Name: Class:

"President George W. Bush visits Pentagon" by The U.S. Army islicensed under CC BY 2.0

President Bush on the PATRIOT ActBy President George W. Bush

2001

George W. Bush was the 43rd president of the United States and served from 2001 to 2009. Following theterrorist attacks in 2001, including September 11th and the anthrax attacks, President Bush signed the USAPATRIOT Act. The full title is “Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required toIntercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001”. While the PATRIOT Act was intended to protect Americans,some felt that it threatened their Constitutional rights. As you read, take notes on how the PATRIOT Act couldhave positively and negatively impacted citizens of the United States in the years following the 2001 terrorattacks.

Good morning and welcome to the White House.

Today, we take an essential step in defeatingterrorism, while protecting the constitutionalrights of all Americans.

With my signature, this law will give intelligenceand law enforcement officials important newtools to fight a present danger.1

I commend2 the House and Senate for the hardwork they put into this legislation.3 Members ofCongress and their staffs spent long nights andweekends to get this important bill to my desk. Iappreciate their efforts, and bipartisanship,4 in passing this new law.

I want to thank the Vice President and his staff for working hard to make sure this law was passed. Iwant to thank the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Treasury for being here, both of whom leadimportant parts of our war against terrorism.

I want to thank Attorney General John Ashcroft for spending a lot of time on the Hill5 to make the casefor a balanced piece of legislation. I want to thank the Director of the FBI and the Director of the CIA forwaging an incredibly important part on the two-front war — one overseas, and a front here at home.

I want to thank Governor Tom Ridge for his leadership. I want to thank the members of Congress whoare here on the stage, the Leaders, on this impressive effort. Senator Hatch and Senator Leahy andSenator Sarbanes and Senator Graham and Senator Reid.

[1]

[5]

1. The “present danger” refers to an attack shortly after September 11, 2001, in which letters containing a deadlysubstance were mailed to several news media outlets and two U.S. senators. The attack killed five people andinfected 17 others.

2. Commend (verb): to praise formally or officially3. Legislation (noun): a law or set of laws made by a government4. agreement or cooperation between two opposing political parties5. In addition to denoting a historic neighborhood in Washington, D.C., the phrase “Capitol Hill” (or simply “the Hill”) can

be used to refer to the United States Congress.

1

I also want to thank Representative Porter Goss, LaFalce, Oxley, and Sensenbrenner for their hardwork. And I want to welcome the men and women of law enforcement who are here in the WhiteHouse with us today, as well.

The changes, effective today, will help counter a threat like no other our nation has ever faced. We’veseen the enemy, and the murder of thousands of innocent, unsuspecting people.

They recognize no barrier of morality. They have no conscience. The terrorists cannot be reasonedwith. Witness the recent anthrax attacks through our Postal Service.

Our country is grateful for the courage the Postal Service has shown during these difficult times. Wemourn the loss of the lives of Thomas Morris and Joseph Curseen; postal workers who died in the lineof duty. And our prayers go to their loved ones.

I want to assure postal workers that our government is testing more than 200 postal facilities along theentire Eastern corridor that may have been impacted. And we will move quickly to treat and protectworkers where positive exposures are found.

But one thing is for certain: These terrorists must be pursued, they must be defeated, and they mustbe brought to justice. And that is the purpose of this legislation.

Since the 11th of September, the men and women of our intelligence and law enforcement agencieshave been relentless6 in their response to new and sudden challenges.

We have seen the horrors terrorists can inflict. We may never know what horrors our country wasspared by the diligent7 and determined work of our police forces, the FBI, ATF8 agents, federalmarshals, Customs officers, Secret Service, intelligence professionals and local law enforcementofficials, under the most trying conditions.

They are serving this country with excellence, and often with bravery. They deserve our full supportand every means of help that we can provide.

We’re dealing with terrorists who operate by highly sophisticated methods and technologies, some ofwhich were not even available when our existing laws were written. The bill before me takes account ofthe new realities and dangers posed by modern terrorists. It will help law enforcement to identify, todismantle,9 to disrupt, and to punish terrorists before they strike.

For example, this legislation gives law enforcement officials better tools to put an end to financialcounterfeiting,10 smuggling and money-laundering.11 Secondly, it gives intelligence operations andcriminal operations the chance to operate not on separate tracks, but to share vital information sonecessary to disrupt a terrorist attack before it occurs.

[10]

[15]

6. Relentless (adjective): showing no lessening of determination, intensity, or strength7. Diligent (adjective): attentive and persistent8. “ATF” stands for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The organization is responsible for

investigating and preventing the unlawful use or manufacturing of firearms and explosives, as well as the illegaltrafficking of alcohol and tobacco products.

9. to take apart10. making exact copies of something (such as money) in order to trick people

2

As of today, we’re changing the laws governing information-sharing. And as importantly, we’rechanging the culture of our various agencies that fight terrorism. Countering and investigating terroristactivity is the number one priority for both law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

Surveillance12 of communications is another essential tool to pursue and stop terrorists. The existinglaw was written in the era of rotary telephones.13 This new law that I sign today will allow surveillanceof all communications used by terrorists, including e-mails, the Internet, and cell phones.

As of today, we’ll be able to better meet the technological challenges posed by this proliferation14 ofcommunications technology. Investigations are often slowed by limit on the reach of federal searchwarrants.15 Law enforcement agencies have to get a new warrant for each new district they investigate,even when they’re after the same suspect.

Under this new law, warrants are valid across all districts and across all states. And, finally, the newlegislation greatly enhances16 the penalties that will fall on terrorists or anyone who helps them.Current statutes17 deal more severely with drug-traffickers than with terrorists. That changes today.

We are enacting new and harsh penalties for possession of biological weapons.18 We’re making iteasier to seize the assets of groups and individuals involved in terrorism. The government will havewider latitude19 in deporting known terrorists and their supporters. The statute of limitations20 onterrorist acts will be lengthened, as will prison sentences for terrorists.

This bill was carefully drafted and considered. Led by the members of Congress on this stage, andthose seated in the audience, it was crafted with skill and care, determination and a spirit ofbipartisanship for which the entire nation is grateful. This bill met with an overwhelming —overwhelming agreement in Congress, because it upholds and respects the civil liberties guaranteed byour Constitution.

This legislation is essential not only to pursuing and punishing terrorists, but also preventing moreatrocities21 in the hands of the evil ones. This government will enforce this law with all the urgency of anation at war. The elected branches of our government, and both political parties, are united in ourresolve22 to fight and stop and punish those who would do harm to the American people.

It is now my honor to sign into law the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001.

[20]

[25]

11. the practice of putting money (especially money gained through criminal activities) into a business or bank accountin order to hide where it really came from

12. Surveillance (noun): the careful and continuous watching of a person or group13. A “rotary telephone” is an old telephone that uses a finger wheel to dial a number.14. a rapid increase in number or amount15. an official document that gives the police the power to do something, such as to search through someone’s home16. Enhance (verb): to improve, increase, or intensify17. a written law passed by a legislative body18. Biological weapons are toxins or infectious agents that are used with the intent to kill or harm humans, animals, or

plants as an act of war.19. freedom to choose how one acts or what one does20. A statute of limitations is a law that prevents a person or group from filing a legal case if too much time has passed

since the supposed crime occurred.21. extremely wicked or cruel acts22. Resolve (noun): a firm determination to do or accomplish something

3

“President Bush on the PATRIOT Act” by George W. Bush (2001) is in the public domain.

4

Text-Dependent QuestionsDirections: For the following questions, choose the best answer or respond in complete sentences.

1. PART A: Which statement best identifies the central idea of the text?A. If the PATRIOT Act had been in place before 2001 countless terrorist attacks

could have been avoided.B. The PATRIOT Act reflects the views of predominately Republican government

officials.C. President Bush believed that laws prior to the PATRIOT Act didn’t allow the US

the means to properly catch and punish terrorists.D. The PATRIOT Act defends the American people against direct terrorist attacks.

2. PART B: Which quote from the text best supports the answer to Part A?A. “Members of Congress and their staffs spent long nights and weekends to get

this important bill to my desk.” (Paragraph 4)B. “The changes, effective today, will help counter a threat like no other our nation

has ever faced.” (Paragraph 9)C. “I want to assure postal workers that our government is testing more than 200

postal facilities along the entire Eastern corridor that may have been impacted.”(Paragraph 12)

D. “The bill before me takes account of the new realities and dangers posed bymodern terrorists.” (Paragraph 17)

3. PART A: What is the meaning of “proliferation” as it is used in paragraph 21?A. Large increaseB. New ideaC. Drastic changeD. Sudden threat

4. PART B: Which detail from the text supports the answer to Part A?A. “the era of rotary telephones” (Paragraph 20)B. “e-mails, the Internet, and cell phones.” (Paragraph 20)C. “Investigations are often slowed” (Paragraph 21)D. “Under this new law,” (Paragraph 22)

5

5. How does paragraph 17 contribute to the development of ideas in the text?

6

Discussion QuestionsDirections: Brainstorm your answers to the following questions in the space provided. Be prepared toshare your original ideas in a class discussion.

1. Do you agree that the PATRIOT Act “upholds and respects civil liberties guaranteed by ourconstitution” (Paragraph 24)?

2. How has technology changed war? Cite evidence from this text, your own experience, andother literature, art, or history in your answer.

3. In the context of the text, what is more important: freedom or security? How might thePATRIOT Act compromise citizens’ freedom? Cite evidence from this text, your ownexperience, and other literature, art, or history in your answer.

7