[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 49 (Monday, December 10, 2001)]
[Pages 1742-1743]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks in a Tour of the Operation Paycheck Center in Orlando

December 4, 2001

    I, first of all, understand that the attacks on September the 11th 
affected a lot of people. Not only did we lose a lot of life, not only 
are Americans worried about future attacks, but a lot of people lost 
their jobs.
    And I'm here at this program to assure the American people and 
yourselves that our governments, both Federal and State governments, 
want to help you help yourself. I've just come from a little discussion 
with people who find themselves in the same position you're in, about 
how best to use resources to enable them to retrain for jobs that 
actually exist.
    Today we announced a grant for the State of Florida for over $3 
million to encourage programs in one-stop centers such as this, so that 
they're available for people who are looking for new skills. And the 
other thing that makes it important is, the Federal Government can write 
checks, but it seems like, to me, it makes sense to empower the local 
folks to design the programs to meet the needs so that you can train for 
jobs that actually exist in your neighborhood.
    And that's why I'm so proud of my little brother for seizing this 
initiative to develop a program that will meet your needs and the needs 
of people that are looking for workers. I want you to know that I'm 
optimistic about the future of the country. There's no question in my 
mind we will win the war on terror. There's no question that those who--
the evil ones who murdered innocent citizens will be brought to justice.
    I believe that we're making--taking everything we possibly can to--I 
know we're doing everything we can to prevent further attacks. It's 
going to be important for the economic vitality of our country to 
prevent future attacks. And we're taking the steps necessary within our 
Constitution to do just that. If we get any whiff or any sniff that 
somebody is going to harm an American again, we're acting--just the way 
you would want us to.
    And I believe that we've got in place the framework for economic 
growth: We've got good fiscal policy; interest rates are low; energy 
prices are reasonable. But I hope the Congress does pass legislation 
that will take care of displaced workers for the short term, provide the 
short-term help necessary for you all--extending unemployment insurance, 
national emergency grants to help with the health care payments, and 
then put other stimuluses in place to encourage job creation.

[[Page 1743]]

The long-term solution is more jobs, and I believe, acting together, we 
can do that.
    There seems to be a little bit of a logjam in Washington, DC, right 
now. And I know that Senators from both parties, if they could hear the 
stories about--and I'm sure they do; I'm sure they listen when they go 
home. But they need to act. They need to stop fussing and stop talking 
and get something to my desk that will take care of the workers and 
provide stimulus to this economy.
    I wish you all the best. I'm an optimist. We live in a great 
country, a resilient country, a country that will rise to the task. And 
I believe that the effects of 9/11 will--when we do our job, will be 
mitigated with job increases for you all. I really wish you the best. I 
hurt, that coming into the holiday season, that you're not working. But 
I admire your courage for going out to try to improve yourselves so you 
can find jobs around here.
    God bless you all. Thank you for letting me come by to say hello. I 
wish you all the best.

Note: The President spoke at 2:26 p.m. In his remarks, he referred to 
Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida.