    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book II)]
    [December 28, 2002]
    [Pages 2214-2215]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    December 28, 2002

        Good morning. Two thousand two brought great challenges to America,
    and we had many successes at home and abroad. In 2002, our economy was
    still recovering from the attacks of September the 11th, 2001, and it
    was pulling out of a recession that began before I took office.
        Our Government came together to pass an economic growth bill to
    jump-start the economy. We extended unemployment benefits for workers
    who lost their jobs after the terrorist attacks. Congress passed trade
    promotion authority, which gave me a stronger hand to help America's
    farmers and businesses sell their products abroad. And we worked
    together to enact terrorism insurance legislation, so our construction
    workers could get back on the job. As a result of these actions, the
    United States economy is growing again.
        Our Nation learned of scandalous abuses by some corporate leaders,
    and so I signed the most sweeping corporate reforms in more than a half
    a century. We are strictly enforcing the laws against fraud and
    deception in corporate America because workers and investors must have
    confidence in America's businesses and business leaders.
        America in 2002 continued our efforts to confront the danger of
    terrorism. We increased the security of our ports and coasts and
    airlines and created a new Department of Homeland Security. This
    Department will unite dozens of Federal agencies behind a single
    mission, protecting the American people. I hope the Senate will act
    quickly in the new session to confirm Governor Tom Ridge to serve as America's first Secretary of Homeland
    Security.
        In 2002, the war on terror that began with the liberation of
    Afghanistan continued on many fronts. Working with our allies around the
    world, we captured top Al Qaida leaders, destroyed terror training
    camps, and froze millions of dollars in terrorist assets.
        In the new year, we will prosecute the war on terror with patience
    and focus and determination. With the help of a broad coalition, we will
    make certain that terrorists and their supporters are not safe in any
    cave or corner of the world.
        The war on terror also requires us to confront the danger of
    catastrophic violence posed by Iraq and its weapons of mass destruction.
    The United Nations Security Council has unanimously affirmed that Saddam
    Hussein is a danger to his neighbors and to
    the peace of the world. The burden now is on Iraq's dictator to disclose
    and destroy his arsenal of weapons. If he refuses, then for the sake of
    peace, the United States will lead a coalition to disarm the Iraqi
    regime and free the Iraqi people.
        Also in the new year, we will press on in the effort to turn our
    economic recovery

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    into sustained economic growth. This economy is strong, and it can be
    stronger. I will work with Congress on a jobs and growth package to add
    momentum to the recovery and to put people back to work. And one of my
    first priorities for the new Congress will be an extension of
    unemployment benefits for Americans who need them.
        We will also work to ensure that all Americans have access to high
    quality, affordable health care. We will keep our commitment to
    America's seniors by working to reform and modernize Medicare and
    include a prescription drug benefit to help seniors who are squeezed by
    rising drug prices. We will tackle the crisis of frivolous lawsuits that
    drive up the cost of health care.
        We will continue to carry out the comprehensive education reforms
    signed into law last January, so no child in America is left behind. My
    administration will work to continue to remove barriers that hinder the
    good work of faith-based and community groups. And we will work to
    reauthorize the historic welfare reform law that has improved so many
    lives.
        Our successes in the past year have prepared the way for great
    progress in 2003. Working together, we can make America more prosperous
    and keep the peace in the world.
        Thank you for listening, and Happy New Year.

    Note: The address was recorded at 10:05 a.m. on December 27 at the Bush
    Ranch in Crawford, TX, for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on December 28. The
    transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    December 27 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. The
    Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language
    transcript of this address.