Bill Burr: I'm Sorry You Feel That Way

Bill Burr: I'm Sorry You Feel That Way

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Remarks by the President at Bush-Cheney 2004 ReceptionM.c. Benton, Jr. Convention CenterWinston-Salem, North Carolina 12:00 P.M. EST THE PRESIDENT: Thanks for your warm welcome. Thank you forcoming. I appreciate you. It is great to be back in Winston-Salem --it's a incredibly beautiful part of our country. But more beautifulare the people who live here. And I want to thank you for yourfriendship; I want to thank you for your support; I want to thank youfor coming today. What we're doing is laying the foundation for whatwill be a great national victory in November of 2004. We had a good run in 2000, thanks to you all. And the VicePresident and I expressed our deepest appreciation for the hard workyou all put in in the year 2000. We'll do even better in 2004 here inNorth Carolina. I want to thank you for -- (applause.) I'm looseningup. (Laughter.) I'm getting ready. But I've got a job to do -- I'vegot to work on the people's business in Washington, D.C. We've got alot on the agenda, and so when you go to your coffee shops, your housesof worship, or your community centers, please tell them -- Republican,Democrat, or independent alike -- that the President is focused on thepeople's business and he will keep this nation secure and strong andprosperous and free. (Applause.) I regret that Laura isn't with me today. You drew the shortstraw. (Laughter.) She's a fabulous wife, a great mother, a wonderfulFirst Lady. I'm really proud of the job she has done. (Applause.)She sends our very best to our friends here in North Carolina -- hervery best to our friends here in North Carolina. We've got a greatfriend in the Culbertsons. I'm so proud to know the Culbertsons. Iwant to thank them for their friendship and their leadership. I appreciate so very much traveling today with Congressman RichardBurr. He flew down -- (applause) -- he flew down on Air Force One.There isn't much air rage on Air Force One. (Laughter.) He is goingto make a great United States Senator for North Carolina. (Applause.) It's good to see Brooke Burr. I appreciate so very much that DavidBurr was here, his dad, who gave the invocation. I'm sorry thatSenator Elizabeth Dole is not here, who, by the way, is doing a reallygood job for the people of North Carolina. (Applause.) I appreciate the Senator whose place she took, a man who stoodstrong, a man who stood on principle, Jesse Helms. (Applause.)Speaking about former senators, I know Jim Broyhill is here. Iappreciate you coming, Senator. I will pass your best to your goodfriend, my -- (applause) -- I will pass your best to your good friend,number 41. (Laughter.) If you know who I'm talking about there.(Laughter.) Who, by the way, is going to jump out of an airplane onhis 80th birthday. I know it. (Laughter.) Mother had the samereaction. (Laughter.) I want to thank very much my friend, the Mayor of Charlotte, PatMcCrory, who is here with us today. Mayor, thank you for coming. Goodto see you. (Applause.) I know there's a lot of State House folkshere and local government officials. I want to thank you all for beinghere. I appreciate your service to your great state and to yourcommunities. I've asked a North Carolina graduate to serve as the NationalFinance Chairman for the Bush-Cheney campaign of '04. Mercer Reynoldsis doing a fantastic job of working hard on our behalf, and I want tothank Mercer for his dedication and his friendship. I also want toappreciate -- appreciate Dr. Aldona Wos, the State Chairman forBush-Cheney. Thank you very much for your hard work. (Applause.) We've got a lot of grassroots activists who are here, people whoare actually going to get on the phone and put up the signs and lickthe envelopes, all necessary to make sure that we run a vibrantcampaign. I want to thank Ferrell Blount for his leadership here inNorth Carolina. I want to thank all the grassroots activists for whatyou're fixing to do when we're coming down the stretch in 2004.(Applause.) Chief Linda Davis is here. I'm honored the Chief is with us. Iappreciate the fine job she is doing. It's not the first time I haveseen the Chief. I know you're proud of the job she does here inWinston-Salem. I want to thank her for coming. But most of all, thankyou all once again. It's a great turnout. It makes a fellow feel goodto see so many people supporting him. The last two-and-a-half years, our nation has acted decisively toconfront great challenges. I came to this office to solve problemsinstead of passing them on to future presidents and futuregenerations. (Applause.) I came to seize opportunities instead ofletting them slip away. My administration is meeting the tests of ourtime. (Applause.) Terrorists declared war on the United States of America, and war iswhat they got. We've captured or killed many of the key leaders of theal Qaeda network. And the rest of them know we're on their trail. InAfghanistan and in Iraq, we gave ultimatums to terror regimes. Thoseregimes chose defiance, and those regimes are no more. (Applause.) Fifty million people, fifty million people in those countries oncelived under tyranny. And today, they live in freedom. (Applause.)Two-and-a-half years ago, our military was not receiving the resourcesit needed and morale was beginning to suffer. So we increased thedefense budgets to prepare for the threats of a new era. And today, noone in the world can doubt or question the skill or the strength or thespirit of the United States military. (Applause.) Two-and-a-half years ago, we inherited an economy in recession.And then our nation was attacked. And then we had some scandals incorporate America. And then we marched to war, war in Afghanistan andIraq, all of which affected the people's confidence. That's a tough --tough hurdles to cross, when it came to our economy. Yet, thisadministration acted. We passed tough new laws to hold corporatecriminals to account. And to get the economy going again, I have twiceled the United States Congress to pass historic tax relief for theAmerican people. (Applause.) I know that when Americans have more take home pay to spend, tosave, or invest, the whole economy grows and people are more likely tofind a job. So we're returning more money to the people to help themraise their families. We're reducing taxes on dividends and capitalgains to encourage investment. We're giving small businessesincentives so they can hire new people. With all these actions, thisadministration has laid the foundation for greater prosperity and morejobs across America so every single citizen can realize the AmericanDream. (Applause.) Two-and-a-half years ago, there was a lot of talk about educationreform. But there wasn't much action. So I acted. I called for andCongress passed the No Child Left Behind Act. (Applause.) With asolid bipartisan majority, we delivered the most dramatic educationreforms in a generation. We believe every child can learn to read andwrite and add and subtract. We expect every child to learn to read andwrite and add and subtract. This administration is challenging thesoft bigotry of low expectations. (Applause.) We dramatically increased Title One funding. For the first time,the federal government is now asking the question, are you succeeding?We're asking the question of every single public school whether or notwe're meeting the high standard that we expect. The days of excusemaking are over. This country will stay focused on the basics to makesure every child learns to read and write and add and subtract so notone single child is left behind. (Applause.) We reorganized the government and created the Department ofHomeland Security to better safeguard our ports and borders and tobetter protect the American people. We passed trade promotionauthority to open up markets for North Carolina's farmers, ranchers,and entrepreneurs. But I understand that trade is a two-way street,that if we have trade with other neighbors and countries, we expectthere to be fair trade coming the other way. (Applause.) We passed much needed budget agreements to help maintain a spendingdiscipline. In Washington, D.C., on issue after issue, thisadministration has acted on principle, has kept its word, and has madeprogress for the American people. A lot of the credit goes to theCongress, people like Congressman Burr, people with whom we've --(applause) -- people like Speaker Denny Hastert, Majority Leader BillFrist. We're working hard to focus the town on results, not on senselesspolitics. There's too much politics in Washington, D.C. The leadershipin the administration -- we're trying to set a better standard. See,the people want us there to do the business. People there want us todo what's right for the country. That's what we're working hard to do,to change that culture in Washington. And those are the kind of peopleI've asked to serve in our government. I put together a fantastic teamof people from all walks of life to serve the American people.(Applause.) Our country has had no finer Vice President than DickCheney. (Applause.) Mother may have a second opinion. (Laughter.) In two-and-a-half years, we've done a lot. We have come far. Butour work is only beginning. I've set great goals worthy of a greatnation. First, America is committed to expanding the realm of freedomand peace for our own security and for the benefit of the world. Andsecond, in our own country, we must work for a society of prosperityand compassion so that every citizen, every single citizen has a chanceto work and to succeed and to realize the great promise of America. It is clear that the future of freedom and peace depend on theactions of America. This nation is freedom's home and freedom'sdefender. We welcome this charge of history, and we are keeping it.(Applause.) The war on terror continues. The enemies of freedomaren't idle. And neither are we. This country will not rest, we willnot tire, we will not stop until this danger to civilization isremoved. (Applause.) We are confronting that danger in Iraq where Saddam holdouts andforeign terrorists are desperately trying to throw that country intochaos by attacking coalition forces, by attacking the people who arethere to provide aid to the long-suffering Iraqi citizens, and byattacking Iraqi citizens themselves. See, they know that the advanceof freedom in Iraq would be a major defeat in the cause of terror. Thiscollection of killers is trying to shake the will of American in thecivilized world. And this country will not be intimidated.(Applause.) Impressively striking the terrorists in Iraq, defeating them thereso we will not have to face them in our own country. We're calling onother nations to help. If you see a free Iraq, a peaceful Iraq, apeaceful Iraq in the heart of the Middle East will make the entireworld more secure. We're standing with the Iraqi people, the very capable, competentIraqi people as they assume more of their own defense and as they movetoward self-government. These are not easy tasks, but they areessential tasks. And we will finish what we have begun. We will winthis essential victory in the war on terror. (Applause.) Our greatest security comes from the advance of human libertybecause free nations do not support terror. Free nations do not attacktheir neighbors. Free nations do not threaten the world with weaponsof mass terror. Americans believe that freedom is the deepest need andhope of every human heart. And I believe that freedom is the right ofevery person. And I believe that freedom is the future of everynation. (Applause.) America also understands that unprecedented influence bringstremendous responsibilities. We have duties in this world. And whenwe see disease and starvation and hopeless poverty, we will not turnaway. On the continent of Africa, America is now committed to bringingthe healing power, the healing power of medicine to millions of men andwomen and children now suffering with AIDS. This great, powerful,strong, compassionate land is leading the world in this incrediblyimportant work of human rescue. (Applause.) We face challenges here at home, as well, and our actions willprove equal to those challenges. So long as any of our citizens whowant to work can't find a job, it says to me, we've got a problem. Iwill continue to try to create an environment of job creation and jobgrowth by enhancing the entrepreneurial spirit of America. We've hadsome good news recently about our economy. But we won't rests untileverybody who wants to work can find a job. I'm going to talk today at one of your fine community collegesabout the need for us to make sure there is adequate worker trainingprograms to train -- to help train the good citizens of North Carolinafor the jobs which actually exist in the state of North Carolina.(Applause.) We have a duty to keep our commitment to America's seniors bystrengthening and modernizing Medicare. A few weeks ago, Congress tookhistoric action to improve the lives of older Americans. For the firsttime since the creation of Medicare, the House and the Senate havepassed reforms, reforms which will increase the choices for ourseniors, reforms which will provide coverage for prescription drugs. The next step is for both Houses to reconcile their differences andto get a good bill to my desk. We must handle our responsibilities inWashington by making sure the Medicare system is vibrant and viable andreal, not only for seniors today, but for those of us who are fixing tobe seniors tomorrow. (Applause.) For the sake of our health care system, we need to cut down on thefrivolous lawsuits which increase the cost of medicine. (Applause.)People who have been harmed by a bad doctor deserve their day incourt. Yet the system should not reward lawyers who are simply fishingfor a rich settlement. (Applause.) Frivolous lawsuits drive up thecost of health care, and they, therefore, affect the federal budget. Medical liability reform is a national issue which requires anational solution. I put forth a good piece of legislation whichpassed the House of Representatives. It is stuck in the United StatesSenate. It is time for some of the senators to understand that no onehas every been healed by a frivolous lawsuit. We need medicalliability reform today. (Applause.) I have a responsibility as the President to make sure the judicialsystem runs well, and I have met that duty. I have nominated superbmen and women to serve on the federal courts, people who willinterpret the law, not legislate from the bench. Here in Carolina, Inominated Judge Terry Boyle for the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. Inominated this good man, this man of integrity, more than two yearsago. We're still waiting for his vote in the United States Senatebecause a small group of senators is willfully obstructing theprocess. Too many nominees like Judge Boyle are being denied anup-or-down vote. These needless delays in the system are harming theadministration of justice. They're deeply unfair to the nominees andtheir families themselves. It is time for some of the members of theUnited States Senate to stop playing politics with American justice.(Applause.) The Congress needs to complete work on a comprehensive energyplan. Our nation must promote better energy efficiency, betterconservation, we must develop clean technology to help us explore inenvironmentally friendly ways. But for the sake of economic security,for the sake of national security, this nation must become lessdependent on foreign sources of energy. (Applause.) A prosperous nation must also be a compassionate nation. I willcontinue to advance our agenda of compassionate conservatism which sayswe will apply the most innovative ideas, the most effective ideas tothe task of helping our fellow citizens who hurt. There are still millions of men and women who want to end theirdependence on government and become independent through hard work. Wemust build on the success of the welfare reform by bringing work anddignity into the lives of more of our fellow citizens. Congress shouldcomplete the citizen service act so more Americans can serve theircommunities and their country. And both Houses should reach agreement on my faith-based initiativeto support the armies of compassion that are mentoring our children,caring for the homeless, and offering hope to the addicted.Oftentimes, many of the problems that our citizens face are problems ofthe heart. And government can hand out money, but it can't put hopepeople's hearts or sense of purpose in people's lives. That's donewhen people from any faith put their arms around a brother and sisterin need and says, I love you. Our government should not fear the workof our faith-based programs. We ought to welcome faith-based programsand the healing of citizens who hurt. (Applause.) A compassionate society must promote opportunity for all, includingthe independence and dignity that come from ownership. Thisadministration will constantly strive to promote an ownership societyin America. We want more people owning their own home. Today inAmerica, we have a minority home ownership gap. I've submitted a planto the United States Congress to close that gap. We want more peopleowning and managing their own retirement accounts. We want them owningand managing their own health care accounts. We want more peopleowning their own small business in America. We understand that when aperson owns something, he or she has a vital stake in the future of ourcountry. In a compassionate society, people respect each other, and peopletake responsibility for the decisions they make. The culture ofAmerica is changing from one that has said, if it feels good, do it,and you got a problem, blame somebody else, to a culture in which eachof us understands we are responsible for the decisions we make inlife. If you're fortunate enough to be a mom or a dad, you're responsiblefor loving your child with all your heart. If you're worried about thequality of the education in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, you'reresponsible for doing something about it. If you're a CEO in corporateAmerica, you're responsible for telling the truth to your shareholdersand your employees. (Applause.) And in the new responsibility society, each of us are responsiblefor loving our neighbor just like we would like to be loved ourself.(Applause.) The culture of service and the culture of responsibilityis growing around us here in America. I started what's called the USAFreedom Corps in order to encourage Americans to extend a compassionatehand to a citizen in need. And the response has been fantastic.People from all walks of life are willing to help, willing to stand up,willing to make a difference in their communities. Our faith-basedprograms are strong and vibrant and growing. The socialentrepreneurship in American is an integral part of the fabric of oursociety. You've got policemen and fire fighters and people who wear ournation's uniform remind us what it means to sacrifice for somethinggreater than yourself. Once again, the children of America believe inheroes because they see them every day. (Applause.) In thesechallenging times, the world has seen the resolve and the courage ofAmerica. And I have been privileged to see the compassion and thecharacter of the American people. All the tests of the last two-and-a-half years have come to theright nation. We're a strong country, and we use that strength todefend the peace. We're an optimistic country, confident in ourselvesand in ideals bigger than ourselves. Abroad, we seek to lift wholenations by spreading freedom. At home, we seek to lift us lives byspreading opportunity to every corner of America. This is the workthat history has set before us. We welcome it. And we know that forour country, the best days lie ahead. May God bless you all. END 12:31 P.M. 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