REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT IN TAX RELIEF BILL SIGNING CEREMONY

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Thank you. Boy, the way you're all lookin' at me you'd think I had the money on me right now. (Laughter.)

I'm rich, but I'm not that rich. Ha! (Laughter.)

Alright, let's begin.

Ever since the beginning of recorded time, America has stood for freedom. Part of that freedom is the freedom to do with what you choose to the money with which you have. Today, with the passage of my landmark $1.3 trillion tax cut, each of us becomes more freedomized to do the choices of money-having. And for that I thank Secretary O'Neill and Director Daniels for helping draft this historic legislation. Futhermore, I thank the Congress for passing it, and our nation's poor folks and elderly for paying for it. (Applause.)

We call it "tax relief." Let's take a minute to ponder of that phrase. We all know what the first word means. It means tax. That's what you have to pay. The amount. It's pretty bad. But look at the second word. Relief. That means it's not going to be as bad as you thought. It'll be easier. Not so expensive. More regular.

That's what today means. Easiness. Fairness. Improveness. (Applause.)

With us today are 15 of the families who I met while making the case for tax relief across the country. They're from every corner of America -- from Lake Forest, Illinois to Brentwood, California. From the Upper East Side of Manhattan to Grosse Pointe, Michigan. Aspen, Colorado, Concord, Mass., Boca Raton, Florida -- a true cross section of America. This bill is for them, and for their children. (Applause.)

This bill cuts the death tax, and that's good for America. While it's true that not a single example has been found of a family farm being lost to inheritance tax, I'd like to thank Karl Rove for not telling me that. (Applause.) As you know, I and many members of my administration stand to inherit a great deal in the near future. This bill embodies the American principle that it's good to reward hard work, perseverance, and the active defense of one's trust fund. (Applause.)

What's more, this administration's best and brightest minds, our most cautious economists, have assured me that this bill will leave the budget surplus intact. Even with this wide-ranging refund, billions of dollars will be left over to protect Social Security and Medicare. And should it turn out differently, Karl assures me that a majority of seniors will vote for me anyway, because I talk about God, and the only lady I'm boning these days is my wife, Laura.

I'd like to thank Laura for being here today. (Applause.)

This bill is the first example of the new tone in Washington. Changing the tone in Washington is something I've talked about since the beginning of my campaign for this office. And on this historic day, I'm still talking about it, and you can bet I'll keep talking about it, right through the 2004 election campaign and into my second triumphant term. (Applause.)

Today is a great day for America. Exactly how great depends on how much money you have and how hard you have to work for it. If you don't have much, and you're working real hard, it's great to get a few bucks in the mail. If you have lots of money, and it came to you from a dead relative, then it's even greater -- super-great, you might say. Believe me. I oughtta know. (Applause.)

It's my honor to sign the first broad tax relief in a generation.

(The bill was signed.) (Applause.)

OK, everybody out. Nap time.

END 10:07 A.M. EST