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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 19, 2002

Remarks by the President in Phone Call to Senator Lott and Senate Republican Leaders
Aboard Air Force One
En Route Prague, Czech Republic

1:23 P.M. EST

SENATOR LOTT: (Unheard.)

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I appreciate that, Trent. And I want to thank you all for working hard. We're making great progress in the war on terror, part of that progress will be the ability for us to protect the American people at home. This is a very important piece of legislation; it is landmark in its scope and it ends a session which has been two years' worth of legislative work which has been very productive for the American people.

SENATOR LOTT: (Unheard.)

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I want to thank you all. It is an honor to be representing the greatest country on the face of the earth over in Europe. And we're going to have an historic day on Thursday, when we go to expand NATO. The people of Europe appreciate America, they appreciate our strength and, most importantly, they appreciate our compassion and our love for freedom. And I know you all share that side of America with me.

Again, I want to thank all the senators in the room there for your hard work, and look forward to seeing you when I get back.

SENATOR LOTT: (Unheard.)

THE PRESIDENT: All right, well thank --

SENATOR LOTT: (Unheard.)

THE PRESIDENT: I think that's important. Trent, that piece of legislation will help put hard-hats back to work, and that's going to be good and I appreciate you working on that, as well.

SENATOR LOTT: (Unheard.)

THE PRESIDENT: I need to hear a Texas voice.

SENATOR HUTCHISON: (Unheard.)

SENATOR NICHOLS: (Unheard.)

THE PRESIDENT: Oh, that's good news. Well, thanks. Thanks for your good work, and I certainly appreciate it all.

SENATOR LOTT: (Unheard.)

THE PRESIDENT: Okay, sir. Thank you all very much. Bye-bye.

END 2:26 P.M. EST