June 17 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2008
you just gave me about the issues that we And so I’m pleased, Mr. Secretary, that face, your optimism about success. your hard work in working with the allies I was telling the Secretary and the Gen- is paying off. eral, I just—about my trip to Europe, And, General, I know you’re moving on, where I was pleased with the strong com- but the country thanks you for what you mitments of our allies to helping us suc- did. The world is better off because of your ceed in Afghanistan. They know that what service. I’m proud to have you here. happens in Afghanistan matters to their Gen. Dan K. McNeill. Thank you, Mr. own internal security. President. They fully understand as well that help- The President. Yes, sir. Thank you. ing young girls go to school and helping NOTE: The President spoke at 10:44 a.m. in moms raise their babies in a—you know, the Oval Office at the White House. In his in a better environment, helping rebuild remarks, he referred to Gen. Dan K. this society after years of tyranny is in all McNeill, USA, former commander, NATO our interests. And it’s also a moral duty International Security Assistance Force, Af- we have. ghanistan, and his wife Maureen; and Sec- retary of Defense Robert M. Gates.
Remarks at a Reception for Black Music Month June 17, 2008
Thanks for coming. Please be seated. Roslyn Brock, vice chairman of the Thank you. Welcome to the White House. NAACP—Roslyn—yes, good to see you, I really appreciate you coming to celebrate Roslyn. Thanks for coming. Marc Morial, Black Music Month. Music has been a part president and CEO of the National Urban of this house since its beginning. Some of League, proud to have you here, Marc. our Presidents themselves were skilled mu- Thanks for coming. sicians; some were not. [Laughter] As a John Styll, president and CEO of the matter of fact, after the Temptations came Gospel Music Association—thanks, John. here a couple of months ago, I was so Dr. Bobby Jones, television host—where inspired that I thought I would take up are you, Bobby? There you are, Bobby. singing. [Laughter] Laura said, ‘‘You might Dyana Williams, cofounder and president just stick with practicing your speaking.’’ of the International Association of African [Laughter] So thanks for giving me a American Music—Dyana, thank you for chance to do it today. And thanks for com- coming—and everybody else. [Laughter] ing. We’re going to have a pretty special As we honor black music in America, day here at the White House. our thoughts turn to one of its legends, I want to thank my friend Alphonso Bo Diddley. Bo was one of the pioneers Jackson and Marcia. It’s good to see you. of rock and roll. And during his more than Appreciate you being here. five decades as a singer, songwriter, and Rod Paige, former Secretary of the Edu- performer, he changed the face of music; cation, celebrating his 75th birthday today. he really did. We mourn his loss, yet we Yes. You’re looking good, Rodney. know this: that his memory will live on Dr. Dorothy Height—honored you’re the songs and the joy he brought to mil- HEARING here, Dr. Height. Proud to be with you. lions, including a little fellow like me. So with
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all of us here today send our thoughts and For this year’s Black Music Month, we prayers to Bo Diddley’s family. return to the theme of gospel music. The Over the years, the White House has gospel music tradition was born from great been home to many memorable events in pain. Slaves sang spirituals to communicate black music. I suspect that 30 years from with one another in the fields, and songs now, when a President is speaking, he’s of faith helped black Americans endure the going to say, this is going to be one of injustice of segregation. Today, gospel is the memorable events. In 1882, President more than an anchor for black culture and Chester A. Arthur invited to the White history; it’s a source of inspiration for the House the first black choir ever to perform whole Nation. here, the Jubilee Singers from Fisk Univer- Gospel has influenced some of the leg- sity in Tennessee. Of course, during those ends of other forms of American music. days they had trouble finding a place to Louis Armstrong once said that when he stay. But they were welcomed warmly here sang in church, his heart went into every at the White House, just like everybody song. Aretha Franklin wowed crowds in her here is welcomed warmly at the White dad’s church in Detroit. Elvis Presley lis- House. Their music was so powerful that tened to gospel music after rock concerts it moved President Arthur to tears. to calm his mind. And Bob Dylan won In the ensuing decades, other Presidents a Grammy for his song—for his album of followed this example, recognizing the con- gospel hymns. tributions of black musicians when many Today, gospel music continues to provide other Americans would not. Benjamin Har- strength for our communities, and it is rison welcomed the daughter of a former making the ‘‘good news’’ sound sweeter slave, an opera singer named Sissieretta than ever. I know you’re looking forward Jones. President Franklin Roosevelt called to three great gospel performers we have on the talented Maria [Marian] * Anderson in store. So I’d like to now turn the podium to sing ‘‘Ave Maria’’ for the King and over to the founder of Gospel Today maga- Queen of England. zine, our outstanding emcee this evening, In 1979, President Jimmy Carter wel- Teresa Hairston. comed the legendary Chuck Berry in his first official celebration of Black Music Month at the White House. Ever the per- NOTE: The President spoke at 3:01 p.m. in former, Chuck Berry changed the lyrics in the East Room at the White House. In his one of his famous songs from ‘‘Oh Carol’’ remarks, he referred to former Secretary of to ‘‘Oh Amy,’’ in honor of the little girl Housing and Urban Development Alphonso sitting on the White House lawn. The day’s R. Jackson and his wife Marcia; civil rights finale came when the entire audience rose leader Dorothy I. Height; and Amy Lynn to its feet, swaying and clapping to the Carter, daughter of former President Jimmy gospel song ‘‘Jesus is the Answer.’’ Carter. The Black Music Month proclama- tion of May 30 is listed in Appendix D at * White House correction. the end of this volume. HEARING with
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Joint Statement by President George W. Bush and President Dmitry A. Medvedev of Russia on the Fourth Meeting of the Global Initiative To Combat Nuclear Terrorism June 17, 2008
We are pleased to be working closely others to our ranks and realize our goal together with our Global Initiative Partners of making this a truly global effort. Gath- to combat nuclear terrorism. That so many ering as partners in Madrid is an important nations have joined the Global Initiative to reminder to one another of the commit- Combat Nuclear Terrorism demonstrates a ments we have to each of our citizens to true commitment to defeat this threat to see clearly the concrete steps we can take our peace and security. together to prevent nuclear terrorism and The Russian Federation and the United ensure our peace and security. States launched the Global Initiative on July 15, 2006 and we can now call more than 70 nations Global Initiative partners. NOTE: An original was not available for We will continue to stand upon the prin- verification of the content of this joint state- ciples at the heart of this Initiative, attract ment.
Message to the Congress on the Designation of the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the United States International Trade Commission June 17, 2008
To the Congress of the United States: International Trade Commission, effective Consistent with the provisions of 19 June 17, 2008. U.S.C. 1330(c)(1), this is to notify the Con- GEORGE W. BUSH gress that I have designated Shara L. Aranoff as Chairman and Daniel Pearson The White House, as Vice Chairman of the United States June 17, 2008.
Remarks on Energy June 18, 2008
Good morning. I want to thank Secretary country are looking to Washington for a Kempthorne and Secretary Bodman for response. joining me here. For many Americans, High oil prices are at the root of high there is no more pressing concern than the gasoline prices; behind those prices is the price of gasoline. Truckers and farmers, basic law of supply and demand. In recent small-business owners have been hit espe- years, the world’s demand for oil has grown cially hard. Every American who drives to dramatically. Meanwhile, the supply of oil work, purchases food, or ships a product has grown much more slowly. As a result,
HEARING has felt the effect. And families across our with
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