Schools are improving thanks to higher standards, more funding, and strong accountability. We are already seeing positive results from the No Child Left Behind Act. A recent study examining 61 urban school districts found that more than two-thirds of the grades tested showed improvement in both reading and math among Hispanic students. We will keep working so every child has a chance to realize the great promise of this country.

An opportunity society must also have a healthy and growing economy. The tax relief I signed is working. Our economy is growing stronger, and Hispanic-owned firms are playing an increasingly vital role. An estimated two million Hispanic-owned businesses are now thriving and creating jobs all across America. As our economy improves and more people find work, the dream of homeownership is more accessible for millions of Americans. More Americans than ever before own a home, and the minority homeownership rate is also at a record high.

 

President Bush speaks at the recent USHCC Legislative Conference/Photo by Chris Taylor

Affordable health care is a top priority for America's families. I signed the Medicare prescription drug bill to help seniors pay for their medicines. This new benefit provides the greatest help to those in the greatest need. Low-income seniors can sign up today for a Medicare drug discount card and get $1,800 over the next 18 months to help pay for their medicines at reduced prices. Beginning in 2006, these same seniors will pay no more than $2 or $5 for each prescription they fill. That bill also authorized the creation of Health Savings Accounts, which allow people to pay for routine medical care and save tax free for future health care needs. And we have expanded the system of Community Health Centers, so that millions of hard working Americans who didn't have access to health care now do - regardless of their ability to pay. But we have more to do. To help more families get health insurance I am asking Congress to approve Association Health Plans, which help small businesses offer health coverage to their employees. And I want to reform the medical liability system to reduce junk lawsuits that clog courts, raise costs, and drive doctors out of their practices.

An opportunity society must also have a policy of fairness and justice toward those who have come to America to live and work. I proposed reforms to our immigration system that would offer legal status to eligible temporary workers - including undocumented workers - so they can establish legal identities and come out of the shadows. These reforms will help unite families and make America more welcoming to new immigrants. 

I have consistently supported free trade agreements - including NAFTA - which lead to higher standards of living in all countries involved. My Administration concluded our first-ever free trade agreement with a South American country, Chile. We negotiated the Central American Free Trade Agreement. And by next year we hope to complete negotiations for a Free Trade Area of the Americas, to fuel trade and broaden economic opportunity throughout the Western Hemisphere.
The safety of all Americans is my highest priority as President. September 11th awakened America to the new realities of the world, and we are now rooting out terrorists before they have a chance to strike us at home. Thanks to the courageous actions of our military - including 85,000 Latino service members - America has put an end to two dangerous regimes in Afghanistan and Iraq. At the same time, we have liberated 50 million people in those two countries - including 25 million women and girls, many of whom are going to school or work for the first time in their lives.

Together, we have made great progress in extending opportunity at home and promoting freedom abroad. I have been honored to lead our country through a time of historic challenges. And I would be grateful for your vote so that together we can continue to make America an opportunity society.

You can visit the Bush-Cheney campaign at www.georgewbush.com and in Spanish at www.georgewbush.com/espanol