[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: GEORGE W. BUSH (2001, Book I)]
[March 14, 2001]
[Pages 236-238]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]
[[Page 236]]
Remarks During a Tour of the Youth Entertainment Academy and an Exchange
With Reporters in Plainfield, New Jersey
March 14, 2001
The President. It talks about armies--there is an army of compassion
in America, too. That's what I'm here to highlight, not only the
technology but the hearts.
One of the things our Government is going to do is to recognize the
way faith-based initiatives--they take place in neighborhoods all around
America. And I believe strongly that Congress ought to fund programs
that will allow for low-income parents to access after-school programs
that can be run by faith-based programs as well as secular programs.
We ought to ask the question, does it work? And if it works, we
ought to empower those who are making it work.
One of the problems we face in society is, Government cannot make
people love one another. I wish we could. But we darn sure can find
those who do love their neighbor and facilitate programs that will
change people's lives.
So I'm honored to be here, and I want to thank you for your
compassion and your love.
[At this point, the tour continued.]
The President. I'm honored, and I can't thank you all enough for
providing a little haven of love and haven of hope. And I want to thank
you all for your fantastic music. But more importantly, I want to thank
you for the example you've set. All of us who are in positions where
people look at us must understand we've got to set examples.
And the drummer was telling me not only was he learning how to hone
his skills, but he's learning how to send the right signal to people in
his church and in his family about making the right choices, lessons
he's learned here. And I am so grateful for your love and your
compassion.
Our Government must serve as a spawning ground for social
entrepreneurs, many of whom have heard the call to help a neighbor in
need through their religion. We ought to welcome faith-based programs
into our society, not fear them. And I have come to this program to not
only herald what you do but to say to others who are wondering whether
or not the Government is going to thwart efforts or enable, that we
intend to be enablers.
So thank you for letting me come. And Governor, thank you for your time, appreciate your support. And
Congressmen and Mayor and Buster--[laughter]--Madam
President, thank you all.
[The President took questions from reporters.]
National Economy
Q. Mr. President, on the economy, sir, how concerned do you think
Americans should be--how concerned are you about the turmoil in the
markets and the state of the economy in general? And do you think it's
time to start talking the economy up?
The President. Well, I'm concerned that a lot of Americans'
portfolios have been affected; people that put aside money in the stock
market are now seeing their asset base decline. But I've got great faith
in our economy. I've got great faith in the entrepreneurial spirit. And
I believe the plans we're putting in place by working with the Congress
are going to serve as a second wind for economic growth.
Carbon Dioxide Regulation
Q. Why did you change your mind on making carbon dioxide--regulating
carbon dioxide?
The President. We'll enforce our--this administration will enforce
the clean air
[[Page 237]]
laws of the country. We will work with our utilities to encourage better
efficiency, so as to clean up the air. We've got an energy crisis in
America that we have to deal with in a commonsense way. It is important
to not only encourage conservation, but we need to increase the supplies
of energy, so as to make sure that our consumers and small businesses
and large business have got the energy necessary to not only heat their
homes but to run their businesses.
Q. What has changed, though, since the campaign, when you said we
should regulate it, so now when you say we shouldn't----
The President. We're in an energy crisis now. We're going to have to
recognize--our country has got to recognize that we need more
powerplants, that we--50 percent of our fuel source for our utilities
comes from coal. I'm confident, with better efficiencies, we'll keep
improving our air quality. But this is an administration that will
address our problems in a commonsense way, and we've got an energy
crisis.
Q. How do you respond to criticism, sir, that you have gone back on
a campaign promise here?
The President. Ours is an administration that will deal with the
problems of the day. We've got an energy crisis in America. We use a lot
of coal, and we need a lot of coal to fuel our plants, to make sure
Americans have got the ability to heat and cool their homes.
Q. Are you feeling a lot of pressure from industry on this issue?
The President. I was responding to reality. And reality is, the
Nation has got a real problem when it comes to energy. We need more
sources of energy. We need more powerplants. We need more exploration
for natural gas, and we need clean coal technology.
I am concerned that if we don't act in a commonsense way, that our
people will not be able to heat and cool their homes. And I'm worried
about--a failure of an energy policy could affect our economy, and we're
dealing with it in a commonsense way.
New Jersey Gubernatorial Election
Q. This is the first time you've been back to New Jersey since the
election, and we have a Governor's race coming up. How often are you
going to come back, and are you going to campaign for the new acting
Governor?
The President. Well, everybody knows the new acting
Governor is my good friend, and I
value his friendship. I will be back in the general election to help him
win, if he wants me. [Laughter]
Faith-Based Initiative
Q. Mr. President, your charitable choice proposals are probably not
going to be in the legislation that goes to the Senate. Are you
disappointed about that?
The President. First of all, the reports about our charitable choice
legislation not going full steam ahead is just simply not true. We're
moving on a timetable that we're comfortable with. And part of our
Faith-Based Initiative was to make sure we take a full inventory of
programs that now exist within the Federal Government.
So we'll move our package, and I'm confident it will get passed. So
I really appreciate the bipartisan effort that has taken place. Joe
Lieberman has said some very positive
things, for example, about our program. Americans are--want to see the
Government welcome faith-based programs and a compassionate delivery of
health.
So we're going to have a good package, and I'll be signing a good
bill.
Q. It's not a setback, sir, that they've decided that there's a
little too much controversy on that for now?
The President. I'm not sure what report you're referring to. But the
reports I get is that there is bipartisan support for the Faith-Based
Initiative. And I'm pretty confident we're going to get a very good
bill.
[[Page 238]]
And I appreciate those Members who are working with us on it.
Note: The President spoke at 10:45 a.m. at Grace Episcopal Church. In
his remarks, he referred to Acting Gov. Donald T. DiFrancesco and
Secretary of State DeForest B. ``Buster'' Soaries, Jr., of New Jersey;
Mayor Albert T. McWilliams of Plainfield, NJ; and Rev. LaVerne Ball,
president, Plainfield Interfaith Neighborhood Council for Housing. A
tape was not available for verification of the content of these remarks.