Presidential News and Speeches

Two weeks ago my Administration reached an agreement with Speaker Pelosi and Leader Boehner on a short-term economic growth package that would quickly put money into the hands of the American people and provide our economy the boost it needs. Today the Senate amended that bill in ways I can support.

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Tennessee and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding during the period of February 5-6, 2008.

President Bush on Thursday said, "In my State of the Union a couple years ago, I talked about the initiative that we're honoring today, and it's an initiative that says there is a better future for America's young folks. And we've set some important goals, and one of the goals inside this administration is to make sure that those people who are responsible for spending taxpayers' money on these programs actually coordinate their efforts, and set high standards. A lot of times in government we don't do a very good job of measuring, and so the idea is to set standards and to coordinate, but the idea is also to empower those who are on the front lines of saving lives."

President Bush will welcome Prime Minister Donald Tusk of Poland to the White House on March 10, 2008. Poland is a close partner of the United States in pursuing our common strategic objectives of advancing global freedom and security. A leader within Europe for promoting the development of strong democracies in Europe's East, Poland is helping to consolidate democratic gains in Ukraine and Georgia and to strengthen the democratic opposition to the regime in Belarus, Europe's last dictatorship. Poland is also a strong voice within Europe for promoting European energy security.

Today, President Bush signed an Executive Order establishing the Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs, a coalition of Federal agencies that will help support communities and organizations working to help our Nation's youth. This Order builds on the success of the Helping America's Youth Initiative, a three-year interagency initiative announced by President Bush in his 2005 State of the Union address. The President asked Mrs. Bush to lead this nationwide effort to raise awareness about the challenges facing our youth, particularly at-risk boys, and to motivate caring adults to connect with youth in three key areas: family, school, and community. As the leader of this Initiative, Mrs. Bush has hosted one national conference and five regional conferences, and participated in 125 other Helping America's Youth activities in 24 states, plus Washington D.C., to promote the efforts of youth-serving organizations. The Executive Order President Bush signed today will further support communities and youth-serving organizations by:

President Bush on Thursday said, "Every President since Dwight Eisenhower has attended the National Prayer Breakfast -- and I am really proud to carry on that tradition. It's an important tradition, and I'm confident Presidents who follow me will do the same. The people in this room come from many different walks of faith. Yet we share one clear conviction: We believe that the Almighty hears our prayers -- and answers those who seek Him. That's what we believe; otherwise, why come? Through the miracle of prayer, we believe he listens -- if we listen to his voice and seek our presence -- his presence in our lives, our hearts will change. And in so doing, in seeking God, we grow in ways that we could never imagine."

Due to the President's travel to Tennessee on Friday, President Bush will now welcome Amadou Toumani Tour of the Republic of Mali to the White House on February 12, 2008. This visit will provide an opportunity for the President to get a progress update from President Tour on key U.S. initiatives including the President's Malaria Initiative, the President's International Education Initiative, and the Millennium Challenge Account. The two leaders will use the opportunity to discuss the shared goal of advancing democracy and human rights worldwide, including through the Community of Democracies. They will also discuss insecurity in northern Mali and the fight against terrorism.

With a view to receiving the advice and consent of the Senate to ratification, I transmit herewith the International Convention Against Doping in Sport, adopted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization on October 19, 2005.

Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless, prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date. In accordance with this provision, I have sent the enclosed notice to the Federal Register for publication, which states that the national emergency declared with respect to the Government of Cuba's destruction of two unarmed U.S.-registered civilian aircraft in international airspace north of Cuba on February 24, 1996, as amended and expanded on February 26, 2004, is to continue in effect beyond March 1, 2008.

On February 6, 2008, as a demonstration of his ongoing commitment to fighting the use of steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs in sports, the President transmitted the International Convention Against Doping in Sport to the United States Senate and urged its speedy ratification.

On March 1, 1996, by Proclamation 6867, a national emergency was declared to address the disturbance or threatened disturbance of international relations caused by the February 24, 1996, destruction by the Cuban government of two unarmed U.S.-registered civilian aircraft in international airspace north of Cuba. In July 1996 and on subsequent occasions, the Cuban government stated its intent to forcefully defend its sovereignty against any U.S.-registered vessels or aircraft that might enter Cuban territorial waters or airspace while involved in a flotilla or peaceful protest. Since these events, the Cuban government has not demonstrated that it will refrain from the future use of reckless and excessive force against U.S. vessels or aircraft that may engage in memorial activities or peaceful protest north of Cuba. On February 26, 2004, by Proclamation 7757, the scope of the national emergency was expanded in order to deny monetary and material support to the repressive Cuban government, which had taken a series of steps to destabilize relations with the United States, including threatening to abrogate the Migration Accords with the United States and to close the United States Interests Section. Further, Cuba's most senior officials repeatedly asserted that the United States intended to invade Cuba, despite explicit denials from the U.S. Secretaries of State and Defense that such action is planned. Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing the national emergency with respect to Cuba and the emergency authority relating to the regulation of the anchorage and movement of vessels set out in Proclamation 6867 as amended and expanded by Proclamation 7757.

Paul DeCamp, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division, Department of Labor, vice Tammy Dee McCutchen, resigned, which was sent to the Senate on January 9, 2007.

President Bush on Thursday said, "Many of the nominees for important government posts have been waiting for Senate confirmation for way too long. Some of these men and women here are with us today, and I want to thank you all for joining me. More importantly, I thank you for your willingness to step forward and serve our great country. These folks are qualified, and the Senate needs to give them a prompt vote."

Today, President Bush called on the Senate to fulfill its Constitutional duty to give pending nominations a prompt vote and ensure Federal courts and agencies have the personnel they need to best serve the American people. There are more than 180 highly-qualified nominees awaiting a fair vote in the Senate. Of these nominees, 30 have been waiting more than a year for a Senate vote, about half have been waiting 100 days or longer, and nine nominees have been waiting more than two years. The Senate's continued delay in confirming these nominees means good people are becoming increasingly discouraged from entering into public service.

Our first and foremost goal is delivering relief to American consumers and businesses to boost our economy. To be effective, this economic growth package must be timely, so it is crucial that the Senate now move quickly to pass a bill that will deliver relief to our economy.

President Bush on Wednesday said, "These Ducks are awfully mighty. It's such an honor to welcome you. I love welcoming champs to the White House. And these are clearly great champs. You know, the playoffs have got to be tough at that time of year, after you've played so long, and your legs are a little tired -- except you romped through the playoffs. I don't know if many Americans understand that, but this team went 16-5 through the first four rounds; became the first West Coast team in the NHL to win the Stanley Cup. And that's a big deal."

Nominations sent to the Senate: Ralph E. Martinez, Susan D. Peppler, and Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

President George W. Bush today announced his intention to nominate three individuals to serve in his Administration: Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Susan D. Peppler, and Ralph E. Martinez.

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Hawaii and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, high surf, flooding, and mudslides during the period of December 4-7, 2007.

President Bush on Wednesday said, "Our priorities for this department are clear. We will work to make our strong agriculture sector even stronger. Ed understands what I know -- it makes a lot of sense to make sure that we can grow our own food. It's in our national security interest that we're self-sufficient in food. Farm income, farm equity and farm exports have all reached all-time records. The best way to keep the ag economy growing is to open up new markets for America's crops and farm products around the world."