[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 8 (Monday, February 26, 2001)]
[Pages 320-322]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at a Tax Family Reunion in St. Louis

February 20, 2001

    Thank you very much. Before I have a chance to say hello to you all 
and watch the Mighty Mights skate, I want to talk a little bit--some 
public policy.
    Today I was in St. Louis talking about education. There is no more 
important subject as far as I'm concerned, to make sure every child gets 
educated. I know the Yahngs feel the same way. But I also want to talk 
about the budget, the budget of the United States Government, and the 
budget of the people of the United States.
    I'm going to submit a budget next week to the United States 
Congress. It is a budget that will set priorities, just like each family 
does in America--set priorities. My priorities will make sure that we 
preserve and protect and strengthen Social Security, so that there's a 
Social Security system available for the Yahngs and their children, and 
for you, as well. A priority in my budget will be to make sure that the 
health care system in America is strong for the elderly, for the 
uninsured, and for all of us concerned about health. A priority will be 
public education.
    Today I talked about a reading initiative which goal is to make sure 
that children can read by the third grade. I can't think of a better 
priority. By the way, I also understand that local control of schools is 
the best way to achieve that priority.
    Last week I spent time touring military bases. The defense of our 
Nation is a priority. And in my budget I will submit, amongst other 
things, a pay raise for the men and women who wear the uniform. 
Restoring morale in the military not only means better pay, better 
housing, better health care; it also means having a Commander in Chief 
who will clarify the mission, the mission of the United States military 
to have fighting forces trained and prepared to fight war, and 
therefore, prevent war from happening in the first place.
    A priority of mine, in my budget, will be paying down national debt. 
And yet after setting priorities, there's still money left over. And so 
while we're concerned about the Federal budget, I'm also concerned about 
the budget of people such as the Yahngs, who are here standing next to 
me.
    I think it makes sense to understand who pays the bills. I think it 
makes sense to understand who fills the coffers of the United States, 
and it's the working people. And so I'm going to ask Congress to pass a 
tax relief package, recognizing that we can meet priorities, but also 
help families meet their own priorities.
    I'm deeply concerned about the high cost of energy. American 
families are paying more

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and more for energy these days. I'm concerned about consumer debt. 
There's a lot of discussion about national debt, and that's a concern. 
But I'm also concerned that a lot of working folks have got their own 
debt, and it seems wise to set priorities at the national level and get 
people their own money so they can meet their own obligations, to meet 
their own debts.
    I'm asking Congress to pass $1.6 trillion in tax relief, after we've 
met priorities. That's over a 10-year period of time. It's a fair plan. 
It's a plan that says, as opposed to trying to pick and choose who the 
winners are, that everybody who pays taxes ought to get tax relief. It 
is a plan that significantly reduces taxes for people at the bottom end 
of the economic ladder. If you're a family of four making $35,000, 
you'll receive a 100 percent tax cut. It's an average tax relief, for 
families, of $1,600. The Yahng family, under the plan I submit, will 
receive actually more than that. They now pay $2,000 in taxes to the 
Federal Government. If this plan is enacted by the United States 
Congress, they'll end up paying $150 of taxes. That's $1,850 more that 
they can decide what to do with.
    It's your money. It will give you a chance to set your priorities 
for your family. It says that we in the Federal Government have a 
fundamental trust in the people of America, and that's where our faith 
should be--in the people. The best Government is that which trusts 
America, and there's no better way to make that trust explicit than to 
share your money with you.
    I want to drop all rates and simplify the code. The reason this 
family will receive the tax relief they're going to get is because we've 
dropped the bottom rate from 15 percent to 10 percent, and doubled the 
child credit from $500 to $1,000 per child.
    As well, I'm going to ask Congress to provide relief from the 
marriage tax. Our tax code ought to encourage family, ought to recognize 
marriage as a sacred institution. And I think we ought to listen to the 
voices of the farmers and small-business people and eliminate the death 
tax, so that those who struggle--[applause].
    This is a plan that's going to require the people to speak up. It's 
the beginning of a series of trips around our great Nation where I'm 
going to make my case, not to the folks in Congress or in Washington, 
DC, but to the American people. I have an awesome responsibility to be 
the President of everyone. I assume that responsibility, and I'm going 
to be the President of everyone, and I believe this tax relief plan is 
fair for everyone who pays taxes in America. It is the right thing to do 
at this point in our history.
    It also makes economic sense. I am concerned about our economy. I'm 
concerned about its--that we've lost some wind in our sails. I believe 
good monetary policy combined with good fiscal policy, will provide a 
needed second wind to economic growth. We must keep the pie growing so 
that people who want to work can find a job, people who want to dream 
are able to realize their dreams in the entrepreneurial--as a small-
business person or as an entrepreneur.
    One of the great strengths of America is the entrepreneurial spirit 
of our country. Any President and the Congress must do everything in our 
power to create an environment where the entrepreneur can flourish, 
where people can realize their dreams. America is a land based upon 
dreams, a land where people should aim high, and our tax code ought to 
encourage capital formation and economic growth. But most of all, 
America is made up of fine, decent, honorable citizens, citizens who 
work hard every day to provide for their families--just like my friends 
here--citizens who, once the Nation meets our priorities, ought to keep 
their own money, so you can spend, and you can save, and you can dream.
    I'm so thankful that you all came. I really appreciate you all 
standing up here today with me. I'm pinching myself every day. 
[Laughter] It is an unimaginable honor to represent the great people of 
this country, the greatest country on the face of the Earth, and all my 
public policy will be designed to keep it great and to invigorate our 
people.
    Thank you for coming, and God bless.

Note: The President spoke at 5:50 p.m. at the Kirkwood Community Center. 
In his remarks, he referred to Chuck Yahng, assistant sports information 
director, St. Louis University, his wife, Amanda, and their children, 
Evan and Claudia.

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