    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [December 11, 2003]
    [Pages 1707-1712]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a Bush-Cheney Luncheon in McLean, Virginia
    December 11, 2003

        Thanks for the warm welcome. Thanks for coming. Thanks for your
    strong support. I tell you what we're doing here: We're laying the
    foundation to make sure that we carry Virginia again in 2004, and we're
    laying the foundation for what is going to be a great nationwide victory
    in 2004. And I really appreciate your help. I also appropriate you
    letting some Oklahoma folks come today too. [Laughter] Yes, that's
    what--[inaudible]. Tell them hello in Tulsa.
        I want you to know that I am--I'm getting ready for the campaign.
    I'm loosening up. [Laughter] But politics is going to come in its own
    time. See, I've got a job to do. I'm focusing on the people's business.
    I want you to remind your neighbors and your friends that this
    administration will continue to work hard to earn the confidence of
    every single citizen by keeping this Nation secure and strong and
    prosperous and free.
        I want to thank the attorney general
    for his kind introductory remarks. I appreciate you, General. I
    appreciate the fact that you're going to be the campaign chairman of the
    Bush-Cheney '04 campaign. I'm counting on you to energize the
    grassroots. And for those of you who are involved in the party like Kate
    Griffin, who's the party chairman,
    and other folks who are out in the precincts, thank you for what you are
    going to do.
        I'm so proud that I married above myself. I'm sorry the First
    Lady is not here with me. Laura is a great wife,
    a great mother, and a great First Lady for our country. She sends her
    very best, and she sends her warm regards to all our friends here in
    northern Virginia.
        Speaking about great family members, I am lucky to have a great
    brother who's from the great State of Virginia. He is my friend. He is--
    he comes to the White House; he helps remind me about what is important
    in life, and what is important is family. And Marvin Bush, I want to thank you for your love.
        I'm also proud to be closely working with the chairman--I call him
    the chairman--one of the great leaders in the United States Senate,
    somebody who has stood strong for the State of Virginia and, more
    importantly, has stood strong for America by making sure we are a strong
    nation, and that is Senator John Warner. I
    know your former Governor is here with us today, my good friend Jim
    Gilmore. Thank you for coming, Jim. I
    appreciate your support.
        I want to thank my friend Dwight Schar,
    who is the State finance chairman for Bush-

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    Cheney '04. Thank you, Dwight, for helping make this event such a good
    event. I appreciate all the event chairmen for working so hard. It's
    been an incredibly successful day today, and I want to thank you. I know
    how much work goes into organizing and planning and rallying the folks
    to come to this type of event. I want to thank my friend Mercer
    Reynolds, who is the national finance
    chairman, for being here. But most of all, thank you all.
        I want you to remind your friends and neighbors that in the last 3
    years, our Nation has acted decisively to confront great challenges. I
    came to this office to solve problems instead of passing them on to
    future Presidents and future generations. I came to seize opportunities
    instead of letting them slip away. This administration is meeting the
    tests of our time.
        Terrorists declared war on the United States of America, and war is
    what they got. We have 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
    Iraq and Afghanistan, 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 nobody in the world
    today can question the skill, the strength, and the spirit of the United
    States military.
        Three years ago, the economy was in trouble, and a recession was
    beginning. And then our country was attacked, and we had some citizens
    who didn't tell the truth, and war came upon us in order to make us
    the--America more secure and the world more peaceful. And all that
    affected the people's confidence. But this administration acted. We
    passed tough new laws to hold corporate criminals to account. And to get
    the economy going again, I have twice led the United States Congress to
    pass historic tax relief for the American people.
        This administration understands that when Americans have more take-
    home pay to spend, to save, or to invest, the whole economy grows, and
    people are more likely to find a job. And that is why we are returning
    more money to people to help them raise their families. That is why we
    reduced taxes on dividends and capital gains to encourage investment.
    That is why we've given small businesses incentives to expand and to
    hire new people. With all these actions, we have laid the foundation for
    greater prosperity and more jobs across America, so every single citizen
    has a chance to realize the American Dream.
        And this economy of ours is strong, and it is getting stronger. The
    figures for the third quarter show that our economy grew at an annual
    rate of 8.2 percent, the fastest rate in 20 years. Productivity is high.
    Business investment is rising. Housing construction is expanding.
    Manufacturing activity is increasing. We've added 300,000 new jobs in
    the last 4 months. The tax relief plan we passed is working.
        Three years ago, there was a lot of talk about education reform in
    Washington, but there wasn't much action. So I acted, and 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. We've increased spending at the Federal level,
    particularly for Title I students, but for the first time, the Federal
    Government is asking whether or not our children can read and write and
    add and subtract. See, we believe every child can read and write and add
    and subtract. We expect every school in America to teach every child, so
    that not one single child is left behind.
        We reorganized our Government and created the Department of Homeland
    Security to better safeguard our borders and ports and the American
    people. We passed trade promotion authority to open up new

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    markets for Virginia's entrepreneurs and manufacturers and farmers. We
    passed much needed budget agreements to help maintain spending
    discipline in Washington, DC.
        And this week, we completed the greatest advance in health care
    coverage for America's seniors since the founding of Medicare. The new
    Medicare law will give older Americans the option of prescription drug
    benefits and more control over their health care so they can receive the
    modern medical care they deserve. The new bill will provide more access
    to comprehensive exams and disease screenings and offer preventative
    care so seniors across this land can live better and healthier lives.
    The bill I signed creates health savings accounts so all Americans could
    put money away for their health care, tax-free. We confronted a big
    issue, and we made progress on behalf of today's seniors and tomorrow's
    seniors.
        On issue after issue, this administration has acted on principle,
    has kept its word, and has made progress for the American people. And
    the Congress gets a lot of credit. We've done a lot, working together. I
    appreciate my relationship with Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and, of course, Chairman Warner and Senator Allen from this State
    as well. Got a great relationship with Speaker Hastert. We're working hard to try to change the tone in
    Washington. There's too much needless politics, endless backbiting,
    constant posturing. See, the best way to deal in that kind of
    environment--or with that environment--is to elevate the discourse and
    to focus on the people's business by delivering. And that's what we have
    done. We've delivered on behalf of all people who live in this country.
        And by the way, that's the kind of people I've attracted to my
    administration. I've put together a superb team of men and women from
    all walks of life to represent the United States of America. Our country
    has had no finer Vice President than Dick Cheney, although Mother may have a
    second opinion. [Laughter]
        In 3 years--in 3 years, we've done a lot. We have come far, but our
    work is only beginning. I have 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 that is prosperous and
    compassionate, so every single citizen has a chance to work and to
    succeed and to realize the great promise of America.
        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, where Saddam holdouts and foreign terrorists are desperately trying
    to throw Iraq into chaos by attacking coalition forces, international
    aid workers, and innocent Iraqis. You see, they know that the advance of
    freedom in Iraq will be a major defeat in the cause of terror. This
    collection of coldblooded killers is trying to shake the will of the
    United States of America. America will never be intimidated by thugs and
    assassins.
        We are aggressively striking the terrorists in Iraq. We will defeat
    them there so we do not have to face them in our own country. Other
    nations are helping, and the reason they are is because they understand
    that a free Iraq will make the world more secure.
        And we're standing with the Iraqi people. I was so touched when the
    symphony, the Iraqi Symphony, played in Kennedy Center the other night.
    These are brave, decent people who love freedom like we love freedom.
    And we're standing with them and

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    encouraging them to assume more of their own self-defense and to take
    the steps necessary for self-government.
        I understand and you know these are not easy tasks. But they are
    essential tasks. And 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 don't 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. And I believe that freedom is the future of every
    nation. I also know that freedom is not America's gift to the world.
    Freedom is God's gift to every man and woman in this world.
        This country also understands 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.
    And that is why, on the continent of Africa, America is now committed to
    bringing the healing power of medicine to millions of men and women and
    children suffering from AIDS. This great, strong, compassionate Nation
    is leading the world in this incredibly important work of human rescue.
        We face challenges here at home. Our actions will prove that we're
    equal to those challenges. This administration will stay focused on a
    progrowth agenda. We'll stay focused on making sure this economy
    continues to grow so that everyone who wants to work can find a job.
        For the sake of our health care, we've got more to do. We need to
    cut down on the frivolous lawsuits which increase the cost of medicine.
    People who have been harmed by a bad doc deserve their day in court. Yet
    the system should not reward lawyers who are simply fishing for a rich
    settlement. Frivolous lawsuits drive 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 submitted a good bill to the Congress. The House of
    Representatives passed that bill. Senator Warner is working hard to get the bill out of the United States
    Senate, but it is stuck. The Senate must act. And some Senators must
    understand that no one has ever been healed by a frivolous lawsuit. We
    need medical liability reform.
        I have a responsibility as the President to make sure the judicial
    system runs well, and I have met that duty. I have nominated superb men
    and women for the Federal courts, people who will interpret the law, not
    legislate from the bench. I appreciate so very much the strong support
    of Senator Warner and Senator Allen on this very important issue. See, some Members of the
    Senate are trying to keep nominees off the bench by blocking up-or-down
    votes. Every judicial nominee deserves a fair hearing and an up-or-down
    vote on the floor of the United States Senate. It is time for some
    Members of the Senate to stop playing politics with American justice.
        This country needs a comprehensive energy plan. Congress needs to
    complete work on the plan when you come back. You see, we need to
    promote energy efficiency and conservation and clean coal technology. We
    need to develop better technologies to explore for energy in
    environmentally sensitive ways. But for the sake of economic security
    and for the sake of national security, this Nation must become less
    dependent on foreign sources of energy.
        A strong and prosperous nation must also be a compassionate nation.
    I will continue to advance what I call compassionate conservatism, which
    means we'll apply the best and most innovative ideas to the task of
    helping fellow citizens who are in need. There's still millions of men
    and women who want to end their dependence on the Government and become
    independent

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    through hard work. I look forward to working with the Congress to build
    on the success of welfare reform, to bring more work and dignity into
    lives of our fellow citizens. We should complete the ``Citizen Service
    Act,'' so more Americans can serve their communities and their country.
    Congress should finally reach agreement on my Faith-Based Initiative,
    which will help us support the armies of compassion that are mentoring
    our children and caring for the homeless, offering hope to the addicted.
        One of the great strengths of America is the fact that we worship
    the Almighty in different ways. We value religious diversity in America.
    We also understand that many of the problems, seemingly intractable
    problems in our society, can be solved by helping a soul change their
    heart. Our Government should never fear the influence of faith in the
    lives of our average citizens. We ought to encourage faith-based
    programs to help solve problems.
        A compassionate society must promote opportunity for all citizens,
    including the independence and dignity that come from ownership. This
    administration will constantly strive to promote an ownership society in
    America. We want more people owning their own home. We have a minority
    homeownership gap in America that must be closed. Next week, I'm signing
    a bill to help people with their downpayment so they can realize the
    great American Dream of owning their own home. We want people owning and
    managing their own retirement accounts. We want people owning and
    managing their own health care plans. We want more people owning their
    own small business. When a person owns something, he or she has a vital
    stake in the future of this great land.
        In a compassionate society, people respect one another. They respect
    their religions. They respect their backgrounds. They respect their
    opinions. 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 got a problem, blame somebody
    else,'' to a culture in which each of us understands we are 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. The culture
    of service is strong in America. I started what's called the USA Freedom
    Corps to encourage our fellow citizens to extend a hand to a neighbor in
    need, and the response has been great. People are responding in America
    to the needs of others. It's truly the great strength of our country.
    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. You see, once again the children of America see
    heroes--believe in heroes, because they see them every day.
        In these challenging times, the world is seeing the resolve and the
    courage of America. And I have been privileged to see the compassion and
    the character of the American people. All the tests of the last 3 years
    have come to the right nation. We're a strong country, and we use that
    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. Thank you very much.

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    Note: The President spoke at 12:14 p.m. at the Hilton McLean Tysons
    Corner. In his remarks, he referred to Virginia State Attorney General
    Jerry W. Kilgore; Kate Obenshain Griffin, Virginia State chairman,
    Republican National Committee; and former President Saddam Hussein of
    Iraq.