22 January 2002

White House Report, January 22: Bush on Energy, Economics, Terrorism

BUSH PROMOTES HIS ENERGY, ECONOMIC PLANS ON TRIP TO WEST VIRGINIA

President Bush promoted his energy and economic proposals for the nation on a day-trip to West Virginia January 22 -- the day before members of the U.S Congress return to Washington from a congressional recess with these issues on their agenda.

In a speech as he arrived at the airport in Charleston, West Virginia, Bush said he hopes that 2002 does not "become a bitter, political year."

"There are some things that are more important than political party," Bush said, praising the bipartisan manner that Congress has dealt with national security issues following the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States. He urged Congress to approach energy and economic issues with the same spirit of unity.

"In order to become less dependent on foreign sources of energy, we've got to find and produce more energy at home, including coal," Bush said. West Virginia is a major coal-producing state.

"We can have coal production and enhanced technologies in order to make sure the coal burns cleaner," he said. "Now, I know there are some in Washington who don't want to concede that. But they must not have much faith in the technology that's coming on line. I don't believe we can be independent as a nation unless we've got a constructive coal policy."

He said he has asked Congress to pass a comprehensive energy plan that also includes exploring for natural gas in the state of Alaska.

Bush also defended the $1.35 trillion, 10-year income tax cuts enacted last year, charging anew that Democrats who would postpone them offer the wrong prescription.

"If you want to create jobs, let the American people have more of their own money, so they can spend it," Bush said.

"Raising taxes, or not allowing money in people's pockets in the midst of the recession is the wrong prescription" for the U.S. economy, he said.

The President also urged opening markets around the world to U.S. products. He is seeking expanded powers from Congress to negotiate trade pacts. The House, by one vote, gave him this authority, but the Senate has not yet voted.

"We're the most productive people on the face of the Earth. We should not fear opening markets; we ought to welcome opening markets, so we can sell more products. If we sell more products overseas," he said, "it means more jobs for the working people in America."

On the war against terror, Bush said the United States "is doing the right thing" and will win.

"What a great nation we have," he said. "A nation that is willing to sacrifice for freedom and, at the same time, a nation that is liberating women and children in Afghanistan from the evil repression of the Taliban. A nation that not only stands on principle, but a nation that is a nation of liberators. I'm so proud of our military and the American people, and the Afghan women and children thank you from the bottom of their hearts."

Later January 22, Bush toured a Charleston heavy machinery distributor, the Cecil I. Walker Machinery Company, which sells and services Caterpillar equipment and employs more than 550 people in West Virginia and Ohio.

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)