[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
[January 23, 2002]
[Pages 107-108]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks on Signing the Victims of Terrorism Tax Relief Act of 2001
January 23, 2002

    Thanks for coming. Please be seated. Thank you all very much. We've 
come together today to remember and recognize victims of terrorism and 
to sign a piece of legislation that will provide a tangible measure of 
support for their families.
    The Victims of Terrorism Tax Relief Act will provide some tax relief 
to families of those killed in the attacks on September the 11th, the 
anthrax attacks after September the 11th, and the Oklahoma City bombing. 
This is a small gesture compared to the overwhelming generosity of the 
American people in times of tragedy. Yet this will help to extend that 
generosity because it exempts payments from charities to victims' 
families from Federal taxes. This legislation is a bipartisan symbol of 
the Federal Government's concern for families who suffered such great 
loss.
    I want to thank the Members of Congress who are here. I particularly 
want to thank those who worked on the bill: Senator 
Torricelli of New Jersey; Senators 
Schumer and Clinton of New York--and by the way, welcome back to the White 
House--Senator Nickles of Oklahoma; Senators 
Allen and Warner of 
Virginia; Senator Baucus of Montana; Congressman 
Rangel of New York; Congressman 
Fossella of New York; Congressman 
Thomas of California, who couldn't be 
here; and all the other Members, both Republicans and Democrats. Welcome 
back to town, and welcome to the White House.
    We're joined today by families who have lost loved ones in the great 
acts of evil. As you draw on faith and personal strength to cope with 
your grief, I hope you'll also find comfort in the knowledge that your

[[Page 108]]

Nation stands with you and prays for you. We mourn those whom we've 
lost, and we face the future together.
    In times like these, we realize both the purpose and the limitations 
of Government. The Government cannot take away your pain and sorrow, but 
it can bring the killers to justice. It can devote its energy and 
resources to try to prevent other families from experiencing what you're 
going through and can help remove some of the financial obligations it 
imposes to ease your burdens.
    The Oklahoma City bombing was a terrible crime, and justice was 
done. And I can assure each of you that justice will be done to all 
those who are responsible for the evil acts of September the 11th.
    We've already driven the Taliban from power in Afghanistan, and 
we're helping a new government take its place. We've infiltrated Al 
Qaida caves. We destroyed their camps. We will continue to destroy their 
bunkers and their hideaways. We've put them on the run, and we'll hunt 
them down, wherever they try to hide, and bring them to justice.
    As we wage the war on terrorism abroad, we will also comfort 
families deeply hurt by terrorism here at home. The Members of the 
United States Congress who came together to pass this bill I'll sign 
today had one goal in mind: to help ease your financial burdens as you 
struggle to cope with the loss of your loved ones.
    Many families lost their primary wage earners in the attack on the 
Murrah Federal Building, in the attacks of September the 11th, and in 
the anthrax attacks after September the 11th. This financial strain 
deepens the emotional and psychological impact of the initial tragedies. 
The legislation passed by Congress will relieve the tax burden on 
families who have lost loved ones. Under this law, the Federal 
Government will collect no income taxes on wages earned by terrorism 
victims in the year of their death or in the preceding year.
    Families of victims killed in the Oklahoma City bombing will receive 
a tax refund on behalf of their relatives. Some death benefits paid by 
employers will be exempt from Federal taxation. Lower State tax rates 
will apply to victims of terrorist attacks as well as to members of the 
armed services who have been killed in combat zones. And to help insure 
that families receive as much relief as possible from charitable 
organizations, payments from charitable organizations to victims' 
families will be exempt from Federal taxation.
    The Victims of Terrorism Tax Relief Act is an important example of 
our national unity and resolve, and it's my honor to sign it today.
    God bless.

Note: The President spoke at 3:18 p.m. in the East Room at the White 
House. H.R. 2884, approved January 23, was assigned Public Law No. 107-
134.