Presidential News and Speeches

President Bush on Wednesday said, "Mr. Secretary, thank you for your time. Thank you for organizing the Bucharest summit. I appreciate your service very much to the cause of real peace, and I want to thank you for your briefing. I'm, like you, optimistic that this is going to be a very successful summit."

President Bush calls on Congress to reauthorize the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and pass H.R. 5501, the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde U.S. Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act. In 2003, President Bush launched the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), committing $15 billion over five years to combat global HIV/AIDS - the largest international health initiative in history to fight a single disease. In 2007, the President requested that Congress double our original funding commitment for this successful program to $30 billion over five years.

President Bush today announced his intention to nominate four individuals and designate one individual to serve in his Administration: Elaine C. Duke, Brandon Chad Bungard, John P. Hewko, Janice L. Jacobs, and Patrick W. Dunne.

President Bush on Wednesday said, "Building a strong NATO Alliance also requires a strong European defense capacity. So at this summit, I will encourage our European partners to increase their defense investments to support both NATO and EU operations. America believes if Europeans invest in their own defense, they will also be stronger and more capable when we deploy together. I have confidence that NATO is ready for the challenges of the 21st century because I have confidence in the courage of allies like Romania. The Romanian people have seen evil in their midst -- and they've seen evil defeated. They value freedom because they've lived without it. And this hard experience has inspired them to fight and sacrifice for the liberty of others."

President George W. Bush today announced his intention to nominate two individuals to serve in his Administration: Richard E. Hoagland and Jeffrey F. Kupfer.

President Bush on Tuesday said, “Mr. President, our two nations share a common vision for the future. We seek to advance a cause of freedom, and help all peoples of Europe live together in security and peace. With great confidence in that future, I offer a toast to you, to your gracious wife, and to a free and sovereign people of Ukraine.”

President Bush on Tuesday said, "So we're very excited for you, and we're excited about your future. And we wish you all the very best. Thank you for your gracious hospitality. Thank you for letting us come by your beautiful school. And may God bless you, and wish you all the very best."

President George W. Bush today announced the designation of a Presidential Delegation to attend a ceremony commemorating the 65th Anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising in Warsaw, Poland on April 15, 2008.

Every human life has matchless value, and during National Donate Life Month, we reaffirm our commitment to raising awareness about the importance of organ donation. We also express our appreciation to those who have donated organs, tissue, and marrow.

During Cancer Control Month, we honor cancer victims and survivors, raise awareness of the impact cancer has on our citizens, and underscore our commitment to battling this deadly disease.

Children are the hope and promise of our Nation, and our society has a special duty to ensure young Americans get the care and attention they need to succeed in life. During National Child Abuse Prevention Month, we underscore our commitment to preventing child abuse and neglect so that all children can live in safety and security.

During National Fair Housing Month, our Nation commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act and reaffirms our dedication to maintaining equal access to housing for every American.

President Bush on Tuesday said, "I am proud to be sitting next to a leader who has strong convictions and a lot of courage. We come with a message for the people of Ukraine. Your sovereign nation has a friend and a solid partner in the United States. Our nations have built our friendship on the love of liberty. Our people believe that freedom is the gift of an Almighty to every man, woman and child. And President Yushchenko and I understand that democracies are the best partners for peace and security in every part of the world."

Dear Mr. Chairman: Pursuant to section 3(2)(E)(i) of the Resolution of Ratification to the Protocols to the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949 on the Accession of Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic adopted on April 30, 1998, I am pleased to submit the enclosed report on the Future Enlargement of NATO.

Luis Aguilar, Constance S. Barker, Robert Stephen Beecroft, Victoria Ray Carlson, Lily Fu Claffee, Chad Colley, Kristen Cox, Tyler D. Duvall, Marvin G. Fifield, John H. Hager, Michael E. Leiter, Lisa Mattheiss, Katherine O. McCary, Kameran L. Onley, Anne Rader, Philip Thomas Reeker, Miguel R. San Juan, A. Ellen Terpstra, Renee L. Tyree, John R. Vaughn, Christopher R. Wall, Elisse Walter, Tony J. Williams

President George W. Bush today announced that Special Envoy to the European Union, C. Boyden Gray will also serve as Special Envoy for Eurasian Energy. Mr. Gray will engage directly with senior European, Central Asian, Russian and other political and business leaders to support the continued development and diversification of the energy sector. In addition, he will work to advance the St. Petersburg G-8 principles of energy security and diversity as well as other issues and projects as directed by the President and the Secretary of State.

President Bush on Monday said, "Laura and I are on our way to a very important NATO summit, and members of the United States Congress are on their way back to Washington. And they have a lot of work to do. Congress needs to pass FISA reform. ...Congress needs to pass legislation to modernize the Federal Housing Administration. ...Congress needs to act urgently to approve the Colombian Free Trade Agreement..."

Today, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Alphonso Jackson announced his decision to leave the Department after seven years of dedicated service. I have known Alphonso Jackson for many years, and I have known him to be a strong leader and a good man. I have accepted his resignation with regret.

In his weekly radio address, President Bush said, "The problems in the housing market are complicated and there is no easy solution. But by supporting responsible homeowners with wise policies, we'll help them weather a difficult period, we will help get our economy back on track, and we will ensure America remains the most prosperous Nation in the world."

President Bush on Friday said, "...And I appreciate the opportunity to visit with a leader of one of America's closest allies and friends. And one thing is for sure, that friendship will strengthen and endure under the leadership of Kevin Rudd."