[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 9 (Monday, March 4, 2002)]
[Page 295]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks During a Visit to the East Capitol Center for Change and an 
Exchange With Reporters

February 26, 2002

[The President's remarks are joined in progress. ]

    The President. ----with healers, people of great and deep faith, who 
have come from some of the toughest circumstances known, to be leaders 
in their communities; people--one-time crack addicts, a heroin user, 
both of whom now are a good mom and dad; people who are helping others 
to learn that there's a better way.
    And I just want to thank you all for sharing with me your 
experiences and your thoughts. You know, my dream for the country is 
that the welfare system work side by side with the faith-based programs, 
which can do a heck of a good job about changing people's hearts and 
their souls and, therefore, their minds and, therefore, their behavior. 
And you're living proof of what I'm talking about.
    So I want to thank you for sharing your testimony with us. It only 
strengthens my resolve to make a good law that will propel the healers 
of America forward. And it only strengthens my knowledge about where the 
true strength of the country is, and it's in the hearts and souls of our 
citizens.
    Thank you for your time, Curtis. Thank you for your leadership. I 
appreciate you inviting us to your program. I look forward to sharing 
some thoughts about some legislation.

Welfare Reform

    Q. Are there enough jobs----
    The President. I'm going to make sure the economy grows. And yes, 
there are.
    Q. You stiffened the requirements. Do you think there's enough jobs 
in this economy?
    The President. Yes, I do.

Note: The President spoke at 1:47 p.m. in the gymnasium at St. Luke's 
Catholic Church. In his remarks, he referred to Curtis Watkins, 
executive director, East Capitol Center for Change. The press release 
issued by the Office of the Press Secretary did not include the complete 
opening remarks of the President. The Office of the Press Secretary also 
released a Spanish language transcript of these remarks. A tape was not 
available for verification of the content of these remarks.