Administration of George W. Bush, 2004 / Dec. 2 habits of good governance. And I will con- Thank you all. tinue that focus and attention on the con- tinent of Africa. I think it is vital that the continent of Africa be a place of freedom NOTE: The President spoke at 9:38 a.m. in and democracy and prosperity and hope the Oval Office at the White House. In his where people can grow up and realize their remarks, he referred to President Aleksander dreams. It’s a continent that has got vast Kwasniewski of Poland; President Valdas potential, and the United States wants to Adamkus of Lithuania; and Lt. Gen. David help the people of Africa realize that poten- H. Petraeus, USA, chief, Office of Security tial. Transition—Iraq. Remarks on the Nomination of Governor Mike Johanns To Be Secretary of Agriculture December 2, 2004 The President. Thank you all. Good of Nebraska, and I’m grateful that he’s morning. agreed to take on this important new re- I am pleased to announce my nomination sponsibility in my Cabinet. of Governor Mike Johanns to be the Sec- Gov. Johanns. Thank you, Mr. President. retary of Agriculture. Gov. Johanns. Thank you, Mr. President. The President. I’m grateful as well to The President. Governor Johanns is an Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman for experienced public service—servant from leading the Department of Agriculture America’s agricultural heartland. As the son these past 4 years. Secretary Veneman has of Iowa dairy farmers, he grew up close earned the trust of farmers and ranchers to the land. He will bring to this position across America, and the whole Nation has a lifetime of involvement in agriculture and benefited from her service. Ann played a a long record of a faithful friend to Amer- central role in passing the 2002 farm bill, ica’s farmers and ranchers. He will lead which has been critical to the success of an important agency with the executive skill our farmers. he has learned as mayor and as a two- She’s kept our Nation’s commitment to term Governor of Nebraska. fighting hunger and is overseeing major im- I’ve known Mike for a number of years, provements in school nutrition programs. going back to my own service as a Gov- Ann led our efforts to prevent the spread ernor. I know firsthand his deep commit- of mad cow disease and worked hard to ment to a strong farm economy. He’s been secure the food supply against the threat a leader on drought relief in Nebraska and of bioterrorism. And she has helped set throughout the Midwest. He’s a strong pro- in motion an incredibly important effort to ponent of alternative energy sources such maintain the health of our forests and pro- as ethanol and biodiesel. He’s traveled the tect the lives and property from devastating world to promote American farm exports. wildfires. Governor Johanns is a man of action and I chose Ann Veneman for her great ex- of complete integrity. He knows how to pertise, her sound judgment, and her bipar- bring people together to achieve results. tisan spirit, and she has displayed those He has been a superb leader for the people qualities every day of her tenure. Ann has 3035 Dec. 2 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2004 also carried out her duties while facing seri- when confirmed by the Senate, Mike ous illness, and for that she’s earned my Johanns will lead a Department of 113,000 increased admiration and the respect of her dedicated public servants and be a cham- fellow citizens. I’m proud to know her, and pion of the farmers and ranchers who feed I thank her for serving our country. America and the world beyond. The policies we’ve pursued over the last I am grateful to Mike and to Stephanie, 4 years have revived America’s economies his wife, for their willingness to come to and have helped our farmers and ranchers Washington. I look forward to welcoming earn greater income and to sell record Mike to my Cabinet. amounts of food and fiber abroad. In a Congratulations. I appreciate you. new term, we’ll continue policies that are Gov. Johanns. Thank you very much. pro-growth, pro-jobs, and pro-farmer. We’ll The President. You bet, Mike. keep working to open new markets to [At this point, Gov. Johanns made brief re- American grain and beef and cotton and marks.] corn. We’ll enforce trade laws to make sure The President. Good job. other countries play by the rules. We will Gov. Johanns. Thank you. expand conservation programs to help farm- ers and to protect our soil and water and NOTE: The President spoke at 11:42 a.m. in wildlife. the Roosevelt Room at the White House. We will stand behind family farmers by The transcript released by the Office of the keeping taxes low and ensuring the Federal Press Secretary also included the remarks of death tax is repealed permanently. And Gov. Johanns. Remarks on Lighting the National Christmas Tree December 2, 2004 Thank you all very much. Tonight we Gale Norton. I want to thank other mem- begin a joyous season, and the city of bers of my Cabinet who are here tonight. Washington is never more beautiful than I appreciate the Members of Congress who during the holidays. At Christmastime, we are here. celebrate good tidings first announced I want to thank Fran Mainella, who is 2,000 years ago and still a source of great the Director of the Parks Service, and all joy in our world. Laura and I are always the National Parks Service employees. I happy to join in the Pageant of Peace, and thank Dr. Schuller and all the entertainers. we thank you all for coming this evening. Thanks so very much for being here to- I thank our special guests. I want to night. thank Santa for such good weather. [Laugh- The season of Advent is always the sea- ter] I appreciate Peter, the chairman of son of hope. We think of the patient hope the Pageant of Peace, and his wife, Nancy. of men and women across the centuries I want to thank John Betchkal, the presi- who listened to the words of the prophets dent of the Christmas Pageant of Peace. and lived in joyful expectation. We think I want to thank the members of the board of the hope of Mary, who welcomed God’s of the Christmas Pageant of Peace for your plan with great faith. We think of the hope hard work in putting on this joyous festival. of the wise men who set out on a long I want to thank Secretary of the Interior journey guided only by a slender promise 3036.