    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
    [January 26, 2002]
    [Pages 119-120]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    January 26, 2002

        Good morning. A few days from now I will go before Congress to
    report on the state of the Union and lay out my priorities for the
    coming year and beyond. These priorities reflect a single, overarching
    commitment to enhance the security of America and its people.
        Government's responsibilities begin with the defense of our Nation.
    Our fight against terrorism began in Afghanistan, but it will not end
    there. America must not rest until

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    every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped, and
    defeated. In this work, our military must have every resource, every
    weapon needed to achieve full and final victory.
        My budget calls for the largest increase in defense spending in the
    last 20 years, investing in more precision weapons, missile defenses,
    unmanned vehicles, and high-tech equipment for our soldiers on the
    ground. I will also seek another pay increase for the men and women who
    wear our country's uniform. We will spend what it takes to win the war
    against terrorism.
        A related priority is homeland security. We will pursue a sustained
    strategy to protect our people from the threat of terrorism. The Federal
    Government has already acted to increase airport security, investigate
    terrorist activity, and improve our response capability. In the next
    budget, we will do even more. I'll be calling on Congress to nearly
    double funding for homeland defense to $38 billion. We will complete the
    hiring of tens of thousands of new Federal airport security workers. We
    will strengthen the Border Patrol, hire another 300 FBI agents to help
    fight the war on terror. We'll provide more money so that State and
    local firefighters, police officers, and EMTs have the equipment they
    need. The American people are on watch against future attacks, and their
    Government will be as well.
        The third key of my budget is to fight the recession and build
    economic security for the American people. Government doesn't create
    jobs, but it can encourage an environment in which jobs are created. I'm
    glad the Senate is finally moving forward, and I urge it to pass a
    strong stimulus bill like one that passed the House last year.
        Every budget reflects fundamental choices, and my administration has
    made choices to fit the times. We'll work to create jobs and renew the
    strength of our economy. We'll protect our people in every way
    necessary, and we will carry on the campaign against global terror until
    we achieve our goal, the peace that comes from victory.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 9:21 a.m. on January 25 in the Cabinet
    Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on January 26. The
    transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    January 25 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. The Office
    of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of
    this address.