    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [November 13, 2003]
    [Pages 1517-1522]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a Bush-Cheney Luncheon in Orlando, Florida
    November 13, 2003

        The President. Thank you all. Thanks for coming. Thanks, Jeb--I mean, Governor. [Laughter] It's hard to get used
    to it. [Laughter] The thing I love about Jeb is he's a modest fellow.
    When the Florida Marlins won, he was trying to take credit for their
    success. [Laughter] I told him he doesn't have any idea what it takes to
    run a championship baseball team. [Laughter] He reminded me I don't
    either. [Laughter]
        Love being back in Florida with our friends. Thank you all for
    coming. I appreciate your support a lot. It means a lot to me. Listen,
    the political season is going to come in its own time. I'm loosening up,
    and I'm getting ready. But I've got a job to do for everybody who lives
    in this country. And I'm going to continue doing that job. And as you
    work the phones and go to the coffee shops and houses of worship, I want
    you to remind the people that I'm going to work hard to keep America
    strong, to keep America secure. I'll work hard to make sure we're
    prosperous and free.
        I regret one thing about this event, and that is Laura is not with me.
        Audience members. Oh-h-h.
        The President. I know it. I know it. [Laughter] You drew the short
    straw. [Laughter] She is a fabulous sister-in-
    law. She's a great wife, a wonderful mother, and she's doing a heck of a
    good job as the First Lady of this country. I'm really proud of her. She
    sends her very best to all our friends here in central Florida.
        I'm proud of my brother. I tell you, he is a--
    he has been a superb Governor. He is a principled man, principled man.
    When he says something, you can book it. He is a man of his word. He is
    a courageous person, and he's got his priorities absolutely right. He
    loves his faith. He loves his family, and he loves his Florida.
        I want to thank the other cast of characters who have joined me on
    this stage. That would be Tom Petway, Zach
    Zachariah, and David Brown, all of whom are working hard to make sure that this
    campaign is well-financed. I want to thank you for your hard work. I
    appreciate your efforts.
        Mel Martinez is here today. He serves in
    my Cabinet. Where are you? There he is. Mel. He's done a superb job in
    my Government. You'll hear me talk a little bit about the homeownership
    gap a little later on. He's the leader in making sure that we promote
    ownership here in America. He is a--I love his story--it's the story

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    of America, as far as I am concerned. As you know, Mel was a part of
    what they call Pedro Pan--Peter Pan. It's a program that--where Cuban
    moms and dads had the courage to send their children--I think Mel was 13
    at the time--to send this teenager to America so that they could grow up
    in freedom. It speaks a lot about the mom and dad. It speaks a lot about
    the compassion of the American families who received the Mel Martinezes
    of the world. As well it speaks a lot about Mel and the other men and
    women who came from Cuba to flee to freedom. And Mel--it touches my
    heart to know that this man, who could have been living in repression
    and tyranny, is now in the Cabinet of the President of the United
    States.
        I want to thank Congresswoman Katherine Harris and Congressman Tom Feeney
    for joining us today. Thank you all for coming. I appreciate my friend
    Bill McCollum, former Congressman from this
    part of the world, for being here. Thank you for coming, Bill.
        I know we've got members of the statehouse here. You're probably
    standing by, waiting for your orders from Governor Bush on what to do next. [Laughter] Oh, yes, that's not the
    way it works. [Laughter]
        The Lieutenant Governor, Toni Jennings, is
    here, and I want to thank Toni for coming. Charlie Crist is here. I appreciate Charlie for being here, the
    attorney general. We call him ``General'' now. [Laughter] Tom
    Gallagher is here. I appreciate both the
    statewide holders. I know State Senator Dan Webster is with us today. I want to thank you for coming, Dan.
        I know my friend Rich Crotty is here, one
    of the cochairmen of the event. But most of all, I want to thank you all
    for coming.
        Audience members. [Inaudible]
        The President. Well, Crotty--[laughter]--
    a couple of distant cousins leading the charge there. [Laughter]
    Finally, my friend Mercer Reynolds is with
    us, who is the national finance chairman for Bush-Cheney '04. He's from
    Cincinnati, Ohio. He's an entrepreneur and a business guy who has taken
    time out of his life to work hard, to encourage you all to participate.
    It looks like he as well as the Floridian leadership did a fabulous job.
    I'm proud you're here, and I thank you for coming.
        Over the last 3 years, our Nation has acted decisively to confront
    great challenges. I came to this office to solve problems and not pass
    them on to future Presidents and future generations. I came to seize
    opportunities instead of letting them slip away. My administration is
    meeting the tests of our time.
        Terrorists declared war on the United States of America, and war is
    what they got. We've captured or killed many of the key leaders of the
    Al Qaida network, and the rest of them know we're on their trail. In
    Afghanistan and in Iraq, we gave ultimatums to terror regimes. Those
    regimes chose defiance, and those regimes are no more. Fifty million
    people in those two countries once lived under tyranny, and today, they
    live in freedom.
        Three years ago, our military was not receiving the resources it
    needed and morale was beginning to suffer, so we increased the defense
    budgets to prepare for the threats of a new era. And today, no one in
    the world can question the skill and the strength and the spirit of the
    United States military.
        Three years ago, the economy was in trouble, and then recession was
    beginning. Then the attacks happened on our country. That affected
    economic growth. We had some scandals in corporate America. We marched
    to war in order to make America more secure and the world more peaceful.
    That all affected the way our people felt about the future, but we
    acted. We acted. We passed tough new laws to hold corporate criminals to
    account, and in order to get this economy going again, I have twice led
    the United States Congress to pass historic tax relief for the American
    people.

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        I know that when Americans have more take-home pay to spend, to
    save, or invest, the whole economy grows, and people are more likely to
    find a job. We're returning more money to the people to help them raise
    their families, reducing taxes on dividends and capital gains to
    encourage investment. We're giving small businesses incentives to expand
    and to hire new people. With all these actions, we're laying the
    foundation for greater prosperity and more jobs across America, so every
    single citizen has a chance to realize the American Dream.
        Today, the American economy is strong, and it is getting stronger.
    Third quarter growth in our economy was at the fastest pace in nearly 20
    years. That's a good sign. People are finding more new jobs are being
    created. That's a good sign. Productivity is high. Business investment
    is rising. The housing construction is strong. The tax relief we passed
    is working. We left more money in the hands of the American people, and
    our economy is growing stronger.
        Three years ago, there was a lot of talk about education reform, but
    the truth of the matter is, in Washington, there was not much action. So
    I acted. I called for and the Congress passed the No Child Left Behind
    Act. With a solid bipartisan majority, we delivered the most dramatic
    education reforms in a generation.
        See, we believe in high standards. We're going to challenge the soft
    bigotry of low expectations. We believe every child can learn to read
    and write and add and subtract, and we expect every child to learn to
    read and write and add and subtract. We've increased the education
    budgets for Title I students. But for the first time, now the Federal
    Government is saying, ``Show us some results.'' For the first time,
    we're saying the days of excuse-making are over. We expect results in
    every classroom so not one single child is left behind.
        We reorganized our Government and created the Department of Homeland
    Security to better safeguard our ports and borders and better secure the
    American people. We passed trade promotion authority to open up markets
    for Florida's farmers and ranchers and entrepreneurs. We passed budget
    agreements to maintain much needed spending discipline in Washington,
    DC. On issue after issue, this administration has acted on principle,
    has kept its word, and has made progress for the American people.
        The Congress gets a lot of credit for the progress we've made. I
    want to thank the Speaker, Denny Hastert,
    and Majority Leader Bill Frist for providing
    strong leadership. I want to thank the Members who are here. And you've
    got a great delegation from Florida with whom I've been able to work. I
    want to thank them for their hard work. See, what we're trying to do is
    to change the tone in Washington, DC. We're trying to get rid of all the
    needless politics and focus on the people's business, focus on results,
    and not the ugly process that sometimes takes on. We're making good
    progress. We really are.
        And one of the reasons why this administration has been successful
    is because I've called upon people from all walks of life, people like
    Mel Martinez, to join our Government. I have put together a fantastic
    administration for the American people. Our country has had no finer
    Vice President than Dick Cheney.
        Audience member. [Inaudible]
        The President. Okay, I agree. Mother may
    have a second opinion. [Laughter]
        In 3 years, we've come far, we've done a lot. But our work is only
    beginning. I've set great goals worthy of a great nation. First, America
    is committed to expanding the realm of freedom and peace for our own
    security and for the benefit of the world. And second, in our own
    country, we must work for a society of prosperity and compassion so that
    every citizen has a chance to work and to succeed and realize the great
    promise of America.

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        It is clear that the future of freedom and peace depend on the
    actions of America. This Nation is freedom's home and freedom's
    defender. We welcome this charge of history, and we are keeping it. The
    war on terror continues. The enemies of freedom are not idle, and
    neither are we. This country will not rest; we will not tire; we will
    not stop until this danger to civilization is removed.
        We are confronting that danger in Iraq, the latest front in the war
    on terror. We're confronting that danger where Saddam holdouts and foreign terrorists are desperately trying
    to throw Iraq into chaos by attacking coalition forces and international
    aid workers and innocent Iraqi citizens. They know that the advance of
    freedom in Iraq would be a major defeat for the cause of terror. This
    collection of killers is trying to shake the will of America. America
    will not be intimidated.
        We're aggressively striking the terrorists in Iraq, defeating them
    there so we will not have to face them in our own country. We're calling
    for other nations to help. You see, a free Iraq will make the whole
    world more secure. We're standing with the Iraqi people as they assume
    more of their own defense and as they move toward self-government.
        These are not easy tasks, but they are essential tasks. We will
    finish what we have begun, and we will win this essential victory in the
    war on terror. Our greatest security comes from the advance of human
    liberty, because free nations do not support terror, free nations do not
    attack their neighbors, free nations do not threaten the world with
    weapons of mass terror.
        Americans believe that freedom is the deepest need and hope of every
    human heart. I believe that freedom is the future of every nation. And I
    know that freedom is not America's gift to the world; freedom is God's
    gift to every man and women who lives in the world.
        We understand that unprecedented influence brings tremendous
    responsibilities. We have duties in this world, and when we see disease
    and starvation and hopeless poverty, we will not turn away. On the
    continent of Africa, America is leading the world. We are committed to
    bringing the healing power, the healing power of medicine to millions of
    men and women and children suffering with AIDS. This mighty, strong,
    powerful Nation is a compassionate nation. And I'm proud to say, we're
    doing everything we can in the important work of human rescue.
        We've got challenges here at home, and we'll be equal to the
    challenges. We'll continue to push a progrowth environment. I want
    people working. We'll continue to work on our economy until everybody
    who wants to work and is not working today can find a job.
        We have a duty to keep our commitment to America's seniors by
    strengthening and modernizing Medicare. After years of debate and delay
    and deadlock, the Congress is nearing final passage of the biggest
    improvements in senior health care in nearly 40 years. We're on the
    verge of giving our seniors prescription drug coverage, expanded
    coverage for preventive medicine and therapies, more health care
    choices. Members of Congress have supported these Medicare reforms with
    their words. Now it is time to support these reforms with their votes.
    The House and the Senate must quickly reconcile their differences and
    send me a bill. We need to give our seniors a modern Medicare system
    before the year is out.
        And for the sake of our health care system, we need to cut down on
    the frivolous lawsuits which increase the cost of medicine. I appreciate
    Jeb's leadership on this important issue, and it's an important issue.
    If you've been harmed by a bad doctor, you deserve your day in court.
    Systems shouldn't reward lawyers who are simply fishing for a rich
    settlement. Jeb's taken on this issue, and so have I. And the reason I
    have is because frivolous lawsuits drive

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    up the cost of health care, and they therefore affect the Federal
    budget. Medical liability reform is a national issue that requires a
    national solution.
        I put out a good proposal. It was passed by the House of
    Representatives. It is stuck in the United States Senate. It is
    important for those Senators who are preventing this bill from going
    forward to understand that nobody has ever been healed by a frivolous
    lawsuit.
        I have a responsibility as the President to make sure the judicial
    system runs well, and I met that duty. I've nominated superb men and
    women for the Federal courts, people who will interpret the law, not
    legislate from the bench. Today I met with three superb
    women in the Oval Office before I got on
    the airplane to come to Florida, three fantastic nominees, people who
    will represent their judiciary with class and distinction and integrity.
    Yet, their nominations are being held up. They can't get a vote on the
    floor. I call upon the Florida Senators to let these three women get a
    vote on the floor of the United States Senate. Every nominee deserves a
    fair hearing and an up-or-down vote. It's time for Members of the United
    States Senate to stop playing politics with American justice.
        This country needs a comprehensive energy plan. We must promote
    energy efficiency and conservation and develop clean technologies to
    help us explore in environmentally sensible ways for energy. For the
    sake of economic security and for the sake of national security, this
    Nation must become less dependent on foreign sources of energy. They
    passed a bill out of the House. They passed a bill out of the Senate.
    They need to reconcile their differences and get the energy plan to my
    desk before they go home this Christmas.
        A strong and prosperous nation must also be a compassionate nation.
    I'm going to continue to advance our agenda of compassionate
    conservatism, which means we will apply the most effective, innovative
    techniques and ideas to help fellow citizens who hurt. There's still a
    lot of people in our country, millions of men and women who want to end
    their dependence on Government and become independent through hard work.
    We've got a bill on the success of welfare reform to bring work and
    dignity into the lives of more of our citizens.
        Congress needs to complete the ``Citizen Service Act'' so that more
    Americans can serve their communities and their country. Both Houses
    should reach agreement on my Faith-Based Initiative to support the
    armies of compassion, the soldiers of which are mentoring children,
    caring for the homeless, offering hope to the addicted. Government can
    hand out money, but it cannot put hope in people's hearts. This country
    is strong because we're a country of all faiths, we welcome all faiths.
    And our Government should not fear the positive influence of faith when
    it comes to the help of healing broken hearts.
        A compassionate society must promote opportunity for all, including
    the independence and dignity that come from owning something, from
    ownership. This administration will constantly strive to promote an
    ownership society in America. We want more people owning their own home.
    There is a minority homeownership gap in America that must be closed.
    Mel and I have developed a plan to close
    that gap. I've submitted elements of the plan to the United States
    Congress.
        We want more people owning and managing their own health care plans.
    We want more people owning and managing their own retirement accounts.
    We want more people owning their own small business. This administration
    understands that when a person owns something, he or she has a vital
    stake in the future of our country.
        A compassionate society--in a compassionate society, people respect
    one another, and they take responsibility for the decisions they make in
    life. The culture of America is changing from one that has said, ``If it
    feels good, do it,'' and ``If you've

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    got a problem, blame somebody else,'' to a culture in which each of us
    understands we're responsible for the decisions we make in life. If
    you're fortunate enough to be a mom or a dad, you're responsible for
    loving your child with all your heart. If you're worried about the
    quality of the education in the community in which you live, you're
    responsible for doing something about it. If you're a CEO in corporate
    America, you're responsible for telling the truth to your shareholders
    and your employees. And in a responsibility society, each of us is
    responsible for loving our neighbor just like we'd like to be loved
    ourself.
        I said the culture is changing, and the culture of service is
    growing. I started what's called the USA Freedom Corps to give Americans
    a chance to participate in making their communities and cities and
    neighborhoods better, and the response has been fantastic. Our charities
    are strong. Neighborhood healers are active all across America. Our
    policemen and firefighters and people who wear our Nation's uniform
    remind us on a daily basis what it means to sacrifice for something
    greater than yourself. Once again, the children of America believe in
    heroes, because they see them every day.
        In these challenging times, the world has seen the resolve and the
    courage of the American people. I've been privileged to see the
    compassion and character of the American people. All the tests of the
    last years have come to the right Nation. We're a strong country, and we
    use our strength to defend the peace. We're an optimistic country,
    confident in ourselves and in ideals bigger than ourselves.
        Abroad, we seek to lift whole nations by spreading freedom. At home,
    we seek to lift up lives by spreading opportunity to every corner of
    America. This is the work that history has set before us. We welcome it,
    and we know that for our country, the best days lie ahead.
        May God bless you all.

    Note: The President spoke at 12:09 p.m. at Disney's Grand Floridian
    Resort and Spa. In his remarks, he referred to Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida;
    Tom Petway III and Zach Zachariah, Florida State finance cochairmen,
    Bush-Cheney '04, Inc.; and Tom Gallagher, chief financial officer,
    Florida Department of Financial Services.