Administration of George W. Bush, 2003 / Oct. 2 ECOWAS has done a very good job. President referred to President Mwai Kibaki President Obasanjo gets a lot of credit for of Kenya; President Thabo Mbeki of South responding and moving Nigerian troops in Africa; President Robert Mugabe of and providing the command structure along Zimbabwe; Prime Minister Tony Blair of the with our help. I think the situation has United Kingdom; Secretary of State Colin L. turned out a lot better than people as- Powell; President Joaquim Alberto Chissano sumed it was going to, and there’s progress of Mozambique; former Senator John C. still to be done. And the United Nations Danforth, Special Envoy for Peace in the is now in charge of the process, but we’re Sudan; and President Olusegun Obasanjo of keeping people there to help with our Ni- Nigeria. A reporter referred to former Presi- gerian friends. dent Charles Taylor of Liberia. Participating Q. Thank you, Mr. President. in the interview were Martin Mbugua, cor- The President. Thank you all, yes. I guess it’s over. [Laughter] respondent, Daily Nation; Kevin Kelley, cor- respondent, The EastAfrican; Charlie Cobb, NOTE: The interview began at 9:30 a.m. in senior writer and diplomatic correspondent, the Roosevelt Room at the White House and allafrica.com; and Esther Githui, inter- was made available by the Office of the Press national broadcaster, Voice of America Swa- Secretary on October 2 but was embargoed hili Services. A tape was not available for for release until 8 p.m. In his remarks, the verification of the content of this interview. Remarks at a Reception Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month October 2, 2003 Thank you very much. Sientese. Sientese, diplomacy. [Laughter] He’s a great man Embajador. Thank you for coming. and a great friend. Bienvenidos. Mi casa es su casa. I want I have asked people from Hispanic herit- to thank you all for coming to celebrate age to join my administration: Hans Hispanic Heritage Month. Hertell, who is the Ambassador to the Do- You know, this Nation is blessed by the minican Republic, is with us. Hans brought talents and the hard work of Hispanic his family with him. [Laughter] Americans, and we’re really blessed by the I’ve got a Cabinet Secretary de Cuba, values of familia y fe that strengthen our who is Mel Martinez. I don’t know if you Nation on a daily basis. It is fitting we know Mel’s story. This speaks volumes honor Hispanic Americans in our country. about our Nation and about Mel’s upbring- It’s part of our country—an incredibly im- ing. In the early sixties, Cuban parents portant part of our country. I also think were worried about their sons growing, it’s fitting that the way to honor Hispanic their daughters growing up in tyranny. Americans is to revel in the vitality of the They were afraid about what it would be Hispanic culture that was displayed today, like for a child to grow up in a world in the music that honors the roots, the which terror reigned and there was no free- rhythm, the life of the Latino. dom. And so Mel’s parents put him on I appreciate my Ambassador to Mexico, an airplane destined for the United States Tony Garza. He’s been a long-time friend. of America. He was the secretary of state in the State Imagine the choice of a parent—I would of Texas. It gave him a chance to learn daresay there’s really only one country, 1231 g 31 2005 08:31 Aug 02, 2006 Jkt 198803 PO 00000 Frm 00427 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 \\ALPHA3\E\HR\OC\198803.013 198803 Oct. 2 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2003 though, that a parent would be feeling great State of Nevada. Thank you, Jon. comfortable of sending their child to, and Jerry Weller is with us. From Arizona, Rick that’s America, because of what we stand Renzi is with us. And finally, from New for. Mel is Pedro Pan. He is now in the Mexico, Steve Pearce. Thank you for com- Cabinet of the President of the United ing. I want to thank you all for being here. States, which speaks volumes about you, It’s a good sign that Members of the Con- Mel, and volumes about our country as gress take an interest in the Hispanic Herit- well. age Month. And I appreciate you coming. Hector Barreto is with us today, runs I also want to thank Brian Sandoval, who the SBA. Where are you, Hector? Donde is the attorney general from the State of esta? Thank you, Hector. Everybody needs Nevada. It’s awfully kind for him to come to have a good abogado. [Laughter] I’ve all the way over here. Brian, thank you, got a really good one. [Laughter] Al sir. Gonzales is my lawyer and close friend. I am so pleased that my friend Emilio Eduardo Aguirre is the Director of Citizen- Estefan is here. Emilio helps put this event ship and Immigration Services. Welcome, on. Emilio puts this event on—or helps Eduardo. Gaddi Vasquez—donde esta, us put this event on every year. And it’s Gaddi? Where is he? Peace Corps, running awfully kind of you to do this. It’s good the Peace Corps. He’s out recruiting new to see you. members. [Laughter] Adonde? Oh, yes, I am also honored that Lisa Guerrero there he is. Gaddi got here a little late. is with us. Lisa, thank you very much for [Laughter] I want to thank these folks for serving as the emcee. I appreciate you serving our administration so well. being on TV on Monday nights too. We’ve got ambassadors from around the [Laughter] world here with us today. I am honored Carlos Ponce—thank you for coming, that Embajador Jose—Juan Jose Bremer de Carlos. I appreciate you, Carlos. It’s good Mexico esta aqui. Good to see you, Jose. to see you again. It’s good to see you on Hugo Guiliani de el Dominican Republic. Monday night as well. Senor Embajador. Luis Alberto Moreno I’m so honored that Father Cutie is here. Mejia de Colombia. Embajador Rene Leon Thank you very much for leading us in from El Salvador, good to see you, sir. the blessing. Francisco Javier Ruperez de Espana. Bacilos, thank you, guys, for being the Murilo Gabrielli, who is the Deputy Chief young stars. The Ambassador turned to me of Mission from Brazil, thank you for com- and said, ‘‘These are the young dudes, the ing, Murilo. young stars of the music scene.’’ [Laughter] I’m so honored that Members of the I can see why. Congratulations. Thank you United States Congress are here with us for your leadership. today. The Senator from the great State Alexandre, thank you very much. Fan- of Texas—I emphasize ‘‘the great State of tastic. You know, Alexandre, I love your Texas’’—John Cornyn. The chairwoman of spirit. It’s clear to see your heart and soul, the Congressional Hispanic Conference, and thank you very much. You were good Ileana Ros-Lehtinen from Florida. Mario tambien, mi amigo de Puerto Rico. What Diaz-Balart from Florida is with us. Devin a voice. Thank you very much. Nunes from California—donde esta Devin? I am—let me see. I’m probably going It’s an old trick here in Washington, get to leave somebody out here as we get mov- your name on the roster, but don’t show ing through here. Victor, thank you. Awe- up. [Laughter] At least you get mentioned. some job. I appreciate you coming. [Laughter] Bob Beauprez of Colorado is Obviously, the person who invited the with us. Jon Porter is with us, from the guest list here knows I love baseball. We’ve 1232 31 2005 08:31 Aug 02, 2006 Jkt 198803 PO 00000 Frm 00428 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 \\ALPHA3\E\HR\OC\198803.013 198803 Administration of George W. Bush, 2003 / Oct. 2 got a lot of the baseball stars here. I do very much for coming. He’s the basketball love baseball. One of my favorite baseball player for the Utah Jazz. Carlos. players of all time is a person who’s going Katie, thank you very much for leading to be in the Hall of Fame, and that’s Rafael us in the anthem. You’ve got a beautiful Palmeiro of the Texas Rangers. I want to voice. You’ve got a lot of poise and a lot thank you for coming. And Lynne is here. of talent, and we’re honored that you’re Thank you for coming, Lynne. here with us today. Thanks for coming. I’m glad you brought your manager with We’re really glad you’re here. And thanks you. He’s not exactly a Latino ballplayer, for bringing your little brother. I hope he’s but he’s a fine guy, and that’s Buck nice to you all the time. [Laughter] Showalter. Thank you for coming, Buck, The contributions of the Hispanic com- and thank you for bringing your family. It’s munity have made this country stronger good to see you all. and better. Today we honor the contribu- Magglio Ordonez of the Chicago White tions with the entertainment we had here Sox is with us. Where are you, Magglio? in the East Room. I don’t know if you Yes, thank you, buddy. Congratulations. know this, but this is a common occurrence Great season, yes.