THE PRESIDENT: Good
morning. First, I'd like to thank the Prime Minister and
Mrs. Blair for their gracious hospitality. I can assure you,
Chequers is a -- it's a great place to get a night's sleep and a good
place to renew a confirmed friendship.
The Prime Minister and I had a
wide-ranging discussion. We're really intent to make sure
that our relationship is strong and honest and open. I can
assure the people of Great Britain, as well as my own country, that our
relationship and alliance has never been stronger.
Secondly, I'm off to Genoa, where the G-7
and the G-8 will meet to discuss how to enhance the world's
prosperity. It really begins with each of our own countries
making sure our economic houses are in order. I will share
with my fellow leaders the fact that we shepherded through a
major reduction in income taxes in America, so that the working people
have got more money in their pockets to spend on their needs.
I'll also share the fact that our Federal
Reserve is conscious of the need to make sure that the interest rates
are such that we have economic vitality. As well, we will
discuss ways to make sure countries less fortunate than ours will be
able to sustain economic growth. It's imperative that we
have a new round of global trade talks, to make sure that all nations
in the world have got opportunity within their lands.
There are some who will try to disrupt the
meetings, claiming they represent the poor. To those folks I
say, instead of addressing policies that represent the poor, you
embrace policies that lock poor people into poverty, and that's
unacceptable to the United States. Trade has been the best
avenue for economic growth for all countries and I reject the
isolationism and protectionism that dominates those who will try to
disrupt the meetings in Genoa.
And, finally, on the home front, I'm
pleased that the United States Congress easily passed a faith-based
initiative sponsored by J.C. Watts of Oklahoma and Tony Hall of
Ohio. It's an initiative that puts our federal government
squarely on the side of faith-based and community 2
- 2-
based programs, all of which exist to help a neighbor in need.
The debate has been long and
arduous. And now the Congress is beginning to
act. It's a positive step toward making sure the American
Dream extends its reach throughout all our communities. It's
a step that recognizes that government can't cause people to love one
another, but what government can do is stand side-by-side with loving
individuals who are intent upon bringing compassion and hope to
neighborhoods where there may not be any.
I congratulate the House. I
urge the United States Senate to act on this measure quickly, so that
the armies of compassion which exist all across America will be
invigorated and continue their march to make sure our country is
hopeful and optimistic.
Thank you very much for your
hospitality. May God bless Great Britain, and may God
continue to bless America.