[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

[[Page 2215]]

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.