    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
    [October 12, 2001]
    [Pages 1232-1235]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a Hispanic Heritage Month Reception
    October 12, 2001

        Thank you all. Thank you very much. Please be seated. Bienvenidos.
    Here's the way I like to put it: Mi Casa Blanca es su Casa Blanca.
    [Laughter]
        We're gathered here to celebrate the contributions of Hispanic
    Americans to our life. In a few moments, I will sign a Executive order
    creating a Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans,
    to open new doors of opportunity for Hispanic boys and girls all across
    America.
        Before I do, I have some thanks. First, I want to thank mi abogado y
    tambien mi amigo. I want to thank Judge Gonzales for his sound advice. I
    love him dearly.
        I want to thank the boys and girls for leading us in the pledge.
    Thank you all for being here. I don't know whether you know this or not,
    but 52 million other children joined us at 2 o'clock today, saying the
    Pledge of Allegiance, all across America. The past weeks have given new
    meaning to those old words and have only deepened our allegiance to our
    Nation and to our flag.
        I want to thank Jaci and Arturo for lending their voice and horn to
    this room. We've had some great music here throughout the years, and
    it's going to be hard to top what we heard today. I want to thank them
    both for coming. I want to thank all los voces Americanos that sang
    today. I am honored that you all are here. I love your music. I love
    your passion. I love your love for America. And we're glad you're here.
    And I'm glad America got to see some of our country's finest artists
    perform here in the East Room on a song that talks about the solidarity
    and love for our country, a love that knows no bounds, a love that knows
    no culture, a love that everybody can share who's lucky enough to live
    in America. And you all are welcome. Thank you for coming.
        I want to thank Emilio, especially, for lending your talents. The
    last time you were here was Cinco de Mayo. I said, ``The next time you
    come, make sure you bring Gloria.'' [Laughter] It just goes to show the
    power of the Presidency. [Laughter]
        I want to thank Luis Palau as well, for your prayer. And I want to
    thank Don Francisco as well. It's good to see you again, sir. Thank you
    for coming.
        I'm proud that there's dos Embajadores aqui, uno de Mexico--good to
    see you, Ambassador--Juan Jose Bremer from Mexico y tambien el Embajador
    de Espana esta aqui, Javier--bienvenidos, Javier. I should have said
    there was three Ambassadors. I meant, two Ambassadors to America, but
    one of--a friend of mine I named the Ambassador to the Dominican
    Republic has

    [[Page 1233]]

    joined us, Hans Hertell. Hans, good to see you, Hans.
        I named a person who participated in Operation Pedro Pan. For those
    of you who don't know Operation Pedro Pan, years ago, Cuban moms and
    dads put their sons or daughters on a boat to America in order that they
    could live freely. They were uncertain about their own fate, but they
    knew they wanted their children to grow up in America, one of whom is
    now here. He's in my Cabinet, Mel Martinez.
        I named a good man to be on the U.S. Court of Appeals, the DC
    Circuit, a man named Miguel Estrada. Miguel, where are you? Thank you
    for coming, Miguel. You know, there's a lot of talk in Washington about
    making sure we have diversity on our courts, and there should be. I ask
    the Senate to move this man's nomination through. He's smart. He's
    capable. He needs that job. America needs to have him on the bench. Get
    him moving, before it's too late.
        Ambassador to the OAS representing America, Roger Noriega. Roger--
    there he is. Roger, how are you, buddy? The next time, we'll try to get
    you a better seat. [Laughter] Either that, or show up on time.
    [Laughter]
        Al Rascon, who is the National Director of the U.S. Selective
    Service and, more importantly, a recipient of the Medal of Honor, is
    with us today. Thank you, Al, for being here.
        A man whose service has been called upon a lot, particularly for the
    businesses that were severely affected during the attack, Hector
    Barreto, the SBA Director. Leslie Sanchez, who is the Executive Director
    to the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic
    Americans. Where are you, Leslie? Leslie, right in front of me. The
    Treasurer of the United States, Rosario Marin--Rosario. Cristina
    Saralegui--where is she? Cristina.
        As you know, I used to be associated with the baseball world, and
    we're honored to have some Major Leaguers here with us today. And we've
    got a great White Sox outfielder. Donde esta Senor Ordonez from the
    White Sox? There he is. Como esta, Magglio? Welcome. Glad you're here.
    Another Ordonez, Rey Ordonez. Good to see you, Rey. Thank you for
    coming. Maybe next year. [Laughter] Nelson Figueroa de la Phillies. Good
    to see you, Nelson. Thank you for coming. I'll get you afterwards. And
    from the San Francisco Giants, Russ Ortiz. Russ, thank you for coming.
        I'm honored you all are here. Thanks for coming. Thanks for setting
    a good example. Thanks for understanding that people look at you off the
    field of play as well as on the field of play. It's important that there
    be--young boys and girls look up to our baseball players and see a good
    example, and you're setting that. We're honored that you're here with
    us.
        We also have three with us today who represent the thousands of
    Hispanic Americans who serve in law enforcement and public safety. It's
    been a particularly trying time in New York City for the firefighters
    and police officers. Fortunately, we have three gentlemen today who
    represent those fine men and women: Anthony Miranda of the New York City
    Latino Officers Association--Anthony, thank you for coming--[applause]--
    let me try this a different way. [Laughter] We have two others to
    introduce. [Laughter] From the Hispanic Society of the New York City
    Police Department, we've got Louis Hernandez, and--[laughter]--from the
    Hispanic Society of the New York City Fire Department, Miguel Ramos.
    Now, thank you all for coming. Good job. Thanks for coming. [Applause]
    It is clear America is pulling for you all. And please pass on the word
    to the men and women who wear the uniform how proud we are and how much
    we mourn with you and how heroic you have been. The Nation appreciates
    it very much.
        You know, obviously this is a time of great national unity. The evil
    ones struck, but they forgot who they were striking, evidently. They
    thought they were going to

    [[Page 1234]]

    weaken us, but they didn't. We're strong and united. I've been amazed by
    the incredible acts of kindness that I've heard about, and obviously
    we've all been impressed by the acts of heroism. This is the good news
    that has come during this tragedy. We've all come to realize how much we
    need each other.
        Today there's been another reported case of anthrax, in New York
    City at NBC News. And it has got to cause concern for our Nation. But I
    want everybody in the country to know we're responding rapidly. First of
    all, the person is feeling fine. She's doing well. She obviously didn't
    ingest enough to cause death, thank God. But we've got teams on the
    ground--the CDC, Center for Disease Control, the FBI, working closely
    with local agencies to respond quickly.
        Our Nation is still in danger. But the Government is doing
    everything in our power to protect our citizenry. We need each other
    more than ever, and we're responding as quickly and as forcefully as we
    can.
        The American people need to go about their lives. We cannot let the
    terrorists lock our country down. We can't let terrorists, a few
    evildoers, hold us hostage. Our Government will fight terrorism across
    the seas, and we'll fight it here at home. And the American people need
    to fight terrorism as well, by going to work, going to ball games,
    getting on airplanes, singing with joy and strength, like you all did
    today. They will not take this country down.
        We will not be cowed, and we're certainly not going to be divided.
    The evil ones, as well as the rest of the world, are learning that we're
    a nation made up of many cultures, many races, and many religions, but
    we are one strong nation. We've suffered loss together; we have entered
    a mighty struggle together; and we will prevail together. The diversity
    of America has always been--always been--a great strength of this
    country. Here, you can be proud of your cultural heritage, proud of your
    ancestry, proud of your native language, and still be a proud American.
        We see the spirit of pride today, most vividly in the ties between
    our country and los que viven en Latin America--y tambien el sur de
    America. A lifetime in Texas has given me many things to be thankful
    for; one of them, for certain, is my appreciation for the Hispanic
    culture. I realize how much the Hispanic culture has enriched my State.
    And I realize how much the Hispanic culture enriches my Nation, as well.
        This month, our country recognizes just how much we owe to the
    Hispanic culture and, more important, to the Hispanic Americans we're
    proud to call our fellow citizens. And we do so--as we do so, we
    recognize as well our obligation to ensure that every American has an
    equal place in our society from the earliest years in life.
        This Nation of immigrant heritage believes that all children,
    whatever their circumstances, deserve a chance to learn and rise and
    succeed. This principle has guided my education reforms as we work to
    raise the standards of public schools across America and bring hope to
    every classroom for every child--I mean every child, not just a few, not
    just those whose parents may speak English. We want educational
    excellence para todos que viven en este pais.
        So today I am creating a commission to help chart the path to
    greater achievement amongst Hispanic American students in every part of
    our country. I am pleased to sign this order in front of such
    distinguished company. And I'm proud--I'm proud--to be the President of
    such a great nation.
        Thank you for coming. And God bless.

    Note: The President spoke at 2:15 p.m. in the East Room at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Albert R. Gonzales, White House
    Counsel; Jaci Vasquez, who sang the National Anthem; trumpet player
    Arturo Sandoval; music producer Emilio Estefan, Jr., and his wife,
    entertainer Gloria

    [[Page 1235]]

    Estefan; Dr. Luis Palau, president, Luis Palau Evangelistic Association,
    who gave the invocation; Mario ``Don Francisco'' Kreutzberger, host of
    the television program ``Sabado Gigante''; Spanish Ambassador to the
    U.S. Francisco Javier Ruperez; Cristina Saralegui, host of ``El Show de
    Cristina''; Rey Ordonez, shortstop, New York Mets; Anthony Miranda,
    president, Latino Officers Association--City of New York; Louis
    Hernandez, president, NYPD Hispanic Society; Miguel Ramos, president,
    NYFD Hispanic Society; and NBC News employee Erin O'Connor. The Office
    of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of
    these remarks. The Executive order is listed in Appendix D at the end of
    this volume.