[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 31 (Monday, August 7, 2006)]
[Page 1422]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]
<R04>
Remarks to Reporters in Miami, Florida
July 31, 2006
It's an honor to be here at one of Miami's most famous restaurants.
Brother Jeb suggested we come here and have some coffee with some of
south Florida's leading entrepreneurs. We've got people who have started
their own business, people who are carrying on family traditions--all of
whom share with me their optimism but also share with me some of the
problems they face.
One of the key problems that many of the businesses face here is
labor. The unemployment rate is unbelievably low right now, and
therefore, businesses who are planning for the future are wondering
whether or not they're going to be able to find people to help their
businesses expand. I assured them that the administration is still
working toward a comprehensive immigration policy that will be rational,
that will be able to, one, enforce rule of law, and on the other hand,
be compassionate about how this country treats people.
I assured them as well, that we will continue to work to keep taxes
low. It's very interesting, you know; when an entrepreneur gets their
business started, they want to keep more of their own money so they can
expand. And one way to do that is to make sure that taxes stay low, and
that's what we will do.
We talked about health care; we talked about energy; we talked about
Cuba. So I want to thank you all very much for being here. Thanks for
giving me a chance to come.
And by the way, we also talked about the situation in the Middle
East. And I assured the people here that we will work toward a plan in
the United Nations Security Council that addresses the root causes of
the problem so that whatever comes out of the Security Council will be
able to last and that the people in both Lebanon and Israel will be able
to grow--be able to remain in peace. That's what we want. We want there
to be a long-lasting peace, one that's sustainable. And I'll speak to
Condi Rice when she gets back tonight, to talk about what she saw and
what she heard in the Middle East. And of course, there will be a way
forward in the Security Council later on this week.
Thank you.
Note: The President spoke at 8:47 a.m. at the Versailles Restaurant and
Bakery. In his remarks, he referred to Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida.