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Skriven 2005-01-28 23:33:00 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0501287) for Fri, 2005 Jan 28
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President Speaks at 2005 "Congress of Tomorrow" Luncheon
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
January 28, 2005

President Speaks at 2005 "Congress of Tomorrow" Luncheon




The Greenbrier

White Sulpher Springs, West Virginia

1:06 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. Please be seated. (Applause.)

Deborah, thanks for the kind introduction. I'm kind of warming up for the
State of the Union -- (laughter) -- some verbal jumping jacks. Thanks for
letting me come by. I'm going to have a few remarks, then I'll answer
questions for a while.

Mr. Speaker, thank you for your leadership, thank you for your friendship.
This country has had no better Speaker than Denny Hastert. (Applause.)

Appreciate Senator Ted Stevens -- thank you for your tenure and your
leadership, as well. I'm glad you're here. (Applause.) I thank my friend
from the great state of Texas Tom DeLay for his leadership. I appreciate
you, Mr. Leader. (Applause.) Mitch McConnell, the Senate Majority Whip --
Senator McConnell, thank you, sir, appreciate you. (Applause.) Congressman
Blunt, the House Whip. Thank you, Congressman, glad you're here, appreciate
you. (Applause.) How is your son doing?

CONGRESSMAN BLUNT: He's doing great.

THE PRESIDENT: Good, huh?

CONGRESSMAN BLUNT: He's taking a page out of your book.

THE PRESIDENT: Yes, I like a guy who follows in his father's footsteps.
(Laughter and applause.)

Senator Kyl, the chairman of the Republican policy committee. Thank you,
sir. (Applause.) Deborah Pryce, who you know, and Rick Santorum. Thank you
both for organizing this event. (Applause.) Thank the members of my Cabinet
who are here -- John Snow and Josh Bolten. I'm looking forward to working
with you.

As you know, David Hobbs has handled legislative affairs for my
administration for a couple of years. He's worked very closely with the
leadership and the members of both the House and the Senate. He has decided
to move on. He will be replaced by Candi Wolff. I know you look forward to
working with Candi. She is a fine soul. And we're going to miss David
Hobbs, and I appreciate him for his -- I appreciate his long service.
(Applause.)

A couple points I'd like to make. First, I think we've proven to the
country we know how to set an agenda and work together to achieve it. In
other words, people -- people ought to view this team we've put together,
the relationship between the executive branch and the legislative branch,
as people who are -- come to Washington, D.C. to solve problems. And we
have done so over the last four years, and we will continue to do so for
the next four years. (Applause.)

I look forward to addressing the nation. I will remind the country we're
still at war. And I want to thank the Congress for providing the necessary
support for our troops who are in harm's way. I will also tell the people
once again that I strongly believe that the way to defeat hatred and
terrorism is to spread freedom. And I believe everybody in the world
deserves to be free. (Applause.)

I look forward to discussing ways to keep this recovery going so people can
find work. I look forward to talking to the country about the need to
address big reforms like Social Security. I will continue to articulate the
faith-based agenda, the compassion agenda, so that people can find hope in
our country. I'll remind the people we're a great nation. We can achieve
anything we set our mind to. And I will tell them like I'm telling you,
it's such an honor to be the President of the United States.

Thank you for letting me come. I look forward to answering your questions.

END 1:11 P.M. EST
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