[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 4 (Monday, January 28, 2002)]
[Pages 110-112]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on Signing the Victims of Terrorism Tax Relief Act of 2001

January 23, 2002

    Thanks for coming. Please be seated. Thank you all very much. We've 
come together today to remember and recognize victims of terrorism and 
to sign a piece of legislation that will provide a tangible measure of 
support for their families.
    The Victims of Terrorism Tax Relief Act will provide some tax relief 
to families of those killed in the attacks on September the

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11th, the anthrax attacks after September the 11th, and the Oklahoma 
City bombing. This is a small gesture, compared to the overwhelming 
generosity of the American people in times of tragedy. Yet this will 
help to extend that generosity because it exempts payments from 
charities to victims' families from Federal taxes. This legislation is a 
bipartisan symbol of the Federal Government's concern for families who 
suffered such great loss.
    I want to thank the Members of Congress who are here. I particularly 
want to thank those who worked on the bill: Senator Torricelli of New 
Jersey; Senators Schumer and Clinton of New York--and by the way, 
welcome back to the White House--Senator Nickles of Oklahoma; Senators 
Allen and Warner of Virginia; Senator Baucus of Montana; Congressman 
Rangel of New York; Congressman Fossella of New York; Congressman Thomas 
of California, who couldn't be here; and all the other Members, both 
Republicans and Democrats. Welcome back to town, and welcome to the 
White House.
    We're joined today by families who have lost loved ones in the great 
acts of evil. As you draw on faith and personal strength to cope with 
your grief, I hope you'll also find comfort in the knowledge that your 
Nation stands with you and prays for you. We mourn those whom we've 
lost, and we face the future together.
    In times like these, we realize both the purpose and the limitations 
of Government. The Government cannot take away your pain and sorrow, but 
it can bring the killers to justice. It can devote its energy and 
resources to try to prevent other families from experiencing what you're 
going through and can help remove some of the financial obligations it 
imposes to ease your burdens.
    The Oklahoma City bombing was a terrible crime, and justice was 
done. And I can assure each of you that justice will be done to all 
those who are responsible for the evil acts of September the 11th.
    We've already driven the Taliban from power in Afghanistan, and 
we're helping a new government take its place. We've infiltrated Al 
Qaida caves. We destroyed their camps. We will continue to destroy their 
bunkers and their hideaways. We've put them on the run, and we'll hunt 
them down, wherever they try to hide, and bring them to justice.
    As we wage the war on terrorism abroad, we will also comfort 
families deeply hurt by terrorism here at home. The Members of the 
United States Congress who came together to pass this bill I'll sign 
today had one goal in mind: to help ease your financial burdens as you 
struggle to cope with the loss of your loved ones.
    Many families lost their primary wage earners in the attack on the 
Murrah Federal Building, in the attacks of September the 11th, and in 
the anthrax attacks after September the 11th. This financial strain 
deepens the emotional and psychological impact of the initial tragedies. 
The legislation passed by Congress will relieve the tax burden on 
families who have lost loved ones. Under this law, the Federal 
Government will collect no income taxes on wages earned by terrorism 
victims in the year of their death or in the preceding year.
    Families of victims killed in the Oklahoma City bombing will receive 
a tax refund on behalf of their relatives. Some death benefits paid by 
employers will be exempt from Federal taxation. Lower State tax rates 
will apply to victims of terrorist attacks, as well as to members of the 
armed services who have been killed in combat zones. And to help insure 
that families receive as much relief as possible from charitable 
organizations, payments from charitable organizations to victims' 
families will be exempt from Federal taxation.
    The Victims of Terrorism Tax Relief Act is an important example of 
our national unity and resolve, and it's my honor to sign it today. God 
bless.

Note: The President spoke at 3:18 p.m. in the East Room at the White 
House. H.R. 2884, approved January 23, was assigned Public Law No. 107-
134.

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