[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 12 (Monday, March 24, 2003)]
[Pages 347-348]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Following a Meeting With Congressional Leaders and an Exchange 
With Reporters

March 21, 2003

    The President. I've asked the Members of Congress to come up so that 
members of my administration can keep the leadership up to date as the 
war to liberate Iraq and to remove weapons of mass destruction out of 
Iraq proceeds. The military briefings, of course, will continue to be 
given out of the Pentagon. Secretary Rumsfeld will be briefing this 
afternoon.
    I also really want to thank Members of Congress, both House Members, 
Senate Members, members of both political parties, for the strong 
resolutions that came off the floor of their respective bodies, 
resolutions

[[Page 348]]

which said loud and clear: Our country supports the men and women in 
uniform; not only do we support those brave souls who are sacrificing on 
our behalf, but we want to thank their parents and their families for 
their dedication as well.
    As Secretary Rumsfeld said, we're making progress. We will stay on 
task until we've achieved our objective, which is to rid Iraq of weapons 
of mass destruction and free the Iraqi people so they can live in a 
society that is hopeful and democratic and at peace in its neighborhood.
    All of us involved here in Washington are extremely proud of the 
skill and bravery of our young Americans who are willing to sacrifice 
for something greater than themselves.
    So it's my honor to welcome the Members here. We will continue to 
keep them briefed as this war progresses. And I want to thank them for 
the unity, the message of unity.
    Thank you all for coming.

Secretary Rumsfeld's Briefing

    Q. Is Saddam dead or alive, sir?
    The President. Secretary Rumsfeld will be briefing today.
    Q. Do you want to give us any details, as the Commander in Chief, of 
how things are going?
    The President. Secretary Rumsfeld will be briefing today.

Note: The President spoke at 10:17 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White 
House. A reporter referred to President Saddam Hussein of Iraq.