    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
    [February 25, 2002]
    [Pages 285-286]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks to the National Governors' Association
    February 25, 2002

        The President. Thank you all. Welcome back. I've got a few remarks
    I'd like to make. I understand a couple of Governors are going to make
    some remarks, and then I'll be glad to answer some questions if you have
    any.
        First, I again want to say what I said last night. This has been a
    trying time for all of us. We've been tested here in the Nation's
    Capital, but you all have been tested as well. And I want to
    congratulate you on your great leadership.
        You know, the people of our country looked to all of us to determine
    how we'd react after September 11th. And I was impressed by the calm
    demeanor of the Governors and the steady resolve to lead the people. The
    country cried for leadership, and you all provided it. And thanks a lot
    for doing that.
        I also love to welcome Governors because Governors are problem-
    solvers. In this town, there's a lot of talkers and kind of problem-
    shufflers. But Governors are problem-solvers. And it's going to be good
    to be able to talk to each other about how to solve problems that we
    face, budget problems, the issue of homeland security, education, as
    well as welfare reform.
        And I want to talk about three of them briefly today, and that's
    homeland security--first, I appreciate the Governor, the leadership. I
    want to thank Engler and Governor Patton for you hosting the NGA here and coming by the White
    House.
        I also want to thank my friend Tom Ridge. You
    know, he was doing pretty good as the Governor of Pennsylvania, just
    sitting around--[laughter]--looking for something to do. And I called
    him, and I said, ``We've got a problem. We've got to secure our
    homeland.'' I said, ``This is an enemy that wants to hit us again,'' and
    I said, ``We'd better be ready.'' And I said, ``Would you come and be a
    member of my Cabinet, be sitting at my right hand there, and design a
    national strategy for homeland security?'' And fortunately for the
    country, he said yes, and he's doing a fine job.
        And we've begun, as you all know, an extensive program to have a
    better first-responders initiative. And we've got $1.6 billion of new
    money in the budget for that--no--yes, 3.5--right. But I mean--for
    homeland, for first-responders is how much?
        Director Ridge. We're going--different parts
    of it are going up, but this is 3.5.
        The President. Three-point-five, and then we've got 1.6 for
    bioterrorism. And we're working on a border security initiative, and
    we're reforming the INS. As I like to tell people, we now need to know
    who's coming in and when they're leaving, for the good of the security
    of the country. I remember going up to Maine and talking about
    strengthening the Coast Guard, which matters to those of you who live on
    the oceans and on the Gulf of Mexico. The Coast Guard is such a valuable
    part of our homeland security piece, and our budget includes increases
    for the Coast Guard, a modernization of our fleet.
        And so I'm real proud of the efforts we're making. And obviously,
    you all play a crucial role in not only helping develop a homeland
    defense strategy but the implementation of the strategy. And I think
    you'll find--I guess Tom has talked to you
    already--that we understand the need to coordinate. And both of us were
    Governors, and we simply do not want the Federal Government to be--seem
    distant and removed on this important issue.
        And then education, we passed a great education bill. As I used to--
    I tease people--I said it came as a complete shock to people in
    Crawford, Texas, that I would say that Ted Kennedy did a great job on a bill, but he did. This is a good
    piece

    [[Page 286]]

    of legislation because it sets clear priorities, it encourages
    accountability so that no child is quit on, that people--we focus on
    each individual child. It also provides States more flexibility than
    ever before, and it's got some money in it. It's got more Title--$1
    billion in more Title I money. It's got a substantial increase for the
    reading initiative. It is a good piece of legislation.
        And now, obviously, it depends upon its implementation. And so we're
    working closely with Rod Paige and the
    Department of Education to make sure that the intent of the law is now
    implemented fully. And we look forward to working with you on that.
    Obviously--I used to say that education is to a Governor what national
    defense is to the President. It is by far the most important priority
    for a Governor. And I know that, and I understand that. And this bill
    is--it reflects that. And we'll make sure the implementation of it
    reflects that as well.
        And then welfare reform, welfare authorization is coming up. I start
    with the idea that the '96 bill was a really good piece of legislation.
    And it changed welfare for the better, primarily because it relied upon
    Governors. It had a substantial local control element in it. And so as
    we reauthorize welfare, we want to make sure that there is substantial
    authority at the local level.
        We'll talk about funding. The budget I laid out for welfare reform
    holds the grants constant. Actually, it increases the--as a result of
    the supplemental and the contingency fund, it increases funding by--
    let's see, 3.2 billion over the next 5 years, on top of the grants that
    are already in place.
        And so the fundamental question is: Will there be enough local
    authority, enough flexibility at the local level to meet what I hope
    Congress passes, which are new work requirements? See, I think work
    ought to be the core of welfare reform. I think in order to make sure
    that welfare reform works, that there's flexibility at the States, that
    there's recognition people need training or drug rehabilitation, but
    work ought to be the centerpiece of a good welfare law.
        And the bill I'm going to outline tomorrow, with Tommy at my side--where are you, Tommy? There he is--is
    going to take the positive pieces of the '96 welfare law, changing
    welfare as we know it, and we're going to make it better. There's more
    to do, and we look forward to working with you on that as well.
        And so those are the things that are on my mind. I know you've got
    things on your mind, and I look forward to hearing them. And we can have
    a good discussion today.
        I want to welcome you back. I recognize I'm not exactly
    Bernadette Peters--[laughter]--but she did
    a fabulous job last night to fill this hall. It was such a joyous night,
    and it's particularly joyous for me and Laura to be with our old friends
    the Governors.
        God bless.

    Note: The President spoke at 3:12 p.m. in the East Room at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Gov. John Engler of Michigan; Gov.
    Paul E. Patton of Kentucky; and entertainer Bernadette Peters.