[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 11 (Monday, March 19, 2001)]
[Pages 435-436]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on Arrival at Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, Florida

March 12, 2001

    Well, thank you all very much. General Ryan, thank you for your 
hospitality. I want to thank your base commander. I want to thank the 
command sergeant who greeted me at the stairs of the Air Force plane 
that flew me here. The good news is, those pilots know what they're 
doing.
    It is such an honor to be the Commander in Chief of the greatest 
Nation on the face of the Earth. I'm proud of the men and women who wear 
our uniform. My job is to set a clear mission for the United States 
military. The mission of the military would be to be well prepared to 
fight and win war and,

[[Page 436]]

therefore, prevent war from happening in the first place.
    Today I'm going to speak to a Rotary Club and chamber of commerce 
event that will detail parts of my budget that I submitted to the 
Congress. One part of my budget that I submitted to the Congress will be 
to make sure we house our military folks better.
    One part of the budget I submitted to Congress is a pay raise for 
those who wear the uniform. I believe by focusing our mission, we can 
improve morale. But I know by paying folks more we can improve morale, 
as well.
    I look forward to shaking your hands and looking you in the eye and 
thanking you for serving America. For those of you who I don't get to 
look in the eye and say, thanks for serving America: Thanks for serving 
America. We're counting on you. Our Nation relies upon you to keep the 
peace, and we will do so.
    God bless you all, and God bless America.

Note: The President spoke at 11:20 a.m. on the tarmac. In his remarks, 
he referred to Gen. Michael E. Ryan, USAF, Chief of Staff; and Brig. 
Gen. William F. Hodgkins, USAF, commander, and M. Sgt. Karl W. Meyers, 
USAF, commander chief, 325th Fighter Wing.