For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
March 4, 2001
Remarks by the President Upon Arrival at Langley Air Force Base
Hampton, Virginia
THE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you all
very much. And thank you for your
service to this great land of ours. Laura and I are
thrilled to be here. I'm traveling today with members of
my Cabinet -- the Secretary of State Colin Powell --
(applause) -- and Alma. She is the
true general in that
family. (Laughter.) The Secretary of Defense,
Secretary Rumsfeld, and his
bride. (Applause.) The Secretary of Energy,
Secretary Abraham, and his bride. (Applause.)
We've assembled the finest national security
team of any administration. We understand our job is to keep
the peace. But we also understand, in order to do so our
military must be well-prepared, well-trained, well-housed, and
well-paid. (Applause.)
One of the first policy speeches I gave was to
send the message loud and clear to the U.S. Congress that we expect
there to be a pay raise for those who wear the
uniform. (Applause.) But what you can expect from
us is a clear mission, a clear focused mission that says our military
will be trained and ready to fight and win war, and therefore, prevent
war from happening in the first place. (Applause.)
We're honored to be here. Thank you
for your service to America. Our
country and the world is better off for it. God
bless. (Applause.)
END
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