Administration of George W. Bush, 2005 / July 31

NOTE: The address was recorded at 7:36 a.m. was embargoed for release until the broad- on July 29 in the Cabinet Room at the White cast. The Office of the Press Secretary also House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on July released a Spanish language transcript of this 30. The transcript was made available by the address. Office of the Press Secretary on July 29 but

Remarks to Reporters at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland July 30, 2005

President’s Health/Visit With Marines So I want to thank you for having me, The President. I just finished two things. and thanks for giving me my physical. One, I had my physical, and I’m feeling Rear Adm. Robinson. You’re welcome, pretty good. It’s a great hospital to come sir. The President. Thank you. to to get your physical. Q. How’s your health, sir? But I also visited with some brave ma- The President. She’s going to put out the rines who have been wounded. It’s a re- return. I think you’ll find it’s pretty good. markable experience to meet with these in- Thank you. credibly courageous souls who keep their spirit. And I understand why they’re serving NOTE: The President spoke at 12:16 p.m. the country. I met with their parents. I Participating in the visit was Rear Adm. met with the healers who work here at Adam M. Robinson, Jr., USN, commander, Bethesda. It’s a—it’s such a great credit National Naval Medical Center. A tape was to our country to have a place such as not available for verification of the content this. of these remarks.

Remarks to the National at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia July 31, 2005

Daniel, thank you for your introduction. ship and kindness. And you Scouts honor It’s such an honor to be here. Laura and them by living up to the ideals of the scout- I join Americans across our country in ex- ing they served. tending our sympathy and prayers to the Daniel, I want to thank you for your families of the Scout leaders who lost their introduction. I appreciate the Scouts pick- lives so tragically earlier this week. The ing a fellow Texan to introduce me. men you lost were models of good citizen- ship, leaders who stepped forward to serve I want to thank Congresswoman Jo Ann a good and selfless cause. As Scout leaders, Davis for her leadership. I don’t know if they devoted themselves to helping young you realize this, but she sponsored legisla- men develop the character and skills they tion in the House of Representatives to en- need to realize their dreams. These men sure that the Boy Scouts are granted equal will always be remembered for their leader- access to public lands.

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I want to thank the president of the Boy More than half of the current Members Scouts, John Cushman; Roy Williams, the of the United States Congress participated ; Fran Olmstead, the in the Scouts. One of the Capital’s most chairman of this fantastic jamboree. I also famous Scouts is President Gerald Ford. want to thank Major General Jay Yingling, He first saw Washington just a few years who is the commander of the—Fort A.P. after he earned his Eagle badge and even- Hill. General, thank you and all your troops tually became the first Eagle Scout to call for making sure this jamboree was a great the White House his home. success. As President, I have the privilege to work Here at the 16th National Scout Jam- with Scouts every day. When I come to boree, you’re carrying on a tradition that the Oval Office in the morning, the first dates back almost seven decades. President person I see is a Scout, my Chief of Staff, Franklin Roosevelt came to the first jam- Andy Card from the State of Massachu- boree in 1937. I don’t think he rode in setts. Down the hall is Vice President Dick the same kind of helicopter I did, though. Cheney, a Boy Scout from Casper, Wyo- [Laughter] You know, I was looking for- ming. And across the river at the Pentagon ward to coming last week, but the thunder- sits an Eagle Scout from Illinois who Amer- storms got in the way. So I appreciate the icans count on to ‘‘be prepared’’—Secretary rain check. [Laughter] It’s a fantastic sight of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. to look out on more than 30,000 young These Scouts have a lot of things in com- men wearing the uniform of the Boy mon, and one of the most important is Scouts. that they all benefited from the influence At this base there are Scouts from all of a caring adult early in their lives. Across 50 States plus Puerto Rico, Guam, the Vir- America, Scoutmasters and volunteers de- gin Islands, and countries from all around vote long hours to building the knowledge the world. As a former from and integrity of our Scouts. It’s not always Midland, Texas, I’m especially glad to be an easy job. When I was a Cub Scout, here with the Texas Scouts. [Applause] my mother was our den mother. It’s about Sounds like you brought a big delegation the time her hair turned white. [Laughter] this year. I want to thank the Scoutmasters of Amer- Coming to this jamboree gives me great ica and the volunteer Scouters for taking confidence in the future of our Nation. For the time to care. I want to thank you for nearly 100 years, Boy Scouts have set a your leadership and thank you for setting high standard of service and duty to God such a good example for a new generation and country. Millions of Americans have of Scouts. pledged the Scout oath, ‘‘On my honor, When you join a Scout troop and put I’ll do my best.’’ And through the genera- on the Boy Scout uniform you make a tions, Scouts have made America a stronger statement. Your uniform is a sign that and better nation. you’re a certain kind of citizen, trustworthy, Scouts have excelled in fields from loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, science to business to education to the arts. obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and Scouts have earned Olympic Gold Medals, reverent. These are the values of , Nobel Prizes, and Academy Awards. Thou- and they’re important values for America. sands of Scouts have shown the highest By working to live up to them, you’re form of patriotism, by going on to wear bringing great credit to yourselves and to the uniform of the United States military. our Nation. The first Scout Jamboree was held in Coming to this jamboree is a great way Washington, DC, and Scouts have felt at to practice the values of . And home in the Nation’s Capital ever since. when you get back home, there are a few

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lessons you might keep in mind. The first than 11,000 pocket-size flags to send to one is one you’ve probably heard before, troops serving overseas. In California, Boy and it’s one of the most valuable lessons Scouts donated money they raised for sum- I’ve learned: Listen to your mother. I didn’t mer camps to help victims of the tsunami have much choice. Mom always has a way in Asia. In Louisiana, Scouts collected five of speaking her mind. When I paid atten- tons of food to donate to a food bank. tion, I benefited. And that’s how it still In Florida, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts works. Listen, you may not always agree worked together to clean up the roads be- with your mother, but think of it this way: fore the Super Bowl. And right here at The first voice you heard is always worth the National Jamboree, Scouts are working listening to. with Habitat for Humanity to build a home Second, always remember where you for a Virginia family in need. On behalf come from and what you believe. At times of a grateful nation, I thank the Boy Scouts you may come across people who say that for serving on the frontline of America’s moral truth is relative or call a religious armies of compassion. faith a comforting illusion. They may ques- Another organization devoted to service tion the values you learn in scouting. But is USA Freedom Corps. I created the USA remember, lives of purpose are constructed Freedom Corps in 2002 to match willing on the conviction there is right, and there volunteers with opportunities in their com- is wrong, and we can know the difference. munities. If you’re interested in serving In the years ahead, you will find that America, if you’re listening to my speech indifferent or cynical people accomplish lit- today to the Boy Scouts, call up tle that makes them proud. You’ll find that usafreedomcorps.gov to find out ways that confronting injustice and evil requires a vi- you can join other kind-hearted Americans sion of goodness and truth. You’ll find that across our Nation to mentor children, to many in your community, especially those assist the elderly, to clean up the neighbor- younger than you, look to you as an exam- hoods and perform countless acts of gen- ple of conduct and leadership. For your erosity. This year, Laura is going to work sake and for the sake of our country, I with organizations like the Boy Scouts to hope you’ll always strive to be men of con- lead an initiative called Helping America’s viction and character. Youth. Finally, your life will grow in meaning The Boy Scouts are recognizing our call when you serve a cause greater than your- to service with a special honor. I was self. There’s a wise saying: We make a liv- pleased to accept the Good Turn for Amer- ing by what we get; we make a life by ica award on behalf of the millions of vol- what we give. That truth is expressed well unteers all across our country who are help- in the Scout slogan: Do a good turn daily. ing this country be a hopeful place. By When you help someone in need, you’re making a commitment to service, to integ- making America more hopeful, one heart rity, and to good citizenship, all of you are and one soul at a time. And you’re answer- showing your gratitude for the blessings of ing the call to love a neighbor just like freedom. you’d like to be loved yourself. You also understand that freedom must Every day, every day Scouts are showing be defended, and I appreciate the Scouts’ that the greatest strength of America lies long tradition of supporting the men and in the hearts and souls of our citizens. women of the United States military. Your Through your Good Turn for America ini- generation is growing up in an historic tiative, Scouts have given more than 1.4 time, a time when freedom is on the million hours of volunteer service this year march. And America is proud to lead the alone. In Nebraska, Scouts have made more armies of liberation. I believe we’re laying

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the foundations of peace for decades to Thanks for hosting me tonight. May God come. bless you all, and may God continue to And that’s not the only reason I’m opti- bless the United States of America. mistic about the decades ahead, because I’m standing in front of America’s future NOTE: The President spoke at 7:19 p.m. In leaders. When you follow your conscience his remarks, he referred to Eagle Scout Dan- and the ideals you have sworn as a Scout, iel Valella of Dallas, TX, who introduced the there is no limit to what you can achieve President; John C. Cushman, president, and for our country. Continue to make right Roy L. Williams, chief scout executive, ; Fran Olmstead, chair- choices in life. Continue to set high stand- man, and Maj. Gen. John Yingling, task force ards. Continue to be a leader. commander, 2005 National Scout Jamboree.

Remarks on the Recess Appointment of John Bolton as Ambassador to the United Nations August 1, 2005

The President. Nearly 5 months ago, I I’m sending Ambassador Bolton to New nominated John Bolton to be America’s York with my complete confidence. Ambas- Ambassador to the United Nations. I chose sador Bolton believes passionately in the John because of his vast experience in for- goals of the United Nations Charter, to ad- eign policy, his integrity, and his willingness vance peace and liberty and human rights. to confront difficult problems head-on. I His mission is now to help the U.N. reform told the Nation that John Bolton would itself to renew its founding promises for provide clear American leadership for re- the 21st century. He will speak for me on form at the United Nations. I told them critical issues facing the international com- that he would insist upon results. munity, and he’ll make it clear that Amer- The United States Senate held thorough ica values the potential of the United Na- confirmation hearings, and a majority of tions to be a source of hope and dignity United States Senators agree that he is the and peace. right man for the job. Yet because of par- As he embarks on his new assignment, tisan delaying tactics by a handful of Sen- Ambassador Bolton will bring tremendous ators, John was unfairly denied the up-or- wisdom and expertise. Over the past two down vote that he deserves. decades, John Bolton has been one of America’s most talented and successful dip- As a result, America has now gone more lomats. He’s been a tireless defender of than 6 months without a permanent Am- our Nation’s values and a persuasive advo- bassador to the United Nations. This post cate for freedom and peace. As a senior is too important to leave vacant any longer, leader at the State Department in the especially during a war and a vital debate 1980s and 1990s, he brought people to- about U.N. reform. So today I’ve used my gether to achieve meaningful results at the constitutional authority to appoint John United Nations, from resolving payment Bolton to serve as America’s Ambassador issues to helping rally the coalition in the to the United Nations. John Bolton will Persian Gulf war to repealing a shameful be an important member of my State De- resolution that equated Zionism with rac- partment team, led by Condoleezza Rice. ism. And over the past 4 years as Under

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