    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
    [January 5, 2002]
    [Pages 16-20]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at Parkrose High School in Portland, Oregon
    January 5, 2002

        Well, thank you all very much for such a gracious and warm welcome.
    It's nice to be back here in Oregon. I'm impressed by the Mighty Ducks;
    they're awfully good. I wasn't a believer; now I am. [Laughter] They're
    good. Of course, they gave my Texas boys a good lesson last year, as I
    recall. [Laughter]
        But thanks for coming out on a Saturday afternoon to say hello. I
    was earlier in California, and then I'm here--went to a community
    college. You've got a wonderful community college here in the Portland
    area, which is worried about helping people find work. And I went by and
    saw the good instructors there that are trying to help people help
    themselves. And I come in here to be able to share some thoughts with
    you. And then I'm going to hustle on home for dinner--[laughter]--right
    there in Crawford, Texas.
        I want to thank Katie Harman for being
    here. It was a pleasure to meet your mayor. Mayor Katz, thank you for coming. It's very gracious for you to be
    here today.
        I picked a good man from Portland to represent us in New Zealand;
    that's my friend Butch Swindells, who
    is now the Ambassador to New Zealand.
        I spent a little time with some people that work for a company
    called InFocus, which is a company--[applause]--John, it sounds like you
    packed the crowd. [Laughter] Either that, or you've got a big family.
    [Laughter] But I want to thank John Harker
    and his team for coming to talk to me about how best they think we can
    stimulate growth. I want to thank them for employing people in this part
    of the world, for trying to figure out how to grow their economy, for
    worrying about their workforce, as well as making a quality product. I'm
    going to share some thoughts that John shared with me in a little bit.
    But I do want to thank you for coming.
        I also want to thank my friends Senator Gordon Smith and Greg Walden. They
    were hitchhiking in California, and they needed--[laughter]--they were
    looking for a free ride, and Air Force One happened to be available.
    [Laughter] But they did fly down with me. I'm impressed by these two
    good men. We spent a lot of time talking about Oregon. They're deeply
    concerned about the fact that a lot of people aren't working; I am, too.
    They're deeply concerned about the fact that parts of your State are not
    being treated very well. We spent time talking about the Klamath Basin.
    I share their concern about people who make a living off the land. And I
    told these two good men that we'll do everything we can to make sure
    water is available for people who farm.
        I also want to thank two of the Congressmen from this area, Earl
    Blumenauer and Darlene Hooley, for being here as well. Thank you so much for coming;
    I appreciate you being here. I know you had better things to do on
    Saturday afternoon, and here you are, stuck with me. [Laughter] Thanks
    for coming; it means a lot.

    [[Page 17]]

        You know, there were some--some of the things that are happening in
    Washington, I expected. And there was one thing that happened was not
    expected. It's been a heck of a year. [Laughter] I will tell you, before
    I get into the expected and unexpected, I believe 2002 is going to be a
    fabulous year for America.
        I remember meeting with business leaders in Austin, Texas--this is
    before I began heading north to become sworn in as your President--and
    there was deep concern about the economy then. A year ago December,
    people were saying, ``This economy is soft, and we're going to be in for
    a rough ride.'' It was not unexpected to see the economic slowdown. And
    I want to share some thoughts with you about how we can reverse the
    trend--although I'm optimistic about our economy. There are some numbers
    coming out that appear that things are getting a little better: The
    unemployment rate is 5.8 percent. But if you're unemployed, it's 100
    percent, and I'm worried about that.
        The unexpected, obviously, was September the 11th, when evil people
    decided to attack America. I say ``evil people'' because I don't view
    this as a religious war. I view this as a struggle of good versus evil.
    And make no mistake about it, good will prevail.
        We are making steady progress in the first theater on the war
    against terror. We have made it clear to people that we weren't going to
    allow the injustice done to America to stand, and that if anybody
    harbored these people or fed them or clothed them or tried to provide
    them help, they were just as guilty as the terrorists were.
        These people are like parasites, and they find a host. And for those
    of you who ranch, you understand what a parasite can do to the host cow,
    for example; too many parasites weaken the host. What happened was, was
    that they became parasites in Afghanistan. But we weakened the host; the
    Taliban no longer is in power.
        And as a result, this great nation should be proud of the fact that
    we led a coalition that liberated women and children, a coalition that
    brought down a government that was so incredibly repressive it's hard
    for those of us who live in America to understand. Some of my finest
    memories thus far of this war against terror was the joy that came on
    people's faces when they realized that the Taliban would no longer hold
    them hostage to an outdated, outmoded, dictatorial point of view.
        I am so proud of our country. I'm proud of the fact that at the same
    time that we waged a war against Al Qaida and the Taliban, we fed the
    people. I read an important headline the other day that--it said it
    looked like we avoided a terrible disaster by providing food for
    thousands of people in Afghanistan. While we dropped bombs, we also
    dropped food and medicine and clothing to make sure that the innocents
    in Afghanistan could survive the brutal winter in that part of the
    world. We're a great nation.
        We're making steady progress, and I use the word ``steady'' because
    sometimes it seems like there is a certain impatience in the airwaves.
    But I don't believe there's an impatience amongst the American people.
    As a matter of fact, I think the American people are very patient. They
    understand this is a difficult assignment, and they understand, like I
    do, that we've got to be patient in order to be successful.
        But we've accomplished a lot in 90 days. That's not a very long
    period of time. It's been a long period of time for Al Qaida--
    [laughter]--but it hasn't been a very long period of time for us.
        The reason we've had--we've got a good strategy, and we've got a
    great military. For those of you who serve in our military or for those
    of you whose sons or daughters or relatives serve in the military, thank
    you.
        But I do want to remind our fellow citizens that we're now in a
    dangerous phase of this war in Afghanistan, because those who are
    willing to send young people to

    [[Page 18]]

    their suicide death hide in caves themselves, to save their own skin.
    And I told the world, just like I told the American people: You can
    hide, but we will smoke you out and bring you to justice.
        I'm so sorry to report that Sergeant Nathan Chapman lost his life
    yesterday. But I wanted--I want Sergeant Chapman's family to know that
    the cause for which he died is just and noble, the cause of freedom and
    the hope that our children and grandchildren will be able to grow up in
    a world that is free of the barbaric behavior of terrorism.
        We're on a mission, and we will not yield until the mission is
    complete. The war against terror is broader than just Afghanistan, and
    that is exactly what I have made clear to members of the vast coalition
    which we have put together. I said there are no shades of gray in this
    fight for civilization--there are no shades of gray. Either you're with
    the United States of America, or you're against the United States of
    America.
        I'm sure there were some people who were anxious to sit on the fence
    for a while. But what they've come to realize is that this Nation, when
    aroused, is a mighty nation, a nation that, when we make up our mind
    we're going to do something, we're going to do it. We're going to shake
    terrorism loose wherever it exists and bring those to justice who have
    hurt America and bring those to justice who might hurt America.
        Let me tell you that part of this war is overseas, but part of it is
    here at home. My biggest job as your President is to make sure no one
    harms the American people. My biggest job is to rally the resources of
    this country, and have a homeland defense that will take every lead,
    every idea, every hint that somebody may harm us and rout them out, and
    give them a chance to protect America, and give them a chance to make
    this land secure. And if we find somebody who wants to harm America, who
    espouses the philosophy that's terrorist and bent, I can assure you we
    will bring that person to justice.
        This Nation is on alert, and it should be, but one of the things
    we're not going to let the terrorists do is to cause us not to behave
    like Americans and enjoy our freedoms and enjoy our neighborhoods and
    enjoy travel and enjoy the great wonders of our country. They think they
    can shut us down; they've got the wrong country they're dealing with.
        There is a new spirit in this country, and a unity that is so
    powerful and so real that even a fellow who is hermetically sealed in
    the White House can feel it. [Laughter] I am proud of the Nation.
        And we should not respond one way abroad and have a different
    attitude about issues that face us at home. Here's what I think: I think
    it's time for Congress to focus on what's best for America, and not
    political parties. I believe we need to set priorities and get positive
    things done.
        I'm getting ready to sign an education bill on Tuesday. My friends
    in Midland, Texas, will not believe it when they turn on C-SPAN or one
    of these other channels, because I am going to stand up and say to the
    Nation, one, this is a good piece of legislation, and two, I want to
    thank Senator Ted Kennedy for working on
    it with me. He's done a fine job. It shows what's possible when you set
    aside party--listen, I'm a proud party man, but I'm American first, and
    that's what we ought to be dealing with when it comes to legislation.
    And there are troubling signs that some in the Nation's Capital want to
    go back to the old ways, and I don't think we ought to let them do that.
    I think we ought to focus on what's good for the country.
        And take the issue of the economy. Like yourselves, I'm deeply
    concerned about the fact that Oregon leads the country when it comes to
    unemployment, and we've got to do something about that. First, my
    principle is this: In tough times, people need an unemployment check,
    but for the long

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    term, what they need is a paycheck. And we've got to figure out how to
    get jobs going.
        I think it's very important for us to extend unemployment benefits,
    including monies to help people pay for their health care, for those
    whose lives were affected on 9/11. I think it's very important for our
    country to do this. I know there is the will to get that done in
    Washington, DC. It makes sense that we help people.
        I met with the people in the community college today, a chemical
    engineer and an electrical engineer who were reliant upon the high-tech
    world to make a living. They got laid off. They need these benefits so
    they can help themselves and be prepared when the economy recovers.
        But any economic stimulus plan must also expand the job base. We
    ought to be asking ourselves, what does it take to increase more jobs so
    people can find work? And that starts with understanding that the
    biggest job creators in America are the small businesses and
    entrepreneurs of America.
        I mentioned that last winter we got the indications that the economy
    was slowing down. And that's one of the reasons I fought so hard for tax
    relief, because I understand that if the economy is growing down--
    slowing down, the best thing to do is to give people their own money
    back. The best thing to do is--because the Government doesn't create
    wealth; the Government creates an environment in which the
    entrepreneurial spirit can flourish.
        There is an amazing new kind of economic theory working its way
    through Washington, and it said that tax relief causes recessions.
    [Laughter] I'm not exactly sure what economic book that came out of, but
    if you want to get your way out of a recession, you provide tax relief.
    The worst thing you can do--the worst thing you can do is raise taxes in
    a recession. And yet, some in Washington, DC, are talking about getting
    rid of the tax cuts. I can't think of anything worse for growing our
    economy. The answer to those who want to raise taxes is: No, you're not
    going to raise taxes.
        Most small businesses are sole proprietorships or perhaps a limited
    partnership. And when you cut personal income taxes, you're really
    affecting the ability of small businesses to grow. The question we ought
    to ask is, how do you expand the job base?
        I spent time with John and the people of
    his good company. I like the idea of providing incentives to encourage
    corporate America to make investments in capital which is equal to jobs
    eventually. We ought to have an economic stimulus package that says,
    let's create more jobs for the American people. And we ought to get on
    about the American people's business--put politics aside and come
    together and do what's right for this country.
        We have the ingredients for a plan. There's a bill that came out of
    the House; there was one that could have come out of the Senate; the
    votes were there. And so I just hope some of the Senators that kind of
    stood in the way of getting an economic plan done listen to the people
    and hear the voices of the people and come back and do what's right for
    the country.
        I'll tell you something about America: The people are the true
    strength of this country. And we can talk about government all we want
    to talk about, but the thing that makes this country great is our
    people. I have been so proud of the American people. I love the stories
    that had to do with the aftermath of September the 11th. When they heard
    that women of cover, women of the Muslim faith, were worried about going
    outside their home because somebody might take severe action against
    them, Jewish women and Christian women in the suburb of Detroit called
    up on the phone and said, ``We want to help you go to the store. We want
    to provide whatever comfort we can, so you can go about your lives.''
    That's the America I know, and that's the America I love.

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        It's been an amazing event--series of events that have taken place.
    One of the most heartening things for me is to know that thousands of
    Americans are reassessing their values, moms and dads are asking what
    they can do to be better parents--that as a result of the evildoer, not
    only are we responding militarily and not only have we put this broad
    coalition together that says we'll rid the world of terror, but here at
    home people are saying, ``Gosh, let me reassess my life.'' It's so
    important for moms and dads to know that the most important job they
    will ever have is to love their children with all their heart and all
    their soul.
        I'm so pleased to report to you that the great fabric of the
    country, in terms of helping people, exists because of faith-based
    institutions, regardless of their religion; all across neighborhoods in
    America, that people are asking the question, ``What can I do to help'';
    that the great mosaic of America is made up of the millions of acts of
    kindness which takes place every single day. September the 11th was an
    attack on our country, but it didn't affect our heart; it didn't affect
    our soul.
        My great hope for the year 2002 is that people who want to work can
    find a job.
        My hope is that our military is safe in their mission. I understand
    the war on terror is going to beyond probably 2002. I have no
    unrealistic aspirations about a calendar, a quick calendar.
        But my true hope, as well, is that the great compassion of America
    and the value system that has made us so different and so unique
    continues to be vibrant and strong; that people, when they want to know
    how to help America, turn to a neighbor in need and say, ``I want to
    help, to provide comfort for a child who may need a loving mentor,'' to
    say to somebody elderly on your block, ``Gosh, I want to provide you
    company.''
        That's the great--that's my hope for the country, that our
    compassion continues to well up and that this great American experience
    continues to touch every possible heart. I pray for peace, I pray for
    prosperity, and I pray for the greatest land on the face of the Earth--
    America.
        Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 3:15 p.m. in the school's Aldo Rossi Field
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Katie Harman, Miss America 2002;
    Mayor Vera Katz of Portland; Charles J. Swindells, U.S. Ambassador to
    New Zealand; John V. Harker, president and chief executive officer,
    InFocus Corp.; Representative Greg Walden of Oregon; and Sfc. Nathan
    Ross Chapman, USA, who was killed January 4 by hostile fire in
    Afghanistan.