June 1 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2007

And so I want to thank you all for joining and finger-pointing. And we’ll spend energy on a really important piece of legislation. and time and effort to help you advance It’s the right thing to do. It’s the right a really important piece of legislation for approach to take. It is right to address a the good of this country. problem. It is right to work with people I’ve come by to say thanks. Chertoff and in both political parties. It is right to argue Gutierrez can tell you how the bill has got- for what you believe and recognize that ten this far and what we see in the future. compromise might be necessary to move But I’m looking forward to signing a bill, the bill along. And it is right to take polit- and I think we will. I truly believe that ical risk for Members of the United States when people with good will and good heart Congress. and with focus on helping this country I say—I don’t think this is risky, frankly. come together, that we can get a good I don’t view this as risk reward. I frankly piece of legislation out. And I’m looking view it as doing what you ought to do. forward to signing it. I hope you’ll be there See, people ought to be running for office when I do. to do what’s right for the United States God bless. Thank you. of America. That’s what I believe people run for office for. And so I want you to NOTE: The President spoke at 1:26 p.m. in know that you’ve got an administration that Room 350 of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Ex- looks forward to working with people. I ecutive Office Building. In his remarks, he will do my best to make sure that this referred to Ens. Marc A. Mares, USCG. He debate does not denigrate into name-calling also referred to S. 1348.

Statement on the American Citizens Held in Iran June 1, 2007

Several of our fellow American citizens— of the abiding ties that Iranian Americans including Haleh Esfandiari, Parnaz Azima, have with their land of origin. Kian Tajbakhsh, and Ali Shakeri—are being I am also disturbed by the Iranian re- held against their will by the Iranian re- gime’s refusal so far to provide any infor- gime. I strongly condemn their detention mation on Robert Levinson, despite re- at the hands of Iranian authorities. They peated U.S. requests. I call on Iran’s lead- should be freed immediately and uncondi- ers to tell us what they know about his tionally. whereabouts. These individuals have dedicated them- The United States is committed to pro- selves to building bridges between the tecting its citizens at home and abroad. We American and Iranian people, a goal the will maintain our efforts on behalf of these Iranian regime claims to support. Their citizens until all of them are reunited with presence in Iran—to visit their parents or their families. to conduct humanitarian work—poses no threat. Indeed, their activities are typical

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Statement on the Resignation of Daniel J. Bartlett as Counselor to the President June 1, 2007

Laura and I will miss Dan Bartlett very to run for Governor, Dan has become a much. Dan has been a true counselor to husband and a father. I understand his de- the President. His contribution has been cision to make his young family his first immeasurable. I value his judgment, and priority. His most important job is to be I treasure his friendship. Since coming to a loving husband and father of three young work for me 14 years ago as I prepared sons. We wish him all the best.

Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting Designations Under the Kingpin Act June 1, 2007

Dear lllll : Committee on Intelligence; Patrick J. Leahy, This report to the Congress, under sec- chairman, Senate Committee on the Judici- tion 804(b) of the Foreign Narcotics King- ary; Joseph R. Biden, Jr., chairman, Senate pin Designation Act, 21 U.S.C. 1901–1908 Committee on Foreign Relations; Carl Levin, (the ‘‘Kingpin Act’’), transmits my designa- chairman, Senate Committee on Armed tions of the following five foreign persons Services; Max S. Baucus, chairman, Senate and one foreign entity for sanctions under Committee on Finance; Joseph I. the Kingpin Act and reports my direction Lieberman, chairman, Senate Committee on of sanctions against them under that Act: Homeland Security and Governmental Af- Victor Emilio Cazarez Salazar fairs; Silvestre Reyes, chairman, House Per- Gulf Cartel manent Select Committee on Intelligence; Jorge Mario Paredes Cordova John Conyers, Jr., chairman, House Com- Haji Azizullah Alizai mittee on the Judiciary; Thomas P. Lantos, Shahbaz Khan chairman, House Committee on Foreign Af- Frederik Heinz Barth fairs; Isaac N. Skelton IV, chairman, House Sincerely, Committee on Armed Services; Charles B. GEORGE W. BUSH Rangel, chairman, House Committee on Ways and Means; Bennie G. Thompson, NOTE: Identical letters were sent to John D. chairman, House Committee on Homeland Rockefeller IV, chairman, Senate Select Security.

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