[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book I)]
[March 7, 2005]
[Pages 377-379]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks on Helping America's Youth in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
March 7, 2005

    Thanks for the warm welcome here to ``Knowledge City.'' Laura and I just came from the Providence Family Support 
Center. [Applause] You've got a reason to cheer. [Laughter] It is a 
fabulous place, and we really appreciate the Sisters of Divine 
Providence for letting us visit, particularly Mary Joan Coultas and all the other sisters there, for filling that 
space with love and compassion, trying to save souls one person at a 
time, and advancing a goal we all want, and that's for America to be the 
most hopeful country in the world for every single citizen. And that's 
really what we're here to talk about.
    I said that's what we're here to talk about, but the truth of the 
matter is, I'm the introducer. [Applause] Yes. Not the first time people 
have cheered when I said, ``I'm the introducer, and Laura's the speaker.'' [Laughter]
    I do want to thank Senator Arlen Specter 
for joining us today, and I appreciate him coming here. He's always 
telling me what to do, and I'm telling him what to do. [Laughter] Since 
it's my airplane--well, actually--[laughter]. I'm proud of Congressman 
Tim Murphy. It's good to see you, Murph. 
Thank you for coming. Congresswoman Melissa Hart, thank you for being here.

    It's always good to see Bishop Donald Wuerl. Gosh, I think I've been with the Bishop three or four, 
maybe five times. Every time I'm with him, he talks about education. 
[Laughter] He loves education.

    And it's--one of the things--when you talk about a hopeful America, 
it's important to always keep in mind the cornerstone of a hopeful 
America, the foundation of a hopeful America, is an education system 
which makes sure every single child can read, write, and add and 
subtract. It's the beginnings of what a hopeful America is about.

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    And I appreciate, Bishop, your leadership 
when it comes to the Catholic education system here in Pittsburgh. It's 
a model of excellence. It is--someday I hope that we're able to further 
the ability for parents to escape failure and go to any school they 
choose--or send their children to any school they choose.
    Speaking about organizations that work, I appreciate the Community 
College of Allegheny County for, one, lending us the facility, and two, 
providing an education that is affordable and flexible and market-
driven. I want to thank Paul Whitehead and 
Brian Johnson for being good hosts.
    The community college system is a vital part of making sure people 
are able to gain the skills necessary to fill the jobs of the 21st 
century. Community colleges are able to adjust their curriculum to the 
needs of the local employer base. And if somebody needs nurses, they 
come to a community college system and help--they help design a 
curriculum so we can train nurses. They need computer technology people. 
I mean, the community college system is vital and important.
    Melissa happens to be a board [member] * 
of this community college system. And this administration will continue 
to support our community colleges to make sure that people have the 
skills necessary to fill the jobs which are being created in America, 
the jobs of the 21st century. So thank you for letting us come here 
today.
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    * White House correction.
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    And now it's my honor to introduce Laura. 
[Laughter] She and I share a passion that we've got to make sure that 
the great strength of our country--that is, the hearts and souls of our 
citizens--are directed in such a way that every child can be saved. 
That's what we want, and we're worried. We're worried about gangs. We're 
worried about drugs. We're worried about bad choices. But we also know 
that if we can, in our small way, encourage people to put their arm 
around somebody and say, ``I love you. What can I do to help you,'' if 
we can encourage people to step forward and to volunteer their time and 
talent and compassion, this country can be a better place. So one of the 
big initiatives that she is--will be leading on behalf of my 
administration and the country is how to utilize the assets at our 
disposal to make sure that every single child, every single person has a 
bright and hopeful future.
    You know, de Tocqueville, years ago, wrote about America. In 1832, 
he wrote about the great capacity of our country to have people of--who 
cared about their country to be able to associate in a voluntary way to 
kind of transcend individualism. In other words, what he was really 
saying is, America is a unique place where people come together to serve 
a cause greater than themselves. And I think the patriotism of the 21st 
century is--can be found when somebody goes to the center we just came 
at and volunteer his or her time, and says to a child, ``I love you. 
What can I do to help you to realize your dream?'' And Laura's here to talk about that on behalf of our country.
    I'm proud of her as the First Lady. I love 
her dearly as a wife. She's a fabulous mother. Laura Bush.

Note: The President spoke at 3:58 p.m. at the Community College of 
Allegheny County--Allegheny Campus. In his remarks, he referred to Mary 
Joan Coultas, CDP, provincial director, Sisters of Divine Providence, 
Pittsburgh, PA; Bishop Donald Wuerl of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, PA; 
Paul V. Whitehead, chair, board of trustees, Community College of 
Allegheny County; and Brian Johnson, senior vice president for community 
and student services, Community College of

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Allegheny County, and chief executive officer, Community College of 
Allegheny County--Allegheny Campus. The transcript released by the 
Office of the Press Secretary also included the remarks of the First 
Lady.