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Skriven 2006-10-03 23:31:38 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0610034) for Tue, 2006 Oct 3
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President's Remarks During School Visit in California
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 3, 2006

President's Remarks During School Visit in California
George W. Bush Elementary School
Stockton, California



10:28 A.M. PDT

THE PRESIDENT: I want to thank Sylvia Ulmer, the principal of George W.
Bush Elementary School, for welcoming me. It's such an honor, Sylvia -- and
Jack, thank you, sir -- it's such an honor to have a school named after me.
When I pulled in the parking lot and I saw George W. Bush Elementary, I
couldn't think of a higher tribute to a person and I thank you all and the
citizens of this community for this honor and tribute. Frankly, I was a
little emotional when I pulled in --

MS. ULMER: So am I. So am I.

THE PRESIDENT: I want to thank the teachers and the faculty here. I can't
wait to tell Laura that I went into the Laura Bush Library and saw teachers
working hard to teach kids how to read. It's just a blessing to be there.

You know, being at this school reminds us we have a special responsibility
to protect our children. The most important jobs of those involved with
schools and government is to make sure that children are safe. And Laura
and I were saddened and deeply concerned, like a lot of other citizens
around the country, about the school shootings that took place in
Pennsylvania and Colorado and Wisconsin. We grieve with the parents and we
share the concerns of those who worry about safety in schools.

Yesterday, I instructed Attorney General Gonzales and Secretary of
Education Margaret Spellings to convene a meeting next Tuesday, a meeting
of leading experts and stakeholders to determine how best the federal
government can help states and local governments improve school safety. Our
schoolchildren should never fear their safety when then enter to a
classroom. And, of course, the superintendent and principal know that.

We also had a reminder of the need for people in positions of
responsibility to uphold that responsibility when it comes to children, in
the case of Congressman Mark Foley. I was dismayed and shocked to learn
about Congressman Foley's unacceptable behavior. I was disgusted by the
revelations and disappointed that he would violate the trust of the
citizens who placed him in office.

Families have every right to expect that when they send their children to
be a congressional page in Washington, that those children will be safe. We
have every right as citizens to expect people who hold high office behave
responsibly in that office. I fully support Speaker Hastert's call for an
investigation by law enforcement into this matter. This investigation
should be thorough and any violations of law should be prosecuted.

Now, I know Denny Hastert, I meet with him a lot. He is a father, teacher,
coach, who cares about the children of this country. I know that he wants
all the facts to come out and he wants to ensure that these children up
there on Capitol Hill are protected. I'm confident he will provide whatever
leadership he can to law enforcement in this investigation.

Again, I want to thank you for your hospitality. It's an honor to be here.
Appreciate your time. God bless. Thank you.

END 10:33 A.M. PDT

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