We'll be having our New Year's hamburger here in a minute.

You'll find that employees walk a little better down the halls of your companies when you've encouraged them to help a neighbor in need.

I'm here to remind you all that — I want to thank you for what you have done and what you are going to do over the next couple of days, and that is to gather up your buddies and get them to vote, is to man the phones and put up the signs and grab people by the wrists and say, you owe it to Louisiana to vote for Suzie Terrell for the United States Senate.

I had a cordial meeting at that meeting last night. We greeted each other, cordially.

DUBYA: I don't want you to get used to asking too many questions. I've been answering them all the whole time I've been here, question after question after question. If you were to ask a question, Stretch, what would it have been, so I can think about it for tomorrow? I won't answer it now.
REPORTER: What's your reaction to the confirmation of bin Laden being alive on the tape?
DUBYA: Thank you. I've got a formulated answer.
[PRESS CONFERENCE ENDS]

DUBYA: How's your child, April?
REPORTER: She's wonderful.
DUBYA: Georgia W?
REPORTER: My husband is watching, and the name is Ryan Tyler James.
DUBYA: You might as well turn to the camera when you say that.

And here at home, we can be a better tomorrow — better America, too.

And don't be afraid to — talking to Democrats. There's some discerning Democrats who know the difference between lousy government and good government.

No child should be left behind in the state of South Dakota.

I one time in this state described him as a "piece of work." But he's your piece of work.

Paul Wellstone was a man of deep convictions, a plain-spoken fellow who did his best for his state and for his country. May the good Lord bless those who grieve.

You need to listen carefully to the debates that goes on in our nation's capital. You see, some of them are — goes on with people trying to get to the nation's capital. Some of them, they talk about the government's money.

The definition of a patriot in the face of the evil done to America is to serve something greater than yourself in life, is to help somebody in need, is to love a person one at a time, as we remember that — which I know we will.

The problem we have, and the reason we have to continue to talking about this issue is because of a quirk in the Senate rules. And I'm going to let old Judd [ = Senator Judd Gregg of New Hampshire], after I leave back to go see my mother, tell you what — how this happened. Let me just put it to you this way, in plain language. The Senate has got the kind of rule where you pass the tax cut and then ten years it goes back to where we were. The way I like to put it, if I can — in plain English is, on the one hand, they taketh away, on the other hand, they giveth. On the one hand they give tax relief, on the other hand, you don't get tax relief. It's hard to explain in Manchester, New Hampshire, and it's darn sure hard to explain in Crawford, Texas.

Some communities you say, hey, American Dream — and they go, what does that mean?

The reason I want to talk to you real quick is because I want you to understand that we are making progress on making America more secure.

This summer, Tamara and Jacqueline were abducted at gunpoint in Lancaster, California. Tamara told us her story. ...People all across America shared a great feeling of relief when she and her buddy were rescued.

America must remember that tragic story, because it speaks volumes about the great spirit of the country. People flying across the plane, 40 passengers and I think four crew members, I believe it was.

Got one the other day, one of the ones kind of bragging about he thought he was going to be the 20th — 20th killer on September the 11th. He poked his head up, and we found him.

It changes when you walk into a shut-in's house, and say, "Can I love you?" or "Can I help you?"

There's a lot of good people — there's a lot of good people, a lot of good people who wear the uniform at the local level, working hard to secure the homeland. A lot of good firefighters and EMS and police officers spend a lot of time, a lot of time worrying about you and your health.

I want you to remind your children, with all — in the midst of all this war talk, the midst of the — on the television screens seeing our troops, and all the stuff going on — remind them that this mighty nation went into a country as we upheld that doctrine.

He's a soldier in the army of compassion here in Nashville, Tennessee. He's a part of the true strength of America, which is neighbor loving neighbor. Those of us who are on our feet, helping those who aren't on their feet. He's a part of the light that can help shine into corners of darkness, where there may be despair and addiction and loneliness.

I gave a speech to the United Nations talking about Iraq, and making it crystal-clear to the United Nations that Saddam poses an international problem. ...He basically told the United Nations, your deal don't mean anything to me.

If you find a neighbor in need, you're responsible for serving that neighbor in need, you're responsible for loving a neighbor just like you'd like to love yourself.

You see, when you love a neighbor, you fight evil, but you also leave behind a legacy of compassion and decency. It's what I call the gathering momentum of millions of acts of kindness and decency, which take place in spite of government.

I should have clarified it by my statement. I just clarified it by my — not should have, I just.

The United States helped found the United Nations. We want the United Nations to be effective, and respectful, and successful.

I especially want to say a word of phrase to Kofi Annan, who is the Secretary General of the United Nations, for his — for his strong leadership and his good heart and his decency. I enjoy working with him a lot. He's a class act, as we say in the State of Texas.

I want to appreciate very much Congressman John Conyers as well, and Sander Levin and Nick Smith from the both Republicans and Democrats.

It's — this fundraiser is going to be history in about 30 minutes — or if I keep it shorter than that, about 20 minutes.

I want to appreciate Don Nickles.

They hate things. We love things.

It's clear when you get to know Steve [Largent] that he's got his principles indelibly etched on his heart.

That's what America is about. ...We proudly call you an American. We don't say, show us your birth certificate, how you're born, where you're born.

We'll make sure that people have their voice, but aren't able to tie it all up.

And I said, well, we have laws here in America. We've got — the state of Texas has got a law. I said that there's going to be full recourse to the courts, which there was. And the Governor made the decision he made, the Supreme Court made the decision it made, and President Fox made the decision he made.

I appreciate so very much your governor, Bill Janklow, for being here. Bill has been a friend of mine for a long period of time. He might have invented the word "piece of work." But he's a good piece of work.

DUBYA: John, what do you do — excuse me.
MR. JOHN BROOKS: I'm a business manager for the Carpenters.
DUBYA: Oh, good.
BROOKS: We've entertained you.
DUBYA: Yes, you have. You certainly did.
BROOKS: I was probably the first person you met.
DUBYA: That's right. Well, I didn't notice you. I didn't recognize you in a coat and tie.

He's a star today. He's going to be a bigger star tomorrow, because he's a man of principle. See, he doesn't get up there and kind of try to wag his finger to figure out which way the wind is blowing.

I love to speculate about what was going through the enemy's mind — what were they thinking when they hit America. They must have thought that we were so materialistic, or self-absorbed, or shallow, or so worried about our own prosperity, our own individual wealth that we were unwilling to serve something greater than ourself in life, that when the enemy hit we would just kind of make noise and do nothing about it.

Believe this or not, fortunately, she was getting toxic and the doc induced labor before he quit his practice.

The best of America was also represented in the technology and know-how of our mine safety folks — those who, on a moments notice, used their skill to devise a way to save life. Took a look at the situation, reacted to the environment, predicted what might happen miles below the earth, and responded.

Yes I'm distressed to hear about the latest suicide bombers in Israel. For those who yearn for peace in the Middle East, for those in the Arab lands, for those in Europe, for those all around the world who yearn for peace, we must do everything we possibly can to stop the terror. There are a few killers who want to stop the peace process that we have started. We must not let them. For the sake of humanity, for the sake of the Palestinians who suffer, for the sake of the Israelis who are under attack, we must stop the terror. I call upon all nations to do everything they can to stop these terrorist killers. Now watch my drive.

August was a month of accomplishment here in Washington.

[Jane Lambert] has been working hard to make people's lives better. It didn't require a government law saying, Jane, you will help people in need. It required a good heart.

See, one of the interesting things that's happening in this country is that people understand that to be a patriotic citizen no longer means putting your hand over your heart — and by the way, saying, "one nation, under God". ...But being a patriot means you're willing to help a neighbor in need, to serve something greater than yourself in life. That's what a patriot is.

I want to thank Tom Ridge for coming. He's a man — I asked him, I said, you know, you need to serve your country. He was serving as the Governor of Pennsylvania. I said, you've got a nice mansion over there.

When we landed our chopper out there on the playing fields — or some kinds of field — I know it was a field — we were met by two really fine Americans, Helen Suchara and Erin Chekal. Now they're here, and I want them to stand up here in a minute. But I want to describe to you their hearts.

I'm sorry the room is so small. I suspect we could have accommodated a lot more people if we had a bigger room.

And I'm here to campaign for John Kline for the United States House of Representatives. If the good folks in his district are wise, they'll send him to Washington.

Secretary Powell has won the Presidential Medal of Freedom twice — once with distinction. I'm not sure what happened the other time.

REPORTER: On Iraq, can the American people expect that by the end of your first term you will have affected a regime change in Iraq, one way or another? And by the same token —
DUBYA: That's hypothetical.
REPORTER: But can the American people expect that? Should they expect that?
DUBYA: That's a hypothetical question. They can expect me not to answer hypothetical questions.
REPORTER:On Osama bin Laden does your promise still —
DUBYA: On sensitive subjects.
REPORTER: Sir, on Osama bin Laden, does your promise still hold that he will be caught, dead or alive, at some point?
DUBYA: What? Say that again?
REPORTER: Does your promise on — or your goal of catching Osama bin Laden dead or alive, does that still stand?
DUBYA: I don't know if he is dead or alive, for starters — so I'm going to answer your question with a hypothetical. Osama bin Laden, he may be alive. If he is, we'll get him. If he's not alive, we got him.

I mean I, I, I, uhh — I seek justice for the deaths done to American people. And uhh, uhh — it's, it's, eh, heh, heh — you can be tough and seek justice, Ed. And, uhh, you can be disciplined and focused and seek justice. But it's a frame of mind. It's, it's we, we, we duh — we don't take, we, we, we, we take lives when we have to, to protect the people and to hold people accountable for killing thousands, is how I look at it. Ed, and then Jim, and then Tie Man.

And I want to thank the Morella men for allowing Connie to serve our nation and encouraging her to serve our nation.

I just came from a strong exercise class. Thankfully, I didn't have to join.

As I said in the speech to West Point, the coalition we put together has hauled in over 2,400 people. And you can call it 2,401 now.

I believe, I believe this country, I know this country is a fabulous country. But I believe we've got great days ahead of us. I believe that by being strong and tough that we can achieve peace. I believe that. I sincerely, honestly believe it. And not only do I believe we can bring peace for America, I believe we can bring peace to parts of the world that may not seem like there ever is going to be peace.

GREGORY: I wonder why it is you think there are such strong sentiments in Europe against you and against this administration? Why, particularly, there's a view that you and your administration are trying to impose America's will on the rest of the world, particularly when it comes to the Middle East and where the war on terrorism goes next? [In French to President Chirac:] And, Mr. President, would you maybe comment on that?
DUBYA: Very good. The guy memorizes four words, and he plays like he's intercontinental.
GREGORY: I can go on.
DUBYA: I'm impressed — que bueno. Now I'm literate in two languages.

Laura and I are honored to be here at this famous university. I'm particularly pleased to be coming to this university because it is the alma mater of your President and my friend, Vladimir Putin. But even more importantly, it is Mrs. Putin's alma mater.

I — first of all, there's a lot of brains in this room. And you get to decide whether there's a brain drain in Russia. I tell Vladimir all the time — I mean, Mr. President all the time — that Russia's most precious resource is the brain power of this country. And you've got a lot of it. It's going to take a lot of brains in Russia to create a drain.

That's good. It's good for the people of Russia. It's good for the people of the United States. ...For decades, Russia and NATO were adversaries. Those days are gone, and that's good. And that's good for the Russian people, it's good for the people of my country, it's good for the people of Europe and it's good for the people of the world.

Do you have blacks, too?

I'm here to talk about welfare reform, but I'm also here to make sure that the good people of Ohio send this good man back to the Governor's Mansion. There was a lot of reasons to send him back, but none greater than the fact that he married well.

I really am honored to be here with [Alaska Senator] Ted [Stevens]. ...I appreciate he's a straightforward fellow. ...That's good for the Senate, that's good for the people of Alaska and, more importantly, it's good for the United States of America.

As a matter of fact, the people who love the children in Wisconsin are the people of Wisconsin.

I want to thank Al Gonzales. He's "mi abogado". He's been my lawyer, he's been — served on the — as Secretary of State in Texas. He's served on the U.S. — or the Texas Supreme Court. He and his able staff work long hours to really find the best possible nominees for the bench. And I want to — I appreciate Al's leadership, and I appreciate those who work with Al on behalf of the White House for their long hours.

I had great visits with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. They're — according to some American newspapers, they're, you know, very much engaged, and I appreciate that. I'm pleased with that. I think that's a positive development.

You know, in Washington there's a lot of — there can be a lot of noise, a lot of shrill voices, people who are — people up there sometimes are the ones who like to divide people into camps and call names and point fingers.

To put it in Midland, Texas terms, any time we get a hint, we're following up on it.

And when I talked to him [Prime Minister Sharon] on the phone this weekend, the subject didn't come up, but as I understand, that there is — discussions going on about a potential trip. I welcome a trip here to the United States. I welcome people from that part of the world to come and bare their soul and discuss their plans for peace.

DUBYA: Now I've got to go over to a friend-raiser.
REPORTER: A friend-raiser?
DUBYA: Well, that's opposed to a fundraiser.
REPORTER:What's a friend-raiser?
DUBYA: A friend-raiser? Well, it's a — well, it's just kind of a cute way of saying I'm going to go over and see people and thank them for being a part of my campaign. And they actually get to do this for free. And I'm glad. But these will be people, evidently, from all around the country. I haven't seen the list, but I'm told that they are. And I look forward to thanking them — it's really a way of thanking people, many of whom I — I suspect I haven't seen since I've been the President. It's a nice, casual setting to say hello to people. And I'm looking forward to it.

I want to appreciate the Senate Majority Leader, Tom Daschle, for being here today.

He's the kind of fellow who does in office that which he says he's going to do. It doesn't matter what your political party is, as far as I'm concerned. What matters is — in this case, what matters is he does — he kind of defeats cynicism by performing. And therefore, what I was going to say is, it doesn't matter what your party is, you've got to admire that in a man.

One victim put it this way: "They explained the defendant's constitutional right to the Nth degree. They couldn't do this and they couldn't do that because of his constitutional rights. And I wondered what mine were. And they told me, I hadn't got any." The guy sounded like he came from Texas.

The best way to fight evil is to do some good. Let me qualify that — the best way to fight evil at home is to do some good. The best way to fight them abroad is to unleash the military. It is so important for citizens in this country to put a face on America for the world to see, the true face.

The invisible part of everything that you thought you could see, you can't see.

DUBYA: The people of New York are discerning voters. Well, most of the time they're discerning voters. If you know what I mean.
REPORTER: No, what do you mean?
DUBYA: Well, you're a smart guy. Read between the lines.

I appreciate so very much Tom Ridge's service. You know, he was a governor there in Pennsylvania, just kind of cruising along.

And there will be — I take it back. It will be a signature — I won't hesitate. It will probably take about — you know, about three seconds to get to the W, I may hesitate on the period, and then rip through the Bush.

We've tripled the amount of money — I believe it's from 50 million up to 195 million available.

The enemy must have thought they were hitting a society that was so soft, so self-absorbed, so materialistic that we would sue them.

There is no cave deep enough for the justice of the United States of America.

Listen, we caught a bunch of them bunched up the other day. And they're not bunched up any more.

It was vital for our economic future, because when you give people more of their own money to spend, they demand. And when they demand, somebody produces. And when somebody produce, somebody gets to work.

General McNeil, thank you very much. For a warrior, you're pretty darn articulate.

At the beginning of this war, I made it very clear — as clear as a fellow from Texas could make it — either you're with us or you're against us.

Now I'm going to eat my lasagna. If it gets cold you have to eat the lasagna.

You're going to hear the statisticians, the number crunchers, the bean counters — as we call them in Texas — say this might have been a recession, this might not have been a recession, this, that and the other. Well, when they do that, they get crossways with the Bush boys.

Yeah!

We expect there to be transparency. People who have something to hide make us nervous.

Listen, we're a great nation. We welcome people in. We just want to know why you're here. And if you're not supposed to be here more than a period of time, then maybe you ought to just go on home.

I felt like we were making pretty good progress, up until the time when we discovered — the world discovered — that there had been a significant shipment of arms ordered from Iran for only — seems like to us only one purpose, and that is to prevent — is for terrorist purposes.

I've been to war. I've raised twins. If I had a choice, I'd rather go to war.

Well, thank you all very much for coming. Mrs. King, thanks for this beautiful portrait. I can't wait to hang it.

And good public policy asks the questions: "How do we make sure that what affects one affects the other in a positive way? How do we make sure people can find jobs as we head into the year 2000?"

Anyway, it was an interesting day.