[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 7 (Monday, February 19, 2001)]
[Pages 279-280]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
The President's Radio Address

February 10, 2001

    Good morning. This past week I have been making the case for tax 
reductions. I've asked Congress to act quickly on my tax relief plan, so 
that Americans can face these uncertain economic times with more of 
their own money. I will continue to make that case until relief has 
passed.
    And next week I will also focus on another important issue, our 
national security. This is the most basic commitment of America's 
Government and the greatest responsibility of an American President. Our 
Nation's ideals inspire the world, but our Nation's ships and planes and 
armies must defend these ideals and sustain our allies and friends.
    American influence is unquestioned, but maintaining it requires work 
in every generation. The relative peace our Nation enjoys today is not 
inevitable. Peace is earned by strength and strength begins with the men 
and women who wear the uniform. New weapons and technologies are 
important, but they are only as effective as the people who use them.
    On Monday I will travel to Fort Stewart, in Georgia, to meet with 
soldiers and their families. I want to thank them for their service and 
give my full support in return. They deserve the best training, the 
latest and best equipment, and long overdue improvements in their pay, 
housing, and standard of living.
    And so, as I promised, I will announce meaningful increases in 
funding to improve the lives of our men and women in uniform.
    There's an old military saying: Soldiers enlist, but families 
reenlist. We need to treat families well and encourage military careers. 
All our men and women in uniform, after all, are volunteers. We must 
make sure our military is a place where Americans are proud to serve and 
proud to stay.
    On Tuesday I will be in Norfolk, Virginia, for a tour of the Joint 
Forces Command and a glimpse of the next generation of military weapons. 
America has some big choices to make as we prepare for the challenges 
and dangers of modern warfare. Battles will no longer be won by size 
alone; stealth and speed will matter more. And we must make sure our 
country, itself, is protected from attack from ballistic missiles and 
high-tech terrorists.
    At week's end I will meet in Washington with Secretary of State 
Colin Powell and our diplomats at the State Department. I selected 
General Powell for that post, in part, because he brings a soldier's 
wisdom to the work of diplomacy. His charge is to help me pursue a 
clear, consistent, and decisive foreign policy.
    Whenever America acts in the world, our principles must be certain, 
our intentions beyond doubt, our strength beyond challenge. This is how 
conflicts are avoided. This is how problems are dealt with before they 
become crises.
    Next week's trips signal the priority I place on our military. The 
highest honor and greatest duty of this office is to serve as Commander 
in Chief. I want every man and woman in the Armed Forces to know that I 
respect your service and appreciate your sacrifice.
    Thank you for listening.

Note: The address was recorded at 11:41 a.m. on February 9 in the Oval 
Office at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on February 10. 
The transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary 
on February 9 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast.

[[Page 280]]