[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 5 (Monday, February 5, 2001)]
[Pages 244-245]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Prior to a Meeting With the Congressional Black Caucus

January 31, 2001

    The President. I want to thank Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson 
from Dallas, Texas, and you all for coming. I appreciate--Madam 
Chairman. I look forward to a good dialog on subjects that are on the 
Members' minds and on my mind, as well. I think we'll have a good 
discussion about public education. While there may be some discussion 
about details, all of us, surely, believe the

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great hope for this country is to make sure every child--I mean every 
child--is educated.
    I look forward to sharing with the Members who don't know me well 
some of my experiences as the Governor of the State of Texas and what 
I've tried to do to fulfill that promise and fulfill that pledge.
    This will be the beginning of, hopefully, a lot of meetings. I hope 
you come back, and I'll certainly be inviting. But thanks for coming. 
It's an important part of my job--is to talk to everybody who is in the 
legislative body. I will remind you all, I understand the difference 
between the executive branch and the legislative branch. I only get to 
suggest. You all pass the laws. And that's what we're here to work----
    Representative Cynthia A. McKinney. That's right. [Laughter]
    The President. I understand that well. But thank you all for coming. 
It's an honor for you to be here.

Note: The President spoke at 5:32 p.m. in the Cabinet Room at the White 
House. A tape was not available for verification of the content of these 
remarks.