Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Monday, February 18, 2008 Volume 44—Number 6 Pages 177–219 1 VerDate Aug 31 2005 13:03 Feb 20, 2008 Jkt 214250 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 1249 Sfmt 1249 E:\PRESDOCS\P06FEF4.015 P06FEF4 yshivers on PROD1PC62 with PRESDOCSF Contents Addresses and Remarks Executive Orders See also Bill Signings; Meetings With Foreign Blocking Property of Additional Persons in Leaders Connection With the National Emergency African American History Month, With Respect to Syria—187 celebration—182 Providing an Order of Succession Within the African development and upcoming visit to Department of Health and Human Africa—189 Services—214 Congressional leaders, meeting—212 Interviews With the News Media Economic Report of the President—179 Heart Truth reception—179 Exchange with reporters on the South Intelligence reform legislation—185, 196 Lawn—196 President Abraham Lincoln’s 199th birthday— Interviews 178 Foreign radio journalists—202 Radio address—177 Matt Frei of BBC World News America— 198 Bill Signings Meetings With Foreign Leaders Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, remarks— 185 Mali, President Toure—181 United Nations, Secretary-General Ban—213 Communications to Congress Statements by the President Syria, blocking property of additional persons Death of Rep. Thomas P. Lantos—180 in connection with the national emergency, Former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri of message transmitting Executive order—188 Lebanon, third anniversary of death—198 Intelligence reform legislation, Senate Communications to Federal Agencies passage—184 Assignment of Function Regarding Medicare Timor-Leste situation—180 Funding, memorandum—212 Federal Support for the AbilityOne Program, Supplementary Materials memorandum—180 Acts approved by the President—219 Implementation of Sections 603 and 604 of Checklist of White House press releases—218 the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Digest of other White House Fiscal Year 2003 (Public Law 107–228), announcements—215 memorandums—181, 189 Nominations submitted to the Senate—216 Editor’s Note: The President was traveling to Cotonou, Benin, on February 15, the closing date of this issue. Releases and announcements issued by the Office of the Press Secretary but not received in time for inclusion in this issue will be printed next week. WEEKLY COMPILATION OF Distribution is made only by the Superintendent of Docu- ments, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS The Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents will be furnished by mail to domestic subscribers for $80.00 per year Published every Monday by the Office of the Federal Reg- ($137.00 for mailing first class) and to foreign subscribers for ister, National Archives and Records Administration, Washing- $93.75 per year, payable to the Superintendent of Documents, ton, DC 20408, the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Docu- Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. The ments contains statements, messages, and other Presidential charge for a single copy is $3.00 ($3.75 for foreign mailing). materials released by the White House during the preceding The Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents is also week. available on the Internet on the GPO Access service at http:// The Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents is pub- www.gpoaccess.gov/wcomp/index.html. lished pursuant to the authority contained in the Federal Reg- There are no restrictions on the republication of material ister Act (49 Stat. 500, as amended; 44 U.S.C. Ch. 15), under appearing in the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Docu- regulations prescribed by the Administrative Committee of the ments. Federal Register, approved by the President (37 FR 23607; 1 CFR Part 10). 2 VerDate Aug 31 2005 13:03 Feb 20, 2008 Jkt 214250 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 1249 Sfmt 1249 E:\PRESDOCS\P06FEF4.015 P06FEF4 yshivers on PROD1PC62 with PRESDOCSF yshivers on PROD1PC62 with PRESDOCSF VerDate Aug 312005 13:03 Feb 20, 2008 Jkt214250 PO00000 Frm00003 Fmt7969 Sfmt7969 E:\PRESDOCS\P06FEF4.015 P06FEF4 newmail.eps Week Ending Friday, February 15, 2008 The President’s Radio Address In this time of war, we need a strong De- partment of Justice. Yet the Senate has not February 9, 2008 voted on nominations for seven senior lead- ership positions at the Department. One of Good morning. One of the most important those vacancies is for Deputy Attorney Gen- jobs of any President is to find good men eral. The Deputy Attorney General helps and women to lead Government Agencies, lead efforts to detect and prevent terrorist preside over our courts, and provide vital attacks at home. services to the American people. So I have I’ve selected an outstanding nominee for nominated talented individuals for these po- this position, Judge Mark Filip. This former sitions. Unfortunately, the Senate is not prosecutor has earned a reputation for being meeting its responsibility to consider these fairminded and dedicated. Several years ago, nominees in a timely manner. More than 180 the Senate confirmed him unanimously for of my nominees are waiting for confirmation. a lifetime position on the Federal bench. Some have been waiting for more than a Now I ask Senators to confirm him once year. As a result, careers have been put on again so he can help keep our Nation safe. hold; families have been placed in limbo; and As Senators confirm these nominees, they our Government has been deprived of the must also confirm judges to the Federal service of these fine nominees. bench. I have nominated highly qualified in- On Thursday, I stood with many of these dividuals who will rule by the letter of the nominees at the White House. They are de- law, not the whim of the gavel. Unfortu- cent and talented people. The Senate needs nately, the Senate continues to delay votes to confirm them to address important issues, for 28 of my judicial nominees. Three of my from the economy to public safety to national nominees for the court of appeals have wait- security. ed nearly 600 days. These delays are irre- One of the most important institutions for sponsible; they undermine the cause of jus- America’s economy is the Federal Reserve. tice; and I call on the United States Senate The Fed decides monetary policy, and it sets to give these nominees the up-or-down vote key interest rates that have an impact on they deserve. homeowners and businesses across our coun- When men and women agree to serve in try. Yet the Senate has been delaying three public office, we should treat them with re- of my nominations to the Fed for nearly 9 spect and dignity, and that means giving months. My nominees have valuable experi- them a prompt confirmation vote. When the ence and skills, and I urge the Senate to con- Senate fails to give nominees a timely vote, firm them as soon as possible. it leaves important positions in our Govern- Another important institution is the Fed- ment vacant, and it makes it harder for Presi- eral Aviation Administration. The FAA plays dents of both parties to attract good men and women to serve in these vital posts. a vital role in keeping you safe when you fly. By working together, Republicans and In October, I nominated Bobby Sturgell to Democrats can chart a better course. We can lead the FAA. Bobby has nearly 20 years of bring every nomination to the floor for a vote cockpit experience from his time as a Navy and give the American people the kind of fighter pilot, Top Gun instructor, and com- public servants they deserve. mercial airline pilot. He’s committed to ad- Thank you for listening. dressing problems that have caused airline delays, and I urge Senators to put politics NOTE: The address was recorded at 2:25 p.m. on aside and confirm him to office. February 7 in the Cabinet Room at the White 177 VerDate Aug 31 2005 13:04 Feb 20, 2008 Jkt 214250 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P06FET4.015 P06FET4 yshivers on PROD1PC62 with PRESDOCST 178 Feb. 9/Administration of George W. Bush, 2008 House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on February atre presents the Lincoln Medal to recognize 9. The transcript was made available by the Office high achievement and personal attributes of the Press Secretary on February 8 but was em- that embody the character of the 16th Presi- bargoed for release until the broadcast. The Office dent. of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish lan- guage transcript of this address. Dr. Ben Carson is the director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He is one of the most respected surgeons in the Remarks Honoring President world. Twenty years ago, when a 70-member Abraham Lincoln’s 199th Birthday surgical team made history and separated a February 10, 2008 pair of Siamese twins, the gifted hands lead- ing the team belonged to this good man. Welcome. Laura and I are glad you’re Raised with his brother and a single moth- here. Rex, thank you for taking the lead for er—who’s here—Ben Carson didn’t get Ford’s Theatre. If any citizen wants to know much handed to him as he grew up. But his how to make a solid contribution to Wash- mother pushed him to learn and taught him ington, DC, support Ford’s Theatre; it’s to trust in the ways of heaven. From his days worth it. Members of my Cabinet, thanks for at Yale and the University of Michigan Med- coming. Members of Congress, we’re glad ical School, colleagues have known Dr. Car- you’re here. I’ve got two tasks. One is to son as both a skilled professional and a deeply present the Lincoln Medal and invite you to reflective man.