[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 14 (Monday, April 7, 2003)]
[Pages 400-403]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at the Port of Philadelphia in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

March 31, 2003

    Thank you very much for that warm welcome. It is an honor to be here 
at one of our Nation's busiest ports and one of our country's greatest 
cities.
    Philadelphia and its port shows the hardworking spirit of this 
country. It speaks to our economic might. Most importantly, Philadelphia 
talks about a proud history. After all, it was in this place that we 
first declared our dedication to liberty. We still believe that all men 
are created equal and have the right to be free. And that is true for 
Americans, and that is true for men and women in Iraq.
    We know that liberty must be defended by every generation. Today, in 
the Middle East and on other fronts in the war on terror, this 
generation of Americans is fighting bravely in the cause of freedom. And 
that includes the good people of the United States Coast Guard.
    The men and women of our Coast Guard are showing once again that you 
are ``always ready.'' You're always ready to serve with courage and 
excellence. You are always ready to place your country's safety above 
your own. You shield your fellow Americans from the danger of this 
world, and America is grateful.
    It's my honor to be here with Tom Ridge, the first Secretary of the 
Department of Homeland Security. People of Pennsylvania trained him 
well. [Laughter] He's doing a fabulous job, and I appreciate his 
service.
    I'm honored to be with the leadership of the United States Coast 
Guard: Admiral Tom Collins; Vice Admiral Jim Hull. Most importantly, I'm 
glad to be with the men and women who proudly wear the uniform of the 
United States Coast Guard.
    I appreciate the Members of the United States Congress who have 
joined us here: Senator Arlen Specter--thank you for coming, Senator 
Specter--Members of Congress, Robert Brady and Jim Gerlach, Jim 
Greenwood, Don Sherwood, and Joe Hoeffel. Thank you all very much for 
being here. I appreciate you coming.
    Members from the statehouse, the State government, are here: the 
Lieutenant Governor Knoll, Attorney General Fisher are with us today. 
Thank you both for coming. And the Mayor came, Mayor Street. Thank you, 
I'm honored you're here, Mr. Mayor. I appreciate you coming.
    I also want to thank employees of the Bureau of Customs and Border 
Protection for

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being here, as well as my Federal employees, Federal workers of the 
Bureau of Immigration and Customs. I'm honored to have you here. I want 
to thank you for your dedication and hard work for our Government.
    Today I had the honor of meeting John Susanin. John is a volunteer 
for the American Red Cross. He, like thousands of our fellow citizens 
all across the country, are willing to dedicate time to help in this 
cause of making sure our homeland is secure. The Red Cross, American Red 
Cross, plays a vital role. And I want to thank John for his service to 
our community.
    There's a lot of room for opportunity for our fellow citizens, 
people who want to do something for America. You can volunteer. You can 
volunteer to help watch neighborhoods. You can volunteer to help 
neighborhoods become better prepared. You can volunteer for the Red 
Cross. You could love a neighbor just like you'd like to be loved 
yourself. It's happening all across America.
    And John, thank you for coming. And I also want to thank Manny 
Greenwald for being here as well. Manny is of the U.S. Coast Guard 
Auxiliary. I was briefed today by Admiral Hull, who told me there's 
auxiliarists all across the country who are helping the Coast Guard 
achieve their vital mission. I want to thank all the Mannys across 
America who are helping our Coast Guard do its job. Manny's only 92 
years old--[laughter]--and he's still working hard.
    This is a time of great consequence for our country. Right now, men 
and women from every part of America, supported by a strong coalition, 
are fighting to disarm a dangerous regime and to liberate an oppressed 
people.
    It has been 11 days since the major ground war began. In this short 
time, our troops have performed brilliantly, with skill and with 
bravery. They make us proud. In 11 days, coalition forces have taken 
control of most of western and southern Iraq. In 11 days, we've seized 
key bridges, opened a northern front, achieved--nearly achieved complete 
air superiority, and are delivering tons of humanitarian aid. By quick 
and decisive action, our troops are preventing Saddam Hussein from 
destroying the Iraqi people's oilfields. Our forces moved into Iraqi 
missile launch areas that threatened neighboring countries. Many dangers 
lie ahead, but day by day, we are moving closer to Baghdad. Day by day, 
we are moving closer to victory.
    Our victory will mean the end of a tyrant who rules by fear and 
torture. Our victory will remove a sponsor of terror armed with weapons 
of terror. Our victory will uphold the just demands of the United 
Nations and the civilized world. And when victory comes, it will be 
shared by the long-suffering people of Iraq, who deserve freedom and 
dignity.
    The dictator's regime has ruled by fear and continues to use fear as 
a tool of domination to the end. Many Iraqis have been ordered to fight 
or die by Saddam's death squads. Others are pressed into service by 
threats against their children. Iraqi civilians attempting to flee to 
liberated areas have been shot and shelled from behind by Saddam's 
thugs. Schools and hospitals have been used to store military equipment. 
They serve as bases for military operations. Iraqis who show friendship 
toward coalition troops are murdered in cold blood by the regime's 
enforcers.
    The people of Iraq have lived in this nightmare world for more than 
two decades. It is understandable that fear and distrust run deep. Yet, 
here in the city where America itself gained freedom, I give this pledge 
to the citizens of Iraq: We're coming with a mighty force to end the 
reign of your oppressors. We are coming to bring you food and medicine 
and a better life. And we are coming, and we will not stop. We will not 
relent until your country is free.
    In Operation Iraqi Freedom, our Coast Guard is playing a critical 
role. We have sent many Coast Guard cutters and over a thousand of our 
finest active duty and reserve members to the Persian Gulf and 
surrounding waters. Coast Guard personnel are protecting key ports and 
Iraqi oil platforms. They're detaining prisoners of war. Members of the 
Coast Guard are performing their duties with bravery and excellence, and 
America appreciates your fine service.
    In this time of war, the Coast Guard's service in America's waters 
is more important than ever. We still count on you to rescue fishermen 
and others at sea. We still count on you to enforce maritime law and to 
fight

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drug smuggling. Yet now, as part of the Department of Homeland Security, 
you have taken on a new and vital mission, a mission as important as any 
in your 213-year history, the mission of defending our country against 
terrorist attack. In the finest traditions of the Coast Guard, you are 
rising to the challenge.
    This is a vital task and a massive undertaking. More than 90 percent 
of our combat materials and our trade moves by sea. At this port alone, 
thousands of cargo containers arrive every day. Your job of protecting 
our Nation's port is essential to our economic security and to our 
national security.
    The appropriations bill I signed into law earlier this year 
increased Coast Guard funding to over $6 billion, the highest level 
ever. We're directing new resources to pay for better intelligence 
capabilities, new technologies to monitor and safeguard our ports, a 
more modern fleet of Coast Guard cutters and aircraft, and up to 700 new 
smaller, faster response boats that will further protect America's 
shorelines. By giving the Coast Guard new resources, we are supporting 
the men and women who defend us all.
    All Americans understand that we face a continuing threat of 
terrorism. We know that our enemies are desperate; we know that they're 
dangerous. The dying regime in Iraq may try to bring terror to our 
shores. Other parts of the global terror network may view this as a 
moment to strike, thinking that we're distracted. They're wrong.
    We are meeting threats and acting to prevent dangers. The United 
States and allied troops are shattering the Al Qaida network. We're 
hunting them down, one at a time. We're finding them. We're 
interrogating them, and we're bringing them to justice. We will end the 
Iraqi regime, an ally of terrorist groups and a producer of weapons of 
mass destruction.
    And here at home, we're acting. Shortly before we began the 
liberation of Iraq, we launched Operation Liberty Shield to implement 
additional measures to defend the American homeland against terrorist 
attacks.
    This nationwide effort is focused on five specific areas. First, we 
are taking even greater security measures at our borders and ports. We 
have relocated hundreds of security personnel on our borders. We've 
added additional reconnaissance aircraft patrols at our borders. And the 
Coast Guard is monitoring ports for suspicious activity. This Nation is 
determined. Friends and immigrants will always be welcome in this land. 
Yet we will use all our power to keep out the terrorists and the 
criminals so they can't hurt our citizens.
    Second, we are strengthening protections throughout our national 
transportation system. We're enforcing temporary flight restrictions 
over some of our major cities. We've stepped up surveillance of 
hazardous material shipments within our country and taken measures to 
keep them away from places where large numbers of people gather. This 
Nation is determined. We will do all in our power to make sure our skies 
and rails and roads are safe from terror.
    Third, we've increased surveillance of suspected terrorists. Certain 
individuals with ties to Iraqi intelligence services have been ordered 
out of this country. We're interviewing Iraqi-born individuals on a 
voluntary basis for two reasons, to gain information on possible 
terrorist plans and to make sure they've not experienced discrimination 
or hate crimes. This Nation is determined. Iraqi Americans will be 
protected, and enemy agents will be stopped.
    Fourth, under Operation Liberty Shield, we are guarding our Nation's 
most important infrastructure with greater vigilance. Under the 
direction of our Governors, thousands of National Guardsmen and State 
police officers are protecting chemical facilities and nuclear power 
sites, key electrical grids, and other potential targets. This country 
is determined. We will keep up our guard and do all we can to protect 
our fellow citizens.
    And finally, we're strengthening the preparedness of our public 
health system. The Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human 
Services have increased field inspections of livestock and crops. Public 
health officials have increased medical surveillance in major cities. 
This Nation is determined. We will stand watch against the dangers of 
the new era.
    After our Nation was attacked on September the 11th, 2001, America 
made a decision: We will not wait for our enemies to strike before we 
act against them. We're not

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going to permit terrorists and terror states to plot and plan and grow 
in strength while we do nothing.
    The actions we're taking in Operation Liberty Shield are making this 
Nation more secure. And the actions we're taking abroad against a terror 
network and against the regime in Iraq are removing a grave danger to 
all free nations. In every case, by acting today, we are saving 
countless lives in the future.
    America has many advantages in this war on terror. We have resolute 
citizens. We're vigilant and know that freedom must be defended. We have 
a just cause to guide us, and we have the strength and character of the 
men and women who serve our country.
    You in the Coast Guard take rightful pride in the uniform you wear 
and the mission you have accepted. You and all who serve in our military 
are ready for any challenge. And by your skill and by your courage, we 
will prevail.
    May God bless you, and may God bless America.

Note: The President spoke at 2:50 p.m. at the U.S. Coast Guard Marine 
Safety Office. In his remarks, he referred to Adm. Thomas H. Collins, 
commandant, and Vice Adm. James D. Hull, Atlantic Area commander, U.S. 
Coast Guard; Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll and State Attorney General 
D. Michael Fisher of Pennsylvania; Mayor John F. Street of Philadelphia; 
and President Saddam Hussein of Iraq. The Office of the Press Secretary 
also released a Spanish language transcript of these remarks.