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Prime Minister, Ireland is a great friend and And it is hugely important to us that in ally, and I want to thank you for your friend- the organization of this that the President has ship over these years. helped both the British Government and the We discussed a variety of issues. In par- Irish Government to get this together. We’ve ticular, we talked about Northern Ireland. gone through that today, and I think the— And the Taoiseach gets a lot of credit for [inaudible]—of the President to make sure showing a steady hand during a difficult pe- that there’s a high-powered delegation to riod. And yet, as a result of perseverance and United States is hugely helpful. I want to hard work, Northern Ireland is a different thank the President for that. place than it was last year. And we congratu- And I also want to thank him for the assist- late the leaders there. And I just want the ance that he’s given to us on a range of issues folks to know, what I told the Taoiseach is that we’ve had an opportunity of talking true, that the United States will continue to about. stay engaged and will be very supportive of President Bush. Thank you, Bertie. helping the process move forward. Thanks for coming. And there’s more work to be done, we fully understand, in Northern Ireland. But also, NOTE: The President spoke at 11:10 a.m. in the there’s a really interesting chance for people Oval Office at the White House. from our country to see the investment op- portunities available in Northern Ireland. And this May, there’s a Northern Ireland in- Remarks at a Saint Patrick’s Day vestment conference, which the United Shamrock Presentation Ceremony States will strongly support. And Taoiseach, With Prime Minister Bertie Ahern of like I told you, we’ll send a strong delegation Ireland to look at the opportunities available there. March 17, 2008 So thanks for coming. Thanks for your friendship. And once again, happy Saint Pat- Taoiseach, thanks. Small island; huge im- rick’s Day. pact on the United States of America. Prime Minister Ahern. Thank you very [Laughter] Laura and I are glad you’re here. much, President. And I want to thank the We welcome you back to the White House President. It’s the eighth year that he’s af- on this Saint Patrick’s Day. I can’t think of forded us an opportunity of representing the a better way to celebrate it than with the Irish people here. And as always, we’ve had Taoiseach. Thanks for the bowl of shamrocks. a very fruitful discussion on a range of issues, As you said, this is the eighth time I had and obviously important to me is the ongoing the honor of receiving this from you. And process in Northern Ireland. And the Presi- I want to thank you for your friendship— dent and his people have been really helpful your personal friendship—and all you’ve as we move now to the remaining issue, the done to strengthen the deep and lasting bond evolution of policing, which we’ve discussed. between our two nations. And the investment conference, which is Also proud to be here with John just around the corner—it’s a—I’ve said it O’Donoghue, the Speaker of the Dail. Wel- several times before: The investment con- come. Members of my Cabinet who are here, ference is a—really a one-off chance, an op- thank you for coming. Members of the portunity for Northern Ireland to bring some United States Senate and the United States of the big investors of the world to see the Congress who’ve joined us, we’re glad you’re opportunities that are there, the opportuni- here. And I know the Taoiseach is glad you’re ties that they had not had a chance of being here too. [Laughter] He was asking me, ‘‘Are able to get any benefit from for the last 30 you in session?’’ I said, ‘‘No, they’re out of or 40 years. And now they have that. And town.’’ He said, ‘‘Well, you must be feeling I think it will show Northern Ireland is a better about that.’’ [Laughter] We’ll be hav- place with well-educated people, hard-work- ing lunch with you soon. ing people, people who are good at business How about members of the fire depart- if given a half a chance. ment of New York’s Emerald Society? I

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thank you for coming. They proudly carry the today, more than 35 million Americans claim title ‘‘New York’s bravest,’’ and rightly so. Irish ancestry. America is richer for every And finally, I will be introducing soon Murphy, Kelly, and O’Sullivan. I should have Ronan Tynan to entertain us a little bit. He said McCain, but—[laughter]. Well, I just is a wonderful representative of your country. did. [Laughter] After all this history together, He’s a dear friend of the Bush family, and the United States and the Republic of Ire- we’re so thankful he is here with us today. land continue to stand side by side in firm You know, Taoiseach, you were awfully friendship. We were friends in the past; we’re diplomatic to talk about the fact that the ar- friends today; and, Taoiseach, I am confident, chitect came back to rebuild the White after my time in office, the next President House after 1814. What, of course, you didn’t will be friends with Ireland. We are cooper- say was why the White House needed to be ating to build prosperous economies and— rebuilt in the first place. [Laughter] And so with vibrant trade and sound investment be- I’m proud to welcome the Ambassador from tween our countries. Great Britain, our dear friend. [Laughter] I want to congratulate the Taoiseach. He Thanks for coming. was very generous in his praise about Amer- I don’t know if you know this, but America ica’s role, previous administration’s role, held its first Saint Patrick’s Day celebration hopefully our role in helping Northern Ire- in Boston in the year 1737. I don’t think you land have a peaceful future. But, Taoiseach, were there, Congressman, but—[laughter]— the truth of the matter is, I said on TV in shortly thereafter. [Laughter] Nearly 40 there that you’ve had a steady hand, and years later, in the midst of the Revolution, you’ve been supportive. And I do want to at least 9 of the 56 signatures on the Declara- applaud those who are here who’ve shown tion of Independence were inked by Irish great courage, who’ve been able to put to- hands. gether—put beside—behind them a terrible We’ve had a long relationship, Taoiseach. past and focused on a hopeful future. And Our history has been one where the United it was my huge honor, Martin, to welcome States and Ireland have made liberty our you and Dr. Paisley to the Oval Office. It common cause, and both of our nations are richer for it. Our partnership is based upon was an historic moment for me, personally. principles, and it’s also based upon people. And it was really, really positive. Ireland founded itself—found itself in the But I came away with the impression that grip of poverty and famine in the 19th cen- obviously the United States needs to help, tury, and millions of Irish came here to our and we will. But nothing will happen without soil. They were drawn here by a promise that clear conviction and determination by the success would be attainable to all those who folks who live in Northern Ireland. And were willing to work hard. And that’s cer- there’s more work to be done, Taoiseach. As tainly what happened. you said, the devolution of policing is impor- It’s an interesting poster that somebody tant, and we support that. But we can also brought to my attention that said this: ‘‘In help by sending a clear signal that we’re in- the United States, an industrious youth may terested in investment opportunities. And so follow any occupation without being looked the Northern Ireland investment conference down upon, and he may rationally expect to in May will be held. And I want to repeat raise himself in the world by his labor.’’ You what I told the Taoiseach, is that we will send know, occasionally, people did look down, a high-level delegation to not only send a sig- but not anymore, because Irish have been nal that we support the efforts of the folks unbelievably productive people for the in Northern Ireland, but we expect our folks United States of America. They’ve made a to be able to find good investment opportuni- huge contribution. They’ve become an essen- ties—for the good of both. tial thread in the American fabric. And so, Taoiseach, I, like you, marvel at And that’s what we celebrate on Saint Pat- the success that’s taken place since my short rick’s Day. Our countries are more than just time as President and know full well that partners; we are family, Taoiseach. And more progress can and will be made.

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You know, there’s an old Irish proverb that States of America, and contributes mightily says: ‘‘There is no strength without unity.’’ to our success. And so on this Saint Patrick’s Day, we can I appreciate the executive director, Rick all take pride in the way that the United Ferrin. I’ve just had an interesting tour of States and Ireland have come together to en- this facility by Magnus Lindeback, Captain rich each other in the world. Magnus Lindeback. [Applause] Magnus, it My last time as President to have a Saint sounds like some of them have heard of you Patrick’s Day with you, Taoiseach. Perhaps around here. [Laughter] I’m going to talk when we join the ex-leaders club, we’ll sit about Magnus a little later on. He’s a fellow back and put our feet up—[laughter]—and who came to America with a dream and now talk about the good old times. In the mean- employs a lot of good, hard-working folks be- time, I know you’re going to sprint to the cause of goods that are shipped from here finish, as am I, for the good of our countries. to other parts of the world and for goods that Thank you for coming. God bless the peo- are shipped from other parts of the world ple of Ireland and the United States. And to here. See, everybody here is working as now I welcome Ronan Tynan. a result of trade—trade that happens and oc- curs right here on these docks. NOTE: The President spoke at 11:30 a.m. in the East Room at the White House. In his remarks, The Governor of the great State of Florida, he referred to Chairman of the Dail Eireann John Charlie Crist, has joined us. Mr. Governor, O’Donoghue of Ireland; FDNY Emerald Society proud you’re here. Thanks for taking time. Pipes and Drums, who performed prior to the Two Members from the United States Con- remarks; the United Kingdom’s Ambassador to gress have come—this must be a special oc- the U.S. Sir Nigel E. Sheinwald; and First Min- casion—[laughter]—Ander Crenshaw, Con- ister Ian R.K. Paisley and Deputy First Minister gressman from this district, doing a find job, Martin McGuinness of Northern Ireland. The and Congresswoman Corrine Brown. Madam transcript released by the Office of the Press Sec- Congresswoman, we’re proud you’re here. retary also included the remarks of Prime Minister Ahern. Daniel Davis, president of the Jacksonville City Council, appreciate you coming. A lot of other State and local officials, port author- Remarks at the Jacksonville Port ity employees, Coastal Maritime employees, Authority in Jacksonville, Florida thanks for greeting me here. Appreciate you March 18, 2008 coming. One thing is for certain: This is a chal- Thank you all. Please be seated. Thank you lenging time for our economy. You know for the warm welcome. It’s nice to be back that; I know that; a lot of Americans under- in J-ville. It’s an interesting place to come, stand that. In the short run, the strains on isn’t it? I’ve been in your stadium. I’ve been the economy have been caused by the tur- in your church. I’ve never been on the docks. moil in the housing market, which has re- But if you’re interested in trying to figure quired focused and decisive action. And out one of the reasons why this is one of that’s exactly what the Federal Government’s America’s most vibrant cities, you got to doing. come to the docks. There are problems, but the key is to rec- And I want to explain why these docks are ognize problems and to act early, which we important to not only the citizens of Jackson- have done. For example, we brought to- ville but also why what happens here is im- gether what’s called the HOPE NOW Alli- portant to the overall economy in the United ance. It’s a private sector group that is help- States. ing large numbers of homeowners refinance Before I do, I do want to thank Senor Mo- their mortgages. We want to help people stay rales. Thank you for your leading here as the in their homes. And millions of people are chairman of the Jacksonville Port Authority. going to be affected by this program. And Thanks for being the kind of American we it makes sense to help some person who is love, somebody who comes from abroad, rec- creditworthy find the capacity and under- ognizes the great blessings of the United stand where to refinance. The more people

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