[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 50 (Monday, December 15, 2003)]
[Pages 1783-1788]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at a Bush-Cheney Luncheon in McLean, Virginia

December 11, 2003

    Thanks for the warm welcome. Thanks for coming. Thanks for your 
strong support. I tell you what we're doing here: We're laying the 
foundation to make sure that we carry Virginia again in 2004, and we're 
laying the foundation for what is going to be a great nationwide victory 
in 2004. And I really appreciate your help. I also appropriate you 
letting some Oklahoma folks come today too. [Laughter] Yes, that's 
what--[inaudible]. Tell them hello in Tulsa.
    I want you to know that I am--I'm getting ready for the campaign. 
I'm loosening up. [Laughter] But politics is going to come in its own 
time. See, I've got a job to do. I'm focusing on the people's business. 
I want you to remind your neighbors and your friends that this 
administration will continue to work hard to earn the confidence of 
every single citizen by keeping this Nation secure and strong and 
prosperous and free.

[[Page 1784]]

    I want to thank the attorney general for his kind introductory 
remarks. I appreciate you, General. I appreciate the fact that you're 
going to be the campaign chairman of the Bush-Cheney '04 campaign. I'm 
counting on you to energize the grassroots. And for those of you who are 
involved in the party like Kate Griffin, who's the party chairman, and 
other folks who are out in the precincts, thank you for what you are 
going to do.
    I'm so proud that I married above myself. I'm sorry the First Lady 
is not here with me. Laura is a great wife, a great mother, and a great 
First Lady for our country. She sends her very best, and she sends her 
warm regards to all our friends here in northern Virginia.
    Speaking about great family members, I am lucky to have a great 
brother who's from the great State of Virginia. He is my friend. He is--
he comes to the White House; he helps remind me about what is important 
in life, and what is important is family. And Marvin Bush, I want to 
thank you for your love.
    I'm also proud to be closely working with the chairman--I call him 
the chairman--one of the great leaders in the United States Senate, 
somebody who has stood strong for the State of Virginia and, more 
importantly, has stood strong for America by making sure we are a strong 
nation, and that is Senator John Warner. I know your former Governor is 
here with us today, my good friend Jim Gilmore. Thank you for coming, 
Jim. I appreciate your support.
    I want to thank my friend Dwight Schar, who is the State finance 
chairman for Bush-Cheney '04. Thank you, Dwight, for helping make this 
event such a good event. I appreciate all the event chairmen for working 
so hard. It's been an incredibly successful day today, and I want to 
thank you. I know how much work goes into organizing and planning and 
rallying the folks to come to this type of event. I want to thank my 
friend Mercer Reynolds, who is the national finance chairman, for being 
here. But most of all, thank you all.
    I want you to remind your friends and neighbors that in the last 3 
years, our Nation has acted decisively to confront great challenges. I 
came to this office to solve problems instead of passing them on to 
future Presidents and future generations. I came to seize opportunities 
instead of letting them slip away. This administration is meeting the 
tests of our time.
    Terrorists declared war on the United States of America, and war is 
what they got. We have captured or killed many of the key leaders of the 
Al Qaida network, and the rest of them know we're on their trail. In 
Iraq and Afghanistan, we gave ultimatums to terror regimes. Those 
regimes chose defiance, and those regimes are no more. Fifty million 
people in those two countries once lived under tyranny, and today they 
live in freedom.
    Three years ago, our military was not receiving the resources it 
needed, and morale was beginning to suffer. So we increased the defense 
budgets to prepare for the threats of a new era. And nobody in the world 
today can question the skill, the strength, and the spirit of the United 
States military.
    Three years ago, the economy was in trouble, and a recession was 
beginning. And then our country was attacked, and we had some citizens 
who didn't tell the truth, and war came upon us in order to make us 
the--America more secure and the world more peaceful. And all that 
affected the people's confidence. But this administration acted. We 
passed tough new laws to hold corporate criminals to account. And to get 
the economy going again, I have twice led the United States Congress to 
pass historic tax relief for the American people.
    This administration understands that when Americans have more take-
home pay to spend, to save, or to invest, the whole economy grows, and 
people are more likely to find a job. And that is why we are returning 
more money to people to help them raise their families. That is why we 
reduced taxes on dividends and capital gains to encourage investment. 
That is why we've given small businesses incentives to expand and to 
hire new people. With all these actions, we have laid the foundation for 
greater prosperity and more jobs across America, so every single citizen 
has a chance to realize the American Dream.
    And this economy of ours is strong, and it is getting stronger. The 
figures for the third

[[Page 1785]]

quarter show that our economy grew at an annual rate of 8.2 percent, the 
fastest rate in 20 years. Productivity is high. Business investment is 
rising. Housing construction is expanding. Manufacturing activity is 
increasing. We've added 300,000 new jobs in the last 4 months. The tax 
relief plan we passed is working.
    Three years ago, there was a lot of talk about education reform in 
Washington, but there wasn't much action. So I acted, and I called for 
and the Congress passed the No Child Left Behind Act. With a solid 
bipartisan majority, we delivered the most dramatic education reforms in 
a generation. We've increased spending at the Federal level, 
particularly for Title I students, but for the first time, the Federal 
Government is asking whether or not our children can read and write and 
add and subtract. See, we believe every child can read and write and add 
and subtract. We expect every school in America to teach every child, so 
that not one single child is left behind.
    We reorganized our Government and created the Department of Homeland 
Security to better safeguard our borders and ports and the American 
people. We passed trade promotion authority to open up new markets for 
Virginia's entrepreneurs and manufacturers and farmers. We passed much 
needed budget agreements to help maintain spending discipline in 
Washington, DC.
    And this week, we completed the greatest advance in health care 
coverage for America's seniors since the founding of Medicare. The new 
Medicare law will give older Americans the option of prescription drug 
benefits and more control over their health care so they can receive the 
modern medical care they deserve. The new bill will provide more access 
to comprehensive exams and disease screenings and offer preventative 
care so seniors across this land can live better and healthier lives. 
The bill I signed creates health savings accounts so all Americans could 
put money away for their health care, tax-free. We confronted a big 
issue, and we made progress on behalf of today's seniors and tomorrow's 
seniors.
    On issue after issue, this administration has acted on principle, 
has kept its word, and has made progress for the American people. And 
the Congress gets a lot of credit. We've done a lot, working together. I 
appreciate my relationship with Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and, 
of course, Chairman Warner and Senator Allen from this State as well. 
Got a great relationship with Speaker Hastert. We're working hard to try 
to change the tone in Washington. There's too much needless politics, 
endless backbiting, constant posturing. See, the best way to deal in 
that kind of environment--or with that environment--is to elevate the 
discourse and to focus on the people's business by delivering. And 
that's what we have done. We've delivered on behalf of all people who 
live in this country.
    And by the way, that's the kind of people I've attracted to my 
administration. I've put together a superb team of men and women from 
all walks of life to represent the United States of America. Our country 
has had no finer Vice President than Dick Cheney, although Mother may 
have a second opinion. [Laughter]
    In 3 years--in 3 years, we've done a lot. We have come far, but our 
work is only beginning. I have set great goals worthy of a great nation. 
First, America is committed to expanding the realm of freedom and peace 
for our own security and for the benefit of the world. And second, in 
our own country, we must work for a society that is prosperous and 
compassionate, so every single citizen has a chance to work and to 
succeed and to realize the great promise of America.
    It is clear that the future of freedom and peace depend on the 
actions of America. This Nation is freedom's home and freedom's 
defender. We welcome this charge of history, and we are keeping it. The 
war on terror continues. The enemies of freedom are not idle, and 
neither are we. This country will not rest; we will not tire; we will 
not stop until this danger to civilization is removed.
    We are confronting that danger in Iraq, where Saddam holdouts and 
foreign terrorists are desperately trying to throw Iraq into chaos by 
attacking coalition forces, international aid workers, and innocent 
Iraqis. You see, they know that the advance of freedom in Iraq will be a 
major defeat in the cause of terror. This collection of coldblooded 
killers is trying to shake the will of

[[Page 1786]]

the United States of America. America will never be intimidated by thugs 
and assassins.
    We are aggressively striking the terrorists in Iraq. We will defeat 
them there so we do not have to face them in our own country. Other 
nations are helping, and the reason they are is because they understand 
that a free Iraq will make the world more secure.
    And we're standing with the Iraqi people. I was so touched when the 
symphony, the Iraqi Symphony, played in Kennedy Center the other night. 
These are brave, decent people who love freedom like we love freedom. 
And we're standing with them and encouraging them to assume more of 
their own self-defense and to take the steps necessary for self-
government.
    I understand and you know these are not easy tasks. But they are 
essential tasks. And we will finish what we have begun, and we will win 
this essential victory in the war on terror.
    Our greatest security comes from the advance of human liberty, 
because free nations do not support terror, free nations don't attack 
their neighbors, free nations do not threaten the world with weapons of 
mass terror. Americans believe that freedom is the deepest need and hope 
of every human heart. And I believe that freedom is the future of every 
nation. I also know that freedom is not America's gift to the world. 
Freedom is God's gift to every man and woman in this world.
    This country also understands that unprecedented influence brings 
tremendous responsibilities. We have duties in this world, and when we 
see disease and starvation and hopeless poverty, we will not turn away. 
And that is why, on the continent of Africa, America is now committed to 
bringing the healing power of medicine to millions of men and women and 
children suffering from AIDS. This great, strong, compassionate Nation 
is leading the world in this incredibly important work of human rescue.
    We face challenges here at home. Our actions will prove that we're 
equal to those challenges. This administration will stay focused on a 
progrowth agenda. We'll stay focused on making sure this economy 
continues to grow so that everyone who wants to work can find a job.
    For the sake of our health care, we've got more to do. We need to 
cut down on the frivolous lawsuits which increase the cost of medicine. 
People who have been harmed by a bad doc deserve their day in court. Yet 
the system should not reward lawyers who are simply fishing for a rich 
settlement. Frivolous lawsuits drive up the cost of health care, and 
they, therefore, affect the Federal budget. Medical liability reform is 
a national issue that requires a national solution.
    I submitted a good bill to the Congress. The House of 
Representatives passed that bill. Senator Warner is working hard to get 
the bill out of the United States Senate, but it is stuck. The Senate 
must act. And some Senators must understand that no one has ever been 
healed by a frivolous lawsuit. We need medical liability reform.
    I have a responsibility as the President to make sure the judicial 
system runs well, and I have met that duty. I have nominated superb men 
and women for the Federal courts, people who will interpret the law, not 
legislate from the bench. I appreciate so very much the strong support 
of Senator Warner and Senator Allen on this very important issue. See, 
some Members of the Senate are trying to keep nominees off the bench by 
blocking up-or-down votes. Every judicial nominee deserves a fair 
hearing and an up-or-down vote on the floor of the United States Senate. 
It is time for some Members of the Senate to stop playing politics with 
American justice.
    This country needs a comprehensive energy plan. Congress needs to 
complete work on the plan when you come back. You see, we need to 
promote energy efficiency and conservation and clean coal technology. We 
need to develop better technologies to explore for energy in 
environmentally sensitive ways. But for the sake of economic security 
and for the sake of national security, this Nation must become less 
dependent on foreign sources of energy.
    A strong and prosperous nation must also be a compassionate nation. 
I will continue to advance what I call compassionate conservatism, which 
means we'll apply the best and most innovative ideas to the task of 
helping fellow citizens who are in need. There's still millions of men 
and women who want

[[Page 1787]]

to end their dependence on the Government and become independent through 
hard work. I look forward to working with the Congress to build on the 
success of welfare reform, to bring more work and dignity into lives of 
our fellow citizens. We should complete the ``Citizen Service Act,'' so 
more Americans can serve their communities and their country. Congress 
should finally reach agreement on my Faith-Based Initiative, which will 
help us support the armies of compassion that are mentoring our children 
and caring for the homeless, offering hope to the addicted.
    One of the great strengths of America is the fact that we worship 
the Almighty in different ways. We value religious diversity in America. 
We also understand that many of the problems, seemingly intractable 
problems in our society, can be solved by helping a soul change their 
heart. Our Government should never fear the influence of faith in the 
lives of our average citizens. We ought to encourage faith-based 
programs to help solve problems.
    A compassionate society must promote opportunity for all citizens, 
including the independence and dignity that come from ownership. This 
administration will constantly strive to promote an ownership society in 
America. We want more people owning their own home. We have a minority 
homeownership gap in America that must be closed. Next week, I'm signing 
a bill to help people with their downpayment so they can realize the 
great American Dream of owning their own home. We want people owning and 
managing their own retirement accounts. We want people owning and 
managing their own health care plans. We want more people owning their 
own small business. When a person owns something, he or she has a vital 
stake in the future of this great land.
    In a compassionate society, people respect one another. They respect 
their religions. They respect their backgrounds. They respect their 
opinions. And they take responsibility for the decisions they make in 
life. The culture of America is changing from one that has said, ``If it 
feels good, do it,'' and ``If you've got a problem, blame somebody 
else,'' to a culture in which each of us understands we are responsible 
for the decisions we make in life. If you're fortunate enough to be a 
mom or a dad, you're responsible for loving your child with all your 
heart. If you're worried about the quality of the education in the 
community in which you live, you're responsible for doing something 
about it. If you're a CEO in corporate America, you're responsible for 
telling the truth to your shareholders and your employees.
    And in a responsibility society, each of us is responsible for 
loving our neighbor just like we'd like to be loved ourself. The culture 
of service is strong in America. I started what's called the USA Freedom 
Corps to encourage our fellow citizens to extend a hand to a neighbor in 
need, and the response has been great. People are responding in America 
to the needs of others. It's truly the great strength of our country. 
Policemen and firefighters and people who wear our Nation's uniform 
remind us on a daily basis what it means to sacrifice for something 
greater than yourself. You see, once again the children of America see 
heroes--believe in heroes, because they see them every day.
    In these challenging times, the world is seeing the resolve and the 
courage of America. And I have been privileged to see the compassion and 
the character of the American people. All the tests of the last 3 years 
have come to the right nation. We're a strong country, and we use that 
strength to defend the peace. We're an optimistic country, confident in 
ourselves and in ideals bigger than ourselves.
    Abroad, we seek to lift whole nations by spreading freedom. At home, 
we seek to lift up lives by spreading opportunity to every corner of 
America. This is the work that history has set before us. We welcome it, 
and we know that for our country, the best days lie ahead.
    May God bless you all. Thank you very much.

Note: The President spoke at 12:14 p.m. at the Hilton McLean Tysons 
Corner. In his remarks, he referred to Jerry W. Kilgore, Virginia State 
attorney general; Kate Obenshain Griffin, Virginia State chairman, 
Republican National Committee; and former President Saddam Hussein of 
Iraq. He also referred to Title I of the Improving America's Schools Act 
of 1994 (Public Law No. 103-382), which amended Title I of the 
Elementary

[[Page 1788]]

and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (Public Law No. 89-10).