For Immediate Release
Office of the First Lady
October 13, 2004
Remarks by First Lady Laura Bush at Victory 2004 Rally
Dickerson's Event Center Las Cruces, New Mexico October 12, 2004
MRS. BUSH: Thank you all very, very much. Thanks a lot. Thanks,
Barbara. It's really great to be introduced by your daughter. George
and I have had a terrific time traveling with Barbara and Jenna on the
campaign trail, having this chance to be with them and actually have
them say out loud in public how much they love us -- we really like
that. (Laughter.)
AUDIENCE MEMBER: We love you, Laura.
MRS. BUSH: Thank you all. Congressman Steve Pearce, thank you
very, very much. Thank you for your introduction, and thanks for being
with us today. Mayor Bill Mattiace, Mayor of Las Cruces, thank you so
much for joining us today. And Susana Martinez, the Doa Ana County
District Attorney, thank you. And all the other state and local
elected officials who are here with me, thank you so much for joining
me today. Thanks a lot. (Applause.)
Its great to be in Las Cruces. As all of you know, George and I
grew up in Midland, Texas. But my mother grew up -- her actual address
was Star Route, Anthony, New Mexico. So she grew just -- grew up right
down the road from you all. (Applause.) So when I'm here, I feel like
I'm home, and it's great to be here. Earlier last week, I was in
Clovis, and then Albuquerque, and George was with Jenna, our other
daughter, and our nephew, George P. Bush, in Hobbs yesterday. We'll be
back in New Mexico, I'm sure, before November 2nd, and it's really
terrific to be able to visit your beautiful state on this campaign.
Im so glad to be here to talk to you all about why its so important
to reelect President George W. Bush. (Applause.) As I've traveled
around the country in the last several months, I've met so many people
who have a deep love for our country and a deep love for our President.
People across America see what you and I see. My husband is a man of
great character and conviction. Weve all watched as he has led this
country through the most historic struggle of a generation. Weve been
through a lot together these last four years. But, today, our economy
is growing, were closing the achievement gap in our schools, and
America is safer and stronger, thanks to the decisive actions of
President Bush. (Applause.)
These are historic times, but theyre also times of change that
require new ideas to move America forward. Just think about the
difference in our lives today and the lives of our parents or
grandparents.
Today, in most families, both parents work outside the home,
including two-thirds of all mothers. And more single parents are doing
double duty alone. More entrepreneurs are starting their own
businesses, and workers are changing jobs often during their
lifetimes. More people are going back to school to keep up with our
changing economy. At our convention in New York, President Bush
outlined his agenda for a new term. And helping families face the
challenges of these changing times is at the heart of the Presidents
plan.
We know that all opportunity starts with education. During his
first week in office, President Bush sent a plan to Congress to change
public education in America, because too many children from our poorest
schools were being left behind. And, today, thanks to the No Child
Left Behind Act, our schools are improving with higher standards, with
accountability, and with the most federal funding ever for elementary
and secondary education. (Applause.) More children are reading at
grade level, and scores in math are improving.
All across the state of New Mexico, students are making great
gains, and we owe this success to New Mexico's incredible teachers. In
the next four years, my husbands wants teachers who choose to work in
low-income schools and those who are working hard to close the
achievement gap to receive extra compensation. (Applause.) And as we
help our younger students, we want to make sure that students in high
schools are well prepared for the new jobs of the 21st century, with
increased math and science education. And President Bush wants to make
sure that adults who want to go back to school to get a certificate at
a community college or to stay competitive in the business world can
also receive federal financial student aid. (Applause.)
And when todays students enter the workforce, Im proud to say that
a lot of them will go to work for a woman boss. (Applause.) Ten
million women in America own their own businesses, and this sisterhood
just keeps growing. In fact, women are starting businesses at twice
the rate of men, and they're crucial to our vibrant economy. And
millions more people are saving more of their own money thanks to the
largest tax relief in a generation. (Applause.)
And just in case you dont know it, many small businesses are either
sole proprietorships or S -- sub-S corporations, which means theyre
taxed with regular income tax. So when you talk about tax cuts, youre
also talking about tax relief for small business owners to expand their
businesses and hire more people. (Applause.) Last week, President
Bush signed a bill extending the tax relief so that families and small
businesses can stay on the path to greater prosperity. (Applause.)
America has added more than 1.9 million jobs since August '03. That's
more jobs than Germany, Japan, England, Canada, and France added
combined. (Applause.)
And after people in Washington spent years talking about helping
seniors pay for their medications, the President delivered results.
Today, millions of seniors are paying less for prescription drugs, and
the Medicare bill also created a new option for insurance coverage that
all Americans can take advantage of, and that's health savings
accounts, where you can save tax-free for your routine medical
expenses. (Applause.) President Bush will also work to bring down the
cost of health care by reforming the medical liability system and
reducing junk lawsuits. (Applause.) And my husband will make sure
that patients and doctors are in charge of health care, not bureaucrats
in Washington, D.C. (Applause.)
As President, my husband has met the toughest challenges with
courage. He believes that it's his duty, the responsibility of every
leader, to find solutions to problems, not pass them on to future
Presidents or future generations. (Applause.) And as we mark the
third anniversary of September 11th, I believe whats most important is
my husbands work to protect our country and to defeat terror around the
world. (Applause.) President Bush wants our men and women in uniform
and their families to know how much every American appreciates their
service and their sacrifice. They are in our thoughts and prayers
every single day. (Applause.) And as we do the hard work of
confronting terror, we can be proud that today, 50 million more men,
women and children have the chance to live in freedom, thanks to the
United States of America and our allies. (Applause.)
On Saturday, it was such a historic day in Afghanistan as the
Afghan people voted in their first free presidential election in the
history of their country. (Applause.) Millions turned out to vote
despite the threat of terrorist attacks. A 19-year-old woman became
the very first voter in the election. She said, I cannot explain my
feelings, just how happy I am. I would have never thought I would be
able to vote in this election. (Applause.)
And because we acted, the people of Iraq are free from the tyranny
of Saddam Hussein. President Bush met with Iraqi's new leader, Prime
Minister Allawi, at the White House recently. Prime Minister Allawi
said that the Iraqi people are determined to exercise their right to
vote this January, even as they face violence from those who oppose
democracy. These acts are grim reminders of why our work to defeat
terror and to support free societies in the Middle East is so
important. Building a democracy takes time. Think how long it took us
in our country. It took almost 100 years after our founders declared
all men are created equal to abolish slavery. And not until 84 years
ago did American women get the right to vote. (Applause.) Building a
democracy is not easy, but we know it is always right. (Applause.)
Over the last two debates, the American people have seen the strong
man that Ive known for 27 years, a man who says what he means and does
what he says. Tomorrow night in Tempe, Arizona, the President will
again talk to the American people of bringing -- about bringing
opportunity and prosperity to every part of our country. So in the
next three weeks, I want to encourage you to get his message out to
your neighbors. Talk to them about the Presidents accomplishments and
about his plans for a new term. Reach out to Democrats and independents
who appreciate strong and optimistic leadership. Make sure if youll be
away from home on election day that you get an absentee ballot. The
deadline to ask for an absentee ballot is October 28th. And make sure
everyone you know turns out at the polls. Everything you do will be a
huge help for the Presidents campaign. And we are going to carry the
state of New Mexico. (Applause.)
These are times of change for our nation, but theyre also years of
promise. George and I grew up in this very part of the country, where
the sky seems endless and so do the possibilities.
My husband brings that optimism, that sense of purpose, that
certainty that a better day is before us to his job every day, and with
your help, hell do it for four more years. (Applause.)
Thank you all. May God bless America. Thanks so much. (Applause.)
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