[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 5 (Monday, February 3, 2003)]
[Pages 108-109]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Following a Cabinet Meeting

January 28, 2003

    The President. Thank you for coming. I'm going to make a quick 
statement, and then I will ask you all to leave without any questions.
    Q. With questions?
    The President. No, without any questions. I appreciate your 
understanding.

[[Page 109]]

    First, I want to welcome Tom Ridge, newly confirmed member of my 
Cabinet. I appreciate the Senate moving quickly. I asked the Senate to 
move quickly on the nomination of John Snow as well. He's having his 
hearing today. They'll find that John is a very capable, smart person 
who will do a fine job as the Secretary of Treasury. I look forward to 
having him join us here at this table.
    Tonight I'm going in front of our Nation to talk about the great 
challenges that face our country, but no doubt that we'll be able to 
handle those challenges because we are a great country. I'll talk about 
our deep desire for peace, peace not only here at home but peace in 
troubled regions of the world. I'll talk about our plan to spread 
prosperity throughout America. I'll talk about the need to have a health 
care system that is modern and sensitive to the needs of our seniors.
    I'll talk about a lot of issues, but as I do so, I'm going to remind 
the American people that solutions to some of the seemingly intractable 
problems lay in the hearts and souls of our fellow citizens, that not 
only are we a strong nation, I will say, but that we're a compassionate 
nation, and when we find hurt and people who need healing, that our 
fellow citizens can provide the love necessary to help a citizen realize 
the full potential of this country.
    I look forward to giving this speech. It is a moment where I will 
rally the American people to some great causes and remind them that 
we'll accomplish those causes together.
    Thank you all.

Note: The President spoke at 10:54 a.m. in the Cabinet Room at the White 
House.