    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book II)]
    [July 24, 2002]
    [Page 1286]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1286]]

    Remarks Following a Meeting With Congressional Leaders
    July 24, 2002

    Legislative Agenda

        The President. Today I've had the honor of talking to Members of the
    United States Congress--these good folks happen to be Democrats--about
    how to leave behind a legacy of a more secure America. We're talking
    about an incredibly important piece of legislation that will be voted on
    this Friday. It's a legislation to create a Department of Homeland
    Security; it's really a piece of legislation to make America a safer
    place.
        And I want to thank the leaders who are here for their willingness
    to put partisanship aside and focus on what's best for the American
    people. I believe we're going to get a good bill on Friday out of the
    House. I ask the Senate to vote on the bill before they go home for
    their August vacation.
        Secondly, we're making progress on a piece of legislation which will
    enable us to say that we passed laws to help protect investors, 401(k)
    stockholders, from corporate fraud. This Government--this Government
    will investigate, will arrest, and will prosecute corporate executives
    who break the law. And the Justice Department took action today.
        And finally, I am hopeful that after a lot of work, we can get a
    trade bill up on the floor of the House and the floor of the Senate
    before they go home for August as well. This is an important part of a
    legislative package necessary to help create jobs and keep the economy
    going.
        Today was a day of action and a day of accomplishment in Washington,
    DC. And I want to thank the Members for that.
        Thank you all.

    Note: The President spoke at 2:55 p.m. in the Cabinet Room at the White
    House.