Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents
Monday, May 1, 2006 Volume 42—Number 17 Pages 751–823
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Addresses and Remarks Address and Remarks—Continued See also Appointments and Nominations; North Korean defectors and family members Meetings With Foreign Leaders of Japanese abducted by North Korea, California meeting—810 California Fuel Cell Partnership in West Radio address—760 Sacramento—762 Renewable Fuels Association—786 California Highway Patrol Academy in Senate, meeting with Members—794 Sacramento—761 Sudan, meeting—818 Discussion at Cisco Systems, Inc., in San Teachers of the Year, 2006 National and Jose—751 State—798 Immigration reform and a question-and- War on terror, briefing—792 answer session in Irvine—769 Military personnel and their families in Appointments and Nominations Twentynine Palms—768 White House Office, White House Press Republican National Committee reception Secretary, remarks—797 in Indian Wells—766 President Gerald R. Ford in Rancho Communications to Congress Mirage, visit—769 Gulf coast, letter transmitting request for Commander in Chief’s Trophy, presentation additional funds to support recovery to the U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen— efforts—794 792 Ross Catherall US Holdings Inc., by Dubai Iraq—761 International Capital LLC, letter on Louisiana, hurricane damaged home in New proposed acquisition—819 Orleans—806 Syria, blocking property of additional persons Mississippi in connection with the national emergency, BP gas station in Biloxi—807 message transmitting an Executive order— Hands On Gulf Coast Civic Action Center 796 in Biloxi—807 Sudan’s Darfur region, blocking property of National economy—811 persons in connection with the conflict, Nevada, luncheon for congressional candidate message transmitting an Executive order— Jon Porter in Las Vegas—781 804
(Continued on the inside of the back cover.)
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).
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Executive Orders Meetings With Foreign Leaders Blocking Property of Additional Persons in Azerbaijan, President Aliyev—809 Connection With the National Emergency Proclamations With Respect to Syria—794 Blocking Property of Persons in Connection Jewish American Heritage Month—759 With the Conflict in Sudan’s Darfur National Charter Schools Week—801 Region—802 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week—759 Responsibilities of Federal Departments and Statements by the President Agencies With Respect to Volunteer Community Service—808 Framework agreement with Canada on softwood lumber trade—807 Interviews With the News Media Supplementary Materials Exchange with reporters in the Rose Acts approved by the President—823 Garden—811 Checklist of White House press releases—823 Digest of other White House Letters and Messages announcements—819 Armenian Remembrance Day, message—785 Nominations submitted to the Senate—821
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Remarks in a Discussion at Cisco I also am honored to be here with the Gov- Systems, Inc., in San Jose, California ernor. I cannot thank you enough for coming, April 21, 2006 Arnold. It’s really thoughtful of you to be here. He is a—really an interesting man, a The President. I’m thrilled, John. Thanks person—[laughter]. He didn’t have to run for for coming. This is going to be an interesting office but chose to do so, and I admire that discussion, I hope, for you, because it’s going in you. I admire somebody who doesn’t al- to talk about how America intends to shape ways take the comfortable way in life, in our future and not fear the future. That’s order to serve something greater than him- what we’re really here to talk about—inter- self. And I appreciate your service; I really esting challenges facing the country. do. Yesterday—one reason you’re so nice is Traveling with me today is Norm Mineta, because I invited him to lunch at the White a Cabinet Secretary. Mr. Secretary, thank House yesterday. [Laughter] you for coming. Norm Mineta is a person John Chambers. Thank you. who has been able to—[applause]. He said, The President. He and Elaine came, and ‘‘I’m glad to fly on Air Force One; I just we had lunch with Hu Jintao, the President wished you would have landed at Mineta of China. And sitting there during the lunch, Field.’’ And his son, David, is here today. I was thinking about people’s fears about More importantly than son, David, being whether or not we can compete against a here, is tomorrow, I think, is David’s daugh- country like China. If you really think about ter’s birthday. So we’ve got the grandfather a global economy and a global world—there’s and the father. Thank you all for coming, and some folks that say, ‘‘Well, maybe we can’t thanks for serving the country so well, Norm. compete in the long run.’’ I appreciate Mayor Ron Gonzales of the My attitude is just the opposite. Not only City of San Jose joining us. Mr. Mayor, thank can we compete, we must compete and re- you for being here. I appreciate your time. main a leader of the world. And that’s what I want to thank my friend Floyd Kvamme we’re here to talk about—how you do that. who is the cochair of the President’s Council And before we do that, I do want to thank of Advisors on Science and Technology, as John and the good folks here at Cisco for well as George Scalise, who is with us as well. hosting us. It’s not easy to host the President. Thank you all for serving. I appreciate— [Laughter] there is Floyd; thanks for coming. Mr. Chambers. That’s for sure. [Laugh- And Lezlee Westine, it’s good to see you, ter] Lezlee. Thank you for coming, appreciate The President. Our entourages are quite your service in my administration. large. [Laughter] But I thank you for having Our economy is good. It’s real good, and me. I am excited to be at one of America’s we intend to keep it that way. The funda- most innovative companies. And I was asking mental question is, though, can it be that way John—20 years ago, how many employees 5 years from now or 10 years from now? And were there? There were zero. Ten years, my answer is, absolutely, if we do some wise maybe 6,000; today, 47,000 highly trained, things. I happen to believe it’s wise to keep highly competent, skilled folks that are help- taxes low so that people have incentive to ing to change America and countries around invest and save and spend. the world as well. So thanks for having us. I know we’re going to have to do some- It’s wonderful to be in entrepreneurial heav- thing about energy. I aim to be a competitive en. nation. Part of a competitive agenda means 751
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that we have got to deal with problems short- has done in practical ways. And so have you. term and long-term, and we’ve got a problem You may not realize it, but it was investment when it comes to our dependence on oil. I by the Defense Department that ultimately know the folks here are suffering at the gas led to the Internet, which has kind of helped pump. Rising gasoline prices is like taking your business a little bit, John. [Laughter] a—is like a tax, particularly on the working Interestingly enough, tomorrow I’m going people and the small-business people. to be riding my bike in Napa Valley. I can’t I pledge to the people here of California wait. I’ll be plugged into an iPod. A lot of that if we find any price gouging, it will be the reason the iPod exists is because of Fed- dealt with firmly. eral research dollars. And therefore, I think I also recognize that our dependence on it makes sense to spend your money on re- oil, and in the fact that we live in a global search at the Federal level in the basic economy, is causing gasoline prices to go up. sciences, to make sure that the United States And the fundamental strategy to keep us of America remains the innovative center of competitive is to get off oil. Tomorrow I’m the world. going to be in Sacramento to talk about your Secondly, I recognize that most money very innovative idea of hydrogen-powered spent on research comes from the private automobiles. I’ll be talking about plug-in hy- sector. I suspect you spend a lot of money brid automobiles that will enable people to on research. drive on electricity for the first 40 miles. I’m Mr. Chambers. About $3 billion a year. going to be talking about our investment in The President. Three billion a year. I ethanol to make sure—all of it, by the way, think it makes sense to encourage the private is aimed to making America competitive by sector to spend the $200 billion a year we changing our driving habits and our depend- do total—$3 billion right out of Cisco. ence upon oil. One way to do so is through the Tax Code. We have got to do so for not only economic The research and development tax credit reasons but for national security reasons as makes a lot of sense. Interestingly enough, well. It’s really important for people to un- the research and development tax credit ex- derstand that as the Indian economy grows pires on a regular basis. And therefore, peo- or the Chinese economy grows, they need ple have to come, hat in hand, to Congress fossil fuel. And as they buy fossil fuel, it af- and say, ‘‘Oh, save us.’’ Unfortunately, it is fects our price. And therefore, it’s in our na- difficult to plan for some companies if you’re tional interest to diversify as quickly as pos- worried about whether or not the research sible away from our reliance upon hydro- and development tax credit exists. carbons—particularly oil—when it comes to Therefore, to keep us on the leading edge our automobiles. And I’m convinced we can of change, to make sure we’re the innovative do so when we put our mind to it. capital of the world, Congress needs to make A flexible economy, an economy that is not the research and development tax credit a over-regulated is going to be necessary to permanent part of the Tax Code. keep us competitive. But the most important People have got to understand that if we thing, in my judgment, to keep us competi- don’t educate our children in math and tive, is for the United States to remain on science, jobs are going to go to other coun- the leading edge of technology and to make tries. It’s as simple as that. The jobs of the sure we’ve got an education system that 21st century are going to require a skill level works. much different from when you and I got out First, let me talk about technology. I do of college. You did get out of college, yes? believe it is a proper use of Federal taxpayer [Laughter] Look, I don’t need to be talking; money to double the R&D commitment in— I barely got out myself. [Laughter] to physical sciences at the Federal level. I I mean, face it, we’ve got to have a dif- believe it makes sense to spend taxpayers’ ferent set of skills. History may not cut it. money on research and development out of Math and science are going to be vital to the Federal Government, because I have make sure that this country educates the en- seen what expenditure of that kind of money gineers, the chemists, the physicists—the
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types of folks that John Chambers and Fran- quo; he can’t afford to accept the status quo cois are going to be looking for to hire. That’s in order to be competitive in this world. The what we’re really talking about. accountability system gives people the oppor- It starts, however, with making sure the tunity to say, ‘‘We demand change.’’ public school system does its job in early Interestingly enough, there is an achieve- grades. If I might, I’d just like to take a sec- ment gap in America, but it’s narrowing. Our ond to talk about the spirit behind the No fourth grade African American kids and our Child Left Behind Act. I believe that the fourth grade Hispanic kids are beginning to Federal Government should continue its role improve in measurable ways, and that’s really of providing money for Title I students, the positive for the future of the country. And poor students. I think that is a good use of for the teachers who are working hard to your money. meet the challenges of No Child Left Be- However, I do believe that in return for hind, the Governor and I both thank you a the expenditure of that money, it makes lot. sense for us to ask whether or not we’re get- We’re doing fine in eighth grade math, by ting our money’s worth. That means whether the way, because we measure. But when kids or not a child is learning to read and write start heading into high school, the position and add and subtract. I believe strongly that of the United States relative to other coun- every child can learn, and therefore, I be- tries for our beginning high school kids in lieve, there must be an accountability system math and science is not good enough. Like, in place to make sure that every child is we’re 15th in the world, or something like learning. that. We don’t want to be 15th in the world; And so we passed the No Child Left Be- we want to be first in the world when it hind Act. Believe it or not, it was a bipartisan comes to teaching our children math and measure. Sometimes that can happen in science. Washington, DC—not enough, I fully con- So here are some ideas. First, we ought cede. But it happened in this case, where to apply the same rigor to math that we’ve we passed the No Child Left Behind Act that applied to reading. In reading, we measure says to California or Texas or any other State: early, and we’ve got supplemental service ‘‘Develop an accountability system in return money, which means after-school tutorial for this money, to show us whether or not money available for children who are not a child can read at grade level by the third meeting standards. In other words, we meas- grade and remain at grade level.’’ That’s not ure, and we correct. That makes a lot of too much to ask, is it? sense. We need to do the same thing in jun- And so measurement is a central part, in ior high math. So the Federal Government my judgment, of holding people to account, is going to make supplemental service money of being able to figure out whether cur- available for students who are falling behind riculum is working. We had all kinds of de- in math right before they get into high bates in Texas over the reading curriculum— school. what worked, what didn’t work. The best way That’s one way to correct the problem, is to determine what works is to have an ac- to measure, to identify, and to solve. And countability system. And that means the Gov- that’s what we intend to do through the new ernor or this local school board can say, ‘‘We math initiative. were doing just fine when we compare how Second, we’ve got to make sure that we we’re doing to the school district next door.’’ understand what works. And so I put to- Or if you’re not doing just fine, it gives, at gether a national math panel with math ex- least, parents and those concerned citizens perts that will help develop curriculum and a tool to say, ‘‘You’ve got to change. Medioc- teaching tools so that we can say to the States rity is unacceptable. We’re not going to ac- and local school districts, here’s what the ex- cept the fact that children can’t read by the perts think. Instead of kind of grasping for fourth grade anymore in America.’’ what might be relevant and might work, If you’re a reformer—Chambers is a re- we’re actually calling people together who former; he is unwilling to accept the status know what they’re talking about—just like we
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did in reading—and say, here, here’s what in high school and maintain a 3.0 GPA, you’ll you need to try in order to meet the stand- get $750—up to $750 additional on your Pell ards. grant and up to $1,500 additional in your sec- Thirdly, there are programs which work— ond year. If you take math and science or and I bet you’ve got them here in Cali- a critical language in college and maintain fornia—and it’s called the Advanced Place- a 3.0 GPA, you can get up to an additional ment program. It’s a program that sets high $4,000 on top of your current Pell grant. And standards and has classroom rigor. One of the idea is to say that we believe everybody the problems we have is not enough teachers can learn, and there ought to be tangible in- know how to teach AP. I’m going to ask the centives to encourage children to get the Congress to fund enough money to help train skills necessary to fill the jobs of the 21st 70,000 teachers so they can become prepared century. to teach Advanced Placement. One of the reasons I’m so pleased the Gov- I went to a great school in Dallas that— ernor is here is because there needs to be inner-city school, it’s not one of these subur- a collaborative effort between the Federal ban deals; it’s inner-city, and the principal Government and the State government and claimed that they were the leading high the community college system and the pri- school in the country in terms of kids passing vate sector in order for us to achieve this AP. You know, Texans tend to, kind of, put important national objective, and that is for it out there in a way that—[laughter]. Wheth- there to be excellence in math and science er it’s first or not, what mattered was, there all throughout our society. And so the Gov- was a group of kids from all walks of life, ernor is here to talk about California’s role different neighborhoods, all of them passing in—to making sure that not only California AP in math and science. They are going to is competitive but that the country is com- be the leaders of the future. They’re going petitive. When California does things well, to be our scientists and our chemists and our it affects the country. And so when you are physicists. And we’ve got to make sure that a part of this competitive initiative, it will that opportunity is available in more class- help give confidence to others that we’re rooms. doing the right thing. Secondly, we went to a school the other And so, welcome. Why don’t you share day in suburban Maryland. There were two with us some of your thoughts about what NASA employees there. These guys, as part you’re doing here. of their job at NASA, were detailed to junior Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. high classroom. And the reason why is—we Well, thank you, Mr. President. First of all, call them adjunct professors—and the reason I want to say congratulations on—— why is, is that sometimes it’s not cool to be The President. On what? in the sciences. And these people make it at least seem relevant. And so we’re going Gov. Schwarzenegger. ——on really to attract 30,000 adjunct professors around paying attention—— the country to go into classrooms to say, The President. Oh. [Laughter] ‘‘This is why science and math are not only Gov. Schwarzenegger. ——to the com- cool but are the ticket to a great future for petitiveness initiative. you.’’ [At this point, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger We’ve expanded our Pell grants. There’s of California made brief remarks.] now 5 million kids in America getting Pell grants. It’s a million more than 5 years ago. The President. One part of the infrastruc- And I’m a believer in Pell grants; I think they ture that John Chambers and I talked about make sense. But at Tuskegee the other day, today was to make sure that broadband is I announced a new initiative that provides available, high-speed broadband is available additional incentive for high school kids who to nearly every American. And we’re working qualify for Pell grants to take rigorous course it hard; we’re making progress. I asked John loads. As a matter of fact, in the first 2 years today how we’re doing. He said, ‘‘There is of college, if you take a rigorous course load momentum, but we’ve got a lot of room to
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catch up in terms of being competitive. Oth- lenge for us. So it’s about being the best and ers countries are doing—have done a better brightest in each of our organizations, and job than we have.’’ we have one of the students here who is just We’re making progress. And the reason I awesome at that. We’ve got to do better. bring it up is, I just want you to know that The President. Yes. Again, so you took I know it’s important that we’ve got it upon yourself as an interested corporate broadband highways all throughout the coun- citizen to provide employees to train others? try so people can have access to it. Mr. Chambers. One of the interesting things that the Gov- Started with a university ernor and I just saw was some of the amazing system, an idea with one single employee, innovation that’s taking place here in Cisco. and we wired all of our schools, but nobody So we get on—we’re looking in the camera, maintained it. So we began to train the stu- and all of a sudden up comes four people, dents to maintain the system. It worked in and it’s like they’re right here. [Laughter] It one area, and then it spread globally. was an amazing innovation that you’re doing. The President. What John said is really And it just reminded me how important in- interesting. It is very important for our citi- novation is and why Cisco is doing well— zens to understand that education helps you it’s because it’s an innovative company with get higher pay. innovative people and an innovative CEO. Mr. Chambers. And jobs. And so, again, thanks for having me. I’m The President. And a job, yes. It’s hard interested in your thoughts. to get higher pay without the job. [Laughter] Mr. Chambers. Mr. President, I think you said it right. The economy is good; jobs are Mr. Chambers. You got me. [Laughter] good; and what we have today is because of The President. I know, you’re building— our education from before. But we use net- [laughter]. work academies, and we put them around Anyway, but people have got to under- the world. It’s a program that trains young stand that, one, it’s not too late to go back people for getting jobs in the high-tech in- to school. And secondly, there’s a lot of really dustry and using it in a practical way. interesting opportunities to get the skills nec- The President. Network academy—what essary to have the jobs that are going to be does that exactly mean? Some guy listening available in the 21st century. John Chambers out there isn’t going to know—— just described one such avenue. You’re doing Mr. Chambers. Well, there’s a little bit 100,000 people—educating 100,000 people of sizzle to it. [Laughter] What it is, is it trains here? people to build that highway that you talked Mr. Chambers. In this country—400,000 about. And it trains people, instead of getting worldwide. jobs in areas that really don’t have much de- mand, you get jobs where there’s a lot of The President. I appreciate that. One of demand. In fact, we can’t meet it in this the interesting things about America is the country. And they usually get 30 to 50 per- fact that there are corporate citizens who un- cent higher pay because they’ve done that. derstand the problem that America faces, The neat thing is, we’re training 100,000 and they’re doing their part. It’s amazing how Americans in this area. The challenge is—— much training goes on within corporate The President. Cisco is training—— America, and I appreciate your leadership on Mr. Chambers. ——in network acad- this. And I hope others who are interested emies, with our colleges and high schools— in making sure this country is competitive so we generate the program. The challenge, do their part, as well, to reach out and train however, is our competition globally is even people. Use your skills and your expertise to moving faster on the math and science. give people the skills necessary, so we can China and India graduate 10 times the num- remain a competitive nation. ber of Ph.D.s we do. They have a population I suspect here in Silicon Valley there’s a four times our size in each of those countries. lot of job training going on, which is really We all—do the math—that creates a chal- important.
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Mr. Chambers. There is. We train locally, You’ve met two our students today who are but we also are taking something, Mr. Presi- Foothill students, but they’re actually, cur- dent, I think you would find extremely inter- rently also enrolled in high school. They want esting. We took the terrible hurricane experi- to be computer engineers ultimately, but ence in our gulf coast, and we’re working they wanted to get a head start, so they’re with Mississippi to redo their education sys- in our Cisco Academy. tem. We’re putting $40 million of our own Ms. Fong made further remarks. money into building a 21st century education [ ] system. We’ll start with 52,000 students, 7 The President. And it’s called Cisco Acad- school districts, and take one of the States emy because you helped design the cur- whose probably 49th in terms of math and riculum? science and see if we can’t make an example Mr. Chambers. We designed the cur- of where it goes, with the teachers becoming riculum, but it’s implemented through the the innovators, with the students not hav- colleges and high schools. There is no social ing—[inaudible]. We’ll put a wireless mesh promotion. The grades—everyone knows over top of the whole community. And, lit- how you compare both within the States and erally, building our students not just to catch globally. up but to lead in math and science. The President. See, what’s interesting The President. I appreciate it. It’s a great about the community colleges—and I know gesture, thanks. the Governor knows this—is that they’re Added value in education can come in all about as market oriented as you can get. different ways, as I said. And one such place Community colleges are available; they’re is in our community college system. You’ve very flexible. In other words, the curricula got a great community college system here can adjust depending upon the local needs. in California. I know you’re a strong sup- They’re innovative. They’re willing to take a porter. Dr. Fong is with us, who is—tell us Cisco program, implement it in the commu- what you do, Doc. [Laughter] nity college. They’re very practical. In other Bernadine Chuck Fong. A lot of things. words, they train people for jobs which actu- The President. Well, you’re the president ally exist. of? And it’s—[laughter]—it’s vital, and I ap- Ms. Fong. I’m president of Foothill Col- preciate it. And I know the Governor under- lege in Los Altos Hills. It’s right near here. stands that, and we understand at the Fed- The President. Right. Close friend, by the eral level. We’ve got pretty good grant way, of Condoleezza Rice. money—$150 million in the ’07 budget, com- Ms. Fong. That’s right—and Stanford ing to help train workers. I just want people buddies. to understand that if you’re wondering The President. She’s doing well. whether or not you’re too old to go back to Dr. Fong. Yes, she is. [Laughter] Please college, you’re not. There is plenty of money say hello to her for me. And we’ll keep her available to help you go back. And 2 years out of the NFL, if possible. of additional education can enhance your sal- The President. That’s right, yes. Please. ary a lot. It makes you more productive, and [Laughter] I need her advice. [Laughter] a more productive worker is one whose standard of living will go up. [Ms. Fong made brief remarks.] The community college system is, I think, The President. Explain the academy, how one of America’s greatest treasures, and I ap- Cisco works with you. I think people will be preciate you, Dr. Fong, for being here. interested in this—I’m interested in it. Thanks for your—[applause]. [Laughter] Ms. Fong. Well, the Governor is also a Ms. Fong. The Cisco Academy is basically product of our community college system. a degree program, and they will get a degree The President. Is he? in network enterprise, and they will also get Gov. Schwarzenegger. Absolutely, yes. a Cisco certificate, and it trains individuals. Actually, I also want to just add that our com- We start, actually, with high school students. munity colleges are doing an extraordinary
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job with career tech and vocational edu- unique is that we ask teachers. We say to cation. It’s really amazing the kind of things them, ‘‘How do you know you’re any good that they do. Because I think it is so impor- at what you do? You went into teaching to tant to recognize that, yes, we want to stress make a difference. Demonstrate that you’re 4-year college, and, yes, we want to inspire making a difference.’’ kids to go to higher education and all this. [Mr. Keller made further remarks.] But there are many kids that want to do— get into different professions. They want to The President. Nothing better than being be a carpenter or plumber, or they want to around a social entrepreneur. [Laughter] be a chef or a computer technician or a Mr. Keller. That’s right. nurse—great professions with a great future The President. Here’s your chance. How and great salaries and all this. I think that do you raise money? [Laughter] community colleges here in the State are Mr. Keller. Well—— really doing an extraordinary job to prepare The President. Does corporate California them for those jobs. support your program? The President. Good. Thank you. Good Mr. Keller. They do. We have—— job. The President. It’s in corporate Califor- Temp Keller. nia’s interest that you succeed. Temp Keller. Yes, Mr. President. [Mr. Keller made further remarks.] The President. You know, you probably The President. God, I love a guy who is don’t want to answer this question, but, like, enthusiastic about what he’s doing. [Laugh- how does a guy get named ‘‘Temp’’? [Laugh- ter] Thanks. By the way, I also know East ter] Palo Alto. Vermeil, my buddy Vermeil. Actu- Mr. Keller. She’s actually sitting right over ally, the students came to the South Lawn there in the third row. one time. It’s a great school. Thanks, thanks The President. Is she? [Laughter] Well, for doing what you’re doing. that’s a good answer. You know what, I’ll just Francois, step up to the mike here, my wait and ask her behind the stage. [Laughter] man. Welcome. Tell people what you do. Tell people what you have done with your pro- [Francois Henley, president and chief execu- gram. It’s really interesting. tive officer, Silicon Genesis Corporation, Mr. Keller. It would be my honor, and made brief remarks.] thank you all for having me. The President. We want people coming I’m the founder and president of an orga- here, or who live here, to feel comfortable nization called RISE: Resources for Indis- starting their own business. I love the fact pensable Schools and Educators. And the that I am the President of a country where fundamental idea behind RISE is we are people can start with nothing except an idea going to revolutionize the way that this coun- and desire and hard work, and end up own- try recognizes and retains good, effective ing your own business. And Arnold is right— teachers in public schools serving low-in- we’ve got to make sure the environment for come communities. entrepreneurship remains strong throughout [Mr. Keller made further remarks.] our country if we want to be on the leading edge. The President. And so how does your deal How fantastic is it that a guy comes from work? Montreal to realize his dreams? And you’re Mr. Keller. What we do—two very simple employing people—who knows, you may hit things. We essentially, one, identify good, ef- on the thing that makes solar energy the fective teachers in low-income communities. source—I actually believe, one of these days, Now, I’m sure there’s a lot of people here we’re going to have homes that become little in the room and listening that say, ‘‘Well, power generating units unto themselves, and that’s not an easy thing to do.’’ if you don’t use electricity, you’ll feed it back The way that we do it, though, and what into the grid. And maybe you’re the guy. makes RISE truly innovative and truly Maybe one of these days—[laughter]. Don’t
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take this marketing too far, you know. start a small business designing consumer [Laughter] One camera bank, and he goes electronics components—plan A. Plan B, to crazy. [Laughter] go into a small startup where I can help lead Thanks for coming. I love your story. Good the direction of the product, design the prod- luck. I wish you all the best. uct. He talked about patents. Basically he’s The President. And so, when did you start talking about making sure it’s easy to protect having this kind of notion about where your his ideas. What also I want you to know that life would like to go? I talked to President Hu Jintao about—and Mr. Shokouh made brief remarks. I know John Chambers says, as well, over [ ] in China—is we expect the same treatment The President. You know what’s inter- for our products that are patented here in esting—why don’t you tell folks your family the United States, overseas. Intellectual history real quick, if you don’t mind. property rights is a vital part of making sure Mr. Shokouh. Absolutely. I’m an Iranian a trading world is a fair trading world. And American, and my parents, who are sitting I spent time yesterday with the President, right back there, are from Iran. My mom and in a very respectful way, but a firm way, re- dad came here at around 1980, and me and minding him that if he’s to be a good trading my sister were born here in San Jose. partner with the United States, that when The President. I love America, a country Cisco sells a product there or Francois even- that welcomes people. We’ve got to be a wel- tually sells a product there, that property coming society. And our soul is renewed needs to be—that intellectual property in- when people escape societies that can be herent in that property needs to be protected really repressive and have a son like Arash, and respected. who sits here with the President and the Final person. We’re saving probably the Governor, talking about dreams. See, this is best for the last, wouldn’t you say, Arash? a country that has always got to be a place [Laughter] where people can dream big dreams and Arash Shokouh. Absolutely. Thank you, achieve them. Mr. President. [Laughter] That’s right. The question facing America is, will we The President. You are a dash student? lose our confidence and become an isolated Mr. Shokouh. Yes. nation? Will we lose our confidence and our The President. Where? ability to compete in the global marketplace Mr. Shokouh. I’m a computer engineer- and become a protectionist nation? And the ing student at San Jose State University. I’m answer is, absolutely not. We will not lose also minoring in mathematics, as well as film our confidence. And here is part of our strat- acting. egy to make sure that the United States of The President. Interesting. [Laughter] I America continues to be the leader. And it’s got the strategy. [Laughter] Why did you important for people to understand that major in the first two subjects? [Laughter] being the economic leader of the world Mr. Shokouh. That’s the first time I’ve means that it’s more likely you’ll have a better been asked that. [Laughter] Well, I decided job, and it’s more likely you’ll be able to real- to do computer engineering because all my ize your dreams, and it’s more likely our life I’ve been a complete computer nerd, al- standard of living will continue to rise. ways playing with computers, electronics, And that’s the challenge ahead of us. It taking them apart, destroying them. I mean, truly is. And I want to thank those who are my parents wouldn’t really let me go too here to help make the case why our citizens close to the television without somebody to have got to be confident about the United supervise, but that’s basically why. [Laugh- States of America’s place in the world and ter] why we should never relinquish our standing The President. And your dreams? in the world because we fear the future. We Mr. Shokouh. I hope to, after I graduate welcome it. We welcome competition, and from San Jose State University, I want to go we know we’ve got to put a strategy in place on to pursue an MBA degree and hopefully to be able to deal with that competition. And
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you’re hearing the foundation for that strat- ideals as members of the United States egy here today. Armed Forces. These courageous men and I want to thank you all for lending your women risk their lives to protect their fellow expertise. Thanks for joining me. God bless citizens and to advance the cause of freedom. you all. By helping to bring the promise of liberty to millions around the world, they lay the NOTE: The President spoke at 1:57 p.m. In his foundation of peace for generations to come. remarks, he referred to John T. Chambers, presi- Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, dent and chief executive officer, Cisco Systems, Inc.; George Scalise, member, President’s Council President of the United States of America, of Advisors on Science and Technology; Lezlee by virtue of the authority vested in me by Westine, Deputy Assistant to the President and the Constitution and laws of the United Director of Public Liaison; and Donald E. States, do hereby proclaim May 2006 as Jew- Vermeil, member, J. William Fulbright Foreign ish American Heritage Month. I call upon Scholarship Board. The transcript released by the all Americans to observe this month with ap- Office of the Press Secretary also included the propriate programs and activities that honor remarks of Gov. Schwarzenegger. These remarks the significant contributions Jewish Ameri- were not received in time for publication in the cans have made to our Nation. appropriate issue. In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of April, in the Proclamation 8005—Jewish year of our Lord two thousand six, and of American Heritage Month, 2006 the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirtieth. April 21, 2006 George W. Bush By the President of the United States of America [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 9:07 a.m., April 24, 2006] A Proclamation When the first Jewish settlers came to this NOTE: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on April 25. This item was not land, they sought a place of promise where received in time for publication in the appropriate they could practice their faith in freedom and issue. live in liberty. During Jewish American Her- itage Month, we celebrate the rich history of the Jewish people in America and honor Proclamation 8006—National Crime the great contributions they have made to Victims’ Rights Week, 2006 our country. April 21, 2006 As a nation of immigrants, the United States is better and stronger because Jewish By the President of the United States people from all over the world have chosen of America to become American citizens. Since arriving in 1654, Jewish Americans have achieved A Proclamation great success, strengthened our country, and During National Crime Victims’ Rights helped shape our way of life. Through their Week, we underscore our commitment to deep commitment to faith, family, and com- safeguarding the rights of the victims of munity, Jewish Americans remind us of a crime and their families, and we honor those basic belief that guided the founding of this who bring them hope and comfort. Nation: that there is an Almighty who watch- Behind each crime victim there is a story es over the affairs of men and values every of trauma, a story of suffering, and a story life. The Jewish people have enriched our of lost security. This year’s theme, ‘‘Victims’ culture and contributed to a more compas- Rights: Strength in Unity,’’ emphasizes the sionate and hopeful America. importance of joining together to support Jewish American Heritage Month is also these individuals and to promote victims’ an opportunity to remember and thank the rights and services. With the help of victim many Jewish Americans who defend our service providers, faith-based and community
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groups, justice professionals, and volunteers, The President’s Radio Address we can work to improve the lives of crime victims across our country. April 22, 2006 Violent crime rates have fallen to their Good morning. This weekend I am trav- lowest levels since the 1970s, and we must eling in California, where I’m focusing on im- continue our progress in the fight against portant issues for our Nation’s future, includ- crime and remain dedicated to protecting the ing our economy, energy prices, the war on rights of crime victims. The Office for Vic- terror, and immigration reform. tims of Crime at the Department of Justice (DOJ) provides funding to States for victim America’s economy is strong, and we need assistance programs and supports training on to keep it strong in an increasingly competi- victims’ rights for criminal justice profes- tive world. The talent and innovative spirit sionals. To increase access to comprehensive of our people have driven America’s eco- support and services for victims of domestic nomic growth. To maintain our economic violence, the DOJ awarded more than $20 leadership, our Nation must stay on the lead- million to support the creation of 15 Family ing edge of innovation. So I have proposed Justice Centers across the country. Several the American Competitiveness Initiative. of these centers have opened and are making One important part of this initiative is im- a difference in victims’ lives. To further en- proving math and science education for our sure basic rights for all victims, we must also young people, so they have the right skills ratify a Crime Victims’ Rights Amendment to succeed in the 21st century economy. On to the Constitution. Friday in San Jose, I had the chance to visit To learn more about victims’ rights and Cisco Systems, a company that understands how to make a difference, visit the importance of preparing the next genera- crimevictims.gov. All Americans share a re- tion for the high-tech jobs of tomorrow. sponsibility to help victims of crime, and our Through its Networking Academy Pro- Nation will continue to work together to gram, Cisco is helping to train high school achieve justice for victims and build a more students in math, science, and information hopeful society for all. technology skills. By ensuring that we have Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, a skilled workforce for the future, companies President of the United States of America, like Cisco are helping America compete with by virtue of the authority vested in me by confidence and keeping our economy grow- the Constitution and laws of the United ing and creating new jobs for our citizens. States, do hereby proclaim April 23 through Saturday is Earth Day, and many of you April 29, 2006, as National Crime Victims’ are asking how we can meet our growing en- Rights Week. I encourage all Americans to ergy needs while protecting our environ- promote awareness of victims’ rights and ad- ment. The key is technology. So I have pro- vance this important cause. posed the Advanced Energy Initiative to In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set change the way we power our homes, busi- my hand this twentieth day of April, in the nesses, and cars. I will visit the California year of our Lord two thousand six, and of Fuel Cell Partnership to take a closer look the Independence of the United States of at hydrogen fuel cells, one of the exciting America the two hundred and thirtieth. new technologies supported by my initiative. These fuel cells have the potential to revolu- George W. Bush tionize the way we power our cars by giving us vehicles that will emit no pollution and [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, will be more efficient than gas-powered cars. 9:07 a.m., April 24, 2006] My Advanced Energy Initiative will also help improve hybrid vehicles, cars and trucks NOTE: This proclamation was published in the that run partly on electricity and help drivers Federal Register on April 25. This item was not save gas. We’re funding research into a new received in time for publication in the appropriate generation of plug-in hybrid vehicles that issue. could be recharged in electrical outlets and
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could allow many drivers to make their daily and we must stay true to both parts of this commute using no gasoline. great heritage. By developing these and other new As Congress returns from its recess, its sources of clean renewable energy like eth- Members have important and consequential anol, we will continue growing our economy, work before them. I urge them to act on my reduce energy prices and protect our envi- initiatives to keep America competitive, to ronment, and make America less dependent promote alternative sources of energy, re- on foreign oil. form our immigration system, and continue Americans are asking about our progress their support of our troops fighting in the toward victory in the war on terror. I have global war on terror. confidence in the outcome of this struggle By taking these steps, we’ll maintain because I know the character of the people America’s strength. And a strong America who wear our Nation’s uniform. On Sunday, will help lead the world to a future of greater I will attend church and have lunch with Ma- freedom and prosperity and peace. rine Corps and Navy personnel and their Thank you for listening. families at the Twentynine Palms base. I will NOTE: The address was recorded at 7:49 a.m. on tell them how honored I am to be their Com- April 21 in the Cabinet Room at the White House mander in Chief and express the gratitude for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on April 22. The tran- of all Americans for their service in the cause script was made available by the Office of the of freedom. Press Secretary on April 21 but was embargoed Since September the 11th, 2001, the men for release until the broadcast. The Office of the and women of our military have overthrown Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of this address. a cruel regime in Afghanistan, captured or killed many Al Qaida terrorists, liberated Iraq, and made America more secure from Remarks at the California Highway terrorist dangers. We’re fighting the terror- Patrol Academy in Sacramento, ists abroad so we do not have to face them California here at home. By taking the fight to the ter- rorists and bringing liberty and hope to a April 22, 2006 troubled region, our courageous troops are Iraq making the world a safer place. Today the Iraqi people reached an impor- On Monday, I’ll visit Irvine, California, to tant milestone in their journey on democracy. discuss immigration reform with the local Iraqi leaders announced agreement on the community. Immigration is an emotional top leadership posts for a national unity gov- issue, and it’s sparked passionate debate. ernment. This agreement represents com- When we discuss immigration, we’re talking promise and consensus among many dif- about the integrity of our borders, the en- ferent Iraqi groups, and it came after months forcement of our laws, and the character of of patient negotiations. our Nation. The agreement reflects the will of the Iraqi Here’s what I believe: America does not people, who defied the terrorists by voting have to choose between being a welcoming to choose the men and women who will lead society and being a lawful society. We can their nation forward. And this historic be both at the same time. In the coming achievement by determined Iraqis will make weeks, I’ll press Congress to pass com- America more secure. prehensive immigration reform that secures Iraq is a nation made up of many different our border, enforces our laws, meets the ethnic and religious groups, and Iraq’s new needs of our economy, and upholds our high- leaders represent their country’s great diver- est ideals. sity. The Iraqi people have rejected the ter- We must also ensure that all immigrants rorists’ efforts to divide them, and they have assimilate into our society and learn our cus- chosen the path of unity for their free nation. toms, our values, and our language. America The new Iraqi leadership now has 30 days is a land of immigrants and a nation of laws, to finalize the makeup of the Iraqi Cabinet.
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Once inaugurated, the new Government will past 3 years. I thank their families who have hold power for up to 4 years. Unlike the In- sacrificed time with loved ones serving far terim and Transitional Governments that from home. I want to thank our wounded came before, the new Iraqi Government will service men and women, who have given so have full constitutional authority. And be- much to make this moment possible. And our cause it expresses the will of 12 million Iraqis Nation remembers the fallen heroes who who went to the polls last December, it will gave their lives to bring liberty to Iraq and have the popular mandate to address Iraq’s security to America. And we will honor their toughest long-term challenges. sacrifice by completing this mission. Iraq’s new leaders have important respon- There’s going to be more tough fighting sibilities to the people who chose them. The ahead in Iraq, and there will be more days new Government has a responsibility to de- of sacrifice and struggle. Yet the enemies of ploy the growing strength of the Iraqi secu- freedom have suffered a real blow today. And rity forces to defeat the terrorists and insur- we’ve taken a great stride on the march to gents and establish control over the militias. victory. The Iraqi people have defied the ter- The Government has the responsibility to re- rorist threats; Iraqi soldiers and police have build infrastructure that makes commerce fought with valor for the freedom of their possible and that supports the education and country; and Iraqi leaders have laid the foun- health needs of the Iraqi people. The Gov- dations for a democratic government of, by, ernment must strengthen the economy and and for the Iraqi people. encourage job creation and enforce the rule On behalf of all Americans, I congratulate of law. The new Government must ensure the Iraqi people and their new leaders. The that improvements in prosperity and security Iraqis are showing the world that democracy occur throughout the country so that all is worth the wait, that liberty is worth the Iraqis share in the benefits of their new de- sacrifice, and that freedom is the future of mocracy. every man, woman, and child on this Earth. These are major challenges, and the new Thank you very much. Iraqi Government will not face them alone. America is helping Iraq’s young democracy NOTE: The President spoke at 2 p.m. move forward. Iraqis and Americans are fighting side by side against a common enemy. We’re going to defeat the terrorists Remarks at the California Fuel Cell in Iraq. We will deny them safe haven. And Partnership in West Sacramento, a free Iraq in the heart of the Middle East California will be a powerful blow to the terrorists and April 22, 2006 a beacon of liberty for people across that re- gion. Thank you all. Mr. Secretary. I’m really Formation of a new Iraqi Government is pleased to have Norman Mineta in my Cabi- an opportunity for America to open a new net. He is a really good guy. And I thank chapter in our partnership with the Iraqi you for your service, friend, and thank you people. The United States and our coalition for being here to share in this testimony to partners will work with the new Iraqi Gov- what technology is going to do for our coun- ernment to reassess our tactics, adjust our try to make it a better place for all of us methods, and strengthen our mutual efforts to live. to achieve victory in this central front in the First of all, happy Earth Day to you. It’s war on terror. a good place to spend Earth Day, here in The new Iraqi Government will assume California. I got to spend the first part of growing responsibility for their nation’s secu- my day riding a mountain bike in Napa Val- rity. And as more Iraqi forces stand up, ley. It’s a good place to ride—[laughter]— American forces will stand down. I want to a little hillier than I would have liked. thank all the brave Americans, both in our [Laughter] But it’s a spectacular way to com- military and the diplomatic corps, who have mune with nature. And I really appreciate served the cause of freedom in Iraq over the you coming. I want all of us to understand
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that we have a serious responsibility to be like to maintain a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. good stewards of our land. And this is a day I bet you didn’t think you’d be talking about we unite together to recommit ourselves to that 10 years ago, 20 years ago, maybe 5 years be good stewards of our land. ago. Things are changing for the better, and I appreciate the good stewardship—com- we’re here to celebrate this Nation’s desire mitment to good stewardship at the heart of to improve the quality of life. the California Fuel Cell Partnership. I bet I would like to report to you on Earth Day a lot of our citizens don’t understand what that America’s air is cleaner, our water is goes on here. This is a really interesting col- purer, and the land is better cared for. And laborative effort between automakers and en- that’s important for people to know. Over the ergy companies and fuel cell technology past 5 years, things have improved with air, companies and State and Federal agencies, land, and water. And we’re setting tough all united toward a great mission, which is standards when it comes to air quality. We’re to make hydrogen-powered automobiles and implementing clean air rules that will reduce trucks and buses a reality for American driv- powerplant pollution by 70 percent. We’ve ers. And that will help us be good stewards established the first-ever national cap on of the environment, and that will help us be- mercury emissions from powerplants, which come less dependent on foreign sources of will result in nearly a 70-percent decrease oil. in those emissions as well. Today I saw cars and buses that run on Two years ago, I announced an important hydrogen instead of gasoline and that emit goal, and that is to end the no net loss policy pure water instead of exhaust fumes. This of wetlands in the United States and increase Nation does not have to choose between a wetlands in this country. I set a goal to re- strong economy and a clean environment; we store, improve, and protect at least 3 million can have both at the same time. And invest- acres of wetlands over the next 5 years. So ing in new technologies like hydrogen will far we’ve restored, improved, and protected enable this economy to be strong, people to 1.8 million acres of wetlands. We’re doing be able to afford fuel, this country’s national our part in the Federal Government. We security not dependent on parts of the world have a responsibility to be good stewards of that are unstable. And technology will once our air and our water and our land. again make this country the leader in the You know, flying in here, Congressman world, and that’s what we’re here to cele- Lungren pointed out all the different farms. brate. And I want to thank the farmers and ranchers And I want to thank Catherine Dunwoody, for being good stewards of the land as well. the executive director of the California Fuel They’ve got a lot at stake when it comes to Cell Partnership. I appreciate your commit- being mindful of maintaining good land prac- ment. You know, you can tell when some- tices. I don’t know if you realize this or not, body is pretty enthusiastic about what she’s but in the farm bill we—I signed and Con- doing, a true believer. And she’s a believer gress passed, we provide about $40 billion because she’s not only a person with vision, over a 10-year period to encourage our farm- but she is a practical person. And she has ers and ranchers to protect wildlife and con- seen firsthand the progress being made. serve our natural resources. I want to thank Congressman John Doo- Flying over the mountain ranges we saw little and Julie for being here. And I also want the forests. In Washington, we passed the to thank Congressman Dan Lungren. Thank Healthy Forest Initiative, which will help us you all for joining us today. I appreciate your clear out dangerous underbrush that will interest. help reduce the risk of catastrophic fires. I thank the members and representatives We’ve got some commonsense, practical of the California Fuel Cell Partnership. I things we’re doing in Washington that I think want to thank the three guys from Ford the—I know the American people expect us Motor Company for giving me a tour. One to do. guy was here; he’s been 40 years, I think, You know, riding my bike today in the park at Ford. And here he is, describing what it’s reminded me of how important it is to make
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sure those parks are maintained and acces- ing tight supply. The Energy Department sible to the American people. After all, it’s predicts gas prices are going to go up. Part your park system. We pledged 5 billion— of the reason, of course, is the escalating $4.9 billion over 5 years to reduce the main- price of crude oil. Another reason why is, tenance backlog in national parks, and we’re we haven’t had any refinery capacity in the honoring that commitment. United States in a long period of time. When I’ll tell you something I find very inter- you don’t have refining capacity and demand esting. In the 36 years since the first Earth goes up, you’re going to see a price increase. Day, air pollution in America has been re- And so this country has got to be wise about duced by 50 percent—yet, our economy has how we permit refineries and encourage ad- tripled in size during that time. And there’s ditional refining capacity as well as, you well one main reason why, and that’s because of know here in this State, we’re changing the technology. We’re a technologically com- fuel mixes from MPBE to ethanol. petent nation. We must always be on the It was right to get rid of MPBE—MPBE leading edge of research and development was polluting water. It’s a product that in this country if we expect to be good stew- wouldn’t biodegrade. It was a—it’s a terrible ards of the environment and make sure our pollutant. And we’re replacing that with eth- people are able to find good work. That’s the anol, but there’s a transition period that has challenge. to take place. And all these factors remind And so today we’re here to honor a group us that we got to do something about our of folks who are employing technology, using dependence on oil. That’s what the lessons new ideas to help change the face of Amer- at the pump say today. ica. And it’s important work we’re doing I told you about national security. Let me here, because we’ve got a real problem when talk a little bit about that. We get a lot of it comes to oil. We’re addicted, and it’s harm- our oil from places that are unstable, and we ful for the economy, and it’s harmful for our get our oil sometimes from people that don’t national security, and we’ve got to do some- particularly care for us. That’s what I mean thing about it in this country. about national security problems. We do not And so I want to try to share some ideas want to be reliant upon unstable parts of the with you about what we can and must do. world. We don’t want the lives of our people First of all, I understand the folks here, as affected because some nation may not like well as other places in the country, are paying us. high gas prices. And you are because the pri- And so here’s a strategy to deal with it: mary component of gasoline is crude oil. And One, we’re spending a lot of money at the we live in a global marketplace, and when Federal level to encourage research and de- the demand for crude oil goes up in China velopment, with the goal of getting away or India, fast-growing economies, if the cor- from oil. Spent $10 billion over the last 5 responding supply doesn’t meet that de- years to develop cleaner and cheaper and mand, the price of gasoline is going to go more reliable energy sources. The goal is, as up here in America. The American people I mentioned in my State of the Union, to have got to understand, what happens else- promote hydrogen and hybrid vehicles and where in the world affects the price of gaso- ethanol. In other words, what technology will line you pay here. enable us to do is change our driving habits, When that price of gasoline goes up, it is to figure out new ways to utilize fuels so hurts working people. It hurts our small busi- that they’re not—so we can get away from nesses. And it’s a serious problem that we’ve oil-based fuels. got to do something about. The Federal Gov- I strongly believe hydrogen is the fuel of ernment has a responsibility, by the way, to the future. That’s what we’re talking about. make sure there is no such—there is no price Hydrogen is used in a fuel cell that can power gouging, and we’re watching real careful to a car that uses no gasoline, produces no pol- make sure that people are treated fairly. lution or greenhouse gas emissions. Hydro- We’re going to have a tough summer be- gen vehicles can be twice as efficient as gaso- cause people are beginning to drive now dur- line vehicles. Hydrogen can be produced
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from domestic energy sources, which means One of the reasons I have come here is it has the potential—a vast potential—to dra- because I want the American people to un- matically cut our dependence on foreign oil. derstand that their tax dollars are yielding im- Hydrogen is clean; hydrogen is domestically portant results, that we are making progress, produced; and hydrogen is the wave of the that the idea of having a hydrogen-powered future. And the people here at the California automobile is not a foolish dream. It’s a re- Fuel Cell Partnership understand that. ality that is going to come to be. The funding What’s interesting is that they’re—because is getting results. Since 2003, researchers of this collaborative effort, there are now 100 have used Federal funding to double the life- hydrogen-powered vehicles on California time of the hydrogen fuel cell stacks that roads. That may not seem a lot to some of power cars. In order for this to work, there you, but what you’re witnessing here is the has to be longevity—you just can’t be chang- beginning of a major change in the driving ing your fuel cell stacks all the time. There habits of the American people. That’s what has to be durability in order for this to be you’re seeing. We’re in a facility that is just a product that people will want to buy. at the beginning stage of some of the most We’ve cut the cost of manufacturing hy- exciting technological changes this country drogen fuel cells in half. That’s pretty rapid will ever see. Hydrogen cars are being used progress when you think that the funding by companies like UPS, the governments of started in 2003, and the cost of the fuel cells San Francisco and Los Angeles, UC-Davis have been reduced in half. And that is impor- and Irvine. tant. In order for this to become a part of life, these fuel cells have to be affordable. I met the bus man here and—where is Bus People have got to be able to buy them in Man? There he is, yes. He is one enthusiastic order for them to be able to function prop- guy. [Laughter] He is—he truly believes that erly. And we’re making progress. We’re urban America is going to be transformed heading for a hydrocarbon economy—from in a very positive way because of hydrogen- a hydrocarbon economy to a hydrogen econ- powered buses. And if you don’t believe me, omy. And that’s a very positive development. just ask him. [Laughter] There’s another positive development tak- We saw a fueling station today where vehi- ing place in America today, and that’s the cles come—the drivers drive in here to get advent of the hybrid vehicle. And it’s a good hydrogen. About 6,000 automobiles have way to reduce our oil consumption right now. been fueled at this station since it’s been up Hybrid vehicles have both a gasoline-pow- and running. I appreciate Governor Arnold ered engine and an electric battery, and they Schwarzenegger’s declaration that California travel about twice as far on a gallon of fuel plans to build a hydrogen highway. Of all the as gasoline-only vehicles. We can affect our States in the United States that has been on dependence on oil by encouraging people to the leading edge of technological change, it’s purchase hybrid vehicles. And that’s why the been California. That’s a positive declaration Federal Government passed a law that says on his part. Basically what he’s saying is, we you get a tax credit of up to $3,400 for a want California to continue to lead this coun- hybrid vehicle purchase. In other words, try when it comes to innovative change. And we’re trying to make it worthwhile for you we support him. to go out and purchase a hybrid vehicle, I believe that today’s children will one day through the use of a tax credit. take a driver’s test in a hydrogen-powered, What’s really going to be interesting, how- pollution-free car. That’s the goal of the ever, is what’s called plug-in hybrid vehicles. United States. And it’s a big goal, but it’s And we’re spending $31 million annually to an attainable goal. All you got to do is look speed up research into these battery tech- at the progress that has been made thus far. nologies. And what this means is, is that we’re In 2003, I pledged that we would spend $1.2 trying to develop a battery that will power billion over 5 years for hydrogen research your vehicle, where you plug it in at night, and development, and we’re on track to meet and you drive the first 40 miles on electricity that goal. alone. Now, think about what that means for
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big cities. A lot of people don’t drive more tional objective. And there’s no doubt in my than 40 miles a day in big cities. So all of mind we’ll be able to achieve this objective. a sudden you’ve now—we’re developing a We’ve done a lot of things in this country technology that says, you’ll drive by the use in the past. We’ve changed ways of life in— of electricity, and you won’t use gasoline at to make life qualitatively better for American all. people because we’re innovators, and we’re And one way to affect consumption is to thinkers, and we get things done. And on this speed up the development of these plug-in Earth Day, what I wanted to come to Cali- hybrids, and we’re doing just that at the Fed- fornia to say is, we’re in the process of dream- eral level. It’s a promising technology that ing big dreams for the American people but will help people change the way they drive. dreams that will be accomplished. We can’t It’ll be a transition to the hydrogen fuel cell lose our nerve. We shouldn’t lose our vision. batteries. We should remember where we’ve been and Finally, I want to talk a little bit about eth- where we’re going. And we’re going to a day, anol. I’m a big proponent of ethanol. I like and no doubt in my mind, where the United the idea of America’s farmers being able to States of America will not be dependent on grow fuel. I like the idea of people saying, oil, will be good stewards of the environment, ‘‘My corn crop is up, and therefore, we’re which will benefit the quality of life of the less dependent on oil from somewhere.’’ And American people. that’s what we’re beginning to do. We’re be- Thank you for letting me come by to talk ginning to change driving habits of the Amer- to you. God bless. ican people by changing the fuel mix in their cars. Any vehicle can use ethanol with a con- NOTE: The President spoke at 2:41 p.m. In his centration of less than 10 percent. With remarks, he referred to Julia Harlow, wife of Rep. minor modifications, cars and trucks can be- John T. Doolittle of California; and Gov. Arnold come what’s called flex-fuel vehicles that run Schwarzenegger of California. on a fuel blend called E–85, which is a mix of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gaso- line. Remarks at a Republican National And there are a lot of E–85 fueling stations Committee Reception in Indian now, particularly in the Midwest where they Wells, California grow a lot of corn. But the idea is to be able April 22, 2006 to use your money to figure out how to use other materials to be able to manufacture Please be seated. Thanks for coming. The ethanol. And we’re close to some interesting lesson of the 1994 fundraiser is, I should have breakthroughs; we’re close to breakthroughs had a better chairman. [Laughter] I want to to be able to make ethanol from wood chips thank you all for coming. I really appreciate and stalks and switch grass and other natural your support for the Republican Party. We’re materials. And it makes a lot of sense if we’re the party that is the party of ideas, a party trying to get off oil, and it makes sense to of optimism, and a party of people who know use taxpayers’ money to research ways to use how to solve problems, which is exactly what switch grass, for example, to become a fuel we’re doing. for your automobile. I think it does. I, first, wish Laura were here; she’s not, Catherine reminded me, however, in my of course. About four people go through the discussions with her, that switch grass can photo-op line indicated that they kind of also be used to manufacture hydrogen. She would rather have Laura here than me. wanted me to make sure—[laughter]—that [Laughter] Yes, well—I can understand why. in my description of what is possible in the She is really a fine person, and she sends United States that we—make sure one tech- her best to all her friends here. nology does not pirate money for another I thank my friend Brad. You know, one technology. And it’s not going to happen. of the great things about our life is that we’ve What’s going to happen is, we’ll have re- had friends before I got into politics, and search on all fronts to achieve a grand na- they’re going to be our friends after we’re
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in politics. And Brad Freeman is such a per- coming. Good luck on your race. We’re pull- son, and I value his friendship. I want to ing for you. Finally, Ben Stein is with us. thank him for organizing this event. Appreciate you coming, Ben. I think he’s I want to thank all the folks who helped with us. Maybe he’s not with us. make this a very successful event. One reason I’d like to make a couple of points, and why we are successful as a party is because then we’ll sit down for a second, and then we’ve got a great party chairman who under- visit some more with you. Today we had an stands that our message is one that should important day in the war on terror. The elect- reach into every neighborhood; ours is one ed leaders of Iraq came together and formed that is inclusive; ours is one that is hopeful— a unity government for the sake of people— and that’s Ken Mehlman. I want to thank [applause]. The formation of a unity govern- you for coming, Ken. ment is a blow for the terrorists who have I appreciate Duf Sundheim, party chair- tried to divide Iraq and prevent Iraq democ- man here in California. I saw Duf yesterday racy from emerging forward. at Cisco Systems, saw him here in the desert. And the United States of America will con- What are you doing tomorrow, Duf? [Laugh- tinue to stand with the brave citizens of Iraq ter] But thank you for your service; appre- as this democracy grows. It is in our interests ciate it very much. that democracy succeed in Iraq. We must de- I’m confident that Arnold Schwarzenegger feat the terrorists by denying them safe will be reelected to Governor of this impor- haven, and we will defeat the terrorists with tant State. an ideology that is hopeful and optimistic and I am always a better person after I’ve been positive, and that’s an ideology based upon in the presence of Mary Bono. She is the liberty. Congresswoman from this district; she is smart; she’s capable; she’s doing an excellent I’ve also had a wonderful time traveling job for the constituents here. I don’t know your beautiful State. Yesterday I talked about if you realize this, but today is Earth Day, a really important initiative for our country, and Mary has led the way to make sure that and that is the Competitiveness Initiative. some of the most valuable territory, some of And the reason it’s—I started talking about the most valuable country in this part of the it in my State of the Union is because it is world are preserved for generations to come, very important for the United States of and I want to thank you for your leadership. America to feel confident about our future, I also want to thank you for your strong stand and not to fear it. in the war on terror. You’re doing a fine job. There are some in our country that feel Connie Mack, from the great State of Flor- like we should isolate ourselves from the ida, is with us. Congressman, good to see you; world. There are some who fear trade with thank you for coming. Proud you’re here. other countries, and therefore, want to throw Good friend of the brothers, and mine, too. up walls and protective barriers—not me. I Bruce McPherson, the secretary of State believe the United States, in order to make is with us. Bruce, thank you for coming. Ap- sure our people have got a standard of living preciate you being here, sir. I call him ‘‘Sen- that improves, must be a leader in the world, ator;’’ now we call you ‘‘Secretary.’’ It’s good must not fear competition, must be willing to see Mary as well. to continue to put policies in place that will Chuck Poochigian is with us. Chuck is run- mean that other generations of Americans ning for the State attorney general. Chuck, coming up can realize a great quality of life. good luck to you. Thank you. My old buddy, And it starts with making sure that the proud to see you. Thanks for coming. Thanks United States of America is the leader of re- for bringing Debbie with you as well. search and technology. Steve Poizner is with us, running for the And so, yesterday at Cisco Systems, I insurance commissioner. Steve—there he is. talked about our desire to double Federal Good luck to you. funding for the basic sciences so as to con- I just said hello to Congressman Brian tinue to make sure we’re technologically ad- Bilbray. Where are you, Brian? Thanks for vanced. I also talked about making sure the
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research and development tax credit is a per- finance chairman, Bush-Cheney ’04, Inc.; Gov. manent part of the Tax Code, to encourage Arnold Schwarzenegger of California; California private investment when it comes to re- Secretary of State Bruce McPherson and his wife, search. Mary; Chuck Poochigian, candidate for California But I spent a lot of time yesterday talking State attorney general, and his wife, Debbie; Steve Poizner, candidate for California insurance com- about education. I proudly signed the No missioner; Brian Bilbray, candidate for Congress Child Left Behind Act, which changed the in California’s 50th Congressional District; and way people should view education, from one entertainer Ben Stein. in which it was okay just to move kids through to one that said we’re going to meas- ure, and we’re going to hold people to ac- Remarks to Military Personnel and count. We’re going to set high standards, and Their Families in Twentynine Palms, we’re going to measure to determine wheth- California er our children are learning to read and write April 23, 2006 and add and subtract. And if we find out they’re not able to read and write, we’ll cor- Thanks for the warm welcome. Sergeant rect problems early, before it’s too late. I Major, thanks for the introduction. It’s an want to extend that same rigor that we’ve honor to be here. I’ve been really looking applied in reading to math and science so forward to coming to Twentynine Palms. The that our children have got the skills necessary general told me that I’m the first President to fill the jobs of the 21st century. ever to have come. It’s an honor to be the And today I had the honor of being in first President, but he also reminded me that West Sacramento, after my bike ride, by the my mother beat me to the punch. [Laughter] way, in Napa Valley, which—good place to I want to share some thoughts with you ride, by the way. I talked about an issue that right quick. One, I’m incredibly proud of the I know is on people’s minds here in Cali- United States Marine Corps. You bring fornia, and that is high energy prices. And honor to our country. You represent the very I reminded our folks that we live in a global best of America. You represent men and world, and when China’s demand for energy women who volunteer to serve during dan- goes up, it affects the gasoline prices here. gerous and historic times. And because of When India’s demand for energy goes up, your service, we’re defeating an enemy over- it affects the gasoline prices here, which says seas so we do not have to face them here to me, we’ve got to be smart about using en- at home. Because of your service, we’ve lib- ergy—using investment technology to get erated people from the clutches of a tyrant. away from use of oil. And because of your service, we’re laying the And I talked about plug-in hybrid vehicles, foundation of peace for a generation of the research going into that, so that one day Americans to come. These are historic times, you’ll be driving your first 40 miles on elec- and your service makes me incredibly proud. tricity, electric batteries. And I talked about And I also want to say something to your ethanol. But I also talked about hydrogen families. It’s hard when your loved one is fuel cells, which I believe will be the wave overseas. I respect your sacrifice and want of the future for how we drive our cars. to thank you very much for your service to What I’m telling you is, ours is a party that our country as well. has got a vision and a plan to make sure the Today I—this morning I was—had three United States of America is the leader in the phone calls I think that you might find of world. Our message to the American people interest. I spoke to the President of Iraq, the is, don’t fear the future, because we intend Speaker of the Iraqi Assembly, and the Prime to shape the future. Minister-designate. It was a remarkable Thanks for coming. I’ll answer a few ques- phone call. First, they expressed their deep tions in a little bit. Thank you for being here. appreciation for the United States of America NOTE: The President spoke at 6:05 p.m. at the and our soldiers. They understand the sac- Toscana Country Club. In his remarks, he re- rifices that you are making on their behalf, ferred to Bradford M. Freeman, California State and they are grateful for those sacrifices. And
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the reason why they are is because they rep- has produced a lot of fine citizens, and resent the 12 million people who went to the there’s no two finer people than these two. polls in the face of incredible terrorist Thank you for your hospitality, sir. threats, and said, ‘‘We want to be free; we President Ford. We solved all the prob- desire to live in a free society.’’ lems, didn’t we? [Laughter] I told them—I said that they have awe- President Bush. That’s right—we sure some responsibilities to their people. They did. have the responsibility of improving the lives President Ford. Well, thank you for stop- of men and women regardless of their reli- ping by, George. gious status and nature; they have respon- President Bush. God bless you. sibilities to defeat the terrorists; they have President Ford. Same to you, sir. a responsibility to unite their country. And I believe they will. NOTE: The President spoke at 6:01 p.m. at Presi- dent Ford’s residence. The formation of this Government is an important milestone toward our victory in Iraq. A lot of times people ask me about my Remarks on Immigration Reform attitude about things, and here’s my attitude: and a Question-and-Answer Session The only way we can lose in Iraq is if we in Irvine, California lose our nerve. And I’m not losing my nerve, and I know that the United States Marine April 24, 2006 Corps will not lose their nerve, either. The President. Thank you all. Please be Yesterday was an important day, but I rec- seated. Thanks for letting me come by. Tom, ognize we still have more work to do. De- thanks for the invitation. What I thought I mocracy in Iraq will be a major blow for the would do is share some thoughts with you terrorists who want to do us harm. Democ- on some issues that kind of, like, may be on racy in Iraq will deny them safe haven. De- the TV screen these days—[laughter]—and mocracy in Iraq will set a powerful example then answer some of your questions. I’m in- for people in a part of the world who are terested to know what’s on your mind. desperate for freedom. First, I’ve had a fabulous trip to your unbe- It is such an honor to be here with the lievably beautiful State. It started off in mighty United States Marine Corps and their northern California—Cisco; then I went to families. May God bless you all, and may God Stanford; then I went to Napa Valley. Then continue to bless our country. Thank you. I rode my bicycle on Earth Day in Napa Val- ley. Then I found out the mountains are a NOTE: The President spoke at 12:34 p.m. in the little steep in Napa Valley. [Laughter] I then Mess Hall at the Marine Corps Air Ground Com- went down and spent a fantastic time in Palm bat Center. In his remarks, he referred to Sgt. Springs. What an unbelievably diverse State, Maj. James M. Ricker, USMC, and Brig. Gen. and it’s a fantastic place to end my journey, Douglas M. Stone, USMC Reserve, commanding here in Orange County. I want to thank you general, Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command; President Jalal Talabani, Speaker of for giving me a chance to come by and visit Parliament Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, and Prime with you. Minister-designate Jawad al-Maliki of Iraq. The Laura sends her very best. I, of course, Office of the Press Secretary also released a Span- checked in with her this morning before I ish language transcript of these remarks. headed over here, to see if she had any addi- tional instructions for me for the day. [Laughter] She said, ‘‘Keep it short.’’ [Laugh- Remarks Following a Visit With ter] I’m a lucky man to have Laura as a wife. Former President Gerald R. Ford in You can imagine what it’s like to be Presi- Rancho Mirage, California dent—there’s some pressure on your family, April 23, 2006 as you can imagine. The good news is, I’ve got a 45-second commute. [Laughter] And President Bush. It’s such an honor to be the better news is, I’ve got a wife who is a with President and Mrs. Ford. The country fantastic First Lady, who shares a passion
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with me to do the best we can for our coun- As you know, well, I make a lot of deci- try. sions, and at the core of my decisionmaking I want to thank Lucy Dunn, as well as when it comes to protecting America is the thanking Tom for putting this event together. lessons learned from September the 11th, I appreciate the members of the Orange 2001. My job is to use the resources of the County Business Council. I want to thank United States to prevent such an attack from Congressman John Campbell for his service; happening again. And the first lesson of Sep- appreciate you. He’s the Congressman from tember the 11th, 2001, is that we face an this district, by the way. And Catherine is enemy that has no regard for innocent life, with us. thank—Congresswoman Mary Bono an enemy which has hijacked a great religion is with us today. Mary, thank you for being to suit their political needs. here. I just spent some quality time in her And therefore, the only way to deal with district, and I forgot to tell you that I had them is to stay on the offense, to pressure the privilege of riding my mountain bike in them, and to bring them to justice, which the desert as well. The national monument is precisely what the United States of Amer- that she helped put together to preserve ica is doing and will continue to do for the open spaces—she’s got a lot of humility; she safety of the American people. didn’t name the national monument after The second lesson is, we must deny these herself. If I were to name it, I would say, folks safe haven. They need to find safe ‘‘Really Hard Bike Ride Monument.’’ haven from which to plot and plan. We de- [Laughter] nied them safe haven in Afghanistan, and we’re denying them safe haven in Iraq. I want to thank Congressman Ken Calvert One of the important things that a Presi- for joining us today. Ken, it’s good to see dent must do is to take the words of the you; proud of you. Congressman Gary Miller enemy very seriously. And when the enemy is with us today. Congressman, thank you. speaks—and they speak quite often—we lis- Mayor Beth Krom of city of Irvine—Madam ten carefully. We listen to their aims and Mayor, thank you for being here. Thanks for their objectives. These are not a kind of iso- serving. There you are, Mayor. Thank you; lated, angry people. These are folks bound appreciate you coming. Thanks for serving. together by an ideology that is totalitarian in I had—last night, by the way, I had dinner nature. They believe that capitalism produces last night with the Mayor of Los Angeles and weak societies. They want to spread their Mayor of Long Beach and Mayor of Ana- idea of life throughout the Middle East; they heim, and some other mayors that came. have stated so—in word after word. And they Real important for the President to pay believe that with time, they can establish a attention to people, what’s on their mind, and safe haven in Iraq. that’s what I’m here to do today. I want to And here’s the danger of having an enemy share some things that’s on my—first of all, with a safe haven in Iraq: Iraq has got wealth. Rick Warren, by the way, is here. Where are Iraq has—had weapons of mass destruction you, Rick? There you go. I appreciate you. and has the knowledge as to how to produce Still got the calendar in the desk. [Laughter] weapons of mass destruction. And the con- Ambassador Argyros, good to see you, fluence of a terrorist network with weapons George. George served our country as the of mass destruction is the biggest threat the Ambassador to Spain. Thank you. United States of America faces. They have I got a lot on my mind these days. I want said it’s just a matter of time. to share two thoughts with you. First, I want And they’ve got a powerful weapon, by the to talk about the war on terror. I wish I could way—the enemy does. And that is the will- report to you that the war on terror was over. ingness and capacity to kill innocent people. It’s not. There is still an enemy that wants And they understand the United States of to do us harm. And the most important job America is a compassionate nation. They of the President of the United States is to view—I’m sure they view this as a weakness protect the American people from that harm. of our country; I happen to view it as a That’s—and I think about it all the time. strength that we value every life, that every
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person is precious. But they know, and it You know, the Iraqis went to the polls last doesn’t take much to realize that when you December for the third time in one year. It put carnage on our TV screens, it causes us seems like a decade ago, doesn’t it? It seems to weep. It causes people, rightly, to say like it was just an eternity ago that 12 million whether or not the cause is worth it. It’s a people defied terrorists, threats, and said, legitimate question for the American people. ‘‘We want to be free. We’re sick and tired But it’s very important for the American of a society that had been suppressed by a people to understand that they’re trying to brutal tyrant. We want to go to the polls. run us out of Iraq for a purpose. And the We want to be self-governing.’’ I wasn’t sur- purpose is to be able to have safe haven from prised; I was pleased, but not surprised. If which to launch further attacks. And I under- you believe that liberty exists in the soul of stand it. And we’ve got a strategy in place each person on the face of the Earth, it to achieve victory. shouldn’t surprise you that, given the chance, Yesterday I went over to Twentynine people will say, ‘‘We want to be free.’’ And Palms—I want to tell you something about now the role of the United States is to stand the United States military: These young men by the courageous Iraqis as their democracy and women are incredibly dedicated. They develops. are motivated. They understand that we must It’s not easy work, by the way, to go from defeat the enemy over there so we do not tyranny to democracy. We had kind of a have to face them here at home. Most of round go ourself, if you look back at our his- them raised their hand to volunteer after tory. My Secretary of State’s relatives were September the 11th. Many of them have enslaved in the United States even though said, ‘‘I want to continue to serve our coun- we had a Constitution that said all were— try.’’ We’re lucky to have people like them that believed in the dignity, or at least pro- willing to serve. And the United States Gov- claimed to believe in the dignity of all. The ernment, whether you agree with my policy Articles of Confederation wasn’t exactly a or not, must stand by our troops. When real smooth start for our Government to they’re in harm’s way, they deserve the best begin. And what you’re watching on your TV pay, the best equipment, and the best pos- sible support. screens is a new democracy emerging. And And I told them, I told them they didn’t I had the privilege of calling the President have to worry about me. I believe we’re going of Iraq, the new Speaker of Iraq, and the to win in Iraq. And a victory in Iraq will be Prime Minister-designee of Iraq, there at— a major blow to the totalitarian vision of bin in the comfort of my hotel room in Palm Laden and his lieutenants—a major blow. Desert—Palm Springs. And I can’t tell you One, it will be a tactical blow. We’ll deny how heartened I was to hear their words. them that which they want. But secondly, it First of all, they expressed great apprecia- will be a major blow because, in the long tion for the American people and our troops term, the best way to defeat an ideology of and the families of our troops. Secondly, to hatred is with an ideology of hope. a person—this is a Kurd, a Shi’a, and a Sunni I base a lot of my foreign policy decisions I’m talking to—each one of them said, ‘‘We on some things that I think are true: One, want to have a national unity government. I believe there’s an Almighty; and secondly, We’re sick of the sectarian violence. We be- I believe one of the great gifts of the Al- lieve if you stand with us, we can achieve mighty is the desire in everybody’s soul, re- our objective of becoming a democracy that gardless of what you look like or where you listens to the people.’’ And I believe them. live, to be free. I believe liberty is universal. And I believe them. And I told them—I said, I believe people want to be free. And I know look, it’s going to be up to you to make it that democracies do not war with each other. work, but you can count on the United States And I know that the best way to defeat the of America because we believe in liberty and enemy, the best way to defeat their ability the capacity of liberty to change lives and to exploit hopelessness and despair is to give to change the neighborhood for a more people a chance to live in a free society. peaceful tomorrow.
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This is a new chapter in our relationship. And I want to talk to you, tell you my We had an important milestone when the thoughts about the subject. First of all, I un- unity government was formed, and now derstand it is an emotional subject. And it’s there’s a new chapter in the relationship, and really important that those of us who have we’re moving forward. microphones and can, you know, express our- You know, it’s really important for people selves, do so in a respectful way that recog- to be able to connect the concept of freedom nizes we are a nation of immigrants, that we to our security. And it’s hard. It’s hard, par- have had a grand tradition in this country ticularly in a day and age when every act of of welcoming people into our society. And violence is put in your living room. And I ours is a society that is able to take the newly know that. I fully understand the challenge arrived, and they become equally American. I face as the Commander in Chief to describe I believe that immigration has helped rein- to the American people why the sacrifice is vigorate the soul of America. I know that worth it. when somebody comes to our country be- And perhaps the best way to do so is to cause he or she has a dream and is willing share one of my favorite lessons of history to work hard for that dream, it makes Amer- with you, and that is that my relationship with ica a better place. Prime Minister Koizumi of Japan is a special Now, first and foremost, the Federal Gov- relationship. He’s an interesting guy. He’s ernment has the role to enforce our border. a—and he’s a friend, and we work to keep The American people are right in saying to the peace. We sit down—when we sit down, the Government, enforce the border. Listen, we talk about the importance of democracy I was an old border Governor. I understand developing in Iraq. The Japanese had troops, it’s important to enforce our border, and we by the way, in Iraq to help this young coun- are. We got a lot of good people down there try. We talked about North Korea. We talk working hard on the border to keep people about issues of peace. I find it so interesting from coming—and contraband, or what- and so ironic that those are the conversations ever—from coming into this country illegally. I have with him, especially since 60 years ago, We’ve increased the number of Border Pa- my dad—and I suspect many of your rel- trol. And I want to thank the Congresswoman atives—fought the Japanese as the enemy. and Congressmen here, for being wise about And so what happens between 18-year-old providing resources to increase the number George H.W. Bush, Navy fighter pilot, sign- of patrol on the border. But that’s not ing up to fight the sworn enemy of Japan, enough. and his son sitting down to talk about the We’ve got to have modern equipment to peace? What happened was, Japan adopted be able to help people find people that are a Japanese-style democracy. Democracy can coming across a very long and difficult bor- help change the world and lay the foundation der—to protect; so we got infrared. Un- for peace. And that’s what’s happening today. manned vehicles are being—aerial vehicles These are historic times. My job is to lead are being—UAVs are being deployed. I this Nation to protect you, and my job is to mean, we’re now beginning to modernize our lay the foundation of peace for generations border so that the people we’ve asked to en- to come. And that is why I told those marines force the border have got the tools necessary yesterday that we’re going to complete the to do so. In parts of the rural border, there mission. needs to be berms to prevent people from I got a lot of other things to talk about. flying across in their SUVs, smuggling people I want to talk about immigration. So I saw into America. And we’re strengthening this my friend Brulte, ex-politician, you know? border. I’ll tell you something that’s inter- Always a friend. He said, ‘‘People are won- esting: Since 2001, 6 million people have dering why you would come to Orange been caught illegally trying to get in this County to talk about immigration.’’ [Laugh- country, and turned back—6 million people. ter] And the answer is because that’s what So people are working down there, and a leader does. they’re working hard.
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And I’m going to continue to work with And by the way, you can be a nation of law Congress. I know these people from Con- and a compassionate nation at the same time. gress are interested in providing the Border You don’t have to be—[applause]. Patrol and those responsible for enforcing Now, the problem we have is, is you got the border the tools necessary to do their some person out there in central Texas need- job, and I thank you for that. ing a worker, and he can’t find a worker, an Secondly, we have got a problem with— American. And so he says, ‘‘Look, is any- we have a problem we’re going to solve this body—help me find somebody? I got some- year, by the way, of catching people from— thing to do.’’ This economy is growing, see— non-Mexican illegal immigrants, and just 4.7 percent unemployment rate nation- sending them back into society. There wasn’t wide—pretty good numbers. And people are enough detention beds. So you got the peo- having trouble finding work that’s—Ameri- ple down there working hard and 6 million cans won’t do, and that’s a fact of life. And people caught since 2001 and sent home. so he says, ‘‘Why don’t you send somebody Well, most of the Mexican citizens who were over to help me.’’ And they show up, and caught trying to illegally come in the country they put a Social Security card out there, and just sent back to their country. But if you it looks real. You know, our small-business catch somebody from Central America com- owners are not document checkers. These ing back, you just can’t send them back for are people trying to get ahead, and it’s impos- a while, so there needs to be a place to detain sible to—[applause]. It’s impossible to really them. We didn’t have enough bedspace. And effect the enforcement of our laws if people so we had catch-and-release. We’re asking are able to use forged documents. people to go down there and do their job, Now, we’ve increased the amount of man- and they find somebody from Central Amer- power there to hold people to account for ica sneaking in, and they say, ‘‘Check back hiring illegals, but it is difficult to hold some- in with us in 45 days; come and see your body, an employer to account if they’re put- immigration guy down there.’’ [Laughter] ting false papers on—the truth of the matter And they weren’t checking back in after 45 is, what’s happened is, people are trying to days. [Laughter] They were coming to work, come in this country, and we got smugglers see. They wanted to put food on the table smuggling them in. And they’re putting them for their families, and they weren’t interested in the back of 18-wheelers, stuffing human in checking back in. beings in the back of trucks, because they’re And so it meant there was a lot of wasted come—people are coming to do jobs Ameri- effort by the Border Patrol. We’re going to cans won’t do. They’re putting people out in change that. One of the things that Congress deserts. We’ve lost a lot of people, a lot of has done, it’s done a good job of providing decent, hard-working people—trying to additional money for bedspace and money come in this country in the desert—losing to make sure that we can send people back their lives. These smugglers are coyotes; home. You got people coming up who want they’re, kind of, preying on innocent life. And to work, see. They’re going broke at home; they’ve got a whole document forgery indus- they want to put food on the table; they go try going on. to unbelievable lengths to come and feed See, we made it such that an underground their families. We’re catching them; we’re industry thrives on human beings, people putting them back in—we’re stopping that. coming to do work that the Americans will Our job is to enforce this border—6 million not do. And so I think that the best way to people have been turned back. And we got enforce our border, and the best way, besides a strategy in place to make sure that this bor- making sure it’s modern and we’ve got man- der is as tight as it possibly can be. power and equipment down there—which Secondly, in order to make sure immigra- we do, and it’s increasing every week—is to tion laws work, you got to enforce the laws come up with a rational plan that recognizes on the books, see. If it’s illegal to hire some- people coming here to work and let them body, then the Federal Government has got do so on a temporary basis. That’s why I’m to enforce those laws. We’re a nation of law. for a temporary-worker program that will—
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that says to a person, ‘‘Here is a tamper-proof people that have been here for quite a period card that says you can come and do a job of time. an American won’t do, fill a need.’’ Tamper- Now, my attitude is this: I think that peo- proof card, all of a sudden, makes interior ple ought to be, obviously, here to work on enforcement work. In other words, we now a temporary basis. The definition of tem- know who’s getting the cards, and we know porary will be decided in the Halls of Con- they can’t be tampered with. So when some- gress. body—the guy says, ‘‘Show me your tamper- Secondly, I believe that a person should proof card before I hire you.’’ And if they never be granted automatic citizenship. And do, fine. But if they don’t, say, ‘‘I’m not hiring let me tell you why I believe that—that if you. You got to have the card to get work.’’ you’ve been here, broken the law and have Secondly, we got a lot of people sneaking been here working, that it doesn’t seem fair across the border to do jobs. It is really hard to me, to say you’re automatically a citizen, to enforce the border with people sneaking when somebody who has been here legally across to do jobs. Doesn’t it make sense to working is standing in line trying to become have a rational, temporary-worker plan that a citizen as well. In other words, there’s the says, you don’t need to sneak across the bor- line for people. der; you can come on a temporary basis to But what I do think makes sense is that do a job Americans won’t do. So you don’t a person ought to be allowed to get in line. have to sneak across—so you don’t have to In other words, pay a penalty for being here pay money to a coyote that stuffs you in the illegally, commit him or herself to learn back of a truck; so you don’t have to burden English, which is part of the American sys- tem—and get in the back of the line. In other our borders. words, there is a line of people waiting to Look, we want our Border Patrol hunting become legal through the green card process. down gun smugglers and dope runners. And And it’s by nationality. And if you’re a citizen it just seems rational to me and logical to here, who has been here illegally, you pay me that says, okay, fine, you can come and a penalty; you learn English; and you get in do a job Americans won’t do for a temporary line, but at the back—not the front. And if period of time with a tamper-proof card. Congress wants a shorter line for this—for All of a sudden, we’ve kind of taken this a particular nationality, they increase the smuggling industry and dismantled it number of green cards. If they want a longer through rational policy. All of a sudden, we line, they shrink the number of green cards recognize that we want to treat people with per nationality. respect. I know this is an emotional debate. This is an important debate for the Amer- And I can understand it’s emotional. But one ican citizens to conduct. It’s a debate that thing we cannot lose sight of is that we’re requires clear, rational thought, and it’s really talking about human beings, decent human important for those of us in positions of re- beings that need to be treated with respect. sponsibility to remember that we’re a nation Massive deportation of the people here is of law, a welcoming nation, a nation that hon- unrealistic. It’s just not going to work. You ors people’s traditions no matter where can hear people out there hollering, it’s going they’re from because we’ve got confidence to work. It’s not going to work. It just—it’s— in the capacity of our Nation to make us all and so therefore, what do we do with people Americans, one Nation under God. who are here? And this is one of the really And so that’s what’s on my mind today— important questions Congress is going to got a lot of other things, if you’re interested. have to deal with. But I got some time for some—I’d like to I thought the Senate had an interesting answer some questions if you got any, or hear approach by saying that if you’ve been here from you. for 5 years or less, you’re treated one way; Yes, sir. and 5 years or more, you’re treated another. It’s just an interesting concept that people President’s Analysis of First Term need to think through, about what to do with Q. Morning, sir. [Inaudible]
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The President. Pretty good. I think I’m ghanistan and Iraq knowing what I know doing all right, yes. [Laughter] today. Q. I understand you get a lot of tough Obviously, as we look back—and every war questions, and you’re very candid person, so plan is perfect until it meets the enemy. It’s assuming that you agree with the fact that fine on paper until you actually start putting no one’s perfect—— it into practice. And there is a—decisions like The President. I agree with that. preparing an Iraqi Army for a—external Q. Good. threat. Well, it turns out, there may have The President. Especially me. [Laughter] been an external threat, but it’s nothing com- Q. I’d like to get your candid response to pared to the internal threat. We got in and your perspective from the outside looking in, started trying to build some big reconstruc- and now the inside looking out. Before you tion projects right off the bat. And it didn’t became President, obviously, you had some make any sense because it was easy for— perceptions based on your family history, they were—became convenient targets for being Governor, what it would be like to be the enemy. And so we started to decentralize our reconstruction—this kind of—I’m get- President of the U.S. Now that you are Presi- ting down to the minutia. But there are some dent and you’ve had a chance to go through tactics that—when I look back—that we the experience and you’re in your second could have done differently. term, candidly, if you had it to do over, would The fundamental question on the Iraq the- there be anything that you’d do differently? ater, though, is, did we put enough troops The President. I appreciate it. The funda- in there in the first place? That’s the debate mental question—the threshold question is, in Washington. I’m sure you’ve heard about would I run in the first place? That’s really it. It’s a—here let me just tell you what hap- the first question that one would ask. Now pened. I called Tommy Franks in with Don that I’m here, seeing what it’s like, would Rumsfeld and said, ‘‘Tommy, if we’re going I do it again? And the answer is, absolutely. in, you design the plan, and you got what I have enjoyed this experience in a way you need.’’ I said—I remember the era when that’s hard for me to describe to you. Listen, politicians were trying to run wars, people there have been some rough moments. But trying to fine-tune this or fine-tune that. One it is an incredible honor to serve our country. of the lessons of Vietnam, it seemed like to The second threshold question is, would me—still does—is that you can’t—people I commit troops to protect the American tried to make decisions on behalf of the mili- people? It’s really a fundamental question. tary, which I think is a terrible precedent to Knowing what I know today, would I have make if you’re the Commander in Chief. By done anything differently with our troops? the way, you can’t run a war, you can’t make First, you got to know that the hardest de- decisions based upon polls and focus groups, cision for a President is to put anybody in either. harm’s way—because I fully understand the And so I told Tommy, I said, ‘‘You know consequences of making such a decision. I you got what you need.’’ And then it’s my— was at church yesterday in Twentynine then the fundamental question is, when I’m Palms. In the pew that I was sitting in was looking him in the eye, do I think he’s com- a mother and stepfather grieving for a guy fortable telling the Commander in Chief who lost his life, and I knew that I would what’s real and isn’t real? So I spent a lot have to deal with this as best as I possibly of time with Tommy, and the first time I’m can. with him I’m trying to figure out whether I also wanted to let you know that it’s be- or not he has got the ability to walk in the fore you commit troops that you must do ev- Oval Office—which can be kind of an intimi- erything you can to solve the problem dip- dating place—and say, ‘‘Here’s what I think, lomatically. And I can look you in the eye Mr. President.’’ and tell you, I feel I’ve tried to solve the I was comforted by the fact that Tommy problem diplomatically to the max, and and I were raised in the same part of the would have committed troops both in Af- world. He went to Midland Lee High School
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with Laura, by the way. I felt like that there tion will become even more powerful than was kind of a kinship to begin with, and I’m it is today. And the fundamental question is, confident, sir, that Tommy told me exactly what do we do with that information? You’ll what was on his mind. I believe that. And be confronted with very difficult choices so, therefore, the troop level that he sug- when it comes to science. The first choice gested was the troop level necessary to do we all have to deal with right off the bat is the job. And I support it strongly. whether or not it’s okay to destroy life to save And I fully understand people are going life. In other words, as technology pro- to think back and, could you have done some- gresses, as this country of ours is more tech- thing different, or not different? And that’s nologically advanced, you’re going to be con- fair, and it’s worthwhile. And we still have fronted with serious ethical choices. It’s Members of Congress who are coming in— just—there will be a clash between morality and they should—are coming in and say, and science that will present some really dif- ‘‘Mr. President, have you thought about this, ficult decisions for people. or are you going to do that?’’ And we’re con- You’ll be able to have a leader that can stantly adjusting on the ground to meet an go and sit down with a duly elected leader enemy which changes. But on the big deci- of a major Middle Eastern country, saying, sions of sending the troops in, I’d have done ‘‘How can we keep the peace together?’’ I it again. believe you’ll see there’s a democracy move- Thank you. Great question. ment moving across the Middle East over Yes, sir. the next 10 years. Much of it’s going to be led by women who don’t want to be a second- Vision for the Future class citizen in any society. I think you’ll see Q. Good morning—I’m 14 years old, and a relationship between the United States and I was wondering what America is going to other great powers that will enable us to work be like in 10 years. [Laughter] together to be able to provide a stable plat- The President. Here’s what America form. needs to be like—maybe 20—[laughter]—10 What I hope you don’t see is a nation that to 20. You need to be driving an automobile loses its nerve and becomes isolationist and with hydrogen as the main source of power. protectionist. That’s one of my concerns, so And at the very least, with a hybrid—a plug- I put it in the State of the Union. It was in battery of a hybrid vehicle that will you such a concern that, instead of going with get—let you get the first 40 miles without the—here are the 29 things we’re going to using gasoline. In other words, between 10 do either for you or to you, it was—[laugh- to 20 years from now, we got to get off Mid- ter]—I talked about isolation and protec- dle Eastern oil. It’s a problem. tionism. It’s very important for this Nation You’ll be able to see a technology, a tech- to be a confident nation and to remain a lead- nology that will be able—enable you to con- er of the world. You cannot win the war on verse with somebody on long distance, and terror if you kind of pull back and say, let it seems like the person is right there in the somebody else deal with it. room with you. I saw that at Cisco. It’s an You can’t do your duty as a nation that amazing technology that will mean that edu- should subscribe to the theory that to whom cation changes to the better. You can hire much is given, much is required—and that a—you’ve got a—if you got yourself a State duty is to help deal with HIV/AIDS, for ex- like we got in Texas, that’s rural, you can ample, on the continent of Africa. We have get a chemistry professor from one of the a duty to help feed the hungry, in my judg- urban centers and put them on the screen, ment. and it’s like the professor is right in the room, What I hope you don’t see is a nation that teaching. There’s a way to husband re- loses its confidence in the capacity to trade sources. with countries like China. Hu Jintao was— You’ll have the capacity to interface with came to visit, and we had a wonderful visit people around the world in a real-time basis. with him. But I know there are some Ameri- You’ll be able to talk more clearly. Informa- cans who wonder whether or not it’s worth
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the effort to try to outcompete with China. And I don’t know if you’ve got them here They look at the statistics, and they worry in Orange County; I hope you do. I bet you about whether or not it is possible to com- do. You don’t have any? Well, get to working, pete with China. I say, you bet it’s possible Congressman. [Laughter] But that’s the best to compete with China. And not only can way, really, to be able to address the issue, we compete with China, if we have a level whether it be for an immigrant who is here playing field, we’ll do just fine. or anybody else that cannot afford health And so what I’m telling you is, I hope you care. The best place to get primary care is have a nation that at home, is one that is not the emergency rooms. And so we’ve got able to balance technology and ethical con- a comprehensive strategy. And we’re expand- cerns, a nation, by the way—I hope those ing them all across the country, and I’m sur- taxes remain low, see. One of the things you prised you don’t have one here. I bet you got to make sure—you got to have that prop- do, and you just don’t know it. And therefore, er balance between what Government really what needs to happen is, there needs to be needs and money in your pocket. a campaign to explain what’s available for And anyway—great question, by the way, people so that they don’t go to the emergency for a 14-year-old guy. I’m not so sure if I rooms. were 14, I’d have been able to get that ques- Yes, sir. tion out. I might have been a little nervous. [Laughter] Cuba Let’s see—yes, ma’am. Q. Mr. President, I emigrated from Cuba when I was about 9 years old—legally, I Community Health Centers might add. Q. First of all, I want to thank you for The President. Pedro Pan? Were you coming to Orange County. I don’t know who Pedro Pan? said it wasn’t a good idea, but I think it’s Q. No. a great idea. And we love you, so thank you The President. No? Okay. for being here. I very much support your im- Q. But anyway, besides marrying a won- migration plan. I think it’s a good framework. derful woman and having two great sons, But the one question I have—last year my coming to this great land is the best thing daughter fell and broke her hip—she’s 12. that has ever happened to me, and I appre- And it was 5 hours in the emergency room ciate your comments on immigration. And at the hospital before she could see a doctor. my question to you, Mr. President, is that And a lot of people in the ER were there I would like to go to Cuba, to travel, to see— because it was their primary medical facil- I want to go see my front door that was bul- ity—— let-riddled when they were fighting Batista’s The President. Correct. guys. And I can’t go there legally. And I don’t Q. So in your plan, how do you plan to understand, how can we trade with Viet- address health care and schools and so forth nam—we lost over 50,000 Americans that are really impacted? there—how can we trade with Communist The President. Community health cen- China, we can’t even go to Cuba? And I think ters. We—this administration, working with that if the borders were opened up with the Congress, has funded the expansion of Cuba and American enterprise got to go what’s called community health centers. down there, I think Castro would fall like Community health centers are places for the a rock off a cliff. And my question to you, poor and the indigent to get primary care sir, is why can’t we open—— so to do exactly what—to address the prob- The President. Okay, here’s why—— lem that you described, which is primary care Q. Yes. in emergency rooms are costly. They are— The President. Here’s why: Fidel Castro it’s not a cost-effective treatment—I guess has got the capacity to arbitrage your dollars it is once you get the treatment, but it’s not to the advantage of his administration. You cost-effective overall and, therefore, the ad- pay in dollars; he pays in Cuban money and vent of community health centers. collects the difference. So you go to a hotel
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in Havana. The money goes to the hotel, what’s really important about this issue is to which has kind of got a deal with the Govern- try to set aside all the emotion and think ment in order to be there in the first place, about how to solve the problem in a rational, and the workers get paid in a currency that’s calm way. worthless compared to the U.S. dollar. And But, no, it’s—people—obviously, if you’re he makes the balance. And so, in all due re- from—I was talking to a Congressman spect, I have taken the position that trade from—I don’t want to—they’ll start trying to with the country enables a tyrant to stay in find the guy, so I’m not going to give him power, as opposed to the opposite. If it’s hon- any hints, but—[laughter]. It’s a guy. Any- est disagreement of opinion—I fully recog- way, but he said, ‘‘My town was, like, a small nize—but that’s why I made the decision I number of minorities, and now it’s 50 per- made. And anyway, my preacher, by the way, cent Latino, and we don’t know what to do.’’ at St. John the Divine Church, is a guy who And this is a new phenomenon. This isn’t came from Cuba at about the same age you something that’s been around for decades. did. You look a little younger than he is— This is a brandnew phenomenon. And so but, nevertheless, that’s why. That’s why. there is a national concern about this issue; Yes, sir. it really is. And, obviously, it takes—it reflects the nature of the local community, gets— Immigration Reform flares up one way or another around the Q. As you said, you make a lot of important country. But it’s—there’s a lot of people talk- decisions on a day-by-day basis. I’m inter- ing about it. And it’s—we’ve got to get some- ested in the personal, as well as political, as- thing done. I want a comprehensive bill. I pects of your counsel. Do you know any ille- don’t want a—[applause]. gal-status individuals coming from Midland, Yes, sir, back there in the end-zone. Texas? What do they feel? And how do they counsel you on this? And also, politically, it’s Education an intensely State-specific issue. Are the States most affected by illegal immigration Q. Mr. President—for us to compete glob- speaking in a collective voice? ally, we need to get better in math and The President. Really good question. No, science. What do you see as the role of the I don’t believe I know anybody who is in Federal Government in that regard? Texas illegally. Had I hired somebody who The President. Yes, thanks. First, the role had been here illegally, I guarantee you’d of the Federal Government is to make sure have read about it. [Laughter] that we get it right at the early grades. And Isn’t that right, Elisabeth [Elisabeth that’s why I worked hard for and was ex- Bumiller, New York Times]? tremely proud to sign the No Child Left Be- The interesting thing about this issue is— hind Act. And the No Child Left Behind Act I want to be respectful in correcting you starts with these basic premises: One, chil- about the nature of the immigration de- dren can learn, and we ought to expect them bate—it is more widespread than you think. to learn. And I know that sounds simple. But It really is. It’s a—there’s a lot of States who that’s not the way it was in certain school have been affected and maybe impacted in districts. You look like a vet, and you know a much more different way than California full well that in certain school districts—just and Texas has been. Texas and California move them through, man. What mattered are—have had a history of Latino presence. was the age, not what—the level of knowl- It’s been a part of our heritage. And there’s edge. a—but there are many communities in the Secondly, that accountability can be used United States that for the first time are get- effectively, particularly if it’s designed at the ting to become acquainted with the Latino local level. In other words, you can use an heritage. And that probably impacts people accountability system to determine whether even more significantly than parts of Cali- a curriculum is working, or you can use an fornia and Texas; it really does. And so there accountability system to determine how your is a universal concern about the issue. And school district is doing relative to the school
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district next door to you. You can use an ac- rigor to eighth grade math and ninth grade countability system to determine whether or math—measure, find deficiencies, and pro- not we’re closing an achievement gap that vide extra money for school districts to make needs to be closed if America is going to be sure children get back up to speed. a promising place for all people—not just Secondly, it is very important for there to some, but all people. be role models in classrooms that basically And so I worked with both Republicans says, science and math are cool. They weren’t and Democrats—it actually can happen too cool when I was going to school, you sometimes in Washington that we’re able to know. And therefore, one of the things we work together—and passed the No Child can do is have adjunct professors in class- Left Behind Act, which said, in return for rooms. I went to a school with Margaret Federal money—in increasing amounts, by Spellings, who is the Secretary of Education, the way—on particularly Title I money, we in Maryland the other day, and there were expect you just to show us. We expect you two NASA scientists there. And part of their to measure. You notice I didn’t say, we expect job was not only to work at the NASA facility you to administer the test we designed. I’m close by but to go into classrooms, to say to a local-control-of-schools person, and I knew children, math and science are really impor- that if a Federal test were designed, it could tant for you. force people to behave according to the tests. Thirdly, AP works—Advanced Placement. In other words, you can cause people to lose I bet you’ve got some good AP teachers. The their independence if you’re the test de- Advanced Placement program is the way to signer. And so I said, California, design your set high standards for our children. And so, own test, and measure three through eight therefore, the Federal Government ought to and post the results for everybody to see so help train 70,000 AP teachers in classrooms. that concerned citizens, when they saw fail- That says, we believe in setting high stand- ure, would have something to say to the— ards; we ought not to accept a system that to you, ‘‘Change, or thank you for doing what doesn’t continue to raise the bar and measure you’re doing.’’ and to hold people to account. And as a result of measuring, I can report Finally, there’s—we’ve got an additional 1 to you that math scores and science scores million students on Pell grants. These are for fourth graders and reading scores—math grants to help people who can afford—can’t and reading scores for fourth graders and afford college, go to college. And they’re very eighth graders is on the rise, particularly important—it’s a very important tool to help amongst African American and Latino stu- people realize dreams. But I think we ought dents. to enhance the Pell grants for those who take Things are changing. It’s amazing what rigorous academics in high school for years happens when you say, there’s accountability one and two. And if you maintain a 3.0 grade- in the system. The problem is, as you know point-average and take science, math, or crit- full well, but others may not, is that when ical languages in third and fourth year of col- a child gets to high school, our math and lege, you ought to get an additional $4,000 science skills, relative to other countries in on top of your Pell grant. the world, is abysmal. And it’s not right. And There is a strategy; the strategy of the Fed- we’re not going to be able to compete suc- eral Government is a part of the strategy. cessfully for the jobs of the 21st century. So The local school district is an integral part here’s the strategy: Apply the same rigor in of the strategy. Thanks for being a super- math that we’ve applied in reading. intendent, appreciate it. And here’s what happens in early grades Yes, sir. in reading: If you don’t pass the test, there is supplemental service money to enable a Highway Infrastructure/Levees in child to get up to speed. In other words, we California diagnose the problem, and we’re actually Q. I’m a civil engineer, and we recently providing money to solve the problem, and put out a report card for the Nation’s infra- it’s paying off. They ought to apply the same structure and—by the American Society of
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Civil Engineers. It was abysmal, is a word issue. It’s a Federal responsibility and a State that you’ve used. And we’re really concerned and local responsibility. And I, frankly, feel that our Nation is coming to a crisis on its like we’ve upheld our responsibility at the infrastructure. And yet we seem to have Federal level with the highway bill. There problems with the Federal Government are other infrastructures we got to get built. coming up with the funds that we need for We need a broadband highway all across the various parts of our transportation and America if we’re going to end up being a our water resources. competitive nation. I talked about the ability The President. Well, I appreciate that to be able to converse in real-time—speedy very much. We passed a pretty good sized and very fast ways. But that requires us to highway bill—like really big. And it’s a 6-year make sure that broadband is effectively dis- bill, and so it’s—we’ve got 5 more years to tributed all across the country—not just in run on it. But it was a pretty interesting strug- big cities but out in rural America as well. gle about how much to spend and how much And we’re working hard to—on right-of-way not to spend. And I think if you look at the issues and other issues to get broadband ex- history of that highway bill, pretty much the tensively spread throughout the country. bill I signed was more than some thought Yes, sir. was necessary. I did talk to your Governor about an im- Immigration Reform portant subject, and that’s the levees. And I appreciated his time the other day when Q. Mr. President, I want to thank you for I was in—up there in Cisco Systems. And being here in Orange County. In your first we talked about the levees, and I said, we term you came to Santa Ana, if you re- want to help. He’s committed, by the way, call—— to the—to rebuilding the infrastructure of The President. Yes. California. It’s a good, strong commitment. Q. ——we met with you at the Bowers And it’s what Governors do; they lead. But Museum—it was a wonderful chat we’ve had he said, ‘‘Look, we need to work together with several of the leadership. Your honor, on this,’’ and what he wanted—what they— I—I’m calling you ‘‘your honor’’ already— his office suggested is that we allow the State [laughter]—anyway, we believe, as you know, of California to use the Corps of Engineers the Latino community is America. to pay the Federal share of levee rebuilding The President. Por cierto. when the water goes down, and then through Q. Por cierto, exactamente. And we believe the budget process, reimburse the State of that the effort that you’re putting forth as California. I agreed to that. a comprehensive legislation is what we need In other words, he—the Governor is con- in this country. We believe that the economy cerned about being able to get started is going to be great. We believe that the issue enough on levee—quick enough on levee re- that has been raised about the possible pairs so we don’t waste time. And part of changes and possible funding for many infra- the concern is there’s a sharing arrangement structures as well as emergency services will between the Federal Government and the be there, because we’re going to make these State government. And so I said, advance the people to pay taxes, just like you and I. So State share—advance the Federal share we thank you for that. through State money, and we’ll reimburse We just want to ask you a question. What you. That’s an important beginning. In other is it that we need to do, and you need to words, the funding match is not an excuse. do, to make sure Congress will pass this com- And secondly, he needs regulatory relief prehensive immigration bill? from Federal law and State law in order to The President. Well, that’s starting right be able to take advantage of the dry season here. You know, they’ve been on vacation to get the levees done. And so we’re working and now starting to work the issue. And one with him on that. way to work it: Stand right here in front of And—but, no, I appreciate your concern. these cameras in California, talking about it It’s a—infrastructure is always a difficult in a candid way. And I’m going to do my
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part to continue to call this Nation to respon- Remarks at a Luncheon for sible dialog and remind the United States Congressional Candidate Jon Porter Congress, we need to get a comprehensive in Las Vegas, Nevada bill passed. April 24, 2006 The state of play right now is, the Senate Thank you all very much. Please be seated. reached an important compromise, I Thank you, Jon, for your kind introduction. thought, and it was—they had a chance to First of all, I want to thank you all for sup- get a bill; it just got caught up in, in my judg- porting Jon Porter. I’ve gotten to know him ment, needless politics. One of the problems well. He’s the kind of person who does in we face in Washington is we’ve got too much office that which he says he’s going to do needless politics. We got people who aren’t on the campaign trail. He’s a straight shooter, willing to—they want to play—they want to plain talker, who is getting the job done for make the other person look bad, as opposed the people of Nevada, and you need to send him back to the United States Congress. to make the country look good. And I’m You know, when you find somebody who going to continue to call people, whether it can get the job done, somebody who focuses be on Social Security reform or immigration on results, somebody who doesn’t play that reform, to think about the country first and Washington, DC, game of empty rhetoric put our political parties aside. And I’m con- and harsh talk and severe condemnation, it fident, if we can do that, we’ll come up with seems like it makes sense to give him a a rational plan that will make the country chance to continue to serve you in the United proud. States Congress. This is a man who has per- formed while in office. And there’s no doubt I’d like to stay here all day, but I got to in my mind, he’s one of the rising stars in go to Vegas. [Laughter] Something about the United States Congress. Jon Porter de- what goes on there, stays there—or some- serves to be reelected. thing like that. God bless you. Thanks for I not only feel that way, but Laura feels letting me come. that way. She sends her very best. The truth of the matter is Porter said, ‘‘Why don’t we invite Laura and leave you at home, George W.’’ [Laughter] The guy has got good taste. NOTE: The President spoke at 9:14 a.m. at the But Laura is doing great. She sends her very Hyatt Regency Irvine. In his remarks, he referred best to our friends here in Nevada. I’m a to Thomas Phelps, chairman of the board, and lucky man to have her by my side during Lucetta Dunn, president, chief executive officer, these incredibly important times. And I’m and secretary, Orange County Business Council; lucky to have a fellow like Jon Porter in the Catherine Campbell, wife of Representative John United States Congress to work together to Campbell; Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa of Los make this country more secure, more pros- Angeles, CA; Mayor Beverly O’Neill of Long perous, and more hopeful for all our citizens. Beach, CA; Mayor Curt Pringle of Anaheim, CA; So, I appreciate the elected officials from Rick Warren, pastor, Saddleback Church, Lake this great State being here, starting with your Forest, CA; Usama bin Laden, leader of the Al Qaida terrorist organization; President Jalal Governor. Governor, it’s great to see you. Talabani, Speaker of Parliament Mahmoud al- Thanks for serving. Kenny Guinn, good Mashhadani, and Prime Minister-designate Jawad buddy, good friend, who’s done a fine job al-Maliki of Iraq; former California State Senator for this important State. I also am proud to James L. Brulte; Gen. Tommy R. Franks, USA, be here with the United States Senator John (Ret.), former combatant commander, U.S. Cen- Ensign. Senator Ensign, I appreciate you tral Command; President Hu Jintao of China; being here. Thanks for bringing Darlene. Ap- President Fidel Castro of Cuba; and Gov. Arnold preciate you coming, Darlene. Ensign is a A. Schwarzenegger of California. The Office of straight shooter too. He’s a really good man. the Press Secretary also released a Spanish lan- He deserves to be reelected to the United guage transcript of these remarks. States Senate from this important State.
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Congressman Jim Gibbons from up have discussions with them. The only way to north—good to see you, Jimmy. Thanks for deal with this enemy is to stay on the offense coming. Proud you’re here. The Lieutenant and bring them to justice, which is precisely Governor Lorraine Hunt is with us. Madam why I need Congressmen like Jon Porter by Lieutenant Governor, thank you. The sec- my side. retary of state, Dean Heller—it’s good to see Today we saw again that the terrorists are you, Mr. Secretary. Thanks for coming. willing to try to define the world the way Former Governor Bob List and his son Rob- they want to see it. There was bombings ert is here. Governor, thanks for coming. today in Egypt. I strongly condemn the Party Chairman Paul Adams—I’m glad killings that took place, the innocent life lost you’re here, Mr. Chairman. in Egypt. It was a heinous act against inno- I want to thank all the grassroots activists cent civilians. The United States sends our who are here. You’re the people who are condolences to the families of those who going to be putting up the signs and making were killed. We keep those who were injured the phone calls and turning out the vote. See, in our thoughts and prayers. And I assure what matters in these elections is, obviously, the enemy this: We will stay on the offense; ability to get yourself on TV, but equally im- we will not waver; we will not tire; we will portant is the need to make sure people go bring you to justice for the sake of peace and to the polls. And it’s really important to rally humanity. those at the grassroots. And I want to thank I need people in Congress who understand you for the work that you have done, and the nature of this enemy. There are some I thank you for the work you’re going to do that kind of feel like maybe these folks are to make sure this good man gets reelected just kind of angry citizens of the world who to the United States Congress. occasionally lash out. No, these folks are I also thank you all very much for contrib- bound by a common ideology. They’re totali- uting to Jon’s campaign. Those of us who tarian in nature. They’ve usurped a great reli- have run for office know full well that you gion to justify their acts of murder. They have can’t possibly win without the support of peo- territorial ambitions. They have designs. ple. And I’ve been blessed to have a lot of They believe that those of us in free societies good folks here in the State of Nevada sup- are weak, and it’s just a matter of time before port my candidacies, for which I am most we lose our nerve and withdraw. I am not grateful. As I look around the room, I see going to lose my nerve. I’m going to stay on many of you who have been to some of these the offense. I will protect the American peo- fundraisers before on my behalf, and I thank ple. And I need people like Jon Porter who you for keeping coming back for Jon’s sake. understand the stakes and stands by my side. But I really appreciate you helping him. It’s The central front on the war on terror is not easy to serve in public office these days, now Iraq. It is the place that the enemy has but it makes it a lot easier when good folks decided to fight the forces of freedom and such as yourself are willing to stand by good liberty and peace. It’s really important for people who are willing to run for office. And those of us who represent you to take seri- so thanks for coming. Thanks for supporting ously the words of the enemy. The enemy Jon. has made it clear that it’s just a matter of We’ve got some things to do. I appreciate time before the United States leaves Iraq so a person who runs for office because he that they’re able to achieve their objective, wants to get some things done. The most im- which is to have a safe haven from which portant thing we’ve got to do is to protect to launch attacks against moderate Muslim the American people. Our most important nations, and from which to launch attacks job—[applause]—as we learned firsthand on against the United States of America and our September the 11th, there’s an enemy that allies. That’s what they have said. lurks, that would like to destroy America be- The bad news for the enemy is that there cause of what we stand for. And they’re are thousands and thousands and thousands tough, and they are vicious. There’s no need of Iraqis who want to be free, who want to to try to ration with them or sit down and live in a unified society free of violence so
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their children can grow up in a hopeful of the Government to support the United world. I happen to believe—and a lot of my States military. foreign policy is driven by my strong belief We’ve not only had some big challenges that liberty is universal, that all people desire abroad, challenges that we will continue to to be free, and that when you free people confront head on, but we’ve had challenges it is the best way to defeat an ideology of here at home too. You might remember, al- hate and hopelessness. Free societies will be though it may seem like a long time ago, but peaceful societies. Free societies will listen this country’s economy has been through a to the hopes and aspirations of their people. lot. We went through a recession, a stock And one of the most amazing things that’s market correction, corporate scandals, a ter- happening now is that a country that was rorist attack on our country, a war in Afghani- under the thumb of a brutal tyrant is now stan and Iraq, major natural disasters. But emerging as a young, strong democracy. And we acted. Some of them like to talk in Wash- the United States of America stands with ington, but we acted. We cut the taxes on them. the American people. We cut the taxes on When I was in Palm Springs, I had the small-business owners. We understand most opportunity and the privilege to speak to the jobs are created by small-business owners President of Iraq, the new Speaker of the and that when somebody has more money Iraqi Assembly, and the Prime Minister-des- in their pocket to save, invest, and spend, ignate. One is a Kurd, one is a Sunni, and this economy grows. Our progrowth eco- one is a Shi’a—all three of whom expressed nomic policies are working. their great appreciation for America and the Today, the United States of America is sacrifices this country has made. All three of growing faster than any major industrialized them talked about unifying their country to nation in the world. Our unemployment rate achieve a grand objective, and all three of nationwide is 4.7 percent; the unemployment them talked about the responsibility they have to make sure that the 12 million people rate in the State of Nevada is 3.8 percent; who went to the polls are represented by a 5.1 million new jobs have been added since government of, by, and for the Iraqi people. August 2003. Real after-tax income, the in- We’re on our way to victory. The only way come in the working people’s pockets, is up that we will lose in this central front on the over 8 percent for Americans since 2001. war on terror is if we lose our nerve, is if Productivity is high. Small businesses are we don’t understand the great values that can growing. More people own a home than ever help transform the world. It’s important for before in our Nation’s history. This economy me to have people in the United States Con- is strong, and we intend to keep it that way. gress who don’t listen to polls and focus Oh, you’re going to hear all kinds of talk groups but stand strong for what they think out of Washington, DC, in this campaign— we’re doing right. What we have done in Iraq ‘‘Oh, don’t worry, all we’re going to do is is right, and we will achieve victory in Iraq, just tax the rich.’’ We’ve heard that kind of and Jon Porter understands that. rhetoric before. Here’s what I think we ought And finally, it’s really important to have to do to keep this economy growing: I think people in Congress who understand that we need to make the tax cuts we passed per- when we put a man or a woman in harm’s manent, and Jon Porter understands that. way, they deserve the full support of the You wait till these campaigns get going here United States Government. I want to thank around the country—‘‘Well, we need to bal- Congressman Porter for standing strong for ance the budget by raising your taxes.’’ That’s those who wear our uniform. We will make not the way it works in Washington, DC. Yes, sure our troops have got the best training, they’ll raise the taxes all right, but they’ll fig- the best pay, the best possible equipment so ure out new ways to spend your money. The they can achieve their mission. The people best way to balance this budget is to keep of the 3d Congressional District of Nevada progrowth economic policies in place and be must make sure you have a Congressman like wise about how we spend your money, and Jon Porter who understands the obligations Jon Porter understands that.
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I also want to thank you for helping on on the breakthrough of major technologies the line-item veto. That makes a lot of sense, that will enable us to have plug-in batteries doesn’t it, to give the President the chance and hybrid vehicles that will enable you to to make sure that the taxpayers are well rep- drive your first 40 miles without using a drop resented in Washington, DC. I need fiscally of gasoline; that we’ll be fueling our cars as sound people in our Nation’s Capital, and Jon a result of fuels made from switch grass— Porter is just such a Congressman. we’re already doing it from corn—but from Let me talk about another issue right other raw materials; that we’ll have hydro- quick. I spent a little time in California, gen-powered fuel cells within a 10-year pe- which, by the way, was a fantastic experience. riod of time. I need people in the United One of the problems that I’m concerned States Congress who are farsighted, who un- about is a nation that loses our nerve—that derstand the power of technology to make we become isolationist and protectionist, that sure we become less dependent on foreign we don’t want to have any competition with sources of oil. anybody else, that we begin to wall ourselves Finally, let me talk right quick about off. That’s not what I think. I think it’s really important that we remain the economic lead- health care, and then I’ll liberate you. There’s er in the world, for the sake of our folks, a stark choice in Washington, DC, amongst that we want to be preeminent when it comes the elected officials there. There’s a group to economic policy. of folks up there who believe that the Federal And so I was spending time talking about Government ought to make all the decisions two issues that I think you’ll find interesting. for health care. They ought to tell you who I know Jon is a strong supporter. One is to the—what doctor you see and what proce- make sure that we’re the technology country dures you can get. And they’ll pay for it, of of the world, that we’re on the leading edge course. And that sounds really attractive, but of change. The Federal Government needs I strongly reject that federalizing medicine to double its commitment to basic research— will make our health care system better. And research in the basic sciences, so that we’re Jon joins me in that. The best health care continuing to be the innovative—innovators system is one that takes care of the elderly of the world. We’ve got to be technologically and the poor and leaves the decisions in competent. We’ve got to continue to lead. health care between the patients and the We need to make the research and devel- doctors. And that’s the kind of health care opment tax credit a permanent part of the system we strongly support. Tax Code. And we got to make sure that our Now, I understand hospitals being crowd- kids have got the basics in math and science, ed, emergency rooms being crowded with so that the jobs of the 21st century stay right people, and that’s not a good use of our here in America. And Jon Porter understands health care system. And that’s why Jon and the call. I are strong supporters of community health We also got to do something about oil. You care centers. These are really important fa- know, I know gas prices are high. There’s cilities where the poor and the indigent can no magic wand to wave. We’ll make sure that get primary care without straining the emer- the energy companies are pricing their prod- gency rooms of the hospitals. uct fairly. If we catch them gouging, if we catch them—unfair trade practices, we’ll deal We also understand we got a commitment with them at the Federal Government. That’s to our seniors. Listen, the Medicare system what you expect the Federal Government to was really an important system, but it needed do. But it’s a sign for the American people reform; it needed a change. We’d pay to understand that we got to do something $28,000 for ulcer surgery but not a dime for about our dependence upon oil. the pharmaceuticals that would prevent the Now, I appreciate Jon supporting the en- ulcer surgery from being needed in the first ergy bill that we passed, which is a good, place. It made no sense to have a health care comprehensive approach. But there’s more system that was stuck in the past when medi- to do. I’m absolutely convinced that we’re cine was becoming so modern.
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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 United States 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 Nevada; Dar- Things are illegible. It’s a very inefficient sys- lene Ensign, wife of Sen. John Ensign 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 United States Congress 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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the peace for generations to come. And a Gasoline price increases are like a hidden free Iraq will be a major defeat for the terror- tax on the working people. They’re like a tax ists who still want to do us harm. on our farmers. They’re like a tax on small We’ve got good news here at home on the businesses. Energy prices are—energy ex- economic front too. This economy of ours perts predict gas prices are going to remain is growing, and the entrepreneurial spirit in high throughout the summer, and that’s America is strong. We’ve cut the taxes for going to be a continued strain on the Amer- everybody who paid income taxes, and that ican people. tax relief is getting results. Last year, our And so the fundamental question is, what economy grew faster than any major industri- are we going to do? What can the Govern- alized nation. Since August of 2003, this ment do? One of the past responses by Gov- economy of ours has created 5.1 million new ernment, particularly from the party of which jobs. The unemployment rate nationwide is I am not a member, has been to have—to 4.7 percent. That’s lower than the average propose price fixing or increase the taxes. rate of the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s. The Those plans haven’t worked in the past. I American people are working. think we need to follow suit on what we have Farm income is up. Agricultural exports been emphasizing, particularly through the are growing. Real after-tax income is up over energy bill, and that is to encourage con- 8 percent per American since 2001. Produc- servation, to expand domestic production, and to develop alternative sources of energy tivity is high. More people own a home than like ethanol. ever before in our Nation’s history. This Signing the energy bill was one thing, and economy is strong, and we intend to keep I want to thank the Members of Congress it that way. And one way to keep it that way for getting a comprehensive energy bill to is to make the tax cuts permanent. my desk, but there’s a lot more to be done. Yet amongst this hopeful—these hopeful First thing is to make sure that the American signs, there’s an area of serious concern, and consumers are treated fairly at the gas pump. that is high energy prices. And the prices that Americans understand, by and large, that the people are paying at the gas pumps reflect price of crude oil is going up and that the our addiction to oil. Addiction to oil is a mat- prices are going up, but what they don’t want ter of national security concerns. After all, and will not accept is manipulation of the today we get about 60 percent of our oil from market. And neither will I. foreign countries. That’s up from 20 years The Federal Trade Commission is inves- ago where we got oil from—about 25 percent tigating whether price of gasoline has been of our oil came from foreign countries. Now unfairly manipulated in any way. I’m also di- part of the problem is, is that some of the recting the Department of Justice to work nations we rely on for oil have unstable gov- with the FTC and the Energy Department ernments or agendas that are hostile to the to conduct inquiries into illegal manipulation United States. These countries know we or cheating related to the current gasoline need their oil, and that reduces our influ- prices. The FTC and the Attorney General ence, our ability to keep the peace in some are contacting 50 State attorney generals to areas. And so energy supply is a matter of offer technical assistance, to urge them to in- national security. It’s also a matter of eco- vestigate possible illegal price manipulation nomic security. within their jurisdictions. In other words, this What people are seeing at their gasoline administration is not going to tolerate manip- pumps reflects the global economy in which ulation. We expect our consumers to be we live. See, when demand for oil goes up treated fairly. in China or India, two fast-growing econo- To reduce gas prices, our energy compa- mies, it affects the price of oil nation—world- nies have got a role to play. Listen, at record wide. And when the price of crude oil goes prices, these energy companies have got up, because it’s such an important part of large cash flows, and they need to reinvest the price of gasoline, the average citizen sees those cash flows into expanding refining ca- the price of gasoline go up at the pump. pacity or researching alternative energy
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sources or developing new technologies or clean diesel vehicles sold this year eligible expanding production in environmentally for Federal tax credits. We want to encour- friendly ways. That’s what the American peo- age people to make wise choices when it ple expect. We expect there to be strong re- comes to the automobiles they drive. investment to help us with our economic se- Third part of the plan to confront high gas curity needs and our national security needs. prices is to boost our supplies of crude oil Record oil prices and large cash flows also and gasoline. It makes sense when—the sup- mean that Congress has got to understand ply-and-demand world, if prices are high, it that these energy companies don’t need un- means demand is greater than supply. One necessary tax breaks like the writeoffs of cer- way to ease price is to increase supply. One tain geological and geophysical expenditures immediate way we can signal to people we’re or the use of taxpayers’ money to subsidize serious about increasing supply is to stop energy companies’ research into deep-water making purchases or deposits to the Strategic drilling. I’m looking forward to Congress to Petroleum Reserve for a short period of time. take about $2 billion of these tax breaks out I’ve directed the Department of Energy to of the budget over a 10-year period of time. defer filling the reserve this summer. Our Cash flows are up. Taxpayers don’t need to strategic reserve is sufficiently large enough be paying for certain of these expenses on to guard against any major supply disruption behalf of the energy companies. over the next few months. So by deferring Second part of a good plan is—to confront deposits until the fall, we’ll leave a little more high gasoline prices, is to promote greater oil on the market. Every little bit helps. fuel efficiency. And the easiest way to pro- We also need to ensure that there are not mote fuel efficiency is to encourage drivers needless restrictions on our ability to get gas- to purchase highly efficient hybrid or clean oline to the pump. Under Federal quality— diesel vehicles which, by the way, can run air quality laws, some areas of the country on alternative energy sources. Hybrid vehi- are required to use fuel blend called refor- cles run on a combination of a traditional en- mulated gasoline. Now, as you well know, gine and an electric battery. The twin sources this year we’re going—undergoing a rapid of power allow hybrid cars and trucks to trav- transition in the primary ingredient in refor- el about twice as far on a gallon of fuel as mulated gas—from MTBE to ethanol. And gasoline-only vehicles. When people are driv- I appreciate the role the ethanol producers ing hybrids, they’re conserving energy. are playing to meet this challenge. You’re Clean diesel vehicles take advantage of ad- playing a vital role. vances in diesel technology to run on 30 per- Yet State and local officials in some parts cent less fuel than gasoline vehicles do. More of our country worry about supply disruption than 200,000 hybrid and clean diesel vehicles for the short term. They worry about the sud- were sold in the United States last year. It’s den change from MTBE to ethanol—the the highest sales in history. Congress wisely, ethanol producers won’t be able to meet the in the energy bill, expanded a tax credit for demand. And that’s causing the price of gaso- purchases of hybrids and clean diesel vehi- line to go up some amount in their jurisdic- cles up to—as much as up to $3,400 per pur- tions. chase. That made sense. And some have contacted us to determine If we’re trying to conserve energy, if we whether or not they can ask the EPA to waive want to become less dependent on oil, let’s local fuel requirements on a temporary basis. provide incentives for consumers to use less And I think it makes sense that they should energy. The problem is that these tax credits be allowed to. So I’m directing EPA Admin- apply to only a limited number of hybrid and istrator Johnson to use all his available au- clean diesel vehicles for each manufacturer. thority to grant waivers that would relieve If the automakers sell more than their limit, critical fuel supply shortages. And I do that new purchasers are not eligible for the full for the sake of our consumers. If Johnson tax credit. And so here’s an idea that can— finds that he needs more authority to relieve gets more of these vehicles on the road, and the problem, we’re going to work with Con- that is to have Congress make all hybrid and gress to obtain the authority he needs.
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Secondly, we also need to confront the guarantee refinery construction permits will larger problem of too many localized fuel be processed within a single year. blends, which are called boutique fuels. The We also need to be mindful of the fact number of boutique fuels has expanded rap- that we can find additional crude oil in our idly over the years, and America now has an own country in environmentally friendly uncoordinated and overly complex set of fuel ways. The technology is such that we’re capa- rules. And when you have a uncoordinated, ble of environmentally sensitive exploration. overly complex set of fuel rules, it tends to We got tight crude oil supplies, and it seems cause the price to go up. like it makes sense for us to use our new And so I’m asking Director—directing Ad- technologies to find more crude, particularly ministrator Johnson to bring the Governors crude here at home. together to form a task force on boutique One of the issues that you know, that has fuels. And the mission of this task force will been confronting Congress is ANWR. And be to find ways to reduce the number of bou- I fully recognize that the passage of ANWR tique fuels and to increase cooperation be- will not increase the oil supply immediately. tween States on gasoline supply decisions. I But it’s also important to understand that if want to simplify the process for the sake of ANWR had been law a decade ago, America our consumers. And then I’m asking them would be producing about a million addi- to get these recommendations to my desk, tional barrels of oil a day, and that would and I look forward to working with the increase our current level of domestic supply United States Congress to simplify the proc- by 20 percent. We’ve got to be wise about ess. energy policy here in America. We’ve got to make sure that we protect the environment, Listen, we need to expand our refining ca- but we’ve also got to make sure that we find pacity. One of the problems we face is that additional supplies of crude oil in order to we’ve got tight supplies because we haven’t take the pressure off the price of crude, expanded refining capacity. There hasn’t which takes the pressure off the price of gas- been a new refinery built in 30 years. If oline at the pump. you’re worried about the price of gasoline And all I’ve outlined here today are in- at the pump, it makes sense to try to get terim strategies—short-term and interim more supply to the market. That will be ben- strategy. The truth of the matter is, the long- eficial for American consumers, to get more term strategy is to power our automobiles supply to the market. with something other than oil, something Part of the reasons why we haven’t ex- other than gasoline, which is derived from panded or built new refineries to the extent oil. we need to is because the permitting process And we’re making progress. In my State in this country is extremely complicated. of the Union Address, I talked about the Ad- Companies that want to upgrade their equip- vanced Energy Initiative. And this is an ag- ment or expand their existing refineries or gressive plan, a wise way of using taxpayers’ build new ones often have to wade through money to get us off our addiction to oil. We long, bureaucratic delays and/or lawsuits. To have a unique opportunity to continue for- make this gasoline supply more affordable ward with this plan. and more secure, Congress needs to allow Technology is the way, really, to help us— refiners to make modifications on their refin- to help change America for the better. Years eries without having to wait for years to get of investment in fuels like ethanol have put something—to get their idea approved. I us on the threshold of major breakthroughs. mean, if we want more supply, let’s reduce And those breakthroughs are becoming a re- the paperwork and the regulations. ality for our consumers. I set a goal to replace Congress also needs to simplify and speed oil from around the world. The best way and up the permitting process for refinery con- the fastest way to do so is to expand the use struction and expansion. And so I’m going of ethanol. to work with Congress. It’s important for The Advanced Energy Initiative is focused Congress to cut through the red tape and on three promising ways to reduce gasoline
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consumption. One is increasing the use of sumption. It’s a good—ethanol is good for ethanol; another is improving hybrid vehi- the whole country, and we’ve been—[ap- cles; and finally, one is developing hydrogen plause]. I thought you’d like that. [Laughter] technology. All three go hand in hand; all The ethanol industry is booming. It must three are an important part of a strategy to be exciting to have worked for as long as you help us diversify away from hydrocarbons. have on encouraging alternative sources of Ethanol is—has got the largest potential energy and then all of a sudden see the work for immediate growth. Most people may not come to fruition. know this, but today, most of ethanol pro- Last year, America used a record 4 billion duced in America today is from corn. Most gallons of ethanol. There are now 97 ethanol vehicles can use 10 percent ethanol—in their refineries in our country, and 9 of those are automobiles. expanding. And 35 more are under construc- What’s interesting that Americans don’t tion. The ethanol industry is on the move, realize, with a little bit of expenditure, we and America is better off for it. can convert a—kind of, the standard auto- Many of these refineries are in the Mid- mobile to what’s called a flex-fuel auto- west, the Midwest because that is where the mobile. And that flex-fuel vehicle can use source of that—the feedstock for ethanol ethanol that is—or fuel that is 85 percent comes from. That happens to be corn. But ethanol. It’s amazing, isn’t it? Without much what’s really interesting is, there are new cost, your automobile can be converted to plants springing up in unexpected areas like be able to burn fuel with 85 percent ethanol, the Central Valley of California or Arizona or a product made from corn grown right or, of course, in the sugar fields of Hawaii. here in America. After all, sugar is also an important—can be Ethanol is a versatile fuel, and the benefits used for ethanol. As a matter of fact, it’s a are—the benefits are easy to recognize when very efficient feedstock for ethanol. you think about it. One, the use of ethanol Ethanol required our support. In other in our automobiles is good for the agricul- words, to get this new industry going, it re- tural sector. I’m one of these people who be- quired a little nudge from the Federal Gov- lieves when the agricultural sector is strong, ernment. Since I took office, we’ve extended America is strong. The way I like to put it, the tax credit to 51 cents per gallon for sup- it would be a good thing when a President pliers. We’ve created a new 10-cent per gal- can sit there and say, ‘‘Gosh, we’ve got a lot lon tax credit to provide extra help to small of corn, and it means we’re less dependent ethanol producers and farmers, provided $85 on foreign sources of oil.’’ million of loans and grants for the ethanol Years back, they’d say, ‘‘Oh, gosh, we’ve business ventures. got a lot of corn, worried about the price.’’ In other words, this is a collaborative ef- Ethanol is good for our rural communities. fort. The Federal Government has got a role It’s good economic development for rural to play to encourage new industries that will America. New bio-refinery construction cre- help this Nation diversify away from oil. And ates jobs and local tax revenues. When the so we’re strongly committed to corn-based farmer—when the family farmer is doing ethanol produced in America. Yet there— well, it’s good for the local merchants. you got to recognize there are limits to how Ethanol is good for the environment. I much corn can be used for ethanol. After keep emphasizing that we can be good stew- all, we got to eat some, and the animals have ards of our environment and, at the same got to eat. time, continue with our economic expansion. And so I am committed to furthering tech- And ethanol will help meet that strategy. You nological research to find other ways, other don’t have to choose between good environ- sources for ethanol. We’re working on re- ment and good economics. You can have search—strong research to figure out cel- both by the use of technology. And ethanol lulosic ethanol that can be made from wood is an example of what I’m talking about. And chips or stalks or switch grass. These mate- ethanol is good for drivers. Ethanol is home- rials are sometimes waste products and are grown. Ethanol will replace gasoline con- just simply thrown away. And doesn’t it make
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sense for us—I think it does—to use tax- And we’re pretty close to a breakthrough. payers’ money to determine whether or not We believe we’re close to a technology that we can use these new—these raw materials will make it possible to drive up to 40 miles to make something out of nothing, so that on electricity alone. And then if you have to we continue the advance of ethanol, so the drive more than 40, then your gasoline kicks market for ethanol expands throughout the in. United States. But you can imagine what that will mean We’re spending—I proposed, and I’m for a lot of drivers in big cities who, on a working with these members of the Renew- daily basis, they don’t drive over 40 miles. able Caucus—$150 million in next year’s And so therefore, a lot of drivers that are budget for research in advanced forms of going back and forth from work in big cities ethanol. And that’s a significant increase over won’t be using gasoline. And that’s going to previous levels. I think it makes sense. And help. We’ve got $31 million in our budget surely the prices at the gas pump should say to speed up research and development into to the taxpayer, it makes sense for this Gov- advanced battery technologies. ernment to spend money on research and And finally, one other opportunity that is development to find alternative sources of more long-run than ethanol or biodiesel or energy. plug-in hybrid vehicles or encouraging peo- I also support biodiesel fuel, which can ple to buy the hybrids that are on the market today, is hydrogen—we’re spending about substitute for regular diesel in cars, trucks, $1.2 billion over 5 years to research the use buses, and farm equipment. Last year, I went of hydrogen to power vehicles. And it makes out to see a biodiesel refinery in Virginia a lot of sense when you think about it, be- that’s making clean-burning fuel from soy- cause hydrogen produces zero emissions. bean oil. And it was a really interesting proc- The only emission it produces is water. And ess to watch. I don’t know if you know this when I was out there in California, I visited or not, but they’re able to use waste products the California Fuel Cell Partnership and saw like recycled cooking grease to manufacture buses and cars and SUVs that are driving on biodiesel. In other words, research and de- the highways out there powered by hydro- velopment has led to new alternative sources gen. And the research and development of energy like biodiesel. So that’s one of the money that we have spent has lowered the reasons why I signed into law the first ever cost of hydrogen fuel cells; it’s helped make Federal tax credit for biodiesel producers. In them lighter. In other words, there’s an in- other words, we’re interested in addressing dustry coming, and it’s an industry that will our energy security needs on a variety of enable consumers to drive to work, just like fronts. It makes sense for the United States we’re doing today, but not rely on foreign to have a comprehensive strategy to help us sources of oil. diversify away from oil. What I’m describing to you today is a strat- And so we also have got to understand that egy that recognizes the realities of the world we got to research not only to find—to invest in which we live. Our dependency on oil has in ethanol and biodiesel, but part of a com- created economic security issues for us and prehensive strategy is to spend money on re- national security issues for us. And therefore, searching new battery technologies. And one this country must use our brainpower and of the really interesting opportunities avail- entrepreneurial spirit to diversify away from able for the American consumer will be the the hydrocarbon economy. You all have ability to buy a plug-in hybrid vehicle that known this a lot longer than most Americans. will be able to drive up to 40 miles on elec- You’ve known that we’ve needed to have this tricity. Seems to make sense to me, if we’re strategy, and that’s why you’re on the fore- trying to get us off gasoline, with crude oil front of incredible changes that are taking as the main—as its main feedstock, then why place in this country. wouldn’t we explore ways to be able to have You know, there’s no doubt in my mind vehicles that use less gasoline? And one way that one of these days, instead of people driv- to do so is to use electricity to power vehicles. ing up to a gas station, they’re going to be
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going up to a fueling station. And they’ll be working in the field need to know, there is able to have choices to choose from. Got a a bipartisan desire for us to be successful in hydrogen-powered car, you’ll be able to have this very important theater in the war on ter- that choice. If you want 85 percent, maybe ror. someday 100 percent ethanol, that will be I want to thank you, Senators, for coming. an option available too. I appreciate your time. Thank you for your We owe it to the American people to be interest in this vital subject. aggressive on price gouging now. We owe it to the American people to be promoting NOTE: The President spoke at 12:24 p.m. in the alternative ways to drive their car so as to Roosevelt Room at the White House. A tape was make us less dependent on foreign sources not available for verification of the content of of oil. We owe it to the American people these remarks. to be aggressive in the use of technology so we can diversify away from the hydrocarbon Remarks on Presenting the society. And that’s precisely what we’re doing, and I’m glad to stand with you. Commander in Chief’s Trophy to the United States Naval Academy I appreciate your work for the United Midshipmen States of America. Thank you for letting me come by and talk to you, and may God bless April 25, 2006 you. Thank you. Be seated. Welcome to the White House. For you Navy fans, it’s wel- NOTE: The President spoke at 10:10 a.m. at the come to the White House again. [Laughter] Marriott Wardman Park Hotel. In his remarks, I am so honored to welcome the Midshipmen he referred to Bob Dineen, president and chief from the United States Naval Academy here executive officer, Renewable Fuels Association; Prime Minister Tony Blair of the United King- to the Rose Garden, and I congratulate you dom; and President Jalal Talabani, Speaker of Par- for winning your third straight Commander liament Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, and Prime in Chief Trophy. Minister-designate Jawad al-Maliki of Iraq. The I also want to announce that Coach John- Office of the Press Secretary also released a Span- son is now a member of the White House ish language transcript of these remarks. Frequent Visitors Club. [Laughter] I appreciate, like a lot of Americans, the football rivalry between our military acad- Remarks Following a Briefing on the emies. It’s truly one of the country’s great War on Terror traditions. April 25, 2006 This season the Midshipmen have pretty well handled that rivalry in good shape, set I want to thank the leadership of the a good standard by winning their games United States Senate for joining me today. against the Air Force and the Army. But the We have just been briefed from Baghdad greatest achievement for the Midshipmen about the formation of the unity Govern- will be when they join their counterparts ment. Not everybody around this table has from West Point and Colorado Springs to agreed with certain aspects of this war on help us win the war on terror. So we’re glad Iraq, but all of us agree that the formation you all are here. of the unity Government is a very important I’m particularly pleased to see members moment in the history of a new Iraq. of the Naval Academy Board of Visitors who I want to thank the Members for their are also in the United States Congress, start- strong support of our diplomatic mission and ing with Congressman Steny Hoyer. Thank the United States military, who are engaged you for coming, Steny. Congressman Mike in heroic efforts to help this young country McIntyre, proudly wearing that Navy hat; succeed. We’re on our way to victory. Congressman John Kline; as well, we have We’ve got more work to do. But the peo- Congressman Ben Cardin. Thank you all for ple—our troops need to know, and those coming—proud you’re here.
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I appreciate the Secretary of the Navy Don The lessons learned on the football field Winter is with us. Mr. Secretary, thank you are preparing you all well for your next mis- for coming. Admiral Ed Giambastiani—and sion, which is winning the war against the for those of you who don’t speak English too terrorists. Every player on this team works well, we call him Admiral G—happens to be hard to win on Saturday afternoons, but like the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff the rest of your Midshipmen, your top pri- and a fine man. ority is preparing to defend this Nation. Vice Admiral—I mean, Admiral Mike The thing I appreciate about the folks here Mullen, Chief of Naval Operations; we’re is that when it came time to serve our coun- proud you’re here, Admiral Mullen. Thanks try, they said, ‘‘I volunteer to serve. I recog- for the job you’re doing. As well as Vice Ad- nize there’s something more important than miral Rod Rempt. Rod, it’s good to see you. life, than serving myself. I want to serve my Thank you for your service. nation.’’ And for that the American people I appreciate the members of the Naval are really grateful. Academy football team who are here. I thank The leadership and discipline and team- the members of the Naval Academy coaching work you have learned not only on the field staff who are here, particularly the head of play but at the Naval Academy will serve coach who seems to have done a pretty good you well as you become commissioned offi- job, might deserve a little pay raise if I might cers in the world’s finest military. And I as- make a suggestion, you know what I’m say- sure you, and I know the Members of Con- ing? [Laughter] I don’t know if you agree gress assure you, we intend to keep our mili- with that or not, Coach? Yes. [Laughter] tary the world’s finest military. This team is a source of great pride for This Nation is at war, a war we are going the brigade of Midshipmen and Navy fans to win. And many of your teammates are everywhere. It will hold a special place in serving and sacrificing at this very hour. And Navy football history. Nothing like making we send our prayers and best wishes to them. history. I appreciate the service of people like Marine This team showed great resilience. After First Lieutenant Brian Stann, a former Navy losing its first two games in heartbreaking linebacker who was awarded the Silver Star fashion, the team went on to win 8 of the last month for his actions and his bravery in next 10, and 5 of those were come-from-be- Iraq. hind wins. Today, there are sailors and marines who It took a little bit to be a Navy fan this are leading vital missions in Afghanistan and year, a little patience, a little faith. But the in Iraq and around the world. Graduates faith paid off. The Poinsettia Bowl victory in from the Naval Academy patrol the world’s San Diego was the first time a Navy team oceans to keep deadly weapons out of the has ever won bowl games in back-to-back hands of the terrorists and are maintaining years. And we congratulate you for that feat. America’s command of the seas. Pretty good deal to win big bowls and study You protect our Nation, and equally im- hard and prepare to serve your Nation. portantly, you’re laying the foundation of I appreciate the fact that the Navy offense peace for a generation of Americans to come. led the nation in rushing. And second place And so we’re here to first and foremost honor to the Navy rushing record was the mighty a really fine football team and present the Texas Longhorn team—[laughter]—whose Commander in Chief Trophy. But as well, offensive lineman only weighed about 40 we pay tribute to men and women who wear pounds per person more. the uniform of the United States and say thank you from the bottom of our collective Seniors on this team have led one of the hearts for protecting us. most dramatic turnarounds in college foot- My God bless the Midshipmen, and may ball history. Navy has won 26 games in the God continue to bless our country. past 3 seasons after winning just 3 games dur- ing the previous 3 years. The seniors are the NOTE: The President spoke at 2:05 p.m. in the sixth class in Academy history to have beaten Rose Garden at the White House. In his remarks, Army all 4 years. he referred to Paul Johnson, head coach, U.S.
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Naval Academy football team; and Vice Adm. Letter to the Speaker of the House of Rodney P. Rempt, USN, superintendent, U.S. Representatives Transmitting a Naval Academy. Request for Additional Funds To Support Recovery Efforts in the Gulf Remarks Following a Meeting With Coast Members of the Senate April 25, 2006 April 25, 2006 Dear Mr. Speaker: I want to thank the Members of the To provide additional resources to assist United States Senate for joining on a very the greater New Orleans region to continue important discussion, and the discussion was its recovery from the devastation of Hurri- how to get a comprehensive immigration bill cane Katrina, I ask the Congress to consider out of the United States Senate. the enclosed requests for an additional $2.2 I will report to the American people that billion for the Army Corps of Engineers there is a common desire to have a bill that (Corps), which is in addition to amounts re- enforces the border, a bill that has interior quested on February 16th. This additional enforcement—in other words, a bill that will amount is offset by a $2.2 billion reduction hold people to account for hiring somebody in the amount requested on February 16th who is here illegally but a bill that also recog- for the Federal Emergency Management nizes we must have a temporary-worker pro- Agency’s Disaster Relief Fund. gram, a bill that does not grant automatic The revised Corps request, which now to- amnesty to people but a bill that says, some- tals $3.7 billion, replaces the previous supple- body who is working here on a legal basis mental request for the Corps that was sub- has the right to get in line to become a cit- mitted on February 16th. This revised re- izen. quest supports the Administration’s commit- I thank the Members, both Republicans ment to further enhance the levee system in and Democrats, for taking on this really hard, parts of the New Orleans area to meet Fed- hard assignment. It’s important that we re- eral 100-year standards of protection. form a system that is not working. It’s impor- I designate these proposals in the amounts tant that we uphold the values of the United requested herein as an emergency require- States of America. It’s important that we ment. treat people with dignity. The details of these requests are set forth And I strongly believe that we have a in the enclosed letter from the Acting Direc- chance to get an immigration bill that is com- tor of the Office of Management and Budget. prehensive in nature to my desk before the Sincerely, end of this year. George W. Bush And again, I want to thank both the Re- publicans and Democrats for the spirit of hard work. I particularly want to thank Sen- Executive Order 13399—Blocking ator Kennedy and Senator McCain for taking Property of Additional Persons in the lead on this important bill on the floor Connection With the National of the United States Senate. And I assured Emergency With Respect to Syria the Members that I look forward to working April 25, 2006 with them as they try to get a bill out of the Senate by Memorial Day and into con- By the authority vested in me as President ference. by the Constitution and the laws of the Thank you all. United States of America, including the International Emergency Economic Powers NOTE: The President spoke at 4:23 p.m. in the Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), the Cabinet Room at the White House. The Office National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish lan- et seq.), section 5 of the United Nations Par- guage transcript of these remarks. ticipation Act, as amended (22 U.S.C. 287c)
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(UNPA), and section 301 of title 3, United otherwise dealt in: persons determined by States Code; and in view of United Nations the Secretary of the Treasury, after consulta- Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1636 tion with the Secretary of State, of October 31, 2005, (i) to be, or to have been, involved in the I, George W. Bush, President of the planning, sponsoring, organizing, or perpe- United States of America, determine that it trating of: is in the interests of the United States to (1) (A) the terrorist act in Beirut, Lebanon, assist the international independent inves- that resulted in the assassination of former tigation Commission (the ‘‘Commission’’) es- Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri and tablished pursuant to UNSCR 1595 of April the deaths of 22 others; or 7, 2005, (2) assist the Government of Leb- (B) any other bombing, assassination, or anon in identifying and holding accountable assassination attempt in Lebanon since Octo- in accordance with applicable law those per- ber 1, 2004, that is related to Hariri’s assas- sons who were involved in planning, spon- sination or that implicates the Government soring, organizing, or perpetrating the ter- of Syria or its officers or agents; rorist act in Beirut, Lebanon, on February (ii) to have obstructed or otherwise im- 14, 2005, that resulted in the assassination peded the work of the Commission estab- of former Prime Minister of Lebanon Rafiq lished pursuant to UNSCR 1595; Hariri, and the deaths of 22 others, and other (iii) to have materially assisted, sponsored, bombings or assassination attempts in Leb- or provided financial, material, or techno- anon since October 1, 2004, that are related logical support for, or goods or services in to Hariri’s assassination or that implicate the support of, any such terrorist act, bombing, Government of Syria or its officers or agents, or assassination attempt, or any person des- and (3) take note of the Commission’s con- ignated pursuant to this order; or clusions in its report of October 19, 2005, (iv) to be owned or controlled by, or acting that there is converging evidence pointing to or purporting to act for or on behalf of, di- both Lebanese and Syrian involvement in rectly or indirectly, any person designated terrorist acts, that interviewees tried to mis- pursuant to this order. lead the Commission’s investigation by giving (b) I hereby determine that, to the extent false or inaccurate statements, and that a sen- section 203(b)(2) of IEEPA (50 U.S.C. ior official of Syria submitted false informa- 1702(b)(2)) may apply, the making of dona- tion to the Commission. In light of these de- tions of the type of articles specified in such terminations, and to take additional steps section by, to, or for the benefit of any person with respect to the national emergency de- designated pursuant to this order would seri- clared in Executive Order 13338 of May 11, ously impair my ability to deal with the na- 2004, concerning certain actions of the Gov- tional emergency declared in Executive ernment of Syria, I hereby order: Order 13338, and I hereby prohibit such do- Section 1. (a) Except to the extent that nations as provided by paragraph (a) of this sections 203(b)(1), (3), and (4) of IEEPA (50 section. U.S.C. 1702(b)(1), (3) and (4)) may apply, (c) The prohibitions in paragraph (a) of or to the extent provided in regulations, or- this section include but are not limited to ders, directives, or licenses that may be (i) the making of any contribution or provi- issued pursuant to this order, and notwith- sion of funds, goods, or services by, to, or standing any contract entered into or any li- for the benefit of any person designated pur- cense or permit granted prior to the effective suant to this order, and (ii) the receipt of date of this order, all property and interests any contribution or provision of funds, goods, in property that are in the United States, that or services from any such person. hereafter come within the United States, or Sec. 2. (a) Any transaction by a United that are or hereafter come within the posses- States person or within the United States that sion or control of any United States person, evades or avoids, has the purpose of evading including any overseas branch, of the fol- or avoiding, or attempts to violate any of the lowing persons are blocked and may not be prohibitions set forth in this order is prohib- transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or ited.
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(b) Any conspiracy formed to violate any strumentalities, or entities, its officers or em- of the prohibitions set forth in this order is ployees, or any other person. prohibited. Sec. 7. This order is effective at 12:01 a.m. Sec. 3. For the purposes of this order: eastern daylight time on April 26, 2006. (a) the term ‘‘person’’ means an individual or entity; George W. Bush (b) the term ‘‘entity’’ means a partnership, The White House, association, trust, joint venture, corporation, April 25, 2006. group, subgroup, or other organization; and (c) the term ‘‘United States person’’ means any United States citizen, permanent resi- [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., April 27, 2006] dent alien, entity organized under the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction within the United States (including foreign NOTE: This Executive order was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on April 26, and it branches), or any person in the United was published in the Federal Register on April States. 28. Sec. 4. For those persons designated pur- suant to this order who might have a constitu- tional presence in the United States, I find Message to the Congress that, because of the ability to transfer funds Transmitting an Executive Order or other assets instantaneously, prior notice Blocking Property of Additional to such persons of measures to be taken pur- Persons in Connection With the suant to this order would render these meas- National Emergency With Respect to ures ineffectual. I therefore determine that Syria for these measures to be effective in address- ing the national emergency declared in Exec- April 26, 2006 utive Order 13338, there need be no prior To the Congress of the United States: notice of a determination made pursuant to Pursuant to the International Emergency section 1(a) of this order. Economic Powers Act, as amended (50 Sec. 5. The Secretary of the Treasury, U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), I hereby re- after consultation with the Secretary of State, port that I have issued an Executive Order is hereby authorized to take such actions, in- blocking property of persons in connection cluding the promulgation of rules and regula- with the terrorist act in Beirut, Lebanon, on tions, and to employ all powers granted to February 14, 2005, that resulted in the assas- the President by IEEPA and UNPA, as may sination of former Lebanese Prime Minister be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Rafiq Hariri and the deaths of 22 others, and order. The Secretary of the Treasury may re- other bombings or assassination attempts in delegate any of these functions to other offi- Lebanon since October 1, 2004, that are re- cers and agencies of the United States Gov- lated to Hariri’s assassination or that impli- ernment, consistent with applicable law. All cate the Government of Syria or its officers agencies of the United States Government or agents. I issued this order to take addi- are hereby directed to take all appropriate tional steps with respect to the national measures within their authority to carry out emergency declared in Executive Order the provisions of this order and, where ap- 13338 of May 11, 2004, concerning certain propriate, to advise the Secretary of the actions of the Government of Syria. In Exec- Treasury in a timely manner of the measures utive Order 13338, I determined that the ac- taken. tions of the Government of Syria in sup- Sec. 6. This order is not intended to, and porting terrorism, continuing its occupation does not, create any right, benefit or privi- of Lebanon, pursuing weapons of mass de- lege, substantive or procedural, enforceable struction, and undermining United States at law or in equity by any party against the and international efforts in Iraq constituted United States, its departments, agencies, in- an unusual and extraordinary threat to the
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national security, foreign policy, and econ- ment of Syria or its officers and agents, or omy of the United States, and declared a na- to have obstructed or otherwise impeded the tional emergency to deal with that threat. work of the Commission. The order further The United Nations Security Council, in authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury, Resolution 1595 of April 7, 2005, established after consultation with the Secretary of State, the international independent investigation to designate for blocking those persons de- Commission (the ‘‘Commission’’), reiterated termined to have materially assisted, spon- its call for the strict respect of the sovereignty sored, or provided financial, material, or of Lebanon, and reaffirmed its unequivocal technological support for, or goods or serv- condemnation of the February 14, 2005, ter- ices in support of, any such terrorist act, rorist bombing that killed Lebanese Prime bombings, or assassination attempts, or any Minister Rafiq Hariri and 22 others. The person designated pursuant to this order, or Commission’s charter included identifying to be owned or controlled by, or acting or the bombing perpetrators, sponsors, orga- purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly nizers, and accomplices. United Nations Se- or indirectly, any person designated pursuant curity Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1636 of to this order. October 31, 2005, called upon all States to I delegated to the Secretary of the Treas- provide necessary assistance to the Commis- ury, after consultation with the Secretary of sion concerning its investigation into the State, the authority to take such actions, in- February 14, 2005, terrorist bombing and to cluding the promulgation of rules and regula- freeze the assets of those persons designated tions, and to employ all powers granted to by the Commission or the Government of the President by IEEPA and the United Na- Lebanon as suspected of involvement in this tions Participation Act, as amended (22 terrorist act, upon notification of such des- U.S.C. 287c), as may be necessary to carry ignation to, and agreement of, the Com- out the purposes of my order. The order was mittee of the Security Council established by effective at 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time UNSCR 1636. United Nations Security on April 26, 2006. Council Resolution 1644 of December 15, I am enclosing a copy of the Executive 2005, condemned other terrorist attacks in Order I have issued. Lebanon since October 2004 and reaffirmed that all those involved in these attacks must George W. Bush be held accountable for these crimes, and in doing so, authorized the Commission to The White House, extend its technical assistance to Lebanese April 26, 2006. authorities with regard to their investigations regarding the terrorist attacks perpetrated in Lebanon since October 1, 2004. Remarks Announcing the In view of UNSCR 1636, my new order Appointment of Tony Snow as White takes additional steps with respect to the na- House Press Secretary tional emergency declared in Executive April 26, 2006 Order 13338 by blocking the property and interests in property of persons determined Good morning. I’m here in the briefing by the Secretary of the Treasury, after con- room to break some news. I’ve asked Tony sultation with the Secretary of State, to be, Snow to serve as my new Press Secretary. or to have been, involved in the planning, Tony already knows most of you, and he’s sponsoring, organizing, or perpetrating of the agreed to take the job anyway. [Laughter] terrorist act on February 14, 2005, that re- And I’m really glad he did. I’m confident sulted in the assassination of former Prime Tony Snow will make an outstanding addition Minister Rafiq Hariri and the deaths of 22 to this White House staff. I am confident he others, or any other bombing, assassination, will help you do your job. My job is to make or assassination attempt in Lebanon since decisions, and his job is to help explain those October 1, 2004, that is related to Hariri’s decisions to the press corps and the Amer- assassination or that implicates the Govern- ican people.
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He understands, like I understand, that he worked for me in Texas. We traveled our the press is vital to our democracy. As a pro- State together; we traveled our country to- fessional journalist, Tony Snow understands gether; and we have traveled the world to- the importance of the relationship between gether. We have also made history together. Government and those whose job it is to Scott should be enormously proud of his cover the Government. He’s going to work service to our Nation in an incredibly difficult hard to provide you with timely information job. I’ve always—I will always be grateful to about my philosophy, my priorities, and the him. I will always be proud to call him friend. actions we’re taking to implement our agen- I appreciate Scott’s offer to help Tony da. Snow prepare for his new job, and I’m proud He brings a long record of accomplish- to welcome Tony as part of our team. ment to this position. He has spent a quarter Tony Snow. Well, Mr. President, I want of a century in the news business. He’s to thank you for the honor of serving as Press worked in all three major media—print, Secretary. And just a couple of quick notes— radio, and television. He started his career I’m delighted to be here. One of the things in 1979 as an editorial writer for the Greens- I want to do is just make it clear that I— boro Record in North Carolina. He’s going one of the reasons I took the job is not only to—went on to write editorials for the Vir- because I believe in the President, because ginian-Pilot in Norfolk. He ran the editorial believe it or not, I want to work with you. pages in both the Daily Press of Newport These are times that are going to be very News and the Washington Times. He’s writ- challenging. We’ve got a lot of big issues ten nationally syndicated columns for both ahead, and we’ve got a lot of important things the Detroit News and USA Today. that all of us are going to be covering to- During his career in print journalism, he’s gether. been cited for his work by the Society of Pro- And I am very excited, and I can’t wait. fessional Journalists, the Associated Press, And I want to thank you, Mr. President, for and Gannett. For 7 years, he served as the the honor, and thank all you guys for your host of ‘‘FOX News Sunday.’’ Most recently, forbearance. And I look forward to working he reached Americans all across our country with you. as the host of ‘‘The Tony Snow Show’’ on Thanks. FOX News Radio and ‘‘Weekend Live with NOTE: The President spoke at 9:10 a.m. in the Tony Snow’’ on the FOX News Channel. James S. Brady Briefing Room at the White He’s not afraid to express his own opin- House. In his remarks, he referred to Jill Snow, ions. For those of you who have read his col- wife of Tony Snow. umns and listened to his radio show, he sometimes has disagreed with me. I asked him about those comments, and he said, Remarks Honoring the 2006 ‘‘You should have heard what I said about National and State Teachers of the the other guy.’’ I like his perspective; I like Year the perspective he brings to this job; and I April 26, 2006 think you’re going to like it too. Tony knows what it’s like to work inside I was going to say, thank you, Laura, for the White House. In 1991, he took a break those kind remarks. [Laughter] Please be from journalism to serve as Director of seated. Thank you all. Welcome. Speechwriting and Deputy Assistant to the This is one of the great afternoons for President for Media Affairs. He’s taught chil- Laura and me. We love to recognize our dren in Kenya. He belongs to a rock band teachers. We really appreciate you coming. called Beats Workin’. He’s a man of courage; Actually, this is an annual event started by he’s a man of integrity; he loves his family Harry Truman. And I’m glad to be a part a lot. He is the loving husband of a fine wife of a tradition here at the White House, saying and the father of three beautiful children. thanks to our teachers. He succeeds a decent and talented man I admire teachers and like teachers so in Scott McClellan. I’ve known Scott since much, I married one. [Laughter] Laura is a
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great advocate for literacy and a strong sup- I thank Dr. Tom Houlihan, who is the ex- porter for America’s teachers, and I’m really ecutive director of the Council of Chief State proud to have her by my side during these School Officers. That’s one of the sponsoring unbelievable times and this great experience organizations. Thank you for your service, of serving our country—other than being a Tom. fine introducer. [Laughter] Margery Mayer, of the Scholastic Edu- The thing I like about teaching is, teaching cation—Scholastic Inc. I want to thank is such an optimistic profession. I know when Margery for being here. That’s also a spon- teachers look out at their classrooms, you see soring organization of this event. more than a child at play or at study. You’re Kathleen Murphy is the president of ING, able to see a child with big dreams and big is here with us, as well as Tom Waldron, who hopes. You see future doctors and scientists is the executive vice president. These are the and entrepreneurs and inventors, and I hope sponsoring groups of this important occasion. you see even a teacher or two. I also want to thank the chief state school You dedicated your lives to the formation officers who are with us. Good to see you of young minds. You’re giving our children all. Nice going. Hiring and promoting good the skills they need to succeed in life and teachers is a really important part of your equally important, the courage and the drive job. I want you to know that we know that to realize those dreams. Our Nation is grate- being a teacher is difficult work. It’s a hard ful for your hard work. We appreciate what job. It’s a job that requires compassion and you do, and we are honored you’re here at determination and extraordinary patience. the White House. And as Laura hinted, or maybe didn’t hint, I want to thank our Secretary of Edu- I was probably one of those kind that tested cation, Margaret Spellings. She’s been a your patience. [Laughter] long-time friend. She believes strongly in the You’re helping young people to learn the classroom teacher, and she believes in the basics of reading and writing and adding and potential of every child. subtracting. You’re serving as mentors and, I’m pleased to recognize Senator Sam probably most importantly, as role models. Brownback, for the State of Kansas. Wel- You help kindle young imaginations, and you come. I’m glad you’re here—and his wife, inspire a love of learning. It’s a pretty signifi- Mary; thank you for coming. As well as Con- cant job description, when you think about gressman Dennis Moore from Kansas and it. And the teachers we honor here today are Stephene, thank you all for taking time to excelling at that job. honor the teachers who are here. Your daily efforts help young Americans I appreciate the National Teacher of the grow into successful adults. In other words, Year Finalists: Sam Bennett from Florida— you’re building the future for the country. say hello to the Governor—[laughter]—Ron We ask a lot of our teachers, and we owe Poplau of Kansas—no wonder you all are you a lot in return. Education is my top do- here—and Susan Barnard of Washington mestic priority. And when I first came to of- State. We’re really glad you’re here. Con- fice, I worked with members of both political gratulations on setting such a fine example. parties—believe it or not, it’s possible here Everybody here has been introduced to in Washington to occasionally do that—to in- Kim Oliver, but you haven’t met her parents, crease funding from the Federal level but Vincent and Veronica. Thank you all very also to pass the No Child Left Behind Act. much—brothers, cousins, and significant The spirit of the No Child Left Behind Act other. [Laughter] basically says, society has a deep obligation I want to thank all the Teachers of the to challenge the soft bigotry of low expecta- Year from around our country who are here. tions, that we believe every child can learn, I really—Laura and I really enjoyed having and therefore, we believe it makes sense to our picture with you. It’s just a brief moment determine whether or not every child is to say thanks. But nevertheless, it’s thanks learning. And if not, there ought to be extra from the bottom of our hearts. And it really help so that no child in our society is left means a lot you’re here. behind.
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We’re beginning to see good results, to hear what she said. She said, ‘‘As a young thanks to our Nation’s teachers. The 2005 child, I loved and admired my day care teach- Nation’s Report Card showed America’s er, Mrs. Chandler. I wanted to be just like fourth graders are posting the best scores in her. Mrs. Chandler made me feel special, as reading and math in the history of the test. if I were the only child in her class.’’ African American and Hispanic fourth grad- Kim Oliver had many friends growing up ers set records in reading and math last year. who came from unstable and impoverished America’s eighth graders earned the best homes. She says, ‘‘I watched so many of my math scores ever recorded. Eighth grade friends live up to the low expectations that Hispanic and African American students were set for them. To this day, I find myself achieved their highest math scores ever. wondering, what if my disadvantaged friends We’re making really important strides toward had 12 years worth of Mrs. Chandlers in their closing an achievement gap in America, and lives?’’ Kim went on to say, ‘‘I chose to be- I want to thank our teachers for your hard come a teacher to motivate and inspire the work. neediest students, who many have written There’s more work to be done, obviously. off, and let them know they can achieve and I’ve recently launched the American Com- succeed in life regardless of what the statis- petitiveness Initiative, which will help our tics may show.’’ students do better in math and science. We I love that attitude. I think you’re begin- need to train 70,000 high school teachers to ning to get the drift of why she’s the Teacher lead AP courses in math and science. I know of the Year. When Kim Oliver arrived at we’ve got some AP teachers here, and I want Broad Acres in 2000, the school was threat- to thank you for that. ened with forced restructuring by the State We need to bring 30,000 math and science as a result of poor academic performance. professionals into our classrooms to send a Ms. Oliver took a leadership role at the message to our children: It’s okay to be a mathematician or a scientist—as a matter of school. That’s what good teachers do; they fact, it’s cool. We want to make sure that take the lead. She became a teacher-leader we help students who struggle with math get and helped lead a collaborative effort to im- extra help to make sure that—to make sure prove the curriculum, instruction, and assess- they have a chance to be able to earn the ment. She helped establish instructional high-wage jobs of the 21st century. If we en- planning sessions and formal procedures to sure that America’s children have the skills examine student work and improve student they need to succeed in life, we will make performance. sure America succeeds in the world. She noticed that many parents at the Improving the quality of education for school lacked the language skills to be able young Americans requires good laws and to read to their children and to be able to good policies, but ultimately it depends on help with their school work. And so she and good teachers. And that is why we’re here her colleagues purchased cassette players on the South Lawn, to honor really good and recorded books on tape for the students teachers. to take home and share with their families, The Teacher of the Year, Kim Oliver, which made it a lot easier for parents who teaches kindergarten at Broad Acres Ele- struggle with English to help their children. mentary School in Silver Spring, Maryland. Kim Oliver also organized a regular Broad Acres is Montgomery County’s highest ‘‘Books and Supper Night,’’ where families poverty school, a place where 90 percent of could check out books from the library and the children qualify for federally-subsidized read together before sharing a dinner, which meals and about 75 percent have parents fostered learning and family involvement in who do not speak English at home. their children’s education. She knows what It’s a school filled with the kind of students good teachers know: If you can get the par- that inspired Kim Oliver to become a teach- ents involved in the child’s education, you er. Kim decided to become a teacher at a have a much better chance of succeeding. young age. It’s really interesting for teachers She set high expectations. Good teachers set
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high expectations. She provided needed as- dent and president, Scholastic Education; and sistance. She involved families, and she Jerry D. Weast, superintendent of Montgomery helped turn that school around. County Public Schools. The transcript released by Within 2 years of her arrival, kindergarten the Office of the Press Secretary also included students at Broad Acres were mastering early the remarks of the First Lady, who introduced the President. reading skills at higher rates than other schools in the district. After 3 years, Broad Acres students were meeting or exceeding Proclamation 8007—National all requirements of the No Child Left Behind Charter Schools Week, 2006 Act. There were dramatic increases in read- ing and math scores for the school’s second April 26, 2006 graders. By the President of the United States The Superintendent of Schools in Mont- of America gomery County says this about the impact Kim Oliver has had: ‘‘She has a rare gift for A Proclamation touching hearts and minds, inspiring in her Education is the gateway to a brighter fu- students to aim high and believe in their po- ture for our children and our Nation. During tential.’’ A Broad Acres parent says, ‘‘She National Charter Schools Week, we cele- knows how to talk to the children so they brate charter schools’ commitment to aca- will listen.’’ And all her students know that demic achievement, accountability, and inno- she cares about them. She made them all vation. We recognize the vital role charter feel like they were smart and could learn any- schools play in fostering an America where thing. One of her colleagues says, ‘‘When you children have the knowledge and skills they walk into Ms. Oliver’s classroom, one cannot need to grow, succeed, and achieve their help but notice that this is a special place.’’ dreams. She is dedicated to her school community As a publicly funded alternative to tradi- and committed to excellence, and she has tional public schools, charter schools have ex- been an instrumental force in improving stu- panded our understanding of public edu- dent achievement at her school. cation by embracing the spirit of discovery Kim says the reason her students are and providing innovative avenues for success. achieving is simple: ‘‘I have high expectations Almost 15 years after the founding of the first for each of them. I teach them that they can charter school, more than 3,600 charter accomplish anything with hard work and per- schools in 40 states and the District of Co- sistence.’’ lumbia are teaching more than one million Kim Oliver understands that the key to students. These institutions reflect our belief helping children succeed is fighting the soft in the promise of America’s youth and help bigotry of low expectations. When a teacher fulfill our moral obligation to make sure that believes that a child can learn, it’s amazing every child has a quality education. what happens—a student believes that he or This year marks the fourth anniversary of she can learn. the signing of the No Child Left Behind Act, America is blessed to have teachers like which is helping schools close the achieve- Kim Oliver. We’re blessed to have teachers ment gap among America’s youth. Using the like all those who are gathered here at the same principles that guide No Child Left Be- White House. We thank you for the love and hind, we are achieving educational excellence devotion you’ve shown our children each day. through charter schools by providing greater May God continue to bless your work, and flexibility with Federal dollars and cur- may God continue to bless our country. riculum control at the local level. We are also Thank you for coming. providing parents with more information NOTE: The President spoke at approximately 1:46 about school performance and school options p.m. on the South Lawn at the White House. In and insisting on results through assessment his remarks, he referred to Stephene Moore, wife and accountability. of Congressman Dennis Moore; Gov. Jeb Bush In the aftermath of the devastating hurri- of Florida; Margaret Mayer, executive vice presi- canes that struck our Nation’s Gulf Coast last
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year, charter schools are playing a major role et seq.) (NEA), section 5 of the United Na- in welcoming back school children affected tions Participation Act, as amended (22 by the storms. Because of their unique flexi- U.S.C. 287c) (UNPA), and section 301 of bility, many Gulf Coast charter schools were title 3, United States Code, able to reopen quickly, and many of the pub- I, George W. Bush, President of the lic schools that have reopened in New Orle- United States of America, find that an un- ans now operate as charter schools. By ena- usual and extraordinary threat to the national bling these children to continue their edu- security and foreign policy of the United cation, charter schools are helping families States is posed by the persistence of violence and demonstrating a deep compassion for in Sudan’s Darfur region, particularly against America’s students. civilians and including sexual violence against We must give every child the best oppor- tunity to learn and succeed in life. Charter women and girls, and by the deterioration schools help prepare our next generation of of the security situation and its negative im- leaders and help ensure that America con- pact on humanitarian assistance efforts, as tinues to succeed in the world. noted by the United Nations Security Coun- Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, cil in Resolution 1591 of March 29, 2005, President of the United States of America, and, to deal with that threat, hereby expand by virtue of the authority vested in me by the scope of the national emergency declared the Constitution and laws of the United in Executive Order 13067 of November 3, States, do hereby proclaim April 30 through 1997, with respect to the policies and actions May 6, 2006, as National Charter Schools of the Government of Sudan, and hereby Week. I appreciate our Nation’s charter order: schools, teachers, and administrators, and I Section 1. (a) Except to the extent that call on parents of charter school students to sections 203(b) (1), (3), and (4) of IEEPA share their successes and help all Americans (50 U.S.C. 1702(b)(1), (3), and (4)) may understand more about the important work apply, or to the extent provided in regula- of charter schools. tions, orders, directives, or licenses that may In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set be issued pursuant to this order, and notwith- my hand this twenty-sixth day of April, in standing any contract entered into or any li- the year of our Lord two thousand six, and cense or permit granted prior to the effective of the Independence of the United States of date of this order, all property and interests America the two hundred and thirtieth. in property of the following persons, that are George W. Bush in the United States, that hereafter come within the United States, or that are or here- [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 9:05 a.m., April 28, 2006] after come within the possession or control of any United States person, including any NOTE: This proclamation was published in the overseas branch, are blocked and may not Federal Register on May 1. be transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or otherwise dealt in: Executive Order 13400—Blocking (i) the persons listed in the Annex to this Property of Persons in Connection order; and With the Conflict in Sudan’s Darfur (ii) any person determined by the Sec- Region retary of the Treasury, after consultation with April 26, 2006 the Secretary of State: (A) to have constituted a threat to the By the authority vested in me as President peace process in Darfur; by the Constitution and the laws of the (B) to have constituted a threat to stability United States of America, including the in Darfur and the region; International Emergency Economic Powers (C) to be responsible for conduct related Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), the to the conflict in Darfur that violates National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 international law;
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(D) to be responsible for heinous conduct receipt of any contribution or provision of with respect to human life or limb re- funds, goods, or services from any such per- lated to the conflict in Darfur; son. (E) to have directly or indirectly supplied, Sec. 2. (a) Any transaction by a United sold, or transferred arms or any re- States person or within the United States that lated materiel, or any assistance, ad- evades or avoids, has the purpose of evading vice, or training related to military ac- or avoiding, or attempts to violate any of the tivities to: prohibitions set forth in this order is prohib- (1) the Government of Sudan; ited. (2) the Sudan Liberation Movement/ (b) Any conspiracy formed to violate any Army; of the prohibitions set forth in this order is (3) the Justice and Equality Movement; prohibited. (4) the Janjaweed; or Sec. 3. (5) any person (other than a person listed For the purposes of this order: in subparagraph (E)(1) through (a) the term ‘‘person’’ means an individual (E)(4) above) operating in the states or entity; of North Darfur, South Darfur, or (b) the term ‘‘entity’’ means a partnership, West Darfur that is a belligerent, a association, trust, joint venture, corporation, nongovernmental entity, or an indi- group, subgroup, or other organization; vidual; (c) the term ‘‘United States person’’ means (F) to be responsible for offensive mili- any United States citizen, permanent resi- tary overflights in and over the Darfur dent alien, entity organized under the laws region; of the United States or any jurisdiction within (G) to have materially assisted, sponsored, the United States (including foreign or provided financial, materiel, or branches), or any person in the United technological support for, or goods or States; and services in support of, the activities (d) the term ‘‘arms or any related materiel’’ described in paragraph (a)(ii)(A) means arms or related materiel of all types, through (F) of this section or any per- military aircraft, and equipment, but ex- son listed in or designated pursuant cludes: to this order; or (i) supplies and technical assistance, in- (H) to be owned or controlled by, or act- cluding training, intended solely for ing or purporting to act for or on be- use in authorized monitoring, half of, directly or indirectly, any per- verification, or peace support oper- son listed in or designated pursuant ations, including such operations led to this order. by regional organizations; (b) I hereby determine that, to the extent section 203(b)(2) of IEEPA (50 U.S.C. (ii) supplies of non-lethal military equip- 1702(b)(2)) may apply, the making of dona- ment intended solely for humani- tions of the type of articles specified in such tarian use, human rights monitoring section by, to, or for the benefit of any person use, or protective use, and related listed in or designated pursuant to this order technical assistance, including train- would seriously impair my ability to deal with ing; the national emergency declared in Execu- (iii) supplies of protective clothing, in- tive Order 13067 and expanded in this order, cluding flak jackets and military hel- and I hereby prohibit such donations as pro- mets, for use by United Nations per- vided by paragraph (a) of this section. sonnel, representatives of the media, (c) The prohibitions of paragraph (a) of and humanitarian and development this section include, but are not limited to, workers and associated personnel, for (i) the making of any contribution or provi- their personal use only; sion of funds, goods, or services by, to, or (iv) assistance and supplies provided in for the benefit of any person listed in or des- support of implementation of the ignated pursuant to this order, and (ii) the Comprehensive Peace Agreement
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signed January 9, 2005, by the Gov- (50 U.S.C. 1641(c)) and section 204(c) of the ernment of Sudan and the People’s IEEPA (50 U.S.C. 1703(c)). Liberation Movement/Army; and Sec. 7. The Secretary of the Treasury, (v) other movements of military equip- after consultation with the Secretary of State, ment and supplies into the Darfur re- is hereby authorized to determine, subse- gion by the United States or that are quent to the issuance of this order, that cir- permitted by a rule or decision of the cumstances no longer warrant the inclusion Secretary of State, after consultation of a person in the Annex to this order and with the Secretary of the Treasury. that the property and interests in property Sec. 4. For those persons listed in or des- of that person are therefore no longer ignated pursuant to this order who might blocked pursuant to section 1 of this order. have a constitutional presence in the United Sec. 8. This order is not intended to, and States, I find that because of the ability to does not, create any right, benefit, or privi- transfer funds or other assets instanta- lege, substantive or procedural, enforceable neously, prior notice to such persons of at law or in equity by any party against the measures to be taken pursuant to this order United States, its departments, agencies, in- would render these measures ineffectual. I strumentalities, or entities, its officers or em- therefore determine that, for these measures ployees, or any other person. to be effective in addressing the national Sec. 9. This order is effective at 12:01 a.m. emergency declared in Executive Order eastern daylight time on April 27, 2006. 13067 and expanded by this order, there George W. Bush need be no prior notice of a listing or deter- The White House, mination made pursuant to section 1 of this April 26, 2006. order. Sec. 5. The Secretary of the Treasury, [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, after consultation with the Secretary of State, 8:45 a.m., April 28, 2006] is hereby authorized to take such actions, in- cluding the promulgation of rules and regula- NOTE: This Executive order was released by the tions, and to employ all powers granted to Office of the Press Secretary on April 27, and the Executive order and its attached annex were pub- the President by IEEPA and UNPA as may lished in the Federal Register on May 1. be necessary to carry out the purposes of this order. The Secretary of the Treasury may re- delegate any of these functions to other offi- Message to the Congress cers and agencies of the United States Gov- Transmitting an Executive Order ernment, consistent with applicable law. All Blocking Property of Persons in agencies of the United States Government Connection With the Conflict in are hereby directed to take all appropriate Sudan’s Darfur Region measures within their authority to carry out the provisions of this order and, where ap- April 27, 2006 propriate, to advise the Secretary of the To the Congress of the United States: Treasury in a timely manner of the measures Pursuant to the International Emergency taken. The Secretary of the Treasury shall Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), I hereby re- ensure compliance with those provisions of port that I have issued an Executive Order section 401 of the NEA (50 U.S.C. 1641) ap- (the ‘‘order’’) blocking the property of per- plicable to the Department of the Treasury sons in connection with the conflict in Su- in relation to this order. dan’s Darfur region. In that order, I have Sec. 6. The Secretary of the Treasury, expanded the scope of the national emer- after consultation with the Secretary of State, gency declared in Executive Order 13067 of is hereby authorized to submit the recurring November 3, 1997, with respect to the poli- and final reports to the Congress on the na- cies and actions of the Government of Sudan, tional emergency expanded by this order, to address the unusual and extraordinary consistent with section 401(c) of the NEA threat to the national security and foreign
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policy of the United States posed by the ac- • to have constituted a threat to stability tions and circumstances involving Darfur, as in Darfur and the region; described below. • to be responsible for conduct related to The United Nations Security Council, in the conflict in Darfur that violates inter- Resolution 1591 of March 29, 2005, con- national law; demned the continued violations of the • to be responsible for heinous conduct N’djamena Ceasefire Agreement of April 8, with respect to human life or limb re- 2004, and the Abuja Humanitarian and Secu- lated to the conflict in Darfur; • rity Protocols of November 9, 2004, by all to have directly or indirectly supplied, sides in Darfur, as well as the deterioration sold, or transferred arms or any related of the security situation and the negative im- materiel, or any assistance, advice, or pact this has had on humanitarian assistance training related to military activities to efforts. I also note that the United Nations the Government of Sudan, the Sudan Security Council has strongly condemned the Liberation Movement/Army, the Justice continued violations of human rights and and Equality Movement, the Janjaweed, international humanitarian law in Sudan’s or any person operating in the states of Darfur region and, in particular, the continu- North Darfur, South Darfur, and West ation of violence against civilians and sexual Darfur, that is a belligerent, a non- violence against women and girls. governmental entity, or an individual; or • to be responsible for offensive military United Nations Security Council Resolu- overflights in and over the Darfur re- tion (UNSCR) 1591 determined that the sit- gion. uation in Darfur constitutes a threat to inter- The designation criteria will be applied in national peace and security in the region and accordance with applicable domestic law, in- called on Member States to take certain cluding where appropriate, the First Amend- measures against persons responsible for the ment of the United States Constitution. continuing conflict. The United Nations Se- The order also authorizes the Secretary of curity Council has encouraged all parties to the Treasury, after consultation with the Sec- negotiate in good faith at the Abuja talks and retary of State, to designate for blocking any to take immediate steps to support a peaceful person determined to have materially as- settlement to the conflict in Darfur, but has sisted, sponsored, or provided financial, ma- continued to express serious concern at the terial, or technological support for, or goods persistence of the crisis in Darfur in UNSCR or services in support of, the activities listed 1651 of December 21, 2005. above or any person listed in or designated Pursuant to IEEPA, the National Emer- pursuant to the order. I further authorized gencies Act, and the United Nations Partici- the Secretary of the Treasury, after consulta- pation Act (UNPA), I have determined that tion with the Secretary of State, to designate these actions and circumstances constitute an for blocking any person determined to be unusual and extraordinary threat to the na- owned or controlled by, or acting or pur- tional security and foreign policy of the porting to act for or on behalf of, directly United States, and have issued an Executive or indirectly, any person listed in or des- Order expanding the scope of the national ignated pursuant to the order. The Secretary emergency declared in Executive Order of the Treasury, after consultation with the 13067 to deal with this threat. Secretary of State, is also authorized to re- The order blocks the property and inter- move any persons from the Annex to the ests in property in the United States, or in order as circumstances warrant. the possession or control of United States I delegated to the Secretary of the Treas- persons, of the persons listed in the Annex ury, after consultation with the Secretary of to the order, as well as of any person deter- State, the authority to take such actions, in- mined by the Secretary of the Treasury, after cluding the promulgation of rules and regula- consultation with the Secretary of State, tions, and to employ all powers granted to • to have constituted a threat to the peace the President by IEEPA and UNPA, as may process in Darfur; be necessary to carry out the purposes of the
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order. All Federal agencies are directed to I had a good visit with the Governor and take all appropriate measures within their au- the mayor as well. One of the things that thority to carry out the provisions of the we’re working on is to make sure that we’ve order. learned the lessons from Katrina—we’ve The order, a copy of which is enclosed, learned lessons at the Federal level and State was effective at 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight level and the local level. And we’re now time on April 27, 2006. working closely together in preparation of the upcoming hurricane season. Secretary George W. Bush Chertoff was down here working with the Governor just to make sure that communica- The White House, tions are clear, that equipment will be April 27, 2006. prepositioned, that the communications sys- tem, which failed last time, will be up and running should there be another catastrophic Remarks Following a Visit to a storm. Hurricane Damaged Home in New Listen, all of us in positions of responsi- Orleans, Louisiana bility appreciate those who are working to April 27, 2006 help us understand how to do our jobs better. And we pray there is no hurricane this com- The President. Mrs. Williams has invited ing year, but we are working together to myself and the mayor and the Governor and make sure that if there is one, the response Congressman into her home, which had been will be as efficient as possible. wiped out by the storm. And she went to I’m also talking to the Governor and the Texas for a while, and she made it clear to mayor about the reconstruction effort going me, she was glad to be out of Texas and back on here in Louisiana. I applaud the Governor home. [Laughter] for putting forth a housing plan that she’ll But the amazing thing that’s happened in be submitting to the legislature soon. I call her home is that there are people from across upon the Congress to make sure that the $4.2 the country here who are helping to rebuild billion of CDBG money in the supplemental it. Catholic Charities, in this case, has pro- appropriations is held intact for the people vided the volunteers to help Ms. Williams of Louisiana. This money is going to be vital reclaim her life. And so I’d like to first start to making sure that the vision of the Gov- by thanking the volunteers who are here in ernor and the mayor gets implemented as the home. I want to thank them for setting people are able to come back and start re- such a good example. claiming their lives. The man who’s running the site here said We talked about the levees, and I told the that they need 2,500 more volunteers to Governor and the mayor earlier on that we come down to New Orleans to help people would work to have these levees pre- get back on their feet. If you’re interested Katrina—better than pre-Katrina by June in helping the victims of Katrina, if you’re 1st. We are. There’s still money in the sup- interested in helping them get back on their plemental that needs to be passed to make feet, come down here and volunteer. A good sure that we’re able to fulfill our promise, place to start is in Catholic Charities. You to make sure that the levees, by September can get right there on the web page; they’ll of ’07, are even better than pre-Katrina. find work for you. They’ll give you a chance We’ve got a strategy to help the good folks to contribute something to your country. down here rebuild. Part of it has to do with This is National Volunteer Week, and funding; part of it has to do with housing; there are people like the good folks standing and a lot of it has to do with encouraging behind me here who are volunteering all volunteers from around the United States to across the country, making a difference. And come down and help people like Ms. Wil- for those of you who are volunteering, thank liams. you from the bottom of our hearts for making So we’re proud to be here with you, Ms. our society a better place. Williams, and God bless you.
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Ms. Williams. I’m proud to be here, Mr. Remarks During a Visit to a BP Gas President. And I won’t ever—I can’t ever for- Station in Biloxi get you. April 27, 2006 The President. You need to forget—re- member those people a lot quicker than Listen, we’ve got people like this that are you’re remembering me, because they’re the working for a living, who are paying higher ones who are going to help. She promised prices for their gasoline—it’s like a tax. And to cook me a meal—— I talked the other day about things we can do. The first thing is to make sure that no- Ms. Williams. Oh, yes—[laughter]—— body is getting cheated. One of the roles of The President. Once you get the house the Federal Government is to make sure that up and running. you’re taken care of. We need more refining capacity. One of Ms. Williams. ——and I thank all the vol- the reasons why you’ve got high prices is the unteers and everybody that is helping to demand is greater than supply. And when make everything work. demand is greater than supply, the price goes The President. Thank you all very much. up. They’ve got in Pascagoula a really fine refinery. I remember coming over with the Governor, the place was shut down—they NOTE: The President spoke at 11:58 a.m. on Pau- got it up and running, and we hope we can line Street. In his remarks, he referred to Mayor put a law in place that will encourage them C. Ray Nagin of New Orleans, LA; and Gov. Kath- to expand refining capacity. We’ve got a leen Babineaux Blanco of Louisiana. problem because we’re dependent on oil from overseas. And oil is the main reason— the price of oil is the main thing that drives Remarks During a Visit to the Hands the cost of gasoline. On Gulf Coast Civic Action Center in One of the things we’ve got to do is make Biloxi, Mississippi these trucks run on ethanol, and batteries that won’t require gasoline. That’s what the April 27, 2006 future is going to be. Congress is debating some other ideas. The President. I’ve come to the conclu- And one idea is to give me the capacity to sion that I’m at a terrific place, where people raise CAFE standards on automobiles. I en- are here bound by a common desire to show courage them to give me that authority. It’s compassion to their neighbors in need. I real- an authority that I’d use for light trucks. And ly thank you. It’s a compassion commune— I intend to use it wisely, if Congress would [laughter]—where people are united by a give me that authority. singular purpose and setting a great example. Again, I want to thank you for letting me Everybody—most people I talk to say, ‘‘Well, come by and say hello. It seems like every- it makes me feel better.’’ The truth of the body is getting better down here. Thank you. matter is, when you volunteer to serve some- body in need, it does make you feel better. NOTE: The President spoke at 3:33 p.m. In his So for all those in our country who are remarks, he referred to Gov. Haley Barbour of Mississippi. wondering whether or not they can make a difference in somebody’s life, the answer is, all you have to do is look at these people Statement on the Framework here. Agreement With Canada on Audience member. Volunteer! Softwood Lumber Trade The President. All right. Thank you. April 27, 2006 I am pleased that the United States and NOTE: The President spoke at 3:17 p.m. Canada concluded a framework agreement
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today to resolve the long-standing dispute on port and other resources to meet the respon- softwood lumber trade. This agreement sibilities of the Liaison under this order. shows how NAFTA partners can overcome Sec. 2. Goals and Responsibilities of the differences and work together. The United Liaison. The Liaison shall foster within the States’ close ties with our good friend and Liaison’s agency a culture of taking responsi- northern neighbor made this agreement pos- bility, service to others, and good citizenship. sible. I applaud Prime Minister Harper’s Toward that end, the Liaison shall: leadership in resolving this issue, and I am (a) identify, catalog, and review all activi- grateful to the lead negotiators on both sides, ties of the agency that relate to volunteer Ambassador Susan C. Schwab for the United community service, including, but not lim- States and Ambassador Michael Wilson of ited to rules, orders, grant programs, external Canada. relations, and other policies and practices, and make such recommendations to the head of the agency for adjustments as may be ap- Executive Order 13401— propriate; Responsibilities of Federal (b) actively work with USA Freedom Departments and Agencies With Corps to promote volunteer community serv- Respect to Volunteer Community ice among agency employees by providing in- Service formation about community service opportu- nities; April 27, 2006 (c) coordinate within the agency actions to facilitate public recognition for volunteer By the authority vested in me as President community service; by the Constitution and the laws of the (d) promote, expand, and enhance skilled United States of America and in order to help volunteer community service opportunities; ensure that the Federal Government sup- (e) work with the USA Freedom Corps ports and encourages volunteer community and the Director of the Office of Personnel service, it is hereby ordered as follows: Management (OPM) to consider any appro- Section 1. Designation of a Liaison for priate changes in agency policies or practices Volunteer Community Service. (a) The head that are not currently consistent with OPM of each agency shall, within 20 days after the guidance; date of this order, designate an officer or em- (f) coordinate the awarding of the Presi- ployee of such agency compensated at a level dent’s Volunteer Service Award to recognize at or above the minimum level of pay of a outstanding volunteer service by employees member of the Senior Executive Service to within the agency; and serve under the authority of the head of the (g) act as a liaison with the USA Freedom agency as the agency liaison for volunteer Corps. community service (Liaison). Sec. 3. Administrative Provisions. (a) The (b) The Liaison in each agency shall pro- USA Freedom Corps shall provide such in- mote and support community service on a formation with respect to volunteer commu- voluntary basis among Federal employees, nity service programs and activities and such including those approaching retirement; pro- advice and assistance as may be required by mote the use of skilled volunteers; and facili- agencies in performing their functions under tate public recognition for volunteer commu- this order. nity service. (b) Executive Order 12820 of November (c) The head of each agency shall prescribe 5, 1992, is revoked. arrangements within the agency for support (c) This order shall be implemented con- and supervision of the Liaison that ensure sistent with applicable law and subject to the high priority and substantial visibility for the availability of appropriations. function of the Liaison within the agency (d) As used in this order: under this order. (i) ‘‘agency’’ has the meaning of ‘‘execu- (d) Each executive agency shall provide its tive agency’’ as defined in section 105 Liaison with appropriate administrative sup- of title 5, United States Code; and
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(ii) ‘‘USA Freedom Corps’’ means the tribution of support in troops to the new de- Director of the USA Freedom Corps mocracy in Iraq. I spent time describing to Office established by section 4 of Ex- the President a meeting I had today via video ecutive Order 13254 of January 29, conference with our Ambassador and Gen- 2002. eral Casey—very important for me to bring Sec. 4. Reporting Provisions. (a) Not later our ally up to date on the progress that’s than 180 days from the date of this order being made on the ground there. I shared and annually thereafter, each agency Liaison with him my hope that the national unity shall prepare and submit a report to the USA Government will help achieve the objective Freedom Corps that includes a description we all want, which is peace and democracy. of the agency’s activities in performing its And we, of course, talked about energy. functions under this order. And I appreciate the vision of the Govern- (b) A Liaison’s first report under sub- ment and the vision of the President in help- section (a) shall include annual performance ing this world achieve what we all want, indicators and measurable objectives for which is energy security. Azerbaijan has got agency action approved by the head of the a very important role to play. And we dis- agency. Each report filed thereafter under cussed internal politics, and we discussed subsection (a) shall measure the agency’s politics of the neighborhood as well, particu- performance against the indicators and ob- larly relations with Armenia. jectives approved by the head of the agency. I appreciate very much the candid discus- Sec. 5. Judicial Review. This order is not sion. I thank you for sharing your thoughts intended to, and does not, create any right with me, and thank you for our alliance. And or benefit, substantive or procedural, en- welcome. forceable by any party at law or in equity President Aliyev. against the United States, its departments, Thank you very much, agencies, entities, officers, employees, or Mr. President. I am very grateful for the invi- agents, or any other person. tation. I’m very glad to be in Washington and have an opportunity to discuss with you the George W. Bush issues of bilateral relations. I’m sure that our The White House, relations of strategic partnership will April 27, 2006. strengthen in the future. We covered all the aspects of our bilateral [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, relations. We are very grateful for the leader- 9:05 a.m., April 28, 2006] ship of the United States in promotion of the energy security issues in the region, in assist- NOTE: This Executive order was published in the ing us to create a solid transportation infra- Federal Register on May 1. structure which will allow to develop a full- scale Caspian oil and gas reserves and to de- Remarks Following Discussions With liver them to the international markets. President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan We are allies in the war on terror. We’ve April 28, 2006 been from the very first day, shoulder to shoulder with the United States in the peace- President Bush. Mr. President, welcome. keeping operations in various parts of the We’ve just had a really interesting visit. And world, and will continue to contribute to the we talked about the need to—for the world creation of peace and stability in the region. to see a modern Muslim country that is able Of course, the issues of resolution of Ar- to provide for its citizens, that understands menia and Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh that democracy is the wave of the future. And are also in the center of our discussions and I appreciate your leadership, Mr. President. we—I informed Mr. President with the latest We, obviously, talked about Iran. I assured status of the negotiations and expressed my the President of my desire to solve this prob- hope that a peaceful settlement of the con- lem diplomatically and peacefully. I appre- flict will happen and will serve to the peace ciate so very much the Government’s con- and stability in the whole region.
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In general, I’d like to say that I’m very pened to this mom as a result of the actions satisfied with my visit, and I consider this of North Korea. If North Korea expects to as instrumental in the future development of be respected in the world, that country must Azerbaijan as a modern, secular, democratic respect human rights and human dignity and country. We share the same values. We are must allow this mother to hug her child grateful for United States assistance in pro- again. motion of political process, process of de- I talked to a family, a young North Korean mocratization of our society, and very com- family that escaped the clutches of tyranny mitted to continue this cooperation in the in order to live in freedom. This young cou- future. ple was about to have a child, and the mom Thank you very much, Mr. President. was 5 months pregnant when they crossed President Bush. One final word. I forgot the river to get into China. They wandered to mention, I do want to congratulate the in China, wondering whether or not their President and the First Lady on the marriage child could grow up and have a decent life. of their daughter this weekend. It’s a major They were deeply concerned about the fu- sacrifice for the President to be here during ture of their child; any mother and father the planning phases of the wedding. And we would be concerned about their child. wish you and the First Lady all the best, and They had to wander because they did not more importantly, we wish your daughter all want to have their child grow up in a society the best. that was brutal, a society that did not respect President Aliyev. Thank you, Mr. Presi- the human condition. By the grace of God, dent. they found safe haven. Their child was born President Bush. Thank you. and now safely sits here in the Oval Office. I talked to a courageous man who escaped NOTE: The President spoke at 10:49 a.m. in the from North Korea. He was in the North Ko- Oval Office at the White House. In his remarks, rean military. He saw firsthand the brutal na- he referred to U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay ture of the regime, and he couldn’t—his Khalilzad; Gen. George W. Casey, Jr., USA, com- heart could no longer take it. He followed manding general, Multi-National Force—Iraq; his conscience and escaped. He speaks for and President Aliyev’s wife, Mehriban Aliyeva, and daughter, Leyla Aliyeva. thousands who have escaped North Korea and thousands who live inside the country; he speaks eloquently about the need for their Remarks Following a Meeting With freedom and for them to be treated decently. North Korean Defectors and Family The world requires courage to confront Members of Japanese Abducted by people who do not respect human rights, and North Korea it has been my honor to welcome into the Oval Office people of enormous courage: a April 28, 2006 mom; a mother and dad of a young child; I have just had one of the most moving a former soldier; a brother. And so I welcome meetings since I’ve been the President, here you here. We’re proud you’re here. I assure in the Oval Office. I met with a mom and you that the United States of America strong- a brother who long to be reunited with her ly respects human rights. We strongly will daughter and his sister. They’re apart be- work for freedom so that the people of North cause the North Korean Government ab- Korea can raise their children in a world ducted the child when she was a teenager. that’s free and hopeful and so that moms will And all the mom wants is to be reunited with never again have to worry about an abducted her daughter. daughter. It is hard to believe that a country would May God bless you all. Thanks for coming. foster abduction. It’s hard for Americans to NOTE: The President spoke at 11:39 a.m. in the imagine that a leader of any country would Oval Office at the White House. In his remarks, encourage the abduction of a young child. he referred to Sakie Yokata, mother, and Takuya It’s a heartless country that would separate Yokata, brother, of Megumi Yokata, a Japanese loved ones, and yet that’s exactly what hap- woman abducted by North Korean authorities;
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and Kim Guang Choel and Lee Seong Hee, who The President. Excuse me, please. Jen- defected from North Korea, and their daughter, nifer [Jennifer Loven, Associated Press]. Kim Han-Mee. Iran Remarks on the National Economy Q. Thank you, sir. The IAEA says that Iran is not in compliance with the Security Coun- and an Exchange With Reporters cil. What sort of sanctions do you—would April 28, 2006 you like to see and—that could bring Russia The President. Thank you very much for and Chinese support? joining us today. I’m joined by my two top The President. The IAEA statement is an White House economic advisers. The reason important statement. It reminds the nations why is because we’ve had some very positive of the world that there is an ongoing diplo- economic news today: The Commerce De- matic effort to convince the Iranians to give partment announced that our economy grew up their nuclear weapons ambitions. It re- at an impressive 4.8 percent annual rate in minds—it should remind the Iranians that the first quarter of this year. That’s the fastest the world is united and concerned about rate since 2003. This rapid growth is another their desire to have not only a nuclear weap- sign that our economy is on the fast track. on but the capacity to make a nuclear weapon The good news comes on the heels of two or the knowledge to make a nuclear weapon, other important economic indicators re- all of which we’re working hard to convince ported earlier this week: New home sales them not to try to achieve. surged forward by nearly 14 percent last I will consult and continue to consult with month; consumer confidence reached its our allies on this issue. I spoke to Chancellor highest level since May of 2002. This con- Merkel this morning about this issue. She fidence is largely driven by the many jobs will be coming to Washington next week. We being created in our country—5.1 million will continue discussions about how we can since August of 2003. continue to maintain a united front. It’s very This good news cannot be taken for grant- important for the Iranians to understand ed. With gas prices on the minds of Ameri- there’s a common desire by a lot of nations cans, we need to keep our foot on the pedal in this world to convince them, peacefully of this strong economy. The surest way to convince them, that they ought to give up put the brakes on our economic growth their weapons ambitions. would be to raise taxes or spend too much Steve [Steve Holland, Reuters]. of the people’s money here in Washington. Fuel/Energy That’s why I’m going to continue to work with Congress to make the tax relief that Q. Thank you, sir. You mentioned gas helped spur this economic growth perma- prices; would you go along with an effort by nent. That’s why I’m going to work with Con- some Senate Republicans that could levy a gress to restrain the Federal Government’s significant tax on oil companies’ profits? And appetite for spending. And that’s why I’m does it bother you that the oil companies are going to work with Congress to make this racking up these record profits when people country less dependent on foreign sources of are paying $3 a gallon? oil. The President. My attitude is that the oil I commend America’s workers and small- companies need to be mindful that the business owners, innovators and educators American people expect them to reinvest for contributing to the strong economic their cash flows in such a way that it enhances health of our Nation. I will continue to pur- our energy security. That means pipeline sue progrowth policies so that opportunity construction for natural gas deliveries. That reaches every American neighborhood and means expansion of refineries. That means every American family. exploration in environmentally friendly ways. With that, I’ll be glad to take a couple of It also means investment in renewable questions. sources of energy. And that’s what the Amer- Q. Mr. President—— ican people expect. They also expect to be
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treated fairly at the pump, and that’s why ganizations to take a firmer control of the the Federal Trade Commission is going to situation there. Is there anything you can do monitor the situation very carefully to make to leverage the Sudanese Government, and sure the American people are treated fairly. what’s your message to them? Q. So ‘‘no’’ to a tax on profits? The President. My message to them is, The President. Look, the temptation in we expect there to be full compliance with Washington is to tax everything, and they the international desire for there to be peace spend the money—‘‘they’’ being the people in the Darfur region. We have taken the situ- in Washington. The answer is, is for there ation to the United Nations Security Council. to be strong reinvestment to make this coun- My belief is that the AU forces that are on try more secure from an energy perspective. the ground—and by the way, we helped the Listen, these oil prices are a wake-up call. AU forces get in there in the first place— We’re dependent upon oil, and we need to we think that force needs to be expanded get off oil. And the best way to do so is and blue-helmeted with the NATO overlay, through technology. And I’ve been traveling with NATO help. the country talking about the need to develop And so therefore, the message to the Suda- alternative sources of energy, such as eth- nese Government is, we’re very serious about anol, and to spend money to advance tech- getting this problem solved. We don’t like nologies, such as new battery technology that it when we see women raped and brutalized. will enable us to have plug-in hybrid vehicles. And we expect there to be a full effort by We signed a good energy bill a while ago, the Government to protect human life and and that encouraged—for example, one thing human condition. it’s got in there is a tax credit to encourage We also recognize there’s a parallel polit- people to purchase hybrid vehicles so that ical track taking place, and that we urge the the consumptive patterns of the American rebels, as well as the Government to forge people change. a consensus at Abuja, so that there is a way And the American people have got to un- forward from this—from the impasse, polit- derstand that we’re living in a global econ- ical impasse that has taken place thus far in omy, and so when China and India demand Sudan. There is a good go-by for people to more oil, it affects the price of gasoline at look at, and that is the north-south agree- the pump. And therefore, it’s important for ment that this Government helped fashion us to diversify away from oil. under the leadership of Secretary of State But it’s also important for the people to Colin Powell as well as Special Envoy Jack understand that one of the reasons why the Danforth. The north-south agreement shows price is gasoline is up is, there’s tight gasoline that political solutions are possible. supplies. And one reason there’s tight gaso- And so we expect the Sudanese Govern- line supplies is because we haven’t built any ment to be good-faith bargainers; we expect new refineries since the 1970s. And there- the rebels to be good-faith bargainers. But fore, Congress needs to provide regulatory we also expect people to—particularly the relief so people can expand their refineries. Sudanese Government, to make a more con- So it’s a combination of people investing certed effort to control the Janjaweed and the cash flows, as well as regulatory relief protect human life. The meeting today and to enhance the ability for people to achieve the rallies around the country are a clear sig- the objective, which is more gasoline on the nal that the United States is committed to market, which will help our consumers. peace in Darfur. Dick Keil [Richard Keil, Bloomberg Mark Smith [Associated Press Radio]. News]. Iran Sudan Q. Mr. President, let’s come back to Iran, Q. Thank you, Mr. President. You have if we can. The Iranians have said they’re a meeting later today on Darfur, and the Su- going to ignore what happens at the U.N. danese Government continues to thwart ef- Security Council. Doesn’t that mean the dip- forts by the U.N. and other multinational or- lomatic options are dwindling?
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The President. No, I think the diplomatic with Congress to make these tax cuts a real options are just beginning. As you might re- part of economic life for a long time coming. call, about 6 or 7 months ago, you were ask- And we’ve also got to be wise about spend- ing me questions about the United Nations ing. I issued a veto threat the other day be- Security Council vis-a-vis Iran, and now cause I was deeply concerned that the sup- we’re headed to the United Nations Security plemental was getting out of hand. And I rec- Council. And I look forward to working with ognize that in order for us to cut the deficit all interested parties to make sure that in half, we’ve got to keep progrowth eco- there’s a common voice. nomic policies in place, as well as control Listen, the first thing that has to happen Federal spending. diplomatically for anything to be effective is I talked about the need for this country that we all agree on the goal. And we’ve not to fear the future but to shape it. In other agreed on the goal, and that is the Iranians words, we shouldn’t worry about competition should not have a nuclear weapon, the capac- from China and India. And because—we can ity to make a nuclear weapon, or the knowl- outcompete those countries if we’re wise edge as to how to make a nuclear weapon. about what we do here at home. And one And now that we’ve got the goal in mind, we’re working on the tactics. And today’s of the most wise things we can do is to make IAEA report should remind us all that the sure our children have got the skills necessary Iranian Government’s intransigence is not to fill the jobs of the 21st century. acceptable. I’ve been talking about energy independ- David Gregory [NBC News]. ence for a long period of time. You might remember, last summer, I was urging Con- gress to pass a comprehensive energy bill so Second-Term Agenda that we could deal with conservation and new Q. Mr. President, we’re seeing some turn- technologies and diversification. And so I’m over and some change within your adminis- going to keep working hard for the American tration, and I wonder what it says about what people to get results. you think is necessary to turn your Presi- By the way, we’re in the midst of imple- dency around at this point? menting now a Medicare bill which is helping The President. I think it’s necessary to our seniors a lot. And if you—if a senior has continue doing—to achieving results for the not signed up, I urge you to take a look at American people. We’ve got big challenges the Medicare prescription drug program, for this country, and I’ve got a strategy to particularly if you’re a low-income senior. It’s deal with them. an enormous benefit, and it’s a necessary The biggest challenge we face is winning benefit. the war on terror and to protect the Amer- So there’s a lot to do today, but we’ll con- ican people. And we’ll continue to keep on tinue to be results-oriented. the offense, to keep the terrorists off balance, Martha Raddatz [ABC News]. to find them and bring them to justice. And at the same time, we’ll continue to work to Q. Sir. I’m sorry, but I asked you about spread democracy, understanding that de- your internal changes and what that says mocracy is the best way to defeat an ideology about how you think things need to be of hatred. changed. They’ve been very public, your in- At home, it’s important to make sure this ternal changes. economy continues to grow, and that’s why The President. Well, David, I’m a results- I’m working with Congress to make the tax oriented person, and my job is to achieve cuts permanent. I fully understand there are things for the American people, positive re- some here who would like the tax cuts to sults that make us more secure and more expire, or raise taxes. In my judgment, that prosperous. And of course, I will have people would be bad for the economy. It would hurt by my side that work toward that objective. small-business formation and hurt the entre- Thank you for your penetrating question. preneurial spirit. So I will continue to work Q. Thank you.
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The President. Plus, I’m not going to hire The President. No I don’t. you, if that’s what you were suggesting. Q. Why, sir? [Laughter] The President. Because I think the na- Q. I was not suggesting that. [Laughter] tional anthem ought to be sung in English. The President. I would, except you can’t And I think people who want to be a citizen pass the background check. [Laughter] Okay, of this country ought to learn English, and an unnecessary cheap shot; I take it back. they ought to learn to sing the national an- Martha. them in English. Axelrod [Jim Axelrod, CBS]. Iran/Iraq Q. You often say Iran is not Iraq. Iran The President. Yes, I do say that. Q. Mr. President. Q. There are many people who fear that The President. Yes. this will turn into a military confrontation. Q. I just want to follow up one more time Why is Iran not Iraq? There’s WMD—— on Iran. Mr. Ahmadinejad was quoted this The President. Iraq went through 16 dif- morning as saying, those who want to prevent ferent Security Council resolutions. There Iranians from obtaining their right should was resolution after resolution after resolu- ‘‘know that we do not give a damn,’’ his tion. Iraq had invaded its neighbors. Iraq was words, sir, ‘‘about such resolutions.’’ shooting at U.S. aircraft. Iraq had actually The President. Okay. used weapons of mass destruction on its peo- Q. When you’re talking about diplomacy, ple before. There’s a difference between the sir, a question of tactics at this point, not two countries. goals. If you have, for instance, Russia saying, Iran’s desire to have a nuclear weapon is they don’t want a Chapter VII resolution, if dangerous, in my judgment. The diplomatic you’re dealing with a gentleman who uses process is just starting. this kind of rhetoric, what kind of tactics can Q. But when you talk about that, how you possibly come up with? many resolutions are you going to let go The President. I guess the first thing I here? How far—— would do is refer those comments to our The President. We haven’t had one yet. partners and get their reaction, to see what Q. I know, but how far can you let them they say, see how they react to those kind go? If you really fear that they’re building of comments. And I haven’t had a chance a nuclear—— to do that yet, since it just happened today. The President. Wait until we even get one But I will continue to work with our friends resolution first, before you ask me about the and allies. second resolution. The diplomatic process is Listen, key—step one is to have a common just beginning. We’re forming a strong coali- goal. I know that sounds simple to you, prob- tion of like-minded countries that believe ably, but it wasn’t always that way. The world that the Iranians should not have a nuclear wasn’t always of like mind that the Iranians weapon. And I’ve told the American people were, you know, headed for a weapon, and that diplomacy is my first choice, and it that that would be a dangerous course of ac- should be the first choice of every American tion. And now we are of like mind. And so President in order to solve a very difficult we are in the stage now of formulating a problem. There are significant differences strategy to achieve a diplomatic solution to between Iran and Iraq. this problem. Kelly [Kelly O’Donnell, NBC News]. Q. But Mr. President, given everything you’ve been hearing from Mr. Ahmadinejad Spanish Version of National Anthem over the past several weeks and months, in Q. Mr. President, a cultural question for your estimation, is this someone you can you. There is a version of the national anthem work with? in Spanish now. Do you believe it will hold The President. That’s going to be his the same value if sung in Spanish as in choice, eventually. And it’s going to be very English? important for Mr. Ahmadinejad to recognize
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the world is united in our desire, and it’s his proposing. Do you have any regrets now that choice to make. gas is $3 that you didn’t do enough in your Carl Cameron [FOX News]. first term to prevent these prices? The President. As you know, in order for Fuel there to be a CAFE standard increase on Q. Thank you, Mr. President, good morn- cars, it requires congressional action. I think ing. it’s a good idea to give the President, through The President. Thank you. the Secretary of Transportation, the oppor- Q. Back to gas prices just a moment ago. tunity to raise CAFE standards, just like I Insofar as you directed some of your Cabinet did on light trucks. And we’re spending— this week to look into the possibility of price I think it’s about $10 billion since I’ve been gouging, do you have a suspicion yourself, President on alternative sources of energy, do you have evidence here at the White and we’re making progress; we’re close to House, and should the American consumer some significant breakthroughs. believe that you think they’re being ripped The point is, is that it’s very important for off? us to diversify away from oil. You might re- The President. I have no evidence that member when I first came in—I think the there’s any rip-off taking place, but it’s the price of oil was like—I know it was below role of the Federal Trade Commission to as- $20, and it’s all of a sudden—now that the sure me that my inclination and instincts is price of oil is up, alternatives become much right. More importantly, it’s up to the Fed- more economically viable, and therefore, I eral Trade Commission to assure the Amer- think the American people are going to see ican people that they’re being treated fairly a lot of technological development happen at the pump. quickly, which will enable people to have dif- Let’s see—Mark Smith. ferent options and different choices. Q. Another one? The hybrid vehicle has just hit the road The President. Oh, you already asked recently, as you know. There’s a big demand one? for hybrids. I think it makes sense to have Q. Call on my colleagues. tax credits to encourage people to buy hy- The President. Did you ask one? brids. Increase in demand will cause pro- Q. Yes, sir. ducers to produce more. And as you know, The President. Oh, you did ask one. that there’s limitations on the number of— [Laughter] the amount of tax credit issued per manufac- Q. It was a memorable question. turer. I think we ought to just make sure the Q. Really a great question. [Laughter] tax credit is applied to all people purchasing Q. Can I follow up on the energy question, hybrid vehicles. Mr. President? Herman [Ken Herman, Austin American- The President. No, you can’t, because I Statesman]. just embarrassed myself by calling on Smith twice. [Laughter] That’s right; it was that Dubai Holding LLC brilliant question. How could I forget? Q. Thank you, sir. VandeHei [Jim VandeHei, Washington The President. Yes. Glad to work you into Post]. a national press conference for the first time in a long time. Energy/Alternative Fuel Sources Q. Proud to be here, sir. Are there inher- Q. In talking about gas prices, in 2001, ent and unavoidable risks in allowing the sale when you did your first energy policy and of a defense firm to interests owned by gas prices were about $1.50, a lot of people Dubai? were saying, you know, you have to push The President. That question has been CAFE standards higher for the entire fleet looked at very carefully, has been analyzed of vehicles; you have to scrutinize oil compa- by a CFIUS committee. I signed off on it nies more closely; you have to spend a lot this morning because I’m convinced, at the more in alternative fuels than even you were recommendation of the CFIUS committee,
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as well as our military, that it’s a sale that pretty smooth process, which is not nec- should go through. essarily a given. April [April Ryan, American Urban Radio Yes, sir. Networks]. Emergency Management/Gulf Coast Elections in New Orleans, LA Recovery Q. Mr. President, some have questioned Q. Mr. President, yesterday Senators your efforts in having every vote count in this Lieberman and Collins said they want to see Nation, especially after the April 22d New FEMA abolished. I’d like you to comment Orleans elections. Now with that, what are on that. But also, with hurricane season only you looking to do with the three sections of a month away, can you assure the American the Voting Rights Act that are set to expire people that your Government has learned in 2007? How are you planning to enhance the lessons of Katrina? those sections, because we understand that The President. Thanks for the question. you want to study it prior to any passing of That was obviously on people’s minds when a bill by the Senate. I went down to New Orleans and Mississippi. The President. I think I’m on record, as The lessons of Katrina are very important. a matter of fact I’m pretty clearly on record, We’ve learned a lot here at the Federal level: particularly at the Rosa Parks—signing of the One, there needs to be better coordination Rosa Parks bill, that I’m for the extension between local and State governments; sec- of the Voting Rights Act, right? ondly, that there needs to be a communica- Q. Yes, yes you are on record. But there tions package that will be available to help is word that you want to enhance it, or people deal with the situation that happened last within your administration want to look at time, which was total destruction of commu- it to tweak it. nications capabilities; third, that there needs The President. I wanted to make sure the to make sure that there is a law enforcement Voting Rights Act is strong and capable. I’m alternative in case there’s a local—a break- not exactly sure what you’re talking about. down of local law enforcement; fourthly, But my statement is my statement: The Vot- there needs to be a prepositioning of assets ing Rights Act ought to be extended. The so that if a major storm were to come, we’d Voting Rights Act is a very important part be able to move equipment in faster. of the civil rights legislation. Everybody But most important, there needs to be a ought to be encouraged to vote. Voting is coordination and an understanding of the a valuable part of democracy, and we want evacuation and relief plans. And I talked to people voting. the Mayor and both Governors that I met Q. Do you think it was valuable in April— with yesterday about our seriousness in work- for the April 22d elections in New Orleans? ing with them to make sure that the plans The President. I’m not going to second- are as effective as possible. guess the Federal judge. I was just down The communications, obviously, this time there yesterday; I didn’t hear much com- around are a lot better than last time around. plaining about it, though, when I was there. And so the lessons are being learned. And And, obviously, it’s a more difficult election my attitude toward the recommendations by with people scattered around, but the State Fran Townsend, who is a part of my adminis- worked very hard to encourage people to tration, or the Congress is, we ought to take vote. And I was with Mayor Nagin and Gov- them all seriously. The objective is to re- ernor Blanco, and the subject, frankly, didn’t spond to these natural disasters as well as come up. That’s not to say it’s not on their we possibly can. minds. It’s on Mayor Nagin’s mind because The other issue down there for New Orle- he wants to win; he wants people voting. ans, of course, are the levees. And we’ve got But the State bent over backwards to en- money in the sup to make sure that these courage people to participate in the mayoral levees are pre-Katrina or better prior to June election, and it looked like the process, given 1st. I think we’ll achieve that objective. Addi- the circumstances the city had been under, tional money will be spent so that the levees
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are improved significantly by September of The President. I think preparation is— ’07. The levees are important—the rebuild- Chris, preparation is preparation at all levels ing of the levees, or improving of the levees of government. Most Governors will tell you are very important to assure the people of that the main responsibility for disaster relief New Orleans that if there is a storm, they’re is at the State level. And the job of the Fed- built to pre-Katrina levels, as least in the ini- eral Government is to step in and help. And tial stage. But also, it’s important to convince so Chertoff has been down there. Secretary people that it’s okay to risk capital in New Chertoff has been down there working with Orleans. these local governments to review their plans The amazing thing in the area down and to analyze where the Federal Govern- there—I don’t know if you all went with ment can help if there’s any breakdown what- me—but it was—there’s this totally different soever. attitude from when we were there before, One of the key issues, of course, again, early on, obviously, after the storm. People in New Orleans, is transportation. We re- are coming back. Sales taxes along the gulf member those pictures of those buses—peo- coast of Mississippi are higher today than ple looking to get out, and yet there were they were a year ago this date. And that’s these buses in flooded areas. And so one of positive. the areas where Homeland Security Depart- But look, there’s still a lot of work to be ment, working with the State and local gov- done, a lot of reconstruction. The CDBG ernments, is to make sure there’s a transpor- money—and it’s very important for the Con- tation plan that will work. gress to pass the CDBG money I requested It’s going to be interesting—let’s pray— so that the housing issue can get—people can first of all, pray there’s no hurricanes. That get back to rebuilding their homes. And Mis- would be, like, step one. Step two, if one sissippi, the CDBG money will be coming is coming, I suspect people are going to take out pretty quick; New Orleans, they’ve still hurricane warnings very seriously and that got a little work. The Governor has proposed evacuation orders will be heeded very seri- a plan that will be in front of the legislature, ously. And so it’s going to be a—and there- I think, this weekend. It’s a very important fore, there’s a need to make sure that the step to getting this process moving. forecasting is accurate—and this is pretty And so, got a lot of work to do. But, yes, much the way it is these days, been very ac- we’re much more ready this time than last curate forecasting—and that the response by time. And we’re taking very seriously the les- all of us is in a timely fashion to give people sons learned from Katrina. time to prepare. Q. Abolish FEMA? But now is the time to put these plans in The President. I’ve looked at all sugges- place, and we’re doing it. And I feel pretty tions, but my attitude is, let’s make it work. good about the coordination and the sessions We’re about 6 weeks away from—we’re get- that have been taking place down there. And ting pretty close. as I understand, Secretary Chertoff will be Who are you again? [Laughter] going back down there again. Q. I got a few more, if you like. And, by the way, the plans are not just The President. You’ve had a big day. for New Orleans and Mississippi; they’re for [Laughter] Alabama and Florida and Texas as well. In Q. That’s three. That’s three. other words, it’s for Hurricane Alley. The President. Butting in once, called on Yes. Dallas Morning News man [G. Robert unnecessarily once. Hillman, Dallas Morning News]. Cooper [Christopher Cooper, Wall Street Journal]. Immigration Reform Q. Yes, Mr. President, on Monday, several Emergency Response Preparation million illegal immigrants, worried about Q. Yes, sir, regarding FEMA, do you think some forms of immigration legislation in the that they’re prepared for the season? And is Congress, are going to walk off the job and there any way to measure that at this point? keep their kids home from schools. What is
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your view of this call for a national boycott provides a temporary-worker process for on Monday? people, one that does not provide automatic The President. I’m not a supporter of citizenship—I don’t think anybody really boycotts; I am a supporter of comprehensive wants there to be automatic amnesty for peo- immigration. I understand how difficult this ple—one that allows somebody here to be issue is for some people here in Washington able to get in—if they want to be a citizen, and around the country, but there is—my to be able to get in line, but not the front judgment, that enforcing our border requires of the line but the back of the line. a—and by the way, I think most Americans And that’s what I’m for, a comprehensive agree that we’ve got to enforce our border. plan. I think we can get one done if people I don’t think there’s any question about would set aside politics and focus on what’s that—— best for the United States of America. Q. Do you think—— Thank you for your time. I’ve enjoyed this. The President. Let me finish, please, Bob, I will see you all tomorrow night, I guess. thank you—that there needs to be interior Looking forward to it. I hope you are as well. enforcement as well. But I recognize it’s hard to enforce the border and have interior en- NOTE: The President spoke at 11:47 a.m. in the forcement if there is a smuggling network Rose Garden at the White House. In his remarks, that’s bringing people across and there’s a he referred to Edward P. Lazear, Chairman, forgery network that’s providing people false Council of Economic Advisers; former Secretary documents. And therefore, I believe a tem- of State Colin L. Powell; former Senator John C. porary-worker program will make it easier to ‘‘Jack’’ Danforth of Missouri; Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany; President Mahmoud enforce the border, as well as have interior Ahmadinejad of Iran; Mayor C. Ray Nagin of New enforcement. Orleans, LA; Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco of And if somebody is coming across to do Louisiana; and Gov. Haley Barbour of Mississippi. a job on a temporary basis, they don’t need to sneak across. They don’t need a coyote to stuff them in the back of an 18-wheeler. Remarks Following a Meeting on They don’t need to walk across the desert Sudan and risk their lives. And so a rational way April 28, 2006 to make sure our border is enforced is to have a temporary-worker program. And I just had an extraordinary conversation that’s what I support. with fellow citizens from different faiths, all I think it’s very important for people, when of who have come to urge our Government they do express themselves, they continue to to continue to focus on saving lives in Sudan. do so in a peaceful way, in a respectful way— They agree with thousands of our citizens— respectful of the—how highly charged this hundreds of thousands of our citizens—that debate can become. One of the things that’s genocide in Sudan is unacceptable. very important is, when we debate this issue And there will be rallies across our country that we not lose our national soul. One of to send a message to the Sudanese Govern- the great things about America is that we’ve ment that the genocide must stop. Those ral- been able to take people from all walks of lies will also be an indication that thousands life bound as one nation under God. And and hundreds of thousands of our citizens that’s the challenge ahead of us. urge the world to unite with the United And I look forward to working with mem- States in concerted action. bers of both political parties to get a bill out We have got AU troops on the ground; of the United States Senate and into con- those troops need to be augmented and in- ference, which would then mean we have a creased through strong United Nations ac- chance to get a comprehensive bill to my tion. And the United States strongly supports desk. And I want a comprehensive bill, one a U.N. resolution to do that. I believe it’s that enforces the border, one that makes sure important for the United States to be in- that we’ve got interior enforcement proce- volved, and the best way to be involved with dures in place that actually work, one that the AU troops is through NATO. I’ve worked
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with the Secretary General of NATO and our Capital LLC, a subsidiary of Dubai Holding allies in NATO to provide a firm response LLC. to the actions that are taking place on the I have made this decision under the au- ground. I want the Sudanese Government to thority vested in me as President by section understand the United States of America is 721 of the Defense Production Act of 1950 serious about solving this problem. (the ‘‘Exon-Florio amendment’’), 50 U.S.C. I’m proud of our Nation’s generosity when App. 2170, and on the basis of the rec- it comes to aid, and the American people ommendation from senior officials who make ought to be proud of the taxpayer dollars that up the Committee on Foreign Investment in have gone to provide much needed aid for the United States. those who suffer. But this Government must The attached report, prepared by my Ad- understand that we expect the aid to get to ministration, is submitted consistent with the people, and we expect there to be a solu- subsection (g) of that amendment and is sub- tion to this problem. ject to the provisions of subsection (c) re- There will be rallies all across the country. garding confidentiality of information. And for those of you who are going out to Sincerely, march for justice, you represent the best of George W. Bush our country. We believe every life is pre- cious, every human being is important. And NOTE: Identical letters were sent to J. Dennis the signal you send to the world is a strong Hastert, Speaker of the House of Representatives, signal, and I welcome your participation. And and Richard B. Cheney, President of the Senate. I want to thank the organizers for being here. An original was not available for verification of I want to thank this good man right here— the content of this letter. he sits here next to his President, and it wasn’t all that long ago that he was a slave inside Sudan. He sits here to represent the thousands of lives who have been affected Digest of Other by a Government that must honor human White House Announcements rights. And, Simon, I’m proud to have you here as a fellow American, proud to have you here The following list includes the President’s public as a friend. schedule and other items of general interest an- Thank you all for coming. nounced by the Office of the Press Secretary and not included elsewhere in this issue.
NOTE: The President spoke at 1:50 p.m. in the April 22 Roosevelt Room at the White House. In his re- marks, he referred to Secretary General Jakob In the morning, in St. Helena, CA, the Gijbert ‘‘Jaap’’ de Hoop Scheffer of the North At- President had an intelligence briefing. Later, lantic Treaty Organization; and Simon Deng, in the Los Posados State Forest, he bicycled founder of the Sudan Freedom Walk. with the Travis Air Force Base cycling team. In the afternoon, the President traveled to West Sacramento, CA, where he toured the Letter to Congressional Leaders on California Fuel Cell Partnership. Later, he the Proposed Acquisition of Ross traveled to Palm Springs, CA, where, upon Catherall US Holdings Inc., by Dubai arrival, he met with USA Freedom Corps vol- International Capital LLC unteer Liridon Leti. He then traveled to In- April 28, 2006 dian Wells, CA. In the evening, the President traveled to Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:) Rancho Mirage, CA. Attached is a classified report on my deci- sion to take no action to suspend or prohibit April 23 the proposed acquisition of Ross Catherall In the morning, the President had separate US Holdings Inc., by Dubai International telephone conversations with President Jalal
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Talabani, Speaker of Parliament Mahmoud The President announced his intention to al-Mashhadani, and Prime Minister-des- nominate Kevin J. Martin to be a Commis- ignate Jawad al-Maliki to congratulate them sioner of the Federal Communications Com- on their new positions and to pledge contin- mission and upon appointment to designate ued support for democracy in Iraq. The him as Chairman. President also had a telephone conversation The President announced his intention to with U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay nominate Sue C. Payton to be Assistant Sec- Khalilzad. retary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Re- Later in the morning, the President trav- search, and Development. eled to Twentynine Palms, CA, where, in the The President announced his intention to Protestant chapel of the Marine Corps Air nominate Steven C. Preston to be Adminis- Ground Combat Center, he attended a trator of the Small Business Administration. church service. The President announced his intention to In the afternoon, in the Mess Hall of the nominate Gaddi H. Vasquez for the rank of Marine Air Ground Combat Center, the Ambassador during his tenure of service as President had lunch with members of the U.S. Representative to the United Nations Marine Corps and U.S. Navy and their family Agencies for Food and Agriculture. members. Later, he returned to Rancho Mi- The President announced his intention to rage, CA. nominate Lawrence A. Warder to be Chief In the evening, the President met and had Financial Officer of the Department of Edu- dinner with local officials. cation. The President announced his intention to April 24 appoint Ralph B. Marquez as a member of In the morning, the President had an intel- the Joint Public Advisory Committee of the ligence briefing. Later, he traveled to Santa Commission for Environmental Cooperation. Ana, CA, where, upon arrival, he met with The President announced his intention to USA Freedom Corps volunteer Laura appoint David A. Ullrich as a Commissioner Chanan. He then traveled to Irvine, CA. of the U.S. Section of the Great Lakes Fish- Later in the morning, the President trav- ery Commission. eled to Las Vegas, NV, where, upon arrival, The President announced his intention to he met with USA Freedom Corps volunteer designate Robert H. Foglesong as Co-Chair- Patty Murphy. man of the U.S.-Russian Joint Commission In the afternoon, the President returned on POW/MIAs. to Washington, DC. The White House announced that the April 26 President will welcome President Tabare In the morning, the President had an intel- Vazquez of Uruguay to the White House on ligence briefing. Later, in the Roosevelt May 4. Room, he met with Members of Congress April 25 to discuss the situation in Iraq. In the afternoon, the President had lunch In the morning, the President had a tele- with Vice President Dick Cheney. Later, he phone conversation with President Hosni met with John J. Danilovich, Chief Executive Mubarak of Egypt to offer condolences for Officer of the Millennium Challenge Cor- the loss of life due to recent terrorist attacks poration. Then, in the Yellow Oval Room, in Egypt. Later, he had an intelligence brief- he met with Republican Senators. ing. Then, in the Roosevelt Room, he met In the evening, the President and Mrs. with Senators to discuss the situation in Iraq. Bush hosted a reception for Republican The President announced his intention to Members of Congress. nominate April H. Foley to be Ambassador to Hungary. The President announced his intention to April 27 nominate Tracey Ann Jacobson to be Ambas- In the morning, the President had a tele- sador to Tajikistan. phone conversation with Prime Minister
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Ferenc Gyurcsany of Hungary to congratu- April 28 late him on his election victory. Later, he had In the morning, the President had an intel- an intelligence briefing. He then traveled to ligence briefing. New Orleans, LA, where, upon arrival, he met with USA Freedom Corps volunteer Tris Coffin, Jr. In the afternoon, on North Roman Street, the President participated in a Habitat for Nominations Humanity house rebuilding project. Later, Submitted to the Senate he traveled to Biloxi, MS, where he toured the Hands On Network Gulf Coast Civic Ac- The following list does not include promotions of tion Center. He then returned to Wash- members of the Uniformed Services, nominations ington, DC. to the Service Academies, or nominations of For- The President announced his intention to eign Service officers. nominate Robert Anthony Bradtke to be Am- bassador to Croatia. Submitted April 24 The President announced his intention to Gustavo Antonio Gelpi, nominate Dale Klein to be a Commissioner of Puerto Rico, to be U.S. District Judge for of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the District of Puerto Rico, vice Hector M. upon appointment to designate him as Chair- Laffitte, retired. man. The President announced his intention to Philip S. Gutierrez, nominate James B. Lockhart III to be Direc- of California, to be U.S. District Judge for tor of the Office of Federal Housing Enter- the Central District of California, vice Terry prise Oversight. J. Hatter, Jr., retired. The President announced his intention to Daniel Porter Jordan III, nominate the following individuals to be of Mississippi, to be U.S. District Judge for members of the Internal Revenue Service the Southern District of Mississippi, vice Oversight Board: Paul Cherecwich, Jr.; Don- Tom S. Lee, retired. ald V. Hammond; Catherine G. West; and Deborah L. Wince-Smith. Erik C. Peterson, The President announced his intention to of Wisconsin, to be U.S. Attorney for the appoint the following individuals as members Western District of Wisconsin for the term of the President’s Council on Physical Fit- of 4 years, vice J.B. Van Hollen, resigned. ness and Sports: John Burke (and upon ap- Anita K. Blair, pointment to designate him chairman); of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Dorothy Gay Richardson (and upon appoint- the Air Force, vice Michael L. Dominguez. ment to designate her vice chairman); Denise Austin; James N. Baird; Paul Carrozza; Wil- Paul A. Denett, liam Greer; T.L. Mitchell; Charles H. Moore, of Virginia, to be Administrator for Federal Jr.; Catherine M. Baase; Kirk M. Bauer; Ste- Procurement Policy, vice David Safavian. ven Bornstein; Susan Lieberman Dell; Lillian Rachelle Green-Chamberlain; Donna Rich- Anne E. Derse, ardson Joyner; Edward R. Laskowski; Elisha of Maryland, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, Nelson Manning; Jerry V. Noyce; Mary Lou to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Pleni- Retton; Andrew Roddick; and W. Edgar potentiary of the United States of America Welden. to the Republic of Azerbaijan. The President announced his intention to designate James B. Lockhart III as Acting Robert S. Ford, Director of the Office of Federal Housing of Maryland, a career member of the Senior Enterprise Oversight. Foreign Service, class of Counselor, to be
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Ambassador Extraordinary and Pleni- Kevin J. Martin, potentiary of the United States of America of North Carolina, to be a member of the to the People’s Democratic Republic of Alge- Federal Communications Commission for a ria. term of 5 years from July 1, 2006 (reappoint- ment). Dirk Kempthorne, of Idaho, to be Secretary of the Interior, vice Sue C. Payton, Gale Ann Norton, resigned. of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, vice Marvin R. Sambur. Mark V. Rosenker, of Maryland, to be Chairman of the National Steven C. Preston, Transportation Safety Board for a term of 2 of Illinois, to be Administrator of the Small years, vice Ellen G. Engleman, term expired. Business Administration, vice Hector V. Barreto, Jr., resigned. Leslie V. Rowe, of Washington, a career member of the Sen- Frances Marie Tydingco-Gatewood, ior Foreign Service, class of Minister-Coun- of Guam, to be Judge for the District Court selor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and of Guam for the term of 10 years, vice John Plenipotentiary of the United States of S. Unpingco, term expired. America to Papua New Guinea, and to serve Gaddi H. Vasquez, concurrently and without additional com- of California, for the rank of Ambassador pensation as Ambassador Extraordinary and during his tenure of service as U.S. Rep- Plenipotentiary of the United States of resentative to the United Nations Agencies America to the Solomon Islands and Ambas- for Food and Agriculture. sador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic Lawrence A. Warder, of Vanuatu. of Texas, to be Chief Financial Officer, De- partment of Education, vice Jack Martin, re- Daniel S. Sullivan, signed. of Alaska, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Economic and Business Affairs), vice Submitted April 27 Earl Anthony Wayne. Robert Anthony Bradtke, Withdrawn April 24 of Maryland, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, John G. Emling, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Pleni- of Pennsylvania, to be an Assistant Secretary potentiary of the United States of America of Commerce, vice Brett T. Palmer, re- to the Republic of Croatia. signed, which was sent to the Senate on Feb- ruary 27, 2006. Robert J. Portman, of Ohio, to be Director of the Office of Man- Submitted April 25 agement and Budget, vice Joshua B. Bolten. April H. Foley, Dale Klein, of New York, to be Ambassador Extraor- of Texas, to be a member of the Nuclear Reg- dinary and Plenipotentiary of the United ulatory Commission for the term of 5 years States of America to the Republic of Hun- expiring June 30, 2011, vice Nils J. Diaz, gary. term expiring. Tracey Ann Jacobson, James B. Lockhart III, of the District of Columbia, a career member of Connecticut, to be Director of the Office of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Coun- of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, selor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Department of Housing and Urban Develop- Plenipotentiary of the United States of ment for a term of 5 years, vice Armando America to the Republic of Tajikistan. Falcon, Jr., resigned.
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Checklist Released April 26 of White House Press Releases Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- retary Scott McClellan The following list contains releases of the Office Fact sheet: The National Teacher of the of the Press Secretary that are neither printed as Year: A Commitment to Education Excel- items nor covered by entries in the Digest of lence Other White House Announcements.
Released April 27 Released April 22 Fact sheet: Earth Day 2006: Developing Transcript of a press gaggle by Press Sec- New Transportation Technology retary Scott McClellan Released April 23 Statement by the Press Secretary: U.S.-Tar- geted Sanctions on Persons in Connection Transcript of a press gaggle by Press Sec- With the Conflict in Sudan’s Darfur Region retary Scott McClellan Released April 24 Released April 28 Transcripts of press gaggles by Press Sec- Statement by the Press Secretary on pro- retary Scott McClellan posed acquisition of Ross Catherall US Hold- Statement by the Press Secretary: Visit of ings Inc., by a subsidiary of Dubai Holding Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez LLC Fact sheet: Comprehensive Immigration Re- Fact sheet: CAFE Reform for Passenger form: Securing Our Border Cars Released April 25 Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- retary Scott McClellan Acts Approved Transcript of a press briefing by National by the President Economic Council Director Allan B. Hub- bard on the President’s Four-Point Energy Plan NOTE: No acts approved by the President were Fact sheet: President Bush’s Four-Part Plan received by the Office of the Federal Register To Confront High Gasoline Prices during the period covered by this issue.
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