Presidential News and Speeches

President George W. Bush today announced his intention to nominate ten individuals to serve in his Administration: Peter E. Cianchette, Jeffrey Robert Brown, Perri Klass, Katherine Mitchell, Eduardo J. Padron, Alexa E. Posny, Timothy Shanahan, Richard Kenneth Wagner, Hyepin Christine Im, and Layshae Ward.

President Bush on Tuesday said, "We discussed a variety of issues. I was touched by the President's concern about the life of the average citizen in Mali. We are partners with the -- with the President and the people of Mali, through the Millennium Challenge Account. And one reason we worked with the government is because they've agreed to fight corruption, and support the education and health of its citizens. This is a country that's committed to the rights of its people, and we're proud to be standing side-by-side with you."

President Bush on Monday said, "All of us here are committed to America's heart health. I don't know if our fellow citizens know this, but this is America Heart Month. And it's a good time to remember that an estimated 80 million people across the United States suffer from heart disease. The disease is the number one killer of American men and women. Many women, however, do not even know they're at risk, and so they don't take simple steps that can protect their health. And that's where the Heart Truth Campaign comes in. Over the last five years I appreciate the fact that you all have spread the word, and you represent thousands across our country who are doing so, as well. You've helped women reduce the factors for heart disease."

MR. HADLEY: Thank you, Scott, very much. I appreciate the opportunity to be with you here this afternoon at the Center for International Security and Cooperation. The work you do is vital. You are helping to shape the national debate on the security challenges we face, and are showing how cooperation with other nations continues to be essential to meeting the future threats to peace. I thank you for that work.

President Bush will meet with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the White House on Friday, February 15. The President looks forward to discussing with Secretary-General Ban important issues in the United Nations including human rights, counterterrorism, and international peace and security. We expect the President and the Secretary-General to address the situation in Kosovo, Burma, Sudan, Iran, Lebanon, and Kenya; the recent attacks on the leaders of Timor-Leste; as well as international support for Iraq and Afghanistan.

I strongly condemn the violent attacks against Jose Ramos-Horta, President of Timor-Leste, and Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, Prime Minister of Timor-Leste. Laura and I offer our condolences to the families of those killed in the attacks, and we send our prayers for a rapid recovery to President Ramos-Horta and the others injured.

Today, President and Mrs. Bush hosted a Heart Truth reception at the White House to celebrate the fifth year of Mrs. Bush's service as ambassador to raise heart disease awareness. Among the President and Mrs. Bush's guests were heart disease survivor Candice Stauffer, fashion designers Mark Badgley, James Mischka, and Narciso Rodriguez, and journalist Natalie Morales. Eighty million Americans suffer from heart disease, which is the number one cause of death for American men and women. Even though women are more likely than men to die from this condition, many women are not aware of the risks associated with not taking preventive action.

President Bush on Monday said, "This report indicates that our economy is structurally sound for the long term, and that we're dealing with uncertainties in the short term. And therefore, what should we do about it? Well, I'm so pleased that the Congress and the administration worked closely together to pass a robust pro-growth package to deal with the uncertainty. That package is about $160 billion-plus. What that means is, it means that money will be going directly to America -- workers and families and individuals. It also means that there is incentives for American businesses."

The AbilityOne Program (formerly the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Program) is a Federal initiative that works with public and private organizations to generate employment opportunities for Americans who are blind or have other disabilities. Nearly 43,000 individuals work in more than 600 community-based nonprofit agencies that serve people with a wide range of disabilities and sell products and services to the Federal Government through the AbilityOne Program.

Laura and I are saddened by the death of our friend Congressman Tom Lantos.

Today, the White House released the Economic Report of the President, an annual report to Congress on the Nation's economic progress. The report released today reviews the state of the U.S. economy, the outlook for the next several years, and a wide variety of economic issues that underlie many of the Administration's economic policies. The full report, written by the President's Council of Economic Advisers, is available at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/cea/pubs.html

President Bush on Sunday said, "He was a fabulous man, and a great President. His life was one of humble beginnings, and steadfast convictions. And so we celebrate his deeds, we lift up his ideals, and we honor this good man."

In his weekly radio address, President Bush said, "When men and women agree to serve in public office, we should treat them with respect and dignity, and that means giving them a prompt confirmation vote. When the Senate fails to give nominees a timely vote, it leaves important positions in our government vacant, and it makes it harder for Presidents of both parties to attract good men and women to serve in these vital posts. By working together, Republicans and Democrats can chart a better course. We can bring every nomination to the floor for a vote, and give the American people the kind of public servants they deserve."

President Bush on Friday said, "And we're sorry you're going through what you're going through. You know, life sometimes is unfair and you don't get to play the hand that you wanted to play. But the question is when you get dealt the hand, how do you play it? And I've come away with this impression of the folks in Macon County: one, you're down to earth, good, hard-working people; they have a respect for the Almighty; and this community is going to be as strong as ever. That's what I think."

President Bush on Friday said, "Our views are grounded in timeless truths. During these debates we stuck to timeless truths. We believe that the most reliable guide for our country is the collective wisdom of ordinary citizens. We believe our culture benefits from a diversity of faith, a respect for values, and the guidance of a higher power. We believe in personal responsibility. We believe in the universality of freedom. We believe our nation has the right to defend itself -- even if sometimes others disagree. And we believe America remains a force of good in our world."

President Bush and Mrs. Bush will host Danish Prime Minister and Mrs. Rasmussen at their ranch in Crawford, Texas on February 29 and March 1, 2008. The President looks forward to welcoming the Prime Minister to continue their close dialogue and cooperation on a range of global issues, including the war on terror, Afghanistan, Iraq, Middle East issues, Kosovo, energy security, and climate change. The President also welcomes the opportunity to consult with the Prime Minister on continuing their efforts to transform the NATO Alliance in advance of the NATO Summit in Bucharest, Romania in April.

President Bush will welcome President Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia to Washington on March 19, 2008. Georgia is a key ally in the war on terror, particularly in Iraq, and a valuable partner in an important region. The President looks forward to discussing a range of issues with President Saakashvili, including our common efforts to advance freedom and security around the world; Georgia's Euro-Atlantic aspirations; efforts to promote a peaceful resolution to the separatist conflicts in South Ossetia and Abkhazia within a unified Georgia; the Georgian government's ongoing democratic reform efforts, particularly in advance of parliamentary elections; and cooperation on energy security.

President Bush on Friday said, "Listen, I want to thank you for the briefing. People have got to understand here in the region that a lot of folks around America care for them. And I'm here to listen, to determine -- to make sure that the federal response is compassionate and effective. I don't want people to think something is going to happen that's not going to happen. And therefore when we say something is going to happen to help them get their feet back on the ground, it will happen."

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and in recognition of the successful interagency collaboration resulting from the Helping America's Youth initiative, it is hereby ordered as follows:

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Arkansas and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding beginning on February 5, 2008, and continuing.