[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
[January 1, 2008]
[Pages 897-930]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]
Appendix A / Administration of George W. Bush, 2008
Appendix A--Digest of Other White House Announcements
[[Page 897]]
The following list includes the President's public schedule and other
items of general interest announced by the Office of the Press Secretary
and not included elsewhere in this book.
January 1
In the morning, at the Bush Ranch in Crawford, TX, the President had an
intelligence briefing. Later, he and Mrs. Bush returned to Washington,
DC, arriving in the afternoon.
January 2
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. Later, he
had a video teleconference with President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan. He then met with Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice.
The President announced his intention to nominate Jan
Cellucci, William J. Hagenah, and Mark Y. Herring to be
members of the National Museum and Library Services Board.
The President announced that he has nominated the following individuals
to be members of the National Council on the Humanities:
Jamsheed K. Choksy;
Dawn Ho Delbanco;
Gary D. Glenn;
David Hertz;
Marvin Bailey Scott; and
Carol M. Swain.
January 3
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. Later, he
participated in an interview with Bret Baier of
FOX News. Then, in the Oval Office, he participated in a roundtable
interview with reporters from Reuters.
In the afternoon, the President participated in another interview with
Bret Baier of FOX News.
The President announced his intention to designate Jeffrey L.
Sedgwick as Acting Assistant Attorney
General (Office of Justice Programs).
January 4
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. Later, he
had a telephone conversation with King Abdullah II of Jordan.
The President announced his intention to nominate Julia W. Bland to be a member of the National Museum and Library
Services Board.
The President announced his intention to designate Richard
Stickler as Acting Assistant Secretary of
Labor for Mine Safety and Health.
The President announced that he has named Janet Weir
Creighton as Deputy Assistant to the
President and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs.
The President announced that he has named Christopher Frech as Deputy Assistant to the President for
Legislative Affairs.
The President announced that he has named Daniel McCardell as Special Assistant to the President and Deputy
Director of Public Liaison.
The President announced that he has named Emory Rounds as Associate Counsel to the President.
The President declared a major disaster in Iowa and ordered Federal aid
to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by a
severe winter storm on December 10 and 11.
January 5
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing.
January 7
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. Later, he
traveled to Chicago, IL, where he visited Horace Greeley Elementary
School. Then, at the Union League Club of Chicago, he had lunch with
business and community leaders.
In the afternoon, the President returned to Washington, DC.
[[Page 898]]
January 8
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing.
In the afternoon, in the Old Family Dining Room, the President had lunch
with President Abdullah Gul of Turkey.
In the evening, the President traveled to Tel Aviv, Israel, arriving the
following morning.
The President declared a major disaster in Nevada and ordered Federal
aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by
severe winter storms and flooding beginning on January 5 and continuing.
January 9
In the morning, aboard Air Force One, the President had an intelligence
briefing.
In the afternoon, the President traveled to the King David Hotel in
Jerusalem, Israel. Later, he traveled to the President's residence,
where he and President Shimon Peres of Israel
attended cultural performances. He then traveled to the Prime Minister's
residence, where he met with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
Tzipora ``Tzipi'' Livni, and
Minister of Defense Ehud Barak of Israel.
In the evening, the President returned to the King David Hotel.
January 10
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. Later, he
met with Opposition Leader Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel. He then met with the family of former
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel.
Later in the morning, the President traveled to Ramallah, Palestinian
Territories, where, at the Muqata, he participated in a greeting with
President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian
Authority. Then, in the President's small conference room of the Muqata,
he met with Prime Minister Salam Fayyad of the
Palestinian Authority.
In the afternoon, in the President's dining room of the Muqata, the
President had a working lunch with President Abbas. Later, he met with former Prime Minister Tony Blair
of the United Kingdom, Quartet Representative in the Middle East. He then traveled to Bethlehem, Palestinian Territories,
where he visited the Church of St. Catherine of Alexandria at the
Basilica of the Nativity.
Later in the afternoon, the President returned to the King David Hotel
in Jerusalem, Israel, where he met with U.S. Embassy staff and their
families.
In the evening, the President traveled to the Prime Minister's
residence, where, in the Dining Room, he had a working dinner with Prime
Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel. Later, he
returned to the King David Hotel.
The President announced the designation of the following individuals as
members of the Presidential delegation to Guatemala City, Guatemala, to
attend the inauguration of Alvaro Colom Caballeros as President of Guatemala on January 14:
Michael O. Leavitt (head of
delegation);
James M. Derham;
Robert A. Mosbacher, Jr.;
Sara Martinez Tucker; and
Christopher A. Padilla.
The President announced his intention to nominate William J.
Brennan to be Assistant Secretary of
Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere.
The President announced his intention to nominate J. Gregory
Copeland to be General Counsel of the
Department of Energy.
The President announced his intention to nominate Dorla M.
Salling to be a member of the U.S. Parole
Commission.
The President announced his intention to nominate Kurt D. Volker to be U.S. Permanent Representative on the Council of
the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, with the rank and status of
Ambassador.
January 11
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. Later, he
met with former Prime Minister Tony Blair of the United Kingdom, Quartet
Representative in the Middle East. He then
visited the Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance
Authority, where he rekindled the Eternal Flame and participated in a
wreath-laying ceremony.
Later in the morning, the President traveled to Galilee, Israel, where
he toured the Capernaum archaeological ruins. He then visited the Mount
of the Beatitudes Chapel.
In the afternoon, the President traveled to Tel Aviv, Israel. He then
traveled to Kuwait City, Kuwait, where, upon arrival at the Kuwait
[[Page 899]]
International Airport, he participated in an arrival ceremony with Amir
Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah of Kuwait. Later, he traveled to the Bayan Palace Guest
House.
In the evening, the President traveled to Dar Salwa Palace, where he
participated in a greeting with Amir Sabah. Then, in the dining room, he had dinner with Amir
Sabah. Later, he returned to the Bayan Palace Guest House.
The President declared a major disaster in Nebraska and ordered Federal
aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by
a severe winter storm from December 10 to 12.
January 12
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. He then
traveled to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, where, in a briefing room, he met with
Gen. David H. Petraeus, USA, commanding
general, Multi-National Force--Iraq, and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan C.
Crocker. Later, he toured the Operations
Center.
Later in the morning, the President traveled to the U.S. Embassy in
Kuwait City, Kuwait.
In the afternoon, the President met with U.S. Embassy staff and their
families. Later, he traveled to Kuwait International Airport, where,
upon arrival, he participated in a greeting with Amir Sabah al-Ahmad al-
Jabir al-Sabah of Kuwait. He
then traveled to Manama, Bahrain, where, upon arrival at Bahrain
International Airport, he participated in a greeting with King Hamad bin
Isa al-Khalifa of Bahrain.
Later in the afternoon, the President traveled to Sakhir Palace. Later,
he traveled to the Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Hotel & Spa, where, in the Al
Noor Ballroom, he met with U.S. Embassy staff and their families.
In the evening, the President had a telephone conversation with King
Abdullah II of Jordan to discuss his Middle
East trip. Later, he met and had dinner with King Hamad.
January 13
In the morning, the President traveled to Naval Support Activity
Bahrain, where, in the multipurpose room, he had breakfast with U.S.
military personnel. Later, he traveled to Abu Dhabi, United Arab
Emirates, where, at Abu Dhabi International Airport, he participated in
a greeting with President Khalifa bin Zayid Al Nuhayyan of the United Arab Emirates.
Later in the morning, the President traveled to Al Mushref Palace, where
he participated in an arrival ceremony with President Khalifa.
In the afternoon, in the Al Etihad Majlis of Al Mushref Palace, the
President met with President Khalifa. Then, in the dining room, they had lunch. Later, he
traveled to the Emirates Palace Hotel.
Later in the afternoon, the President traveled to the Desert Encampment
Falcon Farm, where he had dinner with Crown Prince Muhammad bin Zayid Al
Nuhayyan of Abu
Dhabi.
In the evening, the President returned to the Emirates Palace Hotel.
January 14
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. He then
participated in an interview with Greta Van Susteren of FOX News. Later, in the ballroom of the Emirates
Palace Hotel, he met with U.S. Embassy staff and their families.
Later in the morning, the President traveled to Dubai, United Arab
Emirates, where, upon arrival at Dubai International Airport, he
participated in a greeting with Vice President and Prime Minister
Muhammad bin Rashid Al Maktum
of the United Arab Emirates. He then toured the Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum
House.
In the afternoon, the President traveled to the Sheikh Mohammed Centre
for Cultural Understanding, where he had lunch with Dubai School of
Government students. He then traveled to the Burj Al Arab Hotel. Later,
he returned to Dubai International Airport, where, in the Royal Air
Wing, he met with U.S. Embassy staff and their families.
Later in the afternoon, the President traveled to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
While en route aboard Air Force One, he had a telephone conversation
with President-elect Mikheil Saakashvili
of Georgia to congratulate him on his election victory. Upon arrival at
King Khaled International Airport, he participated in an arrival
ceremony with King Abdallah bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia.
Later in the afternoon, the President traveled to Nasiriyah Guest
Palace.
In the evening, the President traveled to Riyadh Palace, where he had
dinner and met with King Abdallah. Later, he returned to Nasiriyah Guest Palace.
[[Page 900]]
January 15
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. Later, he
traveled to the U.S. Embassy Riyadh, where, in the lobby, he met with
Embassy staff and their families. He then visited Al Murabba Palace and
National History Museum.
Later in the morning, the President returned to Nasiriyah Guest Palace.
In the afternoon, the President traveled to the Al Janadriyah Farm in Al
Janadriyah, Saudi Arabia. Upon arrival, he participated in a photo
opportunity with King Abdallah bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia. They then toured the
farm.
In the evening, the President had dinner and met with King
Abdallah.
January 16
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. Later, he
had breakfast with King Abdallah bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia. He then returned to
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Later in the morning, the President traveled to the Four Seasons Resort
in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.
In the afternoon, the President had lunch with President Mohamed Hosni
Mubarak of Egypt. Later, he traveled
to Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport, where he participated in a
greeting with President Mubarak. He then returned to Washington, DC,
arriving in the evening.
January 17
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing.
In the afternoon, the President and Secretary of the Treasury Henry M.
Paulson, Jr., had a conference call
with congressional leaders. Later, in the East Room, he met with
Republican National Committee members.
The President announced his intention to nominate Nelson M. Ford to be Under Secretary of the Army.
The President announced his intention to nominate Joxel Garcia to be Medical Director in the Regular Corps of the
Public Health Service and Assistant Secretary of Health and Human
Services (Health).
The President announced his intention to nominate Jeffrey J.
Grieco to be Assistant Administrator of
the U.S. Agency for International Development (Legislative and Public
Affairs).
The President announced his intention to nominate the following
individuals to be members of the Board of Directors of the National
Board of Education Sciences:
Jonathan Baron;
Frank Philip Handy;
Sally Epstein Shaywitz; and
Joanne Weiss.
The President announced his intention to appoint H.H. Barlow
III, William B. DeLauder, and Keith W. Eckel as members
of the Board for International Food and Agricultural Development.
The President announced his intention to appoint Robert A.
Easter as Chairman of the Board for
International Food and Agricultural Development.
The President announced his intention to appoint John M.
Townsend as a member of the Panel of
Arbitrators of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment
Disputes.
January 18
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing.
In the afternoon, the President traveled to Frederick, MD. Later, he
returned to Washington, DC.
During the day, in the Roosevelt Room, the President met with former
Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger,
former Prime Minister Yevgeniy M. Primakov of Russia, and senior American and Russian statesmen and
policy experts to discuss Russia-U.S. relations.
The President announced the designation of the following individuals as
members of the Presidential delegation to Tbilisi, Georgia, to attend
the inauguration of Mikheil Saakashvili
as President of Georgia on January 20: Carlos M. Gutierrez (head of delegation); and John F. Tefft.
The President announced the designation of the following individuals as
members of the Presidential delegation to Auckland, New Zealand, to
attend the state funeral of Sir Edmund Hillary on January 22: Mary A. Bomar
(head of delegation); William P. McCormick; and Jim Whittaker.
[[Page 901]]
January 19
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing.
January 21
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing.
In the afternoon, the President had a telephone briefing with Secretary
of the Treasury Henry M. Paulson, Jr.,
on the global financial markets situation.
January 22
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. Later, he
met with his economic advisers.
The President announced his intention to nominate Margaret
Scobey to be Ambassador to Egypt.
The President announced his intention to nominate D. Kathleen
Stephens to be Ambassador to South
Korea.
The President announced his intention to appoint Nancy Hellman
Bechtle, J. Michael
Shepherd, and William Wilson III as members of the Board of Directors of the
Presidio Trust.
The President announced that he has appointed Charles R. Schwab as a member of the President's Advisory Council on
Financial Literacy and, upon appointment, designated him as Chair.
The President announced that he has appointed John Bryant as a member of the President's Advisory Council on
Financial Literacy and, upon appointment, designated him as Vice Chair.
The President announced that he has appointed the following individuals
as members of the President's Advisory Council on Financial Literacy:
Theodore Beck;
Theodore R. Daniels;
Cutler Dawson;
Robert F. Duvall;
Tahira K. Hira;
Jack E. Kosakowski;
Sharon L. Lechter;
Robert V. Lee III;
Laura Levine;
David D. Mancl;
Don J. McGrath;
Janet Parker;
Ignacio Salazar; and
Mary L. Schapiro.
January 23
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing.
In the afternoon, the President participated in an interview with Jimmy
Roberts of NBC Sports for a U.S. Golf
Association documentary. Later, in the Yellow Oval Room, he and Mrs.
Bush hosted a social reception for Senate Republicans and their spouses.
January 24
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. Later, he
had a telephone conversation with King Abdullah II of Jordan.
In the afternoon, the President participated in an interview with Susan
Page and Richard Wolf of
USA Today.
The President announced that he has named Jonathan Horn as Special Assistant to the President for
Speechwriting.
The President announced that he has named Jeffrey Lungren as Special Assistant to the President for Legislative
Affairs.
The President announced that he has named Justin J. McCarthy as Special Assistant to the President for
Legislative Affairs.
The President announced that he has named Richard Reed as Special Assistant to the President for Homeland
Security and Senior Director for Continuity Policy.
The President announced that he has accorded the personal rank of
Ambassador to Lincoln P. Bloomfield, Jr., during his tenure and service as Special Envoy for Man-
Portable Air Defense Systems.
January 25
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. Later, he
traveled to White Sulphur Springs, WV.
In the afternoon, the President returned to Washington, DC. Later, he
participated in a speech preparation session for his January 28 State of
the Union Address.
The White House announced that the President and Mrs. Bush will travel
to Africa and visit Benin, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, and Liberia from
February 15 to 21.
The President announced his intention to nominate Robert J.
Battista to be a member of the National
Labor Relations Board and, upon confirmation, to designate him as Chair.
[[Page 902]]
The President announced his intention to nominate Gerard
Morales and Dennis P. Walsh to be members of the National Labor Relations Board.
The President announced his intention to appoint Charles P.
Garcia and Susan Ross as members of the Board of Visitors to the U.S. Air
Force Academy.
The President announced his intention to designate Elisebeth C.
Cook as Acting Assistant Attorney General
(Legal Policy).
January 26
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing.
In the evening, at the Capital Hilton Hotel, the President and Mrs. Bush
attended the Alfalfa Club dinner.
January 27
In the afternoon, the President participated in a speech preparation
session for his January 28 State of the Union Address.
January 28
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. Later, in
the Family Theater, he participated in a speech preparation session for
his State of the Union Address. Then, in the Oval Office, he
participated in an interview with Ann Compton of
ABC News Radio.
In the afternoon, in the Second Floor Family Dining Room, the President
had a background lunch with television correspondents.
The White House announced that the President will welcome Prime Minister
Mirek Topolanek of the Czech Republic to the
White House on February 27.
January 29
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. Later, he
traveled to Baltimore, MD, where he met with Jericho Program graduates.
In the afternoon, the President returned to Washington, DC.
The President announced his intention to nominate Robert J.
Callahan to be Ambassador to Nicaragua.
The President announced his intention to nominate Heather M.
Hodges to be Ambassador to Ecuador.
The President announced his intention to nominate Barbara J.
Stephenson to be Ambassador to Panama.
The President announced his intention to nominate William E. Todd to be Ambassador to Brunei.
January 30
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. Later, he
traveled to Torrance, CA.
In the afternoon, the President traveled to Los Angeles, CA, where, upon
arrival, he met with USA Freedom Corps volunteers Marni and Berni Barta. Later, at a
private residence, he attended a Republican National Committee luncheon.
Later in the afternoon, the President traveled to San Francisco, CA,
where, upon arrival at San Francisco International Airport, he met with
USA Freedom Corps volunteer Richard Berwick.
He then met with Amador Valley High School student Kevin Laue and his parents, Jodi and Jim
Jarnagin. Later, he traveled to Hillsborough,
CA, where, at a private residence, he attended a Republican National
Committee dinner.
During the day, the President had a telephone conversation with Prime
Minister Stephen Harper of Canada to discuss
the situation in Afghanistan.
In the evening, the President returned to San Francisco International
Airport, where he met with the family of a marine killed in Iraq. He
then traveled to Las Vegas, NV.
The President announced that he has asked Secretary of Health and Human
Services Michael O. Leavitt to serve as
his personal representative at the funeral of Gordon B.
Hinckley on February 2, 2008, in Salt
Lake City, UT.
The President announced his intention to nominate Marianne M.
Myles to be Ambassador to Cape Verde.
The President announced that he has nominated Elisebeth C. Cook to be Assistant Attorney General (Legal Policy).
The President declared a major disaster in Indiana and ordered Federal
aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by
severe storms and flooding beginning on January 7 and continuing.
[[Page 903]]
January 31
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. Later, at a
private residence, he attended a Nevada Victory luncheon.
In the afternoon, the President traveled to Denver, CO, where, upon
arrival, he met with USA Freedom Corps volunteer Cherie Yager. He then met with Jeanne Assam, a security guard who stopped the December 9, 2007,
fatal shooting at New Life Church in Colorado Springs, CO. Later, he
traveled to Cherry Hills Village, CO, where, at a private residence, he
attended a Colorado Victory and Bob Schaffer for Senate reception.
In the evening, the President traveled to Kansas City, MO, where, upon
arrival, he met with USA Freedom Corps volunteer Samuel Turner,
Sr.
The White House announced that the President will host the North
American Leaders' Summit on April 21 and 22 in New Orleans, LA.
February 1
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. Then, at
eggtc. restaurant, he had breakfast with local business leaders. Later,
he traveled to Parkville, MO.
In the afternoon, at a private residence, the President attended a
Missouri Victory and Sam Graves for Congress
reception. Later, he traveled to Camp David, MD.
The White House announced that the President will welcome President
Amadou Toumani Toure of Mali to the
White House on February 8.
The President declared a major disaster in Kansas and ordered Federal
aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by
severe winter storms from December 6 to 19.
February 2
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing.
February 3
In the afternoon, the President and Mrs. Bush returned to Washington,
DC.
February 4
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. Later, he
had a telephone conversation with Prime Minister-elect Samak
Sundaravej of Thailand to congratulate him
on his appointment. He then had separate telephone conversations with
New York Giants president and chief executive officer John K.
Mara, chairman and executive vice president
Steve Tisch, head coach Tom Coughlin, and quarterback Eli Manning to
congratulate them on their February 3 Super Bowl victory.
February 5
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing.
The President announced his intention to nominate Hugo Llorens to be Ambassador to Honduras.
The President announced his intention to designate John L.
Morrison as a member of the Intelligence
Oversight Board on the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board.
The President declared a major disaster in Missouri and ordered Federal
aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by
severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding from January 7 to 10.
February 6
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. Later, he
had separate telephone conversations with Governor Robert R.
Riley of Alabama, Governor Haley R.
Barbour of Mississippi, Governor Michael D.
Beebe of Arkansas, Governor Steven L.
Beshear of Kentucky, and Governor Philip
N. Bredesen, Jr., of Tennessee to
discuss damage and recovery efforts in the areas struck by severe storms
and tornadoes on February 5.
The White House announced that the President will host Secretary General
Jakob Gijsbert ``Jaap'' de Hoop Scheffer of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
at the White House on February 29.
The President announced his intention to nominate Linda Thomas-
Greenfield to be Ambassador to
Liberia.
The President announced his intention to nominate Susan D.
Peppler to be Assistant Secretary of
Housing and Urban Development (Community Planning and Development).
The President announced his intention to nominate Ralph E.
Martinez to be a member of the Foreign
Claims Settlement Commission.
The President declared a major disaster in Hawaii and ordered Federal
aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area
[[Page 904]]
struck by severe storms, high surf, flooding, and mudslides from
December 4 to 7.
February 7
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing.
The White House announced that due to the President's travel to
Tennessee on February 8, he will now welcome President Amadou Toumani
Toure of Mali to the White House on
February 12.
The White House announced that the President will welcome Prime Minister
Donald Tusk of Poland to the White House on
March 10.
The President declared a major disaster in Arkansas and ordered Federal
aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by
severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding beginning on February 5 and
continuing.
The President declared a major disaster in Tennessee and ordered Federal
aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by
severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding on February
5 and 6.
February 8
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. Later, he
traveled to Nashville, TN, where, upon arrival, he met with Wilson
County Emergency Management employee David Harmon, who rescued an 11-month-old baby after the February 5 tornadoes.
Later in the morning, the President traveled to Lafayette, TN. While en
route aboard Marine One, he, Governor Philip N. Bredesen, Jr., of Tennessee, and Federal Emergency Management
Agency Administrator R. David Paulison
took an aerial tour of the areas damaged by the February 5 tornadoes.
In the afternoon, the President traveled to Camp David, MD.
The White House announced that the President and Mrs. Bush will host
Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen
of Denmark and his wife Anne-Mette Rasmussen at the Bush Ranch in Crawford, TX, on February 29 and
March 1.
The White House announced that the President will welcome President
Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia to
Washington on March 19.
February 9
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing.
February 10
In the afternoon, the President and Mrs. Bush returned to Washington,
DC.
February 11
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. Later, he
had separate telephone conversations with Annette Lantos, wife of Representative Thomas P. Lantos, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy
Pelosi to express his condolences for the death
of Representative Lantos. Then, in the National Security Adviser's
office, he dropped by a meeting between National Security Adviser
Stephen J. Hadley and Prime Minister Salam
Fayyad of the Palestinian Authority.
The White House announced that the President will meet with United
Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the
White House on February 15.
February 12
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing.
In the afternoon, at the historic Evermay House, the President attended
a Republican National Committee luncheon.
During the day, in the Roosevelt Room, the President attended National
Security Adviser Stephen J. Hadley's
meeting with the Helping to Enhance the Livelihood of People (HELP)
Around the Globe Commission.
The President announced his intention to nominate Peter E.
Cianchette to be Ambassador to Costa
Rica.
The President announced his intention to nominate Jeffrey R.
Brown to be a member of the Board of
Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and
Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund as well as a member of the Board
of Trustees of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund.
The President announced his intention to nominate the following
individuals to be members of the National Institute for Literacy
Advisory Board:
Perri Klass;
Katherine Mitchell;
Eduardo J. Padron;
Alexa E. Posny;
Timothy Shanahan; and
Richard K. Wagner.
[[Page 905]]
The President announced his intention to nominate Hyepin Christine
Im and Laysha Ward to
be members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and
Community Service.
February 13
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing.
February 14
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. Later, he
had separate telephone conversations with Prime Minister Nuri al-
Maliki of Iraq and Speaker Mahmud al-
Mashhadani, First Deputy Speaker
Khalid al-Attiya, and Second Deputy
Speaker Arif Tayfur of the Iraqi House of
Representatives.
In the evening, in the Blue Room, the President and Mrs. Bush hosted a
Valentine's Day social dinner followed by a performance in the East Room
by entertainer Denise Thimes.
The President announced his intention to nominate Stephen J.
Nolan to be Ambassador to Botswana.
The President announced his intention to nominate Joseph E.
LeBaron to be Ambassador to Qatar.
The President announced that he has named Christopher Michel as Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy
Director of Speechwriting.
The President announced that he has named Sara Armstrong as Special Assistant to the President.
The President announced that he has named Meghan Clyne as Special Assistant to the President for
Speechwriting.
The President announced that he has named Matthew Latimer as Special Assistant to the President and Deputy
Director of Speechwriting.
The President announced that he has named Mark J. Webber as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director
for South and Central Asian Affairs in the National Security Council.
February 15
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. Later, he
had a telephone conversation with Northern Illinois University President
John G. Peters to express his condolences for
the victims of the February 14 campus shooting. Then, in the Oval
Office, he met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Saud al-Faysal bin Abd
al-Aziz Al Saud of
Saudi Arabia.
In the afternoon, the President and Mrs. Bush traveled to Cotonou,
Benin, arriving the following morning.
The White House announced that the President and Mrs. Bush will welcome
His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to the White
House on April 16.
The President announced his designation of the following individuals as
members of a Presidential delegation to Seoul, South Korea, to attend
the inauguration of Lee Myung-bak as President
of South Korea on February 25:
Condoleezza Rice (head of delegation);
Alexander R. Vershbow;
Wendy Cutler;
Gen. Burwell B. Bell III;
Andy Groseta;
William R. Rhodes; and
Hines Ward.
The President announced his intention to nominate Joseph A.
Benkert to be Assistant Secretary of
Defense (Global Security Affairs).
The President announced his intention to nominate Carol Dillon
Kissal to be Inspector General of the
Small Business Administration.
February 16
In the morning, while en route to Cotonou, Benin, aboard Air Force One,
the President had an intelligence briefing. Upon arrival at Cadjehoun
International Airport, he and Mrs. Bush participated in an arrival
ceremony with President Thomas Yayi Boni of
Benin and his wife Chantal de Souza Yayi. He then met with President Yayi.
Later in the morning, the President and Mrs. Bush met with U.S. Embassy
staff and their families. They then traveled to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania,
where, upon arrival in the evening at Julius Nyerere International
Airport, they participated in an arrival ceremony with President Jakaya
Mrisho Kikwete of Tanzania and his
wife Mama Salma Kikwete.
Later in the evening, the President and Mrs. Bush traveled to the
Kilimanjaro Hotel Kempinski Dar es Salaam.
February 17
In the morning, the President traveled to the State House, where he
participated in a signing
[[Page 906]]
ceremony of the Millennium Challenge compact with President Jakaya
Mrisho Kikwete of Tanzania. Later, he
returned to the Kilimanjaro Hotel Kempinski Dar es Salaam.
In the afternoon, the President and Mrs. Bush traveled to the U.S.
Embassy, where, in the memorial garden, they met with family members of
victims of the 1998 Embassy bombing and participated in a wreath-laying
ceremony for the victims. Later, in the atrium of the Embassy, they met
with Embassy staff and their families. They then returned to the
Kilimanjaro Hotel.
In the evening, the President and Mrs. Bush traveled to the State House,
where they attended entertainment hosted by President Kikwete and his wife Mama Salma Kikwete. Later, they returned to the Kilimanjaro Hotel.
February 18
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. Later, he
and Mrs. Bush traveled to Arusha, Tanzania, where, upon arrival at
Kilimanjaro International Airport, they attended a cultural performance.
In the afternoon, the President and Mrs. Bush toured A to Z Textile
Mills. Later, they traveled to the Arusha Coffee Lodge. They then
visited the Emusoi Center, a school for Maasai girls.
Later in the afternoon, the President and Mrs. Bush participated in an
interview with Ann Curry of NBC's ``Today'' show.
They then returned to the Kilimanjaro Hotel Kempinski Dar es Salaam in
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, arriving in the evening.
During the day, the President and Mrs. Bush met with their niece Ellie
LeBlond, volunteer, India Howell, founder and executive director, and Nano
Chatfield, chairman of the board of
directors, Tanzanian Children's Fund.
February 19
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. Later, he
and Mrs. Bush traveled to Julius Nyerere International Airport, where
they participated in a departure ceremony with President Jakaya Mrisho
Kikwete of Tanzania and his wife Mama
Salma Kikwete. They then traveled to Kigali,
Rwanda, where, upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, they
participated in an arrival ceremony and attended a cultural performance
with President Paul Kagame and his wife
Jeannette Nyiramongi.
Later in the morning, the President and Mrs. Bush traveled to the Kigali
Memorial Centre, where they participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at
the genocide memorial. Later, they traveled to the Presidency--VIP
Building.
In the afternoon, the President participated in a signing ceremony of
the Rwanda-U.S. Bilateral Investment Treaty with President
Kagame. Later, he and Mrs. Bush attended a
social lunch hosted by President Kagame and his wife
Jeannette.
Later in the afternoon, the President and Mrs. Bush visited the Lycee de
Kigali and met with students involved in the Anti-AIDS Club. Later, they
traveled to Accra, Ghana, arriving in the evening. While en route aboard
Air Force One, he participated in an interview with Robert
Geldof for Time magazine.
Later in the evening, the President and Mrs. Bush traveled to the La
Palm Royal Beach Hotel.
February 20
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. He then
traveled to Osu Castle, where he participated in an arrival ceremony
with President John Agyekum Kufuor of
Ghana. Later, he traveled to the U.S. Embassy, where he was joined by
Mrs. Bush.
In the afternoon, in the Ambassador's residence, the President and Mrs.
Bush met with Embassy staff and their families. Later, they traveled to
the International Trade Fair Center, where they visited with USAID West
Africa Trade Hub beneficiaries. They then toured the center and met with
30 tribal chiefs.
Later in the afternoon, the President and Mrs. Bush traveled to the
Ghana International School. They then returned to the La Palm Royal
Beach Hotel.
In the evening, the President and Mrs. Bush traveled to the State
Banquet Hall. Later, they returned to the La Palm Hotel.
February 21
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. Later, he
and Mrs. Bush traveled to Monrovia, Liberia. While en route aboard Air
Force One, he had a telephone conversation with President Pervez
Musharraf of Pakistan to discuss the
results of Pakistan's February 18 parliamentary elections.
Later in the morning, upon arrival at Spriggs Payne Airport, the
President and Mrs. Bush participated in an arrival ceremony with
President
[[Page 907]]
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia. He
then traveled to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he met with
President Johnson Sirleaf.
In the afternoon, the President traveled to the Executive Mansion, where
he was joined by Mrs. Bush. They then participated in a gowning and
investiture ceremony.
Later in the afternoon, the President and Mrs. Bush traveled to the
University of Liberia. They then returned to Washington, DC, arriving in
the evening.
The President announced his intention to nominate Stephen G.
McFarland to be Ambassador to
Guatemala.
The President announced his intention to nominate Donald E. Booth to be Ambassador to Zambia.
The President announced his intention to nominate Gillian Arlette
Milovanovic to be Ambassador to
Mali.
The President announced his intention to nominate Nancy E.
McEldowney to be Ambassador to Bulgaria.
The President announced his intention to nominate Scot A.
Marciel to be given the rank of Ambassador
during his tenure of service as Ambassador for the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Affairs.
The President announced his intention to appoint John J.
Sullivan as a member of the Board of
Directors of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation.
The President announced his intention to appoint the following
individuals as members on the Board of Visitors to the U.S. Naval
Academy:
Michael R. Hightower;
Nancy L. Johnson;
J. Patrick Michaels, Jr.; and
Anthony J. Principi.
The President declared a major disaster in Kentucky and ordered Federal
aid to supplement Commonwealth and local recovery efforts in the area
struck by severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding on
February 5 and 6.
February 22
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing.
February 23
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing.
February 24
In the evening, in the East Room, the President and Mrs. Bush hosted
entertainment for the Nation's Governors.
February 25
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. Later, in
the Oval Office, he participated in a briefing on the Office of Faith-
Based and Community Initiatives' ``Quiet Revolution'' report. Then, on
the North Portico, he participated in a photo opportunity with the
National Governors Association.
The White House announced that the President and Mrs. Bush will welcome
King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan to the White House on March 4.
February 26
In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. Later, he
participated in an interview with April Ryan of
American Urban Radio Networks.
The President announced his intention to nominate Daniel W.
Sutherland to be Chairman of the
Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board.
The President announced his intention to nominate Ronald D.
Rotunda and Francis X. Taylor to be members of the Privacy and Civil Liberties
Oversight Board.
The President announced his intention to nominate Nanci E.
Langley to be Commissioner of the Postal
Regulatory Commission.
The President announced his intention to nominate Paul A.
Schneider