THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all very much. I appreciate so very much
your warm welcome. I am delighted to be here in Bridgeport,
Connecticut. (Applause.) I want to spend some time with you today
talking about the spirit of our country, the great American spirit
which has been tested in recent times. But history will record that
we've met the test. (Applause.)
I saw some of that spirit today in the South End Community Center.
(Applause.) I met a fine executive director named Tony Tozzi, and
thank you Tony for your hospitality. (Applause.) I saw members of
AmeriCorps -- (applause) -- who were mentoring children. I saw members of the
Senior Corps, the Foster Grandparent Program -- (applause) -- who, as
opposed to kind of settling in, these Senior Corps members decided to
continue to give something to our society. And many are giving the most important
gift of all, and that is to teach a child how to read. I want to thank
you. (Applause.)
I appreciate Catherine Milton, the vice president and executive
director of Save the Children. Thank you very much, Katherine, for
your focus. (Applause.)
I want to thank my friend, Steve Goldsmith, for taking on the
important assignment of being the chairman of the Corporation for
National and Community Service. One of the things I feel very
passionate about is our need to inspire the armies of compassion, which
exist in neighborhoods all throughout America.
And you'll hear me talk a little later on about the need to fight
evil by doing some good. And one of Steve's jobs is to help gather the
spirit of America and channel it and focus it so everybody understands
the American experience, the hope of America, belongs to them, no
matter where they live or how they were raised. (Applause.)
I want to thank my friend, the Governor of Connecticut, Johnny
Rowland, and the First Lady Patty Rowland, for being here as well.
(Applause.) I want to thank Chris and Betsy Shays, the congressman
and his wife from this district. (Applause.)
And I also want to thank two other members from the Connecticut
congressional delegation, friends of mine, Nancy Johnson and Rob
Simmons. Thank you all for being here. Thanks for coming.
(Applause.)
You know, I can't imagine what went through the mind of the evil
people when they attacked America. I'm trying to -- I've always tried
to figure out who they thought they were attacking. You know, what
were they thinking?
They must have thought that this nation had no character, that we
were so materialistic and self-absorbed that we wouldn't act, that we
might just -- all we'd do was sue them. (Laughter and applause.) They
didn't understand the true character of the American country, the
nation.
You see, we love freedom. We love the freedom to worship the way
we see fit. We welcome all faiths in America, Christian faiths, Jewish
faith, Muslim faith. We welcome faith. We believe in freedom to
worship. We believe in freedom to speak out loud. We believe in
freedom of the press.
We believe in free elections. We believe in the dignity and worth
of every individual. That's what we believe. (Applause.)
And if somebody attacks those beliefs, we'll respond. That's the
character of our country, is that when we believe something, we stand
up for it. We are slow to anger but, when angered, watch out.
(Applause.)
We also are -- we're a nation that does not seek revenge. That's
not in the American character, as far as I'm concerned. We seek
justice. We're a nation of justice. (Applause.)
This nation has also showed remarkable character in this way:
we're patient, we're a patient nation and we're a disciplined and
focused nation.
Americans understand that the new war of the 21st century, the
struggle for civilization itself is going to take a while.
You know, we live in an age where things happen so quickly that one
of my concerns after September the 11th was the farther we got away
from September the 11th, the more our grief was behind us, that I
thought the American people might forget that which is at stake.
That's not the case -- much to the chagrin of the killers, who continue
to want to bring harm to America.
Make no mistake about this, that we're in for the long pull because
there are people who hate us. They hate what we stand for. And
they're killers. They use killing to justify their beliefs. And I'm
not going to let that stand. My job is to protect the American
people. (Applause.) And our job is to stand strong so that our
children and our children's children will know the freedoms that we
knew growing up. That's what's at stake, my fellow Americans -- at
least that's how I view it. And so long as I'm the President, that's
going to be the view of this government. (Applause.)
In six short months we have made remarkable progress. We really
have.
You know, I said early on, I said to the people you're either with
us or you're against us. I said either you're standing with the United
States of America in our quest and desire to protect freedom, or you're not.
There is no middle ground. And I'm proud to report the coalition --
there has been a vast coalition of nations that have joined us, nations
of all stripes, all who understand what's at stake.
I also said that if you harbor a terrorist and you feed one, you're
just as guilty as the murderers who came to New York City and
Washington, D.C. (Applause.) And as a result of a great United States
military, and a military of many of our friends, we have liberated a country.
It's important for the young here to hear this. We didn't go into
Afghanistan as conquerors. This great nation led a coalition of
military folks to go into Afghanistan as liberators. It's hard for
Americans to know and to believe, but many young girls were not allowed
to go to school in Afghanistan because of the barbaric nature of the
Taliban regime. But thanks to the United States, and thanks to our
friends and allies, girls now go to school in Afghanistan, for which I
am mighty proud. (Applause.)
That is the character of the American people. We're plenty tough
when we need to be, and we'll remain tough. But we're also
compassionate. We care deeply about our fellow citizens in this
world. We care deeply about the plight of children, no matter where
they may live. That's our nature.
And that's how I feel about it at home, too. I feel like out of
this evil is going to come some incredible good. I believe -- I
believe -- that out of this evil will come peace in regions of the world that we
never dreamt would be peaceful.
It's not going to be easy, and we're going to have to lead. And
we're going to have to be diligent and resist and fight terror wherever
we find it. But we've got a good chance for long-lasting peace. And
at home there is going to be some incredible good that comes out of this evil,
because Americans have got great character. And Americans care for
their neighbors in need. People say, what can I do to join the war against
terror. And I said, love your neighbor just like you'd like to be loved
yourself. (Applause.)
If you want to fight evil, find somebody to help. And I'm prepared
to help you find somebody to help, if you want help. If you want to
find a way to help your country, that's what I'm here to talk about.
There are all kinds of ways to help; don't get me wrong. I mean,
you can go to your church or synagogue and mosque and help a lot. You
can help a lot. You can help a program -- devise a program to feed the
homeless, help put a program together that goes into some of the
pockets of despair in America and spread love, one person at a time.
That's what you can do to help.
Service and volunteerism are an integral part of the American
character. DeToqueville discovered that years ago, and if he were to
come back, he'd be just as proud of America now as he was then, when it
came to the willingness of our citizens to serve each other.
You know, I have been so impressed by the living spirit in
America. It's been unbelievable to see firsthand how alive this
country has become, how focused our nation is on serving something
greater than ourself. Perhaps it had to do with the vivid lesson of
Flight 93. Here we are, we're a nation kind of moving along, we
thought oceans would separate us from any threats. Kind of, you know,
perhaps in a culture of self-absorption. And all of a sudden, people
on an airplane called their loved ones, told them they loved them, said
a prayer, and sacrificed to save somebody else's life.
To me, that was one of the most meaningful moments of September
11th and on. It spoke of a spirit that -- of America that recognizes
there's something greater than ourselves, the need to serve our fellow
mankind. These folks did it in the most courageous of ways. But we
can do it in other ways as well here at home.
And so in my State of the Union or in my speech to the nation --
whatever you want to call it, speech to the nation -- (laughter and
applause) -- I asked Americans to give 4,000 hours over the next --
over the rest of your life of service to America. That's what I
asked. I said, 4,000 hours. Now, many of you already do that. So this is --
there you go -- this is a drop in the bucket for you. I understand
that. But many Americans don't.
So 4,000 hours of service for the remainder of your life. I set
that as a goal, and Americans are responding. Many have heard the
call. And in order to channel that enthusiasm, we set up what's called the USA
Freedom Corps. And inside the USA Freedom Corps, we're focused on
three distinct areas. One, the Citizen Corps.
I was in Knoxville, Tennessee, yesterday heralding the Citizen
Corps program. This is a chance for people to help the police, the
fire fighters, the local emergency medical teams, to respond to any
disaster that might occur. And if you're interested in helping the
brave men and women of the police force or fire force or emergency
medical teams in your community, join. Join the Citizen Corps. It is
a way to help secure America and prepare America for a disaster if one
should come.
And then, of course, AmeriCorps and Senior Corps are an integral
part of the USA Freedom Corps. These are programs that recognize that
in America, we can change our country one heart and one soul and one
conscience at a time. You see, I used to like to say that government
can hand out money, but what government cannot do is put hope in
people's hearts. That requires a loving, hopeful person to do just
that. And I view AmeriCorps and Senior Corps as ways to tap into the
great talent and strength and compassion of America to help people in
need.
And then we've got the Peace Corps, and the Peace Corps is a way
for Americans to help teach the world about the universal values that
we hold dear, the true nature of America, which sometimes is distorted
around the world. People don't have the true picture of our country.
And one way to make sure they do is to have compassionate citizens go
into communities all around the world to teach -- to teach all kinds of things. But the
most important lesson they teach is that we're a loving country, that
we care deeply about the citizens of the world.
And so if you're interested in helping the country in those three
areas, you can call 1-877-USA-CORPS. Pick up your phone and dial.
(Laughter.) Or, if you're one of these high-tech souls,
usafreedomcorps.gov. And you'll find a way to help the country. This
will give you a chance to participate. And this is just one way, I
emphasize.
It's one opportunity. And, by the way, through this web site,
you'll find other programs in the communities in which you live that
will provide an outlet for your energy and your compassion.
You need to know that there is a gathering momentum of millions of
acts of kindness that are taking place in the country. We've had
29,000 people requesting applications for the Peace Corps in six
months. (Applause.) Applications to join AmeriCorps are up by more
than 70 percent. (Applause.) Twenty-five thousand people have signed
up for the Citizens Corps. In other words, Americans are responding.
And for that, all of us are grateful.
And one of the things I'm going to talk about is how to expand
America's service programs and how to make them better; and how to
bring in new volunteers and, at the same time, make sure that which we're
funding works, that we're actually meeting some goals.
I look forward to working with the Congress. I'm going to talk to
the members who are traveling back with me to Washington, D.C. after
these events, to talk about the reauthorization of these programs. The
discussions are beginning to come up this week, so part of my speech is
to lay the groundwork for how I think the reauthorization of these
important federal initiatives proceed.
And one of the things is funding, of course. That's an important
part of any process. And I've asked for $290 million in new funding for
these programs for the year 2003. (Applause.) And it's to help meet
these goals: 25,000 new, additional AmeriCorps members -- 25,000 more
than we have now today all across the country; 100,000 new Senior Corps
members. And 200,000 to 300,000 students in the federal work study
program. That's what we're aiming at, that's the goal we've set. Some
say it's too ambitious. Nothing is too ambitious for America, as far
as I'm concerned. (Applause.)
And here are some ways we can help make the programs more
effective. First, by removing barriers that discourage seniors from
joining the Senior Corps. Now, remember, the Senior Corps has got programs within it
like the Foster Grandparent program -- programs all aimed at using the
talents of our seniors to help make citizens' lives better, where
people are losing hope, where despair is too common and too prevalent.
Now, under the current law, volunteers cannot join some Senior
Corps programs until they reach the age of 60. I think we need to
lower it. (Applause.) And so I chose 55 -- my age. I guess I'm not
eligible for Senior Corps, if they finally give me a chance to
participate. (Applause.)
My mother is not going to believe I'm eligible for Senior Corps.
(Laughter.) But if we can get this through the Congress, I will be.
We need to encourage programs to expand, to give people an outlet,
a chance to participate. And we need to eliminate income tests that
keep seniors out of the program. (Applause.) Believe this or not --
believe it or not -- some people are not allowed to participate in Senior
Corps because they make too much money. That doesn't make any sense.
And I'm confident that the congresspeople here recognize that we've got
to make sure Senior Corps is open to as many people who are willing to
put up their hand and say, I love America and I want to help. (Applause.)
Many seniors participate in AmeriCorps, and that's good. That's
what we want. Under a new proposal that I'm making to Congress,
seniors who join AmeriCorps should be able to earn what we call a
Silver Scholarship. In other words, when you work for AmeriCorps you
get a scholarship if you go on to college. A senior who has already
been to college should be able to earn that same scholarship and donate
that to a member of their family, if they so choose. (Applause.) It
makes sense to have older Americans helping younger Americans, and at
the same time helping their families as well. (Applause.)
I want to read this, by a girl named Nicole who works in
Baltimore. She's an AmeriCorps member. Perhaps some of the AmeriCorps
members will understand what she's saying when I read this to you:
"None of it would have happened if I had not done AmeriCorps.
AmeriCorps redirected my life forever. I know the direction my life is
in, service to others, particularly the poor."
This is Nicole's reflection upon what it meant to work for
AmeriCorps.
It is a beautiful spirit, an important spirit for America. And so
we're trying to figure out ways to make sure that AmeriCorps is
attractive to young -- to the Nicoles of the country. Right now,
AmeriCorps members who complete a year of service receive an education
award worth almost $4,700; $4,700 that will help them go to school.
And that's good, it's really good.
Under the proposal I'm making is that that award ought to be tax
exempt and the $4,700 ought to have a cost of living adjustment.
(Applause.)
As well, we need to reform the federal work study programs. These
are programs which encourage students to work off their federal loans.
It makes sense if you borrow money, that you ought to work them off.
And the fundamental question is, how do we let them work it off?
Right now, 7 percent -- only 7 percent of the work study funds are
required to be devoted to students who tutor, mentor, or perform other
forms of service in their community, 7 percent. And so we think that
we ought to raise that number to 50 percent. (Applause.) To say that
we recognize that an incredibly valuable contribution to our society is
to allow 50 percent of the students to work off their federal loans by
mentoring, by tutoring, by becoming involved in community programs
which change America one person, one soul, one conscience at a time.
(Applause.)
One of the things we hear is that governors and mayors and local
authorities are frustrated by the bureaucracy in Washington, D.C. I
understand. I've been there, myself. I have been frustrated, when I
was the governor of Texas, with the bureaucracy in Washington.
Goldsmith's job, as well as Les, the executive director, is to reduce
the amount of bureaucracy and to trust the states and local authorities
more, to give the states and local authorities more flexibility as we had to apply
these monies to meeting the needs of the local folks. (Applause.) It
is very important that Washington -- it's important that Washington
provide flexibility in selecting the groups and charities in which
AmeriCorps volunteers will be placed.
We've got to trust the local folks to understand local problems.
You know, I like to tell people, not all the wisdom of the world is in
Washington, D.C. (Laughter.)
But we also want to make sure people are held accountable. We want
to make sure when we spend money, that it meets needs. And so Steve
and the good folks at the Corporation for National Community Service
are going to develop clear standards and reasonable measures of
performance so that we know whether or not we're being successful. I
think that's really important. I think that's what the American
taxpayer expects. They expect results and I expect results.
And so if a program is failing, we ought to be willing to blow the
whistle on failure, just for the good of the people. We're trying to
help.
And when a program is successful, we ought to be praising the
program and its success and the people who are helping.
It is important, as well, that we make sure that we create a new
standard of accountability for service learning programs in America,
too. The whole purpose of accountability in government is to make sure
that we're succeeding. And in this case, we're aiming for a noble
goal, and this is a hopeful America, a promising America; an America
that says clearly to everybody, this wonderful experience and this
great land belongs to you just as much as it belongs to somebody else.
I've come to talk a little bit about the character of the country,
and it's a character being defined by the moment at hand. History will
look back at us, generations will look back at us, and I believe
they're going to say, thanks. Thanks to the people who stood strong
when it came to defending freedom, thanks to those who sacrificed in
our military. Thanks to the Congress for making sure the military had
the resources necessary to take on a long struggle.
Listen, you've just go to know, there's no cave deep enough --
there's no cave deep enough -- for the long arm of American justice.
(Applause.)
There is no calendar. There is no calendar on my desk that says,
if we don't get -- if so-and-so doesn't show up, then this thing ends.
That's just not the way I think. I'm a patient man, and so is the
American people, much to the chagrin -- much to the chagrin of the
enemy that still wants to take us on.
And we'll look back at the history of America, though -- I believe
it's going to happen -- and say what a fantastic period of time it was
for kids to grow up in our country: when we insist upon quality
education for every child; where there was after school programs
available manned by loving citizens who put their arm around those who
might seem hopeless and say, I love you a lot, I love you a lot, and
you're going to college.
This is a time when you're going to find, I believe, in American
history where our government, instead of fearing faith and faith-based
programs, welcomes faith and faith-based programs into the
compassionate delivery -- (applause.)
This will be a time in American history when those of us in
Washington, D.C., or in the state capitals, recognize that oftentimes
the most hopeful and promising programs of help come from places of
worship. It doesn't matter what the religion is; the people hear that
universal call to love somebody just like they'd like to be loved themselves.
This is a period of time when America, instead of cowering in the
face of terrorism, stood defiantly in the face of evil. When not only
did we fight for freedom, but we promoted the peace. And this will be
a time in history when our nation's compassion comes forth, where the
collective face of America is a compassionate, joyous nation, that will not allow
evil to prevail and, in turn, make sure our neighbors are loved, just
like they'd like to be loved themselves.
You can understand why I'm optimistic about our country, because I
am the President of the greatest nation on the face of the earth.
Thank you for coming. May God bless. May God bless America.
(Applause.)