Ben S. Bernanke Committee on the Budget VIDEO

Ben S. Bernanke discusses the sudden decline in the Stock Market on 02/27/07 QUESTION 1, running time 2 m 03 sec. and QUESTION 2, running time 1m 39sec. The full hearing Testimony of Chairman Ben S. Bernanke, Long-term fiscal challenges and the economy, Before the Committee on the Budget, running time 2 hr. 22 m 38 sec.

FULL STREAMING VIDEO, U.S. House of Representatives, February 28, 2007

House Budget Committee Hearing on Challenges to the Economy, Federal Reserve System Chair. Ben Bernanke speaks about fiscal challenges to the economy during a hearing of the House Budget Cmte. The hearing was scheduled to look at long-term issues, but Chair. Bernanke is expected to discuss the sudden decline in the Stock Market on 02/27/07. Rep. John Spratt (D-SC) chairs the hearing. 2/28/2007: WASHINGTON, DC:
Chairman Spratt, Representative Ryan, and other members of the Committee, I am pleased to be here to offer my views on the federal budget and related issues. At the outset, I should underscore that I speak only for myself and not necessarily for my colleagues at the Federal Reserve.

My testimony will focus on the long-term budget outlook and will draw on the most recent set of long-term budget projections from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), issued in December 2005. The CBO constructed its projections based on the assumptions that real gross domestic product (GDP) would rise about 3-1/2 percent per year in 2005 and 2006 and at a rate of 2.9 per cent per annum from 2007 through 2015. The growth projections through 2015 were in turn based on the assumptions that trend labor force growth will average 0.8 percent per year and that trend labor productivity growth in the nonfarm business sector will average 2.4 percent per year. The CBO has since updated those assumptions for the purposes of other analyses, but the revisions were not large enough to materially alter the broad contours of the fiscal outlook.1 As for the longer-term outlook, the CBO assumed that the growth rate of real GDP will average about 2 percent per year starting around 2020. While such projections are subject to considerable uncertainty, the CBO's assumptions provide a sensible and useful starting point for assessing the budget situation over the longer run.

Before discussing that longer-run outlook, I will comment on recent budget developments. As you know, the deficit in the unified federal budget declined for a second year in fiscal year 2006, falling to $248 billion from $318 billion in fiscal 2005. So far in fiscal 2007, solid growth in receipts, especially in collections of personal and corporate income taxes, has held the deficit somewhat below year-earlier levels. Of course, a good deal of uncertainty still surrounds the budget outcome for the year as a whole. Federal government outlays in fiscal 2006 were 20.3 percent of nominal gross domestic product (GDP), receipts were 18.4 percent of GDP, and the deficit (equal to the difference of the two) was 1.9 percent of GDP. These percentages are close to their averages since 1960. The on-budget deficit, which differs from the unified budget deficit primarily in excluding receipts and payments of the Social Security system, was $434 billion, or 3.3 percent of GDP, in fiscal 2006.2 As of the end of fiscal 2006, federal government debt held by the public, which includes holdings by the Federal Reserve but excludes those by the Social Security and other trust funds, amounted to 37 percent of one year's GDP.

Official projections suggest that the unified budget deficit may stabilize or moderate further over the next few years. Unfortunately, we are experiencing what seems likely to be the calm before the storm. In particular, spending on entitlement programs will begin to climb quickly during the next decade. In fiscal 2006, federal spending for Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid together totaled about 40 percent of federal expenditures, or 8-1/2 percent of GDP.3 In the medium-term projections released by the CBO in January, these outlays increase to 10-3/4 percent of GDP by 2017, an increase of about 2 percentage points of GDP in little more than a decade, and they will likely continue to rise sharply relative to GDP in the years after that. As I will discuss, these rising entitlement obligations will put enormous pressure on the federal budget in coming years.

The large projected increases in future entitlement spending have two principal sources. First, like many other industrial countries, the United States has entered what is likely to be a long period of demographic transition, the result both of the reduction in fertility that followed the post-World War II baby boom and of ongoing increases in life expectancy. Longer life expectancies are certainly to be welcomed. But they are likely to lead to longer periods of retirement in the future, even as the growth rate of the workforce declines. As a consequence of the demographic trends, the number of people of retirement age will grow relative both to the population as a whole and to the number of potential workers. Currently, people 65 years and older make up about 12 percent of the U.S. population, and there are about five people between the ages of 20 and 64 for each person 65 and older. According to the intermediate projections of the Social Security Trustees, in 2030 Americans 65 and older will constitute about 19 percent of the U.S. population, and the ratio of those between the ages of 20 and 64 to those 65 and older will have fallen to about 3.

Although the retirement of the baby boomers will be an important milestone in the demographic transition--the oldest baby boomers will be eligible for Social Security benefits starting next year--the change in the nation's demographic structure is not just a temporary phenomenon related to the large relative size of the baby-boom generation. Rather, if the U.S. fertility rate remains close to current levels and life expectancies continue to rise, as demographers generally expect, the U.S. population will continue to grow older, even after the baby-boom generation has passed from the scene. If current law is maintained, that aging of the U.S. population will lead to sustained increases in federal entitlement spending on programs that benefit older Americans, such as Social Security and Medicare.

The second cause of rising entitlement spending is the expected continued increase in medical costs per beneficiary. Projections of future medical costs are fraught with uncertainty, but history suggests that--without significant changes in policy--these costs are likely to continue to rise more quickly than incomes, at least for the foreseeable future. Together with the aging of the population, ongoing increases in medical costs will lead to a rapid expansion of Medicare and Medicaid expenditures.

Long-range projections prepared by the CBO vividly portray the potential effects on the budget of an aging population and rapidly rising health care costs. The CBO has developed projections for a variety of alternative scenarios, based on different assumptions about the evolution of spending and taxes. The scenarios produce a wide range of possible budget outcomes, reflecting the substantial uncertainty that attends long-range budget projections.4 However, the outcomes that appear most likely, in the absence of policy changes, involve rising budget deficits and increases in the amount of federal debt outstanding to unprecedented levels. For example, one plausible scenario is based on the assumptions that (1) federal retirement and health spending will follow the CBO's intermediate projection; (2) defense spending will drift down over time as a percentage of GDP; (3) other non-interest spending will grow roughly in line with GDP; and (4) federal revenues will remain close to their historical share of GDP--that is, about where they are today.5 Under these assumptions, the CBO calculates that, by 2030, the federal budget deficit will approach 9 percent of GDP--more than four times greater as a share of GDP than the deficit in fiscal year 2006.

A particularly worrisome aspect of this projection and similar ones is the implied evolution of the national debt and the associated interest payments to government bondholders. Minor details aside, the federal debt held by the public increases each year by the amount of that year's unified deficit. Consequently, scenarios that project large deficits also project rapid growth in the outstanding government debt. The higher levels of debt in turn imply increased expenditures on interest payments to bondholders, which exacerbate the deficit problem still further. Thus, a vicious cycle may develop in which large deficits lead to rapid growth in debt and interest payments, which in turn adds to subsequent deficits. According to the CBO projection that I have been discussing, interest payments on the government's debt will reach 4-1/2 percent of GDP in 2030, nearly three times their current size relative to national output. Under this scenario, the ratio of federal debt held by the public to GDP would climb from 37 percent currently to roughly 100 percent in 2030 and would continue to grow exponentially after that. The only time in U.S. history that the debt-to-GDP ratio has been in the neighborhood of 100 percent was during World War II. People at that time understood the situation to be temporary and expected deficits and the debt-to-GDP ratio to fall rapidly after the war, as in fact they did. In contrast, under the scenario I have been discussing, the debt-to-GDP ratio would rise far into the future at an accelerating rate. Ultimately, this expansion of debt would spark a fiscal crisis, which could be addressed only by very sharp spending cuts or tax increases, or both.6

The CBO projections, by design, ignore the adverse effects that such high deficits would likely have on economic growth. But if government debt and deficits were actually to grow at the pace envisioned by the CBO's scenario, the effects on the U.S. economy would be severe. High rates of government borrowing would drain funds away from private capital formation and thus slow the growth of real incomes and living standards over time. Some fraction of the additional debt would likely be financed abroad, which would lessen the negative influence on domestic investment; however, the necessity of paying interest on the foreign-held debt would leave a smaller portion of our nation's future output available for domestic consumption. Moreover, uncertainty about the ultimate resolution of the fiscal imbalances would reduce the confidence of consumers, businesses, and investors in the U.S. economy, with adverse implications for investment and growth.

To some extent, strong economic growth can help to mitigate budgetary pressures, and all else being equal, fiscal policies that are supportive of growth would be beneficial. Unfortunately, economic growth alone is unlikely to solve the nation's impending fiscal problems. Economic growth leads to higher wages and profits and thus increases tax receipts, but higher wages also imply increased Social Security benefits, as those benefits are tied to wages. Higher incomes also tend to increase the demand for medical services so that, indirectly, higher incomes may also increase federal health expenditures. Increased rates of immigration could raise growth by raising the growth rate of the labor force. However, economists who have looked at the issue have found that even a doubling in the rate of immigration to the United States, from about 1 million to 2 million immigrants per year, would not significantly reduce the federal government's fiscal imbalance.7

The prospect of growing fiscal imbalances and their economic consequences also raises essential questions of intergenerational fairness.8 As I have noted, because of increasing life expectancy and the decline in fertility, the number of retirees that each worker will have to support in the future--either directly or indirectly through taxes paid to support government programs--will rise significantly. To the extent that federal budgetary policies inhibit capital formation and increase our net liabilities to foreigners, future generations of Americans will bear a growing burden of the debt and experience slower growth in per-capita incomes than would otherwise have been the case.

An important element in ensuring that we leave behind a stronger economy than we inherited, as did virtually all previous generations in this country, will be to move over time toward fiscal policies that are sustainable, efficient, and equitable across generations. Policies that promote private as well as public saving would also help us leave a more productive economy to our children and grandchildren. In addition, we should explore ways to make the labor market as accommodating as possible to older people who wish to continue working, as many will as longevity increases and health improves.

Addressing the country's fiscal problems will take persistence and a willingness to make difficult choices. In the end, the fundamental decision that the Congress, the Administration, and the American people must confront is how large a share of the nation's economic resources to devote to federal government programs, including transfer programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Crucially, whatever size of government is chosen, tax rates must ultimately be set at a level sufficient to achieve an appropriate balance of spending and revenues in the long run. Thus, members of the Congress who put special emphasis on keeping tax rates low must accept that low tax rates can be sustained only if outlays, including those on entitlements, are kept low as well. Likewise, members who favor a more expansive role of the government, including relatively more-generous benefits payments, must recognize the burden imposed by the additional taxes needed to pay for the higher spending, a burden that includes not only the resources transferred from the private sector but also any adverse economic incentives associated with higher tax rates.

Achieving fiscal sustainability will require sustained efforts and attention over many years. As an aid in charting the way forward, the Congress may find it useful to set some benchmarks against which to gauge progress toward key budgetary objectives. Because no single statistic fully describes the fiscal situation, the most effective approach would likely involve monitoring a number of fiscal indicators, each of which captures a different aspect of the budget and its economic impact. The unified budget deficit, projected forward a certain number of years, is an important measure that is already included in the congressional budgeting process. However, the unified budget deficit does not fully capture the fiscal situation and its effect on the economy, for at least two reasons.

First, the budget deficit by itself does not measure the quantity of resources that the government is taking from the private sector. An economy in which the government budget is balanced but in which government spending equals 20 percent of GDP is very different from one in which the government's budget is balanced but its spending is 40 percent of GDP, as the latter economy has both higher tax rates and a greater role for the government. Monitoring current and prospective levels of total government outlays relative to GDP or a similar indicator would help the Congress ensure that the overall size of the government relative to the economy is consistent with members' views and preferences.

Second, the annual budget deficit reflects only near-term financing needs and does not capture long-term fiscal imbalances. As the most difficult long-term budgetary issues are associated with the growth of entitlement spending, a comprehensive approach to budgeting would include close attention to measures of the long-term solvency of entitlement programs, such as long-horizon present values of unfunded liabilities for Social Security and Medicare.

To summarize, because of demographic changes and rising medical costs, federal expenditures for entitlement programs are projected to rise sharply over the next few decades. Dealing with the resulting fiscal strains will pose difficult choices for the Congress, the Administration, and the American people. However, if early and meaningful action is not taken, the U.S. economy could be seriously weakened, with future generations bearing much of the cost. The decisions the Congress will face will not be easy or simple, but the benefits of placing the budget on a path that is both sustainable and meets the nation's long-run needs would be substantial.

Thank you again for allowing me to comment on these important issues. I would be glad to take your questions.

Footnotes

1. According to the latest estimates of the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), real GDP growth was 3.2 percent in 2005 and 3.4 percent in 2006, both figures stated on an annual-average basis. The figure for 2006 is the BEA's "advance" estimate; a revised estimate is scheduled for release today.

2. Excluding the operations of both Social Security and Medicare Part A, the budget deficit in fiscal year 2006 was $459 billion, or 3.5 percent of GDP. Like Social Security, Medicare Part A pays benefits out of, and receives a dedicated stream of revenues into, a trust fund.

3. Net of Medicare premiums paid by beneficiaries and amounts paid by states from savings on Medicaid prescription drug costs, these outlays were equal to 8 percent of GDP.

4. For example, in 2030, five of the six scenarios imply deficits ranging from 1-1/2 percent of GDP to nearly 14 percent of GDP; a sixth scenario is capable of producing a surplus, but it relies on the confluence of a very favorable set of assumptions.

5. For more information about this scenario, see the description of Scenario 2 in Congressional Budget Office (2005), The Long-Term Budget Outlook, December, pp. 5-13 and 48-49, cbo.gov/LongTermOutlook.pdf (1.0 MB PDF). Consistent with the assumptions used by the Medicare trustees, the CBO's intermediate projections for Medicare and Medicaid are based on the assumption that, over the long run, per beneficiary health expenditures will increase at a rate that is 1 percentage point per year greater than the growth rate of per capita GDP. Over the past twenty-five years, however, per beneficiary Medicare spending has actually exceeded per capita GDP growth by about 2-1/2 percentage points per year. Thus, a significant slowing in the growth of medical costs per beneficiary will be needed to keep expenditures close to those projected in this scenario.

6. To give a sense of the magnitudes involved, suppose--for the sake of illustration only--that the deficit projected for 2030 in the CBO scenario were to be eliminated entirely in that year, half through reductions in discretionary spending and half through increases in non-payroll taxes. (Of course, in reality the fiscal adjustment would likely not occur in one year, but this hypothetical example is useful for showing the magnitude of the problem.) This fiscal adjustment would involve a cut in discretionary spending (including defense) of nearly 80 percent (relative to its baseline level) and a rise in non-payroll taxes of more than 35 percent. The need for such painful measures could be diminished by beginning the process of fiscal adjustment much earlier, thereby avoiding some of the buildup in outstanding debt and the associated interest burden.

7. CBO (2005), The Long-Term Budget Outlook, p. 3.

8. I discussed this issue in Ben S. Bernanke (2006), "The Coming Demographic Transition: Will We Treat Future Generations Fairly?", speech delivered before the Washington Economic Club, Washington, October 4, federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/.

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Women's History Month, 2007

Women's History Month, 2007, A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America.

Throughout our history, the vision and determination of women have strengthened and transformed America. As we celebrate Women's History Month, we recognize the vital contributions women have made to our country.

The strong leadership of extraordinary women has altered our Nation's history. Sojourner Truth, Alice Stone Blackwell, and Julia Ward Howe opened doors for future generations of women by advancing the cause of women's voting rights and helping make America a more equitable place. In 1855, Dr. Mary E. Walker became one of the first female physicians in the country. Dr. Walker volunteered her medical services during the Civil War and became the only woman in United States history to receive the Medal of Honor. Vivian Malone Jones stood her ground in the face of a great injustice and helped integrate the University of Alabama, breaking down racial barriers to higher education and becoming the school's first African-American graduate.

Our Nation is a land of great opportunity, and women are seizing that opportunity and shaping the future of America in all walks of life. A record number of women are serving in the halls of Congress, and the number of women-owned businesses continues to grow. The women of our Armed Forces are making a vital contribution to our Nation's security by serving the cause of freedom and peace around the world. And by giving care and guidance, America's mothers are helping to build the foundation for the success of our Nation's children and strengthening the character of our country. This month, we honor the spirit, leadership, and hard work of American women.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 2007 as Women's History Month. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities that honor the history, accomplishments, and contributions of American women.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-seventh day of February, in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, 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, February 28, 2007

Head-and-shoulders portraits of seven prominent figures of the suffrage and women's rights movement. Images Clockwise:

• 1 Lucretia Coffin Mott
• 2 Elizabeth Cady Stanton,
• 3 Grace (Sara Jane Lippincott) Greenwood
• 4 Lydia Maria Francis Child
• 5 Susan B. Anthony
• 6 Mary Ashton Rice Livermore
• 7 Anna Elizabeth Dickinson

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President Attends Swearing-In of John Negroponte VIDEO

President Bush Attends Swearing-In of John Negroponte as Deputy Secretary of State. FULL STREAMING VIDEO, PODCAST OF THIS ARTICLE, U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C. In Focus: Global Diplomacy, 10:27 A.M. EST.

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, Madam Secretary. Madam Secretary, thanks for the introduction. Thanks for the really fine job you're doing.

I'm pleased to be with you today, and I'm really honored to stand with a personal friend and a man I admire a lot, the new Deputy Secretary of State, John Negroponte.

, too, welcome John's family -- all five of them here, as well as his wife, Diana. I appreciate all his friends who have shown up. Thanks for coming to pay honor to this good man.

American diplomacy is really critical to ensuring the safety and the security of our citizens. Terrorist enemies follow an ideology of hatred and death. In the long run, the only way to defeat them is to offer a vision that is hopeful and positive and optimistic. Spreading that vision requires strong leadership here at the State Department, and John Negroponte has the talent and the experience our nation needs in a Deputy Secretary of State. He's going to do a superb job for the American people.

I appreciate very much Congresswoman Jane Harman for joining us. It's a great tribute to a good man. I appreciate the former Deputy Secretary of State, Rich Armitage, for being here. I'm honored that other members of my administration have come. I want to thank the members of the diplomatic corps. I'm proud to see you all here. Thanks for coming. Distinguished guests, the folks who serve our nation here at the State Department.

As the Deputy Secretary of State, John Negroponte is going to play a key role, an important role, in shaping our foreign policy. He's going to help guide diplomats deployed around the globe. He will act as the chief operating officer of the State Department. He will work with Secretary Rice and the leaders of other federal agencies to ensure that America speaks with one voice.

John is uniquely qualified. As America's first Director of National Intelligence, John took on one of the most demanding assignments in government. His work was to ensure that all our intelligence agencies function as a single, unified enterprise. He handled this vital task with skill and determination. His leadership of the intelligence community improved our ability to collect, analyze, and share intelligence. His vigilance has helped keep the American people safe from harm.

One of my regrets is that, in him coming back to the State Department, is he won't be in the Oval Office every morning to share his wisdom with me. He has plenty of wisdom to share. I strongly urge the young Foreign Service officers to get on his calendar so he can explain to you how best to do your job. (Laughter.) I did the same thing. (Laughter.)

As he moves over to the State Department, he knows this building really well. As Condi mentioned, he became a Foreign Service officer in the administration of Ike. Some of you weren't even born then. (Laughter.) Diane and I were barely born then. (Laughter.)

Over the course of more than four decades, he's held eight Foreign Service posts, three different continents. He served as the Deputy National Security Advisor to President Ronald Reagan. He represented America at the United Nations during my administration. He was our first Ambassador to a free Iraq. In these and other posts, he has shown diplomatic skill and devotion to our country. He really has set a great example for the people who work here.

Over the past six years, I know him to be a man of vision and character. He understands the importance of fighting the extremists with all elements of national power. He is a good negotiator. It doesn't hurt that he can play a mean game of poker. (Laughter.) As one of our -- as our nation's second-ranking diplomat, he's going to be a strong and confident advocate for our interests and, equally importantly, our ideals around the world.

John is going to build upon the work done by his predecessor, Bob Zoellick. Bob helped lead the State Department during a challenging time for our nation. He upheld the high standards and the proud tradition of this department. I appreciate his dedicated service.

As John takes up his duties, he's going to benefit from the talent and professionalism of the men and women in our foreign and civil service, folks who serve in this building and in our embassies around the world. The work done here and the work done abroad helps sustain America's position; it fosters freedom and helps advance the cause of peace.

I want to thank you for your willingness to serve our country. I appreciate the sacrifices you make on behalf of the American people.

You're going to have a fine leader in John Negroponte. One thing is for certain: He knows we live in challenging times; we live in dangerous times. He also knows that this is a moment of great hope and opportunity. John's broad experience and sound judgment and unquestioned integrity will make him an outstanding Deputy Secretary of State.

And so, John, I thank you once again for agreeing to serve our nation. Congratulations.

And now Secretary Rice will administer the oath.

(The oath is administered.) (Applause.)

DEPUTY SECRETARY NEGROPONTE: President Bush, Secretary Rice, colleagues and friends: It's an extraordinary privilege for me to stand before you today as Deputy Secretary of State.

When I first entered this building, on October 5, 1960, I could not have dreamed that I would enjoy such a rich, varied career, capped by this great honor. Dwight Eisenhower was President, the Cold War was in full stride, and the United States was involved -- minimally involved in what would become the dominant issue of the 1960s, Vietnam.

I devoted many years during the first phase of my career to Vietnam. That seems like -- and was -- a long time ago. The fact that the United States and Vietnam now enjoy a positive, constructive relationship gives me great satisfaction.

Since then, through the course of assignments in Latin America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and at home, I have benefitted from the incredible support of my wife, Diana, and our five wonderful children -- Marina, Alejandra, John, George, and Sophia. We are a Foreign Service family. As Deputy Secretary, I will make supporting Foreign Service families a personal priority.

Mr. President, your freedom agenda frames the mission of the Department of State. I am in your debt for asking me to help you and Secretary Rice implement it.

Madam Secretary, your vision of transformational diplomacy, extending our diplomatic reach to engage the 21st century challenges where they are most demanding, will guide me in my efforts.

I am delighted to say that the President and the Secretary also will be supported by the 132nd class of new Foreign Service officers who are joining the Department of State along with me. They took their oath of office last Friday, and it is my pleasure to present them to you, Mr. President. This group of 69 patriotic Americans possesses impressive academic, professional and international credentials and expertise. One of them speaks a language that I didn't know existed -- (laughter) -- while others have mastered Arabic, Mandarin, Japanese, and many other critical foreign languages, so they are ready to go where our diplomacy needs them the most.

Having served in remote one-officer posts in countries in conflict, I appreciate the hazards the personnel of the Department of State confront. Many of us face real danger around the world today. I saw that as United States Ambassador to Iraq, as I saw it 40 years ago in Vietnam, and 20 years ago in Central America.

But there are rewards in these risks, and it is important to keep in mind that we take them for compelling reasons. America's freedom, security, and values are at stake. That is why I am confident we can continue to recruit, train and support new generations of American diplomats, just as qualified and capable as the 132nd class of Foreign Service officers.

When I retired from the Foreign Service in 1997 and entered the publishing business, I did so with a sense of fulfillment and completion. All in all, I thought I had had a pretty good run. Little did I know, Mr. President, that you would call me back to public life with four unique opportunities to serve our great nation. Perhaps only a long career in the Foreign Service, where every new country and culture is a stern test, could have given me the experience I needed to draw on as your Ambassador to the United Nations, your Ambassador to Iraq, the Directorship of National Intelligence, and now, Deputy Secretary of State.

So thank you, Mr. President, and thank you, Madam Secretary, for inviting me to help adapt our diplomacy to a new era full of so much challenge, change, and opportunity for the American people, and for our friends and allies around the world.

Thank you. (Applause.)

END 10:41 A.M. EST. For Immediate Release, Office of the Press Secretary, February 27, 2007

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President Welcomes Miami Heat VIDEO

President Bush Welcomes the 2006 NBA Champion Miami Heat to the White House, FULL STREAMING VIDEO, PODCAST OF ARTICLE, The East Room 3:52 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. Please be seated. It is such a joy to welcome the NBA champs, the Miami Heat, to the White House. Glad you're here. (Applause.)

This is the Miami Heat's first NBA championship. I congratulate you on a tremendous achievement, even though you beat a Texas team. (Laughter.)

I can assure you, however, then Governor Bush, the Governor of Florida, was thrilled, as were a lot of Florida fans. We've got a lot of members of the congressional delegation -- (applause.)

We got your Senator here. (Applause.) We got Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen, Alcee Hastings, Robert Wexler, Ander Crenshaw, Jeff Miller, Kendrick Meek, Ron Klein, and Tim Mahoney. Thank you all for coming. (Applause.)

Most importantly, we got members of the Miami Heat family with us today. I'm really proud of Micky Arison and Madeleine, who is with us, as well as Nick. As you know, I used to be in pro sports.

I never had the pleasure of winning anything. (Laughter.) Must be pretty cool. (Laughter.)

I welcome Pat Riley, the President and Head Coach of the Heat. I welcome Randy Pfund, the General Manager. I want to thank all the folks who make the organization run -- the equipment people, the people that figure out how to get you to the plane on time, the folks who never really get much credit for making a franchise become a championship franchise. And we welcome you all here.

I want to say something to the spouses of the players. Welcome. You've got a tough life in many ways with your spouse on the road all the time, and you deserve as much of this championship as they do. And so we welcome you here to the White House, as well.

All the fans who are here, thanks for coming. These players did something that they weren't supposed to do. Remember, they went into the Eastern Conference championship as the underdog. Nobody thought they could win. And then they get against the Mavericks, and they're two down, and 13 points behind with minutes remaining, seven minutes remaining in the third game. In other words, they lose that game, it's over. They weren't supposed to win. And they did something no team has done in nearly 30 years, which is win four straight, and become the NBA champs. And your fans are really proud of you. (Applause.)

This is a team with some of the NBA's bright stars. Dwyane Wade led the team in scoring -- (applause) -- Most Valuable Player in the finals. He was on the -- Sportsman of the Year for Sports Illustrated. All it said was, Dwyane Wade plays to win. Unfortunately, he hurt his shoulder. I know a lot of NBA fans, whether they like the Heat or not, are pulling for Dwyane to get back into action. We wish you a speedy recovery, Dwyane. (Applause.)

Or take Alonzo Mourning. A lot of folks here in D.C. remember Alonzo Mourning. (Applause.) I don't know if the people understand it, but Alonzo had a kidney illness that a lot of folks said, well, he'll never get back on the court again. He not only got back on the court, he blocked a lot of shots -- (laughter) -- which helped this team become the NBA champ.

And then, of course, probably one the most well-known figures in the United States of America is a fellow that's hard to miss -- (laughter) -- a fellow Texan -- (laughter) -- big Shaq. (Applause.) He scored his 25,000th point in his career last night -- or recently. And we congratulate you for that -- last night, yes, last night. And -- but he was an important figure in seeing to -- seeing this team to the championship.

But as Coach Riley gave me -- he said, just remember, the motto wasn't, each star matters; the motto was, "15 Strong." In other words, it was a team effort that got these men here to the White House. They had the stars, everybody knew who they -- who the stars are, but it was the capacity to play together, to put the team ahead of themselves, that enabled them to be here at the White House, saying, congratulations NBA champs. (Applause.)

And I appreciate very much -- so they asked Dwyane Wade -- he was the fellow that was the Sports Illustrated man -- he said, "We did this together." In other words, he recognized, in spite of the fact that he had a fine series, that he couldn't have done it without his teammates.

Pat Riley had a lot to do with this team playing as a team. A team requires a good, solid leader in convincing people to put the team ahead of themselves. And that's exactly what Pat Riley has done. I'd say he's accomplished. After all, he's won seven NBA rings, that's all. (Laughter.) They asked him about this ring, and I think it's interesting what he said. He said, "I would have traded them all for this one." He cares about this team. And obviously, the players responded to his leadership.

But what impresses me the most about the Miami Heat is their work in the community. That's what impresses me about them. I mean, I'm in awe of their athletic skills. Standing next to Shaq is an awe-inspiring experience. (Laughter.) But I want to share some of the stories of these players, and what they have done in their communities.

Alonzo Mourning dedicated his entire salary from the Heat to charities that help low-income kidney patients and underprivileged youth. It wasn't 10 percent -- (applause.) I would suggest not popping up on every story -- (laughter) -- because you're going to be tired. (Laughter.) This is a giving team. (Laughter.)

Antoine Walker founded the Eight Foundation, to provide education and sports opportunities for inner-city kids in his hometown of Chicago. He came from Chicago; he's putting something back in the community from whence he came. Dwyane Wade has given a lot of his salary to his church. He donates basketball shoes to a youth sports program at his alma mater, which happens to be Marquette University. He founded Wade's World Foundation, which gives children educational and social opportunities, such as the chance to spend a day at Disney World.

And then, of course, you've got the big man, Shaq. He works as a reserve police officer with the Miami Beach Police Department. (Applause.) He gives new meaning to the phrase, "the long arm of the law." (Laughter.)

Heat players volunteer their time in all kinds of causes, ranging from reading to drug prevention to youth basketball. This is a championship team on the court, and this is a championship team off the court, and it is my high honor to welcome to the White House as the NBA champs. (Applause.)

END 4:01 P.M. EST. For Immediate Release, Office of the Press Secretary, February 27, 2007

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U.S. Launch of International Polar Year

Dobriansky Participates in U.S. Launch of International Polar Year

The Honorable Paula J. Dobriansky, Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs, delivered remarks at the U.S. launch of International Polar Year at the National Academies of Science in Washington, D.C., on Monday, February 26, 2007. .

The International Polar Year is a scientific program focused on the Arctic and the Antarctic. International Polar Year will involve more than 200 projects, with thousands of scientists from more than 60 nations examining a wide range of physical, biological and social research topics.

Many U.S. agencies are engaged in scientific research and outreach efforts in support of U.S. International Polar Year. The Department of State directs international relations in polar affairs, leads federal policy with respect to the Arctic and Antarctic, and heads U.S. delegations to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, the Commission on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, the Arctic Council, and other polar organizations and fora. The Department plans to highlight the outcomes of International Polar Year when it hosts the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting in 2009. That event will coincide with the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Antarctic Treaty.

The Department supports U.S. scientific efforts worldwide by facilitating scientific cooperation with foreign governments through science and technology agreements, and numerous other cooperative arrangements. The Department is actively supporting U.S.-led International Polar Year projects, including the Arctic Human Health Initiative and the Arctic Energy Summit, which address this polar year's emphasis on the people living in the Arctic. The Department is also helping to fund a monitoring program led by Alaska natives.

For additional information about International Polar Year please see: http://www.ipy.gov/ and state.gov/g/oes/ocns/ipy/, 2007/133 Released on February 26, 2007

Media Note, Office of the Spokesman, Washington, DC. February 26, 2007

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Installation of Congolese Government

Installation of Congolese Government

We welcome the installation of the new government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This event marks the culmination of Congo's long transition process, and the beginning of a new era for the Congo.

We congratulate the Congolese people on their historic achievement, and we look forward to working closely with the new government. We renew our commitment to support Congolese efforts to carry forward this historic transformation through political, economic, and social development in conditions of peace and security throughout the country.

2007/134 Released on February 26, 2007, Press Statement, Sean McCormack, Spokesman, Washington, DC. February 26, 2007

Established as a Belgian colony in 1908, the Republic of the Congo gained its independence in 1960, but its early years were marred by political and social instability. Col. Joseph MOBUTU seized power and declared himself president in a November 1965 coup. He subsequently changed his name - to MOBUTU Sese Seko - as well as that of the country - to Zaire. MOBUTU retained his position for 32 years through several subsequent sham elections, as well as through the use of brutal force. Ethnic strife and civil war, touched off by a massive inflow of refugees in 1994 from fighting in Rwanda and Burundi, led in May 1997 to the toppling of the MOBUTU regime by a rebellion led by Laurent KABILA.

He renamed the country the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), but in August 1998 his regime was itself challenged by an insurrection backed by Rwanda and Uganda. Troops from Angola, Chad, Namibia, Sudan, and Zimbabwe intervened to support the Kinshasa regime. A cease-fire was signed in July 1999 by the DRC, Congolese armed rebel groups, Angola, Namibia, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zimbabwe but sporadic fighting continued. Laurent KABILA was assassinated in January 2001 and his son, Joseph KABILA, was named head of state. In October 2002, the new president was successful in negotiating the withdrawal of Rwandan forces occupying eastern Congo; two months later, the Pretoria Accord was signed by all remaining warring parties to end the fighting and establish a government of national unity.

A transitional government was set up in July 2003; with Joseph KABILA as president and joined by four vice presidents representing the former government, former rebel groups, and the political opposition. The transitional government held a successful constitutional referendum in December 2005 and elections for the presidency, National Assembly, and provincial legislatures in 2006. KABILA was inaugurated president in December 2006.

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Women Business Leaders Summit in Jordan

United States Co-sponsors Women Business Leaders Summit in Jordan

The United States is co-sponsoring the Women Business Leaders Summit in Jordan, February 27-28, 2007. The Summit is a public-private sector outreach program designed to facilitate links between American, Jordanian, and the broader Middle Eastern business communities. Fifty women business executives from Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, the Palestinian Territories, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates will be joined in Amman, Jordan by 50 women business leaders from the United States.

Participants in the Summit will share their experiences and exchange best practices in a variety of panel discussions. As part of this two-way exchange, the Arab businesswomen will travel to the United States in the spring to visit American partner companies and exchange views on management styles and business skills. They also will meet with senior government officials and members of Congress in Washington, DC, and attend special program sessions at Georgetown University.

The Summit is being co-chaired by: U.S. Department of State's Office for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, led by Ambassador Karen P. Hughes; The Honorable Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, Chairman of the American Red Cross, President & CEO of Pace Communications and former U.S. Ambassador to Finland; Luma Kawar, wife of the former Jordanian Ambassador to the United States, Karim Kawar, and founder of the professional women's chapter of the International Women's Forum in Jordan.

In partnership with the Department of State, the Summit is being supported by Abercrombie & Kent, the Arab Bank, the Housing Bank for Trade & Finance, the International Women's Forum, the Marriott Corporation and Procter & Gamble.

2007/132, Released on February 26, 2007, Media Note, Office of the Spokesman, Washington, DC. February 26, 2007

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When God sanctions killing, the people listen

When God sanctions killing, the people listen

New research published in the March issue of Psychological Science may help elucidate the relationship between religious indoctrination and violence, a topic that has gained renewed notoriety in the wake of the September 11th terrorist attacks. About this Image Aztec priest war god Huitzilopochtli

In the article, University of Michigan psychologist Brad Bushman and his colleagues suggest that scriptural violence sanctioned by God can increase aggression, especially in believers.

The authors set out to examine this interaction by conducting experiments with undergraduates at two religiously contrasting universities: Brigham Young University where 99% of students report believing in God and the Bible and Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam where just 50% report believing in God and 27% believe in the bible.

After reporting their religious affiliation and beliefs, the participants read a parable adapted from a relatively obscure passage in the King James Bible describing the brutal torture and murder of a woman, and her husband’s subsequent revenge on her attackers. Half of the participants were told that the passage came from the Book of Judges in the Old Testament while the other half were told it was an ancient scroll discovered in an archaeological expedition.

In addition to the scriptural distinction, half of the participants from both the bible and the ancient scroll groups read an adjusted version that included the verse:

"The Lord commanded Israel to take arms against their brothers and chasten them before the LORD."

The participants were then placed in pairs and instructed to compete in a simple reaction task. The winner of the task would be able to "blast" his or her partner with noise up to 105 decibels, about the same volume as a fire alarm. The test measures aggression.

As expected, the Brigham Young students were more aggressive (i.e. louder) with their blasts if they had been told that the passage they had previously read was from the bible rather than a scroll. Likewise, participants were more aggressive if they had read the additional verse that depicts God sanctioning violence.

At the more secular Vrije Universiteit, the results were surprisingly similar. Although Vrije students were less likely to be influenced by the source of the material, they blasted more aggressively when the passage that they read included the sanctioning of the violence by God. This finding held true even for non-believers, though to a lesser extent.

The research sheds light on the possible origins of violent religious fundamentalism and falls in line with theories proposed by scholars of religious terrorism, who hypothesize that exposure to violent scriptures may induce extremists to engage in aggressive actions. "To the extent religious extremists engage in prolonged, selective reading of the scriptures, focusing on violent retribution toward unbelievers instead of the overall message of acceptance and understanding," writes Bushman "one might expect to see increased brutality"

### Contact: Brad Bushman bbushman@umich.edu website: Association for Psychological Science

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Freedom Calendar 02/24/07 - 03/03/07

February 24, 1992, President George H. W. Bush appoints African-American Edward Perkins as U.S. Ambassador to United Nations.

February 25, 1870, A former slave, Mississippi Republican Hiram Revels, becomes first African-American U.S. Senator.

February 26, 2004, Hispanic Republican U.S. Rep. Henry Bonilla (R-TX) condemns racist comments by U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown (D-FL); she had called Asst. Secretary of State Roger Noriega and several Hispanic Congressmen “a bunch of white men...you all look alike to me”.

February 27, 1860, Abraham Lincoln launches campaign for Republican presidential nomination with speech at the Cooper Institute in New York.

February 28, 1871, Republican Congress passes Enforcement Act providing federal protection for African-American voters.

March 1, 1875, Civil Rights Act of 1875, guaranteeing access to public accommodations without regard to race, signed by Republican President U.S. Grant; passed with 92% Republican support over 100% Democrat oppositiont.

March 2, 1953, Republican Clare Booth Luce, U.S. Ambassador to Italy, becomes first woman to serve as ambassador to a major power.

March 3, 1865, Republican Congress establishes Freedmen’s Bureau to provide health care, education, and technical assistance to emancipated slaves.

“The Republican Party is the ship, all else is the sea.”

Frederick Douglass, Republican Civil Rights Activist

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Presidential Podcast 02/24/07

Presidential Podcast 02/24/07 . In Focus: Health Care, 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 02/24/07 full audio, text transcript

bush radio address 02/24/07 full audio, text transcript. PODCAST and, President's Radio Address . In Focus: Health Care

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, I traveled to a hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where I visited with doctors and health care experts. We discussed an urgent priority for our Nation, how we can make health care coverage more affordable and accessible for all Americans.

This week, the Department of Health and Human Services released a study that showed why we must act now to reform our health care system. The study forecast that our Nation's health care spending will almost double by the year 2016. If this happens, health care spending will account for nearly one out of every $5 spent in our economy. The study forecast that the government's share of these costs will rise, as well. Unless the system is reformed, within a decade taxpayers will be shouldering nearly half of all health care spending in our Nation.

There's also some encouraging news in this study. It provides fresh evidence that the Medicare prescription drug benefit we enacted is working to help get seniors the drugs they need. Millions of seniors are filling more prescriptions because they now have coverage, yet overall national spending on prescription drugs is lower than it would have been without this program. This is because we set up a system where private drug plans must compete for the business of Medicare beneficiaries. This competition is delivering better prices for seniors and good results for taxpayers. We need to maintain the gains we made by keeping competition in Medicare -- and by opposing any effort that would put the Federal government in charge of "negotiating" and setting drug prices.

We should also apply the same market-based principles to other parts of our health system. Today we have a big problem with our tax code: If you buy health insurance on your own, you do not get the same tax advantages as people who get their health insurance through their jobs. When it comes to health care, everyone should get the same tax breaks.

So I proposed a standard tax deduction for health insurance that would be like the standard deduction for dependents. This common-sense solution will level the playing field for all Americans, whether you get your health insurance through your job or on your own.

One person who would benefit from this plan is Danny Jennings, a father of two who does not have health insurance for his family. I met Danny earlier this week. Under my plan, Danny would save about $4,500 on his taxes. And these tax savings would put basic coverage within the reach of his family.

Now imagine if this standard tax deduction were already in place for people like Danny, and some politician suggested taking it away. Critics would say that the politician was giving an unfair advantage to people who work for big businesses that provide insurance, and harming millions of working families who have to buy their own coverage. The critics would be right.

My proposal would provide the same deduction for all Americans who buy health insurance, whether they get it through their job or on their own. That is fair, and it's the right thing to do.

Another way we can reform our health care system is to support governors who are coming up with innovative plans to help their citizens get health coverage. These governors know their people, and they know their needs. As a former governor, I believe the Federal government ought to help, not hinder, our states as they innovate. So I have proposed the "Affordable Choices" grants initiative. Under my proposal, states that make basic private health insurance available to all their citizens would receive Federal funds to help them provide this coverage to the poor and the sick. By taking existing Federal funds and turning them into "Affordable Choices" grants, we will give America's governors more money and more flexibility, so they can help provide private health insurance for those who need it most.

America has the best health care system in the world, because it puts doctors and patients in charge, encourages new technologies, and finds new ways to improve quality. By giving our states more flexibility and making our tax code fairer, we can reform our health care system and restrain costs. And by implementing these reforms now, we can help ensure every American has a future with better choices, better care, and greater hope for a healthy tomorrow.

Thank you for listening.

END, For Immediate Release, Office of the Press Secretary, February 24, 2007

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Discurso Radial del Presidente a la Nación 02/24/07

forre el audio de la dirección de radio 02/24/07 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 viajé a un hospital en Chattanooga, Tennesee donde visité con médicos y expertos en cuidado de la salud. Discutimos una prioridad urgente para nuestra nación - cómo podemos hacer para que la cobertura de salud sea más económica y asequible para todos los estadounidenses.

Esta semana el Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos hizo público un estudio que muestra por qué debemos actuar ya para reformar nuestro sistema de cuidado de la salud. El estudio pronosticó que los gastos de nuestra nación para cuidado de la salud serán casi el doble para el año 2016. Si esto sucede, los gastos para cuidado de la salud constituirán cerca de un dólar de cada cinco dólares gastados en nuestra economía. El estudio pronosticó que la porción del gobierno en estos costos también aumentará. A menos de que se reforme el sistema, dentro de una década los contribuyentes estarán soportando la carga de casi la mitad de todo el gasto por cuidado de la salud en nuestra Nación.

También hay noticias alentadoras en el estudio. Ofrece nueva evidencia que el beneficio que sancionamos para medicina recetada bajo Medicare está ayudando a las personas de edad avanzada a obtener los medicamentos que necesitan. Millones de personas de edad avanzada están obteniendo más recetas porque ahora tienen cobertura; sin embargo, los gastos nacionales en su conjunto para medicinas recetadas están más bajos que lo que hubiera sido el caso sin este programa. Esto es porque establecimos un sistema donde los planes privados de medicamentos deben competir para atraer como clientes a los beneficiarios de Medicare.

Esta competencia está ofreciendo mejores precios a las personas de edad avanzada - y buenos resultados a los contribuyentes. Necesitamos sostener las ganancias que hemos logrado manteniendo la competencia en Medicare - y mediante oposición a cualquier esfuerzo que haría responsable al gobierno federal de negociar y fijar los precios de los medicamentos.

También debemos aplicar los mismos principios basados en el mercado a otras partes de nuestro sistema de salud. Hoy en día tenemos un gran problema con nuestro código tributario. Si usted compra seguro de salud por cuenta propia, no recibe las mismas ventajas en los impuestos que las personas que obtienen seguro de salud a través de sus empleos. Cuando se trata de cuidado de la salud, todos deberían recibir las mismas ventajas tributarias. Por lo tanto, he propuesto una deducción estándar por seguro de salud que sería como la deducción estándar por dependientes. Esta solución, de sentido común, creará igualdad de condiciones para todos los estadounidenses - ya sea que obtengan su seguro de salud a través de su empleo o por cuenta propia.

Una persona que podría beneficiar de este plan es Danny Jennings - padre de dos que no tiene seguro de salud para su familia. Conocí a Danny a principios de esta semana. Bajo mi plan, Danny ahorraría como 4,500 dólares en sus impuestos. Y estos ahorros tributarios pondrían a la cobertura básica al alcance de su familia.

Ahora imagínense si esta deducción tributaria ya existiera para personas como Danny - y que algún político sugiriera eliminarla. Los críticos dirían que el político estaba dando una ventaja injusta a personas que trabajan para las grandes empresas que ofrecen seguro - y perjudicando a millones de familias trabajadoras que tienen que comprar su propia cobertura. Los críticos tendrían razón. Mi propuesta ofrecería la misma deducción a todos los estadounidenses que compren seguro de salud - ya sea a través de sus empleos o por cuenta propia. Eso es justo, y es lo que se debe hacer.

Otra manera en que podemos reformar nuestro sistema de cuidado de la salud es apoyando a los gobernadores que ofrecen planes innovadores para ayudar a sus ciudadanos a obtener cobertura de salud. Estos gobernadores conocen a su pueblo y conocen sus necesidades. Como ex - gobernador, yo considero que el gobierno federal debe ayudar, no obstaculizar, a nuestros estados cuando son innovadores. Por lo cual he propuesto la iniciativa de subvenciones llamada "Opciones Económicas". Bajo mi propuesta, los estados que ponen seguro de salud básico privado a disposición de todos sus ciudadanos recibirían fondos federales para ayudarles a proporcionar esta cobertura a los pobres y a los enfermos. Al tomar fondos federales existentes y convertirlos en subvenciones Opciones Económicas, daremos a los gobernadores de Estados Unidos más dinero y más flexibilidad - para que puedan ayudar a ofrecer seguro de salud privado a quienes más lo necesiten.

Estados Unidos tiene el mejor sistema de cuidado de salud en el mundo - ya que pone a los médicos y los pacientes a cargo, incentiva nuevas tecnologías y encuentra nuevas maneras de mejorar la calidad. Dando a nuestros estados más flexibilidad y haciendo más justo nuestro código tributario, podemos reformar nuestro sistema de cuidado de la salud y limitar los costos. Y si implementamos estas reformas ya, podemos asegurar que todo estadounidense tenga un futuro con mejores opciones, mejor cuidado, y mayor esperanza para un mañana saludable.

Gracias por escuchar.

# # # Para su publicación inmediata, Oficina del Secretario de Prensa, 24 de febrero de 2007.

Etiquetas De Technorati: Discurso Radial del Presidente a la Nación, y Presidente Bush, o cobertura del cuidado médico y Departamento de los servicios de salud y humanos, o cuidado médico, o Ventaja de la droga de la prescripción de Seguro de enfermedad y Opciones comprables o seguro médico

S. Ward Casscells to Replace William Winkenwerder Jr.

President George W. Bush plans to replace Dr. William Winkenwerder, Jr. assistant defense secretary for health

The President intends to nominate S. Ward Casscells, of Texas, to be Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs). Dr. Casscells currently serves as a Professor of Medicine and Public Health at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

Prior to this, he served as the John Edward Tyson Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Chief of Cardiology at the University of Texas at Houston and Memorial Hermann Hospital. Earlier in his career, he served as Senior Investigator at the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Casscells received his bachelor's degree from Yale University and his MD from Harvard University.

For Immediate Release, Office of the Press Secretary, February 22, 2007

Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said. This announcement has no bearing on current events whatsoever, William Winkenwerder had planned to leave his post since last year and the announcement is not related to problems at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. S. Ward Casscells, MD Biography

Casscells at Ibn Sina Hospital (Baghdad), home of the 10th Combat Support Hospital—depicted in "Baghdad ER" and CNN's "Combat Hospital." 9/6/06 Cardiologist Casscells applies all his skills to service of country

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Dr. William Winkenwerder Jr. DoD photo by Scott Davis, U.S. Army. (Released) High Resolution Image

The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs (ASD/HA), is the principal staff assistant and advisor to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense and the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness for all Department of Defense (DoD) health policies, programs, and activities. The ASD/HA has the responsibility to effectively execute the Department's healthcare mission. This mission is to provide, and to maintain readiness to provide healthcare services and support to members of the Armed Forces during military operations. In addition, the Department's healthcare mission provides healthcare services and support to members of the Armed Forces, their family members, and others entitled to DoD healthcare.

In carrying out the responsibilities of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs (OASD/HA), the ASD/HA exercises authority, direction, and control over the medical personnel, facilities, programs, funding, and other resources within the DoD. These responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Establishing policies, procedures, and standards that govern DoD healthcare programs
• Directing DoD financial policies, programs, and activities including unified budget formulations, program analysis, and evaluation
• Overseeing TRICARE and the consistent, effective implementation of DoD policy throughout the Military Health System
• Directing deployment medicine policies
Leading strategic planning for the Military Health System
• Maintaining strong communication with the line, beneficiary representatives and associations, the media and the Congress
• Presenting and justifying the unified medical program and budget throughout the planning, programming, and budgeting system process, including representation before the Congress
• Co-chairing with the director, Defense Research and Engineering, the Armed Services Biomedical Research Evaluation and Management Committee, which facilitates consideration of DoD biomedical research

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U.S.-Russia Consultations on Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Eastern Europe

U.S.-Russia Consultations on Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Eastern Europe

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin met February 21 in Washington with Under Secretary for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns, Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Daniel Fried, and Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher for a regular round of consultations on the situation in and respective policies toward Central Asia, the Caucasus and Eastern Europe. They discussed the possibilities of cooperation between both the United States and Russia in seeking solutions to regional problems of concern and the interests of both states.

Media Note, Office of the Spokesman, Washington, DC. February 22, 2007

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Deputy Secretary Negroponte Travel to Northeast Asia

Deputy Secretary Negroponte Travel to Northeast Asia

Deputy Secretary of State John D. Negroponte will travel to Japan, China, and the Republic of Korea March 1 - 6. He will discuss a range of bilateral and strategic issues with counterparts in the three countries, including Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, the North Korea nuclear issue, regional security, the war on terrorism, and trade.

Media Note, Office of the Spokesman, Washington, DC. February 21, 2007

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