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CNN Live Event/Special

President Bush Helping Out Folks at Habitat for Humanity

Aired August 08, 2001 - 10:42   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.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Elsewhere in Texas, President Bush today is helping out some folks at Habitat for Humanity in Waco, Texas.` He is having a few words. Let's go ahead listen in.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: ... federal government will be a welcoming agency, will put money up to allow faith-based programs to compete side by side with secular programs, all aimed at making sure America is the greatest country possible for every single citizen. And it's going to happen in this country.

I've had the honor of traveling the world for our country -- I went to Europe -- and we're different in a positive way. We're unique in an incredibly positive way. It's important for our nation never to lose sight of that, and for those who worship in the houses of faith, regardless of their religion, whether it be Christian, or Muslim or Jewish, and you want to help a neighbor in need, and you want to access grant money, as far as I'm concerned, please come on, please come on and hear the universal call to love a neighbor just like you'd like to be loved yourself.

We're making great progress in Washington changing the tone of our country. We're making great progress, reminding people that the values of the heartland are the values that make America unique and different.

I want to thank all of the volunteers here in Waco, Texas and all of the volunteers all across this state and the all across our nation who, on a daily basis, make this country so wonderful and so different. I also want to thank my fellow Texans for coming out to give me a warm welcome, and it's great to the see you all again. And may god bless Texas, and may god bless America.

Thank you.

(APPLAUSE)

KAGAN: as the president mentioned, he is in downtown Waco, Texas today, about a half hour from his ranch in Crawford, Texas. The president stopping by the sight where they are building the homes of the Habitat of Humanity, and the president himself picked up the hammer for a few minutes and helped out for about 15 minutes, and he moves on with his month-long vacation. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com