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The Back
to Work Relief Package Watch
to the President's Remarks Listen
to the President's Remarks
The President of the United States and Secretary of
Labor Elaine L. Chao Economic Recovery Event at the U.S. Department of
Labor Washington, D.C. October 4, 2001
SECRETARY CHAO: Mr. President, it is my great pleasure to welcome
you today to your U.S. Department of Labor.
The appointees and career professionals you see before youas well
as those who are watching us by webcast in our regional officesstand
ready to help you get Americans back to work.
Secretary Thompson, our neighbor from across the Mall, we welcome you
here today as well.
I also want to recognize two members of our Department of Labor family
who suffered personal loss in the September 11th attacks: Eloise
Clark in our Solicitors Office, who lost her daughter Toni at the
Pentagon; and Paul Hylind, whose cousin was a firefighter who died rescuing
others at the World Trade Center.
Eloise and Paul, we share your grief, and hold you and your families in
our prayers.
We have lived through perhaps the darkest days our nation has ever seen,
but as President Bush said yesterday to a class of first-graders in New York,
One of the things that were learning out of our sadness is what a
great country this is.
Weve seen it in police officers and firemen who rushed toward
danger to help others. Weve seen it in construction workers who
volunteered for 12-hour search-and-rescue shifts. Weve seen it in the
crowds that lined up to donate blood, and the contributions that poured into
charities.
At the same time that were learning just how great our country is,
we are also learning what a great leader we have in our President.
In untroubled times, its easy to forget the importance of
leadership.
But in this historic moment of trial, President Bushs leadership
has united our country, restored our courage, and renewed our mission.
Everywhere I go, I see people intensely unitednot just behind our
country, but behind our President.
Last week I was at a memorial service in Alabama, for 13 miners who died
in a terrible accident. As I said to you last Friday, Mr. President, when I met
with officials of the United Mine Workers, they wanted me to tell you that they
stand with youone hundred percent.
Ive been told that this is the first time in a decade that the
President has paid a visit to the Department of Labor.
But before you applaud, you should know that hes come here to give
us an assignment.
To quote the title of the Presidents book, we have a charge to
keep. Its going to stretch us. But I know that we are all up to the
challenge.
Yesterday, the President said, One person laid off is one person
too many.
Mr. President, we agree.
Most people think of us as the Department of Labor. But we who work
here know that we have a larger mission. Were the Department of
Compassion for workers in need.
When people lose their jobs through disasters or layoffs, we provide
emergency funding to states to pay for training, career counseling and child
care, to help workers find new jobs.
In the Presidents 2002 budget, we invest over $5 billionmost
of it through the statesfor job placement assistance and training,
payments for workers needs, and relocation costs.
We oversee a national network of One-Stop Centers, where laid-off
workers can register for benefits, find out about new job skills, and even
learn how to start their own business.
By calling our toll-free number, 1-877-US-2-JOBS, workers can find the
location of the One-Stop Center closest to them.
We also help manage the nations unemployment insurance system,
funded at over $30 billion, providing services and a steady income to
dislocated workers and their families.
Getting people back to work is what this Department does. Giving people
hope in their future is our job.
Barely ten days after the attack on the World Trade Center, we
recommendedand the President approveda $25 million emergency grant
for dislocated workers in New York.
We also sent New York $3.5 million to help them hire extra people and
buy computers to handle surging unemployment insurance claims.
Last week, we distributed $100 million from the federal unemployment
account to help states provide reemployment services to laid-off workers.
And were just getting warmed up.
Mr. President, were excited to hear your plans to get Americans
back to work. And over the difficult months that may lie ahead, we will do
everything in our power to help make your plans succeed.
Please join me in welcoming the President of the United States, George
W. Bush.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you all very much for that warm
welcome. Im glad to be in the midst of patriots, people who love their
country and people willing to work hard to help our fellow Americans who may be
in need.
First, I want to thank Elaine Chao for her leadership. I knew I
picked a good one when I picked her to become the Secretary of Labor, and
shes proven me right. And my old governor buddy is doing a pretty good
job, too. I appreciate the hard work of our Cabinet during this period. Like
the country, were united. We know weve got a job to do.
The evildoers struck, but they may have hurt our buildings, and they
are obviously affecting some family lives in such a profound and sad way. But
they will not touch the soul of America. They cannot dim our spirit.
Weve got a job to do, all of us. And Im here to thank you
in the Department of Labor for your hard work, your concern for your fellow
Americans. All of us, from the President all the way throughout our government,
must be diligent and strong and unwavering in our determination and our
dedication to win the war on terrorism.
Ive got a job to do, and thats to explain to the American
people the truth. And the truth is that were now facing a new threat for
freedom; that on September 11th, war was declared on the United
States, not by a religious group, not by one country versus another, but by
people motivated by evil. And Im going to make it clear to the world what
I made clear to America, that this great country will not let evil
stand.
The attack on our land roused a might nation. Weve never been
united like we have been-as we are today. And were examining a lot of
things. Were examining, as moms and dads, what it means to be a parent.
There are many Americans on bended knee from all different religions, praying
to an almighty God. Were a nation united in our conviction that we must
find those evildoers and bring them to justice. We seek not revenge in America,
we seek justice.
Americans understand that this is a different type of campaign;
its a different type of struggle to defeat an enemy thats sometimes
hard to see, and sometimes hard to find. But what the enemy has found out is
were a determined people, and were patient, and we will do what it
takes to bring them to justice.
We built a vast coalition of nations from all around the world to
join us-nations which understand that what happened in New York and Washington
could happen to them, as well. They understand its now time to unite to
defeat evil. Each nation comes with a different set of capabilities and a
different set of-a different willingness to help. America says, we dont
care how you help, just help. Either youre for us, or youre against
us.
And the progress to date has been positive, really positive.
Weve got nations around the world willing to join us in cutting off the
money of the evil ones. Our attitude is, if they cant fund evil deeds,
theyre not going to be able to affect freedom. And so were talking
to countries and banks and financial institutions, and saying either
youre with us, or against us: cut off their money.
Were applying diplomatic pressure from around the world. I
promise you this: I will enforce the doctrine that says that if you house a
terrorist, youre just as guilty as the terrorists themselves. This is our
calling. This is our nations time to lead the world, and were going
to do that. And we must do so in a bold and strong, and determined fashion. We
will not waver.
I fully understand, as I said to Congress, there will be times when
people feel a sense of normalcy-and I hope that happens sooner rather than
later-and that September 11th may be a distant memory to some. But
not to me, and not to this nation. Now is the time-now is the time to root out
evil so that our children and grandchildren can live with freedom as the beacon
all around the world.
The evildoers cost America a lot of lives. And for the two here in
the Labor Department, I say, we will get justice, and we grieve with you-two
good folks who suffer as a result of September the 11th. I
cant tell you how many people are praying for you and praying for the
victims all across America; people you cant even imagine, cant
even-will never know are on bended knee.
And theyve also changed a lot of lives, these evil actions.
Its clear, as a result of todays new unemployment claims, that the
attack of September the 11th sent a shock wave throughout our
economy. And we need to do something about it. And Im going to lead the
Congress in a way that provides the help and stimulus necessary for there to be
economic growth.
It is not time to worry about partisan politics here in America. It
is time for our government to continue to work together-to say, we hear the
cries of those who have been laid off; we worry about the shock waves
throughout our economy, and instead of talking, were going to do
something about it.
And weve started. We have started. There are $40 billion of tax
rebates that have been disbursed over the last months. That should help our
economy. The Congress came together and passed $15 billion in emergency help
for airlines, and $40 billion in supplemental spending that will help New York
rebuild herself, and will be a part of a means for enhancing our economic
growth.
But theres more to do. Now is not the time to be timid,
its the time to be wise. Its also the time to act. And thats
why yesterday the Secretary of Treasury and I both said that we need to have
more stimulus available. We need for there to be more tax cuts.
I want to remind my fellow Americans that starting next year, there
will be $70 billion additional of tax reductions and larger child credits
coming as a result of the tax package we passed and I signed. So theres
stimulus available.
But I look forward to working with Congress in the interim, between
now and when those tax cuts kick in, to do more. I think we must do more. I
know we must do more to make sure that our economy gets started. And Im
going to ask Congress to ask this question: Will what I vote for encourage
economic growth? Not, will it make me look better at home, or will it satisfy a
narrow constituency, but will my vote stimulate economic vitality and growth.
Thats the question that Americans are asking when we vote on a tax
reduction package. And thats the question I will be asking.
I strongly believe we need to make sure that consumer confidence
stays high, by giving people more of their own money back. We need to counter
the shock wave of the evildoer by having individual rate cuts accelerated and
by thinking about tax rebates.
Secondly, in order to make sure our economy grows within the $60
billion to $75 billion that weve-the parameters of which we outlined, we
need to make sure we have investment incentives for U.S. businesses, both large
and small.
Not only should we make sure that the individual consumer confidence
remains high, but that weve got to understand that by encouraging
investment, it will encourage employment. And one of the things that Elaine
mentioned is that youre a department that makes sure that people find
work. Weve got to have good policy coming out of Congress to make sure
that when you work hard to help people find work, theres a stimulus
package that does so.
People say, well, why did you say that the parameters ought to be $60
billion to $75 billion? Well, one, we think thats the right size to
encourage growth without affecting the economy in the long-term. And secondly,
I think it makes sense to have parameters, so that Congress doesnt feel
like it has to invent a series of new programs in order to stimulate economic
growth.
We know what we need to do. And I look forward to working with both
Republicans and Democrats to get it done. Its the right thing for the
American people. And there is no question that not only should our government
act to encourage economic growth, our government ought to act to take care of
people whose lives were affected on September the 11th.
We need to move. And Ive got some ideas on how we ought to
move. First, in the post-attack economy, some workers need more help for more
time. So I propose extending the unemployment benefits by 13 weeks in states
that have been hardest hit by job losses related to the September
11th attack. This emergency extension will be paid entirely by
federal dollars and should remain in place for 18 months.
And, secondly, I believe the best way to help people meet health care
needs, or job training needs, or income support, is to fund the National
Emergency Grant System by an additional $3 billion. This will be federal money
that will go to states so they can distribute monies directly to people whose
lives have been affected.
I urge the Congress as they plan ways to deal with this tragedy to
look at the government programs that already exist. We dont have time to
try to invent new programs. What we ought to do is make those programs that
exist work better. And heres two solutions to do so.
And finally, I want to remind governors and folks in the states what
Tommy told me earlier today-Tommy said theres $11 billion available to
help states provide health insurance for low-income workers and their families
to the S-chip program. Its an important opportunity for states to expand
coverage to people whose lives have been severely affected by the September
11th attack.
This is a way we can help. This is a set of principles for Congress
to work together to help the American people, stimulate growth, and at the same
time, take care of the workers whose lives have been impacted by the September
11th attack.
And thats what we must do. Because, you see, the terrorists
hope to change our way of life. On the one hand, they hope that America would
become timid and cower in the face of their barbaric acts. They were wrong. On
the other hand, they would hope that wed become paralyzed and unable to
act at home in order to do whats right for the American people. They were
wrong again.
Instead they have provided interesting opportunities for America. I
told some world leaders, through our tears we see opportunity; that were
sad and angry, but weve got a clear vision of the world; that this is a
remarkable moment in history which our nation will seize. Well act boldly
at home to encourage economic growth. Well take care of people who hurt.
We will comfort those who lost lives. Well be compassionate as to how we
deal with Afghan citizens, for example, by making sure theres
humanitarian aid.
And well be tough and resolute as we unite, to make sure
freedom stands, to rout out evil, to say to our children and grandchildren, we
were bold enough to act, without tiring, so that you can live in a great land
and in a peaceful world.
And theres no doubt in my mind, not one doubt in my mind, that
we will fail. Failure is not a part of our vocabulary. This great nation will
lead the world and we will be successful.
Thank you for working for the government. Thank you for caring about
our fellow Americans. May God bless you all and your families, and may God
bless America.
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