[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 17 (Monday, April 30, 2001)]
[Pages 666-667]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on Arrival in Little Rock, Arkansas

April 25, 2001

    Thank you all for coming. It's my honor to be back in Arkansas. It's 
great to be with my friend the Governor. We got to know each other when 
I was the Governor of a neighboring State. I respected him then; I 
continue to hold him in high regard. Governor Huckabee is one of the 
more popular Governors in the country because he's done in office what 
he said he would do.
    It's also my honor to come to Arkansas to support a good friend of 
mine and a good friend of Arkansas, Senator Tim Hutchinson. This is my 
first trip as a--my first fundraising trip since I became the President. 
It's the first time I've really gotten what they call political, and 
it's for a good cause.
    This man has done a really good job for the citizens of Arkansas, 
and I would like to see him returned to the United States Senate after 
next year's elections. He and I are working together on a lot of issues 
that matter to the Arkansas folks: a budget that is good for Arkansas 
and a tax relief plan that will benefit some 787,000 people who live in 
this State.
    And the budget is focused. We increase a Federal education funding 
from 366 million to 390 million. We increase Head Start funding from 
$57.4 to $58.5 million. There's an estimated 379 million targeted for 
highway funding in Arkansas. This is a responsible budget that leaves 
room for tax relief, but also focuses on issues that matter to the folks 
of Arkansas. And coming down on the airplane, he and I spent a lot of 
time talking about agriculture.
    One of the things the Senator talked about was there were a lot of 
farmers hurting in this State. And I assured him I understood that. And 
the point I want to make to the people is that when this election comes 
around in 2002, I hope the people of Arkansas realize how important it 
is to have a United States Senator who can walk into the Oval Office and 
say, ``Mr. President, the people of Arkansas need your attention.'' And 
I can assure you when Tim Hutchinson walks in the Oval Office and says 
the people of Arkansas need my attention, they're going to get my 
attention.
    And so, it's my honor to be here with this good United States 
Senator. I urge the people of this State to realize what a good man 
they've got in office, and I thank the people of this State for the 
prayers and support they've given me since I've been the President.

[[Page 667]]

    God bless.

Note: The President spoke at 6:07 p.m. at the Little Rock National 
Airport. In his remarks, he referred to Gov. Mike Huckabee of Arkansas.