[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book II)]
[July 31, 2006]
[Pages 1476-1477]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks to Reporters in Miami, Florida
July 31, 2006

    It's an honor to be here at one of Miami's most famous restaurants. 
Brother Jeb suggested we come here and have some 
coffee with some of south Florida's leading entrepreneurs. We've got 
people who have started their own business, people who are carrying on 
family traditions, all of whom share with me their optimism but also 
share with me some of the problems they face.
    One of the key problems that many of the businesses face here is 
labor. The unemployment rate is unbelievably low right now, and 
therefore, businesses who are planning for the future are wondering 
whether or not they're going to be able to find people to help their 
businesses expand. I assured them that the administration is still 
working toward a comprehensive immigration policy that will be rational, 
that will be able to, one, enforce rule of law and, on the other hand, 
be compassionate about how this country treats people.
    I assured them, as well, that we will continue to work to keep taxes 
low. It's very interesting, you know; when an entrepreneur gets their 
business started, they want to keep more of their own money so they can 
expand. And one way to do that is to make sure that taxes stay low, and 
that's what we will do.
    We talked about health care; we talked about energy; we talked about 
Cuba. So I want to thank you all very much for being here. Thanks for 
giving me a chance to come.
    And by the way, we also talked about the situation in the Middle 
East. And I assured the people here that we will work toward a plan in 
the United Nations Security Council that addresses the root causes of 
the problem so that whatever comes out of the Security Council will be 
able to last and that the people in both Lebanon and Israel will be able 
to grow--be able to remain in peace. That's what we want. We want there 
to be a long-lasting peace, one that's sustainable. And I'll speak to 
Condi Rice when she gets back tonight, to 
talk about what she saw and what she heard in the Middle East. And of 
course, there will be a way forward in the Security Council later on 
this week.
    Thank you.

Note: The President spoke at 8:47 a.m. at the Versailles Restaurant and 
Bakery. In his remarks, he referred to Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida.

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