1000 July 16 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2008

very grateful to initiatives taken by the are here. We expect them to call a good United States administration in terms of debt game. reduction, public aid to development, fight I do want to say that a member of my Cabi- against HIV/AIDS, and building schools in net, Carlos Gutierrez, has joined us. Mr. Sec- our country. retary, thank you for coming. And we talked about the situation on the And finally, Mr. Commissioner, we are so whole continent, the need for democracy and lucky to have Shelby Shayler with us today. stability in Africa, and the urgent need for She will be presenting you and I with the a true rule of law in Zimbabwe. We also first ball, but not quite yet. Before we do, talked about the need for a political solution we’re going to recite the Little League oath. to the crisis in Darfur, which is weighing very Are the players ready? All right, here we heavily in all Africa. go. And again, I congratulate President Bush, Congress, and the American people for their [At this point, the pledge was recited.] commitment for Africa. Play ball! President Bush. Thank you, sir.

NOTE: The President spoke at 3:37 p.m. on the NOTE: The President spoke at 11:18 a.m. in the South Lawn at the White House. In his remarks, Oval Office at the White House. President he referred to entertainer Kenny Chesney, who Compaore spoke in French, and his remarks were sang the national anthem; ESPN radio talk show translated by an interpreter. hosts Mike Golic and Mike Greenberg; and Shel- by Shayler, member, Naval Air Station Little League, Norfolk, VA. Remarks at a White House Tee-Ball Game Statement on Senate Passage of July 16, 2008 Legislation To Reauthorize the Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to this President’s Emergency Plan for historic occasion. The commissioner and I— AIDS Relief that would be Frank Robinson, the Hall of July 16, 2008 Fame—[applause]—welcome you for the first all-star game here on the South Lawn I thank the Senate for the strong, bipar- of the White House. tisan vote today to pass important, life-saving We’ve got 50 players from 50 States, plus legislation reauthorizing the President’s the District of Columbia, who have shown— Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). come to show off their great baseball skills. I appreciate the efforts of Majority Leader And we’re excited you’re here. We welcome Reid, Senators Biden and Lugar, and all you; we welcome your families. other Senators from both sides of the aisle We want to thank Kenny Chesney for who came together today to ensure that lending his great talent. We’re proud you’re America’s generosity in battling HIV/AIDS, here, Kenny. Thanks for coming. malaria, and other diseases around the globe I do want to welcome our baseball coaches will continue in a manner consistent with the today. We’ve got four fabulous coaches program’s successful founding principles. who’ve agreed to come: Ryne Sandberg, Hall When we launched this program in 2003, of Famer—he’s kind of pulling for the Cubs about 50,000 people in sub-Saharan Africa this year; John Smoltz of the Atlanta Braves. were receiving antiretroviral treatment for Our second game coaches: from the Balti- HIV/AIDS. Today, PEPFAR supports life- more Orioles, Kevin Millar—here he is; and saving antiretroviral treatment for more than finally, two-time all-star, Rick Monday. 1.7 million people around the world. There he is. Hi, Rick. Thanks for coming. PEPFAR has also supported treatment and I do want to welcome our announcers prevention programs that have helped HIV- today, Mike and Mike. Yes, sir! Mike Golic positive women give birth to nearly 200,000 and Mike Greenberg, we’re proud you guys infants who are HIV-free. PEPFAR is the

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