[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 25 (Monday, June 25, 2001)]
[Pages 925-926]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
The President's Radio Address

June 16, 2001

    The First Lady. Good morning. This weekend millions of Americans 
will celebrate Father's Day. On this day sons and daughters pause to 
reflect on all the ways in which our fathers and grandfathers contribute 
to our lives, with ball games and Band-Aids, advice and sacrifice, 
patience and strength. Words fall short when we attempt to describe the 
full extent of our love and appreciation for them, when we try to 
express our gratitude for everything they do for us.
    The fortunate among us know that we can always rely on a dad or a 
granddad. Sadly, there are those whose lives aren't touched by the 
loving hand of a father. I hope they, too, find a way to observe this 
day with a caring role model or other family members.
    I am blessed to have many fond memories of my father. I remember fun 
trips together when I was a child, bumping along the dusty roads of west 
Texas in our car, heading for El Paso, where my grandmother lived.
    My dad once said that when my mother brought him home to meet her 
parents for the first time, my grandmother was laying brick when they 
arrived. My dad thought he had married into a family whose women could 
do anything, and he made me believe that I could be anything.
    Whether our fathers live one room away, a plane flight away, or 
years away in the twilight of our memories, we remember them as we 
commemorate Father's Day. It's a day to acknowledge all the spoken words 
and unspoken kindnesses that fathers and grandfathers have shown us 
through the years.
    So thank you for your strength, your love, and your support for your 
children. Happy Father's Day to all of you. And I want to wish a happy 
Father's Day to the father of my children. Happy Father's Day, Mr. 
President.
    The President. Thank you, Laura.
    Many Americans believe that their father is the finest man they have 
ever known. That's certainly true in my case. My dad provided me with 
life's greatest gift, unconditional love. And he still makes sure all 
his children know how much he loves us.
    Fathers are so important in the lives of children: They provide love 
and encouragement; they are the object of a young child's admiration; 
and they provide their sons and daughters with an example of what it 
means to be a good man. When fathers are absent, children are often lost 
to a world of hopelessness and hardship. Our laws should promote 
responsible fatherhood.
    And so our administration strongly supports community-based 
fatherhood programs. We are taking steps to make adoption more 
affordable. And for innocent children who are born into fractured 
families, we provide support for mentoring programs.
    Ultimately, fatherhood is a deeply personal calling. Our own 
children are given to our care, and they depend on our love. Every 
parent knows that raising a child is among the most hopeful and 
affirming experiences a human being will ever know.
    So many of my generation had the same experience I did. When we held 
our children for the first time, we found ourselves. We found a world of 
duty and love that changed our lives. And since that day, ``Dad'' has 
been the most important title I have ever held or will ever hold.
    Laura and I wish all the fathers listening a happy Father's Day. So 
many of you provide to your children daily care and guidance, nurture 
and protection, discipline and love, and it's making a world of 
difference. On behalf of them, we want to express our appreciation.
    Thank you for listening.

Note: The address was recorded at 3:30 p.m. on June 11 in the Cabinet 
Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on June 16. The 
transcript was made available by the Office of the

[[Page 926]]

Press Secretary on June 15 but was embargoed for release until the 
broadcast. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish 
language transcript of this address.