[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 2 (Monday, January 13, 2003)]
[Pages 43-44]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Prior to a Meeting With Congressional Leaders

January 8, 2003

    The President. Thank you all for coming today. I'm going to have a 
statement, and then we'll ask you to leave so we can get down to our 
business.
    I want to welcome Members of the Senate and the House, both 
Republicans and Democrats, for this, the first of many meetings we'll 
have this year to figure out how we can work together and get some 
things done on behalf of the American people.
    Yesterday and today the Senate and the House acted on behalf of the 
unemployed workers of America. I have the extension of unemployment 
benefits in front of me. I want to congratulate Senators Frist and 
Daschle and Speaker Hastert and Leader Pelosi for the good work on 
behalf of the American workers.
    And right now it is my honor to sign this piece of legislation, 
which should bring some comfort to those of our fellow citizens who need 
extra help during the time in which they try to find a job. So 
congratulations for a good job, and it's my honor to sign the bill.

 [At this point, the President signed the bill.]

    The President. I signed this, and I intend to sign a lot of other 
bills this year. And I know the only reason I'll be able to do so is 
because we're going to work together. We owe that to the American 
people. It's the spirit that now prevails in this room. And I look 
forward to working with Members of both parties to get a lot done to 
make America a safer place, a stronger place, and a better place.
    Thank you.

Note: The President spoke at 4:08 p.m. in the Cabinet Room at the White 
House. S. 23, approved January 8, was assigned Public Law No.

[[Page 44]]

108-1. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish 
language transcript of these remarks.