Presidential News and Speeches

President George W. Bush today announced his intention to nominate five individuals and appoint five individuals to serve in his Administration.

President Bush on Thursday said, "I want the people of Liberia to know, Madam President, the United States stands with you. We want to help you recover from a terrible period. We want you to build lives of hope and peace. And under your leadership, that's exactly what's happening. It's my honor to have presented you with the National Medal of Freedom; it's the highest civilian award a President can give, and I did so because of your courage and your leadership. And we are so excited to be with you."

President Bush on Thursday said, "It is easy to destroy a country; it is hard to rebuild a country. And I, Madam President, I want you to know that the United States of America supports you as you rebuild your country. We share a special history with Liberia. It's a history that is deep, and I want the people of your beautiful country to know that our help is just beginning."

President Bush on Thursday said, "I'm pleased to visit your land. I thank you for the invitation. I thank the Liberian people for courage and steadfastness and enduring faith in the power of freedom. With your continued determination, there is no doubt in my mind that Liberia will become a beacon of liberty for Africa and the world, and you will forever uphold the 'Lone Star.' "

President Bush on Thursday said, "And so our desire in the United States is to answer the universal call to love a neighbor and to help those -- I believe to whom much is given, much is required. A lot has been given the United States of America, and I firmly believe it's in our national interest to help others not only realize the blessings of liberty, but to fight disease when they find it and to deal with illiteracy where we encounter it."

President Bush on Wednesday said, "This long tradition of friendship and cooperation continues today. Today Ghana and the United States are working to strengthen democracy and good government. Together we're harnessing the power of global trade to alleviate poverty. And, Mr. President, rest assured I will work to complete the Doha Round. Together we're working to preserve peace, combat disease and help ensure that all of Ghana's citizens can give their children what we all want for our children: a more hopeful future."

President Bush on Wednesday said, "I also want to thank you for your leadership, Mr. President. As I said upstairs ...I hope a lot of people in Ghana understand this, what I'm about to say, but you're really one of the respected leaders around the world, because of your firm commitment to peace. I thank you for your leadership here on the continent of Africa. My administration's strategy is to support African leaders to deal with Africa's problems."

President Bush on Wednesday said, "In addition to some great singing, last year's American Idol featured a fundraising campaign called, "Idol Gives Back." The campaign brought in more than $75 million for charities working in the United States and Africa. Seventeen million dollars went to organizations that protect American families -- African families from malaria. And one of these charities, Malaria No More, has used the donations to provide bed nets for more than 2 million mothers and children in Uganda and Angola and Madagascar and Mali and Zambia. ...Laura and I hope, and Jordin hopes, that America's generosity will still pour forth, and we ask our fellow citizens to contribute to this worthy cause."

President Bush on Wednesday said, "One of the things I tell our country all the time is our great strength lies in the hearts and souls of our citizens. And I don't think there's any more giving people than in the Peace Corps. So Reverend, thank you very much for joining us and bringing some of the -- our fellow citizens who are making a huge difference in people's lives."

President Bush on Wednesday said, "First of all, it's an honor to be in your country, and it's an honor to be with you. I don't know if the people of your country truly understand your standing in the international community, but you are one of the most respected international leaders. You have represented your country well, you have represented the continent of Africa well, and you represent certain basic values extremely well. So it's an honor to be with you today."

President Bush on Wednesday said, "I'm very excited about watching this game. I do want to thank your coaches. Thanks for coaching. Thanks for teaching people the importance of teamwork. I like baseball a lot, so thanks for teaching them how to play baseball, too."

Today, President Bush has challenged the world to reduce dramatically and eventually control and eliminate the burden of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) as a major threat to health and economic growth in the developing world. This Initiative will make a total of $350 million available over five years to provide integrated treatment of more than 300 million people in Africa, Asia, and Latin America and target seven major NTDs: lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis); schistosomiasis (snail fever); trachoma (eye infection); onchocerciasis (river blindness); and three soil-transmitted helminthes (STHs - hookworm, roundworm, whipworm).

President Bush on Tuesday said, "Laura and I have just finished going to a memorial for the -- that recognizes the horrors of the genocide that took place here. This is a moving place that can't help but shake your emotions to your very foundation. It reminds me that we must not let these kind of actions take place; that -- and that the people of Rwanda need help to reconcile, to move forward, after a brutal period."

President Bush on Tuesday said, "The independence of Kosovo is an historic step for the Balkans region. It presents an opportunity to move beyond the conflicts of the past and toward a future of freedom and stability and peace. The United States and the European Union must seize this opportunity to offer all the nations of this region the prospect of integration into the political, economic and security structure of the Euro Atlantic community. In this way, all the people of the Balkans will be able to see the promise of a better life for themselves and for their children."

President Bush on Tuesday said, "We had good discussions on a variety of subjects. It is really inspiring for us to see people who have endured such suffering respond with such hope. I really do want to congratulate you and the people in Rwanda for the remarkable recovery you have made. And I assure you, you have a steady friend in the United States. I appreciate the opportunity to visit with your cabinet, as well. It's important for my fellow citizens to know that I'm dealing with a respected leader, not only here at home but in the region."

President Bush on Tuesday said, "And so it's an honor to be here to cut the ribbon for this new embassy. It's an honor to be in front of people who've got compassion in their hearts, and efficiency on their minds, and willing to do the right thing to get to save lives. And it's an honor to be in a great friend and ally, Rwanda."

Today, President Bush and Rwandan President Kagame signed the United States-Rwanda Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT). The BIT will enter into force after ratification by the United States and Rwanda, following approval of the Treaty by the United States Senate and the Rwanda Parliament. This is the first BIT concluded between the United States and a Sub-Saharan African country since 1998.

Dear Mr. President: On behalf of the American people, I hereby recognize Kosovo as an independent and sovereign state. I congratulate you and Kosovo's citizens for having taken this important step in your democratic and national development.

President Bush on Monday said, "For years malaria has been a health crisis in sub-Sahara Africa. The disease keeps sick workers home, schoolyards quiet, communities in mourning. The suffering caused by malaria is needless and every death caused by malaria is unacceptable. It is unacceptable. It is unacceptable to people here in Africa, who see their families devastated and economies crippled. It is unacceptable to people in the United States, who believe every human life has value, and that the power to save lives comes with the moral obligation to use it."

President Bush on Sunday said, "We are partners in democracy. We believe that governments ought to respond to the people. We're also partners in fighting disease, extending opportunity and working for peace. Mr. President, I mentioned I was proud to sign, along with the President, the largest Millennium Challenge Account in the history of the United States here in Tanzania."