[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 17 (Monday, April 30, 2001)]
[Pages 655-656]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on National Parks Week and National Volunteer Week and an 
Exchange With Reporters

April 23, 2001

    The President. It's my honor for me to welcome and to be in the 
presence of one of my finest Ambassadors. The White House, I often say, 
doesn't belong to Laura and me; it belongs to the American people. And 
William Toth is a volunteer who works hard every day to ensure that 
every American feels right at home in the White House.
    Mr. Toth has lived a life of service. In World War II, he served 
with distinction in General George Patton's army. He later became a 
professor at New York University. He worked hard to put his own 
daughters through college, and when the youngest graduated, he retired. 
But he refused to rest.
    For the last 9 years, Mr. Toth has been bringing smiles to visitors' 
faces as they arrive at the White House. Whether handing out gold coins 
to visiting children or passing out stories to adults, William makes 
sure that everyone leaves the White House with a memory.
    America owes a great debt to William Toth. But like millions of 
volunteers across America, he will never ask us to repay it. And that's 
what makes his service, and the service of so many other volunteers, so 
unique.
    The National Park Service has some of the best volunteers in the 
Nation. Whether it's here at the White House, at other sites around the 
Nation's Capital, or at the national parks around the country, National 
Park Service volunteers perform their duties with the simple goal of 
helping Americans enjoy our national treasures. They keep us connected 
to our history and help preserve America's natural beauty for future 
generations to enjoy.
    That's why it's particularly fitting this week that we recognize 
both America's volunteers and America's national parks, for they both 
bring great joy to countless Americans.
    At 77, William Toth continues to win over everyone he sees. In a 
letter she sent me last month, his daughter, Dawn, wrote, ``I just want 
to let you know who you have in your corner. In some ways, he's 
America's most important diplomat. And he'll make you look darn good.''
    I know that can sometimes be a difficult task, and I appreciate all 
the help I can get, William. [Laughter] The truth is, Mr. Toth, you make 
America look darn good. I want to thank you for your tireless 
dedication, for working here at the White House. I want to thank the 
volunteers at the National Park Service, and the American people thank 
you from the bottom of their heart.
    God bless.

Arms Sales to Taiwan

    Q. Mr. President, will Taiwan get the Aegis radar system this time?
    Q. ----sale to Taiwan?
    The President. You'll find out when we make the--I make my decision 
clear.
    Q. Have you made your decision, sir?
    The President. Yes. I haven't made it clear yet, though. We'll let 
you know soon.

Note: The President spoke at 1:57 p.m. on the South Lawn at the White 
House. In his remarks,

[[Page 656]]

he referred to Dawn Foreman, Tracy Toth, and Melissa Eckert, daughters 
of Mr. Toth.