    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
    [May 4, 2002]
    [Pages 716-717]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    May 4, 2002

        Good morning. Sunday is Cinco de Mayo, a day that commemorates the
    Mexican people's great victory at the Battle of Puebla, a battle for
    freedom fought against overwhelming odds. That victory continues to
    inspire liberty-loving people across the globe. It reminds us that the
    cost of freedom is always high, but it is never too high. Brave and
    determined people, committed to a great cause, can do great good. That
    was true 140 years ago, and it remains true today.
        Just before September the 11th, I welcomed my good friend President
    Vicente Fox to the White House as the guest of
    honor at my first state dinner. When he arrived I said this: The United
    States has no more important relationship in the world than the one we
    have with Mexico. In the past 8 months, our relationship has

    [[Page 717]]

    grown even stronger. The people of Mexico stand with the American people
    in the war on terror. This is a decisive decade in the history of
    liberty, and the United States is grateful we can count on Mexico's
    strong support.
        America's relationship with Mexico is built on common values and
    shared culture. We both value families and communities--the places where
    character is formed and traditions are passed from one generation to the
    next. Americans appreciate the strong faith of the Mexican people, a
    faith that provides hope and inspiration and unity even in the darkest
    times.
        People on both sides of the Rio Grande value independence and
    freedom and opportunity, the ability to work hard to achieve your dreams
    and become successful as a result. By their strong values and their
    determination to create a better life for themselves and their children,
    immigrants from Mexico enrich American life.
        My close relationship with President Fox
    reflects the close relationship between our nations. It is built on the
    solid ground of respect and trust and friendship. President Fox is a
    great Mexican patriot, a man of honest talk and convictions who is
    passionately concerned for his people's welfare. We are both deeply
    committed to helping the entire American familia achieve prosperity and
    live in peace.
        Mexico and America share a continent, and we are dedicated to common
    goals. We are working together to create a ``smart border,'' one that
    will speed the safe flow of people and commerce but protect our two
    nations from terrorism and crime. We are working together on a
    Partnership for Prosperity, to better focus the creativity and resources
    of the private sector on the critical task of development. We are
    working together to address the important and challenging immigration
    issues between our countries. And I've asked our Congress to pass an
    extension of section 245(i) of our immigration law to let families stay
    together while they become permanent residents. We're working together
    to improve conditions for people living along the border. And we're
    working together to create an entire hemisphere that lives in liberty
    and trades in freedom.
        Our two nations will succeed together because our futures are bound
    to each other. Geography made us neighbors, but our shared values and
    rich cultures have made us the closest of friends.
        May God bless the people of Mexico, and may God bless the United
    States of America.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 9:20 a.m. on May 3 in the Cabinet Room
    at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on May 4. The transcript
    was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on May 3 but was
    embargoed for release until the broadcast. The President also recorded
    and the Office of the Press Secretary released a Spanish language
    version of this address.