    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
    [October 12, 2001]
    [Pages 1229-1232]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks to the March of Dimes Volunteer Leadership Conference
    October 12, 2001

        Thank you all very much for your warm welcome. I'm honored to be
    here. I understand that for more than six decades, the volunteers and
    supporters of the March of Dimes have given help and hope to those in
    need, and I'm here to say thanks on behalf of the American people.
        I'm also here to ask Americans for a good deed, something the
    children of America can do to help the children of Afghanistan.
        Before I begin, I want to thank Tommy Thompson for his leadership.
    He left a great State--almost as good as Texas--[laughter]--to come and
    serve his country. And he's doing a fabulous job. As you know, there was
    a recent incident with anthrax in Florida. And Tommy handled that
    incident with such calm and such purpose and got the facts on the table
    early so that the American people were able to react in a way that did
    not disrupt their lives and, at the same time, felt comfortable that our
    Government was doing everything we could possibly do to protect the
    lives of citizens. Tommy is doing a great job. I'm glad I picked him,
    and I'm glad he came.
        I, too, want to thank Gary and Jennifer for their leadership; thank
    the members of the trustees who are here. I want to thank the sponsors
    of the March of Dimes and this convention who are here. And I
    particularly want to thank the volunteers from all across America who
    have come today. I not only appreciate your hard work on behalf of
    children in America; I appreciate you setting a good example by getting
    on the airplanes and trains and buses and going about the business of
    America. We will not let the terrorists hold us hostage in our country.
        I'm especially proud to be here with an organization that's one of
    the most successful voluntary health organizations in the history of our
    Nation. For more than 60 years, 60 long years, the March of Dimes has
    coupled compassion and persistence. Your resolve in combating disease
    has changed the world in which we live.

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        Today, you're advocating better access to prenatal care, expanded
    health care coverage, and a greater awareness of proper nutrition and
    immunization. You're supporting genetic testing, screening, and
    research. These efforts are saving the lives of women and children and
    advancing the frontiers of medicine. You're working to reduce birth
    rates by 10 percent, reduce infant mortality to 7 per 1,000 live births,
    limit low birth rate to no more than 5 percent of all live births, and
    increase the number of women who get prenatal care in the first
    trimester to 90 percent--such important goals for our country, such an
    admirable cause, and I'm here to thank you for it.
        Advancing these frontiers is also a priority of my administration,
    as Tommy pointed out. We're working with Congress to increase funding
    for the National Institutes of Health by $2.8 billion next year. And
    that's part of an effort to double NIH's funding to develop treatments
    and cures for some of the most deadly and debilitating diseases,
    diseases that affect Americans of all ages.
        The March of Dimes is a great influence, and it's important for
    America to understand its history as well. In the 1930s, America lived
    in fear of contracting a disease simply known as ``the crippler.''
    Parents were afraid to send their children to public swimming pools or
    movie theaters. Countless children were in leg braces, transported in
    wheelchairs, or confined to what was called iron lungs. In 1938, in the
    course of 4 months, America sent 2.6 million dimes to the White House in
    4 short months, beginning a campaign that eventually resulted in the end
    of polio. This effort was even more extraordinary because it took place
    during the Great Depression, when a dime meant a heck of a lot more then
    than it means today. [Laughter]
        At the height of the Depression, one-third of Americans were
    unemployed. Nearly 40 percent of banks had failed, and there was great
    anxiety and uncertainty in our country. Yet, hard times drew people
    together. The Great Depression tested America's character and revealed
    America at its best.
        Americans have shown a similar strength since September the 11th.
    Terrorists hoped our Nation would come apart. That's what they hoped
    for. But instead, we've come together. Our country is more resolved,
    more united, and guided by a greater sense of purpose than any time
    during our lifetimes.
        And some important things about our culture seem to be shifting.
    After the attacks, moms and dads held their children closer, and maybe
    for a moment longer. Millions have gone to synagogues and churches and
    mosques to renew their faith, to find perspective, to be reminded of the
    true values of life.
        As Americans, we've mourned together, felt the same outrage and
    resolve, and we've helped our neighbors even when they're strangers.
    People are looking to things that are precious and permanent, things
    like family and faith, community, love of country, and love of one
    another.
        In America, it seems like we're putting first things first. In my
    Inaugural Address, I said that some Americans feel like they share a
    continent but not a country. Today, that feeling is gone. We know we are
    a single nation, each a part of one another. The terrorists did not
    intend this unity and resolve, but they're powerless to stop them.
        Our Nation has suffered a great loss. Yet, we are told that
    tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven
    character; and proven character, hope. And hope does not disappoint.
        Late in life, Eleanor Roosevelt was asked what her husband had
    learned from the experience of polio. She said that Franklin had gained
    strength and courage he had not had before. ``He had to think out the
    fundamentals of living,'' she said, ``and learn the greatest of all
    lessons, infinite patience and never-ending persistence.''

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        We all need to have a bit of Franklin Roosevelt in us today. We are
    engaged in a struggle that calls for patience and persistence. We face
    an enemy that plans in secret and acts without morality and without
    remorse. We must fight this enemy wherever he plans or hides or runs,
    abroad and here at home. That will take time and determination. Yet,
    they're going to learn that we will not rest, and we will not fail.
        Ours is a war against terrorism and evil, not against Islam.
    Americans respect and admire that religion of peace. And I'm proud our
    country is home to many followers of the Islamic faith. Those who
    hijacked four airliners on September the 11th are also trying to hijack
    Islam. But the mass killing of innocent people clearly violates Islam,
    and countries and clerics throughout the Islamic world have rejected
    these acts.
        Nor is our war against global terrorism a war against the people of
    Afghanistan. The Afghan people are victims of oppression and misrule of
    the Taliban regime. There are few places on Earth that face greater
    misery. One out of every four children dies before the age of 5 in
    Afghanistan. It is estimated that one in every three children in
    Afghanistan is an orphan. Almost half suffer from chronic malnutrition;
    millions face the threat of starvation. The situation is so bad, so bad,
    that we read about 3-year-old children in Afghanistan who weigh less
    than the average newborn in America.
        We're trying to get food to starving Afghans. In contrast, the
    Taliban regime, those who house the evildoers, has harnessed
    international aid--harassed international aid workers and chased them
    out of their country. The people of Afghanistan have suffered too long
    under Taliban rule.
        That suffering provides us with a task. I'm asking every child in
    America to give not a dime but a dollar to a specific cause, a relief
    effort for the children of Afghanistan. And I want to report to the
    Nation that after I laid out this initiative last night, and confirming
    it here at your convention, that I've received the first dollar.
    [Laughter] It came from Justin Washington.
        I know Justin pretty well. [Laughter] I got to see him in the Oval
    Office, and he made it clear, his boots were better than mine.
    [Laughter] But Justin, I want to thank you. Justin knows what I know: A
    dollar today is roughly equivalent to what a dime was in the late 1930s.
    It's an appropriate place to announce this initiative of compassion.
        I hope American children in their classrooms and families in their
    homes put a dollar in an envelope and send it to America's Fund for
    Afghan Children, to the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue--
    [laughter]--Washington, DC 20509. [Laughter] Schools, community and
    youth organizations can organize events to raise money for this cause.
    And they can, at the same time, demonstrate compassion and mercy in this
    hour of need. This effort is an opportunity to help others while
    teaching our children a valuable lesson about service and character.
        We will work with the Red Cross to make sure the money is used for
    food and medicine, to make sure the money provides hope and help to the
    children of Afghanistan. We'll also coordinate with the Administrator of
    USAID to ensure that our efforts build on the important humanitarian
    work already being done.
        During the last month, Americans have been extraordinarily generous
    in their giving of time and money. We still face many needs and
    challenges at home. And that's why Americans should continue supporting
    community-based organizations like the March of Dimes, which is doing so
    much good all across the country.
        And Americans are the most generous people on Earth. And because the
    suffering is so great, I know we need to lend a hand to the children who
    live a world a halfway around the--a place a halfway around the world
    from here. By embracing Afghan children, we assert the American ideal.
    Our Nation is the greatest force for

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    good in the world history. We value the lives and rights of all people.
    Our compassion and concern do not stop at our border. They reach across
    the world.
        Americans are determined to fight for our security, no question
    about it. And we're all equally determined to live up to our principles.
    And I hope, I hope all Americans will help us show those principles to
    the entire world.
        Thank you for what you do, and may God bless America.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:58 a.m. in the Regency Ballroom at the
    Omni Shoreham Hotel. In his remarks, he referred to Gary Forsee,
    chairman, Jennifer L. Howse, president, and Justin Washington, national
    ambassador, March of Dimes.