Thank you for your interest in the 2004 Republican National Convention. I am delighted to share with you the great accomplishments of this Administration as we prepare for our premier event in New York City, which will bring together thousands of attendees, including a significant turnout of Asian Pacific Americans.
When Vice President Cheney and I came into office three-and-a-half years ago, we faced an economic recession and a declining stock market, followed by a devastating terrorist attack on September 11, 2001. These events challenged America’s will and tested the resolve of this Administration.
To help turn our economy around, we worked with Congress to pass three historic tax relief measures that are leaving more money in the hands of the people who earned it. Furthermore, the child tax credit has been doubled, the death tax has been put on the road to extinction, and the marriage penalty has been significantly reduced. As a result millions of Americans are getting tax relief, including over two million Asian Pacific American families with children who are receiving an average tax cut of $2,067.
Since the horrific events of September 11, 2001, my Administration has taken numerous actions to protect the American people. We are working with dozens of allies to aggressively pursue al Qaeda terrorists, destroying their training camps and bringing an end to their sanctuaries worldwide. And we continue state of the art equipment and know-how to secure America’s borders, airports, sea ports, and infrastructure.
Education has always been a top priority for me. I strongly believe that a quality education is key to success for all Americans. I signed into law the No Child Behind Act to raise standards in schools and improve the quality of our children’s education. No Child Left Behind keeps parents informed of their children’s progress and gives them better choices if their children’s school fail to provide a strong education. We are also directing funds toward children in low-income homes, including Asian Pacific American children in urban centers such as Chinatown and Koreatowns.
The economic vitality and well-being of all Americans is of high concern for my Administration. Small businesses owned and operated by Asian Pacific Americans play an important role in creating jobs and opportunity and strengthening our economy. To help small businesses and keep our economy on the right path, I have proposed a six-point economic plan that will lower the cost of doing business in America and ensure that families have access to good health care.
To address the broader medical concerns of all citizens, as well as the unique healthcare needs of special populations, the Department of Health and Human Services is working to reduce the disparity of common ailments by encouraging, educating, and funding community-based programs to address health issues prevalent in minority communities.
I am proud of the progress we have made as a Nation, united in achieving our goals. And am honored to lead America during these historic times. As I seek second term as President, I am offering a clear vision of how we can build on our economic growth, advance the goals of education reform, expand access to affordable health care, and continue to keep America safe by winning the war on terror.
The bright future of America depends on all citizens being engaged and active in our democratic progress. Since the earliest days of America, people from all cultures have traveled to out country seeking the promise of freedom, opportunity, and justice. Asian Pacific Americans have shared in the pursuit of the American Dream, enriching and shaping the character of our country. I encourage you to participate in and maintain our democracy by casting your vote. Every vote is important and your opinion matters. By working together we can inspire continued public involvement in the Asian Pacific community. To help us achieve victory this November, I encourage you to educate fellow citizens on the important issues at stake and encourage them to participate by voting on Election Day. For more information about our campaign, or to review our goals and accomplishments, please visit my official website at www.GeorgeWBush.com.
Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts with you. Laura joins me in sending our best wishes.
Sincerely,
George W. Bush