White House Fall Garden Tour

White House Fall Garden Tour

Washington, D.C. -- The Annual White House Fall Garden Tour will be held on two dates: Saturday, October 22 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sunday, October 23 from 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.

The tours have been an annual tradition since 1972 when Pat Nixon first opened the gardens to the public. Visitors are invited to view the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, Rose Garden, Children's Garden and South Lawn of the White House while military bands perform from a White House balcony.

The event is open to the public; however, a ticket is required for all attendees, including small children. The National Park Service will distribute free, timed tickets at the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion located at 15th and E Streets on both tour days beginning at 7:30 a.m. Tickets will be distributed -- one ticket per person -- on a first-come, first-served basis.

Entry for the Garden Tours will begin on the Ellipse at Sherman Park, just south of the US Treasury Building. Guests will be escorted to the South Lawn per their designated ticket time. In order to facilitate entry into the grounds, carry-in items will be limited. Strollers, wheelchairs and cameras are permitted.

For more information on the Garden Tours, please call the White House Visitor Center at

(202) 208-1631.

In case of inclement weather, the Garden Tours will be cancelled.

# # # For Immediate Release, OFFICE OF THE FIRST LADY, September 28, 2005

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CENTCOM

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Swearing-In Ceremony of Chief Justice Roberts (VIDEO)

President's Remarks at Swearing-In Ceremony of Chief Justice Roberts, FULL STREAMING VIDEO, The East Room 2:54 P.M. EDT

President George W. Bush watches Thursday, Sept. 29, 2005 in the East Room of the White House in Washington, as Judge John G. Roberts is sworn-in as the 17th Chief Justice of the United States by Associated Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens.

Judge Roberts' wife Jane is seen holding the Bible. White House photo by Paul Morse

THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon and welcome to the White House. Laura and I are pleased that all of you could join us in witnessing a very meaningful event in the life of our nation. It's a rare privilege to welcome seven current Justices of the Supreme Court. Thank you all for coming. We also welcome Mrs. Thurgood Marshall and Mrs. Potter Stewart.

It was 19-years-ago, almost to the day, that Chief Justice William Rehnquist took the oath of office in this very room with President Ronald Reagan as a witness. Each gathering of this kind is an historic occasion for our country, and gives eloquent testimony to the wisdom and continuity of the system created by the framers.

In a few moments, John Roberts will take his place in a distinguished line that began in 1789, when President Washington appointed Chief Justice John Jay. This is a proud day for John Roberts' family. We extend a special welcome to his wife Jane, their daughter Josie, and son Jack. (Laughter.) A fellow who is comfortable with the cameras. (Laughter.) Also with us are the Judge's mom and dad, Rosemary and Jack Roberts; two of his sisters, Peggy and Barbara, as well as other members of the Roberts family. We're so pleased you could be with us today.

I appreciate the Vice President being here, Attorney General Al Gonzales. I thank Harriet Miers, Counsel to the President, and members of my administration who worked on the nomination and confirmation. I particularly want to thank former Senator Fred Thompson for his leadership. I thank the members of my Cabinet who are here.

I appreciate the members of the United States Senate who are here -- Majority Leader Bill Frist, Senate President Pro Tem Ted Stevens, and Majority Whip Mitch McConnell. Thank you all for coming. I thank the members of the Judiciary Committee who are here, starting with the Chairman, Arlen Specter, Ranking Member Pat Leahy. Thank you all for coming. I appreciate Senators Grassley, Hatch, Brownback, Kyl, Sessions, Cornyn, and Graham. I also want to thank all the other senators who are here with us. I really want to say something about Senator Dick Lugar from Indiana, who introduced the Chief to the Senate. I appreciate very much all of you taking time out of your day to witness this historic event.

Today we complete a process set forth in Article II of the Constitution, which provides that the President shall nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint the judges of the Supreme Court. The nomination power is one of the most serious responsibilities of a President. When a President chooses a Supreme Court justice he is placing in human hands the full authority and majesty of the law.

Each member of our highest court holds a position of extraordinary influence and respect, and can hold it for a lifetime. The office of Chief Justice has added responsibilities as leader of the Court, and as presiding officer of the Judicial Conference of the United States. To carry out all these duties, I submitted to the Senate a nominee of integrity, deep humility, and uncommon talent.

During the confirmation hearings this month, members of the Senate and American people saw far more than the intellectual gifts and broad experience of Judge John Roberts. They witnessed, as well, the character of the man; his reverence for the Constitution and laws of our country; his impartiality and devotion to justice; his modesty and great personal decency.

Across the nation, Americans have grown in respect and admiration for this good man. From the day of Judge Roberts' nomination, the Judiciary Committee and senators of both parties have received him with courtesy and fair mindedness. The civility of the confirmation process has served the interests of the nation, and reflected very well on the United States Senate.

And I appreciate the Majority Leader and the Chairman and their colleagues for setting a tone of dignity and goodwill. The Senate has confirmed a man with an astute mind and kind heart. As a member of the federal judiciary, John Roberts has carried out his duties with discernment and humanity and without fear or favor.

As Judge Roberts prepares to lead the judicial branch of government, all Americans can be confident that the 17th Chief Justice of the United States will be prudent in exercising judicial power, firm in defending judicial independence, and above all, a faithful guardian of the Constitution.

With these qualities, the incoming Chief Justice will carry on in the tradition of his mentor and friend, the late William H. Rehnquist. I know that Chief Justice Rehnquist had hoped to welcome his former law clerk as a colleague. Although that was not meant to be, we are thinking of William Rehnquist today. The nation honors his memory, and we remain grateful for his example of integrity and service.

In welcoming an exceptional new leader as Chief Justice, we also honor the Supreme Court itself, and we mark a day of renewal for one of the noblest institutions in our land. Judge Roberts, thank you for agreeing to serve our country and for accepting this new call to duty.

And now I ask Senior Associate Justice of the Court, Justice John Paul Stevens, to please step forward and administer the oath.

(The oath is administered.) (Applause.)

CHIEF JUSTICE ROBERTS: Thank you very much. Let me begin by thanking Justice John Paul Stevens for being here today. In December, Justice Stevens will mark 30 years of service on the Court. It's a great honor to take the oath from him, and it will be a great privilege for me to sit next to him on the bench on Monday.

Thank you, Mr. President, for nominating me. There is no way to repay the confidence you have shown in me, other than to do the best job I possibly can do, and I will try to do that every day. And thank you for the remarkable team that you assembled to assist me throughout this process. I benefited greatly from the wisdom, judgment and plain hard work of Ed Gillespie, Senator Thompson, Harriet Miers, Bill Kelley, and everyone on the team. I am very grateful to each and every one of them.

Chairman Specter, Senator Leahy, all the members of the Judiciary Committee, with this nomination, the Committee faced a very special challenge. And yet, working together, we met that challenge. We found a way to get Jack into the Committee room -- (laughter) -- introduced -- introduced to the Committee and back out again without any serious crisis. (Laughter.)

More seriously, thank you, very much, for the conduct of the hearings, conducting them in a civil and dignified manner as the President requested on the night of the nomination. I appreciate it, very much.

Senator Frist, other members of the Senate, I view the vote this morning as confirmation of what is for me a bedrock principle, that judging is different from politics. And I appreciate the vote, very much.

The process we have just completed epitomizes the separation of powers that is enshrined in our Constitution. My nomination was announced some 10 weeks ago here in the White House, the home of the executive branch. This morning, further up Pennsylvania Avenue, it was approved in the Capitol, the home of the executive [sic] branch. And tomorrow, I will go into the Supreme Court building to join my colleagues, the home of the judicial branch, to undertake my duties. The executive and the legislature have carried out their constitutional responsibilities and ensured the succession of authority and responsibility in the judicial branch.

What Daniel Webster termed, "the miracle of our Constitution" is not something that happens every generation. But every generation in its turn must accept the responsibility of supporting and defending the Constitution, and bearing true faith and allegiance to it. That is the oath that I just took. I will try to ensure, in the discharge of my responsibilities, that with the help of my colleagues, I can pass on to my children's generation a charter of self-government as strong and as vibrant as the one that Chief Justice Rehnquist passed on to us.

Over the past ten weeks, many people who I did not know came up to me and offered encouragement and support. Many of them told me that I and my family was in their prayers and in their hopes. I want to thank all of those people. I will need in the months and years ahead that encouragement and those prayers.

Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, members of the Senate. And thank you, colleagues, for being here to share this special moment. Thank you. (Applause.)

END 3:06 P.M. EDT For Immediate Release, Office of the Press Secretary, September 29, 2005

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The Opelousas Massacre

An item from a Saturday, September 24, 2005 post Freedom Calendar 09/24/05 - 10/01/05 "September 28, 1868, Democrats in Opelousas, Louisiana murder nearly 300 African-Americans who tried to prevent an assault against a Republican newspaper editor. " Drew the following comment from a self described "liberal" friend.

Jonathan Whittle-Utter said...

"democrats" murdered 300 African Americans? Who did what now? I don't think there's anything wrong with pointing out how members of a group have done terrible things, not in accord with that group's principles - but I think posting statements like this is destructive, and begs further detail. Slander and Geneneralization are two of the chief reasons we're in this God Awful bi-partisan mess to begin with. If you want to tell a story about some people who killed some African Americans, and make some meaningful observations about how that action is somehow related to the democratic party, actually take the time to do it. This kind of sound-bite doesn't help anyone.

Mon Sep 26, 12:49:19 AM

To these questions of who, what, where, when and why? we will add that which we can.

Very little of the incident beyond "This kind of sound-bite" is generally posted as evidenced by these representative of Google's 135 and Yahoo's 123 quoted sources.

1868, In Louisiana, 200-300 African Americans are killed in the "Opelousas Massacre."
pbs.org

28 1868 The Opelousas Massacre occurred in Louisiana in which an estimated 200 to 300 black Americans were killed louisiana101

- Massacre in Louisiana. The Opelousas Massacre occurred in Louisiana on September 28, in which an estimated 200 to 300 black Americans were killed. washington.edu

September 28, 1868 Opelousas Massacre at St Landry Parish Louisiana (200 African Americans killed) uh.edu

More to the WHAT, WHERE and WHEN, point this from The African American Registry® which is a 501(c) (3) non-profit education organization. Their Mailing address is P.O. Box 19441 Minneapolis, MN 55419 Fax: (612) 825-0598 Email Them at info@aaregistry.com. The African American Registry®Copyright 2005

September 28 *On this date in 1868, the Opelousas massacre occurred. That city in Louisiana, was the site of a massacre of local blacks by violent whites (many of them Confederate veterans and prominent citizens).

The slaughter started when three local whites beat up an eighteen year old man named Emerson Bentley, a white editor (and non-Louisianan) of the local Republican newspaper and a teacher with the Freedmen's Bureau. Reacting to Bentley's beating, local blacks came to his rescue. Twelve were arrested by the sheriff, taken from jail and hung that night.

In the next few days bands of armed whites scoured the countryside and killed blacks in what was described as a “Negro hunt” similar to one which had occurred outside of Shreveport, Louisiana, a short time before. It is estimated that two hundred blacks were killed in the fields and swamps surrounding Opelousas Louisiana.

* Reference: Slavery in America

As to a specific "WHO and WHY" we present the Records of the Assistant Commissioner for the State of Louisiana Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, 1865 - 1869. National Archives Microfilm Publication M1027 Roll 34 "Miscellaneous Reports and Lists Relating to Murders and Outrages Mar. 1867 - Nov. 1868"

Synopsis of Murders Committed in Parish of St. Landry, September and October 1868, Parish of St. Landry

Under date of Sept. 16th information has been received that several freedmen who had located land in parish under the Homestead Act had been driven from their homes and one of them William Johnson had been killed by the Arcadians. The others were compelled to take refuge with their neighbors.

Regarding the riot which originated at Opelousas on the 28th of Sept. in which various and conflicting accounts of the casualties are reported,

The first reliable account of same states 2 white men and 20 or 30 Negroes were killed, more definite information afterwards received gave the following result, 2 whites killed, 19 blacks killed and wounded as follows, 2 whites and 2 Negroes seriously, and others slightly, that other Negroes are reported and may be killed in isolated places, but no positive evidence of the same----

Other estimates place these casualties at a much larger number and in some instances are reported as high as 2 or 3 hundred, but these highest figures are doubtless greatly exaggerated having their origin in the excited minds of personal imagination. From other parties residents of the parish is stated that 6 Indians had been killed by the people for refusing to join Democratic Clubs that Victor Dauphan, c, was killed in Washington on the night of October 1st, that a man "Republican" was killed in Opelousas on night of Monday October 19th, that a large number of Republicans have been killed in Grand Prairie since September 27th and that men had to be detailed from Washington to bury them.

Still later advices from reliable authority state that a freedman was found murdered 3 miles from Opelousas on the 20 Oct. 20th and reports are current of freedmen killed in various portions of the parish.

Unsigned Source: freedmensbureau.com ©Copyright 2000 Christine's Genealogy Websites

This we hope will answer to WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN and WHY as well as any question of "slander".

As to "Geneneralization" and "related" we offer this abbreviated (size and time constraints)list from the first six months of the aforementioned item from a Saturday, September 24, 2005 post Freedom Calendar 09/24/05 - 10/01/05 for context.

January 5, 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt nominates African-American physician William D. Crum as Collector of Customs, over racist objections from Senate Democrats

January 8, 1867, Republicans override Democrat President Andrew Johnson’s veto of law granting voting rights to African-Americans in D.C.

January 10, 1878, U.S. Senator Aaron Sargent (R-CA) introduces Susan B. Anthony amendment for women’s suffrage; Democrat-controlled Senate defeated it 4 times before election of Republican House and Senate guaranteed its approval in 1919

January 15, 1901, Republican Booker T. Washington protests Alabama Democratic Party’s refusal to permit voting by African-Americans

January 17, 1874, Armed Democrats seize Texas state government, ending Republican efforts to racially integrate government

January 18, 1815, Birth of Republican Gov. Richard Yates (R-IL), who prevented Democrat-controlled legislature from withdrawing state troops from the Union Army

January 19, 1818, Birth of anti-slavery activist Alvan Bovay, who organized first meeting of Republican Party in 1854, to oppose Democrats’ pro-slavery policies

January 26, 1922, House passes bill authored by U.S. Rep. Leonidas Dyer (R-MO) making lynching a federal crime; Senate Democrats block it with filibuster

January 31, 1865, 13th Amendment banning slavery passed by U.S. House with unanimous Republican support, intense Democrat opposition

February 2, 1856, After leaving Democratic Party because of its pro-slavery policies, U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Banks (R-MA) becomes first Republican Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives

February 3, 1870, After passing House with 98% Republican support and 97% Democrat opposition, Republicans’ 15th Amendment is ratified, granting vote to all Americans regardless of race

February 4, 1959, President Eisenhower informs Republican leaders of his plan to introduce 1960 Civil Rights Act, despite staunch opposition from many Democrats.

February 5, 1866, U.S. Rep. Thaddeus Stevens (R-PA) introduces legislation, successfully opposed by Democrat President Andrew Johnson, to implement “40 acres and a mule” relief by distributing land to former slaves

February 8, 1894, Democrat Congress and Democrat President Grover Cleveland join to repeal Republicans’ Enforcement Act, which had enabled African-Americans to vote

February 22, 1856, First national meeting of the Republican Party, in Pittsburgh, to coordinate opposition to Democrats’ pro-slavery policies

March 6, 1857, Republican Supreme Court Justice John McLean issues strenuous dissent from decision by 7 Democrats in infamous Dred Scott case that African-Americans had no rights “which any white man was bound to respect”

March 7, 1965, Police under the command of Democrat Governor George Wallace attack African-Americans demonstrating for voting rights in Selma, AL

March 12, 1956, Ninety-seven Democrats in Congress condemn Supreme Court’s decision in Brown v. Board of Education, and pledge to continue segregation

March 14, 1920, Death of U.S. Senator Henry Blair (R-NH); his bill to aid public schools in the South passed three times in Republican-controlled Senate, but was repeatedly blocked by Democrat Speaker of the House

March 20, 1854, Opponents of Democrats’ pro-slavery policies meet in Ripon, Wisconsin to establish the Republican Party

March 21, 1965, Republican federal judge Frank Johnson authorizes Martin Luther King’s protest march from Selma to Montgomery, overruling Democrat Governor George Wallace

March 27, 1856, First meeting of Republican National Committee in Washington, DC to oppose Democrats’ pro-slavery policies.

April 3, 1944, U.S. Supreme Court strikes down Texas Democratic Party’s “whites only” primary election system

April 8, 1865, 13th Amendment banning slavery passed by U.S. Senate with 100% Republican support, 63% Democrat opposition

April 9, 1866, Republican Congress overrides Democrat President Johnson’s veto; Civil Rights Act of 1866, conferring rights of citizenship on African-Americans, becomes law.

April 16, 1862, President Lincoln signs bill abolishing slavery in District of Columbia; in Congress, 99% of Republicans vote yes, 83% of Democrats vote no

April 20, 1871, Republican Congress enacts the Ku Klux Klan Act, outlawing Democratic Party-affiliated terrorist groups which oppressed African-Americans

May 2, 1963, Republicans condemn Democrat sheriff of Birmingham, AL for arresting over 2,000 African-American schoolchildren marching for their civil rights

May 6, 1960, President Dwight Eisenhower signs Republicans’ Civil Rights Act of 1960, overcoming 125-hour, around-the-clock filibuster by 18 Senate Democrats

May 9, 2001, President George W. Bush nominates Miguel Estrada to be first Hispanic to serve on U.S. Court of Appeals for D.C. Circuit; Democrats in Senate successfully filibuster nomination.

May 10, 1866, U.S. House passes Republicans’ 14th Amendment guaranteeing due process and equal protection of the laws to all citizens; 100% of Democrats vote no

May 12, 1850, Birth of U.S. Senator Henry Cabot Lodge (R-MA), whose 1890 Federal Elections Bill enforcing African-American voting rights passed House on party-line vote but was defeated in Senate by a Democrat filibuster

May 21, 1919, Republican House passes constitutional amendment granting women the vote with 85% of Republicans in favor, but only 54% of Democrats; in Senate, 80% of Republicans would vote yes, but almost half of Democrats no.

May 22, 1856, For denouncing Democrats’ pro-slavery policy, Republican U.S. Senator Charles Sumner (R-MA) is beaten nearly to death on floor of Senate by U.S. Rep. Preston Brooks (D-SC).

May 29, 1902, Virginia Democrats implement new state constitution, condemned by Republicans as illegal, reducing African-American voter registration by 86%.

May 30, 1854, Democrat President Franklin Pierce signs Democrats’ Kansas-Nebraska Act, expanding slavery into U.S. territories; opponents unite to form the Republican Party.

June 1, 1963, Democrat Governor George Wallace announces defiance of court order issued by Republican federal judge Frank Johnson to integrate University of Alabama.

June 8, 1866, U.S. Senate passes Republicans’ 14th Amendment guaranteeing due process and equal protection of the law to all citizens; 94% of Republicans vote yes and 100% of Democrats vote no.

June 10, 1964 Senate Minority Leader Everett Dirksen (R-IL) criticizes Democrat filibuster against 1964 Civil Rights Act, calls on Democrats to stop opposing racial equality.

June 12, 1929, First Lady Lou Hoover invites wife of U.S. Rep. Oscar De Priest (R-IL), an African-American, to tea at the White House, sparking protests by Democrats across the country.

June 22, 1870, Republican Congress creates U.S. Department of Justice, to safeguard the civil rights of African-Americans against Democrats in the South.

June 26, 1857, Abraham Lincoln declares Republican position that slavery is “cruelly wrong,” while Democrats “cultivate and excite hatred” for blacks.

Do we believe that the average rank and file member or the democratic party of today is racist? NO.

Do we believe that some race-baiting democratic leaders of today are? Rep. Charles Rangel, comparison of President Bush to the late Theophilus "Bull" Connor, the Birmingham, Ala., police commissioner who came to symbolize Southern racism in the 1960s. The Reverend Al Sharpton, "Clearly Bush has become that, especially after Katrina,"

Rev. Sharpton said. "We've gone from fire hoses to levees." Senior member of the Congressional Black Caucus and of New York's congressional delegation, Mr. Owens, "Bull Connor didn't even pretend that he cared about African- Americans,"

Mr. Owens said. "You have to give it to George Bush for being even more diabolical." "With his faith-based initiatives," Mr. Owens added, "he made it appear that he cared about black Americans. Katrina has exposed that as a big lie." As a result, Mr. Rangel "is on the right track," Mr. Owens said. "This is worse than Bull Connor," he added.

A Democrat who represents Brooklyn on New York's City Council, Charles Barron, concurred with that sentiment. "I think that's an insult to Connor," he said of Mr. Rangel's statement. "George Bush is worse, because he has more power and he's more destructive to our people than Bull Connor will ever be." For example, Mr. Barron said, "A KKK without power is not as bad as a George Bush with power."

"To be a racist in the richest, most powerful country in the world is lethal," Mr. Barron added. "Look what he's doing to communities of color all over the world," the council member said of Mr. Bush. "He's a lethal racist."

"What he did in New Orleans -- I mean, that's worse than what Bull Connor did in his entire career as a racist in the South," Mr. Barron said. "Look at these neighborhoods before Katrina hit. Bush made that community what it is. Katrina did the rest, in partnership with Bush, to deliver the final blow."

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean remains mum.

Tell that to Lt. General Russell L. Honoré Charlie, Al, Major and Howard

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DELAY STATEMENT ON TODAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT

DELAY STATEMENT ON TODAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT

(WASHINGTON)- Rep. Tom DeLay (R-TX) today released the following statement in response to the announcement out of the Travis County, Texas:

"I have notified the Speaker that I will temporarily step aside from my position as majority leader pursuant to rules of the House Republican Conference and the actions of the Travis County District Attorney today."

###

Wednesday, September 28, 2005, Statement By RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman, Contact: Tracey Schmitt, 202-863-8614

WASHINGTON –RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman issued the following statement today:

"Tom DeLay is a tremendous public servant. It is our sincere hope that justice will remain blind to politics. As Tom DeLay clearly stated today, House Republicans will continue to focus on the business of the American people. "

###

House Majority Leader Tom Delay Indicted Texas v. Colyandro, et al.

U.S. House Majority Leader Tom Delay is indicted by a Texas grand jury on criminal conspiracy charges relating to a campaign finance probe.

delayind92805ind1.jpg page 2, delayind92805ind2.jpg page 3, delayind92805ind3.jpg page 4 delayind92805ind4.jpg Indictment courtesy of CNN

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President, Generals Abizaid, Casey, Discusses War on Terror (VIDEO)

President Meets with Generals Abizaid and Casey, Discusses War on Terror, FULL STREAMING VIDEO, The Rose Garden 10:26 A.M. EDT

President George W. Bush issues a statement, Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2005 in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, on the war on terror following his meeting with U.S. Army Generals John Abizaid and George W. Casey.

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. I just had a good meeting with Generals Abizaid and Casey. We discussed the war on terror in which this country is engaged. General Abizaid talked about the global scope of this war. He talked about the nature of an enemy we face, an enemy which is ruthless and brutal, an enemy which has got strategic goals and tactics necessary to achieve those goals. We also talked about the fact that we're determined to defeat the enemy. We discussed our strategy for victory in Iraq, as well. After all, Iraq is a key battlefront in this war on terror.

I asked the Generals to go up to Capitol Hill to brief members of the House and Senate on our strategy for victory, on our operations in Iraq. They updated me on what recently took place in Baghdad, in which Iraqi and coalition forces tracked down and killed Abu Azzam, the second most wanted al Qaeda leader in Iraq. This guy is a brutal killer. He was one of Zarqawi's top lieutenants. He was reported to be the top operational commander of al Qaeda in Baghdad. He is one of the terrorists responsible for the recent upsurge in attacks in the Iraqi capital, which is part of their campaign to stop a referendum on the Iraqi constitution, and is part of their efforts to break the will of the American people and the will of our coalition.

Our strategy is clear in Iraq. We are hunting down high value targets like Azzam and Zarqawi. We're coordinating aggressive counterterrorism operations in the areas where the terrorists are concentrated. We're constantly adapting our tactics to the changing tactics of the terrorists. We're training more Iraqi forces to assume increasing responsibility for their country's security.

The growing size and increasing capability of the Iraqi security forces are helping our coalition address a challenge we have faced since the beginning of the war. And General Casey discussed this with us in the Oval Office.

See, it used to be after we cleared the terrorists out of a city, there wasn't enough qualified Iraqi troops to maintain control -- so when we left to conduct other missions, the terrorists would move back in. Now, the increasing number of more capable Iraqi troops has allowed us to better hold on to the cities we have taken from the terrorists. The Iraqi troops know their people, they know their language, and they know who the terrorists are. By leaving Iraqi units in the cities we've cleared out, we can keep the cities safe while we move on to hunt down the terrorists in other parts of the country.

We saw such success in the country's northwest region, where Iraqi and coalition forces recently targeted an area that was one of the main routes that foreign terrorists use to enter Iraq from Syria. During the operations in the key town of Tal Afar, Iraqi security forces outnumbered coalition forces for the first time in a major offensive operation. General Casey brought us up to date on that operation. Because of our joint efforts, hundreds of terrorists have been killed or captured or flushed, which makes it more difficult for the foreign terrorists to enter Iraq through the northwest route.

As part of General Casey's strategy, Iraqi forces remain in Tal Afar to ensure that the terrorists are not allowed to return and regroup. Coalition and Iraqi troops are on the hunt for terrorists in western Iraq. We're on the offense. We have a plan to win. We're working to stop those terrorists from crossing into the country through Syria, and we're denying safe haven to al Qaeda in the Anbar province.

Members of Congress will get the latest information about our strategy. And I want to thank them for taking time out of their schedules to listen to these two -- to these two Generals. They will hear about the strategy and the progress in increasing the size and capability of the Iraqi security forces. At this moment, more than a dozen Iraqi battalions have completed training and are conducting anti-terrorist operations in Ramadi and Fallujah. More than 20 battalions are operating in Baghdad. And some have taken the lead in operations in major sectors of the city.

In total, more than 100 battalions are operating throughout Iraq. Our commanders report that the Iraqi forces are operating with increasing effectiveness. As Iraqi forces show they're capable of keeping the terrorists out, they're earning the trust and confidence of the Iraqi people, which ensures the success of a free and democratic Iraq.

The terrorists have a history of escalating their attacks before Iraq's major political milestones. Two key elections are fast approaching. As these milestones approach, we can expect there to be increasing violence from the terrorists. They can't stand elections. The thought of people voting is an anathema to them. You see, democracy and freedom are the exact opposite of what's in their mind, in their vision.

Next month the Iraqis will vote on a democratic constitution. If that constitution is approved, they will return to polls later this year to elect a fully constitutional government. The terrorists will fail. See, the Iraqis want to be free. They proved that last January when over 8 million citizens, in the face of violence and threats, voted. And the terrorists are going to fail this time. But we can expect they'll do everything in their power to try to stop the march of freedom. And our troops are ready for it.

I urge the members of Congress to attend the briefings with Generals Abizaid and Casey. I urge them to ask questions about our efforts in Iraq and to listen carefully about the type of war we fight. The support of Congress for our troops and our mission is important, and Americans need to know about the gains we've made in recent weeks and months. They need to know the way we're adopting our tactics and the way we're changing our strategy to meet the needs on the ground.

As members of Congress speak with Generals Abizaid and Casey, I'm confident they'll see what I see -- our leaders, these two Generals are men of vision and determination, and it is their leadership that is helping bring victory in the war on terror.

Thank you, very much.

END 10:33 A.M. EDT, For Immediate Release, Office of the Press Secretary, September 28, 2005

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President to Welcome Polish President Kwasniewski

President to Welcome Polish President Kwasniewski to the White House

President Bush will host Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski at the White House for a farewell meeting and lunch on October 12, 2005. President Kwasniewski will conclude his second term as President this December. Poland remains among America's closest friends and allies. Under President Kwasniewski's leadership, Poland has emerged as a leading partner in the cause of freedom working with the United States to support reform in Ukraine, promote democracy in Belarus, strengthen transatlantic relations, and bring liberty to the people of Iraq and Afghanistan.

# # # For Immediate Release, Office of the Press Secretary, September 28, 2005

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Opening of NATO Training Center in Iraq

Opening of NATO Training Center in Iraq

The United States congratulates Iraq and NATO on the opening of the NATO-run Joint Staff Center - Training Academy at Rustamiyah outside of Baghdad.

The United States and NATO are committed to supporting democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Iraq. Since last year, NATO has helped train hundreds of Iraqi officers who lead Iraq’s security forces. This new center, which will train the next generation of Iraq’s military leaders, demonstrates the important role the Alliance can play in support of this goal.

2005/900, Released on September 27, 2005, Press Statement, Adam Ereli, Deputy Spokesman, Washington, DC, September 27, 2005

more at Department of State or State Department and NATO or Iraq and Rustamiyah or Baghdad

Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS 2005 Awards

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to Speak at The Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS 2005 Awards for Business Excellence Gala

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will deliver remarks on Wednesday, September 28, 2005 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. She will speak at approximately 7:30 p.m. in South Gallery (Roof Terrace level). Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie will also deliver remarks.

This event is open for press coverage. Media interested in covering the event should contact Christine Countryman at (202) 326-1741.
2005/899

Released on September 27, 2005,Notice to the Press, Office of the Spokesman, Washington, DC, September 27, 2005

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Center of Excellence for Stability Police Units

U.S. Support to the New Center of Excellence for Stability Police Units (COESPU)

The United States and Italy signed an agreement on September 23, 2005 formalizing U.S. support to the newly established international Center of Excellence for Stability Police Units (COESPU), located in Vicenza, Italy.

U.S. support to COESPU is a key element of the President’s Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI) and affirms U.S. commitment to the G-8 Action Plan "Expanding Global Capability for Peace Support Operations" endorsed by G-8 partners at Sea Island in June 2004. G-8 partners agreed to support the Italian initiative to establish an international training center to train the Stability Police (i.e. Carabinieri/Gendarmerie-like units) of interested nations, including those in Africa, for peace support operations.

Stability Police can help fill the security gap between military forces and civilian police in peace support operations by relieving some of the burden on military units and by establishing a stable environment in which civilian police can operate effectively. A greater number of similarly trained and equipped Stability Police units are needed to participate in a growing number of international peace support operations and related activities.

COESPU’s first classes will commence on November 7 with students from Cameroon, India, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Morocco, and Senegal.

Questions may be directed to Jason Greer, Director, Congressional and Public Affairs, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, U.S. Department of State, phone: (202) 647-7878.

2005/898 Media Note, Office of the Spokesman, Washington, DC, September 27, 2005

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Journalist Attack in Lebanon

Journalist Attack in Lebanon

The United States condemns the brutal attack on Lebanese journalist May Chediac, who was wounded in a car bombing on September 25, 2005. Ms. Chediac is a voice for dialogue and free expression. The United States joins her family and friends in wishing her a speedy recovery.

Those who attacked Ms. Chediac want to impede Lebanon’s steady progress towards full independence and sovereignty. The United States stands with the courageous people of Lebanon as they emerge from decades of foreign occupation and chart their own democratic future.

2005/897, Released on September 26, 2005, Press Statement, Sean McCormack, Spokesman
Washington, DC, September 26, 2005

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Condoleezza Rice’s Travel to Haiti

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s Travel to Haiti

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will travel to Haiti on September 27, 2005. She will meet with leaders of Haiti’s interim government, as well as with representatives of the United Nations Stabilization Mission In Haiti (MINUSTAH). Her visit will underscore U.S. support for Haiti’s upcoming elections and its ongoing process of political and economic reform.

2005/896, Released on September 26, 2005 Press Statement, Sean McCormack, Spokesman, Washington, DC, September 26, 2005

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U.S. Response to IRA Statement on Decommissioning

U.S. Response to IRA Statement on Decommissioning

We welcome today's statement by the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD) that the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) has comprehensively and verifiably disarmed. This announcement marks an historic day for Northern Ireland and is extremely encouraging for all those who support the peace process, the rule of law, and a Northern Ireland free from sectarian violence. It also marks an opportunity for all parties to renew efforts to reach a sustainable political settlement in Northern Ireland.

President Bush commends the efforts of General John de Chastelain and his fellow IICD commissioners, and applauds the efforts of Sinn Fein in bringing the republican community to this moment.

The United States calls on all other paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland, whether loyalist or republican, to engage with the IICD to bring about total decommissioning at the earliest possible date.

The IRA's decommissioning is a critical first step in fulfilling the terms of the IRA's July 28 statement to pursue its goals through exclusively peaceful and democratic means. The IRA's laudable decommissioning must be followed by actions demonstrating the republican movement's unequivocal commitment to the rule of law and to the renunciation of all paramilitary and criminal activities. The United States further calls on Sinn Fein, the IRA, and all republicans to fully support the police service.

The United States remains steadfast in its support for the peace process and the work of the British and Irish Governments to achieve lasting peace and reconciliation for the people of Northern Ireland under the principles of the Good Friday Agreement.

White House Press Release, Office of the Press Secretary, Washington, DC, September 26, 2005

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Karen Hughes, Remarks with Dr. Ali El Samman, Cairo, Egypt

Remarks with Dr. Ali El Samman, Karen Hughes, Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Cairo, Egypt, September 25, 2005, (3:00 p.m. local time)

UNDER SECRETARY HUGHES: I just had a wonderful meeting with His Eminence Sheikh Tantawi and I'm deeply honored to visit Al-Azhar, which has such a proud, 1,000-plus year tradition of scholarship and enlightenment and learning. It is one of the world's most influential centers of scholarship and theology and jurisprudence and Sheikh al Tantawi and I had a wonderful meeting. I thanked him because Al-Azhar, under his leadership, was among the first -- and he said the first -- religious institutions in the world to formally condemn the September 11 attacks and this great institution with its proud, 1,000 year tradition he told me, is built on tolerance, and enlightenment, and education for all, boys and girls, both students and faculty. The Sheikh also made the point that all divine religions are built on a spirit of love and it is important that all of us work together to fight extremism, to fight terrorism and I know this institution has been at the forefront of interfaith dialogue. One of the things that President Bush and Secretary Rice asked me to emphasize on this trip is interfaith dialogue, which is the reason that I chose this meeting as my first meeting on my first trip to the Middle East, was to talk about the courage of this institution. I praised the Sheikh for his courage and he said "Well it's not courage because it is doing the right thing…

DR. ALI EL SAMMAN: Yes, yes it is --

UNDER SECRETARY HUGHES: -- to speak out against terrorism and extremism." I think that's a very important message for all of us. I also told the Sheikh that many people around the world do not understand the important role that faith plays in Americans' lives. We have freedom of religion guaranteed in our constitution and we have many people in America for whom faith is a very important part of their lives. People go to churches, and to mosques, and to synagogues, and people are also free not to practice or have faith at all in our country. The Sheikh told me -- and I was glad to hear -- that on his two visits to the United States previously, he had witnessed the important role that faith does play in the lives of so many Americans. So it was a wonderful visit, I thank you so much for your warm hospitality and look forward to it being the beginning of a very constructive dialogue. Thank you all very much.

QUESTION: What did you learn today that you didn't know this morning?

UNDER SECRETARY HUGHES: Well, I think I was able to have a wonderful meeting with His Eminence to talk with him about the common language of the heart, we said, about the common language of the heart and that people --

DR. ALI EL SAMMAN: common values --

UNDER SECRETARY HUGHES: -- common values, that people of different faiths and different countries, the people of America, the people of Egypt. We talked about generosity, I thanked him for the generosity of the Egyptian people in responding to the hurricane and he told me that the American people had set a great example of generosity throughout our history in responding to crises, whether in the Middle East or in Africa or throughout the world and the tsunami last year. So, we really, I think, talked about the things that we have in common, our need for education and enlightenment, the importance of faith in the lives of our nations, and so it was a wonderful meeting I thought.

DR ALI EL SAMMAN: Exactly.

UNDER SECRETARY HUGHES: I'm so proud and honored that you could have me here.

QUESTION: Did the Sheikh have any complaint about the distorted image of Islam in the States?

DR. ALI EL SAMMAN: No, he hadn't touched this. He was counting the wise people shall finally have the last word to say.

QUESTION: Could you ask the Sheikh to do more to encourage the moderate voices in the Middle East?

UNDER SECRETARY HUGHES: Well, the Sheikh has been a leader in that effort and this institution has been a leader in speaking out against extremism, against terrorism, and saying that that is not in keeping with the tenets of Islam or the tenets of any of the divine religions. He made a point to me to say that all divine religions are based on love, and tolerance, and respect for one another.

DR. ALI EL SAMMAN: Thank you all.

UNDER SECRETARY HUGHES: Thank you all very much.

2005/886

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President Discusses Hurricane Effects on Energy Supply (VIDEO)

President Discusses Hurricane Effects on Energy Supply, U.S. Department of Energy, FULL STREAMING VIDEO, Washington, D.C. 10:59 A.M. EDT

President George W. Bush, appearing at the U.S. Department of Energy, Monday, Sept. 26, 2005 in Washington, talks about the effects of Hurricane Rita on the energy situation in the Gulf of Mexico.

President Bush is joined by U.S. Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman and U.S. Interior Secretary Gale Norton. White House photo by Paul Morse.

THE PRESIDENT: I want to thank Secretary Bodman for welcoming us here at the Energy Department; Secretary Norton. We've just had a full briefing on what we know thus far about the effects of Hurricane Rita on the energy situation in the Gulf of Mexico.

A lot of our production comes from the Gulf, and when you have a Hurricane Katrina followed by a Hurricane Rita, it's natural, unfortunately, that it's going to affect supply. There's about 1.56 million barrels of oil that is shut in. And before Rita, just to put that in perspective, that was approximately 880,000 barrels a day that were shut in due to Katrina. So that when you really look on a map you have, if you follow the path of Katrina and the path of Rita, it pretty much covers a lot of production in the Gulf of Mexico.

Right now the producing companies are assessing damage to the platforms and rigs. It's important for our people to know that we understand the situation and that we're willing to use the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to mitigate any shortfalls in crude oil that could affect our consumers. I've instructed the Secretary of Energy to be mindful once again about the effects of the SPRO, and how it can help settle price. He did a fine job after Katrina, and we're paying close attention to the markets as we speak.

Secondly, gasoline prices, obviously, are on our mind, and so we've watched very carefully the assessments done on the refining -- the refineries there on the Gulf Coast. There are a lot of -- a lot of gasoline refineries in the Houston area, in the Beaumont area, in the Port Arthur area, as well as Lake Charles, and the Louisiana area. There was about 5.4 million barrels per day that were shut in as a result of Rita and Katrina. A million of it is back up already, and we expect another 1.8 million barrels a day to get back on line relatively quickly because the storm missed a lot of refining capacity down the Texas coast.

We don't know yet about 1.7 million barrels a day that were located right in the path of Rita. And the Secretary has got his people in contact with the energy companies to find out exactly what we have to deal with. About 900,000 barrels a day are still shutdown as a result of Katrina. For those of you who went with me to the Chevron plant in Pascagoula, Mississippi, you might remember the size of that facility and the scope of the damage it had sustained. They're working hard to bring these plants back up.

The other thing that's going to affect the ability for people to get gasoline is, of course, the pipelines. In other words, you manufacture the gasoline in a refinery and you have to ship it across the country. There's three of the four major gasoline pipelines -- three of the four pipelines in the affected area are major gasoline pipelines that supply the Midwest and the East Coast. The Plantation Pipeline, which is an East Coast pipeline, is at 100 percent capacity. That's one of the real success stories of this storm. In other words, it didn't go down at all.

Colonial, which sends gasoline up to the Midwest, is at 52 percent capacity. It will soon be about 70 percent, and should be at 100 percent by the end of the week. The Explorer in the Midwest, sending gas to the Midwest, is at 67 percent capacity, should be at 100 percent next week. The Capline, which sends gasoline to the Midwest, as well -- it's a major crude pipeline, by the way, that sends crude to be refined in the Midwest -- will be at about 75 percent capacity now, and obviously they're going to do everything they can to get it up to capacity.

My point is, is that the storm affected the ability to get gasoline to markets. I know the governors of Florida and Georgia have done some creative things to try to anticipate what will be a temporary problem. Governor Perdue of Georgia I thought did a -- showed some leadership by saying we've got to -- anticipating a problem, here's what we need to do to correct it.

There's going to be some -- by the way, and here's what we have done and will continue to do. We have suspended certain EPA winter blend rules so that it makes it easier to import gasoline from overseas. In other words, there's a supply of gasoline in Europe, and by suspending these rules, it's a lot more likely to be able to get gasoline into our markets. And so while there's a shortfall because of down refining capacity, we will work with -- we have instructed EPA to leave the rules in place, or to suspend the rules that were in place, keep the suspension in place, which would make it easier to increase supply, and continue to get supply of gasoline here. And that's important for our consumers to know.

In Houston, the challenge in Houston, as I understand it, is to get drivers and trucks into Houston so they can deliver gasoline to the retailers. And the Secretary is working with the local authorities there to help do anything we can to help get that done so that people in that big city will be able to get some gasoline. Beaumont and Port Arthur are still under assessment, we're not sure yet the full extent of the damage. I'll be going down there in the area tomorrow, and by then there will be a pretty clear assessment. I look forward to dealing with local -- talking to local leaders about what -- the situation and the problems they face.

Let me repeat, we'll use the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to help refineries with crude oil. We will continue the waivers to allow the winter blends of fuel to be used throughout the country. We will continue to waiver that -- to allow broader use of diesel fuel. Because we understand there's been a disruption in supply and we want to make sure that we do everything we can to help with the supply disruption.

The Homeland Security waived the Jones Act on restrictions on fuel transportation. We're allowing foreign flag ships to temporarily transport fuel from one U.S. port to another. That's going to be important for expediting supply to deal with bottlenecks. We will continue that waiver. The Treasury and IRS announced that dyed diesel fuel for off-road use would be allowed on on-road use without penalty. In other words, we're taking action to help deal with the shortfall caused by Katrina and Rita.

Two other points I want to make is, one, we can all pitch in by using -- by being better conservers of energy. I mean, people just need to recognize that the storms have caused disruption and that if they're able to maybe not drive when they -- on a trip that's not essential, that would helpful. The federal government can help, and I've directed the federal agencies nationwide -- and here's some ways we can help. We can curtail nonessential travel. If it makes sense for the citizen out there to curtail nonessential travel, it darn sure makes sense for federal employees. We can encourage employees to carpool or use mass transit. And we can shift peak electricity use to off-peak hours. There's ways for the federal government to lead when it comes to conservation.

And, finally, these storms show that we need additional capacity in -- we need additional refining capacity, for example, to be able to meet the needs of the American people. The storms have shown how fragile the balance is between supply and demand in America. I've often said one of the worst problems we have is that we're dependent on foreign sources of crude oil, and we are. But it's clear, as well, that we're also really dependent on the capacity of our country to refine product, and we need more refining capacity. And I look forward to working with Congress, as we analyze the energy situation, to expedite the capacity of our refiners to expand and/or build new refineries.

It is clear that when you're dependent upon natural gas and/or hydrocarbons to fuel your economy and that supply gets disrupted, we need alternative sources of energy. And that's why I believe so strongly in nuclear power. And so we've got a chance, once again, to assess where we are as a country when it comes to energy and do something about it. And I look forward to working with Congress to do just that.

I'll be glad to answer a couple of questions. Nedra.

Q Thank you, Mr. President. I want to ask you about a different result of these storms, and that is the racial divide that's been exposed in this country. Blacks and whites feel very differently about what happened. We all recognize that the response to Rita was much better than the response to Katrina, but there are some strong feelings in the black community that that difference had a racial component to it, that the white, you know, rural residents got taken care of better than the black urban residents did. How do you respond to that?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think about Houston, my old hometown of Houston, which is an incredibly diverse city. And we had what looked like a category five hurricane headed right for Houston, and the federal, state and local officials worked together to warn the citizens of the impending storm. The message wasn't sent to one group of people; it was sent to the entire city. I mean, Texas is a diverse state. The rural part of Texas you're talking about has got a significant African American component to it. But I can assure you that the response efforts, and now the recovery efforts, are aimed at -- aimed at saving everybody. And the response was directed toward everybody.

I think that what a lot of Americans saw was a -- some poverty that they had never imagined before. And we need to address that, whether it be rural or urban. And I have done that as the President. I have said that education systems that simply shuffle children through are -- can be discriminatory in nature. And, therefore, we've got to have high standards and high expectations and focus money on Title I children to teach -- so that they -- so that children can learn to read. And we're beginning to make progress.

I have said that ownership is a way to counter poverty and being stuck in impoverished situations, and so homeownership is up. And business ownership is up amongst minorities. I have said that the faith-based programs are more likely able to address some of the hopelessness of people, and therefore have empowered faith-based programs to interface with people. We've promoted mentoring programs for children whose parents might be in prison, as a way to help provide hope for people.

But this is an issue that this country must continue to address. Poverty is an issue that's an important issue. And poverty exists in New Orleans, Louisiana, and it exists in rural Texas, and it needs to be addressed in a significant way.

Toby.

Q Mr. President, now that Judge Roberts is heading for confirmation, how close are you to choosing your second nominee for the Supreme Court? And how much of a factor is diversity going to be?

THE PRESIDENT: First of all, I will -- I'm cautiously optimistic about Judge Roberts' vote in the Senate. I will -- he's done a fantastic job of showing the Senate and the American people he's not only a brilliant person, but a decent person with a great heart. And so I await confirmation and I hope it goes well. It looks like it might.

Your question indicated that it looked like it was headed in the right direction. I will withhold judgment until the Senate exercises their consent part of the advice and consent relationship with the White House.

I have interviewed people in the past, and thought about people from all walks of life. And I will put the person in to do the job. But I am mindful that diversity is one of the strengths of the country.

Any other questions? Yes.

Q Thank you. In suggesting that the Department of Defense might become the first responder in catastrophic disasters, are you not conceding that the Department of Homeland Security is not up to the task?

THE PRESIDENT: Oh, no, no let me -- I appreciate you asking that question. One of the reasons I went out to NORTHCOM was to see the operations there, to look at how well organized NORTHCOM is, to listen to them talk about lessons learned from a major storm like Katrina, to think about ways for our country to properly respond to a catastrophic event, whether it be a natural catastrophic event or perhaps a terrorist attack.

And what I want the discussion to -- I want there to be a robust discussion about the best way for the federal government, in certain extreme circumstances, to be able to rally assets for the good of the people. I don't want to prejudge the Congress's discussion on this issue, because it may require change of law.

But I do want them to think about a circumstance that requires a lot of planning and a lot of assets immediately on the scene in order to stabilize. And so what I was speculating about was a scenario which would require federal assets to stabilize the situation, primarily DOD assets -- DOD assets, and then hand back over to Department of Homeland Security, for example. And I think it's very important for us as we look at the lessons of Katrina to think about other scenarios that might require a well-planned significant federal response right off the bat to provide stability. That's what I was talking about.

Q Mr. President, you had mentioned refining capacity. I'd like to ask you about an offer from the Kuwaiti oil minister, who has said that he is willing to offer to build a capacity -- a refining capacity in the U.S.; it would be the first time in about 30 years. Says he's asked for White House assistance -- assistance -- assistance getting permits and fed support and so forth. What do you think of a proposal like that?

THE PRESIDENT: I am for increasing supply, because I understand when the more supply there is of a product, that will take pressure off of price. I haven't seen this specific proposal. But I've also talked to U.S. refiners who have said, we'd like to expand onsite, but the amount of paperwork necessary to do so is staggering. The issue of new source review, for example, is one that we've reviewed and said that, for the sake of, in this case, the expeditious expansion -- and wise and careful expansion -- of refining capacity, we ought to look at those rules and regulations. And yet we're back in court.

And so I think if you take a good look at what it means to build a refinery, or expand a refinery, you'll find there's a lot of regulations and paperwork that are required, thereby delaying the capacity for more product to come on to the market and discouraging people from doing -- building refineries. That's why we haven't had one since 1970-something.

So it's an interesting offer, and we'll, of course, look at it. The first thing we need to look at is how to encourage people to do just that without getting -- without all kinds of time being taken up through the bureaucratic hurdles.

Okay, thank you -- yes, ma'am.

Q Some have called for the continued idea of the reconstruction czar. Has your administration reconsidered having someone in charge, a federal person of the --

THE PRESIDENT: Yes, "reconsidered" means we've ruled it out. I never have; I'm considering. "Reconsidered" means at some point in time I decided not to have that. But I think the idea of having a federal interface with local folks might be -- might be a good idea.

First things first, however. Remember in my speech in New Orleans, I strongly said that this reconstruction vision ought to be a local vision. And if you might remember, the other day I went down to Mississippi and was with Governor Barbour and Jim Barksdale -- he was the founder of Netscape, a local business guy who has put together a group of distinguished citizenry to help plan what south Mississippi ought to look like. And we'll see what else emerges -- comes from that idea in Louisiana.

But the idea is once these groups get up and running, they're going to have to interface with the federal government. And so I'm considering how best to balance the need for local vision and federal involvement.

Now, there's going to be a lot of federal involvement because we're going to spend money -- wisely, I might add. And so it's an idea that I'm still considering. And I want to watch -- because the reason why I'm comfortable about saying "still considering" is because we're still recovering. And we've got a lot of work to do to recover. I mean, when I go down to Mississippi, I appreciate the vision that they're beginning to think about, but my first priority was to help those local folks remove debris. And then the next question is, what do we do with the debris once it's removed. And there's a lot of immediate needs.

If I were to go down to New Orleans today -- I'm not -- if I were, I'd be talking to the Mayor, I'd be interested in the vision -- but I'd be more interested in how we're going to get that water out of the 9th ward. And so I'm now interested -- the next step of the recovery is how to get temporary housing in place to get workers back so that jobs can get cranked up again.

In terms of Texas, when it comes to where my thought process is now, I'm interested in getting electricity to people, and gasoline to people. But the vision element of reconstruction is just beginning, and there may be a need for an interface with a particular person to help make sure that the vision becomes reality. It's a long answer to a short question.

Thank you all, appreciate it.

END 11:20 A.M. EDT, For Immediate Release, Office of the Press Secretary, September 26, 2005

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President, Louisiana Governor Briefed on Hurricane Rita

President, Louisiana Governor Briefed on Hurricane Rita in Baton Rouge, FEMA Joint Field Office, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 12:08 P.M. CDT

President George W. Bush and Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco participate in a briefing on Hurricane Rita at the FEMA Joint Field Office in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2005. White House photo by Eric Draper

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. The Governor and I just got briefed by Admiral Allen on the progress here in Louisiana. There's still assessment on the damage of Hurricane Rita. One of the things that is important for the citizens of this state to do is to listen to the Governor about when it is okay to return back to your homes. I know a lot of people want to get back home. It's important that there be an orderly process. It's important there be an assessment done of infrastructure. And it's important for the people of the affected areas of Louisiana to listen carefully to the Governor and local authorities about the proper timing of return home.

We also got briefed on the levees in New Orleans. There is flooding, obviously, in the 9th Ward. The Corps of Engineers gave us a briefing about the building -- repairing levees, and then, once again, pumping the water out of that part of New Orleans. It's -- I would say it's an optimistic appraisal, in the sense that work has started now, and they can start to -- draining that part of the city again.

But I'm here to really thank the people in the Operations Center for their hard work and their dedication to helping the people of Louisiana recover from a second major storm in a very quick period of time.

Governor, thank you for your hospitality. I know you've been through a lot, and I know the people of this state have been through a lot. We ask for God's blessings on them and their families.

GOVERNOR BLANCO: Well, we want to welcome you back. I'm sorry that we brought you back under another stressful event. But we do appreciate your support. And I do want to tell you how much we appreciated watching all of the integrated forces at work as one. And as we talked, I know that it was possible to do it quickly, and to move in as one, with federal, state and local folks working all together.

We talked about what happens next here, and how quickly we could marshal the right kind of forces again. And I think that, together, we're going to work out some very important plans that citizens of the United States can feel will work very effectively and efficiently.

GOVERNOR BLANCO: Thank you.

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. (Applause.)

END 12:11 P.M. CDT, For Immediate Release, Office of the Press Secretary, September 25, 2005

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