For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 4, 2002
Radio Address by the President to the Nation
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Sunday is Cinco de Mayo, a day that
commemorates the Mexican people's great victory at the Battle of
Puebla, a battle for freedom fought against overwhelming odds. That
victory continues to inspire liberty-loving people across the globe.
It reminds us that the cost of freedom is always high, but it is never
too high. Brave and determined people, committed to a great cause, can
do great good. That was true 140 years ago, and it remains true
today.
Just before September the 11th, I welcomed my good friend,
President Vicente Fox, to the White House as the guest of honor at my
first state dinner. When he arrived I said this: The United States
has no more important relationship in the world than the one we have
with Mexico. In the past eight months, our relationship has grown even
stronger. The people of Mexico stand with the American people in the
war on terror. This is a decisive decade in the history of liberty
-- and the United States is grateful we can count on Mexico's strong
support.
America's relationship with Mexico is built on common values and
shared culture. We both value families and communities -- the places
where character is formed and traditions are passed from one generation
to the next. Americans appreciate the strong faith of the Mexican
people -- a faith that provides hope and inspiration and unity even in
the darkest times.
People on both sides of the Rio Grande value independence and
freedom, and opportunity -- the ability to work hard to achieve your
dreams and become successful as a result. By their strong values and
their determination to create a better life for themselves and their
children, immigrants from Mexico enrich American life.
My close relationship with President Fox reflects the close
relationship between our nations. It is built on the solid ground of
respect and trust and friendship. President Fox is a great Mexican
patriot, a man of honest talk and convictions, who is passionately
concerned for his people's welfare. We are both deeply committed to
helping the entire American familia achieve prosperity and live in
peace.
Mexico and America share a continent, and we are dedicated to
common goals. We are working together to create a "smart border" --
one that will speed the safe flow of people and commerce, but protect
our two nations from terrorism and crime. We are working together on a
Partnership for Prosperity, to better focus the creativity and
resources of the private sector on the critical task of development.
We are working together to address the important and challenging
immigration issues between our countries. And I've asked our Congress
to pass an extension of Section 245(i) of our immigration law to let
families stay together while they become permanent residents. We're
working together to improve conditions for people living along the
border. And we're working together to create an entire hemisphere that
lives in liberty and trades in freedom.
Our two nations will succeed together because our futures are bound
to each other. Geography made us neighbors, but our shared values and
rich cultures have made us the closest of friends.
May God bless the people of Mexico, and may God bless the United
States of America.
Thank you for listening.
END
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