Statement on the Appointment of President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete Of
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Administration of George W. Bush, 2008 / Feb. 5 Statement on the Appointment of President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete of Tanzania as President of the African Union and Foreign Minister Jean Ping of Gabon as Chair of the Commission of the African Union February 5, 2008 I congratulate President Jakaya Kikwete efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and of Tanzania on his appointment as the new other infectious diseases are showing re- President of the African Union, as well as sults. Difficult challenges remain, including Foreign Minister Jean Ping of Gabon on ending genocide in Darfur, restoring peace his appointment as the new Chair of the and stability to Kenya, and bringing free- Commission of the African Union. I am dom to the Zimbabwean people. The confident that the African Union and the United States looks forward to working people of Africa will be well served by the closely with President Kikwete, Minister leadership and vision President Kikwete Ping, and the African Union to address and Minister Ping will bring to these im- these challenges and to build on recent portant posts. achievements to secure a better future for The African Continent has experienced all Africans. important progress in recent years. Eco- Laura and I look forward to beginning nomic growth is at historic highs; democ- racy is taking root in many countries; and our visit to Africa next week. Message on the Observance of the Lunar New Year, 2008 February 5, 2008 I send greetings to those celebrating the The Lunar New Year also reminds us Lunar New Year, the Year of the Rat. of the richness of Asian culture and the Throughout our country and around the significance of its history. By preserving and world, men and women of Asian descent sharing their heritage, Asian Americans en- welcome the Lunar New Year with a spirit hance the American experience and con- of giving and renewed hope. This holiday, tribute to our country’s legacy of diversity. filled with vibrant traditions, celebrates new Laura and I send our best wishes for beginnings and recognizes the enduring peace, health, and happiness in the New wisdom of ancestors. During this special Year. time of year, millions of people reunite GEORGE W. BUSH with family and friends, reflect on the past, and look forward to a future of prosperity NOTE: An original was not available for and opportunity. verification of the content of this message. HEARING with 147 DSK5TPTVN1PROD on VerDate Mar 15 2010 13:23 Apr 17, 2012 Jkt 217557 PO 00000 Frm 00147 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 E:\HR\OC\217557A.005 217557A wreier-aviles Feb. 5 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2008 Memorandum on Security Clearances February 5, 2008 Memorandum for the Heads of Executive closure. Embedding that framework in poli- Departments and Agencies and the cies, practices, and infrastructure will en- Assistant to the President for National sure that the reform effort and its benefits Security Affairs will continue into the future. Efforts toward achieving this integration are already underway, sponsored by the Di- rector of National Intelligence, Secretary of Subject: Security Clearances Defense, Director of the Office of Per- sonnel Management, and the Assistant to The Federal Government needs a quali- the President for National Security Affairs, fied, trusted workforce available to success- and coordinated by the Director of the Of- fully execute its missions. However, long- fice of Management and Budget. These ef- standing practices used in the security proc- essing of individuals and contractors to forts span near-term improvement opportu- work for the Government pose challenges nities up to a blueprint for a transformed to the speed with which these individuals clearance process. I direct that their contin- can begin their work or move from one ued close coordination and integration role to another. Specifically, the processes produce a comprehensive reform proposal for determining eligibility for access to clas- that: sified information, determining suitability • Establishes modernized and com- for Federal employment, determining eligi- prehensive credentialing, security bility to work on a Federal contract, and clearance, and suitability processes that for granting access to federally controlled employ updated and consistent stand- facilities and information systems, created ards and methods; for separate purposes, rely on similar back- • To the extent consistent with applica- ground data. Yet the processes for col- ble law, ensures that investigative lecting and analyzing this data are not suffi- standards for security clearance and ciently standardized or coordinated to allow suitability investigations support and for individuals to efficiently move between build on each other without requiring agencies and positions of Government cov- duplicative steps; ered by one or more of these processes. • Enables these innovations with enter- I have determined that the significant prise information technology capabili- opportunities to improve these processes, ties that ensure the most effective and and the expected benefits of doing so, efficient performance across the Fed- argue for aggressive efforts to achieve eral Government; meaningful and lasting reform. Without al- • Updates Government information tering the distinct lines of authority for es- record systems and, as necessary, ap- tablishing policies and procedures relating plicable laws and regulations, to ensure to security clearance, Federal employment that information maintained by execu- suitability, and related determinations, such tive departments and agencies and re- reform should ensure that the executive quired for investigation and adjudica- branch executes these authorities within a tion is available and can be shared rap- framework that maximizes efficiency and idly across Government, while still pro- effectiveness while protecting the informa- tecting privacy-related information; HEARING tion collected from unauthorized use or dis- with 148 DSK5TPTVN1PROD on VerDate Mar 15 2010 13:23 Apr 17, 2012 Jkt 217557 PO 00000 Frm 00148 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 E:\HR\OC\217557A.005 217557A wreier-aviles.