[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 42 (Monday, October 22, 2001)]
[Pages 1479-1481]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks to Members of the Senior Executive Service

October 15, 2001

    Thank you all. I order you to stop. [Laughter] Thanks for the kind 
introduction, and thanks for such a warm welcome. These are 
extraordinary times, times of testing for our Government and for our 
Nation. Yet, all of us can be proud of the response of our Government 
and the exceptional character of the Nation we serve. I've never felt 
more certain about America's goodness or more confident about America's 
future.
    I have come to Constitution Hall today to express my appreciation 
for your dedication and integrity, your commitment to excellence, and 
your love of our country. The work of both career and political 
employees during the last 9 months has been outstanding. We've 
accomplished a great deal together. And since September 11th, Federal 
employees have acted with remarkable professionalism and purpose. And on 
behalf of the American people, I thank you.
    I want to thank my old college roommate and friend Clay Johnson for 
thinking of this idea of coming to Constitution Hall to speak to you. I 
want to thank Ruth Sanchez-Way for her warm introduction and her work on 
behalf of the American people. I want to thank my friend Kay James for 
being here, as well. I want to thank the Navy Band. Every time you play, 
I step a little lighter. [Laughter] I'm really proud of my Cabinet. I 
want to thank the members of my Cabinet who are here, and I'm proud of 
you all, as well.
    I want to start by recognizing the 65 winners of the Presidential 
Rank of Distinguished Executive who are seated behind me. 
Congratulations. And I want to congratulate the Meritorious Executives 
who are here in the audience with us, as well. All career members of the 
Senior Executive Service, and today we honor their exceptional 
performance. Their work covers a tremendous range of issues, yet they 
share some things in common: an outstanding work ethic, commitment to 
public service, and pride in a job well done.
    One person who was chosen to receive a Presidential Rank Award is 
not with us today. Bryan Jack headed the Defense Department's 
Programming and Fiscal Economics Division. He was a brilliant 
mathematician and top budget analyst. A native Texan, a graduate of 
Stanford Business School, and newly married, Bryan was a passenger on 
American Airlines Flight 77 when it crashed on September 11th. Bryan's 
wife, Barbara Rachko, is with us today. I know how proud you are, 
Barbara, of your husband. And in this hour of grief--in your hour of 
grief, the

[[Page 1480]]

Nation is on bended knee with you. Where is Barbara?
    Since September 11th, we've seen America more united and resolute 
than at any point in our lifetimes. We've seen a nation that is generous 
and patriotic and a nation that is determined to see justice be done. 
We've also seen acts of great sacrifice and heroism. And many of those 
acts were performed by people who serve in government at the local, 
State, and Federal level--the police and firefighters, medics, FEMA 
employees, members of the military, and civilian employees of 
Government. They've worked past exhaustion. They have risked their 
lives. And some gave their lives, as well. Our Nation is grateful for 
all these men and women who have shown the meaning of duty and public 
sacrifice.
    In times of war, the American people look to the Government more 
than they do in times of peace. They count on Government to help protect 
them, and we will. They count on the Government to defeat those who are 
trying to destroy us, and we will. Yet, while our Government is focused 
on the war against terrorism, it continues to have vital 
responsibilities in other areas. We will give our best to America in war 
effort, in all other areas of responsibility, as well.
    In doing so, we must resist pressure to unwisely expand Government. 
We need to affirm a few important principles, that Government should be 
limited but effective, should do a few things and do them well. It 
should welcome market-based competition wherever possible. It should 
respect the role and authority of State and local governments, which are 
closest to the people. And Government should do everything it can to 
strengthen families, which are the cornerstone of our society.
    Today, we're seeing one of the highest levels of trust in Government 
since the mid-sixties, which is due partly to the surge of national 
pride that has swept our country since the terrorist attacks. But it's 
also because of how you've performed your jobs, particularly during the 
last month. The American people have placed their trust in us, and we 
will honor that trust.
    Let me say a few words about important values we must demonstrate 
while all of us serve in Government. First, we must always maintain the 
highest ethical standards. We must always ask ourself not only what is 
legal but what is right. There is no goal of Government worth 
accomplishing if it cannot be accomplished with integrity.
    Second, I want us to set an example of humility. As you work for the 
Federal Government, there is no excuse for arrogance, and there's never 
a reason to show disrespect for others. A new tone in Washington must 
begin with decency and fairness. I want everyone who represents our 
Government to be known for these values.
    Third, we must confront the tough problems, not avoid them and leave 
them for others. This is never easy, but it's what conscience demands 
and what leadership requires. We must keep the long view and remind 
ourselves that we're here to serve the public's long-term interests.
    Fourth, I hope you'll never take the honor of public service for 
granted. Some of us will serve in Government for a season; others will 
spend an entire career here. But all of us should dedicate ourselves to 
great goals: We are not here to mark time but to make progress, to 
achieve results, and to leave a record of excellence.
    Fifth, we should never forget that we're part of the same team. The 
American people do not distinguish between political and career 
employees. They don't hold us to separate standards. The public has high 
expectations for the entire Government, and together we will meet those 
expectations.
    And sixth, we should always remember, every dollar we spend is the 
taxpayers' money. People worked hard to earn it, and so we should spend 
it wisely and reluctantly. That will take discipline and creative 
leadership, and I urge all of us to show that kind of leadership.
    I know that you face barriers in trying to lead creatively. Some of 
them are imposed by Congress, including barriers to hiring people you 
need, rewarding men and women of merit, and contracting services which 
would save the taxpayers money. And that's why, last August, my 
administration released a strategy for improving the performance of the 
Federal Government. And that is why, shortly, we will be sending to 
Congress the

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``Freedom to Manage Act,'' and the ``Managerial Flexibility Act,'' which 
will allow you to manage more efficiently and serve the public in better 
fashion.
    Those of you in high places of Government are more than 
administrators and experts. You hold the ideals and hopes of the Nation 
in trust. And I want to thank you for your willingness to serve our 
great Nation.
    It is an incredible honor for me to be the leader of such a strong 
team on behalf of the American people, a team of men and women who could 
be doing something else but have decided, ``I want to serve the greatest 
land on the face of the Earth.''
    Let's do our duty. Let's hold ourselves to the highest of standards. 
And we'll leave this city and this Government better than we found it.
    Thank you for having me. May God bless your work, and may God bless 
America.

Note: The President spoke at 1:42 p.m. at Constitution Hall. In his 
remarks, he referred to Ruth Sanchez-Way, Director, Center for Substance 
Abuse Prevention, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 
Administration.