Remarks at a fundraiser for senatorial candidate Elizabeth Dole and congressional candidate Robin Hayes in Charlotte

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, March 4, 2002

Every time somebody in America walks next door to see a shut-in and says, "I care about you," that's part of the momentum of kindness that I was talking about. If you mentor a child and say to that child, "I love you, teach a child how to read, you really are standing in the face of terror and evil.

Now, the great strength of the country is really not in the halls in Washington; it's in the hearts and souls of the people of North Carolina and Texas and every other State in the Union. And my job is to capture the spirit of this country and to rally the strength, to stand tall in the face of evil. And there's no doubt we can do this in this Nation.

I believe that we're on the verge of changing a culture that will have lasting benefits. Not only do I believe that what we pursue overseas will make the world more peaceful for generations to come, I believe that what's taking place in America today could make America a more compassionate and kind place for years to come, as well.

A lot of us grew up during a time when the culture said, "If it feels good, just go ahead and do it, and if you've got a problem, blame somebody else." I believe this Nation is on the cusp of welcoming in a period of personal responsibility, a responsibility era, an era which says each of us are responsible for the decisions we make in life. And that starts with moms and dads understanding their most important job is to love their children with all their heart and all their soul. It also means, in a period of responsibility, that we love a neighbor like we'd like to be loved ourselves.

Personal responsibility extends to the corporate world as well, by the way. Corporate America has got the responsibility to disclose all assets and liabilities for shareholders and employees. It's also got a responsibility to treat the employees with respect and help. It's like the corporate responsibility I saw today when corporate Charlotte was working to help people find jobs and find work, understanding that in work they find dignity.

Now, I absolutely believe that America is going to make some right choices in life. And those choices collectively will help change the culture, and we'll be better off for it. The enemy hit us. They thought we were weak and soft. Instead, they found a nation that is strong and determined, but a nation, as well, that is compassionate and decent, a nation that will defend the values of freedom, but a nation that will also make sure the doors of hope and justice and opportunity are open to every person who's fortunate enough to be called an American.

Thank you for coming. May God bless you all.

NOTE: The President spoke at 12:28 p.m. in the James Richardson Ball Room at the Charlotte Convention Center. In his remarks, he referred to Mayor Patrick McCrory of Charlotte; and Barbara Hayes, wife of Representative Robin Hayes. Representative Hayes is a candidate for reelection in North Carolina's Eighth Congressional District.