    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
    [July 27, 2001]
    [Pages 919-922]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks to the National Future Farmers of America Organization
    July 27, 2001

        Well, thank you all for coming. I look forward to discussing an
    incredibly important topic, and that's agriculture and what it means to
    America. It's important for folks up here in Washington to listen to
    Senators like Chuck Grassley and Blanche
    Lincoln, people who come from the farm
    areas--Phil Crane--who understand that
    agriculture is an incredibly important part of our economic future. But
    agriculture also is an important part of American life, because it
    represents the great values of America.
        So I want to thank you all for coming. My fellow Texan, I appreciate
    that fine introduction. [Laughter] Trent's
    from Throckmorton. It's a rural part of our State. But rural Texas is
    incredibly a part of the State of Texas, but rural America is an
    incredibly important part of America, as well, and we must never forget
    that.
        I want to thank Jennifer Edwards, as
    well, for being here. I want to thank all

    [[Page 920]]

    the officers for coming. I want to thank again the Members of Congress
    for being here to discuss with all of us how we make sure American
    agriculture thrives as we head into the 21st century. I mean, after all,
    we're talking about national security. It's important for our Nation to
    be able to grow foodstuffs to feed our people. Can you imagine a country
    that was unable to grow enough food to feed the people? It would be a
    nation that would be subject to international pressure. It would be a
    nation at risk. And so when we're talking about American agriculture,
    we're really talking about a national security issue.
        Well, one way we can help is something we've already done, and that
    is to eliminate the death tax, so that farms and ranches can be passed
    from one generation to the next, so that people don't have to liquidate
    their prized possession, their most singular important asset, in order
    for a young son or daughter to become a farmer or a rancher. And we did
    just that, thanks to the Members of the United States Senate here and
    thanks to the Member of the Congress who are here. It was a tough vote
    for some, but it was the right vote for American agriculture, to get rid
    of the death tax.
        And given the economic news of the day, the tax cut was--looks more
    and more wise. I mean, after all, there's a new report out that shows
    that over the last four quarters, economic growth has been slow. It
    hasn't been up to standard. The economy is puttering along. It's not
    nearly as strong as it should be. And what the tax cut does--by sending
    money back to the American working people, it provides an incredibly
    important boost to economic vitality and economic growth.
        Now, there's a lot of talk about the amount of money available to
    spend here in Washington. Make no mistake about it: The appropriators
    are looking for money. And it may not be as much as they want to spend,
    because the economy has slowed down. And this tax cut is incredibly
    important for revitalizing the economy of America, and it was the right
    thing to do.
        A second thing we can do to make sure folks in the agricultural
    sector have got a bright future is to work to enhance trade, trade all
    around the world. I want America's farmers and ranchers feeding those
    who are hungry, those who need foodstuffs. We're the best in the world
    at growing product. Our farmers and ranchers are not only some of the
    hardest working people in the world, but we're better at it than
    everybody else is, too. And therefore, we ought to work hard to open up
    all avenues, all markets, so we can feed people.
        And that includes--necessary to do that, we've got to make sure the
    President has what's called trade promotion authority. That gives me the
    ability to negotiate trade agreements on behalf of the American people,
    submit it to the Senate to be ratified, up or down.
        I don't have that authority. It lapsed, unfortunately. I'm one of
    the few Presidents never to have had that authority. I'm asking Congress
    to give it to me for the good of the American people, for the good of
    the agricultural sector, so that I can use my efforts to knock down the
    trade barriers, the protectionist tendencies around the world that
    prevent our products from getting into markets.
        I'm pleased to report, for example, that we are making some
    progress. There was a big debate--I'm sure you heard about it--as to
    whether or not China ought to be allowed into what's called the World
    Trade Organization. I argued vociferously that they should be, because I
    believe a country that trades with the rest of the world is a country
    more likely to embrace freedom.
        I also know that by opening up Chinese markets to American
    foodstuffs, it will be beneficial to American farmers. And my Trade
    Representative, our Nation's Trade Representative, Robert
    Zoellick, has made great progress in
    negotiations with China,

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    opening up their markets to U.S. foodstuffs, to our products.
        I used to say, during the debate, to try to make it clear to people
    where I was coming from--maybe it's the west Texan in me--I said, ``We
    want to be feeding the Chinese. We want our American farmers to be
    growing the products that the Chinese use to eat.'' And that's what, to
    me, trade means.
        And so, we need to work with Congress to get a trade promotion
    authority bill out pretty darn quickly. And my pledge to the people of
    America, particularly in the agricultural sector is, American
    agriculture will not be viewed as a secondary issue for me.
        There's a lot of folks out there who are somewhat skeptical when a
    U.S. President talks about trade and agriculture. You know why? Because
    agriculture has always been a secondary issue. They'll negotiate all the
    other important subjects, but when it comes to agriculture, say, ``We'll
    just leave it the way it is. We won't work to knock down the barriers
    that prevent U.S. products from going into other markets.'' Those days
    are over with. Agriculture will be the cornerstone of our international
    trade negotiations. We'll use what's called single undertaking
    negotiation to keep agriculture at the forefront of our negotiating
    policy, and the reason is simple: We're good at it, and we ought to work
    hard to promote products that we're good at growing or good at raising.
        Another important part of making sure that your future is bright is
    that the education systems all around America work. One of the things I
    took great pride in, in the State of Texas, is an education reform
    package for all of the people that go to school in Texas that said, ``We
    expect results.'' I will tell you this: If you're in the agricultural
    sector, you're judged by results. You're judged by the size of the crop
    you grow. You're judged whether or not you can plow the straight line.
    You're judged by whether you're not any good. It's a results-oriented
    world, and that's what education ought to be, as well.
        And there's a fundamental reason why: Because we don't want anybody
    left behind, is why. And if you don't measure, how do you know whether
    somebody is being left behind? If you don't hold people accountable for
    results, how do you know whether or not some children cannot read or
    write and add and subtract? And I darn sure want to know.
        Laura, my wife, the First Lady, is having a
    seminar, series of seminars about how to introduce the sound science of
    education into curriculum all around the country. It says, ``Look, let's
    have some common sense about our education curriculum. Let's make sure
    it works before we insist that we use it.'' And that's what we need to
    do in education. We need to have strong accountability.
        Again, I want to thank the Members of the Senate and the House who
    are here, who support an education package that's going to reform
    schools all around the country. But make no mistake about it: I haven't
    forgotten where I came from. Inherent in the education reform package is
    a strong belief in local control of schools. I don't think the schools
    ought to be run out of Washington. You know why? Because we're
    different. School districts in Texas were different. And they're a heck
    of a lot different, I can assure you, from, you know, places like
    Vermont and New Hampshire. I mean, it's just a different world, and
    therefore we've got to have strong local control of schools, coupled
    with strong accountability, to make sure our education systems work for
    everybody, urban and rural alike.
        And finally, before I come out and shake a few hands, if you would
    like to, I do want to remind you all that one of the things that makes
    this country so unique is our values system, the values of hard work,
    family, faith, values that sound pretty much like the heartland of
    America to me.

    [[Page 922]]

        We're winding down the legislative session here, and I hope, a week
    from tomorrow, the Congress takes off and gives all of us a break.
    [Laughter] And I'm heading back to the heartland. I'm going back to
    Crawford, Texas, where Laura and I have got some property. A fellow runs
    some cows on our country. I love to go walking out there, seeing the
    cows. Occasionally, they talk to me--[laughter]--being the good listener
    that I am. [Laughter] But it's important for all of us in Washington to
    stay in touch with the values of the heartland, because they're values
    that really are unique. It basically says that values--a value system of
    basic, inherent values that override politics and different demographies
    and different religions--it's what makes America so unique and great.
        I've just come back from overseas. I'm so proud to represent this
    great Nation overseas, because we're a nation that can bring people from
    all walks of life together, a nation that says, ``You're free to worship
    any religion you want,'' and yet we're bound by common values. You
    should never be afraid of embracing the values you find in the heartland
    of America, the values you bring to Washington, DC; you should never
    walk away from those. They're important. It's important to keep them as
    priorities in your life, because the strength of our Nation exists in
    the value system that we oftentimes find on America's farms and ranches,
    the value that--of worship and faith, the value of the importance of
    family, the values of hard work, the values of taking a risk, the values
    of understanding that if you own a farm or a ranch, every day is Earth
    Day. Every day is an important day if you're stewards of the land. Those
    are incredibly important values that you all embrace in your
    organization.
        And finally, let me tell you, America is a country that needs your
    help. It needs your help by you all living good--setting good examples
    for others. It needs your help. All of us can be leaders in individual
    ways by making right choices, for starters, by being responsible for the
    decisions you make in life.
        But there's something else you can do, too. Our society--there are
    some people in our society who hurt. And we can change America one soul
    at a time. If you find somebody in need, help them out. If you've got a
    neighbor who needs some compassion, take time to help your neighbor
    understand somebody loves him. If you've got a friend who maybe is
    lonely and hopeless, put your arm around him or her; become a mentor;
    become a pal. They may not be the coolest kid in class, but reach out to
    somebody in need, and you'll be amazed at what happens.
        My job is to rally what I call the armies of compassion, the people
    all across America who say, ``How can I love somebody just like I'd like
    to be loved myself?'' And the great strengths of the country lay in the
    fact there are millions of people who are helping somebody in need. They
    don't need a Government law; they don't need somebody doing this, that,
    or the other. What they need is to follow their hearts, and that's what
    I ask you to do.
        I'm honored to be able to receive you here in the Nation's Capital.
    It's a huge honor to be the President of the greatest land on the face
    of the Earth. And thank you for coming. May God bless you all.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:01 a.m. in Presidential Hall in the
    Dwight D. Eisenhower Executive Office Building. In his remarks, he
    referred to Trent McKnight, president, and Jennifer Edwards, secretary,
    National Future Farmers of America Organization.