Posted on 06/05/2008 7:27:28 PM PDT by snugs
Today the Presiden took part in a ceremonial groundbreaking of the United States Institute of Peace at Navy Hill.
The President welcomed the 2007 Major League Soccer Cup winners, the Houston Dynamo to the White House today.
The President also met with Netherlands Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende at the White House.
The President and the Vice President attended the Congressnal Picnic at the White House today.
Pray for President Bush -- Day 2822
Today Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met with Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen at the State Department.
The Secretary of Defense Robert Gates attended a News Conference at the Pentagon today and also participated in the ground-breaking ceremony for the National Intrepid Center of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury, at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Md.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
President Bush Attends Ceremonial Groundbreaking of United States Institute of Peace
Navy Hill
Washington, D.C.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, all. Please be seated. Mr. Secretary, thank you for your kind introduction, and thank you for inviting me to join you to break ground for the United States Institute of Peace's new home. I'm really pleased to be here. I appreciate what you do to resolve conflict and support new democracies and to build peace by promoting effective diplomacy. And speaking about effective diplomacy, it seems like you used some to get this special piece of land. I congratulate you on picking a wonderful site
I thank Robin West, the Chairman; Dick Solomon, the President. Members of the Board of Directors, thank you for being here. I'm so pleased to be with the Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and some of her predecessors. Thank you for being here. I appreciate Admiral Mullen joining us. I want to thank members of my administration for coming. Madam Speaker, you grace us with your presence. Thank you for coming. I also want to pay homage to Ted Stevens for helping to secure the funding for this important site, as well as members of the United States Senate who have joined him here and members of the House. I appreciate Reverend Lovett, Father Hesburgh, members of the Diplomatic Corps, ladies and gentlemen.
The Institute of Peace was founded in 1984. It was during the last great ideological struggle of the 20th century -- the struggle against Soviet Communism; a struggle that was eventually won by freedom because of peace through strength, and because of the help of the Institute of Peace.
We're in a different struggle today, but we're in an ideological struggle against violent extremism. The U.S. Institute of Peace is playing an important role, and I thank you for that. In Afghanistan, you're helping a young democracy establish the rule of law and strengthen public education and build civil society. In Iraq, you're helping the nation overcome the legacy of decades of tyranny by strengthening government institutions and promoting peaceful engagement. And although the struggle against violent extremism is in its early years, there's no doubt in my mind freedom will again prevail -- and your help is going to be important.
In this struggle, we're guided by a clear principle: Freedom is universal. We believe that freedom is the birthright of every man, woman and child. Free societies are peaceful societies. Freedom helps supplant the conditions of hopelessness that extremists exploit to recruit terrorists and suicide bombers. People who live in liberty are less likely to turn to ideologies of hatred and fear, and that is why the United States is leading and must continue to lead the cause of freedom for the sake of peace.
PHOTO OF THE DAY
President Bush holds Morgan Elizabeth Gooch, the granddaughter of Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Va., during the Congressional Picnic Thursday, June 5, 2008, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington.
President Bush walks with former Secretary of State George Shultz, right, as they arrive to take part in a ceremonial groundbreaking of the United States Institute of Peace at Navy Hill, Thursday, June 5, 2008, in Washington
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, wearing sunglasses, arrives for the groundbreaking ceremony for the United States Institute of Peace in Washington, Thursday, June 5, 2008.
hi!
President Bush, right, shakes House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's hand as he arrived to speak at a ceremonial groundbreaking of the United States Institute of Peace at Navy Hill, Thursday, June 5, 2008, in Washington.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., left, pats President Bush on the shoulder as they take part in a ceremonial groundbreaking of the United States Institute of Peace at Navy Hill, Thursday, June 5, 2008, in Washington
Hi
President Bush is introduced by former Secretary of State George Shultz as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif. looks on, Thursday, June 5, 2008, at the groundbreaking ceremony for the United States Institute of Peace in Washington.
President Bush speaks as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif. is greeted by former Secretary of State George Shultz, Thursday, June 5, 2008, at the groundbreaking ceremony for the United States Institute of Peace in Washington.
President Bush speaks at a ceremonial groundbreaking of the United States Institute of Peace at Navy Hill, Thursday, June 5, 2008, in Washington
Former Secretary's of State Henry Kissinger, left, Madeleine Albright, second from left, stand along with current Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, second from right, and former Defense Secretary Frank Carlucci, right, as they listen to President Bush speak during a ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony for the United States Institute of Peace at Navy Hill, Thursday, June 5, 2008, in Washington
President George W. Bush smiles during the ceremonial groundbreaking of the U.S. Institute of Peace on Navy Hill in Washington June 5, 2008
President George W. Bush (3rd L) is joined by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (L) and former Secretary of State George Shultz (2nd L) during the ceremonial groundbreaking of the U.S. Institute of Peace on Navy Hill in Washington, June 5, 2008.
President Bush, former Secretary of State George Shultz, center, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., take part in a ceremonial groundbreaking of the United States Institute of Peace at Navy Hill, Thursday, June 5, 2008, in Washington.
President Bush, second from right, Father Ted Hesburgh, right, former Secretary of State George Shultz, second from left, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., left, talk after taking part in a ceremonial groundbreaking of the United States Institute of Peace at Navy Hill, Thursday, June 5, 2008, in Washington.
President George W. Bush poses with the 2007 Major League Soccer Cup winners, the Houston Dynamo, in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington June 5, 2008.
President Bush is SO MUCH a better person than I am...I wouldn’t touch her to save my life!
President Bush, left, joined by first lady Laura Bush, second from left, Vice President Dick Cheney and Mrs. Lynne Cheney arrive for the Congressional Picnic, Thursday, June 5, 2008, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington.
President Bush holds Morgan Elizabeth Gooch, the granddaughter of Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Va., during the Congressional Picnic Thursday, June 5, 2008, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington.
President Bush, right, walks with The Oak Ridge Boys' William Lee Golden during the Congressional Picnic, Thursday, June 5, 2008, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington.
President Bush reacts while holding a child during the Congressional Picnic, Thursday, June 5, 2008, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington
Laura Bush poses with guests during the Congressional Picnic on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington June 5, 2008.
President George W. Bush addresses the audience during groundbreaking ceremonies Thursday, June 5, 2008, for the United States Institute of Peace Headquarters Building and Public Education Center at Navy Hill in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Institute of Peace is a congressionally funded foreign affairs education, training and operational organization. White House photo by Chris Greenberg
President George W. Bush joins in the groundbreaking ceremonies Thursday, June 5, 2008, for the United States Institute of Peace Headquarters Building and Public Education Center at Navy Hill in Washington, D.C. White House photo by Chris Greenberg
President George W. Bush poses for a photo with the 2007 Major League Soccer Cup Champions, the Houston Dynamo Thursday, June 5, 2008, in the Rose Garden at the White House. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian
President George W. Bush gives the 2007 Major League Soccer Cup Champions, the Houston Dynamo, a tour of the Oval Office Thursday, June 5, 2008, during their visit to the White House. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian
President George W. Bush meets with Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende of the Netherlands Thursday, June 5, 2008, during his visit to the Oval Office. The leaders spoke on a variety of issues, including HIV/AIDS in Africa, free trade and climate change. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian
Secretary Schultz: “Hey, Nancy, wanna see my tattoo?”
President Bush: “George, you showed her your tattoo, didn't you?”
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, left, stands with Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen at the State Department in Washington Thursday, June 5, 2008.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, left, watches as Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen talks with reporters at the State Department in Washington Thursday, June 5, 2008
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice shake hands with Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen at the State Department in Washington Thursday, June 5, 2008
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, accompanied by Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, speaks during their joint news conference, Thursday, June 5, 2008, at the State Department in Washington.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, take part in a joint news conference, Thursday, June 5, 2008, at the State Department in Washington.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice speaks during a joint news conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, not shown, Thursday, June 5, 2008, at the State Department in Washington.
She looks like my granddaughter -— just not quite as pretty. ;~))
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