pd08jy02 Message to the Congress Transmitting a Report on the National Emergency...

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children. I appreciate you.
     We also have got to do a better job of bringing the American Dream 
to all Americans by encouraging homeownership. There is a--we've got a 
homeownership gap in America. Let's face it. Over 75 percent of White 
Americans own their home, and less than 50 percent of Hispanos and 
African Americans don't own their home. And that's a gap. That's a 
homeownership gap, and we've got to do something about it.
     One of the barriers to homeownership is the cost of downpayment. 
And I'm working with Congress right now to have a downpayment assistance 
program to help the homeowner be able to afford the downpayment.
     I also believe that a barrier to entry is education. There's a lot 
of folks who, when they look at the fine print in the contract, don't 
quite understand what it means. Not only do we need to simplify the 
contracts, we've got to make sure that there's an outreach program to 
educate first-time homebuyers on what it means to own a home and how you 
do it, not to get nervous about the fine print, but to realize what's in 
the fine print so that the people can make good decisions. We've got 
money in the budget to do that. We want to work with the faith-based 
community to encourage the education of people to understand what it 
means to own a home.
     I'm also working with the private sector to make sure they do their 
part. It's in the national realtors' interests, or the national 
homebuilders' interests that we encourage minority ownership of homes. 
We're trying to increase the demand for homes. One way to do that is to 
work with Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae to encourage capital, so that 
there's more money in the private sector for first-time homebuyers. We 
need billions of more dollars available for those who want to realize 
the dream. They have made the commitment to do so.
     And finally, we need legislation, tax credit legislation that will 
increase the supply of homes, affordable homes all across the country, 
affordable homes in inner-city Cleveland, where people are able to find 
a home and realize their dreams.

[[Page 1120]]

     The goal for this country is that by 2010 we have 5.5 million new 
minority homeowners. And when that happens--you watch what happens when 
these neighborhoods will become revitalized. It'll help the public 
school systems; it'll create such a sense of hope. This is a noble goal 
and one that I fervently believe we can achieve and must achieve to make 
America a better place.
     We've got work to do. The Senate has got work to do, in passing a 
reauthorization of the welfare reform bill. One of the great success 
stories in recent past has been to reform welfare so as we reduce 
dependency upon Government. And that's important. See, we believe in the 
worth of each individual and believe if we help people, they can realize 
their full potential.
     And it starts with finding work. It starts with a job. If somebody 
works, they're more likely to be able to realize dreams, to realize 
their God-given potential. And so we've got to continue to employ the 
resources and the vision to helping people find work. I believe work 
ought to be an incredibly important part, ought to be the standard by 
which welfare reform has been judged. And our society must work with 
local folks to implement strategies that will help people find work.
     Listen, the Government is willing to pay for re-education. The 
Government is willing to pay for job training. But we need people at--
the local people, just right like you do out here in Cleveland, to take 
the hand of somebody in need and say, ``How can we help you? How can we 
help you realize the independence of finding--and the dignity, by the 
way--of finding work?''
     I want to thank the employers in Cleveland for showing 
responsibility by helping on the welfare-to-work initiative. And I want 
to thank the faith-based programs for taking the resources available and 
to help people find work. We've got to continue--we've got to continue 
to promote work as part of a independent--independent--to encourage 
independence. And at the same time we do so, we've got to teach people 
the values of marriage and family.
     And speaking about responsible society, one of the key things we've 
got to do here in America is make sure that all of us are responsible 
for the decisions we make, especially in this day and age, the CEOs of 
corporate America. We need to make sure that when the people put out 
their balance sheets, when people put out the facts and figures, there's 
no question about their veracity. There's no question that they're true 
numbers.
     You see, in order to keep the job base increasing in America, there 
must be trust. And some have violated the trust. They haven't assumed 
their responsibility. I expect there to be responsibility at all levels 
in our society. And I intend to fully enforce the law when people cheat 
on the balance sheets of corporate America. We laid out an initiative in 
March to provide better information to investors, to make corporate 
officers accountable and responsible, to make sure that there's an 
independent auditing system, make sure this business about conflict of 
interest is eradicated. We need to rebuild the confidence in our job-
creating system.
     Now, you need to know that by far the vast majority, by far, of 
corporate America are above board and doing their jobs just the way 
you'd expect them to do, that they treat their investors, their 
shareholders, and employees the way you'd want them to. And that's 
important for America to know. It's also important to know we're going 
after those who aren't and hold them accountable.
     Our economy, the foundation of our economy is strong. We've got 
good fiscal policy, good monetary policy. We just now got to get this--
get trust built back in the country's leadership, which we will. We 
will. And one way to do it is to bring some of these folks to justice 
who have violated their trust. And we'll do that too.
     I also want you to know that my philosophy really does trust the 
American people. I trust people when it comes to--the parents when it 
comes to educating their children. I trust people when it comes to 
making right decisions about whether to own a home. I trust people when 
it comes to helping find work. The strength of this country is really 
not in our halls of Government; it's in the hearts and souls of the 
American people. That's really why America is so strong a nation as we 
are today.

[[Page 1121]]

     I also believe that--in the power of faith in people's lives, and 
that when we find people who have lost hope, maybe as a result of 
addiction or despair, that one way to help change America is to 
encourage those who have heard the call to love a neighbor to go love 
their fellow citizen. See, I've got great faith in America because I 
know our society can change one heart, one person at a time. And I know 
there are millions of soldiers in the armies of compassion who are 
willing to do just that. The Faith-Based Initiative that you've probably 
read about means this: Our Government should not fear programs which 
exist because of--a church or a synagogue or a mosque has decided to 
start one; we should not discriminate against programs based upon faith 
in America; we should enable them to access Federal money, because 
faith-based programs can change peoples lives, and America will be 
better off for it.
     I urge the Congress to get the bill on my desk that does two 
things: One, allows for faith-based programs to compete for taxpayers' 
money to help change people's lives; and secondly, allows nonitemizers 
to receive a deduction on their income taxes when they give money to a 
charity. We need to do everything we can to encourage the strength of 
America, to help change America for the better.
     Now, out of the evil done to America is going to come some 
incredible good here. I believe it. I believe that our citizens, many 
citizens are now hearing the call that a true patriot is somebody who 
serves something greater than themselves. A true patriot is somebody who 
asks a neighbor in need, ``What can I do to help?'' A patriot is 
somebody who understands that life is more--that life is complete when 
you make a sacrifice for somebody else.
     That certainly came home to a lot of Americans when Flight 93 was 
driven into the ground by citizens, normal, everyday citizens, who 
realized the plane they were on would be a weapon. And I want to remind 
you of what happened on that flight. They told their loved ones goodbye. 
They said a prayer, and they made the ultimate sacrifice for somebody 
else. That's the American spirit, as far as I'm concerned, the notion 
that in order--[applause].
    And it is that spirit which is exhibited every day in our country 
when people say, ``I think I want to mentor a child,'' and do so, and 
when people help an elderly shut-in, when people deliver food. It's the 
millions of acts of kindness and decency which define America, which 
show the true face of this great country. And I mean a great country.
     It's a great honor to be the President of the greatest nation on 
the face of the Earth. Thank you for coming today, and God bless.

  Note:  The President spoke at 11:29 a.m. at the Playhouse Square 
Center. In his remarks, he referred to Mayor Jane L. Campbell of 
Cleveland; Fannie M. Lewis, Cleveland City councilwoman, ward 7; and 
Alex Machaskee, board chairman, United Way of Greater Cleveland. The 
President also referred to Title I of the Improving America's Schools 
Act of 1994 (Public Law No. 103-382), which amended Title I of the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (Public Law No. 89-10). 
The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language 
transcript of these remarks.


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[Page 1121-1122]
 
Monday, July 8, 2002
 
Volume 38--Number 27
Pages 1111-1143
 
Week Ending Friday, July 5, 2002
 
Statement on the Clear Skies Initiative

July 1, 2002

    Today Environmental Protection Administrator Whitman released 
important new information about the unprecedented health and 
environmental benefits of the Clear Skies Initiative that I proposed in 
February. For the last several months, EPA has been working to generate 
new information about how Clear Skies will dramatically improve air 
quality in every region of the country. Clear Skies will bring Americans 
much cleaner air and healthier forests, lakes, and estuaries. Many 
cities and towns will meet air quality standards for the first time in 
years. We will virtually eliminate the problem of acid rain, which 
affects so many lakes and forests in the Northeast. We also will 
dramatically reduce urban smog and nitrogen and mercury deposition. 
Clear Skies will reduce air pollution from powerplants by 70 percent--
the most significant step America has ever taken

[[Page 1122]]

to address this problem--while using a market-based system to keep 
electricity prices affordable for hardworking Americans. Administrator 
Whitman and I look forward to working with Congress to strengthen the 
Clean Air Act through the passage of Clear Skies so we can improve air 
quality for all Americans.


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[Page 1122]
 
Monday, July 8, 2002
 
Volume 38--Number 27
Pages 1111-1143
 
Week Ending Friday, July 5, 2002
 
Statement on Representative J.C. Watts, Jr.'s Decision Not To Seek 
Reelection

July 1, 2002

    Congressman J.C. Watts has served the people of Oklahoma and the 
United States with honor and distinction as a Member of the U.S. House 
of Representatives.
    J.C. will leave behind a legacy of compassion and commitment to 
public service. He has been a leader in highlighting the success of 
faith-based and community-based organizations, and thanks to his 
efforts, these organizations may soon have additional resources in their 
fight against abuse, addiction, and poverty. His leadership was 
recognized by members of his party, and as Chairman of the House 
Republican Conference Committee, J.C. has effectively promoted the 
positive agenda of the Republican Party.
    Though his tenure in the House is ending, he still has many talents 
to offer his country, and I know he will continue to contribute. J.C. is 
a good friend, and Laura and I wish J.C and his wife Frankie and their 
family the best and thank him for his dedicated service.


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[Page 1122]
 
Monday, July 8, 2002
 
Volume 38--Number 27
Pages 1111-1143
 
Week Ending Friday, July 5, 2002
 
Letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives on Reallocation of 
Funds Previously Transferred From the Emergency Response Fund

July 1, 2002

Dear Mr. Speaker:

    In order to fulfill urgent requirements for civil aviation security, 
I am notifying the Congress of my intent to reallocate funds previously 
transferred to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from the 
Emergency Response Fund. These funds will now be allocated to the 
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in accordance with the 
provisions of Public Law 107-38, the Emergency Supplemental 
Appropriations Act for Recovery from and Response to Terrorist Attacks 
on the United States, FY 2001.
    In addition, I am further revising my request for supplemental 
funding originally transmitted on March 21st to account for this 
transfer by adjusting my Administration's request for supplemental 
funding for FEMA and for TSA. This will ensure that FEMA has the full 
resources necessary to meet my commitment to the recovery of New York.
    As provided in Public Law 107-38, the $270 million to be transferred 
will be made available immediately to TSA to continue its civil aviation 
security responsibilities.
    This is the second time I have arranged a ``bridge loan'' from FEMA 
to TSA to allow the Congress to complete action on my March 21st 
emergency supplemental request. This option will not be available a 
third time, since FEMA has no additional remaining unobligated funds 
from Public Law 107-38. It is imperative that the Congress quickly pass 
an acceptable emergency supplemental bill to prevent a disruption of 
commercial air travel.
    I hereby designate the revised requests contained in the 
accompanying material as emergency requirements pursuant to section 
251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 
1985, as amended.
    The details of these actions are set forth in the enclosed letter 
from the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. I concur with 
his comments and recommendations.
     Sincerely,
                                                George W. Bush

Note: This letter was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on 
July 2.

[[Page 1123]]


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