Presidential News and Speeches

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., changed our Nation forever through his leadership, service, and clarity of vision. On the Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday, we honor the lasting legacy of this great American, remember the ideals for which he fought, and recommit ourselves to ensuring that our country's promise extends to all Americans across this great land.

Dear Mr. Chairman: (Dear Representative:) (Dear Senator:) Consistent with section 306(c)(2) of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-114)(the "Act"), I hereby determine and report to the Congress that suspension for 6 months beyond February 1, 2008, of the right to bring an action under title III of the Act is necessary to the national interests of the United States and will expedite a transition to democracy in Cuba.

President Bush on Wednesday said, "Our friendship with Egypt is deep and broad. Egypt will continue to be a vital strategic partner of the United States. We will work together to build a safer and more peaceful world. And, Mr. President, I thank your leadership on the issue of peace and security."

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, including section 1456(c)(1)(B) of title 16, United States Code, and to ensure effective and timely training of the United States naval forces in anti-submarine warfare using mid-frequency active sonar:

MS. PERINO: Good morning. We're on our way to Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. This is the last stop in the President's trip to the Middle East. I know that everyone has had a long trip, so it's good to be heading home after this.

President Bush on Tuesday said, "One thing that's for certain: The United States benefits when people come to my country. And one of my concerns was after September the 11th that our visa policy, particularly for Saudis, was tightened to the point where we missed opportunity to show young and old alike what our country is really about. I love the fact that some of you were educated in America. I think you'll find you got a good education there, but more importantly, Americans get to see you, and you get to see them. And the best way to achieve better understanding in the world is for folks just to get together, and get to understand that we share the same God, and we share the same aspirations for children and for our futures."

THE PRESIDENT: Decided when it looked like that there was serious momentum on the legislative front, that she could help push the momentum by her very presence. So I can't remember the exact moment; I would say it was maybe 10 days ago or something like that, when we were getting word that their budget moving, the deBaath law was on its -- it had gone through two readings I think before the holidays. So it seemed to make sense that she go sit down with the -- and the Presidency Council happened to meet yesterday, which was good, so she's going to go and sit down with the leaders and encourage them to continue making progress.

Thomas Jefferson counted the freedom of worship as one of America's greatest blessings. He said it was "a liberty deemed in other countries incompatible with good government, and yet proved by our experience to be its best support." On Religious Freedom Day, we celebrate the 1786 passage of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom.

President Bush on Monday said, "I appreciate the commitment to conservation and to the environment, and the leadership you've shown here. This has been a very interesting experience. I can't thank you enough for your hospitality."

President Bush on Monday said, "First of all, just a couple of impressions. I'm most impressed with what I've seen here. The entrepreneurial spirit is strong. And equally importantly, the desire to make sure that all aspects of society have hope and encouragement -- and I appreciate your leadership, Your Highness. And I want to thank you, sir, for having me. I'm looking forward to talking to the young leaders from around the region. I will answer your questions. And I also want you to understand something about America: that we respect you, we respect your religion and we want to work together for the sake of freedom and peace. ...I'm particularly pleased to know that you have set up interchanges with some of the young in my country. You'll find them to be compassionate, decent people who share the same goals and dreams."

MS. PERINO: Hi, everybody. I'm going to introduce Steve Hadley, the National Security Advisor, who will give you a readout on today and talk about tonight a little bit, and then take some questions. And then we'll be on our way.

President Bush on Sunday said, "A great new era is unfolding before us. This new era is founded on the equality of all people before God. This new era is being built with the understanding that power is a trust that must be exercised with the consent of the governed -- and deliver equal justice under the law. And this new era offers hope for the millions across the Middle East who yearn for a future of peace and progress and opportunity."

President Bush on Saturday said, "Since the Third Army was established at the close of World War I, its soldiers have proven themselves true to their motto, "The Third ... always first." (Applause.) You're the first bunch I've been talking to here on my trip -- first bunch of those wearing the uniform. People say, you looking forward to the trip? I said, one thing I'm really looking forward to is seeing the men and women who represent the United States in our military. The reason I am is -- anxious to be here is because we can't thank you enough, and we can't thank your families enough for doing the hard work necessary to protect the United States of America."

President Bush on Saturday said, "America is going to do our part. Long-term success in Iraq is vital to our friends here in the region -- and to America's national security. And long-term success will require active U.S. engagement that outlasts my presidency. So at the invitation of Iraqi leaders, we're now building an enduring relationship with Iraq. This relationship will have diplomatic, economic, and security components -- similar to relationships we have with Kuwait and other nations in this region and around the world. Most important, in a place where Saddam Hussein once menaced the world, the new U.S.-Iraqi relationship will strengthen a democracy that serves its people, fights terrorists, and serves as a beacon of freedom for millions across the Middle East."

President Bush on Saturday said, "First, I'd like to thank His Highness for his hospitality. Secondly, last night in a conversation with His Highness I said, any regrets about having women vote in elections and run for elections? He said, absolutely not. He said, our society is enriched by the participation of our women. And he's right. All societies are enriched by the participation of women. I happen to believe very strongly in the freedom agenda and I think an integral part of that agenda is making sure that all participants in society have got an equal voice."

President Bush on Saturday said, "I look forward to discussing how we can continue to advance peace in the Middle East. I look forward to sharing with you my experiences that I had in Israel and the Palestinian Territories. I look forward to talking about how we can continue to ensure security in the Gulf. Together we will continue to strengthen our friendship and our cooperation, and I'm proud to be with you, sir."

It is with great sadness that we learned of the death January 11 of Sir Edmund Hillary, a giant among the 20th Century's great explorers and a fast friend of the United States. Known best for his conquest of Mt. Everest and exploration of the North and South Poles, Sir Edmund dedicated his life to humanitarian and environmental causes.

In his weekly radio address, President Bush said, "A democratic Palestinian state is in the interests of the Palestinians. It is in the long-term security interests of Israel. And it is in the interests of a world at war with terrorists and extremists trying to impose their brutal vision on the Middle East. By helping the Israeli and Palestinian people lay the foundation for lasting peace, we will help build a more hopeful future for the Holy Land -- and a safer world for the American people."

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Nebraska and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by a severe winter storm during the period of December 10-12, 2007.