[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 42 (Monday, October 21, 2002)]
[Pages 1795-1796]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Satellite Remarks to the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

 October 17, 2002

    Thank you all. I appreciate those kind remarks, Rosario. You're a 
gran amiga. Buenos dias. I wish I could be with you in person today as 
the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce salutes Hispanic businesswomen.
    The USHCC is one of this country's great business organizations. 
America's more than 1.2 million Hispanic-owned businesses are 
transforming our economy and transforming our country. I'm particularly 
glad that the USHCC is paying tribute to Hispanic businesswomen. After 
all, the Hispanic businesswomen are emerging leaders of the American 
economy. Their success is creating jobs, building communities, and 
making our Nation more open and more inclusive. I am grateful and 
America is grateful for the accomplishments of these Hispanic 
businesswomen.
    I appreciate so very much the chair of the board of directors of the 
U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. I appreciate so very much the 
president and CEO. I'm honored that you all would invite me. I want you 
to know that I'm a strong believer in small business because I know that 
small businesses are the pathway to advancement and success for many 
Americans, especially women and new arrivals to our country and to 
minorities. I believe in small business because I know that two-thirds 
of all new jobs created in America every year come from small 
businesses. More than one million small businesses are owned by Hispanic 
Americans. And women-owned small businesses are growing twice as fast as 
all other United States firms. And this is good news for America.
    Small businesses are a great equalizer. The only connections you 
really need to succeed are happy customers. The only credentials you 
really need are good products. The only values you need are a 
willingness to work hard and take risks.
    Running a business also brings many personal rewards. You enjoy the 
freedom and pride that comes from being your own boss. You achieve 
success based upon your own abilities. You're helping others achieve 
success by providing them with jobs.
    Workers and entrepreneurs create the wealth of America, not 
government. Yet, government does have a responsibility to create an 
environment where small businesses can grow and prosper. Small 
businesses grow when taxes are low, when taxes are low for workers and 
when taxes are low for entrepreneurs. Low taxes mean more money in the 
pockets of the people who are building America.
    Small businesses grow when the Government considers the impact of 
its regulations, the impact those regulations will have particularly on 
small employers. We must avoid burdening our entrepreneurs with 
unnecessary rules and procedures. Small businesses grow when the 
Government's contracting policies encourage competition and don't 
unfairly favor large businesses at the expense of smaller firms.
    And small businesses grow when entrepreneurs can build their 
businesses without the fear of falling prey to frivolous lawsuits, all 
designed to make trial lawyers even wealthier.
    Our Nation has a responsibility to create an environment where the 
talents of men and women of every origin and background are recognized 
and rewarded.

[[Page 1796]]

    Rosario mentioned my appointments to my Government. I am proud to 
serve many, many exceptional Hispanic Americans. One of my jobs is to 
put the best people in the right jobs in every branch of Government. 
I've done so in the executive branch, and I'll do so in the judiciary 
branch as well. Right now the Senate Judiciary Committee is now 
considering a friend of mine, a guy named Mike--Miguel Estrada. He's my 
nominee for the DC Circuit Court of Appeals. If confirmed, he'll be the 
first Hispanic ever to serve on this important court.
    No one can deny that he's well-qualified. No one can deny he's a 
great lawyer and that he's highly skilled. Yet unfortunately, there are 
Senators who play politics with Miguel Estrada's nomination. There are 
Senators searching for any reason to defeat him.
    I call upon the Senate leadership to treat Miguel Estrada with 
dignity and respect and to bring his nomination up for the full Senate 
to confirm him before they adjourn. He's an American success story. He's 
an inspiration to many Americans, and he'll be an outstanding judge.
    And so I appreciate all of you all who are there today. I appreciate 
so very much Elizabeth and George and the many of you there today to 
bear witness to the great opportunities found in this country, 
opportunities borne of freedom and equality. These values make us 
strong, and we will defend them, no matter how long it takes.
    Gracias por su dedicacion a la excelencia. Gracias por demostrar que 
el sueno Americano es posible para todos los que lo desean en su 
corazon. Y aprecio su amor por esta gran nacion.
    Y Dios los bendiga a todos, y que Dios los bendiga a Los Estados 
Unidos.

Note: The President spoke by satellite at 4:19 p.m. from Read-Pattillo 
Elementary School, New Smyrna Beach, FL, to the meeting in Los Angeles, 
CA. In his remarks, he referred to Rosario Marin, U.S. Treasurer; and 
Elizabeth Lisboa-Farrow, chair of the board of directors, and George 
Herrera, chairman and chief executive officer, U.S. Hispanic Chamber of 
Commerce.