THE PRESIDENT: Thank you
all. (Applause.) I order you to stop.
(Laughter.) Thanks for the kind introduction, and thanks for
such a warm welcome. These are extraordinary times, times of
testing for our government and for our nation. Yet all of us
can be proud of the response of our government, and the exceptional
character of the nation we serve. I've never felt more certain about
America's goodness, or more confident about America's future.
I have come to Constitution Hall today to
express my appreciation for your dedication and integrity, your
commitment to excellence, and your love of our country. The
work of both career and political employees during the last nine months
has been outstanding. We've accomplished a great deal
together. And since September 11th, federal employees have
acted with remarkable professionalism and purpose. And on
behalf of the American people, I thank you. (Applause.)
I want to thank my old college roommate
and friend, Clay Johnson, for thinking of this idea of coming to
Constitution Hall to speak to you. I want to thank Ruth
Sanchez-Way for her warm introduction and her work on behalf of the
American people. I want to thank my friend, Kay James, for
being here, as well. I want to thank the Navy
Band. Every time you play, I step a little
lighter. (Laughter.) I'm really proud of my
Cabinet. I want to thank the members of my Cabinet who are
here. And I'm proud of you all, as
well. (Applause.)
I want to start by recognizing 65 winners
of the Presidential Rank of Distinguished Executive, who are seated
behind me. Congratulations. (Applause.) And I
want to congratulate the Meritorious Executives who are here in the
audience with us, as well. (Applause.) All career
members of the Senior Executive Service, and today we honor their
exceptional performance. Their work covers a tremendous
range of issues, yet they share some things in common: an
outstanding work ethic, commitment to public service, and pride in a
job well done.
One person who was chosen to receive a
Presidential Rank Award is not with us today. Bryan Jack
headed the Defense Department's Programming and Fiscal Economics
Division. He was a brilliant mathematician and top budget
analyst. A native Texan, a graduate of Stanford Business
School, and newly married, Bryan was a passenger on American Airlines
Flight 77, when it crashed on September 11th. Bryan's wife,
Barbara Rachko, is with us today. I know how proud you are, Barbara,
of your husband. And in this hour of grief -- in your hour
of grief, the nation is on bended knee with you. Where is
Barbara? (Applause.)
Since September 11th, we've seen America
more united and resolute than at any point in our
lifetimes. We've seen a nation that is generous and
patriotic, and a nation that is determined to see justice be
done. We've also seen acts of great sacrifice and
heroism. And many of those acts were performed by people who
serve in government at the local, state and federal level -- the police
and firefighters, medics, FEMA employees, members of the military and
civilian employees of government. They've worked past
exhaustion. They have risked their lives. And
some gave their lives, as well. Our nation is grateful for
all these men and women who have shown the meaning of duty and public
sacrifice.
In times of war, the American people look
to the government, more than they do in times of peace. They
count on government to help protect them, and we will. They
count on the government to defeat those who are trying to destroy us,
and we will. Yet while our government is focused on the war
against terrorism, it continues to have vital responsibilities in other
areas. We will give our best to America in war effort, in
all other areas of responsibility, as well.
In doing so, we must resist pressure to
unwisely expand government. We need to affirm a few important
principles, that government should be limited, but effective; should do
a few things and do them well. It should welcome
market-based competition wherever possible. It should
respect the role and authority of state and local governments, which
are closest to the people. And government should do
everything it can to strengthen families, which are the cornerstone of
our society.
Today we're seeing one of the highest
levels of trust in government since the mid-'60s, which is due partly
to the surge of national pride that has swept our country since the
terrorist attacks. But it's also because of how you've
performed your jobs, particularly during the last month. The
American people have placed their trust in us, and we will honor that
trust.
Let me say a few words about important
values we must demonstrate while all of us serve in
government. First, we must always maintain the highest
ethical standards. We must always ask ourself not only what
is legal, but what is right. There is no goal of government
worth accomplishing if it cannot be accomplished with integrity.
Second, I want us to set an example of
humility. As you work for the federal government there is no
excuse for arrogance, and there's never a reason to show disrespect for
others. A new tone in Washington must begin with decency and
fairness. I want everyone who represents our government to
be known for these values.
Third, we must confront the tough
problems, not avoid them and leave them for others. This is
never easy, but it's what conscience demands and what leadership
requires. We must keep the long view, and remind ourselves
that we're here to serve the public's long-term interests.
Fourth, I hope you'll never take the honor
of public service for granted. Some of us will serve in
government for a season; others will spend an entire career
here. But all of us should dedicate ourselves to great
goals: We are not here to mark time, but to make progress,
to achieve results, and to leave a record of excellence.
Fifth, we should never forget that we're
part of the same team. The American people do not
distinguish between political and career employees. They don't hold us
to separate standards. The public has high expectations for
the entire government, and together we will meet those expectations.
And sixth, we should always remember,
every dollar we spend is the taxpayer's
money. (Applause.) People worked hard to earn it,
and so we should spend it wisely, and reluctantly. That will
take discipline and creative leadership, and I urge all of us to show
that kind of leadership.
I know that you face barriers in trying to
lead creatively. Some of them are imposed by Congress,
including barriers to hiring people you need, rewarding men and women
of merit, and contracting services which would save the taxpayers
money. And that's why, last August, my administration
released a strategy for improving the performance of the federal
government. And that is why, shortly, we will be sending to
Congress the Freedom to Manage Act, and the Managerial Flexibility Act,
which will allow you to manage more efficiently and serve the public in
better fashion.
Those of you in high places of government
are more than administrators and experts. You hold the
ideals and hopes of the nation in trust. And I want to thank
you for your willingness to serve our great nation.
It is an incredible honor for me to be the
leader of such a strong team, on behalf of the American people -- a
team of men and women who could be doing something else, but have
decided, I want to serve the greatest land on the face of the Earth.
Let's do our duty. Let's hold
ourselves to the highest of standards. And we'll leave this city and
this government better than we found it.
Thank you for having me. May
God bless your work, and may God bless America. (Applause.)