Remarks and a Question-and-Answer Session With Students at Crawford Elementary School and an Exchange With Reporters in Crawford, Texas

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, August 27, 2001

The President. Thank you, Linda. Thanks for having me come. It's--what I thought I would do is just say a few words and maybe answer some of the questions--some questions from some of the boys and girls here, if you have any.

August 23, 2001

First, thanks for inviting me, Linda, and thanks for being so patient. And also, thank you all for hosting the national press corps. [Laughter] I know they've appreciated it very much, and on their behalf. I would like to thank them. They are, most of the time, well behaved. But they're an important part of our country, because in order for people to be able to know what's going on, they report the news. Sometimes they exaggerate; sometimes they don't. But they're an important part of our democracy. And I appreciate so very much you welcoming them here into your school.

I want to thank all the teachers who are here. Teaching is a noble profession, and we can't say enough good words about the teachers, not only here in Crawford but in Texas and across America. So thank you very much for being a teacher.

I want to thank the parents who are here. You're right, some of the sweetest-one of the sweetest words in our vocabulary is "mom." And my advice to you is, listen to your mother. [Laughter] That's about as good advice as a fellow can give, because your mom always has good advice.

I want to ask you a couple of questions. Do any of you read more than you watch TV?

Students. Yes.

The President. Well, that's important. The reason I asked that question is, it's so easy to watch TV, and it's hard to read. But you need to do it the other way around. You need to read more than you watch TV. Because when you get to be a good reader, and I know you will be, it makes learning so much easier. And then when you learn a lot of things, it helps you realize your dreams.

And let me ask you this question. Some of you are too young to have probably thought about this question, but some of the older kids, how many of you dream about going to college?

[At this point, the students indicated their interest in college.]

The President. Oh, that's great. That means you'd better practice reading. That means you'd better read more than you watch TV if you want to achieve that goal. That means you've set a goal, right? That's what that is. You've set a goal, and now you're going to work hard to achieve the goal.

A couple of other points I want make, and then I'd be glad to answer some questions. In order to go to college or to realize your dreams, you have to make right choices in life. As you grow up, you've got to learn to say yes to the good things and no to the bad things, like saying no to drugs. That's going to be important in order to realize your dreams. No to alcohol, excessive alcohol. You've just got to learn to make the right choices when you get older.

And guess what is going to help you learn that? Not only your moms and your dads but your teachers. And so I hope when you--in school, listen to the people that care about you a lot. Read more than you watch TV, listen to the values that you are being taught, and study hard, and then you will be able to realize your dreams.

I'll be glad to answer a couple of questions, and I'm going to answer some questions from the press corps, too.

You got any questions? Yes, sir.

Secret Service

Student. Where are your Secret Service? [Laughter] [Inaudible]

The President. Yes, that's right, let's see. There's a few of them in here. They're important because, unfortunately, there are some people in our society that don't think right, that are interested in harming people. And they do a great job, and they're good citizens, too, and I bet you get to see a lot of them around Crawford. They like to eat the hamburgers downtown here.

Yes, ma'am.

President's Golf Outing

Student. Where did you play golf at?

The President. I played golf at Ridgewood Country Club in Waco. This morning I played with my friend Senator David Sibley. He is your State senator. He just-he's not going to run again, he told everybody the other day. But we had a good time playing golf. And then I played at Clifton the other day. But I'm through playing golf--[laughter]-for a while.

Yes, sir.

Former President George Bush

Student. Was your dad the President?

The President. My dad was the President. He was the 41st President, and I'm the 43d President. And there has been one other time in which a dad and his son were Presidents. Do you know who that was?

Student. John Quincy Adams?

The President. John Quincy Adams was the son, and the daddy's name was John Adams.

Yes, Ma'am.

Student. What is it like being President?

The President. Well, it's a great honor to be the President. It's one of these jobs where you can help people help themselves. It's a job that requires an understanding of where you want to lead. You've got to know who you are and where you want to lead the Nation, which means you've got to know what you believe in. And I believe in family, and I believe in faith, and I believe in personal responsibility. I believe that we ought to trust local people to make the decisions for schools in their cities and counties. I trust the people of Texas and all the other States across the country to make right decisions. It's a great job. Thank you for asking. It's a lot of work. But that's okay. People in Crawford are used to work.