Ground Spider Diversity

Ground Spider Diversity Studied in Research Project.

COLLEGE STATION – None of Takesha Henderson's discoveries are named Charlotte, but they are weaving a new chapter in Texas entomology. Her graduate studies at Texas A&M University have led to the discovery of 25 new spiders in Brazos County and one species found for the first time in Texas. High Resolution Image

In research sponsored by the National Science Foundation, Henderson, who is earning a master's degree, has been studying ground spider diversity, distribution and abundance in the 515-acre Lick Creek Park south of College Station. She has caught 1,000 specimens in 111 species over two years. The most common were several species of wolf spiders, she said. High Resolution Image.

A total of 989 species of spiders have been identified in Texas; 280 of these are found in Brazos County.

Henderson set out pitfall traps – made of plastic cups, funnels and animal-safe antifreeze – to collect the spiders. High Resolution Image.

A variety of sites – including upland woods, post oak woodlands and an area disturbed by a high level of human activity – were chosen.

The collected samples are being identified and placed in the Texas A&M Insect Collection, department of entomology.

Dr. Marvin Harris, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station entomologist and chair of Henderson's master's committee, began working with her when she was an undergraduate.

"Takesha's work at Lick Creek Park is expanding our knowledge of this local natural resource and the role such habitats play in nature," Harris said. "This knowledge can enrich our human experience and can also be used in larger studies of biodiversity and production agriculture involving spiders."

For people who think the only good spider is a dead spider, Henderson has this to say: A diverse spider population signifies a healthy habitat.

Spiders "help maintain the balance of nature," said Dr. John Jackman, Texas Cooperative Extension entomologist in College Station, "They help keep a lid on the population of arthropods. They keep us from being covered up with everything else."

The spider inventory at Lick Creek will give researchers a baseline for further studies on biodiversity and the impact of humans on the environment, Henderson said.

Henderson's studies have allowed her to continue a childhood interest. She remembers being intrigued by insects and tarantulas when she was young. "My parents wondered why I liked eight-legged creatures," Henderson said. "Mom couldn't stand it at first."

But her parents allowed her to keep her collection as long as the tarantulas and spiders didn't get out into the house, she said.

As an undergraduate, Henderson took her parents, who lived in Brenham at the time, to some of her classes.

"Her enthusiasm for spiders was backed by the hard work required for her to become proficient in their identification and to study their biology," Harris said.

In all of her collecting and studies, Henderson has never been bitten, although she has had a skin irritation caused by a rosehair tarantula flicking off some of its abdominal hair, she said.

Henderson hopes her studies will be a stepping stone to a new career when she graduates in May. "There are few arachnologists," she said. "But that (knowledge) comes in handy when someone gets bitten or you have major spider problems."

The City of College Station has a long-term commitment to inventory the park, which has diverse plant and animal populations, for changes in habitat, she said. The park has areas for hiking, bird watching and horseback riding, and is one of the areas that has Navasota Ladies'-Tresses, an endangered orchid. More information on the park can be found (in PDF format) at cstx.gov/docs/lick_creek_brochure .

A free publication that describes common Texas spiders is available from the Extension Bookstore at tcebookstore.org/ . Click on "Insects" and then "Spiders."

Writer: Edith Chenault, 979-845-2886, EChenaul@ag.tamu.edu Contact: Takesha Henderson. 979-845-9757, takesha@tamu.edu Dr. Marvin Harris, 979-845-9757, m-harris@tamu.edu

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Execution (Hanging) of Saddam Hussein FULL VERSION (VIDEO)

WARNING CONTAINS GRAPHIC FOOTAGE:

Iraqi cell phone video of the hanging execution of Saddam Hussein, FULL VERSION STREAMING VIDEO 2 min 36 sec - Dec 31, 2006

A witness of Saddam Hussein's hanging caught a video of the execution on his cell phone.

MORE VIDEO Saddam Hussein execution 12/30/2006 (VIDEO) - WARNING CONTAINS GRAPHIC FOOTAGE: Saddam Hussein execution 12/30/2006 (VIDEO)

Transcript of translation from Arabic subtitles accompanying this execution footage as broadcast on al-Jazeera TV:

[Saddam] Oh God.

[Voices] May God's blessings be upon Muhammad and his household.

[Voices] And may God hasten their appearance and curse their enemies.

[Voices] Moqtada [Al-Sadr]...Moqtada...Moqtada.

[Saddam] Do you consider this bravery?

[Voice] Long live Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr.

[Voice] To hell.

[Voice] Please do not. The man is being executed. Please no, I beg you to stop.

[Saddam] There is no God but Allah and I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God. There is no God but Allah and I testify that Muhammad...

At this point the sound of the trapdoors opening is heard in the background.

______________________________

President Bush's Statement on Execution of Saddam Hussein

Today, Saddam Hussein was executed after receiving a fair trial -- the kind of justice he denied the victims of his brutal regime.

Fair trials were unimaginable under Saddam Hussein's tyrannical rule. It is a testament to the Iraqi people's resolve to move forward after decades of oppression that, despite his terrible crimes against his own people, Saddam Hussein received a fair trial. This would not have been possible without the Iraqi people's determination to create a society governed by the rule of law.

Saddam Hussein's execution comes at the end of a difficult year for the Iraqi people and for our troops. Bringing Saddam Hussein to justice will not end the violence in Iraq, but it is an important milestone on Iraq's course to becoming a democracy that can govern, sustain, and defend itself, and be an ally in the War on Terror.

We are reminded today of how far the Iraqi people have come since the end of Saddam Hussein's rule - and that the progress they have made would not have been possible without the continued service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform.

Many difficult choices and further sacrifices lie ahead. Yet the safety and security of the American people require that we not relent in ensuring that Iraq's young democracy continues to progress.

White House Press Release, Office of the Press Secretary, December 30, 2006, Released on December 29, 2006

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Freedom Calendar 12/30/06 - 01/06/07

December 30, 1842, Birth of Republican U.S. Rep. Josiah Walls, who in 1871 became Florida’s first African-American in Congress.

December 31, 1898, Republican Theodore Roosevelt becomes Governor of New York; in 1900, he outlawed racial segregation in New York public schools.

January 1, 1863, Emancipation Proclamation, implementing the Republicans’ Confiscation Act of 1862, takes effect.

January 2, 1895, Republicans Clara Cressingham, Carrie C. Holly, and Frances S. Klock of Colorado are sworn in as first women to serve in a state legislature in U.S. history.

January 3, 1933, Republican Minnie Davenport Craig (R-ND) elected as first woman to be Speaker of the House in a state legislature.

January 4, 1995, Speaker Newt Gingrich appoints Republican Cheryl Lau first Asian-American woman to serve as General Counsel of U.S. House; Republican Robin Carle becomes first woman elected Clerk of U.S. House.

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

January 6, 1874, African-American U.S. Rep. Robert B. Elliott (R-SC) delivers eloquent hour-long speech supporting Republicans’ civil rights bill.

“The first Republican I knew was my father and he is still the Republican I most admire. He joined our party because the Democrats inJim Crow Alabama of 1952 would not register him to vote. The Republicans did. My father has never forgotten that day, and neither have I."

Condoleezza Rice Secretary of State

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Presidential Podcast 12/30/06

Presidential Podcast 12/30/06
Subscribe to Our Odeo or podnova Podcast Channel and receive the weekly Presidential Radio Address in English and Spanish with select State Department Briefings. Featuring real audio and full text transcripts, More content Sources added often so stay tuned.

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bush radio address 12/30/06 full audio, text transcript

bush radio address 12/30/06 full audio, text transcript. PODCAST and, President's Radio Address . Remembering President Gerald R. Ford (1913-2006)

Subscribe to Our Odeo or podnova Podcast Channel and receive the weekly Presidential Radio Address in English and Spanish with select State Department Briefings. Featuring real audio and full text transcripts, More content Sources added often so stay tuned.

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This week, as Americans prepare to welcome a new year, we do so with heavy hearts and fond memories of our 38th President, Gerald R. Ford. We mourn the passing of a courageous leader, a true gentleman, and a loving father and husband. On behalf of all Americans, Laura and I send our prayers and condolences to Mrs. Ford and the entire Ford family.

Gerald Ford was a great man who devoted the best years of his long life to public service. He fought for his country during World War II. After returning home, he won the first of 13 elections to the United States Congress. The people of Michigan admired his dedication and decency, and so did his fellow members of Congress. Gerald Ford rose to become a leader of his party, and he earned the respect and good will of all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Gerald Ford always believed in the importance of answering the call to duty, and he was there for the Nation when we needed him most. In December 1973, he accepted the responsibilities of the Vice Presidency; and the following August, he became President of the United States without ever seeking the office. Providence gave us Gerald Ford's steady hand and calm leadership during a time of great division and turmoil. He guided America through a crisis of confidence, and helped our Nation mend its wounds by restoring faith in our system of government.

In his two-and-a-half years as President, Gerald Ford distinguished himself as a man of integrity and selfless dedication. He always put the needs of his country before his own, and did what he thought was right, even when those decisions were unpopular. Only years later would Americans come to fully appreciate the foresight and wisdom of this good man.

In recent years, Americans have honored Gerald Ford with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Gold Medal, and the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award.

Through it all, Gerald Ford stayed true to the values that first led him to a life of public service, and he helped share that spirit with a future generation of leaders. He served as a mentor for Vice President Dick Cheney, former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, former Chairman of the Federal Reserve Alan Greenspan, and many others. He brought out the best in those around him, and in our whole Nation.

To the end, Gerald Ford never lost the spirit that Americans grew to admire so much. This spring, I visited President and Mrs. Ford at their home in Rancho Mirage, California. At age 92, and battling health problems, he was still telling jokes and displaying the optimism that helped guide our Nation through some of its darkest hours.

Now America will stand with the members of the Ford family in the difficult hours and days ahead. Across the country, there has been an outpouring of grief and affection for President Ford. I've ordered flags to fly at half staff for 30 days in his honor. This weekend, his body will lie in state at the United States Capitol. And on Tuesday, Laura and I will join former Presidents Clinton, Bush, and Carter at a funeral service at the National Cathedral as part of a National Day of Mourning.

Gerald Ford's life spanned nine decades, and took him from the football fields of his boyhood in Michigan to the halls of power in Washington, D.C. At every stage of his journey, he displayed a decency, patriotism, and courage that Americans will always admire. As we say goodbye to the year 2006, we bid farewell to one of the finest public servants America has ever known. We give thanks for the gift of his remarkable life, for the caring man who touched so many lives, and the wise President who helped heal our Nation.

May God bless Gerald R. Ford. Thank you for listening.

For Immediate Release, Office of the Press Secretary, December 30, 2006

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Discurso Radial del Presidente a la Nación 12/30/06

forre el audio de la dirección de radio 12/30/06 por completo, transcripción del texto. (nota de los redactores: ninguna lengua española mp3 lanzó esta semana, apesadumbrada) PODCAST Discurso Radial del Presidente.

Suscribir a nuestro canal de Podcast de Odeo o del podnova y recibir la dirección de radio presidencial semanal en inglés y español con informes selectos del departamento del estado. Ofreciendo transcripciones audio y con texto completo verdaderas, más fuentes contentas agregaron a menudo así que la estancia templó.

Buenos Días.

Esta semana, al prepararnos los estadounidenses a dar la bienvenida a un nuevo año, lo hacemos con el corazón pesado y con recuerdos cariñosos de nuestro trigésimo octavo Presidente, Gerald R. Ford. Nos acongoja el fallecimiento de un líder valiente… un verdadero caballero… y un padre y esposo afectuoso. En nombre de todos los estadounidenses, Laura y yo enviamos nuestras oraciones y nuestro sentido pésame a la señora Ford y a toda la familia Ford.

Gerald Ford fue un gran hombre que dedicó los mejores años de su larga vida al servicio público. Luchó por su país durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Al volver a casa, ganó la primera de 13 elecciones al Congreso de los Estados Unidos. El pueblo de Michigan admiró su dedicación y su decencia – y así lo hicieron sus colegas miembros del Congreso. Gerald Ford llegó a ser un líder de su partido – y se hizo merecedor del respeto y la buena voluntad de todos los que tuvieron el privilegio de conocerlo.

Gerald Ford siempre creyó en la importancia de responder a la llamada del deber – y estuvo allí para la Nación cuando más lo necesitamos. En diciembre de 1973 aceptó las responsabilidades de la vice-presidencia – y en agosto del siguiente año pasó a ser Presidente de los Estados Unidos sin jamás haber buscado el cargo. La Providencia nos dio la mano firme y el liderazgo sereno de Gerald Ford durante un período de gran división y turbulencia. Guió a Estados Unidos a través de una crisis de confianza – y ayudó a nuestra Nación a curar sus heridas y a restablecer la fe en nuestro sistema de gobierno.

En sus dos años y medio como Presidente, Gerald Ford se distinguió como un hombre de integridad y dedicación abnegada. Siempre puso las necesidades de su país delante de las suyas – e hizo lo que consideró ser lo correcto, aún cuando esas decisiones fueran impopulares. Sólo años después los estadounidenses llegarían a apreciar plenamente la previsión y la sabiduría de este buen hombre. En años recientes los estadounidenses han honrado a Gerald Ford con la Medalla Presidencial de la Libertad, la Medalla de Oro del Congreso, y el Premio John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage.

En medio de todo, Gerald Ford se mantuvo leal a los valores que inicialmente lo llevaron a una vida de servicio público – y ayudó a compartir ese espíritu con una generación futura de líderes. Sirvió como mentor del Vicepresidente Dick Cheney, del ex – Secretario de Defensa Don Rumsfeld, del ex – Presidente de la Reserva Federal Alan Greenspan, y muchos más. Hizo salir lo mejor en los que lo rodeaban – y en toda nuestra Nación.

Hasta el final, Gerald Ford nunca perdió el espíritu que los estadounidenses llegaron a admirar tanto. Esta primavera, visité al Presidente y la Sra. Ford en su hogar de Rancho Mirage, California. A los 92 años y luchando con problemas de salud, él seguía contando bromas – y mostrando el optimismo que ayudó a dirigir a nuestra Nación durante algunas de sus horas más oscuras.

Ahora, Estados Unidos se unirá a la familia Ford en las difíciles horas y días por venir. En todo el país, se ha visto una muestra efusiva de pena y afecto por el Presidente Ford. En su honor, he ordenado el izamiento de las banderas a media asta durante 30 días. Este fin de semana el féretro con sus restos será colocado en el Capitolio de los Estados Unidos para su exhibición pública. Y el martes, Laura y yo nos uniremos a los ex – Presidentes Clinton, Bush y Carter para asistir a un funeral en la Catedral Nacional como parte de un Día de Duelo Nacional.

La vida de Gerald Ford abarcó nueve décadas y lo llevó desde los campos de fútbol de su juventud hasta los pasillos del poder en Washington D.C. En cada etapa de su trayectoria, mostró una decencia, un patriotismo y un coraje que los estadounidenses siempre admirarán. Al decir adiós al año 2006 decimos adiós a uno de los funcionarios públicos más nobles que Estados Unidos jamás ha conocido. Damos gracias por el regalo de su extraordinaria vida – por el hombre afectuoso que tocó a tantas vidas, y por el sabio Presidente que ayudó a curar a nuestra Nación.

Que Dios bendiga a Gerald R. Ford.

Gracias por escuchar.

Para su publicación inmediata, Oficina del Secretario de Prensa, 30 de diciembre de 2006

Etiquetas De Technorati: Discurso Radial del Presidente a la Nación, y Presidente Bush, o Gerald R. Ford y 38.o+Presidente, o Segunda Guerra Mundial, o Congreso de Estados Unidos y Presidente Gerald Ford o Año Nuevo

Saddam Hussein execution 30/12/2006 (VIDEO)

UPDATE: 12/31/06 - Execution (Hanging) of Saddam Hussein FULL VERSION (VIDEO) - Iraqi cell phone video of the hanging execution of Saddam Hussein, FULL VERSION STREAMING VIDEO 2 min 36 sec - Dec 31, 2006

WARNING CONTAINS GRAPHIC FOOTAGE: Saddam Hussein execution 30/12/2006 (VIDEO) (Editor's note, set audio level right of main control)

Full Streaming video on Saddam Hussein execution in Baghdad on 30/12/2006. 1 min - Dec 30, 2006

(Editor's note, somewhat longer grittier version)

The Execution of Saddam Hussein. 1 min 34 sec - Dec 30, 2006, His last moments, Saddam Hussain The Former President of Iraq. آخر لحظات الرئيس العراقي السابق صدام حسين وإعدامه


First images of Saddam Hussein dead, on Beladi TV. 1:32 min - Dec 30, 2006

__________________________

President Bush's Statement on Execution of Saddam Hussein

Today, Saddam Hussein was executed after receiving a fair trial -- the kind of justice he denied the victims of his brutal regime.

Fair trials were unimaginable under Saddam Hussein's tyrannical rule. It is a testament to the Iraqi people's resolve to move forward after decades of oppression that, despite his terrible crimes against his own people, Saddam Hussein received a fair trial. This would not have been possible without the Iraqi people's determination to create a society governed by the rule of law.

Saddam Hussein's execution comes at the end of a difficult year for the Iraqi people and for our troops. Bringing Saddam Hussein to justice will not end the violence in Iraq, but it is an important milestone on Iraq's course to becoming a democracy that can govern, sustain, and defend itself, and be an ally in the War on Terror.

We are reminded today of how far the Iraqi people have come since the end of Saddam Hussein's rule - and that the progress they have made would not have been possible without the continued service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform.

Many difficult choices and further sacrifices lie ahead. Yet the safety and security of the American people require that we not relent in ensuring that Iraq's young democracy continues to progress.

White House Press Release, Office of the Press Secretary, December 30, 2006, Released on December 29, 2006

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Honoring Gerald R. Ford

UPDATE: 01/02/07 National Cathedral Service - LIVE COVERAGE

UPDATE: 12/31/06 Funeral of President Gerald R. Ford (VIDEO) - Pres. Ford Arrives in Andrews AFB, MD, Fmr. Pres. Ford Motorcade at WWII Memorial, Fmr. Pres. Ford Arrives at Capitol, East Front, U.S. Capitol Funeral Service for Fmr. Pres. Ford, Fmr. Pres. Gerald Ford Funeral Arrival Ceremony in Palm Desert, CA.

Nearly 4,000 Troops to Take Part In Funeral

WASHINGTON, Dec. 28, 2006 – Almost 4,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guard members are gearing up to support the national farewell to former President Gerald R. Ford that will span a seven-day period with events in California, Maryland, the nation’s capital and Michigan.

“This is DoD’s way of showing respect and honor to a former commander in chief and president, so it’s very important to us,” said Army Col. Jim Yonts, public affairs officer for the Military District of Washington. FULL Story

Military Tradition To Be Evident in Funeral

WASHINGTON, Dec. 28, 2006 – Military tradition will be evident throughout the events associated with the Dec. 26 death of former President Gerald R. Ford, as the services join the nation in bidding farewell to their former commander in chief.

Ford’s three-stage state funeral will begin tomorrow with the former president’s remains lying in repose at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Palm Desert, Calif. He will then be honored in the nation’s capital, and finally in his home state of Michigan, where he will be buried. FULL Story

Rumsfeld Remembers Ford As Patriot Who Restored Confidence

WASHINGTON, Dec. 27, 2006 – Former Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld remembered the late President Gerald R. Ford as a patriot who led the United States through difficult days and helped restore confidence in its government. “President Ford was a man of great decency and towering integrity,” Rumsfeld said in a written statement released today. FULL Story

Ford Helped U.S. Recover from Watergate

WASHINGTON, Dec. 27, 2006 – Americans will remember former President Gerald R. Ford as a man with the courage to heal a nation. Ford, who died at his California home last night at age 93, assumed the presidency at a grim time in American history. FULL Story

Related Links

• Funeral Sequence of Events
• Presidential Library and Museum
• White House Biography

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National Day of Mourning for Gerald R. Ford

Statements on Death of President Gerald R. Ford (VIDEO) UPDATE: 12/28/06 CRAWFORD, Texas - President George W. Bush declares that, Tuesday 01/02/07 will be the National day of mourning for President Gerald R. Ford, Federal offices will be closed on that day. For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary December 28, 2006.

_____________

As a further mark of respect to the memory of Gerald R. Ford, the thirty-eighth President of the United States, NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, in honor and tribute to the memory of Gerald R. Ford, and as an expression of public sorrow, do appoint Tuesday, January 2, 2007, as a National Day of Mourning throughout the United States. I call on the American people to assemble on that day in their respective places of worship, there to pay homage to the memory of President Ford. I invite the people of the world who share our grief to join us in this solemn observance.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty eighth day of December in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.

GEORGE W. BUSH

# # # For Immediate Release, Office of the Press Secretary, December 28, 2006
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FDA Safety of Animal Clones

FDA Issues Draft Documents on the Safety of Animal Clones, Agency Continues to Ask Producers and Breeders Not to Introduce Food from Clones into Food Supply/ The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today issued three documents on the safety of animal cloning -- a draft risk assessment; a proposed risk management plan; and a draft guidance for industry.

Draft risk assessment: The draft risk assessment finds that meat and milk from clones of adult cattle, pigs and goats, and their offspring, are as safe to eat as food from conventionally bred animals. The assessment was peer-reviewed by a group of independent scientific experts in cloning and animal health. They agreed with the methods FDA used to evaluate the data and the conclusions set out in the document.

The draft risk assessment presents an overview of assisted reproductive methods widely used in animal agriculture, the extensive scientific information available on animal health and food consumption risks, and draws science-based conclusions. These conclusions agree with those of the National Academies of Sciences, released in a 2002 report. Due to limited data on sheep clones, in the draft guidance FDA recommends that sheep clones not be used for human food.

"Based on FDA's analysis of hundreds of peer-reviewed publications and other studies on the health and food composition of clones and their offspring, the draft risk assessment has determined that meat and milk from clones and their offspring are as safe as food we eat every day," said Stephen F. Sundlof, D.V.M., Ph.D., director of FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine. "Cloning poses no unique risks to animal health when compared to other assisted reproductive technologies currently in use in U.S. agriculture."

An animal clone is a genetic copy of a donor animal, similar to identical twins but born at different times. Cloning is not the same as genetic engineering, which involves altering, adding or deleting DNA; cloning does not change the gene sequence.

Proposed risk management plan: The proposed risk management plan addresses risks to animal health and potential remaining uncertainties associated with feed and food from animal clones and their offspring.

The proposed plan outlines measures that FDA might take to address the risks that cloning poses to animals involved in the cloning process. These risks all have been observed in other assisted reproductive technologies currently in use in common agricultural practices.

One such measure could be that the agency would work with scientific and professional societies with expertise in animal health and reproduction to develop a set of care standards for animals involved in the cloning process. Although the agency does not have authority to address the ethics of animal cloning, the proposed risk management plan does state that FDA plans to continue to provide scientific expertise to interested parties working on these issues.

"Because the release of the draft risk assessment and proposed risk management plan marks the beginning of our interaction with the public on these issues, we are continuing to ask producers of clones and livestock breeders to voluntarily refrain from introducing food products from these animals into commerce so that we will have the opportunity to consider the public's comments and to issue any final documents as warranted," said Sundlof.

Draft guidance for industry: The draft guidance for industry addresses the use of food and feed products derived from clones and their offspring. The guidance is directed at clone producers, livestock breeders, and farmers and ranchers purchasing clones. It provides the agency's current thinking on use of clones and their offspring in human food or animal feed.

In the draft guidance, FDA does not recommend any special measures relating to human food use of offspring of clones of any species. Because of their cost and rarity, clones will be used as are any other elite breeding stock -- to pass on naturally-occurring, desirable traits such as disease resistance and higher quality meat to production herds. Because clones will be used primarily for breeding, almost all of the food that comes from the cloning process is expected to be from sexually-reproduced offspring and descendents of clones, and not the clones themselves.

FDA is seeking comments from the public on the three documents for the next 90 days. To submit electronic comments on the three documents, visit accessdata.fda.gov/commentdocket. Written comments may be sent to: Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, Rm. 1061, Rockville, MD, 20852. Comments must be received by Apr. 2, 2007 and should include the docket number 2003N-0573.

For more information, visit fda.gov/CloneRiskAssessment.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, P06-215, December 28, 2006, Media Inquiries: Michael Herndon, 301-827-6242, Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA

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Situation in Burma

Situation in Burma, We remain concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian and political situation in Burma, which poses a threat to stability in the region. We believe the time has come for the Security Council to take action to express its deep concern about Burma and its strong support for the Secretary General's "good offices" mandate, which is intended to encourage the Burmese leadership to take concrete steps toward greater freedom and improved humanitarian conditions for the Burmese people. The U.S. has proposed a Security Council resolution to achieve those objectives. The U.S. remains committed to pursuing this resolution as soon as possible in the new year.

The situation in Burma remains bleak. Violence against ethnic minorities continues, more than a million Burmese have been displaced internally or to neighboring countries, complaints of forced labor continue to emerge, narcotics continue to flow across borders, and the regime holds over 1,100 political prisoners in its custody, including Aung San Suu Kyi and other key civil society leaders.

2006/1142, Released on December 28, 2006

Press Statement, Tom Casey, Deputy Spokesman, Washington, DC. December 28, 2006

Britain conquered Burma over a period of 62 years (1824-1886) and incorporated it into its Indian Empire. Burma was administered as a province of India until 1937 when it became a separate, self-governing colony; independence from the Commonwealth was attained in 1948. Gen. NE WIN dominated the government from 1962 to 1988, first as military ruler, then as self-appointed president, and later as political kingpin.

Despite multiparty legislative elections in 1990 that resulted in the main opposition party - the National League for Democracy (NLD) - winning a landslide victory, the ruling junta refused to hand over power. NLD leader and Nobel Peace Prize recipient AUNG SAN SUU KYI, who was under house arrest from 1989 to 1995 and 2000 to 2002, was imprisoned in May 2003 and subsequently transferred to house arrest, where she remains virtually incommunicado.

In November 2005, the junta extended her detention for at least another six months. Her supporters, as well as all those who promote democracy and improved human rights, are routinely harassed or jailed. CIA Factbook

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Statements on Death of President Gerald R. Ford (VIDEO)

UPDATE: 01/02/07 National Cathedral Service - LIVE COVERAGE

UPDATE: 12/31/06 Funeral of President Gerald R. Ford (VIDEO) - Pres. Ford Arrives in Andrews AFB, MD, Fmr. Pres. Ford Motorcade at WWII Memorial, Fmr. Pres. Ford Arrives at Capitol, East Front, U.S. Capitol Funeral Service for Fmr. Pres. Ford, Fmr. Pres. Gerald Ford Funeral Arrival Ceremony in Palm Desert, CA.

UPDATE: 12/28/06 CRAWFORD, Texas - President George W. Bush declares that, Tuesday 01/02/07 will be the National day of mourning for President Gerald R. Ford, Federal offices will be closed on that day. For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary December 28, 2006. PROVIDING FOR THE CLOSING OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES

UPDATE: NEW VIDEO, 12/29/29

• Fmr. Pres. Gerald Ford Funeral Arrival Ceremony in Palm Desert, CA (12/29/2006, FULL STREAMING VIDEO
• Pres. George H.W Bush on Death of Pres. Ford President George H.W Bush talks about President Ford. 12/27/2006: WASHINGTON, DC: 8 min

President Bush Extends Condolences, Mourns Loss of Gerald R. Ford, FULL STREAMING VIDEO, Prairie Chapel Ranch, Crawford, Texas, 6:56 A.M. CST. President Gerald R. Ford, 6:56 A.M. CST Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum

UPDATE 12/29/06 Related Links

• Department of Defense Honoring Gerald R. Ford
• National Day of Mourning for Gerald R. Ford
• Funeral Sequence of Events
• Presidential Library and Museum
• White House Biography

THE PRESIDENT: My fellow Americans, all of us are saddened by the news that former President Gerald R. Ford passed away last night.

I spoke with Betty Ford. On behalf of all Americans Laura and I extend to Mrs. Ford and all President Ford's family our prayers and our condolences.

President Ford was a great man who devoted the best years of his life in serving the United States. He was a true gentleman who reflected the best in America's character. Before the world knew his name, he served with distinction in the United States Navy and in the United States Congress.

As a congressman from Michigan, and then as Vice President, he commanded the respect and earned the good will of all who had the privilege of knowing him. On August 9, 1974, he stepped into the presidency without ever having sought the office. He assumed power in a period of great division and turmoil. For a nation that needed healing and for an office that needed a calm and steady hand, Gerald Ford came along when we needed him most.

During his time in office, the American people came to know President Ford as a man of complete integrity who led our country with common sense and kind instincts.

Americans will always admire Gerald Ford's unflinching performance of duty and the honorable conduct of his administration, and the great rectitude of the man himself.

We mourn the loss of such a leader, and our 38th President will always have a special place in our nation's memory.

President Ford lived 93 years, and his life was a blessing to America. And now this fine man will be taken to his rest by a family that will love him always, and by a nation that will be grateful to him forever.

May God bless Gerald Ford.

END 6:59 A.M. CST, For Immediate Release, Office of the Press Secretary
December 27, 2006

----------

Announcing the Death of Gerald R. Ford, A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America, TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES:

It is my sad duty to announce officially the death of Gerald R. Ford, the thirty-eighth President of the United States, on December 26, 2006.

President Ford was a great man who devoted the best years of his life to serving the United States of America. He was also a true gentleman who reflected the best in America's character. Before the world knew his name, he served with distinction in the United States Navy and the United States House of Representatives.

As a congressman from Michigan, and then as Vice President, he commanded the respect and earned the goodwill of all who had the privilege of knowing him. On August 9, 1974, he stepped into the presidency without having ever sought the office.

During his time in office, the American people came to know President Ford as a man of complete integrity, who led our country with common sense and kind instincts. Americans will always admire Gerald Ford's unflinching performance of duty, the honorable conduct of his Administration, and the great rectitude of the man himself. We mourn the loss of such a leader, and our thirty-eighth President will always have a special place in our Nation's memory.

President Ford lived 93 years, and his life was a blessing to America. Now this fine man will be taken to his rest by a family that will love him always and by a Nation that will be grateful to him forever.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, in honor and tribute to the memory of Gerald R. Ford, and as an expression of public sorrow, do hereby direct that the flag of the United States be displayed at half-staff at the White House and on all buildings, grounds, and Naval vessels of the United States for a period of 30 days from the day of his death. I also direct that for the same length of time, the representatives of the United States in foreign countries shall make similar arrangements for the display of the flag at half-staff over their Embassies, Legations, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and stations.

I hereby order that suitable honors be rendered by units of the Armed Forces under orders of the Secretary of Defense.

In a further expression of our national grief, I will appoint in a subsequent proclamation a National Day of Mourning throughout the United States when the American people may assemble in their respective places of worship, there to pay homage to the memory of President Ford.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty seventh day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.

GEORGE W. BUSH

# # # For Immediate Release, Office of the Press Secretary, December 27, 2006

----------

President and Mrs. Bush Saddened by Passing of Former President Ford.

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

Laura and I are greatly saddened by the passing of former President Gerald R. Ford.

President Ford was a great American who gave many years of dedicated service to our country. On August 9, 1974, after a long career in the House of Representatives and service as Vice President,

he assumed the Presidency in an hour of national turmoil and division. With his quiet integrity, common sense, and kind instincts, President Ford helped heal our land and restore public confidence in the Presidency.

The American people will always admire Gerald Ford's devotion to duty, his personal character, and the honorable conduct of his administration. We mourn the loss of such a leader, and our 38th President will always have a special place in our Nation's memory. On behalf of all Americans, Laura and I offer our deepest sympathies to Betty Ford and all of President Ford's family. Our thoughts and prayers will be with them in the hours and days ahead.

# # # For Immediate Release, Office of the Press Secretary, December 26, 2006

----------

Vice President Cheney's Statement on Death of Former President Gerald R. Ford

STATEMENT BY THE VICE PRESIDENT

I am deeply saddened by the death of former President Gerald R. Ford.

President Ford led an honorable life that brought great credit to the United States of America. Throughout his career, as a Naval officer, Congressman, Vice President and President, Gerald Ford embodied the best values of a great generation: decency, integrity, and devotion to duty. Thirty-two years ago, he assumed the nation's highest office during the greatest constitutional crisis since the Civil War. In that troubled era, America needed strength, wisdom, and good judgment, and those qualities came to us in the person of Gerald R. Ford. When he left office, he had restored public trust in the presidency, and the nation once again looked to the future with confidence and faith.

I was proud to know President Ford, and to have served in the White House as his chief of staff. He was a dear friend and mentor to me until this very day. I feel a great sense of loss at his passing, and Lynne and our daughters join me in offering heartfelt sympathy to Betty Ford and her entire family.

# # # For Immediate Release, Office of the Vice President, December 26, 2006

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President and Mrs. Bush Saddened by Death of James Brown

Laura and I are saddened by the death of James Brown. For half a century, the innovative talent of the "Godfather of Soul" enriched our culture and influenced generations of musicians.

An American original, his fans came from all walks of life and backgrounds. James Brown's family and friends are in our thoughts and prayers this Christmas.

# # #, For Immediate Release, Office of the Press Secretary, December 25, 2006

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President Christmas Eve calls Troops

President Bush Makes Christmas Eve Telephone Calls to Members of the Armed Forces Camp David. Holidays at the White House 2006. The President made telephone calls to members of the Armed Forces who are stationed overseas, or who have recently returned from overseas locations, to wish them a Merry Christmas, and to thank them for their service to our Nation.

INFORMATION ON CALL RECIPIENTS

Sergeant Jonathan J. Corell, USA
Sergeant Jonathan Corell has been serving in Afghanistan for 18 months. During his tour, Sergeant Corell has shown exceptional combat leadership as the manager of two non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and six junior soldiers. He employs advanced skills in assault weaponry while scouting and patrolling, and has served in the Army for 3 years and 10 months. His wife, Danielle, lives in Syracuse, New York.

Private First Class Rebekah Vandiver, USA
Private First Class Rebekah Vandiver, based out of Schofield, Hawaii, is deployed to Speicher, Iraq. As a combat medic, she is responsible for the vital prescreening of all patients that enter the Battalion Aid Station, maintains medical supplies for the Aid Station, and is studying to learn more about advanced medical care and procedures. Her husband, Stephen, and three children live in Hawaii.

Sergeant Ricardo E. Contreras, USMC
Sergeant Ricardo E. Contreras is based at Camp Pendleton, California, and is deployed to Fallujah, Iraq. As a career counselor in the Marines, he is responsible for the retention and career development of the enlisted Marines in the 1st Marine Headquarters Group. On December 1, he was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for his outstanding performance in counseling Marines on career options and playing a pivotal role in the Group's retention efforts. His wife, Deborah, lives in San Clemente, California.

Lance Corporal Michael P. Matherne, USMC
Lance Corporal Michael P. Matherne is a member of the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron-211 and the Marine Air Group-16 out of Yuma, Arizona. He is serving in Al Asad, Iraq, as an aircraft communications/navigation weapons systems technician, where he repairs all communication, navigation, and weapons systems on the squadron's 16 AV-8B Harrier jets. Lance Corporal Matherne is recognized for his exceptional motivation and enthusiasm.

Petty Officer Second Class Dwayne W. Meyer, USN
Petty Officer Second Class Dwayne W. Meyer is a member of the Provincial Reconstruction Team at Naval Station North Island, San Diego, California. As a communications specialist in Kala Gosh, Afghanistan, he is responsible for repairing all communication devices to include state-of-the-art satellite radios. His wife, Rebecca, lives in Chula Vista, California.

Petty Officer Third Class Rahm Panjwani, USN
Petty Officer Third Class Rahm Panjwani serves aboard the USS BOXER. In 2005, he was honored as the USS BOXER Junior Sailor of the Year. He led 60 personnel in the safe receipt, transfer, and delivery of more than two million gallons of aviation fuel during 2,100 aircraft refueling evolutions and nine underway replenishments. As a Flight Deck Assistant Leading Petty Officer, he was responsible for supervising a 19-person aircraft refueling crew in a demanding, high risk flight deck environment. Hi wife, Heather, lives in San Antonio, Texas.

Master Sergeant John W. Gahan, USAF
Master Sergeant John W. Gahan serves in the 40th Airlift Squadron at Dyess AFB, Texas, and has been with the Air Force for 17 years and 3 months. He is deployed to Al Muthana Air Base, Iraq with the 23rd Air Force Squadron. As a C-130 Load Master and Combat Aviation Advisor, he provides upgrade training to new Iraqi C-130 fleet aviators. In his one-year temporary duty assignment to Iraq, Master Sergeant Gahan is training inexperienced Iraqi Air Force personnel and soon will transfer from his instructor billet to important duties on the Iraqi Transition Team. His wife, Karen, lives in Abilene, Texas.

Technical Sergeant Mark S. Pleis Jr., USAF
Technical Sergeant Mark S. Pleis Jr. serves in the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Europe, Stuttgart, Germany, where he lives with his wife, Erica, and two children. He supervises 30 joint military and civilian network controllers in the real-time management and operational direction of the $2.4 billion European Global Information Grid. His superlative performance in managing over 60 tactical satellite missions ensured that deployed service members had uninterrupted access to critical voice, data, and video services. He ranked first of 18 DISA non-commissioned officers from all services, and was selected as DISA Europe NCO of the quarter in the first quarter of 2006.

Petty Officer Third Class David A. Rosales, USCG
Petty Officer Third Class David A. Rosales is based in his homeport in Naval Support Activity, Bahrain, and serves on the USCGC MONOMOY. He plays an important role in all shipboard evolutions, including small boat launch and recovery, mooring details, general quarters and engineer of the watch (EOW). He is an underway EOW, Inport Officer of the Day, crane operator, small boat crewman and Assistant Damage Control Petty Officer, and ensures that all damage control equipment is inventoried and maintained. He has volunteered to serve an additional six months in the North Arabian Gulf.

Seaman Rayford B. Mitchell, USCG
Seaman Rayford B. Mitchell serves aboard the USCGC Diligence, which is based out of Wilmington, North Carolina, and is deployed to the western Caribbean Sea. He works with the deck department, where he completes hull and exterior maintenance. He is also responsible for the cleanliness and general material condition of the ship. Since the beginning of his service just over 1 year ago, SN Mitchell has consistently demonstrated an excellent work ethic, character, and stamina. He is a native of Columbia, South Carolina.

# # # For Immediate Release, Office of the Press Secretary, December 24, 2006
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Trans fat ban: Watch saturated fats and calories too

Trans fat ban: Watch saturated fats and calories too, Nutrition Notes from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University

Tufts recommended reading:

Boston -- In December, New York City passed a law to phase out the use of trans fat in restaurants. Other cities, including Boston and Chicago, might follow suit. According to Alice H. Lichtenstein, DSc, Gershoff professor of nutrition science and policy at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, the ban is a step in the right direction, but restaurateurs need to replace partially hydrogenated fat with unsaturated fat.

If they choose saturated fat it would diminish the health benefits of this new initiative. Another new regulation that requires some restaurants to provide calorie information as prominently as price might be even more important, notes Lichtenstein.

"There is no biological need for trans fat and intake is associated with adverse health outcomes. However, the media attention on the trans fat announcement to the exclusion of the calorie labeling is unfortunate. Two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has proposed that the calorie content of food items be displayed as prominently as the price, at the point of purchase," says Lichtenstein,

also director of the Cardiovascular Nutrition Laboratory at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts.

"That means," Lichtenstein continues, "that if you are wavering between placing an order for a small versus a medium order of French fries, both the price and the number of calories per serving will be displayed. People will become more aware of the caloric cost of the foods they order, and the next step on a public health level would be to educate the consumer on the amount of calories their body needs per day. This way,

they will be able to put the numbers they see on the board or menu into perspective. Because the amount of food and beverages we eat that is prepared outside the home is so large, even if this regulation just covers a fraction of food service establishments, it can have a tremendous impact on caloric intake."

"Trans fat," says Lichtenstein, "is a double whammy, because like saturated fat, it raises levels of LDL or 'bad cholesterol,' but it also lowers levels of HDL or 'good' cholesterol." Most of the trans fats we eat are formed during the partial hydrogenation of oils used in fried foods and commercial baked goods. Partially hydrogenated oils provide processed foods with longer shelf lives and therefore greater economic profitability.

"But, trans fat is just one part of the diet. In general, people are still eating far more saturated fat than trans fat, and both need to be reduced in order to maintain optimal cholesterol levels and promote heart health," says Lichtenstein. "And the big giant – total calories – is always looming in the background."

In one study to assess the effects of consuming different types of oils on cholesterol levels, led by Lichtenstein and published earlier this year, fifteen adult volunteers with moderately high LDL cholesterol were fed each of four diets with a different source of primary fat, including partially hydrogenated soybean oil (trans fat), palm oil (50 percent saturated fat), non-hydrogenated soybean oil (only 16 percent saturated fat), and canola oil (only 7 percent saturated fat).

The results, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (AJCN), reported that after a trial of 35 days on each diet, participants consuming the partially hydrogenated soybean oil and palm oil diets had levels of LDL cholesterol that were 12 and 14 percent higher, respectively, than when consuming the non-hydrogenated soybean oil diet. An even greater difference was observed when the partially hydrogenated soybean oil and palm oil diets were compared to the canola oil diet. While participants were on the partially hydrogenated soybean oil and palm oil diets their LDL levels were 16 and 18 percent higher, respectively, than when on the canola oil diet.

"On the basis of this and other work, it's clear that phasing out partially hydrogenated oils (trans fats) will improve diet in some ways, "says Lichtenstein, corresponding author on the AJCN study. "However, just decreasing trans fat intake without changing other dietary habits, such as minimizing saturated fat intake and controlling total calorie intake, will result in some real disappointments with respect to both heart health and obesity."

Lichtenstein recommends that other cities monitor the successes and challenges of the trans fat ban in New York City before implementing their own regulations, and also advises that the focus on the new regulations shift to the mandate to display calorie labeling in food service establishments, and educating people about their total daily caloric requirements. ###

Vega-Lopez S, Ausman LM, Jalbert SM, Erkkila AT, Lichtenstein AH. "Palm and partially hydrogenated soybean oils adversely alter lipoprotein profiles compared with soybean and canola oils in moderately hyperlipidemic subjects." American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2006 (July);84(1):54-62.

If you are interested in learning more about this topic, or speaking with a faculty member at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, or another Tufts health sciences researcher, please contact Siobhan Gallagher at 617-636-6586.

The Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University is the only independent school of nutrition in the United States. The school's eight centers, which focus on questions relating to famine, hunger, poverty, and communications, are renowned for the application of scientific research to national and international policy. For two decades, the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University has studied the relationship between good nutrition and good health in aging populations. Tufts research scientists work with federal agencies to establish the USDA Dietary Guidelines, the Dietary Reference Intakes, and other significant public policies.

Contact: Siobhan Gallagher, 617-636-6586, Tufts Health and Nutrition Letter, or Tufts University

Technorati Tags: Trans fat and food or saturated fats and calories and Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy or weight loss and nutritional science or overweight or obese and Cardiovascular

Freedom Calendar 12/23/05 - 12/30/05

December 23, 1815, Civil rights activist and Republican diplomat Henry Garnet born into slavery in Maryland; first African-American to address U.S. Senate (1865).

December 24, 1833, Birth of African-American Republican Joseph Corbin, Arkansas Superintendent of Education (1873-74)

Christmas Day December 25, 1804, Birth of U.S. Rep. George Ashmun (R-MA), anti-slavery activist and Chairman of 1860 Republican National Convention which nominated Abraham Lincoln.

December 26, 1939, Birth of former U.S. Rep. Lynn Martin (R-IL), who as Vice Chair of the Republican Conference was the first Republican woman in a congressional leadership position; later served as Secretary of Labor in the administration of President George H. W. Bush.

December 27, 1910, Birth of African-American physician Aris Allen, Chairman of Maryland Republican Party and Secretary of 1980 Republican National Convention.

December 28, 1973, Banned Russian author and human rights activist Alexander Solzhenitsyn publishes Gulag Archipelago; President Ronald Reagan would quote his undelivered Nobel acceptance speech in national TV address to Soviet Union.

December 29, 1930, Death of Walter Cohen, African-American Republican from New Orleans; served in McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, and Coolidge administrations.

December 30, 1842, Birth of Republican U.S. Rep. Josiah Walls, who in 1871 became Florida’s first African-American in Congress.

"The Republican Party, on the contrary [to the Democrats], holds that this government was instituted to secure the blessings of freedom, and that slavery is an unqualified evil… . [Republicans] will oppose in all its length and breadth the modern Democratic idea that slavery is as good as freedom.”

Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States

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Presidential Podcast 12/23/06

Presidential Podcast 12/23/06
Subscribe to Our Odeo or podnova Podcast Channel and receive the weekly Presidential Radio Address in English and Spanish with select State Department Briefings. Featuring real audio and full text transcripts, More content Sources added often so stay tuned.

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bush radio address 12/23/06 full audio, text transcript

bush radio address 12/23/06 full audio, text transcript. PODCAST and, President's Radio Address .

Subscribe to Our Odeo or podnova Podcast Channel and receive the weekly Presidential Radio Address in English and Spanish with select State Department Briefings. Featuring real audio and full text transcripts, More content Sources added often so stay tuned.

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. As families across our Nation gather to celebrate Christmas, Laura and I send our best wishes for the holidays. We hope that your Christmas will be blessed with family and fellowship.

At this special time of year, we give thanks for Christ's message of love and hope. Christmas reminds us that we have a duty to others, and we see that sense of duty fulfilled in the men and women who wear our Nation's uniform. America is blessed to have fine citizens who volunteer to defend us in distant lands. For many of them, this Christmas will be spent far from home, and on Christmas our Nation honors their sacrifice, and thanks them for all they do to defend our freedom.

At Christmas, we also recognize the sacrifice of our Nation's military families. Staying behind when a family member goes to war is a heavy burden, and it is particularly hard during the holidays. To all our military families listening today, Laura and I thank you, and we ask the Almighty to bestow His protection and care on your loved ones as they protect our Nation.

This Christmas season comes at a time of change here in our Nation's capital -- with a new Congress set to arrive, a review of our Iraq strategy underway, and a new Secretary of Defense taking office. If you're serving on the front lines halfway across the world, it is natural to wonder what all this means for you. I want our troops to know that while the coming year will bring change, one thing will not change, and that is our Nation's support for you and the vital work you do to achieve a victory in Iraq. The American people are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers, and we will make sure you have the resources you need to accomplish your mission.

This Christmas, millions of Americans are coming together to show our deployed forces and wounded warriors love and support. Patriotic groups and charities all across America are sending gifts and care packages to our servicemen and women, visiting our troops recovering at military hospitals, reaching out to children whose moms and dads are serving abroad, and going to airports to welcome our troops home and to let them know they are appreciated by a grateful Nation.

One man who's making a difference this holiday season is Jim Wareing. Jim is the founder of New England Caring for Our Military. This year, Jim helped organize a gift drive by thousands of students from Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Students from kindergarten to high school collected more than 20,000 gifts for our troops abroad. The gifts are being sent to troops stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo, Korea, Japan, and Africa. The care packages include books and puzzles, board games, phone cards, fresh socks, and T-shirts, and about 7,000 handmade holiday greeting cards and posters. Jim says, quote "It's probably always hard for troops to be far away from home, but especially hard on the holidays. I use this as an opportunity to try to pay them back for my freedom."

Citizens like Jim Wareing represent the true strength of our country, and they make America proud. I urge every American to find some way to thank our military this Christmas season. If you see a Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, or a member of the Coast Guard, take a moment to stop and say, "Thanks for your service." And if you want to reach out to our troops, or help out the military family down the street, the Department of Defense has set up a website to help. It is: AmericaSupportsYou.Mil. This website lists more than 150 compassionate organizations that can use your help. In this season of giving, let us stand with the men and women who stand up for America.

At this special time of year, we reflect on the miraculous life that began in a humble manger 2,000 years ago. That single life changed the world, and continues to change hearts today. To everyone celebrating Christmas, Laura and I wish you a day of glad tidings.

Thank you for listening, and Merry Christmas.

For Immediate Release, Office of the Press Secretary, December 23, 2006

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