For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
March 11, 2004
Press Gaggle with Scott McClellan
Aboard Air Force One
En Route East Farmingdale, NY
12:29 P.M. EST
MR. McCLELLAN: Good afternoon. The President made remarks before
we departed. You all will have a transcript of that, I'm sure, when we
land. The President spoke with President Aznar earlier this morning
and he spoke with the King of Spain a little bit later this morning.
The President, upon departure, talked about the vicious terrorist
attack that occurred in Spain, and he talked about how the United
States stands firmly with the people of Spain. We express our deepest
condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. And our
thoughts are with all the victims, as well. You will have the
President's remarks when we land.
The President had his usual briefings this morning, as well. He
made remarks, via satellite, to the National Society of Evangelicals
convention. We'll get you the transcript on that. Upon arrival in
East Farmingdale, the Freedom Corps greeter is Richard, or Rich,
McKeon. He's been an active volunteer with Operation Hope, which helps
empower low-income individuals through economic education. He's also
been a Big Brother and mentor to a 14-year-old boy.
Following that, the President will tour USA Industries. USA
Industries is a remanufacturer of alternators, starters, axles for
automobiles and trucks. It's a company that manufactures products
using recycled materials. That's what remanufacture means. USA
Industries started in an 8,500 square foot building with eight
employees, and over the past 18 years they've grown to over 140,000
square feet of manufacturing space and 221 employees.
Q How many employees?
MR. McCLELLAN: Two hundred twenty one. Following that, the
President will participate in a conversation on the economy and job
training, and he will talk about how the actions that we have taken
have helped to provide important tax relief for small businesses and
families. And he will talk about the importance of how we need to do
more to create an even more robust environment for job creation and the
importance of job training in this changing economy.
And then, following that, the President will attend the
ground-breaking ceremony for the Nassau County 9/11 memorial. The
President will attend the event and pay tribute to those who tragically
lost their lives on September the 11th.
Just to give you a little bit of facts here. Nassau County lost
the second-highest number of residents in the nation on September 11th,
281. The Nassau County memorial will include a listing of the victim's
names and some remnants from the World Trade Center, including two
pieces of steel beam. And it's going to cover one acre in Eisenhower
Park. The President was invited by the county executive and Nassau
County and the board of the Nassau County 9/11 Memorial Foundation to
attend this event. They heard that he was going to be attending an
event in the area, and extended an invitation to him in mid-February to
come and participate in this event. And I think they worked to set the
groundbreaking ceremony around the schedule for the President that
day.
Q The other events had already been set up, you say, the
fundraiser and the economic --
MR. McCLELLAN: They heard that the President was coming there for
a reception. And that had been scheduled back in -- had probably been
in the works before, but scheduled back in January. And in
mid-February the county executive and the board of the Nassau County
Memorial Foundation extended an invitation to the President to come and
participate in this ceremony.
Q The county being the second highest loss; I assume the first
is the city of New York?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think we can get you those facts. I was just
giving you the facts that I have on Nassau County.
Q What is your participation going to be in --
MR. McCLELLAN: Hang on, let me finish. And then following that
event this evening, the President will make remarks at a Bush-Cheney
2004 reception. I do want to mention one update to the schedule. On
Monday, March 15th, the President will participate in a conversation on
home ownership in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. And prior to that, he will
tour Spring Avenue Development. And we'll get you more information
that as we get closer to that time period.
Q What's happening with Raimondo?
Q You mentioned something about February, in terms of the time
--
MR. McCLELLAN: The invitation was extended to the President in
mid-February. I think February 17th is when we received the letter
from the county executive and the board.
Q Scott, is the White House going to dump Raimondo?
MR. McCLELLAN: From what?
Q The perspective nomination?
MR. McCLELLAN: First of all, in terms of personnel announcements,
you know I never speculate on those. We are moving forward to appoint
the Assistant Secretary for -- at the Department of Commerce who would
be responsible for the manufacturing and services sector.
Q Is his name Raimondo?
MR. McCLELLAN: There has been no final decision made at this
point. If you'll recall, this was a position that was just established
January 23rd of this year when the President signed into law the
legislation creating that position at the Department of Commerce.
Q What is the status of Mr. Raimondo?
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm sorry?
Q What is the status of Mr. Raimondo?
MR. McCLELLAN: Again, I'm not going to speculate on personnel
announcements just other than to say that in terms of the Assistant
Secretary position at the Department of Commerce, we are moving forward
quickly to fill that position.
Q When did you accept the invite to attend the ground
breaking?
MR. McCLELLAN: In the latter part of February.
Q What is his participation going to be in the ground breaking
ceremony since he's not giving any remarks? He's just going to -- just
watch?
MR. McCLELLAN: He's attending -- yes, he's attending -- he's
attending the ceremony.
Q No remarks?
MR. McCLELLAN: No, he will not be making remarks.
Q Scott, the President has come under criticism from families
of the -- of 9/11 for not being as cooperative as he should with the
commission and for using images in his ad. Is this going to be a
little awkward for him to be there today?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think this is a day to pay tribute to those who
tragically lost their lives on September 11th. He is the -- the
President is there to pay tribute to those who lost their lives.
September 11th is a day that this President never forgets. And that's
what this day is about. It's about honoring and paying tribute to the
victims of September the 11th. And this President believes one of the
best ways to honor those who tragically lost their lives is to make
sure we do everything in our power to prevent something like September
11th from ever happening again.
And I would like to just point out that there are many families
that have expressed a different view from what you brought up a minute
ago.
Q There will be protestors there, and so it's become part of
the political debate right now. And does this make it, again,
uncomfortable at this point in time to go there with the visit -- has
this become hard?
MR. McCLELLAN: We're talking about the President of the United
States paying tribute to those who lost their lives on September 11th.
September 11th was a day that changed the world we live in. And
September 11th is the reason we are a nation at war. And this
President will never forget that day.
Q Who are these families who have expressed a different view?
Have they written letters? Who are you talking about?
MR. McCLELLAN: There are a number of comments I've seen in the
press. There's been a statement put out by a number of families.
Q Scott, one other question. Mr. Greenspan, this morning,
before a House Education Committee, endorsed an extension of
unemployment benefits. The administration has been opposed to that so
far. Is the President --
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't -- I think that -- let me correct the
premise of your question. Where has anyone ever said -- made such a
statement?
Q Well, do you endorse what Mr. Greenspan said?
MR. McCLELLAN: The President is going to be talking about our
economy today. The President is optimistic about the direction our
economy is moving. And the best thing we can do for those who are
looking for work and cannot find a job is to continue taking steps that
create as robust an environment as possible for job creation. You
heard the President talk yesterday about how we are an economy in
transition. And you heard him talk about the trade adjustment
assistance we have provided. You heard him talk about the job training
resources that we have provided. And you heard him talk about the
importance of acting on his 21st century initiative to make sure
workers have the skills to fill the jobs of the 21st century.
Obviously, we've always said that -- in terms of the question that
you asked -- that we will continue to work with Congress on those
issues. But I think that the best way to help those who are out of
work is to create an environment for robust job creation. So we've
added jobs now for six straight months. The unemployment rate is below
the average of the '70s, '80s, and '90s. We've seen a sharp decline in
the unemployment rate. But this President recognizes there's more to
do and that's why he's continuing to advocate the policies he talked
about yesterday.
Q So what about Mr. Greenspan's comments on supporting
extension of jobless benefits?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think I've expressed our view.
Q Scott, what does the President plan to do next week to mark
the year anniversary of the start of the war?
MR. McCLELLAN: We'll keep you posted next week as we get closer to
next week.
Q Why don't you keep us posted now?
MR. McCLELLAN: And again, the week ahead comes out tomorrow. And
as we get closer to next week's events, we'll be glad to talk to you
about them.
Thanks.
END 12:40 P.M. EST
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