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Skriven 2006-09-21 23:31:12 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (060921e) for Thu, 2006 Sep 21
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Mrs. Bush's Remarks After Receiving the IRI Freedom Award at the 2006
Freedom Dinner
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For Immediate Release
Office of the First Lady
September 21, 2006

Mrs. Bush's Remarks After Receiving the IRI Freedom Award at the 2006
Freedom Dinner
J.W. Marriott
Washington, D.C.



7:18 P.M. EDT

MRS. BUSH: Thank you, Senator McCain. Thank you for your service to our
country and for the important work you're doing through the International
Republican Institute.

I want to recognize Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, the President of Liberia. I'm so
thrilled to be here with you tonight. (Applause.)

Mr. Peter Madigan, the IRI Vice Chairman, and Mr. Lorne Craner, the IRI
President -- and, of course, as the President calls him, Big Ed Whitacre
from Texas, the Chairman of the dinner -- thank you very much, Ed and
Linda, for the great work you've done on tonight's dinner. (Applause.)

Ambassadors, members of Congress, and distinguished guests, I'm honored to
be with you tonight and to receive this year's IRI Freedom Award. Thank you
all very much.

For two decades, the International Republican Institute has worked with the
people of many nations to help develop the democratic institutions upon
which good governments are built. Through youth education initiatives, IRI
trains the next generation of democratic leaders. By strengthening
political parties and civic organizations, IRI helps societies foster
debate and the free exchange of ideas. And through the Women's Democracy
Network, IRI brings together women leaders from around the world so they
can help more women participate in the political process. I'd like to thank
the Institute for this important work.

Tonight I'm honored to receive IRI's Freedom Award with one of the world's
most distinguished women leaders -- Liberia's President, Ellen
Johnson-Sirleaf. (Applause.) President Johnson-Sirleaf is a respected
economist, an accomplished public servant, and an amazing woman. Through
her service as a Liberian cabinet minister in the 1970s, as a senior U.N.
administrator in the 1990s, and now as her country's President, President
Johnson-Sirleaf has always been deeply devoted to her country. Her
dedication to Liberia has never diminished -- not even in the face of
persecution.

When she opposed the military rule of Samuel Doe, President Johnson-Sirleaf
was imprisoned, and eventually had to flee her country. Yet during all her
years in exile, she never lost her love of freedom and her commitment to
restoring democracy in Liberia.

Liberia and the United States have a very special and close relationship --
a relationship that dates back to Liberia's founding by freed slaves from
the United States. For many years, Liberia flourished as one of the most
successful countries in Africa, before their long and devastating civil
war. During the war, the United States was one of the few nations that
maintained a diplomatic presence, because we wanted to work with Liberians
so they could return to their democratic ideals.

Now the United States stands with President Johnson-Sirleaf and the people
of Liberia as they rebuild their country, and I encourage the IRI to
dedicate your time, energy and resources to the rebuilding of Liberia.
(Applause.)

I'm privileged to have represented the United States at President
Johnson-Sirleaf's inauguration in January. At the ceremony in Monrovia, she
delivered a moving address that spoke directly to the women of Liberia, of
Africa, and of the world. President Johnson-Sirleaf is the first woman ever
elected President in Africa, and women around the world are watching her.
They're proud of her. (Applause.) And they have every reason to be.
President Johnson-Sirleaf is a terrific example of the power of education,
and of why it's important to educate women and girls, and to improve
opportunities for women in Africa and around the world.

President Johnson-Sirleaf is where she is today because of her hard work,
her faith in democracy, and her belief in the power of education. She's a
role model for women and girls everywhere, and she's an inspiration to
everyone who believes in free societies.

President Johnson-Sirleaf, I'm delighted to be here with you this evening.
To receive this award with you is such an honor.

Thank you to IRI for honoring President Johnson-Sirleaf and me, and thank
you for your terrific work to promote democracy and freedom.

Thank you all very much. (Applause.)

END 7:24 P.M. EDT
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