President Bush , Laura, Prime Minister Koizumi, Priscilla, and Lisa Marie Presley at Graceland

Technorati Tags: President Bush and White House or Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi and Japan or Priscilla Presley and Lisa Marie Presley or Graceland and Memphis Tennessee or Elvis Presley and Blue Suede Shoes or Graceland and Lucky Man or and Junichiro Koizumi

(Vidcaps COPYRIGHT FOX NEWS are from their Extensive LIVE Coverage of this event.)

President Bush and Prime Minister Koizumi Participate in Photo-Op with Mrs. Bush, Priscilla Presley, and Lisa Marie Presley, Graceland Memphis, Tennessee, 10:38 A.M. CDT.

PRESIDENT BUSH: It is such a joy to be here to Graceland. It's my first visit.

PRIME MINISTER KOIZUMI: My first visit, too.

PRESIDENT BUSH: The Prime Minister's first visit.

PRIME MINISTER KOIZUMI: It's like a dream, with President Bush and Presley's daughter.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you all for greeting us. You're awfully kind to be here.

PRIME MINISTER KOIZUMI: You look like Elvis.

MS. LISA MARIE PRESLEY: (Speaks Japanese.)

PRESIDENT BUSH: The visit here is an indication of how well-known Elvis was around the world. A lot of people are still singing Elvis Presley songs here in the states and there's a lot of people who love Elvis Presley in Japan, including the Prime Minister. This visit is also a way of reminding us about the close friendship between our peoples.

And, Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for agreeing to come here. A lot of Americans are thrilled you're here, particularly at Graceland. It means a lot to our country that you would be that interested in one of America's icons, Elvis Presley.

PRIME MINISTER KOIZUMI: My birthday is the same as Elvis.

PRESIDENT BUSH: You and Elvis were born on the same day?

PRIME MINISTER KOIZUMI: January 8th.

PRIME MINISTER KOIZUMI: Even now, I often listen to Elvis CDs.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Still listen to Elvis CDs?

PRIME MINISTER KOIZUMI: Sure.

PRESIDENT BUSH: You're a pretty good Elvis singer.

PRIME MINISTER KOIZUMI: I'm not impersonator. (Sings Elvis songs.)

PRESIDENT BUSH: I thought you were going to do "Blue Suede Shoes." Thank you.

END 10:40 A.M. CDT For Immediate Release, Office of the Press Secretary, June 30, 2006

RELATED: Keywords, President to Welcome, Thursday, June 29, 2006 President Welcomes Prime Minister Koizumi (VIDEO), Wednesday, June 21, 2006 President Bush to Welcome President Mikheil Saakashvili, Wednesday, June 14, 2006 President Bush Welcomes President Bachelet of Chile (VIDEO), Saturday, June 10, 2006 Bush and Prime Minister Rasmussen of Denmark (VIDEO), Monday, June 05, 2006 President Bush Welcomes President Sassou Nguesso of the Congo , Monday, May 29, 2006 President Bush to Welcome Prime Minister Harper of Canada, Monday, May 29, 2006 President Bush to Welcome President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Monday, May 29, 2006 President Bush to Welcome Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan, Monday, May 29, 2006 President Bush to Welcome President Zelaya of Honduras, Saturday, May 27, 2006 President Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair (VIDEO), Friday, May 26, 2006 President Bush and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (VIDEO), Monday, May 15, 2006 President Bush will welcome Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel Saturday, May 06, 2006 President Bush Welcomes President Vázquez of Uruguay (VIDEO), Monday, April 24, 2006 President Bush to Host Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Wednesday, April 12, 2006 President Bush to Welcome German Chancellor Merkel, Wednesday, April 12, 2006 President Bush welcomes Ghana President John A. Kufuor, Wednesday, March 29, 2006 President Bush Welcomes President Obasanjo of Nigeria, Thursday, March 23, 2006 President Welcomes President Sirleaf of Liberia (VIDEO), Friday, March 17, 2006 President Welcomes Irish Prime Minister Ahern (VIDEO), Saturday, February 11, 2006 President Bush Welcomes President of Poland (VIDEO), Friday, February 10, 2006 President Bush Welcomes King Abdullah (VIDEO),

Federal Open Market Committee Statement 06/29/06

Technorati Tags: President Bush and Dr. Ben S. Bernanke or Ben S. Bernanke and Ben Bernanke or Bernanke and Federal Reserve or Chairman of the Federal Reserve and Monetary policy or Federal Open Market Committee and federal funds rate

The Federal Open Market Committee decided today to raise its target for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 5-1/4 percent.

Recent indicators suggest that economic growth is moderating from its quite strong pace earlier this year, partly reflecting a gradual cooling of the housing market and the lagged effects of increases in interest rates and energy prices.

Readings on core inflation have been elevated in recent months. Ongoing productivity gains have held down the rise in unit labor costs, and inflation expectations remain contained. However, the high levels of resource utilization and of the prices of energy and other commodities have the potential to sustain inflation pressures.

Although the moderation in the growth of aggregate demand should help to limit inflation pressures over time, the Committee judges that some inflation risks remain. The extent and timing of any additional firming that may be needed to address these risks will depend on the evolution of the outlook for both inflation and economic growth, as implied by incoming information. In any event, the Committee will respond to changes in economic prospects as needed to support the attainment of its objectives.

Voting for the FOMC monetary policy action were: Ben S. Bernanke, Chairman; Timothy F. Geithner, Vice Chairman; Susan S. Bies; Jack Guynn; Donald L. Kohn; Randall S. Kroszner; Jeffrey M. Lacker; Sandra Pianalto; Kevin M. Warsh; and Janet L. Yellen.

In a related action, the Board of Governors unanimously approved a 25-basis-point increase in the discount rate to 6-1/4 percent. In taking this action, the Board approved the requests submitted by the Boards of Directors of the Federal Reserve Banks of Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Richmond, Atlanta, Chicago, St. Louis, Minneapolis, and Dallas.

Release Date: June 29, 2006, For immediate release

2006 Monetary policy

RELATED: Wednesday, May 10, 2006 Federal Open Market Committee Statement 05/10/06, Tuesday, March 28, 2006 Federal Open Market Committee Statement 03/28/06, Wednesday, February 15, 2006 Chairman Ben S. Bernanke, Semiannual Monetary Policy Report, Monday, February 06, 2006 President Attends Swearing-In Ceremony for Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke VIDEO, Monday, October 24, 2005 Appointment Ben Bernanke Federal Reserve (VIDEO), Monday, October 24, 2005 Biography of Dr. Ben S. Bernanke, Tuesday, June 21, 2005 President Congratulates CEA Chairman Ben Bernanke (VIDEO)