National Issues

President Bush will welcome Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek of the Czech Republic to the White House on February 27, 2008. The Czech Republic has been a world leader in support of democratic values and human rights in countries whose people most need such support, such as Belarus, Burma, and Cuba. The President was pleased to recognize this leadership role by traveling to Prague last June to address an international conference of freedom advocates from the world's most oppressive societies.

Laura and I are deeply saddened by the death of our friend, Gordon B. Hinckley. While serving for over seven decades in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gordon demonstrated the heart of a servant and the wisdom of a leader. He was a tireless worker and a talented communicator who was respected in his community and beloved by his congregation. As President of his church, he traveled to more than 60 countries to spread a message of love and optimism to the millions of people around the world who shared his faith.

Laura and I offer our condolences to the people of Greece at this time of mourning for the death of the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos. The late Archbishop was well known as an articulate voice of the Orthodox faith, for his engagement in inter-religious dialogue, and for his promotion of social programs to help the vulnerable. Our prayers are with the people of Greece and all those who followed his spiritual guidance.

Mrs. Laura Bush, Barbara Bush, Jenna Bush, Mrs. Lynne Cheney

Too many earmarks, too little accountability. Earmarks are provisions often snuck into legislation not subject to legislative or public scrutiny and that often lead to wasteful Federal spending. Earmarks have tripled in number over the last decade and have increased spending by billions of dollars. Most earmarks are not even included in legislative text and are not subject to an up or down vote of Congress.

On the third International Day of Commemoration, we remember and mourn the victims of the Holocaust.

I strongly condemn the terrorist bombing in Beirut that killed Lebanese Internal Security Forces Captain Wissam Eid and many other Lebanese. I extend condolences to the families of the innocent Lebanese killed in this brutal attack and hope for a rapid recovery for all those wounded.

In his weekly radio address, President Bush said, "On Monday night, I will address the American people about the state of our union. I will report that over the last seven years, we've made great progress on important issues at home and abroad. I will also report that we have unfinished business before us, and we must work together to get it done. ... I am confident that we can work together to meet our responsibilities in these areas -- and leave our children a stronger and more prosperous America."

President Bush on Friday said, "I am confident in the long-term strength of our nation's economy. I believe that the fundamentals are sound. I know the entrepreneurial spirit is high. We have a flexible, we have a resilient, and we have a dynamic economy. But there are some uncertainties. And after a lot of thought I called on the Congress, and your leaders responded, to enact a growth package so we can reduce the risk of an economic downturn this year."

President George W. Bush today announced his intention to nominate three individuals, appoint two individuals and designate one individual to serve in his Administration.

Nominations and Withdrawals Sent to the Senate

President and Mrs. Bush will travel to Africa from February 15-21, 2008. They will visit Benin, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, and Liberia. This trip will be an opportunity for the President to review firsthand the significant progress since his last visit in 2003 in efforts to increase economic development and fight HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other treatable diseases, as a result of the United States robust programs in these areas.

President Bush on Thursday said, "A while ago I had the honor of presenting the National Medal of Freedom to a patriot of Cuba and a lover of liberty, Oscar Biscet. He was not able to receive the award because he's in a Cuban prison for speaking out on behalf of human rights and human dignity. Today his wife, Elsa Morejon, is here. She has taken some time from Cuba to come to the United States to visit her son. She came up to the Oval Office to see me, and I'm most honored and most grateful."

President Bush on Thursday said, "I know Americans are concerned about our economic future. Our economy is structurally sound, but it is dealing with short-term disruptions in the housing market and the impact of higher energy prices. These challenges are slowing growth. Yet Americans can also be confident about our long-term outlook. Our economy is strong, it is dynamic, and it is resilient. It has led the world for many decades, and with the right policies in place, including the extension of the tax cuts passed in 2001 and 2003 that have helped our economy, I firmly believe we're going to continue to lead the world."

Today, President George W. Bush accorded the Personal Rank of Ambassador to one individual serving in his Administration. The President accorded the Personal Rank of Ambassador to Lincoln P. Bloomfield, Jr., of Virginia, during his tenure and service as Special Envoy for Man-Portable Air Defense Systems.

Last August, Congress passed the Protect America Act, which updated our foreign intelligence surveillance law to adapt to today's technology and to meet today's threats. This bipartisan legislation has aided our efforts to monitor the communications of terrorists and other foreign intelligence targets.

President George W. Bush today announced that he has named four individuals to serve in his Administration.

The United States welcomes the signing of a peace agreement with the goal of helping bring lasting stability to eastern Congo and addressing the underlying causes of the conflict. The agreement calls for an immediate cease-fire, demobilization or reintegration of all armed groups, and the return of all Congolese refugees and internally displaced persons. President Bush recently met with President Kabila to discuss the importance of bringing peace to eastern Congo and commends Kabila's leadership in securing this important agreement. We call on all parties to ensure urgent implementation of the agreement. The United States, working with the international community, will continue to actively support the Congolese Government's commitment to achieve peace and prosperity in eastern Congo.

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 721 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended (50 U.S.C. App. 2170), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Today, I issued an Executive Order reforming how the United States reviews national security concerns that may arise from foreign investments, in light of the Foreign Investment and National Security Act of 2007. The Executive Order furthers the goals of the new law by ensuring that the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States will review carefully the national security concerns, if any, raised by certain foreign investments into the United States. The Executive Order reaffirms our commitment to open economies and our policy of welcoming foreign investment and the important economic benefits that such investment brings. At the same time, the Executive Order sets forth procedures for protecting our national security, recognizing that our openness is vital to our prosperity and security.