For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
June 30, 2001
Radio Address by the President to the Nation
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Department of Defense
THE PRESIDENT: Good
morning. It's the 4th of July this coming week, a proud day
for all Americans. Two hundred and twenty-five years ago,
the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of
Independence. That document's bold words defined our nation
and inspired the world.
But words alone did not secure America's
independence. In 1776, liberty had to be defended by brave
soldiers and sailors, at the risk of their lives. And
liberty is still defended by brave men and women today.
Much has changed over the past two centuries
for the people who wear the uniform of the United
States. Our armed forces have grown into the mightiest on
earth, and their responsibilities extend all over the world.
Yet, the courage and patriotism of our
servicemen and women are as sure and as strong as ever, and we owe them
the same appreciation that we feel for the soldiers of Bunker Hill,
Valley Forge and Yorktown. We owe them fair salaries,
first-class health benefits and decent housing.
And what we owe, we will pay. This
past week, I announced an amended budget request for the Department of
Defense in 2002 -- $32.6 billion more than in 2001 -- to improve the
training, readiness and quality of life of our troops. This
is the biggest defense increase since the Reagan buildup of the
mid-1980s. For too many years, our strength has
dwindled. Now, we are rebuilding once again, and our first
priority is the well-being of men and women in uniform.
Two-thirds of our military family housing
units are listed by the Department of Defense as being in poor
condition. This will change. We have other
defense priorities, too. Secretary Rumsfeld is completing a
review of the mission and structure of our armed
forces. Soon we'll be proposing a new defense strategy for a
new age, a strategy that recognizes the Cold War is over, but that
threats to our security still remain. We are consulting with
our allies, with Russia, and with others on a defense system that will
protect our country, our forces and our friends from missile attack and
nuclear blackmail.
It's time for fresh thinking and rapid change
in our national defense, to prepare for challenges that are changing
just as quickly. One thing will never change, the quality
and dedication of the men and women who wear America's
uniform. They give their best, they are the best, and they
deserve the best. There is no greater honor for a President
than to serve as Commander-in-Chief. And my budget
priorities reflect the pride I feel in the outstanding people who serve
and protect us all.
I urge the Congress to promptly approve my
defense requests, which will assure better pay, better housing and
better health care for our armed forces. And I wish you and
your family a happy and safe 4th of July.
Thank you for listening.
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