    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [November 6, 2003]
    [Pages 1474-1476]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Signing the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for
    Defense and for the Reconstruction of Iraq and Afghanistan, 2004
    November 6, 2003

        Thank you all for coming. Good afternoon, and welcome to the White
    House. On September the 11th, 2001, America grieved for our losses, and
    we made a commitment. We determined to conduct the war against terror on
    the offensive. We determined to confront and undermine threats abroad
    before they arrive in our own cities.
        We're waging this war in relentless pursuit of the Al Qaida network.
    We're waging this war in Afghanistan against Taliban remnants and Al
    Qaida killers. We're waging this war in Iraq against Saddam loyalists and foreign terrorists who seek the return
    of tyranny and terror. We're pursuing long-term victory in this war by
    promoting democracy in the Middle East so that the nations of that
    region no longer breed hatred and terror.
        Today the United States is making a critical financial commitment to
    this global strategy to defeat terror. We're supporting our service men
    and women in the field

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    of battle. We're supporting reconstruction and the emergence of
    democratic institutions in a vital area of the world.
        The American people accept these responsibilities now, in our time,
    so that we will not face far greater dangers in the future. With this
    act of Congress, no enemy or friend can doubt that America has the
    resources and the will to see this war through to victory.
        I want to thank our Secretary of State, Colin Powell, and Secretary of Defense, Don Rumsfeld, for their extraordinary leadership during these tough
    times. I appreciate Deputy Secretary Rich Armitage, Deputy Secretary Paul Wolfowitz
    for joining us today as well. Thank you all for coming.
        Josh Bolten, a member of my Cabinet,
    the Director of the Office of Management and Budget--the keeper of the
    money--is with us. Andrew Natsios, the
    Administrator of the USAID, is with us today. Andrew, thank you for
    coming. There he is, right there.
        I appreciate the leadership of the Congress being here today.
    Speaker Denny Hastert and Leader Bill
    Frist are with us. Thank you all for coming.
    Thank you for your strong leadership.
        I also want to pay a particular mention to Chairman Ted
    Stevens and Chairman Bill Young for doing a fabulous job on a very tough issue. Thank
    you very much.
        There are a lot of Members of the Senate and House with us. Thank
    you all for coming, for making a good, courageous vote. I particularly
    want to pay homage to Mitch McConnell of
    Kentucky for his leadership on the floor, Jerry Lewis from California, and Norm Dicks from Washington for supporting your chairman and getting
    this bill out.
        I want to thank the military and civilian staff members of the
    Coalition Provisional Authority who are with us. Thank you for serving
    our country. We appreciate the sacrifices you are making.
        Today, in Iraq and Afghanistan, the world sees a test of will and a
    clash of strategies. The strategy of our enemies, whether Al Qaida,
    Ba'athist, Taliban, or others, is to intimidate newly free men and women
    who are trying to establish democracy and to cause America and our
    allies to flee our responsibilities. Their goal is to halt and reverse
    all progress toward freedom in the Middle East, to reinstate permanently
    the rule of fear and oppression.
        The strategy of America and our allies is equally clear. We are
    employing targeted and decisive force against the killers. We're
    training and equipping Iraqis and Afghans to defend their own nations.
    We're helping the Iraqi and Afghan people build just and democratic
    governments. And we will meet our duties until the job is done.
        The terrorists and their supporters have had many setbacks in the
    last 2 years. They have lost many leaders, many training camps, and two
    countries, and we will not relent until they are fully and finally
    defeated.
        The legislation I'm about to sign commits $87 billion to America's
    global offensive against terror. More than $65 billion of these new
    funds will pay for ongoing military operations. We're supporting such
    basic military necessities as air, rail, and sea transportation for
    American and coalition troops to the theaters of action.
        We will purchase ammunition for our weapons and fuel and spare parts
    for airplanes and helicopters and vehicles. We will replace equipment
    lost or damaged in combat. We'll acquire vital new equipment, such as
    armored humvees and body armor and communications gear. Our service men
    and women are carrying out their missions with skill and honor, and they
    deserve the finest equipment and best weapons we can provide.
        This legislation contains needed funds to pay our soldiers, sailors,
    airmen, and marines, including the additional pay our forces receive for
    hazardous duty. We will also cover the salaries of National Guard

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    and Reserve troops who have left jobs and homes and families in an hour
    of national need. The American Government will keep its responsibilities
    to all who risk their lives for America.
        This legislation also includes nearly $20 billion to help build
    stable democratic societies in Iraq and Afghanistan. We will help train
    and equip the growing number of Iraqis and Afghans who are fighting and
    dying to defend and secure their rights. We'll help to upgrade hospitals
    and schools and repair infrastructure and improve basic services,
    including water, electricity, and sanitation.
        Our investment in the future of Afghanistan and Iraq is the greatest
    commitment of its kind since the Marshall plan. By this action, we show
    the generous spirit of our country, and we serve the interest of our
    country, because our security is at stake. The Middle East region will
    either become a place of progress and peace, or it will remain a source
    of violence and terror. And we're determined to see the triumph of
    progress and the triumph of peace in that region. We will do all in our
    power to ensure that freedom finds a lasting home in Afghanistan and in
    Iraq.
        We know this will require patience and sacrifice. I just had the
    honor of meeting PFC Phillip Ramsey and SPC
    Alex Leonard, two brave Americans who were
    wounded in action. We thank you for your service.
        Recent attacks have shown once again the cruelty of the enemy. They
    don't care whose lives they take, men, women, or children. They're
    coldblooded. They're heartless. We're engaged in a massive and difficult
    undertaking, but America has done this kind of hard work before.
        After World War II, we made long-term commitments to the
    transformation of Germany and Japan so that those nations would not be
    sources of war but our partners in peace. That investment in peace has
    been repaid many times over. Now our generation will show the same
    perseverance and the same vision in the cause of peace.
        I appreciate the solid bipartisan support for this bill in the House
    and the Senate. I also appreciate that reconstruction funds for Iraq
    have been provided in the form of grants so that this struggling nation
    is not burdened with new debt at a moment of new hope.
        The establishment of a free Iraq and a free Afghanistan will be
    watershed events in the history of the Middle East, watershed events in
    the global democratic revolution that has already transformed Europe and
    Latin America and much of Africa and Asia. The resources we commit today
    will further advance the cause of freedom, thereby serving the cause of
    peace and enhancing the security of the American people.
        Now I'm pleased to sign into law the Iraq and Afghanistan
    supplemental appropriations bill.

    Note: The President spoke at 1:12 p.m. in the East Room at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to former President Saddam Hussein of
    Iraq. H.R. 3289, approved November 6, was assigned Public Law No. 108-
    106.