Remarks at Booker T. Washington High School in Atlanta

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, Feb 4, 2002

January 31, 2002

Thank you all. Please be seated. Nice to be here at the home of the mighty Bulldogs. Whew, I'm glad I'm not on the other team. I'm so honored to be here.

I was specially interested to learn this was Martin Luther King, Jr.'s, high school. And I want the students to understand something about his life. It goes to show that an individual can make a huge difference in the lives of our fellow citizens. In his case, he made history. In your case, it could be just loving somebody. The lesson of Martin Luther King is a powerful lesson and is part of my-what I want to talk about today.

But before I do so, I've got some introductions I want to make. First, I am honored that your Governor is with us, Governor Roy Barnes. I appreciate it--and the first lady. And like me, he married above himself. [Laughter] First lady of Georgia, it's good to see you. Thank you.

I appreciate members of the congressional delegation coming. Oh, I know generally a Democrat is not supposed to show up when a Republican shows up, and a Republican's not supposed to show up when a Democrat shows up. But there is a new attitude in America today. I'm a proud Republican. Cynthia McKinney and John Lewis and Zell Mifier are proud Democrats. Saxby's a proud Republican. Cleland is a proud Democrat. But first and foremost, we're all proud Americans.

I appreciate so very much members of the House and the Senate--State House and the Senate--for coming over to say hello today. I'm honored that your mayor is here. Thanks for coming.

I'm so pleased that a member of my Cabinet came. I picked a good man when I picked the Secretary of Education. I didn't pick somebody who dwelt on theory. I picked on somebody who is experienced. You know, you have a chance to--got to choose all kinds of people when you pick your Cabinet. I wanted somebody who actually understood how public education worked because he had lived in public education. This man ran the toughest, biggest, orneriest school district in the State of Texas, the Houston Independent School District, and he did a great job there. And he's doing a great job as the Secretary of Education. I appreciate you.

I want to thank your superintendent of schools here in Atlanta, Dr. Beverly Hall. Thank you for coming, Beverly.

One lesson I have learned not only as Governor but as President, that a school really functions well if it's got a fine principal. And you've got a fine principal. They love you. I want to thank all the teachers who are here. I'm honored to be in your presence. I want to thank not only the Teach For America teachers who are here, I want to thank all the teachers who are here. Yours is a noble, important profession.

For those of you who have yet to graduate from high school, who are wondering what life might hold for you, wondering what your career might be, please give teaching a consideration. Please look at teaching. There is no better way to leave a mark, a positive mark on the life of America.

One of the things I like to do is herald kind of the quiet heroes of our society. In this case, I want to talk about a social entrepreneur, someone who had a dream and a vision and implemented it. And that's the founder and president of Teach For America, Wendy Kopp. Now, for those of you who don't--she brought some of her family members here. [Laughter]

It is--Wendy shows that, with strength of purpose and setting goals and striving for a better tomorrow, it is possible to make a huge difference. Out of an idea came the desire to convince folks to teach in schools that are having trouble to get teachers. And she had succeeded way beyond what people thought a single person can do. There are 8,000 Teach For America teachers and alumni around the country. I am proud to stand up and talk about the best of America in Wendy Kopp. Wendy, thank you for what you do.

I am proud of a country that is unified and strong. You know, I like to put it this way: The enemy must have been watching too much daytime TV. They thought we were weak. They thought we would roll over by one single attack. My, my, were they mistaken. The enemy thought that we were too materialistic, too self-absorbed, that we would tire and weary. No, this United States is united. We are strong. We are determined. We are patient. We are resolved to rout out terror wherever it exists to save the world for freedom.

And it's important to do so. History has called us into action. And we cannot weary. Oh, I know some are--some, the farther we get away from September the 11th, are going to say, "Well, gosh, do we really need to go through this?" Listen, I want you all to know, every morning I walk into a fabulous office, the Oval Office, and I sit down in my desk, and I read a report, a threat assessment about what the enemy wants to do. There are still designs on America. The evil ones can't stand a nation that is free. Evil people can't stand free people. And so, they still want to hit us. My most important job is to make sure that this Nation is secure and safe.