the Schwarzwalder family. I'm honored you all are here. I 
want to thank you for giving me a chance and the Members of Congress a 
chance, after the bill signing, to personally thank you for showing 
America the generosity of spirit that makes our country such a wonderful 
place. We're really glad you're here.
    Thanks to the Congress and thanks to the groups that work on behalf 
of foster children and to moms and dads across America, these last few 
years have brought real progress in the cause of adoption. We're making 
progress here in America.
    Six years ago, Congress provided new incentives to the States to 
promote foster care adoptions, and those incentives have worked. I 
suspect these Members of Congress worked on that important legislation. 
In just 5 years, from 1998 to 2002, the States placed more than 230,000 
children in adoptive homes--about the same number that had been adopted 
in the previous 10 years. We're making some progress here in America.
    In the same period, 33 States and the District of Columbia have at 
least doubled foster care adoptions. To further promote adoption, we 
increased the adoption tax credit in 2001 from $5,000 to $10,000. I want 
to thank the Members for working on that important piece of legislation. 
I hope it helps families.
    In 2002, my administration created a new web site called 
AdoptUSKids.org, which has already helped to join nearly 2,000 children 
with adoptive parents. In other words, if you want to be a part of this 
movement of love in America, go to the web site, and the web site will 
help you understand how best to become an adoptive parent. Many more 
still await their chance and their home, and we are determined to help 
all children in America.
    Today in America, more 126,000 foster children still need an 
adoptive family. And nearly half of these children are past the age of 
9. Foster parents bring help and kindness at a crucial point in a 
child's life, yet foster care is by nature temporary. And the aim of the 
system and the desire of every child is a permanent home.
    The bill I sign this morning will help bring that opportunity to 
many more children of all ages. The Adoption Promotion Act of 2003 will 
continue all the current incentives that have created new momentum for 
the

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adoption process in our States. In addition, we will begin monitoring 
the adoptions of foster children age 9 and older and provide extra 
incentives for States to increase adoption of older children. This is a 
proven way to increase the placement of children from foster care to 
permanent homes, and each one of those homes will be richer for the 
addition of new family members.
    Here's one example standing with me. It's what we call a good-size 
American family. [Laughter]
    Mrs. Martin. Amen.
    Mr. Martin. Yes.
    The President. Diana and Chris Martin, good, solid Americans, good, 
loving mom and dad, are with us with seven children, four of them 
adopted at ages 6, 8, 10, and 11 years old.
    You were 6.
    Mrs. Martin. That's right.
    The President. How old are you?
    Terrance Martin. Seven.
    The President. Okay, 7. [Laughter] I'll take it up with the fact-
checker. [Laughter] Children who, at one time, were 6, 8, 10, and 11. 
[Laughter]
    Chris says, ``Besides having to add a whole new wing on the 
house''--maybe the tax credit helps--[laughter]--``it can be emotionally 
trying. They have a sense of abandonment, and they came with the fear of 
bonding to you because they've been let down, and they're afraid.'' He 
also said, ``It's been rewarding because you can see the love in their 
eyes when they finally realize they have a place, they have a home, and 
that I am their dad.''
    Adoptive parents are giving much, and they are gaining much. The 
future of many thousands of children depend on the willingness of caring 
parents to make that personal commitment. It would take less than 1 
percent of the American population to provide a home to every child 
awaiting adoption. Welcoming a child into your home and calling that 
child your son or daughter is a major decision. It is never to be made 
lightly. Yet so many parents who have made that decision count it among 
life's greatest and happiest turning points. And so I hope more 
Americans, after careful thought and prayer, will make the decision to 
adopt a boy or girl of their own.
    The act of Congress strongly affirms our national commitment to 
adoption and will encourage adoption in every part of our land. I want 
to thank you all for coming. We're honored to be with such loving 
parents and great Americans.
    And now I'd like to ask the Members of Congress to join me as I sign 
this important piece of legislation, and maybe this great family would 
like to join us as well. Thanks for coming.
    Here, Mary, get in here. All right, is everybody ready?
    Audience members. Yes.
    Child. Can I come in there too?
    The President. You want to come in here? [Laughter]
    Children. Yes.
    The President. Sure, come on. All right. They won't ask her any 
questions. [Laughter] You ready?

Note: The President spoke at 9:25 a.m. in the Roosevelt Room at the 
White House. In his remarks, he referred to actor Bruce Willis, 
spokesman for Children in Foster Care. H.R. 3182, approved December 2, 
was assigned Public Law No. 108-145.


<DOC>
[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents]
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[Page 1735-1740]
 
Monday, December 8, 2003
 
Volume 39_Number 49
Pages 1719	1764
 
Week Ending Friday, December 5, 2003
 
Remarks at a Bush-Cheney Luncheon in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

December 2, 2003

    I appreciate you coming. Thanks for being here. It's great to be 
back in Knowledge City--Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Thanks for the warm 
welcome. I thought I'd start off by talking a little bit about Texas 
football. [Laughter] Then I ran into Jerome Bettis. [Laughter] I'm a man 
who listens to good advice. [Laughter] So I'd better talk about thanking 
you for coming. [Laughter]
    I appreciate your strong support. I'm proud to be back in 
Pennsylvania. We're laying the foundation for what is going to be a 
victory in Pennsylvania in 2004 and a nationwide victory in 2004.
    I'm getting ready. I'm loosening up. [Laughter] But politics will 
come in its own time. I've got a job to do. I've got a job to

[[Page 1736]]

do for every single American. I want you to remind your friends as the 
political season unwinds that I will continue to work hard to earn the 
confidence of every American by keeping this Nation secure and strong 
and prosperous and free.
    I regret one thing about today, and that is that Laura is not 
traveling with me. Yes. You probably regret the fact that she's not the 
headline speaker. [Laughter] She is a fabulous lady. I love her dearly. 
She's a great wife, a wonderful mother, and she's doing a wonderful job 
for the people of this country as the First Lady.
    I appreciate Evans Rose's leadership and short introduction. 
[Laughter] Evans has done a fine job. He's been a friend for a long 
time. I want to thank you for responding to his call. I want to thank 
Arlen Specter, who is the State campaign co-chairman for Bush-Cheney 
'04. I'm proud that he's traveling with me today on Air Force One. He'll 
attest to the fact there's not much air rage on Air Force One. 
[Laughter] But I'm proud of his leadership for the State of 
Pennsylvania. I look forward to working with him as the chairman of the 
Judiciary Committee in the United States Senate to make sure my judges 
get through and get appointed.

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