For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
April 28, 2001
Radio Address of the President to the Nation
Listen to the President's
Remarks
THE PRESIDENT: Good
morning. You have probably seen the newspaper and television
stories anticipating the 100th day of my
administration. Ever since Franklin Roosevelt's time, the
100th day has been a media marker. But what we are marking
is not 100 days of my presidency; it is 100 days of Congress and the
President working together for the American people.
What have we accomplished so far? I
think we're making progress toward changing the tone in
Washington. There's less name-calling and
finger-pointing. We're sharing credit. We are
learning we can make our points without making
enemies. Bitterness and divisiveness in Washington poison
the mood of the whole country. On the other hand, a culture
of respect and results in Washington can change the mood of the country
for the better.
We're also moving ahead with an important
legislative agenda. There were some last summer who said
there's no way anyone could possibly get a tax relief plan through the
Congress. Yet, the House and the Senate have now both
endorsed significant tax relief and are headed toward a final
vote. Tax relief is an important principle.
The federal government is taking more money
than it needs out of the pockets of the people and we need to return
some. Yet, tax relief is also an important part of our
economic strategy. It will accelerate our economic growth
and create more jobs and more opportunity.
This has nothing to do with me or my political
party. It has everything to do with what is right for the
country. The Senate committee responsible for education
voted 20-0 in favor of a solid education reform bill. And
we'll see results, too, from our initiative to welcoming charities and
faith-based organizations into the work of helping Americans in need.
We're at work on a plan to increase America's
energy supply in the long-term. At the same time, we are
acting in a common sense way to defend our environment. We
are adopting new, scientifically sensible rules to discourage emissions
of lead, to protect wetlands, to reduce the amount of arsenic in
drinking water, to curb dangerous pesticides and to clean the air of
pollution from on-road diesel engines.
Internationally, we are building a more
peaceful and open world. Our relationship with China is
maturing. There will be areas where we can agree, like
trade; and areas where we won't agree -- Taiwan, human rights,
religious liberty. And where we disagree, I will speak
frankly.
But it's just as important for us to listen as
it is to speak. A week ago, I attended the Summit of the
Americas in Quebec City, where I met with the democratically-elected
leaders of Canada, Mexico, Central and South America and the
Caribbean. We talked about how we can handle common
challenges -- everything from education and the environment to drugs,
energy and trade. I said my piece, and I listened, as
well. That's how good neighbors behave.
In nearly 100 days, we have made a good
start. But it's only a start. On a number of
important issues we have laid the foundation for
progress. Now we need to turn a good start and good spirit
into good laws. And I urge the Congress to join me in
seizing the opportunities of the next 100 days and beyond.
Thank you for listening.
END
|