[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 42 (Monday, October 22, 2001)]
[Pages 1499-1502]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at the California Business Association Breakfast in Sacramento, 
California

October 17, 2001

    Thank you all so much for that warm welcome. And I also want to 
thank the hundreds of our fellow Americans who lined the road coming in 
from the helicopter pad. It's really good to be here in California to 
report on our progress in the struggle against terror.
    Now, there's the long version, and there's a short version. So I'm 
going to start with the short version: Our people are united; our 
Government is determined; our cause is right; and justice will be done.
    I want to thank Gerry Parsky. I want to thank all the folks who put 
on this--organized this event. I appreciate so much the Governor, Gray 
Davis, coming, and all the elected officials.
    I particularly want to say hello to the members of the Sacramento 
Urban Search and Rescue Task Force Seven. They may not remember, but I 
do--I got to meet them in New York City. [Laughter] They were part

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of an incredible outpouring of compassion and support from all across 
the country. I've got to tell you, I was amazed when I went into the 
building, and they said they were from California. I said, ``This 
country is fabulous, when we've got people from California, from 
Sacramento, going all the way over to help their brothers and sisters at 
the World Trade Center.'' And I know you're just as proud of them as I 
am, and thank you all for being here.
    This great State is known for its diversity--people of all races, 
all religions, and all nationalities. They've come here to live a better 
life, to find freedom, to live in peace and security, with tolerance and 
with justice. When the terrorists attacked America, this is what they 
attacked. And when we defend America, this is what we defend.
    We are fighting for the security of our people, for the success of 
our ideals, and for stability in large parts of the world. We fight evil 
people who are distorting and betraying a great religion to justify 
their murder. Our cause is just. We will not tire. We will not falter, 
and my fellow Americans, we will not fail.
    New York City and Washington, DC, are 2,500 miles from here. Yet, 
for all of us, an American is an American, no matter where we live, no 
matter what our race, no matter how we pray. The people of New York and 
Washington are our neighbors, and when terrorists attack them, they 
attack us all. And the terrorists are hearing from us all.
    They are hearing from a compassionate nation, a nation that sends 
food and medicine to starving people of Afghanistan, a nation whose 
children--and I know we've got some here who have raised money at the 
elementary school--whose children are sending their dollars to save the 
children of Afghanistan.
    They are hearing from a tolerant nation, a nation that respects 
Islam and values our many Muslim citizens. They are hearing from a 
prayerful nation, a nation that prays to an almighty God for protection 
and for peace. And they are hearing from a patient and determined 
nation, a nation that will continue this war for as long as it takes to 
win.
    Ours will be a broad campaign fought on many fronts. It's a campaign 
that will be waged by day and by night, in the light and in the shadow, 
in battles you will see and battles you won't see. It's a campaign waged 
by soldiers and sailors, marines and airmen, and also by FBI agents and 
law enforcement officials and diplomats and intelligence officers. It's 
a campaign that is being waged in distant lands and a campaign being 
waged by our new Office of Homeland Security.
    To keep us safe, we're working around the clock. We're on the 
lookout. We have questioned and detained more than 750 terror suspects 
and material witnesses in our country. And the broad coalition we put 
together has detained hundreds of suspected members of the Al Qaida 
organization. Our world coalition is working. We are taking apart the 
terrorist network, piece by piece. We're taking away their money by 
freezing their assets and choking off their incomes.
    Our campaign will be difficult, and it's going to take time. But I 
can promise you this: It will be waged with determination, and it will 
be waged until we win. We will do whatever it takes to protect our 
country, protect the good American families. And we will do whatever it 
takes to punish those who have attacked us.
    We'll do whatever it takes to defeat terror abroad, wherever it 
grows or wherever it hides. In Afghanistan, our Armed Forces are 
performing their duty with skill and success. We've destroyed many 
terrorist camps. We've damaged the Taliban's air defenses. We've 
seriously weakened all those in Afghanistan who wish to inflict harm on 
people anywhere in the world.
    We're paving the way for friendly troops to defeat the Taliban and 
root out the Al Qaida parasites that the Taliban hosts and protects. 
We're enforcing the doctrine that says this: If you harbor the 
terrorists, you are guilty of terror, and like the terrorists, you will 
be held responsible.
    We are not alone in this struggle. The war against terrorism is an 
international war, and we're fighting with a broad, broad coalition. 
Many nations around the world have joined with us in this cause, 
including nations from the Islamic world. Some countries contribute 
intelligence. Some help with law enforcement. Some join with military 
power, like our friends Great Britain. We are supported by

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the conscience of the world. And we are surrounding terrorists and their 
sponsors in a tightening net of justice.
    Later today I fly to Shanghai to meet with leaders from all round 
the Far East and leaders whose nations touch the Pacific, including 
Russia and China. We'll be strengthening our cooperation in the war on 
terror. We'll strengthen the economic ties that bring growth and hope to 
the entire world.
    The terrorists attacked the World Trade Center, and we will defeat 
them by expanding and encouraging world trade. In order to help me 
expand world trade, I've asked the Congress to give me what's called 
trade promotion authority, the ability to seek America's interests 
around the world.
    America will do whatever it takes to strengthen our security here at 
home. I've named former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge to head the new 
Office of Homeland Security, to help expose and to frustrate the plans 
of terrorists. We've adopted new measures to protect our airlines, so 
Americans can fly with greater confidence.
    We're responding rapidly to investigate anthrax reports and to 
quickly give preventative treatment to any who are exposed. Thousands of 
FBI agents are aggressively following every lead in our anti-terror 
campaign. And I urge Congress to act quickly to update our laws and 
procedures so we can better protect our country and punish those who 
threaten us.
    The terrorists want us to stop our lives--that's what they want. 
They want us to stop flying, and they want us to stop buying. But this 
great Nation will not be intimidated by the evildoers.
    America will do whatever it takes to get our economy moving again. 
These are difficult times. Too many Americans are hurting. Too many are 
worried about their jobs and their businesses. And I know that 
California has been hit especially hard. America has got great 
resources, though. We've got the most skilled workers in the world, the 
best workforce. Taxpayers have just received their rebates. Interest 
rates have been cut to the lowest level in years. Energy prices are 
declining. The entrepreneurial spirit has never been stronger in 
America. The basics of our economy are ripe for growth.
    Yet, recent events have been a shock--no question about it--have 
shocked our economy. And people need help. And the Government in 
Washington is actively responding. We've already announced additional 
spending to rebuild New York and the Pentagon, to stabilize our airline 
industry, and to make sure we have enough money to defend our country. 
And I'll work with Congress to help workers who have lost their jobs 
because of the sudden economic slowdown.
    I've outlined additional economic stimulus package. I've listened 
carefully to members from both political parties. It's a package that 
will provide a needed lift for our economy. I urge Congress to act now 
to accelerate the tax relief we've already planned for the years ahead, 
so consumers will have more money to spend. I urge Congress to have more 
tax relief for lower- and moderate-income families in America who are 
especially hard hit. And I urge Congress to reform the corporate income 
tax, and as well, allow businesses to deduct more of the costs of new 
investments immediately, so as to create jobs for American people.
    And I ask Congress to now act on an energy bill that the House of 
Representatives passed back in August. This is an issue of special 
importance to California. Too much of our energy comes from the Middle 
East. The plan I sent up to Congress promotes conservation, expands 
energy supplies, and improves the efficiency of our energy network. Our 
country needs greater energy independence. This issue is a matter of 
national security, and I hope the Senate acts quickly.
    On all these great issues, there's a spirit of respect and 
cooperation in Washington, I'm pleased to report. [Laughter] This 
morning I had breakfast with the four leaders of the Congress. And while 
we have our differences, I do want you to know, there is a strong 
determination to do what's right for the American people.
    I have butted heads in the past--[laughter]--with the leadership. 
But I want you to know, I applaud their love for America and their 
determination--their determination--to get the people's business done in 
a way that will make you proud. We're making good

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progress about changing the tone. The terrorists thought they affected 
us, but they've only made this Nation stronger.
    Not only do I applaud the leadership; I applaud the American people 
for your courage in a time of trial. We're living through a unique 
moment in American history. This is a time of rediscovery, of heroism 
and sacrifice and duty and patriotism. These are core values of our 
country, and they're being renewed. We found them waiting for us just 
when we needed them.
    Our forefathers would be proud, really proud of what they see in 
America today. They would be proud of the selfless duty of the 
firefighters and police officers of New York, firefighters and police 
officers all around our country, and the men and women who wear the 
uniform of the United States of America.
    Our forefathers would salute the modern-day sacrifice of the brave 
passengers on Flight 93, who, after reciting the Lord's Prayer, said, 
``Let's roll'' and stormed the hijackers, taking the plane down and 
probably saving thousands of lives on the ground.
    Our forefathers would know and recognize the spirit of unity and 
patriotism everywhere in our country, and they would say, ``Well done, 
America.''
    No, the true character of this great land has been revealed in 
adversity. Americans are generous to our neighbors in need. Americans 
are tolerant toward our fellow citizens of every background. Americans 
are alert to danger but calm and determined in the work ahead. And 
Americans are reaching out across the world to say: We wage a war on the 
guilty, not the innocent; we're friends to people of all faiths and 
enemies only to those who choose to make enemies of us.
    And Americans know we must act now. We must be strong, and we must 
be decisive. We must stop the evil ones, so our children and 
grandchildren can know peace and security and freedom in the greatest 
Nation on the face of the Earth.
    Our Nation has felt great sorrow. Yet, this can be a time of great 
achievement. A great evil can be turned to greater good. The terrorists 
did not intend to create a new American spirit of unity and resolve, but 
they are powerless to stop it.
    At my Inaugural, I said that some Americans feel as if they share a 
continent but not a country. We don't feel that any longer. We know 
we're one people. We know we're one country. We're united from coast to 
coast by a determination and a firm resolve to see that right prevails.
    I will take that determination with me to meet leaders of the world 
in Shanghai. And America will take that determination all the way to 
victory.
    Thank you for having me. God bless. Thank you all.

Note: The President spoke at 11:38 a.m. at the Sacramento Memorial 
Auditorium. In his remarks, he referred to Gerald L. Parsky, chief 
executive officer, Aurora Capital Group, who introduced the President; 
and Gov. Gray Davis of California.