National Issues

President Bush on Thursday said, "Members should also act on a very urgent priority, and that is to pass legislation our intelligence officials need to quickly and effectively monitor terrorist communications. At issue is a dispute over whether telecommunications companies should be subjected to class-action lawsuits because they are believed to have helped defend America after the attacks of 9/11. Allowing these lawsuits to proceed would be unfair. If any of these companies helped us, they did so after being told by our government that their assistance was legal and vital to our national security."

In 1881, Clara Barton established the American Red Cross, and for years afterward, she led that organization in its noble cause to provide healing, comfort, and hope to those in need. Today, her legacy lives on through the millions of individuals who have answered the timeless call to serve others. During American Red Cross Month, we honor this charitable organization, and we reflect on its remarkable achievements and contributions to our country.

Early diagnosis and proper treatment of eye disease can help preserve the gift of sight. During Save Your Vision Week, we encourage Americans to receive routine vision screenings and to understand the importance of keeping their eyes healthy and safe.

President Bush on Wednesday said, "And I thank you for your commitment. I thank you for your dedication to a great sport. I congratulate and thank your families for hanging in with you in this long, 162-game season. I wish you all the best in the upcoming year, and it's my great honor to welcome you back to the White House as the World Series champs."

President Bush on Wednesday said, "A while ago I announced that I would be naming a Presidential Envoy to the Organization of Islamic Conference, and I am pleased to announce it's Sada Cumber. He's a very successful businessman, a person who knows the Islamic world, and has agreed to serve in that capacity. Sada, I want to thank you very much."

Nominations Sent to the Senate: Nanci E. Langley, Ronald D. Rotunda, Daniel W. Sutherland, Francis X. Taylor.

America has lost one of its finest writers and thinkers. Bill Buckley was one of the great founders of the modern conservative movement. He brought conservative thought into the political mainstream, and helped lay the intellectual foundation for America's victory in the Cold War and for the conservative movement that continues to this day. He will be remembered for his principled thought and beautiful writing -- as well as his personal warmth, wit, and generous spirit. His legacy lives on in the ideas he championed and in the magazine he founded -- National Review.

President Bush on Wednesday said, "We value our friendship and our partnership with the people of the Czech Republic. I remember well my visit to your beautiful country. We've had a significant discussion today. It turns out the year eight is an important number in Czech history. And we're determined to make the year 2008 a strong chapter in our relationship. We view the Czech Republic as a strategic partner. We've discussed a variety of issues."

President George W. Bush today announced that he has named three individuals to serve in his Administration: Sonya E. Medina, Cynthia Stowe, and Alison Teal Young.

President Bush on Tuesday said, "In all these ways, "We the People" does an outstanding job of passing America's rich heritage on to future generations. Today I'm pleased to unveil a new project under this program -- the "Picturing America" Initiative. This Initiative will educate children about the great people and places and moments in our history using American art and masterpieces that depict them."

President George W. Bush today announced his intention to nominate eight individuals and appoint one individual to serve in his Administration: Daniel W. Sutherland, Ronald Daniel Rotunda, Francis X. Taylor, Nanci E. Langley, Paul A. Schneider, Sheila McNamara Greenwood, Kenneth E. Carfine, Edwin Eck, and Joseph Torre.

Nominations sent to the Senate: Kenneth E. Carfine, Peter E. Cianchette, Colm F. Connolly, Edwin Eck, Sheila McNamara Greenwood, Paul A. Schneider. Withdrawals Sent to the Senate: Peter E. Cianchette, Stanley C. Suboleski, Catherine G. West.

President Bush on Tuesday said, "America is on a mission of mercy. We're treating African leaders as equal partners. We expect them to produce measurable results. We expect them to fight corruption, and invest in the health and education of their people, and pursue market-based economic policies. This mission serves our security interests -- people who live in chaos and despair are more likely to fall under the sway of violent ideologies. This mission serves our moral interests -- we're all children of God, and having the power to save lives comes with the obligation to use it."

As the housing market continues to transition, President Bush is helping responsible homeowners across America through a series of targeted actions. This past fall, he announced the creation of FHASecure - a program which gives HUD's Federal Housing Administration (FHA) greater flexibility to help Americans by offering more home mortgage financing and refinancing options. Today, the President was pleased to learn that over 100,000 Americans have turned to FHASecure to refinance their homes and avoid foreclosure since FHASecure was launched last fall. This program remains on track to help 300,000 Americans by the end of this calendar year.

President Bush on Tuesday said, "The trade bill with Colombia is a really important piece of legislation for America's national security. A stable neighborhood is in our interests. We want people to be prosperous, we want people to be free, we want people to feel comfortable about making, you know, the tough decisions that democracy requires. And the trade bill with Colombia would say a clear message to a strong democratic ally: We support you; we support you in your efforts."

Today, President Bush met with former Cabinet Secretaries and senior government officials and discussed the need for pro-growth economic policies, including opening new markets for U.S. exports through free trade agreements. Open markets contribute to America's prosperity. With exports now accounting for a larger percentage of our GDP than at any other time in our history, trade is playing an important role in supporting economic growth. Exports have reached a historic high as a share of the United States' national income, and jobs supported by goods exports pay wages 13 to 18 percent higher than the national average.

President Bush on Monday said, "Governor, thank you very much for your kind introduction. Thank you all for coming and thanks for supporting our Republican Governors. If you want to raise money, if you want to get a job done, call on the Texas governor -- and this governor has delivered."

The situation in Burma remains deplorable. The regime has rejected calls from its own people and the international community to begin a genuine dialogue with the opposition and ethnic minority groups. Arrests and secret trials of peaceful political activists continue, such as the recent arrest of journalists Thet Zin and Sein Win Maung. Severe human rights abuses by the Burmese Army, including burning down homes and killing civilians, continue in ethnic minority areas in eastern Burma.

Today, President Bush participated in a briefing on "The Quiet Revolution" report from the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (WHOFBCI). This report, available at www.fbci.gov, offers a portrait of the successful implementation of President Bush's vision to reshape government's approach to addressing human need. By leveling the playing field for faith-based charities and strengthening grassroots nonprofits to effectively help Americans in need, the Faith-Based and Community Initiative is having a tremendous impact on countless lives across our Nation and around the world.

Nominations Sent to the Senate : Joseph A. Benkert, Donald E. Booth, Carol Dillon Kissal, Scot A. Marciel, Nancy E. McEldowney, Stephen George McFarland, and Gillian Arlette Milovanovic.