[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: GEORGE W. BUSH (2001, Book I)]
[April 25, 2001]
[Page 456]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 456]]


Remarks on Arrival in Little Rock, Arkansas
April 25, 2001

    Thank you all for coming. It's my honor to be back in Arkansas. It's 
great to be with my friend the Governor. We 
got to know each other when I was the Governor of a neighboring State. I 
respected him then; I continue to hold him in high regard. Governor 
Huckabee is one of the more popular Governors in the country because 
he's done in office what he said he would do.
    It's also my honor to come to Arkansas to support a good friend of 
mine and a good friend of Arkansas, Senator Tim Hutchinson. This is my first trip as a--my first fundraising trip 
since I became the President. It's the first time I've really gotten 
what they call political, and it's for a good cause. This 
man has done a really good job for the 
citizens of Arkansas, and I would like to see him returned to the United 
States Senate after next year's elections. He and I are working together 
on a lot of issues that matter to the Arkansas folks, a budget that is 
good for Arkansas, and a tax relief plan that will benefit some 787,000 
people who live in this State.
    And the budget is focused. We increase a Federal education funding 
from 366 million to 390 million. We increase Head Start funding from 
$57.4 to $58.5 million. There's an estimated 379 million targeted for 
highway funding in Arkansas. This is a responsible budget that leaves 
room for tax relief, but also focuses on issues that matter to the folks 
of Arkansas. And coming down on the airplane, he and I spent a lot of 
time talking about agriculture.
    One of the things the Senator talked 
about was there were a lot of farmers hurting in this State. And I 
assured him I understood that. And the point I want to make to the 
people is that when this election comes around in 2002, I hope the 
people of Arkansas realize how important it is to have a United States 
Senator who can walk into the Oval Office and say, ``Mr. President, the 
people of Arkansas need your attention.'' And I can assure you when Tim 
Hutchinson walks in the Oval Office and says the people of Arkansas need 
my attention, they're going to get my attention.
    And so, it's my honor to be here with this good United States 
Senator. I urge the people of this State to 
realize what a good man they've got in office. And I thank the people of 
this State for the prayers and support they've given me since I've been 
the President.
    God bless.

Note: The President spoke at 6:07 p.m. at the Little Rock National 
Airport. In his remarks, he referred to Gov. Mike Huckabee of Arkansas.