Presidents Bush, Fox = Conclude State Visit

Presidents=20 Bush, Fox Conclude State Visit =20
Remarks by President Bush and President Vicente Fox of = Mexico to=20 University of Toledo Faculty, Students and Community Groups
Savage=20 Hall
University of Toledo
Toledo, Ohio

3D"en   En=20 Espa=F1ol

  =    View=20 the President's Remarks
      3Dlisten Listen=20 to the President's Remarks=20

3:31 P.M. EDT=20

PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you all very much. Governor, thank you very = much. It's=20 a great honor to be back in Ohio. Today, I come bringing a special = visitor, un=20 amigo de mio y tambien un amigo de los Estados Unidos. (Applause.) It's = an honor=20 to bring a good friend of mine and a friend of our country, President = Vicente=20 Fox, to Ohio. I have the honor of introducing him. But before I do so, I = wanted=20 to introduce him to Ohio.=20

Mr. President, Ohio is an = extraordinary=20 state. It's a state full of decent and compassionate and hard-working = people.=20 (Applause.) Not all the wisdom exists in Washington, D.C. (Applause.) = There's a=20 lot of wisdom in towns like Toledo, Ohio. And it was my honor that the = President=20 had accepted not only the invitation for the first state dinner I had as = your=20 President, but agreed to travel with me to the heartland. So I want to = thank you=20 all for a warm welcome. (Applause.)=20

I want to thank so very much the leadership of the University of = Toledo and=20 the students who are here, the faculty that have made this event = possible. Thank=20 you for your hospitality. Mr. Mayor, thank you for your hospitality, as = well.=20 It's a thrill to be traveling with members of the United States = congressional=20 delegation, some of whom do what I tell them to do -- (laughter and = applause) --=20 some of whom are a little hard to persuade, but all of whom love = America.=20 (Applause.) And all of whom bring honor to the office they hold. Thank = you all=20 very much for coming with me today. (Applause.)=20

I'm very proud to be traveling with one of my Cabinet Secretaries, a = man who=20 is doing a fabulous job at HUD. His name is Mel Martinez. When he was a = young=20 boy, his mother and daddy put him on a boat -- I guess it was an = airplane -- to=20 come to America from Cuba. They weren't ever sure whether they would see = him=20 again. They were sure, however, they were sending him to a place that = loved=20 freedom, a place where you can be anything you want to be in America. = Today,=20 this good man is in the Cabinet. It shows what a wonderful country we = have and=20 shows what a great man Mel Martinez is. Thank you for coming, Mel. = (Applause.)=20

We've got distinguished members from the Mexican delegation traveling = with=20 us. We've got ambassadors traveling with us. And we've even got the = Treasurer of=20 the United States traveling with us. My friend, Rosario Marin, is now = the=20 Treasurer of this great country. Please welcome her and all of the = members of=20 the Mexican delegation, as well. (Applause.)=20

We just had a really good visit in Washington. It was a commitment to = friendship. It's important for my fellow Americans to understand my = foreign=20 policy, and it starts with this: Good foreign policy says you want your=20 neighborhood to be peaceful and prosperous. A good foreign policy starts = with=20 being friends with your neighbors. We're friends with our neighbors to = the=20 North, and we're very good friends with our neighbors to the South, the=20 Mexicanos. (Applause.)=20

Friends hold each other with respect, treat each other with respect = and hold=20 each other in high esteem. And the speaker I'm going to introduce is a = man I=20 hold in high esteem. Friends are willing to have honest dialogue. And = we've had=20 a series of honest dialogues over the last 24 hours, had a frank = discussion.=20

But this isn't our first discussion; we've been discussing common=20 opportunities and common problems for months. And as a result, our = relationship=20 has never been better and never been stronger.=20

I know there are some in this world and our country who want to build = walls=20 between Mexico and the United States. I want to remind people, fearful = people=20 build walls. Confident people tear them down. And I'm confident that a = strong=20 relationship -- (applause) -- and I'm confident that good neighbors and = a strong=20 relationship is in our nation's best interests. I've seen it firsthand = -- trade=20 between Mexico and the United States has grown to a quarter of a = trillion=20 dollars. That means jobs in the United States and as importantly, that = means=20 jobs in Mexico.=20

There's a lot of discussion about trade. I can't tell you how hopeful = trade=20 is and how important it is. It's not only important for job-seeking = Americans,=20 it's incredibly important for Mexico to grow and to prosper, to develop = a middle=20 class for people in Mexico to be able to find work close to home.=20

Oh, I know there's a lot of talk about Mexican laborers coming to the = United=20 States. But I want to remind my fellow citizens of this fact: Family = values do=20 not stop at the Rio Bravo. There are mothers and dads in Mexico who love = their=20 children just as much as mothers and dads in America do. And if there = are a=20 mother or dad who can't find work, worried about food on the table, = they're=20 going to come and find work in America.=20

And what we want to do is to have a trading relationship that = encourages job=20 creation in America, but job creation in Mexico, as well. We want Mexico = to grow=20 a middle class so the citizens of Mexico can find work to feed their = families=20 just like the citizens of America can find work to feed their families.=20 (Applause.) We're talking about migration issues. It's a complex = subject, but=20 one that this country of ours must confront and have an open dialogue = about. And=20 we've made good progress on that important issue.=20

I want to tell you, President Fox is doing everything in his power to = fight=20 crime and drugs; and we're cooperating with him. But I also want to = remind my=20 fellow Americans it's important to fight the supply of drugs. But we = have an=20 obligation inside this country to fight to reduce the demand for drugs, = as well.=20 We need to tell our children, don't use drugs. Make the right choices in = life.=20 (Applause.)=20

We're working hard on environmental issues on our border. But our = fellow=20 citizens must understand that there's more than just economics that is=20 important, or crime-fighting that's important in our relationship with = Mexico.=20

We share values with Mexico. They're common values -- values that = unite=20 people, whether they live in the United States or whether they live in = Mexico.=20 And what are those values? Faith. The strong value of faith exists in = our=20 country. As a matter of fact, I think it's the strength of America in = many ways,=20 and it exists in Mexico as well. The love of family. It's incredibly = important=20 for the future of our country. It's a strong value in the Mexican = culture.=20

The willingness to work hard. America is known for our ability to = work hard.=20 Think about the Mexican worker who walks 500 miles across a desert to = find work.=20 Those are hard-working citizens. We share that very important value of = people=20 willing to roll up their sleeves and work hard. No, we've got incredibly = important relationship. It starts with leaders being willing to have = open=20 dialogue.=20

We've got something in common, by the way, that you probably haven't = thought=20 about. President Fox's grandfather was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. My=20 grandfather was raised in Columbus, Ohio. (Applause.) I guess you could = kind of=20 say we're Ohioans. (Applause.) Except it's kind of hard to tell by our = accents.=20 (Laughter.)=20

Not only do we share background, we share love for our respective = countries.=20 The first trip I took to foreign soil was to Guanajuato, Mexico, to = visit=20 President Fox on his ranch. By the way, I kind of like going to mine on=20 occasion, too. And this is a man deeply committed to his country. He = loves the=20 people of Mexico. And I hope by now there's no question that I love the = people=20 of America, as well. (Applause.)=20

President Fox and I share the desire to do what we think is right for = our=20 countries. I think both of us are tired of the policy driven by polls = and focus=20 groups. I don't need a poll and focus group to tell me what to think and = where=20 to go, and neither does he. (Applause.) We both are doing in office what = we said=20 we would do. I told the people, by the way, that if they gave me the = chance to=20 be the president, the first thing I would do is remember whose = taxpayers' money=20 we're talking about when we're talking about budgets. The tax money up = in=20 Washington, that's not the government's money, it is the people's money, = and I'm=20 proud to report we've got the largest tax relief package in a = generation.=20 (Applause.)=20

We both are dedicated to educating -- to making sure our children are = educated. President Fox shares the same passion I do about good schools = and good=20 quality education. He knows what I know -- that an educated child is one = much=20 more likely to be able to realize the dreams of our respective = countries. That's=20 why I'm hopeful Congress will quit talking about an education bill, get = one out=20 of conference committee, so I can sign a good reform package to make = sure public=20 education fulfills the promise of our schools. (Applause.)=20

One of the things in Texas we like to say -- here's a good man. I = hope that=20 sums up how I feel about our speaker and guest. This guy is a good man, = un buen=20 hombre.=20

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome el Presidente de Republicano de = Mexico,=20 Vicente Fox. (Applause.)=20

PRESIDENT FOX: My friend, George Bush, is making things very tough = for me.=20 He's a great friend of Mexico. He's a great friend to Mexicans in the = United=20 States. He is a great friend for truth, work, commitment and the passion = for the=20 art of government. (Applause.)=20

Each day, I gain more and more respect for his leadership, for his = vision,=20 for his hard work. Each day, I gain a better understanding between us, = and there=20 is more agreement between us. And for that reason, I daily thank him for = his=20 friendship and for this friend who works for his people. (Applause.)=20

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends, I can feel right here the = enthusiasm, the=20 warm welcome, which you generously are giving to us. Your welcome has = moved me,=20 and I'm convinced once again that no matter where fate may lead us, we = Mexican=20 men and women continue, united, through bonds that are extremely strong. = (Applause.)=20

It is a great pleasure to be here in this university, accompanied by=20 President George Bush, Governor Taft, who have honored Mexico in having = me come=20 up as first foreign head of a state to visit the United States during = this=20 administration. And I also wish to thank for the invitation to come to = Ohio,=20 because I feel among friends -- me siento entre amigos. (Applause.)=20

I had the privilege of dialoguing and speaking with President Bush in = the=20 last 24 hours, and this morning I had the honor to address the United = States=20 Congress. In both, I have exposed our firm conviction that trust shall = be the=20 foundation of our relationship; that trust will be the cornerstone of = increasing=20 the relationship between the United States and Mexico; and that, based = on trust,=20 we can work better for solving with efficiency, with talent, our mutual=20 challenges that we face on this 21st century. (Applause.)=20

Today, I want to tell you that in Mexico, we do not ever forget our = beloved=20 countrymen. Not only do we not forget them, but we also recognize with = pride=20 that we have learned so much from you -- from your courage, your = determination,=20 your perseverance and your valor. And I want to tell you not only that = we love=20 you and respect you, that we need you back in Mexico, that we will be = working to=20 welcome all of you back in Mexico to promote the growth about a great = nation and=20 to work together to construct a better future for our country. = (Applause.)=20

I know of the trying experiences that have been of our beloved = countrymen and=20 women, and I have heard exemplary stories of men and women who inspire = us=20 deeply. And we are proud of them.=20

We are going to visit the Aurora Gonzales Community Center, which = will allow=20 us to know more about the life of an untiring defender of community = solidarity=20 here in Toledo. We've also heard of the work of so many other members of = this=20 community who, with great generosity, find time to help those who need = support,=20 guidance, or simply a word of encouragement.=20

How many stories could be told of the lives of so many Mexican men = and women=20 who, one day, decided to leave their country, to come here seeking new=20 opportunities in this great nation. How many stories of hard work and of = sacrifice. One of these is the story of Rosario Marin, an exemplary = Mexican who=20 came to this nation at the age of 14 and who recently was appointed = Treasurer of=20 the United States of America. (Applause.) We are proud of her efforts = and her=20 success, as well as we are proud of all Mexican women that work day by = day in=20 this country, and that contribute to its greatness and to its success.=20 (Applause.)=20

This land of opportunity, the United States, has always kept its door = open to=20 countless immigrants from all over the world, remaining true to its = founding=20 principles. Let me quote President Bush's remarks, who recently said = that "the=20 United States has traditionally been a welcoming society, where = immigration is=20 not a problem to be solved, but a sign of our confident and successful = nation.=20 History supports that assertion, because more importantly, we see the = proof of=20 that in the innumerable contributions that migrants have made over the = last two=20 centuries to the rich and varied American culture." (Applause.)=20

Today, we're not only neighbors, we're not only friends, we are = partners=20 through the commitment we signed with NAFTA. We are partners to work = together,=20 building a better future for both of our nations. NAFTA has been = successful. It=20 has created jobs in Mexico. It has created jobs in the United States.=20 (Applause.)=20

Today, as a consequence of NAFTA, the trade balance between the = United States=20 and Mexico, as was mentioned by President Bush, has reached $250 billion = U.S.=20 But the most important part of it is that we buy and sell, and that = today,=20 Mexico is buying products and services from the United States more than = France,=20 Italy, Spain, and Germany are doing together. That is being partners.=20 (Applause.) That is creating jobs.=20

It is a time for commitment and hard work. Let us not pass lightly = over the=20 countless sorrows and exemplary efforts of so many men and women that we = call=20 migrants. We must find the resolve, the necessary act, and act quickly = so that=20 we can find shared solutions to these common problems.=20

We have had two great days here in the United States. We are honored = and we=20 are totally satisfied with the conversations we have had, with the = decisions we=20 have taken. No doubt that, together, we're building a better future for = both of=20 our nations. (Applause.)=20

In the field of migration, or in drug trafficking and combatting = organized=20 crime, where we have been rendering extraordinary results, we have = extradited=20 criminals that the U.S. justice has been after more than whatever was = done in=20 past years.=20

With this trust and cooperation, we are gaining the battle against = organized=20 crime and drugs, and same, as well, we've done on the subject of = economic=20 development on building of opportunities. Mexico today, on the border = states and=20 the border cities, has unemployment rates of one percent. And we want to = make=20 that true and happen on the center and the south of Mexico. (Applause.)=20

We know and understand very well our commitment, our obligations, = which are=20 to make sure that every family, that every person within Mexico, has the = opportunity of a decent job with income that is enough for living with = dignity;=20 that it is our obligation to make sure that every single kid and young = person in=20 Mexico has the opportunity to go to intermediate school or to = university. This=20 is why we have created a scholarship system through which every single = kid in=20 Mexico has the guarantee to comply with his personal project of = education. Up to=20 university level he has the guarantee of that scholarship if his problem = is the=20 lack of enough economic resources. (Applause.)=20

Every kid that takes this opportunity of going to school and = university in=20 Mexico, certainly will stay there with his family. It will not become a = migrant.=20

So, dear friends, amigas y amigos, we face a challenge that may seem=20 formidable. But so is our determination to overcome our differences and = reach=20 common ground and attain a common purpose. This is a unique time in our = history.=20 I feel privileged to belong to this age and to be able to play an active = role in=20 building a new partnership between Mexico and the United States. = (Applause.) We=20 are at the dawn of a new century, full of possibilities and new = horizons. This=20 can be the century of the major accomplishments for our two nations. = This 21st=20 century is the century of the Americas, and, of course, the century of = North=20 America. And we know -- and I want to address -- Mexican communities in = the=20 United States will have our support.=20

I came here to Toledo, Ohio, first because I had this invitation from = President Bush, but also because I wanted to meet with our own people. = And I=20 wanted to tell my paisanos in this part of the United States that my = friend,=20 President Bush, and myself will work not only for your cause, but also = for the=20 cause of the United States and the cause of Mexico. (Applause.)=20

I return home very motivated for the way we have been received, for = the way=20 we have been listened, and for the much accomplishments -- the many=20 accomplishments that we have had in these few hours that we have been = here in=20 the United States. More than ever, we have the conviction that working = together,=20 having trust of our philosophy, there is no limit to what we can do. And = that is=20 well-expressed here in the United States.=20

This, the largest economy in the world, this, the most powerful = nation, has=20 been able to reach its high objectives because of the work, because of = the=20 passion, because of the intense sacrifice that many, many millions of = people do=20 every day to make this nation great and big.=20

For us in Mexico, today we know that we have friends, that we have a = partner,=20 and that we have a better future for us and for our people.=20

Thank you very much to all of you, and God bless you. (Applause.)=20

END 4:05 P.M. EDT=20

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