Dec. 15 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2003

And that’s what I believe. I believe that year, Gregory, don’t take any silverware. yesterday was a day—or Saturday, when we [Laughter] captured Saddam, it was a day where America is more secure as a result of his capture. But more importantly, Saturday was a great day for the people who have NOTE: The President’s news conference suffered under this tyrant. began at 11:15 a.m. in Room 450 of the He is—I believe, firmly believe—and Dwight D. Eisenhower Executive Office you’ve heard me say this a lot, and I say Building. In his remarks, he referred to Rend it a lot because I truly believe it—that free- Rahim Francke, head of Iraq’s Interest Sec- dom is the Almighty God’s gift to every tion in the U.S.; Prime Minister Paul Martin person, every man and woman who lives of Canada; James A. Baker III, the Presi- in this world. That’s what I believe. And dent’s personal envoy on the issue of Iraqi the arrest of Saddam Hussein changed the debt; Joshua Bolten, Director, Office of equation in Iraq. Justice was being deliv- Management and Budget; David Kay, CIA ered to a man who defied that gift from Special Advisor for Strategy Regarding Iraqi the Almighty to the people of Iraq. And Weapons of Mass Destruction Programs; justice will be delivered to him in a way Chairman Kim Chong-il of North Korea; that is transparent and for the world to former President Jiang Zemin of China; Na- see. And so I told my dad, I said, ‘‘It’s tional Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice; a great day for America, but it’s a better Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff day for the people of this country,’’ and Andrew H. Card, Jr.; and L. Paul Bremer that’s why. III, Presidential Envoy to Iraq. A reporter Thank you all for coming. I’ll see you referred to Democratic Presidential can- Thursday, coats and ties. [Laughter] This didate Howard Dean.

Statement on Senator John Breaux’s Decision Not To Seek Reelection December 15, 2003

John Breaux is a distinguished public tenacity on Medicare reform have now servant. His tenure in the Senate has been helped provide senior citizens with long- marked by bipartisan statesmanship, results awaited prescription drug benefits and for the people of Louisiana, and dedicated more choices in health care. He also has service for America. been a leader in the effort to pass com- During more than 30 years in the Con- prehensive energy legislation, among many gress, John Breaux has put party politics other legislative achievements. aside to get things done for the American It is with deep respect that Laura and people. His leadership in getting the 2001 I extend our gratitude and best wishes to tax cut passed helped spur economic John, his wife, Lois, and their children. growth and job creation, and his vision and

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