THE SECRETARY: Thank you, Thank you so much, Thank you. Thank you, Jim, for that warm introduction. Which as you mentioned, I was at one time in my career a football coach, so I know how to accept warm introductions, because I know they can go either way. (Laughter.)

I recall, I met, after I'd stopped coaching, I met a gentleman out at the Galleria. I bumped into him and he said, now don't tell me now, no hold it, don't tell me, I know you are. Don't, don't, just give me a minute here. You know what, you look just like that guy Rod Paige. (Laughter.)

So I thought I'd play along with him, I said, yeah, I get accused of that a lot. And he said, I bet that makes you mad too doesn't it. (Laughter.)

So, a wonderful introduction, it's kind of like perfume, you know, you can sniff of the fragrance, but if you swallow it, you've got a big problem. (Laughter.)

But thank you, Jim. I'll tell you who we should really be applauding. Jim Towey. (Applause.)

For 12 years this man worked as the counsel for Mother Teresa, all in the spirit of noble service. Now that's really walking the walk. Now you don't have to go around telling people that you're genuine and thorough. Your resume says that. The President is proud to have you serving. America is proud to have you serve. Thank you for your good work.

It's a pleasure to be here is this beautiful center, city. I always enjoy coming to Atlanta. And for this particular purpose too, brings me joy. But, I'd like to also thank a few people for being here today with us. Anne Hancock is my Regional Representative here in Atlanta. Anne, would you stand? Would you please receive Anne? (Applause.) Anne Hancock.

Mr. Constantinos Miskis, the Regional Director for the Department of Health and Human Services is also joining us. Please stand. (Applause.)

And finally, Brian Noyes, the Regional Director for the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Would you please receive him? (Applause.) Thank you for coming and joining us here today.

This thing about faith-based initiative runs across the government and they have wonderful shops in their agency that's working hard to bring this about.

Now I know you've all been in session all morning. Let me reassure you that I know good speeches always have, and they're a lot like good sermons, they always have a good beginning and a good ending, but most importantly, you try to keep them close together. (Laughter.) So, that's what I'm going to do today, I'll be brief.

The faith-based community, from the federal perspective, from the federal government's perspective at least, has been shut out. There's been two worlds. The faith-based world, you go over and do your thing, the government and its world. Now does this make sense? When we're all striving to accomplish the same thing, a better world for Americans. Who is most experienced and more committed to mankind and its well-being and how we get along with each other, and how we view the world than the faith-based community?

For too long, when people in government got together at forums such as this, the faith-based community was out of the conversation because you were not a part of this. From the Federal government's point of view, you didn't exist. Because we couldn't trust you to interact with people without imposing upon them your specific religious beliefs.

You couldn't do these other things. But not any more. President Bush invites you in. He understands the talents and skills and the commitments that you have and you're invited in.

Just 9 days after he took office, President Bush signed two Executive Orders creating the White House Council for Faith Based and Community Initiatives and designating faith-based centers in five of the Federal Cabinet agencies, and one of them is the U.S. Department of Education.

Our Director from the U.S. Department of Education's Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, Initiatives, is joining us today here too, John Porter. John, will you please stand and let us applaud you for your good work? (Applause.)

With the stroke of a pen, the President signaled that this Administration will knock down any barrier, will do whatever it takes to get people of faith and goodwill involved in helping solve some of the problems in our society.

Now, President Bush does this because he knows first-hand the power of faith to change lives -- (applause) -- from the inside out. And the reason he knows this is because faith changed his life. (Applause.)

You know, some times it amuses me when I see people react to him. And then I think about, well, I've got an advantage that most people have not had, and that is I've known him for years. I knew his father, and you can look at me and tell I'm more for his father's generation than his. But I knew him for some time, you know.

And I also know you have to be, you have to be good in politics to become President of the United States and people can only view him from the political lenses. But, let me explain from a person who knows him up close, this is in his heart. If you could see his heart, you would understand that as well. It's not about politics or anything like that. It's about a mission that he's on as a human being. He really, seriously wants to improve the world. He's a special human being and I'm very pleased to serve as his Secretary of Education. (Applause.)

He grew up in church, but like most of us, he didn't always walk the walk. Many years ago, at a particularly low point in his life, he realized that something was missing. Fortunately for him, he bumped into the Reverend Billy Graham. And they had a long, long, long conversation. And he made a decision coming out of that conversation that changed his life. And he believes that if it can change his life, that it can change the lives of others as well. And that's why he's so committed to this. (Applause.)

So the reason we're all here today is not because some politician needs to knock off one more things on his TO DO list. We're here because we have a President who is true, is a true man of God. A man who prays every day. And I think together, together, we can really make a difference for mankind, for Americans, we can make America a better place. We can, and I enjoyed the prayer, as we began, served, getting food. Said, if the Jews could be better Jews, and if Christians could be better Christians, if all of us could just be a little better ourselves, what a difference that would make in this world, what a difference that would make. (Applause.)

So he has made it his mission to level the playing field so good people who used to get left out of the process can now act on their spiritual imperative and can help others make a difference and can be partners with the Federal government.

He's created this new initiative, because he knows that you have tremendous powers to change lives. You have tremendous powers to make lives better. In many communities, you are the last line of defense. And when it comes to our nation's children, we need your help, big time.

As part of the President's No Child Left Behind Law, we are charged with a bold goal. Now listen to this, because most people don't quite get this. Listen to the name of his school improvement initiative, No Child Left Behind. None. No child. Each and every child in America should have an opportunity for a first-class education. No society has ever tried this before. This is completely new. But we are a great nation, and great nations take care of their children. And we can do this. Together we can do this. (Applause.)

The President has called upon my help to achieve this end. As United States Secretary of Education, he's asked me to lead this initiative. He said to me, I need your help. Well, guess what, I'm here today to say to you, I need your help. I need your help. I need America's help, but most especially, the good people of faith. We need your help.

We will succeed by working together. But we can only succeed by working together. It is only with your help that we can truly ensure that no child is left behind.

The federal government can provide funds, we can make laws, but we cannot provide love and faith and compassion. That's where you come in. You can you that. No one can do that better.

We know that faith-based and community organizations have worked for years to leave no child behind. We know the Federal government is just coming along lately with that goal. We know you've been at it for some time. And you are good at it.

This past May, I visited the, I visited a program in Pittsburgh called the A-STEP program with Pastor Johnny Monroe and his church in Pittsburgh. I saw first-hand the success of programs like the ones that you run. I saw a skilled teachers patiently helping young children sound out words and improve their reading skills. All of this at a church that was surrounded by low-income housing. A church that's right there to make a big difference. A church that's looking at every child as a possibility and giving them the support that they need.

We want to build on that kind of success, and the President has provided the opportunity to help. And I know you've heard all about that this morning in this great conference, and I know you're going to hear more this afternoon. But we invite you to pay particular attention, because you can be a big player in this.

Democrats and Republicans and Independents all together. And that's why I'm so happy about the bill, the No Child Left Behind Act. It is a bipartisan bill, it is not a Democratic bill, it's not a Republican bill, it's not an Independent bill, it is an American bill. And that's what we are, Americans together. Together we can, we can ensure that no child is left behind.

Our President knows your worth. And he knows what a difference that you can make.

And he's paved the way for all of us to use our talents to help the less fortunate. To share our resources with children who need our help. To harness the power of faith to transition our great nation and to make America a better place.

And let me close with a paraphrase, paraphrasing the great Barbara Jordan, when she said, we may have come to this country on different ships, but, you know what, we're all on the same boat now. Let's row together. Thank you. (Applause.)

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