Administration of George W. Bush, 2006 / Oct. 9 1767

Class John Delaney and Lieutenant JG Ted the 1836 Battle of San Jacinto. And in that White. On that day over Chichi Jima, a young battle, the free Texas forces led by Sam American became a war hero and learned Houston defeated a Mexican army that was an old lesson: With the defense of freedom much larger in size—and Sam Houston suc- comes loss and sacrifice. ceeded in capturing the Mexican general re- The George H.W. Bush honors a genera- sponsible for the slaughter of the Alamo just tion that valued service above self. Like so a few weeks before. Yet on the eve of the many who served in World War II, duty battle, the outcome was far from certain, and came naturally to our father. In the 4 years the Mexicans seemed to hold the advantage. of that war, 16 million Americans would put So Sam Houston called his Texans together, on the uniform, and the human costs were and he reminded them what they were fight- appalling. From the beaches of Normandy ing for. He told them: ‘‘Be men—be free to the jungles of Southeast Asia, more than men—that your children may bless their fa- 400,000 Americans would give their lives. ther’s name.’’ From the beginning of that war, there On this proud day, the children of George were those who argued that freedom had H.W. Bush bless their father’s name; the seen its day and that the future belonged to honors his name; and the the hard men in and Berlin. Yet the ship that bears his name sails into this young war machines of Imperial and Nazi century as a symbol of American strength and Germany would be brought down by Amer- freedom. May God watch over all those who ican GIs who only months before had been sail this ship, all those who fly from her deck, students and farmers and bank clerks and and all those at home who pray for their safe factory hands. The generation of World War return. II taught the world’s tyrants a telling lesson: It is my honor to bring to you the 41st There is no power like the power of freedom President, a great dad, George H.W. Bush. and no soldier as strong as a soldier who fights for a free future for his children. NOTE: The President spoke at 10:55 a.m. at the The George H.W. Bush will serve—as a Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipyard. In his remarks, he referred to Gov. Timothy M. new generation of Americans every bit as Kaine of Virginia. brave and selfless as those who have come before them. The 21st century—in the 21st century, freedom is again under attack, and Statement on the Death of young Americans are volunteering to answer John J. ‘‘Buck’’ O’Neil the call. In the years since September the October 7, 2006 11th, 2001, more than 1.6 million Americans have volunteered to wear the uniform of the Buck O’Neil represented the best of United States. Today, they serve in distant America’s national pastime. He devoted his lands and on far seas—from the islands of long and full life to baseball and refused to Southeast Asia to the Horn of Africa to the allow injustice and discrimination to diminish mountains of Afghanistan and in Iraq. And his love of the game and his joyous, generous once again, with perseverance and courage spirit. Laura and I extend our sympathies to and confidence in the power of freedom, a his family and friends, and on behalf of all new generation of Americans will leave a Americans, we give thanks for the life of one more hopeful and peaceful world for genera- of the great ambassadors in baseball history. tions to come. The men and women of the United States military represent the best of America, and Remarks on the Situation in North they deserve the best America can give them. Korea And the George H.W. Bush is the best Amer- October 9, 2006 ica can give them. During his time in the South Pacific, En- Last night the Government of North sign Bush served on a light carrier called the Korea proclaimed to the world that it had USS San Jacinto. That ship was named for conducted a nuclear test. We’re working to

VerDate Aug 31 2005 13:27 Oct 17, 2006 Jkt 208250 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P41OCT4.013 P41OCT4 1768 Oct. 9 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2006

confirm North Korea’s claim. Nonetheless, Remarks Following Discussions With such a claim itself constitutes a threat to President Alan Garcia Perez of Peru international peace and security. The United October 10, 2006 States condemns this provocative act. Once again North Korea has defied the will of the President Bush. Bienvenidos, Mr. international community, and the inter- Presidente, a la Casa Blanca. I’m proud to national community will respond. welcome the President of Peru to the Oval This was confirmed this morning in con- Office. We’ve had a fascinating and impor- versations I had with leaders of China and tant discussion. First of all, I appreciated his South Korea, Russia, and Japan. We re- experience, and I appreciated his advice on affirmed our commitment to a nuclear-free some key issues. He comes to the Oval Office Korean Peninsula, and all of us agreed that as a friend, somebody with whom I can have the proclaimed actions taken by North Korea good working relations. are unacceptable and deserve an immediate We talked about world issues; we talked response by the United Nations Security about issues regarding South America and Council. Central America; and we talked about our The North Korean regime remains one of bilateral relations. The central issue facing the world’s leading proliferator of missile us right now is the passage of a free trade technology, including transfers to Iran and agreement. I assured the President that I will Syria. The transfer of nuclear weapons or ma- work with Congress as soon as possible to terial by North Korea to states or non-state get this agreement passed. We talked about entities would be considered a grave threat the need for both countries to work closely to the United States, and we would hold to fight drugs, and I appreciated the Presi- North Korea fully accountable of the con- dent’s attitude and understanding of this im- portant issue. sequences of such action. And we talked about the need to work to- The United States remains committed to gether to help promote social justice. The diplomacy, and we will continue to protect President has a big heart. He cares deeply ourselves and our interests. I reaffirmed to about those who suffer. And I assured the our allies in the region, including South President it’s in our Nation’s interest that we Korea and Japan, that the United States will work with our friends in the—in South meet the full range of our deterrent and se- America to promote good education and curity commitments. good health care and good opportunities. Threats will not lead to a brighter future All in all, it was an excellent meeting. And, for the North Korean people nor weaken the Mr. President, welcome. resolve of the United States and our allies President Garcia Perez. Thank you. I am to achieve the denuclearization of the Korean very happy to be here for the first time in Peninsula. Today’s claim by North Korea the Oval Office. President Bush and I have serves only to raise tensions, while depriving agreed on the general topics that we dis- the North Korean people of the increased cussed in terms of strengthening democracy prosperity and better relations with the world and also strengthening relations between de- offered by the implementation of the joint veloped countries and developing countries. statement of the six-party talks. The op- And one basic tool for that goal is free trade. pressed and impoverished people of North And we are very satisfied to have heard Presi- Korea deserve that brighter future. dent Bush’s promise to work with the Con- Thank you. gress to push forward the passage of a free trade agreement with Peru. And we have explained today that in terms NOTE: The President spoke at 9:58 a.m. in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House. of free trade, we are looking for an agree- In his remarks, he referred to President Hu Jintao ment that does much as focus on the most of China; President Roh Moo-hyun of South modern or the most significant economic Korea; President Vladimir Putin of Russia; and groups in the country. We are also looking Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan. to have a free trade agreement that is focused

VerDate Aug 31 2005 13:27 Oct 17, 2006 Jkt 208250 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P41OCT4.013 P41OCT4