Remarks to the American Legislative Exchange Council in Grapevine, Texas

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, August 8, 2005

Inherent in the No Child Left Behind Act is our belief that we've got to diagnose problems before you can solve problems. And by the way, it's working. There's an achievement gap in America. We've got too many young African American kids who aren't reading at the proper grade level, relative to Anglo kids. But because of the No Child Left Behind Act and because of good teachers and because of good leadership at the State level, that achievement gap is narrowing, and America is better off for it.

I want to thank you for your support of the Faith-Based and Community Initiative. We understand that Government can't love. Government can pass law. Government can hand out money, but Government cannot put heart--hope in a person's heart or a sense of purpose in a person's life. That's done when a loving citizen puts their arm around somebody who hurts and says, "How can I help you? What can I do to make your life better?" The true strength of America lies in the hearts and souls of our fellow citizens. That's our strength. Our strength can be found in the armies of compassion which exist all across America.

ALEC understands that the best way to bring hope into the dark corners of our country, the best way to bring optimism into people's lives is to stand squarely on--side by side with faith-based organizations and community-based organizations whose members have heard that call to love a neighbor just like you'd like to love--be loved yourself.

At the Federal level, we'll continue to open up Federal money for grant purposes for faith-based programs. And at the same time, we will not allow bureaucracies to say to a faith-based program, "You can't practice your faith." We're saving lives in America because we're unleashing the great compassion of America, the people of America, and the people whose hearts are right. I'm honored to be standing with good folks who understand that we can save America, one heart, one soul, and one conscience at a time. So I want to thank you for your support of the faith-based initiatives.

I hope Congress gets a good rest because they got a lot of work to do when they get back. The Senate has got work to do, starting with the confirmation of a fine man, Judge John Roberts. John Roberts is highly qualified. He's one of the best appellate attorneys in the United States. He has argued 39 cases before the Supreme Court. I nominated him to the DC District Court, and he was approved by unanimous consent in the United States Senate. That means nobody objected. I spent time with John Roberts. He's a good family man. He has got a good way about him, a good modest fellow who is plenty bright. But most importantly, John Roberts is a man who will interpret the law--interpret the law based upon the United States Constitution, and he will not legislate from the bench.

The Senate needs to conduct this hearing in a way that brings credit to the Senate. They need to have a good, honest debate about Judge Roberts. But I hope it's done in a way that brings dignity to the process. And they must be deliberate, but they also must hear this call: Roberts needs to get his hearing done and the confirmation completed so he can be seated before the Supreme Court reconvenes in early October.