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even mentioned the White House in one of that unanimous opinion is expressed once her songs. Since I don’t have a band right again, and the Nation pays tribute to Loretta here and since I can’t sing—[laughter]—I’ll Lynn. just say the words, and you can imagine Lo- Americans are grateful to these Kennedy retta singing them, ‘‘The White House social Center honorees because you have all given season should be glittering and gay, but here us wonderful memories. You have given your in Topeka the rain is a-falling, the faucet is peers a high mark to aim for. Each of you a-dripping, and the kids are a-bawling’’— in your own way has given America a body [laughter]—‘‘one of them a-toddling, and of work that reflects so very well on our Na- one is a-crawling, and one’s on the way.’’ tion. Thank you for contributions to America. [Laughter] May God continue to bless you. Thank you Many of ’s songs are about for coming. the challenges, the dreams, and the joys of everyday life. She’s known them all, and she NOTE: The President spoke at 5:05 p.m. in the has sung about them with style and feeling. East Room at the White House. In his remarks, More than four decades after she first sang he referred to musician Bonnie Raitt. at the , there is no better known voice in and no lady Presidential Determination on more admired than Loretta Lynn. Waiver of Conditions on Obligation Her song and the film ‘‘Coal Miner’s and Expenditure of Funds for Daughter’’ tell a true story that began in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky. Loretta grew up Planning, Design, and Construction believing, in her words, that ‘‘from the Holler of a Chemical Weapons Destruction down to the mine was the whole world.’’ Facility in Russia Her world changed when she met a soldier December 6, 2003 named Mooney Lynn. He made a strong im- pression on people. See, Mooney was the Presidential Determination No. 2004–10 kind of man who wore a cowboy hat with a label inside that said, ‘‘Like hell it’s yours.’’ Memorandum for the Secretary of State [Laughter] But as Loretta remembers, ‘‘I Subject: Presidential Determination on wasn’t scared of Mooney. He was real nice. Waiver of Conditions on Obligation and I was scared because I had never seen a car Expenditure of Funds for Planning, Design, before.’’ [Laughter] They married and and Construction of a Chemical Weapons moved away and were living in the State of Destruction Facility in Russia Washington when Mooney got an idea. He knew that the voice singing lullabies to their Consistent with the authority vested in me children was better than any he had ever by section 1306 of the Department of De- heard from a jukebox or in a saloon. And fense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 just maybe if Loretta cut a record, radio sta- (Public Law 108–136) (the ‘‘Act’’), I hereby tions might play it. certify that waiving the conditions described That notion has been proven correct in in section 1305 of the National Defense Au- more than 70 record , 27 number one thorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000 (Public singles, and 80 chart hits, from ‘‘Coal Miner’s Law 106–65) is important to the national se- Daughter’’ to ‘‘Love is the Foundation’’ to curity interests of the United States, and in- ‘‘Don’t Come Home A Drinkin’ With Lovin’ clude herein, for submission to the Congress, on Your Mind.’’ [Laughter] the statement, justification, and plan de- Loretta has received every top honor in scribed in section 1306 of the Act. country music and is loved for her own songs You are authorized and directed to trans- and for her wonderful duets with the late mit this determination, including the state- . Her appeal has been ex- ment, justification, and plan to the Congress plained this way, ‘‘She’s straightforward, and to arrange for publication of this deter- down home, innocent, and perfectly charm- mination in the Federal Register. ing. Everyone loves her.’’ And this evening, George W. Bush

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NOTE: This memorandum was released by the Of- of the Senate, in providing the leadership fice of the Press Secretary on December 8. necessary to get this bill done. I want to thank you both. I appreciate the hard work of the House Remarks on Signing the Medicare majority leader, Tom DeLay, in seeing that Prescription Drug, Improvement, this bill was passed. I also appreciate the hard and Modernization Act of 2003 work of the chairman of the Ways and Means December 8, 2003 Committee, Chairman Bill Thomas, for his good work. The chairman of the Finance Good morning. Thanks for the warm wel- Committee in the Senate, Senator Chuck come. In a few moments I will have the Grassley, did a noble job, and he was joined honor of signing an historic act of Congress in this task by the ranking member of the into law. I’m pleased that all of you are here Finance Committee, Senator Max Baucus of to witness the greatest advance in health care Montana. coverage for America’s seniors since the And the entire Senate effort was boosted founding of Medicare. by the efforts of a man from Louisiana, Sen- With the Medicare Act of 2003, our Gov- ator John Breaux. And speaking about Lou- ernment is finally bringing prescription drug isiana, Billy Tauzin of the House of Rep- coverage to the seniors of America. With this resentatives did great work on this bill. Sen- law, we’re giving older Americans better ator Orrin Hatch from Utah made a signifi- choices and more control over their health cant contribution. Nancy Johnson, the House care, so they can receive the modern medical Member from Connecticut, did a great job. care they deserve. With this law, we are pro- Mike Bilirakis from Florida worked hard on viding more access to comprehensive exams, this piece of legislation. I want to thank all disease screenings, and other preventative the other Members of the Congress and the care, so that seniors across this land can live Senate who have joined us. Thank you all better and healthier lives. With this law, we for taking time out of your busy schedules are creating Health Savings Accounts. We do to share in this historic moment. so so that all Americans can put money away I appreciate Tom Scully, the Administrator for their health care tax-free. of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Our Nation has the best health care system Services, for his good work. The Director of in the world, and we want our seniors to the CDC, Julie Gerberding, is with us today. share in the benefits of that system. Our Na- Julie, thank you for coming. The Food and tion has made a promise, a solemn promise Drug Administration Commissioner, Mark to America’s seniors. We have pledged to McClellan, is here. Jo Anne Barnhart, the help our citizens find affordable medical care Commissioner of the Social Security Admin- in the later years of life. Lyndon Johnson es- istration, is with us. Thank you for coming, tablished that commitment by signing the Jo Anne. Kay James, who is the Director of Medicare Act of 1965. And today, by reform- the Office of Personnel Management, is with ing and modernizing this vital program, we us. Thank you for coming, Kay. are honoring the commitments of Medicare A lot of this happened—this bill happened to all our seniors. because of grassroots work. A lot of our fel- The point man in my administration on low citizens took it upon themselves to agi- this issue was Secretary Tommy Thompson, tate for change, to lobby on behalf of what’s and he and his team did a fabulous job of right. We had some Governor support working with the Congress to get this impor- around the country. Governor Craig Benson tant piece of legislation passed. Tommy, I from New Hampshire is with us today. Gov- want to thank you for your leadership. ernor, thank you for coming. This bill passed the Congress because of But the groups that speak for the elderly the strong leadership of a handful of Mem- did fantastic work on this legislation. See, bers, starting with the Speaker of the House, there was a lot of pressure not to get some- Denny Hastert. Mr. Speaker was joined by thing done—for the wrong reasons, I might Senator Bill Frist, the Senate majority leader add. But Bill Novelli, the CEO of AARP,

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