[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 18 (Monday, May 7, 2001)]
[Pages 680-681]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
The President's Radio Address

April 28, 2001

    Good morning. You have probably seen the newspaper and television 
stories anticipating the 100th day of my administration. Ever since 
Franklin Roosevelt's time, the 100th day has been a media marker. But 
what we are marking is not 100 days of my Presidency; it is 100 days of 
Congress and the President working together for the American people.
    What have we accomplished so far? I think we're making progress 
toward changing the tone in Washington. There's less name-calling and 
finger-pointing. We're sharing credit. We are learning we can make our 
points without making enemies. Bitterness and divisiveness in Washington 
poison the mood of the whole country. On the other hand, a culture of 
respect and results in

[[Page 681]]

Washington can change the mood of the country for the better.
    We're also moving ahead with an important legislative agenda. There 
were some last summer who said there's no way anyone could possibly get 
a tax relief plan through the Congress. Yet the House and the Senate 
have now both endorsed significant tax relief and are headed toward a 
final vote. Tax relief is an important principle.
    The Federal Government is taking more money than it needs out of the 
pockets of the people, and we need to return some. Yet tax relief is 
also an important part of our economic strategy. It will accelerate our 
economic growth and create more jobs and more opportunity. This has 
nothing to do with me or my political party. It has everything to do 
with what is right for the country.
    The Senate committee responsible for education voted 20 to nothing 
in favor of a solid education reform bill. And we'll see results, too, 
from our initiative to welcoming charities and faith-based organizations 
into the work of helping Americans in need. We're at work on a plan to 
increase America's energy supply in the long term. At the same time, we 
are acting in a commonsense way to defend our environment. We are 
adopting new, scientifically sensible rules to discourage emissions of 
lead, to protect wetlands, to reduce the amount of arsenic in drinking 
water, to curb dangerous pesticides, and to clean the air of pollution 
from onroad diesel engines.
    Internationally, we are building a more peaceful and open world. Our 
relationship with China is maturing. There will be areas where we can 
agree, like trade, and areas where we won't agree--Taiwan, human rights, 
religious liberty. And where we disagree, I will speak frankly.
    But it's just as important for us to listen as it is to speak. A 
week ago, I attended the Summit of the Americas in Quebec City, where I 
met with the democratically elected leaders of Canada, Mexico, Central 
and South America, and the Caribbean. We talked about how we can handle 
common challenges--everything from education and the environment to 
drugs, energy, and trade. I said my piece, and I listened, as well. 
That's how good neighbors behave.
    In nearly 100 days, we have made a good start. But it's only a 
start. On a number of important issues, we have laid the foundation for 
progress. Now we need to turn a good start and good spirit into good 
laws. And I urge the Congress to join me in seizing the opportunities of 
the next 100 days and beyond.
    Thank you for listening.

Note: The address was recorded at 10 a.m. on April 27 at the Bush Ranch 
in Crawford, TX, for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on April 28. The transcript 
was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on April 27 but 
was embargoed for release until the broadcast.