Text 4145, 79 rader
Skriven 2007-02-28 23:31:04 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0702288) for Wed, 2007 Feb 28
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Mrs. Bush's Remarks with Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne at a
Junior Ranger Event
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For Immediate Release Office of the First Lady February 28, 2007

Mrs. Bush's Remarks with Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne at a
Junior Ranger Event Balboa Gifted/High Ability Magnet Elementary
Northridge, California



3:00 P.M. PST

MRS. BUSH: Well, I just want to tell you, again, how important I think our
parks are, and how I'm glad that you all are learning about your closest
park, and all the different people who lived here before you. It's
interesting to know what our history is, and California happens to be a
really lucky state with 24 national parks, more parks than any other state
has. And you have fabulous natural landscapes like Yosemite or Sequoia or
Redwood national parks, and then you have very interesting historical
sites, as well, including Alcatraz. Do you know what Alcatraz is? Up in San
Francisco and part of Golden Gate Park?

So I hope you learn first about your 24 national parks, and when you do,
you'll learn a whole lot about your state. You'll learn about the science
of your state and the archaeology of your state and the culture of your
state, which is what you're learning about here, and the history of your
state.

Secretary Kempthorne is the Secretary of the Interior, so he has all the
national parks -- the national seashores -- what else are all a part of it?

SECRETARY KEMPTHORNE: All the public land.

MRS. BUSH: All the public land are a part of his department in the
government. And so he's going to be the one who's going to actually say the
Ranger pledge with you, if you want to say it. Do you want to do it?

SECRETARY KEMPTHORNE: Well, may I just add a couple comments, and say that
this is really a very special and fun day for me. It's always special when
you get to be with the First Lady, Laura Bush, of the United States of
America. She's a wonderful lady. She's fun to be with. And she certainly
loves kids, and our national parks.

And I've just been very impressed with Balboa Magnet School. When I saw
your campus, you have ponderosa pine trees right out here, flowers that
you've planted. It reminds me of a park. And it shows you that while we
think about our national parks and how we take care of them, we can take
care of our schools and our yards right here. And that's part of being a
Junior Ranger, is looking out for each other and realizing that the
outdoors is a very special place for very special people.

How many of you would like to become a Junior Ranger? And didn't the
Rangers do a great job with you today?

CHILDREN: Yes.

SECRETARY KEMPTHORNE: Yes, they were awesome. So, I tell you what.

MRS. BUSH: Let's give an applause to the Rangers. (Applause.)

SECRETARY KEMPTHORNE: If you would all just quietly stand up, and perhaps
we could have this table and this table, why don't you come right in here
and fill in a little bit. Okay, you ready?

(Junior Rangers are sworn in.)

Well, ladies and gentlemen, you are the newest Junior Rangers.
Congratulations. (Applause.)

END 3:05 P.M. PST
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