President Signs Wartime Supplemental
Remarks by the President at Signing of HR 3289 - the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense and for the Reconstruction of Iraq and Afghanistan
The East Room
1:12 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all for coming. Good afternoon, and
welcome to the White House. On September the 11th, 2001, America
grieved for our losses, and we made a commitment. We determined to
conduct the war against terror on the offensive. We determined to
confront and undermine threats abroad before they arrive in our own
cities.
We're waging this war in relentless pursuit of the al Qaeda
network. We're waging this war in Afghanistan against Taliban remnants
and al Qaeda killers. We're waging this war in Iraq against Saddam
loyalists and foreign terrorists who seek the return of tyranny and
terror. We're pursuing long-term victory in this war by promoting
democracy in the Middle East so that the nations of that region no
longer breed hatred and terror.
Today, the United States is making a critical financial commitment
to this global strategy to defeat terror. We're supporting our
servicemen and women in the field of battle. We're supporting
reconstruction and the emergence of democratic institutions in a vital
area of the world.
The American people accept these responsibilities now, in our time,
so that we will not face far greater dangers in the future. With this
act of Congress, no enemy or friend can doubt that America has the
resources and the will to see this war through to victory. (Applause.)
I want to thank our Secretary of State, Colin Powell, and Secretary
of Defense, Don Rumsfeld, for their extraordinary leadership during
these tough times. (Applause.) I appreciate Deputy Secretary Rich
Armitage, Deputy Secretary Paul Wolfowitz for joining us today, as
well. Thank you all for coming. (Applause.)
Josh Bolten, a member of my Cabinet, the Director of the Office of
Management and Budget -- the keeper of the money -- is with us.
(Applause.) Andrew Natsios, the Administrator of the USAID is with us
today. Andrew, thank you for coming. Yes, he's right there.
(Applause.)
I appreciate the leadership of the Congress being here today.
Speaker Denny Hastert and Leader Bill Frist are with us. Thank you all
for coming, thank you for your strong leadership.
I also want to pay a particular mention to Chairman Ted Stevens and
Chairman Bill Young for doing a fabulous job on a very tough issue.
Thank you very much. (Applause.)
There are a lot of members of the Senate and House with us. Thank
you all for coming, for making a good, courageous vote. I particularly
want to pay homage to Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, for his leadership
on the floor; Jerry Lewis from California; and Norm Dicks from
Washington, for supporting your chairman and getting this bill out.
I want to thank the military and civilian staff members of the
Coalition Provisional Authority who are with us. Thank you for serving
our country. We appreciate the sacrifices you are making.
Today in Iraq and Afghanistan, the world sees a test of will and a
clash of strategies. The strategy of our enemies -- whether al Qaeda,
Baathist, Taliban or others -- is to intimidate newly free men and
women who are trying to establish democracy, and to cause America and
our allies to flee our responsibilities. Their goal is to halt and
reverse all progress toward freedom in the Middle East, to reinstate
permanently the rule of fear and oppression.
The strategy of America and our allies is equally clear. We are
employing targeted and decisive force against the killers. We're
training and equipping Iraqis and Afghans to defend their own nations.
We're helping the Iraqi and Afghan people build just and democratic
governments. And we will meet our duties until the job is done.
(Applause.)
The terrorists and their supporters have had many setbacks in the
last two years. They have lost many leaders, many training camps and
two countries. And we will not relent until they are fully and finally
defeated. (Applause.)
The legislation I'm about to sign commits $87 billion to America's
global offensive against terror. More than $65 billion of these new
funds will pay for ongoing military operations. We're supporting such
basic military necessities as air, rail, and sea transportation for
American and coalition troops to the theaters of action.
We will purchase ammunition for our weapons, and fuel and spare
parts for airplanes and helicopters and vehicles. We will replace
equipment lost or damaged in combat. We'll acquire vital new
equipment, such as armored humvees and body armor and communications
gear. Our service men and women are carrying out their missions with
skill and honor, and they deserve the finest equipment and best weapons
we can provide. (Applause.)
This legislation contains needed funds to pay our soldiers,
sailors, airmen, and Marines, including the additional pay our forces
receive for hazardous duty. We will also cover the salaries of
National Guard and Reserve troops who have left jobs and homes and
families in an hour of national need. The American government will
keep its responsibilities to all who risk their lives for America.
(Applause.)
This legislation also includes nearly $20 billion to help build
stable democratic societies in Iraq and Afghanistan. We will help
train and equip the growing number of Iraqis and Afghans who are
fighting and dying to defend and secure their rights. We'll help to
upgrade hospitals and schools and repair infrastructure and improve
basic services, including water, electricity and sanitation.
Our investment in the future of Afghanistan and Iraq is the
greatest commitment of its kind since the Marshall Plan. By this
action, we show the generous spirit of our country, and we serve the
interest of our country, because our security is at stake. The Middle
East region will either become a place of progress and peace, or it
will remain a source of violence and terror. And we're determined to
see the triumph of progress, and the triumph of peace in that region.
We will do all in our power to ensure that freedom finds a lasting home
in Afghanistan and in Iraq. (Applause.)
We know this will require patience and sacrifice. I just had the
honor of meeting PFC Phillip Ramsey and SPC Alex Leonard, two brave
Americans who were wounded in action. We thank you for your service.
(Applause.)
Recent attacks have shown, once again, the cruelty of the enemy.
They don't care whose lives they take -- men, women, or children.
They're cold-blooded. They're heartless. We're engaged in a massive
and difficult undertaking, but America has done this kind of hard work
before.
After World War II, we made long-term commitments to the
transformation of Germany and Japan so that those nations would not be
sources of war, but our partners in peace. That investment in peace
has been repaid many times over. Now our generation will show the same
perseverance and the same vision in the cause of peace.
I appreciate the solid bipartisan support for this bill in the
House and the Senate. I also appreciate that reconstruction funds for
Iraq have been provided in the form of grants so that this struggling
nation is not burdened with new debt at a moment of new hope.
(Applause.)
The establishment of a free Iraq and a free Afghanistan will be
watershed events in the history of the Middle East, watershed events in
the global democratic revolution that has already transformed Europe
and Latin America and much of Africa and Asia. The resources we commit
today will further advance the cause of freedom, thereby serving the
cause of peace and enhancing the security of the American people.
Now I'm pleased to sign into law, the Iraq and Afghan --
Afghanistan Supplemental Appropriations Bill. (Applause.)