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Iran rid of your arms; disavow terrorism; work to Q. Thank you, Mr. President. The talks bring what you promised to the people of between Iran and the EU–3 appear to be the Palestinian Territories. Listen, these folks making little progress. A senior British offi- ran on the campaign, ‘‘We’re going to get cial there said that they detect nothing new rid of corruption,’’ and that ‘‘We’re going to in their approach. What can be done now? provide services to the people,’’ and that’s The President. Well, obviously, one op- positive. But what isn’t positive is that they’ve tion is for the Perm 5 to work together to got parts of their platform that will make it bring Iran to the U.N. Security Council. impossible for them to be a peaceful partner. That’s an option. And we’re going to continue Thank you all very much. to work with our friends and allies to present a united front to the Iranians. And the mes- NOTE: The President spoke at 11:06 a.m. in the sage is: Give up your nuclear weapons ambi- Cabinet Room at the White House. tions. And the good news is, most of the world recognizes that Iran, being the non- transparent society that it is, a Government Statement on Senate Action To Vote that had violated IAEA rules, is one that can- on the Nomination of Samuel A. not be trusted with technology that could en- Alito, Jr., To Be an Associate Justice able it to develop a nuclear weapon. And so of the United States Supreme Court we’re united in our goal to keep the Iranians January 30, 2006 from having a weapon, and we’re working on the tactics necessary to continue putting I am pleased that a strong, bipartisan ma- a united front out. jority in the Senate decisively rejected at- The other thing is that we want the people tempts to obstruct and filibuster an up-or- of Iran to be able to live in a free society. down vote on Judge Sam Alito’s nomination. And so tomorrow night, I am going to talk The Senate has a constitutional responsibility about this issue and make clear the policy to hold an up-or-down vote on every judicial of the United States. nominee, and throughout its 216-year his- Patsy [Patricia Wilson, Reuters]. tory, the Senate has held an up-or-down vote Palestinian Elections/Hamas on every Supreme Court nominee with ma- jority Senate support. Judge Alito is extraor- Q. Mr. President, Israeli officials are seek- dinarily well-qualified to serve on our Na- ing an international boycott of a Palestinian tion’s highest Court, and America is fortunate Government that includes Hamas. Do you that this good and humble man is willing to support this? And if so, isn’t that punishing serve. I look forward to the Senate voting the Palestinian people for exercising the to confirm Sam Alito as the 110th Justice of democratic rights that you’ve called for in the the Supreme Court. region? The President. The Hamas party has made it clear that they do not support the Proclamation 7977—Fourth right of Israel to exist. And I have made it Anniversary of USA Freedom Corps, clear, so long as that’s their policy, that we 2006 will not support a Palestinian Government made up of Hamas. We want to work with January 30, 2006 a Government that is a partner in peace, not By the President of the United States a Government that is—whose declared in- of America tentions might be the destruction of Israel. Secondly, this new democracy that’s emerging in the Palestinian Territories must A Proclamation understand that you can’t have a political Americans enjoy great liberty and pros- party that also has got an armed wing to it; perity, and with these blessings comes an ob- that democracies yield peace. And so the sec- ligation to reach out to those in need. Over ond half of our message to Hamas is: Get the past 4 years, USA Freedom Corps has

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worked to rally America’s armies of compas- www.volunteer.gov. By working together for sion and bring together individuals and orga- a cause greater than self, we can strengthen nizations committed to volunteer service. our Nation, one person, one neighborhood, More than 65 million people volunteered in and one community at a time. 2005, an increase of 6.5 million since 2002. Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, As we celebrate the fourth anniversary of USA Freedom Corps, we recognize the many President of the United States of America, Americans who have stepped forward to help by virtue of the authority vested in me by others, and we underscore our commitment the Constitution and laws of the United to serving our Nation and people around the States, do hereby proclaim the Fourth Anni- world. versary of USA Freedom Corps. I call upon USA Freedom Corps was created to build the citizens of this great country to find ways on the countless acts of service, sacrifice, and to volunteer and help their fellow Americans. generosity that followed the terrorist attacks I commend the efforts of USA Freedom of September 11, 2001. In the wake of the Corps and all those who have already an- devastating tsunami of 2004 and hurricanes swered the call to serve, and I encourage all of 2005, Americans have continued to dem- Americans to donate their time, energy, and onstrate that the true strength of our Nation talents to the work ahead. lies in the hearts and souls of our citizens. In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set By reaching out to aid the victims of these my hand this thirtieth day of January, in the tragedies, people across our country helped year of our Lord two thousand six, and of rebuild shattered lives and communities. the Independence of the United States of Their acts of service again demonstrated that America the two hundred and thirtieth. by loving our neighbors as ourselves, we can offer hope and healing to those who suffer. USA Freedom Corps is dedicated to ex- George W. Bush panding volunteer service and extending the goodwill of the American people. To help [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, support our communities, respond to crises 8:45 a.m., February 1, 2006] at home, and spread compassion around the globe, USA Freedom Corps works to NOTE: This proclamation was published in the strengthen public service programs such as Federal Register on February 2. the Peace Corps, Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Citizen Corps. USA Freedom Corps en- courages and promotes the good work of Statement on the Death of Coretta non-profit, faith-based, and community orga- Scott King nizations. Through the President’s Greeter Program and the President’s Volunteer Serv- January 31, 2006 ice Award, USA Freedom Corps and the President’s Council on Service and Civic Par- Laura and I are deeply saddened by the ticipation recognize Americans who have death of Coretta Scott King. Mrs. King was made serving their neighbors a central part a remarkable and courageous woman and a of their lives. USA Freedom Corps has also great civil rights leader. She carried on the created a comprehensive network of volun- legacy of her husband, Dr. Martin Luther teer opportunities to help more Americans King, Jr., including through her extraordinary find ways to get involved in serving their work at the King Center. Mrs. King’s lasting communities. contributions to freedom and equality have Through USA Freedom Corps, my Admin- made America a better and more compas- istration will continue to build a culture of sionate nation. Laura and I were fortunate service, citizenship, and responsibility in our to have known Mrs. King, and we will always country. To learn more about opportuni- treasure the time we spent with her. We send ties for volunteering, citizens can visit the our condolences and prayers to the entire USA Freedom Corps website at King family.

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