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CNN Live Event/Special

President Bush Speaks at Republican Fund-Raiser

Aired June 28, 2002 - 12:15   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: I want to take you to Washington D.C. where President Bush is at a fund-raiser, now, for Republican Representative Connie Morella. He's talking now. Let's listen in.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I mean, I laid out some initiatives in March of this year that will hold people accountable. And our Justice Department will hold people accountable.

But corporate America has got to understand there's a higher calling than trying to fudge the numbers, kind of try to slip a billion here or a billion there and may hope nobody notices; that you have a responsibility in this country to always be above board.

We expect high standards in our schools, we expect high standards in corporate America as well, and I intend to enforce the law to make sure that there are high standards.

(APPLAUSE)

It is important for our fellow citizens to understand that the foundation for economic growth is strong in America, that our free enterprise system is strong, vibrant, that there's a lot of entrepreneurship that takes place across the country.

And it's important for our fellow citizens to understand that by far the vast majority of our leaders in the business community are honest and upright people. That's important for them to hear. Just as important for them to hear when we catch people doing wrong there will be consequences for those who have done wrong.

So I feel good about our work on the economy, but we won't tire until we kind of boost the confidence of the country and at the same time work to continue to expand the job base so people can find work. And Connie Morella's been an advocate for this kind of approach, and I appreciate her leadership in the Congress.

(APPLAUSE)

One issue that affects our economy besides the confidence and corporate profits, which are improving, is also the American people and the investors are worried about another attack on America. And as you know, we are doing everything we can here at home to button up the homeland. Connie Morella is a huge supporter of the federal workers, those who work hard to help America. And I got to tell you, people are working overtime on behalf of our citizens. I'm proud of the effort people put in.

Listen, we're running down every hint. If we get any kind of hint that somebody is thinking about doing something to this country, we're on it.

WHITFIELD: In the wake of Enron, WorldCom and now Xerox, President Bush there addressing Republicans at a fund-raiser in Washington, saying it is time to hold corporate leaders to a higher responsibility. It's up to them, corporate leaders, to be above board. President Bush has said that he will press Congress to try and pass some proposals to improve corporate responsibility.

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