National Issues

President Bush on Wednesday said, "I'm very excited about watching this game. I do want to thank your coaches. Thanks for coaching. Thanks for teaching people the importance of teamwork. I like baseball a lot, so thanks for teaching them how to play baseball, too."

Today, President Bush has challenged the world to reduce dramatically and eventually control and eliminate the burden of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) as a major threat to health and economic growth in the developing world. This Initiative will make a total of $350 million available over five years to provide integrated treatment of more than 300 million people in Africa, Asia, and Latin America and target seven major NTDs: lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis); schistosomiasis (snail fever); trachoma (eye infection); onchocerciasis (river blindness); and three soil-transmitted helminthes (STHs - hookworm, roundworm, whipworm).

President Bush on Tuesday said, "Laura and I have just finished going to a memorial for the -- that recognizes the horrors of the genocide that took place here. This is a moving place that can't help but shake your emotions to your very foundation. It reminds me that we must not let these kind of actions take place; that -- and that the people of Rwanda need help to reconcile, to move forward, after a brutal period."

President Bush on Tuesday said, "The independence of Kosovo is an historic step for the Balkans region. It presents an opportunity to move beyond the conflicts of the past and toward a future of freedom and stability and peace. The United States and the European Union must seize this opportunity to offer all the nations of this region the prospect of integration into the political, economic and security structure of the Euro Atlantic community. In this way, all the people of the Balkans will be able to see the promise of a better life for themselves and for their children."

President Bush on Tuesday said, "We had good discussions on a variety of subjects. It is really inspiring for us to see people who have endured such suffering respond with such hope. I really do want to congratulate you and the people in Rwanda for the remarkable recovery you have made. And I assure you, you have a steady friend in the United States. I appreciate the opportunity to visit with your cabinet, as well. It's important for my fellow citizens to know that I'm dealing with a respected leader, not only here at home but in the region."

President Bush on Tuesday said, "And so it's an honor to be here to cut the ribbon for this new embassy. It's an honor to be in front of people who've got compassion in their hearts, and efficiency on their minds, and willing to do the right thing to get to save lives. And it's an honor to be in a great friend and ally, Rwanda."

Today, President Bush and Rwandan President Kagame signed the United States-Rwanda Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT). The BIT will enter into force after ratification by the United States and Rwanda, following approval of the Treaty by the United States Senate and the Rwanda Parliament. This is the first BIT concluded between the United States and a Sub-Saharan African country since 1998.

Dear Mr. President: On behalf of the American people, I hereby recognize Kosovo as an independent and sovereign state. I congratulate you and Kosovo's citizens for having taken this important step in your democratic and national development.

President Bush on Monday said, "For years malaria has been a health crisis in sub-Sahara Africa. The disease keeps sick workers home, schoolyards quiet, communities in mourning. The suffering caused by malaria is needless and every death caused by malaria is unacceptable. It is unacceptable. It is unacceptable to people here in Africa, who see their families devastated and economies crippled. It is unacceptable to people in the United States, who believe every human life has value, and that the power to save lives comes with the moral obligation to use it."

President Bush on Sunday said, "We are partners in democracy. We believe that governments ought to respond to the people. We're also partners in fighting disease, extending opportunity and working for peace. Mr. President, I mentioned I was proud to sign, along with the President, the largest Millennium Challenge Account in the history of the United States here in Tanzania."

President Bush on Sunday said, "One of the main reasons that I want to make sure the American people know that this program is successful is because I want this program to continue to be funded. It's in our national interests that the American generosity continue beyond my presidency."

President Bush on Sunday said, "...I must say that our trip here has exceeded my expectations. I knew you were an accomplished government. After all, you've dramatically reduced malaria. You're in the process of dramatically reducing HIV/AIDS. My country has awarded you the largest Millennium Challenge Grant ever in the history of our nation, all because your government is committed to honest, decent government for the people."

President Bush on Saturday said, "we've come to talk about our mutual interests, but we would not be talking about this mutual interests if, Mr. President, you didn't believe in certain truths and certain values, that all human beings have dignity, that people need a government that responds to their desires and wishes. And so I come bringing the warm friendship of the people of the United States, and reaffirm our desire to help strengthen your democracy by helping the people here realize their God-given talents."

President Bush on Saturday said, "I gratefully accept this on behalf of the American people. I stand here by your side as a friend, a believer in your vision and a partner in your willingness to confront the disease and poverty and -- that affect mankind."

MS. PERINO: All right, we have now left Benin and we are on our way to Tanzania. And the President and President Yayi gave you great readout of their meeting, a very comprehensive readout of all the different aspects of what they talked about. And, actually, I don't think there was anything in there that they didn't mention.

In his weekly radio address, President Bush said, "At the stroke of midnight tonight, a vital intelligence law that is helping protect our nation will expire. Congress had the power to prevent this from happening, but chose not to. ...At this moment, somewhere in the world, terrorists are planning a new attack on America. And Congress has no higher responsibility than ensuring we have the tools to stop them."

President Bush on Friday said, "The American citizens must understand -- clearly understand that there still is a threat on the homeland, there's still an enemy which would like to do us harm, and that we've got to give our professionals the tools they need to be able to figure out what the enemy is up to so that we can stop it."

President Bush on Friday said, "Mr. Secretary General, welcome back to the White House. Thank you for your efforts to make the United Nations a constructive force for good. ...I'm honored you're here. I appreciate your vision. And thank you for your leadership and your friendship."

President and Mrs. Bush will welcome His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to the White House on April 16, 2008, during his first visit to the United States as Pope. The President and the Holy Father will continue discussions, which they began during the President's visit to the Vatican in June 2007, on their common commitment to the importance of faith and reason in reaching shared goals. These goals include advancing peace throughout the Middle East and other troubled regions, promoting inter-faith understanding, and strengthening human rights and freedom, especially religious liberty, around the world.

On Friday, February 15, 2008, the President signed into law: H.R. 3541 and S. 781.