[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 15 (Monday, April 16, 2001)]
[Pages 589-590]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
The President's Radio Address

April 7, 2001

    Good morning. This weekend Congress begins its Easter recess. 
Senators and Members of the House of Representatives return home to meet 
with their constituents and listen to the people. I hope they'll listen 
carefully; there are large decisions that must be made when Congress 
returns.
    I have sent Congress an education reform plan that offers greater 
Federal support to schools but requires higher standards and improved 
accountability, and I have sent Congress a tax plan that will accelerate 
our economic growth and leave more money with the people who earned it. 
Passing these two measures will be a long process that will require many 
votes in Congress. But the choices Congress makes will shape our country 
for decades. The tax plan I sent to Congress will help ensure that our 
children will grow up in a country bustling with opportunities. My 
education plan prepares our children to take advantage of those 
opportunities.
    These are not routine votes. They are not ordinary business. They 
are decisions that we cannot afford to get wrong. Important reform is 
never easy, and it will always be tempting to postpone it. On education, 
there are some interest groups who don't like the idea of

[[Page 590]]

changes. On taxes, there are powerful institutions in Washington that 
would prefer to keep the people's money for themselves.
    But I'm committed to moving forward. The old saying goes, the 
President proposes, Congress disposes; but in the end, the people rule. 
If we want higher educational standards, if we're to pass a substantial 
tax cut, the people must make their voices heard.
    Many of you have already telephoned your Members of Congress or sent 
letters and e-mails expressing your support for my education and tax 
plans, and I want to thank you for doing that. I hope you'll keep it up.
    The crucial votes on education and taxes are still ahead. And many 
Members of Congress are still making up their minds. Don't just send 
them what you earn; tell them what you think. So I have a suggestion: 
During the recess, many Members of Congress will be holding townhall 
meetings, where constituents are welcome to come and express their 
views. You can find a list of these townhalls at www.bushtaxrelief.com. 
If your Congressman has a townhall scheduled, I hope you'll consider 
attending it. Maybe you might want to bring a relative or a friend.
    And I hope that if you do go, you'll stand up and let your 
representative hear from you on school reform and tax relief. It's good 
citizenship, and it will make a big difference.
    Before I close, let me send my best wishes to all who will be 
sitting down tonight to their Passover seder.
    Thank you for listening.

Note: The address was recorded at 10 a.m. on April 6 in the Cabinet Room 
at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on April 7. The 
transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on 
April 6 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast.