Administration of George W. Bush, 2005 / Mar. 2 had the character necessary to do so. Jackie that foundation. I hope baseball continues Robinson had both. And that’s why we’re to do so as well. honoring him today. It is my honor now to join Speaker I found Martin Luther King’s quote Hastert and Senator Stevens in presenting about him interesting. I’m sure you will the Congressional Gold Medal to Rachel too. He said, ‘‘He was a freedom rider be- Robinson, in the name of her husband, the fore freedom rides.’’ That’s a pretty high great baseball star and great American, compliment, when you think about it. He Jackie Robinson. was—to me, it just says courage and de- cency and honor. This son of Georgia sharecroppers was NOTE: The President spoke at 3:18 p.m. at taught by his mother that the best weapon the U.S. Capitol. In his remarks, he referred against racism was the use of his talent, to Rachel Robinson, widow of Jackie Robin- his God-given talent, not to waste a minute, son, and their daughter, Sharon Robinson, and he didn’t. And that spirit, passed on and son David Robinson; Allan H. ‘‘Bud’’ from mother to son and now son to family, Selig, commissioner, Major League Baseball; still lives through the Jackie Robinson Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., founder and presi- Foundation. The Jackie Robinson Founda- dent, Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, Inc.; and tion is a noble cause to help academically Frank McCourt, chairman, and Jamie gifted students of color go to college. I McCourt, vice chairman, Los Angeles Dodg- know the Dodgers will continue to support ers. Remarks Honoring the 2004 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox March 2, 2005 Please be seated, unless you don’t have setts, and everybody else that claims to be a chair. [Laughter] So, like, what took you a Red Sox State. [Laughter] You all are so long? [Laughter] Welcome. And wel- welcome here. come to the citizens of the Red Sox Nation. I appreciate the commissioner coming. I’m proud to be joined by the Vice Presi- And Bob, it’s good to see you. I thank dent. He’s a Chicago Cubs fan. So, like, the members of my Cabinet who are here. he knows what you’ve been through. I appreciate the mayor being here, the [Laughter] We’re really glad you’re here. mayor of Boston. You’ve had a heck of There’s been a lot of people in this town a year, Mayor. [Laughter] I want to thank waiting for this day to come. Some have and welcome my friend Tom Werner and said it would be a cold day when the Red Larry Lucchino. I’m sorry John Henry is Sox made it here. [Laughter] I am honored sick. You know, Lucchino, I knew you’d to welcome the world champs, the mighty amount to something eventually. [Laughter] Boston Red Sox, to the White House. I appreciate the way this team played I want to welcome the members of the baseball. You know, it took a lot of guts, Massachusetts delegation who are here. I and it took a lot of hair. [Laughter] It took know that Senator Kennedy is here. Sen- a great manager and coaching staff, and ator Kerry is on his way. We have just I’ll never forget calling Terry Francona finished a ceremony honoring Jackie Robin- after the team won the championship, and son. I know members of the congressional he—the only thing I remember him saying delegation are here from like Massachu- was, ‘‘It’s all—it all depended upon the 347 31 2005 13:57 Sep 09 2008 Jkt 206694 PO 00000 Frm 00347 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 E:\HR\OC\94A XXX 94A Mar. 2 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2005 players,’’ which is why he’s a good manager, Baghdad, Iraq. One guy said—from Bos- isn’t it? ton—he said, ‘‘Now we just have to wait I appreciate the fact that Dom DiMaggio for the other six signs of the apocalypse.’’ and Jimmy Piersall are with us. You guys [Laughter] represent a lot of great Boston Red Sox I really appreciate what Boston does off players that a lot of us grew up watching the field too. The Jimmy Fund is a classic play, and you’re welcome here in the White example of a sports franchise giving some- House, and you’re representing a great tra- thing back to the community in which they dition of wonderful folks. play. You created the Red Sox Scholars, You know, the last time the Red Sox which awards scholarships to disadvantaged were here, Woodrow Wilson lived here. fifth graders. I appreciate what individual [Laughter] There were only 16 teams in players do. I know firsthand what the Schil- baseball then. After the World Series vic- lings do, the SHADE Foundation to work tory in 1918, a reporter from Boston said, to prevent skin cancer and the—and ‘‘The luckiest baseball spot on Earth is Bos- Shonda and Curt’s leadership in the battle ton, for it has never lost a World Series.’’ against Lou Gehrig’s disease. I appreciate [Laughter] That’s one optimistic writer. what the Red Sox are doing in the Domini- [Laughter] can Republic with ‘‘Senor Octubre.’’ Senator, welcome. Good to see you. Only But most of all, our purpose here is to time I—I like to see Senator Kerry, except welcome champs. We wish you all the best when we’re fixing to debate—[laughter]— in the upcoming season. We know that if you know what I mean. [Laughter] you’ve been able to do what has been No one really expected the answer to viewed to be the impossible. And just like the ‘‘Curse of the Bambino’’ would come that sportswriter said in 1918, you know, from a group of players that call themselves Boston is the place to cover champs. ‘‘idiots,’’ except for maybe idiots who don’t Welcome to the White House. May God understand baseball. This is a heck of a continue to bless you all. team. This is a team that came together from South Korea and Dominican Repub- lic, from Anchorage, Alaska, Fort Riley, NOTE: The President spoke at 3:54 p.m. on Kansas, and incredibly enough, Midland, the South Lawn at the White House. In his Texas. [Applause] Oh, yes. Finally, remarks, he referred to Allan H. ‘‘Bud’’ Selig, somebody from Midland amounted to commissioner, and Robert A. DuPuy, presi- something. [Laughter] dent and chief executive officer, Major I love the way this team played, and League Baseball; Thomas C. Werner, chair- so do baseball fans. I mean, this is a team man, Larry Lucchino, president and chief ex- that won eight games in a row when it ecutive officer, John W. Henry, principal wasn’t supposed to. It’s kind of courage owner, and Terry Francona, manager, Bos- and a couple of stitches. You answered 86 ton Red Sox; Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling years of prayer. That’s an amazing feat, isn’t and his wife, Shonda Schilling; former Red it? I mean, when the Red Sox won, people Sox players Dom DiMaggio and Jimmy all over the world cheered. They cheered Piersall; and Red Sox designated hitter David in New England, and they cheered in ‘‘Senor Octubre’’ Ortiz. 348 31 2005 13:57 Sep 09 2008 Jkt 206694 PO 00000 Frm 00348 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 E:\HR\OC\94A XXX 94A Administration of George W. Bush, 2005 / Mar. 2 Letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives Transmitting Supplemental Budget Requests for the Legislative Branch and the Judicial Branch for Fiscal Year 2005 March 2, 2005 Dear Mr. Speaker: The details of these requests are set forth As a matter of comity, I am transmitting in the enclosed letter from the Director to the Congress, without modification, the of the Office of Management and Budget. enclosed requested amounts from the Leg- Sincerely, islative Branch and the Judicial Branch for FY 2005. GEORGE W. BUSH Message to the Congress on Continuation of the National Emergency Blocking Property of Persons Undermining Democratic Processes or Institutions in Zimbabwe March 2, 2005 To the Congress of the United States: The crisis constituted by the actions and Section 202(d) of the National Emer- policies of certain members of the Govern- gencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides ment of Zimbabwe and other persons to for the automatic termination of a national undermine Zimbabwe’s democratic proc- emergency unless, prior to the anniversary esses or institutions has not been resolved. date of its declaration, the President pub- These actions and policies pose a con- lishes in the Federal Register and transmits tinuing unusual and extraordinary threat to to the Congress a notice stating that the the foreign policy of the United States. For emergency is to continue in effect beyond these reasons, I have determined that it the anniversary date. In accordance with is necessary to continue the national emer- this provision, I have sent to the Federal gency blocking the property of persons un- dermining democratic processes or institu- Register for publication the enclosed notice tions in Zimbabwe and to maintain in force stating that the national emergency block- the sanctions to respond to this threat. ing the property of persons undermining democratic processes or institutions in GEORGE W. BUSH Zimbabwe is to continue in effect beyond The White House, March 6, 2005. The most recent notice March 2, 2005.