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I joined with people like Jon and the other And finally, if you want to have a medical Senators and Congressmen here to mod- system that is affordable and available, we ernize the system. And thanks to our leader- have got to do something about these junk ship, seniors now have got prescription drug lawsuits that are running good doctors out coverage in Medicare. of business and running the prices of medi- But there are some other—there are prac- cine up. tical things we need to do to deal with the We got ideas about how to solve our Na- cost of health care. One of them is to make tion’s problems. We do more than just think, sure that information technology becomes a though; we act. We get things done. We see crucial part of our medical systems all across problems, and we solve them. And I need our country. Jon Porter is one of the leaders people in the Congress who in helping to modernize medicine. They say get rid of all the silliness in Washington, DC, that we can probably trim the costs of health and focus on solving our Nation’s problems, care by 30 percent when we bring informa- and John Porter is such a man. tion tech—now, think about this, we got doc- Thank you for coming, and God bless. tors writing down their words on paper— they don’t write very well to begin with— NOTE: The President spoke at 12:42 p.m. at the [laughter]—and they’re passing the paper Venetian Resort Hotel Casino. In his remarks, he from one file to the next. Things get lost. referred to Gov. Kenny C. Guinn of ; Dar- Things are illegible. It’s a very inefficient sys- lene Ensign, wife of Sen. of Nevada; tem, and we need to introduce information President Jalal Talabani, Speaker of Parliament technology, starting at the Federal Govern- Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, and Prime Minister- designate Jawad al-Maliki of Iraq. ment. And we’re doing that, and Jon Porter is leading the way. Secondly, health savings accounts work. Message on Armenian Health savings accounts are a way for small- Remembrance Day business companies to be able to afford health care. The uninsured—I remember the April 24, 2006 debate, Jon, when we were proposing health Today, we remember one of the horrible savings accounts, which are tax-free savings tragedies of the 20th century—the mass accounts coupled with catastrophic health killings and forced exile of as many as 1.5 care—with low-premium catastrophic health million Armenians in the final days of the care. And they were saying, ‘‘This is only Ottoman Empire in 1915. This was a tragedy good for the rich.’’ It’s typical rhetoric out for all humanity and one that we and the of Washington, of course, you know. It’s just world must never forget. everything is kind of trivialized. They said, We mourn this terrible chapter of history ‘‘Well, this is only good for the rich.’’ Well, and recognize that it remains a source of pain as a result of reforming health care, we now for people in Armenia and for all those who have got 3 million people who are now own- believe in freedom, tolerance, and the dignity ers of health savings accounts, most of whom and value of every human life. It is a credit have got incomes of $50,000 or less, about to the human spirit and generations of Arme- a third of those who’ve signed up. The unin- nians who live in Armenia, America, and sured are finding a good product and a good around the globe that they have overcome way to insure themselves at affordable costs. this suffering and proudly preserved their Thirdly, we’ve got to make sure small busi- centuries-old culture, traditions, and religion. nesses, many of whom are having trouble We praise the individuals in Armenia and paying—getting health care for their employ- Turkey who have sought to examine the his- ees, have the capacity to pool risk across ju- torical events of this time with honesty and risdictional boundaries so they can buy insur- sensitivity. The analysis by the International ance at the same discount big companies get Center for Transitional Justice, while not the to do. We’re strong supporters of association final word, has made a significant contribu- health plans. tion toward deepening our understanding of

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these events. We encourage dialogues, in- And so I want to thank Bob for the invita- cluding through joint commissions, that tion. I want to thank Ron Miller, the chair- strive for a shared understanding of these man of the Renewable Fuels Association. I tragic events and move Armenia and Turkey want to thank the board of directors and the towards normalized relations. members of the Renewable Fuels Associa- Today, we look with hope to a bright fu- tion. I thank the members of my administra- ture for Armenia. Armenia’s Millennium tion who are here—Clay Sell is the Deputy Challenge Compact reflects our confidence Secretary of Energy, who has joined us. I and the importance we place in Armenia see Members of the making progress on democratic reform and who are here. I appreciate Jack Kingston of advancement of free markets. We seek to Georgia, Jerry Weller of Illinois, and Gil Gut- help Armenia bolster its security and deepen knecht of Minnesota for joining us. Thank its inclusion in the Euro-Atlantic family. We you all for your interest in this very important remain committed to securing a peaceful and subject. lasting settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh Before I talk about energy, I do want to conflict and hope the leaders of Armenia and share with you some thoughts about the war Azerbaijan will take bold steps to achieve this on terror. I just got off of a conference— goal. a videoconference with our strong ally Tony On this solemn day of remembrance, Blair, and we were talking about a major de- Laura and I express our deepest condolences velopment that has taken place in the war to the Armenian people. Our nations stand on terror. After months of patient negotia- together, determined to create a future of tions, Iraqi leaders reached an agreement on peace, prosperity, and freedom for the citi- a unity government. And that’s positive. This zens of our countries and the world. is a Government—this new leadership re- George W. Bush flects the diversity of Iraq, and it reflects the will of the Iraqi people who defied the terror- NOTE: An original was not available for ists and killers and went to the polls last De- verification of the content of this message. cember. This new Government is an impor- tant milestone for a free Iraq. And it’s the beginning of a new chapter Remarks to the Renewable Fuels in our relationship with the Iraqi people. Association When I was in California over the weekend, April 25, 2006 I had the opportunity to speak to the three leaders—the President, the Speaker, and the Thank you all. Bob, thanks for the intro- Prime Minister-designate. I congratulated duction. It’s always good to be introduced them on their courage and encouraged them by somebody who is referred to as the ‘‘pro- to stand strong for the Iraqi people. I re- moter in chief.’’ [Laughter] For 25 years, the minded them the people had voted, the peo- Renewable Fuels Association has been a tire- ple had expressed their desire for democracy less advocate for ethanol producers. Your ad- and unity, and now there’s a chance for these vocacy is paying off. Renewable energy is one leaders to stand up and lead. of the great stories of recent years, and it’s I told them that they have important re- going to be a bigger story in the years to sponsibilities to their people, to rebuild infra- come. structure and to improve their economy and I like the idea of talking to people who enhance security. I was pleased with the re- are growing America’s energy security. I like sponse I got. It’s important for the American the idea of policy that combines agriculture people to know that these three leaders ap- and modern science with the energy needs preciate the sacrifice that our troops have of the American people. I’m here to talk to made and that our taxpayers have made to you about the contributions you are making, help them realize a dream. And the dream and I’m here to talk to you about the need is to live in a unified, free society. A free for this country to get off our dependency Iraq is in the interest of the United States of oil. of America. A free Iraq will be a part of laying

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