    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
    [April 15, 2002]
    [Pages 611-616]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a Fundraiser for Senatorial Candidate Greg Ganske in

    Cedar Rapids
    April 15, 2002

        Thank you all very much. Thank you all. Please be seated. Well,
    Greg, thank you very much for that warm introduction. I want to thank
    you all for the warm welcome. I'm here because I want Greg Ganske to
    become the next United States Senator from Iowa.
        I'll never forget that I ended up where I am because of the good
    folks in Iowa. It all started here. And I want to thank many of you
    who--I want to thank you all so very much for making this, Greg tells
    me, the largest fundraiser in Iowa history. I want to thank you all very
    much for supporting Laura and me. I want to thank those of you involved
    in the grassroots politics in Iowa for all your hard work, for the
    phones you dial and for the envelopes that you stuff. I want to thank
    you all for working hard to make our country as great a country as it
    can possibly be.
        It is an honor to be back in Iowa. I'm only sorry that First Lady
    Laura Bush didn't come with me. Like Ganske, we
    both married above ourselves. [Laughter] I appreciate Corrine
    Ganske. I appreciate her patience. I
    appreciate her willingness to work with Greg to ensure that he becomes
    the next United States Senator from Iowa. I was most impressed that
    Ganske's mother-in-law came. [Laughter] That's a good sign. [Laughter]
        I want you to know that I am incredibly proud of Laura, just as proud of Laura as Greg is of Corrine. She has brought a lot of calm and steadiness to our
    country. You know, when I asked her to marry me, she was a public school
    librarian. She didn't particularly care for politics. She wasn't all
    that thrilled to be around politicians. But people in America are now
    beginning to realize why I asked her to marry me. A lot of folks are
    still somewhat concerned as to why she said yes. [Laughter] But I want
    you to know that she is doing a fabulous job, and I'm really proud of
    her.
        I want to thank Greg's colleague Jim Leach for being here tonight. Jim Leach is one of the true class
    acts of the United States Congress. He still reminds me that he was a
    fine wrestler in high school and college but not nearly as good as Dan
    Gable, and I want to thank Dan Gable for being
    here as well tonight, too. I know Greg is proud to call you friend and
    supporter, and I know Iowa is proud to call you son. And they're also
    proud of Cael Sanderson and his incredible
    accomplishments as one of the finest college athletes ever. Cael, thank
    you for being here tonight as well.
        I know that two former Governors are here, friends of mine, people
    who distinguished themselves when they held the high honor of being
    Governor of Iowa, and that's Terry Branstad
    and Bob Ray. I want to thank you all for
    coming.
        I know that Ron Corbett is here, and I
    appreciate Ron helping Greg, and I appreciate him being the president of
    the Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce. And Chuck Larson, the chairman of the Republican Party, he's doing a
    fantastic job on behalf of the Republicans in Iowa.
        But most of all, I want to thank Greg for his willingness to run for
    the Senate.

    [[Page 612]]

    You know, Washington, DC, needs people like Greg who care more about
    getting things done than trying to be as shrill as they possibly can be.
    Washington, DC, needs people of accomplishment, people who are not
    interested in needless partisan fighting but who put America--and Iowa,
    in this case--foremost in their agenda. And that is Greg Ganske.
        I was here today at General Mills, and I want to thank that fine
    company for their hospitality and remind people that April 15th, today,
    can actually be called tax relief day. [Laughter] I came to Iowa, and I
    laid out a tax relief plan in Des Moines, Iowa--it's the first place
    that I talked about it. And I said, ``If you give me a chance to be the
    President, I look forward to taking your message to Washington, DC.''
    And that is, first of all, that the money we're dealing with is not the
    Government's money; it's the people's money.
        I said as plainly as I could, ``If you give me a chance to be the
    President, I'm going to work with whoever will listen, to make sure
    people have got plenty of money, their own money in their pockets, so
    they get to make the decisions as what to do with their own money.'' And
    thanks to people like Greg Ganske, we delivered on that promise. Tax
    relief was incredibly important not only to working families in America;
    tax relief came at the right time. Our economy was beginning to grind
    down. Our economy was slowing down too much.
        And people in Washington, people like Ganske and Leach and others, understand that when you let people keep their
    own money, they will spend. And when they spend on goods and services,
    somebody is going to produce those goods and services. And when somebody
    produces those goods and services, it means jobs for the working people.
    Thank goodness we cut the taxes on the American people when we did.
        And part of that tax relief not only deals with the marriage
    penalty--because Greg and I and others, believe we ought to promote
    families and promote marriage--part of it recognizes the--many in Iowa
    are struggling to raise children. Single moms is--the toughest job in
    our country is being a single mom. And we increased the child credit.
        But the other thing we did which was important for Iowa is that we
    put the death tax on its way to extinction. It is important for Iowa
    farmers--repealing that death tax is important for people who own the
    land. It makes no sense to have a Tax Code that taxes people's assets
    twice.
        Now, what's curious about how the United States Senate works is that
    the repeal of the death tax is not permanent. In 2011, it can come back
    to haunt small-business owners and farmers and ranchers and people who
    work all their life to leave their assets to their children. And what we
    need is to make all tax relief permanent, and Greg Ganske is willing to
    make that tough vote, and I appreciate that very much.
        There's a practical reason to elect Ganske, because he's going to be
    part of the change of leadership in the United States Senate. And when
    we change the leadership in the United States Senate, thanks to his
    election, Senator Chuck Grassley will
    become chairman of the Finance Committee, and that's going to be good
    for Iowa. And that's not only good for Iowa, that's good for America. I
    appreciate Chuck. I appreciate his hard work. He, like Greg, is a fine,
    solid--solid--citizen who represents your State with a lot of class and
    a lot of distinction in Washington, DC. We need a majority because I
    want my judges to be given a fair hearing.
        I want to tell you I appreciate Greg's understanding of the
    importance of trade. Jim Leach reminded me
    that here in Cedar Rapids--this is a town that relies upon trade--more
    dollars per capita generated through trade than almost any other city in
    the United States. Of any city in the Nation that understands the
    importance of trade, it's right here.

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        And the President needs what's called trade promotion authority. I
    need the ability to negotiate trade agreements all around the world.
    There are some in Washington, DC, who want to build walls and protection
    around America, but a confident nation is one that tears those walls
    down. We are the best farmers in the world, and we ought to be selling
    Iowa products all across the world.
        I appreciate very much Greg's understanding of the need for a
    comprehensive energy policy. I submitted a plan to the House that Greg
    sponsored and supported, that is a balanced plan. It says on the one
    hand we've got to do a better job of conserving energy in America, and
    we've got to use our technologies to lead the way to not only cleaner
    air but to better conservation. I believe that one of these days we're
    going to have brand new types of cars that are going to make us less
    dependent on foreign sources of crude oil, and we'll be more better at
    cleaning our air. And that's coming down the road. And part of the bill
    that we worked together on has got those incentives for technological
    development, and it's going to happen. It's going to happen in our
    lifetime.
        But I want you to know that in the meantime, for the sake of
    economic security and for the sake of national security, we need to be
    finding more energy at home. We import more than 50 percent of our
    energy from around the world. And some of those countries from which we
    import, they don't like America. And I don't like to be in a position of
    having to rely upon energy from countries that don't like us.
        I've heard the rhetoric like you. I just want you to know, I've got
    all the confidence in the world that we'll be able to explore at home
    and protect the environment. Technology has developed so that we can
    have a exploration program that doesn't permanently scar the
    environment, that understands the importance of environmental policy.
    And as we're working on sound, comprehensive energy policy, we must also
    work on renewables--renewables such as ethanol.
        All of these elements are a part of an energy bill that Greg helped
    get out of the House, that is stalled in the United States Senate. I
    repeat: For the sake of economic security of those who work for a living
    and for the sake of national security, we need Senators in Washington,
    DC, who will promote and work for sound energy policy. It's good for the
    country.
        I appreciate Greg's big heart. He's a fellow who's always served his
    fellow citizen. He's used his God-given talents as a surgeon to help
    those in need, and that's important, to have people with big hearts in
    Washington, DC. I appreciate his deep concern about the Medicare funding
    formulas that so affect rural Iowa. He gave me an earful on Air Force
    One, I want you to know. [Laughter] I appreciate so very much his
    concern about the doctor-patient relationship and making sure that's
    intact.
        But most of all, the thing I appreciate him is, he's a good thinker
    and a hard worker who cares deeply about the citizens of this State.
    Greg Ganske is going to make a United--a fine United States Senator, and
    there's no doubt in my mind he's going to win next November. And I look
    forward to working with him in the Senate on a lot of issues other than
    those I've discussed.
        I want to talk about three issues facing America. First, our
    homeland security. My most important job is to make sure the enemy
    doesn't hit us again. My most important job is to protect innocent
    Americans.
        You need to know that the nature of the people we're dealing with,
    they're coldblooded killers. They hate us, and you know why they hate
    us? They hate us because we love freedom. They hate us because we love
    the fact and honor the fact that we worship freely in America. They
    can't stand the thought of free elections, free press. And they're out
    there.

    [[Page 614]]

        But I also want you to know, we're doing everything in our power to
    protect the homeland. We've got a homeland security strategy that is
    preparing our noble and brave first-responders, should something
    happen--that would be the police and the fire and the EMS folks. We've
    got an initiative on bioterrorism that's smart and wise. We're
    increasing our security at our borders. We want an INS--that's the folks
    who're supposed to know who's coming in and coming out--to be modern. We
    want to know who's coming in our country and why they're coming in and
    if they're leaving when they're supposed to be leaving.
        And I also want to assure you that anytime we get any lead, any hint
    that somebody might try to do something to an American citizen or an
    American city, we're responding. We're chasing down every single lead
    there is. We're on alert. Our law enforcement officials are
    communicating much better than ever before.
        But the best way to secure the homeland is to run down the killers
    one by one and bring them to justice, and that's exactly what we're
    going to do. History has called us into action. And we're not going to
    tire, because when it comes to the defense of our freedoms, when it
    comes to civilization itself, this Nation is going to stand tall.
        You know, I can't imagine what was going through the minds of the Al
    Qaida killers. I guess they just thought they were going to hit us, and
    because we were so materialistic, in their minds, so self-absorbed, so
    incredibly selfish, that all we were going to do was file a lawsuit.
    [Laughter] They were wrong. Anytime anybody--anytime it comes to
    defending that which we hold dear, this Nation will be strong and
    resolute and determined.
        I'm sure you've read about the budget priorities that I--the budget
    I submitted, with its priorities. And by far the biggest priority is a
    increase in the spending for our national security and the defense
    budget. And I want to explain why.
        First, anytime we commit a troop into action, that person must have
    the best equipment, the best training, the best possible--the best pay
    possible. You see, I've heard the debates in Washington about how high
    the budget is. The price of freedom is high, but as far as I'm
    concerned, it's never too high.
        I've also submitted a budget that's increased because we're in this
    thing for the long haul. There is no calendar on my desk that says, by
    such-and-such a date we're going to quit. I don't feel any constraints
    of time. I'm a patient man. And fortunately, so is the United States of
    America, much to the chagrin of our enemy.
        Our first task was to uphold the doctrine that said, ``If you harbor
    a terrorist, you're just as guilty as the terrorists.'' And the Taliban
    understood--understands now exactly what the United States of America
    meant.
        But I want to assure you that this great Nation does not seek
    revenge. We seek justice. We don't have revenge in our heart. We're
    going to defend freedom by holding people accountable. The Taliban, the
    hosts to the parasites, was one of the most backward and barbaric
    governments that modern man has ever seen. And thanks to a vast
    coalition and the United States military, we routed them out.
        And as a result, we were liberators of a country. It's so important
    for you all to remind the young, your children or your neighbors, that
    this great, mighty Nation freed people. We gave people a chance--young
    girls a chance to go to school for the first time in their life. Not
    only are we protecting the homeland, we're also protecting the human
    dignity of people around the world.
        There's a lot of work to be done. Afghanistan is still a dangerous
    place. A couple of weeks ago they bunched up, and we got them. I don't
    know if they're going to bunch up again. [Laughter] But if they do,
    we're going to rout them out. We denied sanctuary for them. We've ruined
    their

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    training bases. We're disrupting their finances. We got them on the run.
    We're treating them exactly the way they are, international criminals.
    And the only way to treat an international criminal is to hunt them down
    and bring them to justice. For the good of the world, this country is
    going to do exactly that.
        And I meant what I said when I talked about making sure that our
    Nation or our friends are never threatened or blackmailed by some of the
    world's worst leaders, harboring and developing the world's worst
    weapons. We cannot allow nations that--run by people who have gassed
    their own citizens, nations who want to destroy our friends and allies,
    nations who hate America, to develop and deploy weapons of mass
    destruction. You need to know I'm patient. I'll consult with our allies
    and friends. I'm steady when it comes to the mission, but they're not
    going to get away with it. For the good of our future, they're not going
    to get away with it.
        And so our Nation has got to keep its resolution. But that's easy,
    because this is such a fabulous land. We know what's at stake. I want
    you to know that out of this evil is going to come some good, and I
    firmly believe that. If we remain steadfast and strong and determined to
    rout out terror, we can achieve peace in the world. That's my dream, and
    that's my hope. Oh, I know talking about military budgets and getting
    them and all that stuff is part of my--the way I talk. But you just need
    to know, in my heart is the drive and desire to achieve lasting peace.
        And we're willing to work for peace in regions of the world where
    some may say peace never has a chance. I am very proud of the hard work
    and the diligent effort of Secretary of State Colin Powell, working to lay the foundations for peace in the
    Middle East.
        And I also believe that out of this evil will come incredible good
    at home. People say, they say, ``Well, gosh, I want to try to contribute
    in the war against terror.'' And there's an easy way to do that: It's to
    love a neighbor just like you'd like to be loved yourself. If you want
    to fight evil, do some good: Mentor a child; start a program in your
    church or your synagogue or a mosque that feeds the hungry; understand
    that in our Nation there are pockets of hopelessness and despair, but
    those pockets of hopelessness and despair can be changed as a result of
    loving Americans working hard to save our country one heart and one
    soul, one conscience at a time.
        No, the enemy hit us, but they have given us a good chance to work
    for peace and to show the world the true compassion of America. If
    there's a young one out there looking for something to do, we've got
    what's called the USA Freedom Corps. Go to the Peace Corps and help
    spread American values. Become a teacher and teach a child not only how
    to read and write and add and subtract, but teach them the important
    values that make our country unique.
        I always have said that I believe our Nation can work together to
    change a culture which has said, ``If it feels good, just go ahead and
    do it,'' and ``If you've got a problem, blame somebody else.'' I
    believe--I believe we're in the process of ushering in a new type of
    culture, one which says, ``We're all responsible for the decisions we
    make in life''; that if you're a mom or dad, that if you happen to be
    fortunate enough to be a mother or a father, it's your responsibility to
    love that child with all your heart and all your soul; if you're
    fortunate enough to be an American--responsibility to love your
    neighbor; that if you run in--if you're in corporate America, you have a
    responsibility to your workers and your shareholders to fully disclose
    assets and liabilities.
        And this great country is responding. The gathering momentum of
    millions of acts of kindness truly defines our Nation. The notion of
    sacrificing for something greater than yourself has become a part of our
    national conscience. Sacrifice, again I repeat, is to help somebody in
    need.

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        That sacrifice came very clear to me and Americans on Flight 93,
    when people, passengers, people going to work or wherever they were
    going to, were on cell phones and realized America was under attack and
    realized the plane they were on was going to be used as a weapon. And
    they told their loved ones they loved them, said a prayer, and
    sacrificed their lives so others could live.
        To me, that defines the American spirit and what is possible, in all
    kinds of ways, across the country. The evil ones hit us, but this great
    Nation is not going to allow the evil ones to have its day. This great
    Nation will rise up, with its goodness and kindness and compassion, and
    show the world not only our strength, not only our determination, but
    show the world we understand the true meaning of love.
        I want to thank you all for coming tonight. It is my honor--it is my
    incredible honor to be the President of the greatest nation on the face
    of the Earth. May God bless you all.

    Note: The President spoke at 5:23 p.m. at the U.S. Cellular Center. In
    his remarks, he referred to Dan Gable, former head coach, men's
    wrestling, University of Iowa; and Cael Sanderson, wrestler, Iowa State
    University.