    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 3 (Monday, January 21, 2002)]
    [Page 83]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Remarks in a Meeting With Labor Leaders

    January 17, 2002

        Thank you all. Let me just be to the point: A good energy plan is
    important for our national security, and it's important for job
    security. Around the table, I'm honored to be sitting with people who
    represent thousands of working people. And they asked the same question
    I asked: What can the Federal Government do to help people find work;
    what can we do to create jobs?
        And this energy bill that we're working on is a jobs bill. And when
    we explore for power--U.S. power--U.S. energy in ANWR, we're not only
    helping us become less dependent on foreign sources of crude oil and
    foreign sources of energy, we're creating jobs for American workers--
    jobs so that men and women can put food on the table.
        That's the question these two leaders ask all the time, ``How best
    can I help the members of my union find work? What can I do to make
    them, you know, be able to feed their families?'' It's the same question
    I ask. And that's why we're linked up on this issue. We've got
    Republicans sitting around this table; we've got Democrats sitting
    around this table; we've probably got some people who don't care about
    politics sitting around the table. But all of us know that the energy
    bill that's now stuck in the Senate, that can't get voted on in the
    Senate, will be good for America. It will be good for our foreign
    policy, good for our national security, and more importantly, it will be
    good for jobs.
        And so I want to thank you, Jimmy, for your leadership. And Doug,
    thank you very much. I appreciate you all working with us. I appreciate
    members of my Cabinet for coming. Together, we can show the country that
    when we work together, we can do what's right--do what's right for the
    working folks.
        And so I'm honored you would let me come by. It's a privilege to be
    around this table. There's no telling what kind of conversations have
    gone on around this table. [Laughter] But it is a huge honor. Thank you,
    sir. Doug, thank you very much.

    Note: The President spoke at 1:11 p.m. in the boardroom at the
    International Brotherhood of Teamsters headquarters building. In his
    remarks, he referred to James P. Hoffa, general president, International
    Brotherhood of Teamsters; and Douglas J. McCarron, general president,
    United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners. A tape was not available
    for verification of the content of these remarks.