Text 3192, 175 rader
Skriven 2006-08-30 23:31:32 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0608309) for Wed, 2006 Aug 30
====================================================
===========================================================================
Mrs. Bush's Remarks at a Conrad Burns for Senate Reception
===========================================================================

For Immediate Release
Office of the First Lady
August 30, 2006

Mrs. Bush's Remarks at a Conrad Burns for Senate Reception
Arlin's Aircraft Hangar
Belgrade, Monana



4:33 P.M. MDT

MRS. BUSH: Thank you so much, Senator Burns. Thank you for that very
inspiring introduction. And thanks to each and every one of you for the
warm welcome to Montana. I'm so happy to be here. (Applause.)

Senator Burns is right: it does take a partnership. I will have to say one
of the great supports of any politician, anybody running for office, is his
family. And I know that Phyllis, my good friend Phyllis, is such a terrific
support for Senator Burns. Thank you very much, Phyllis. (Applause.)

I want to thank our event hosts, Martin and Jennifer Coleman. Thank you all
very, very much for hosting today's event. The Chair of the Montana
Republican Party, Karl Ohs, is here. Thank you very much for all your hard
work. State Senator -- Secretary of State Brad Johnson is here. Brad, thank
you for serving your state. And I especially want to recognize your former
Governor and my good friend Judy Martz. Thank you for your terrific work,
Judy. (Applause.)

And thanks to everyone here for coming out today to support Senator Burns'
campaign for the United States Senate.

Conrad Burns has been a passionate advocate for Montana's families during
his 17 years in the United States Senate. As a powerful representative for
Montana's farming community, he's opened global markets to Montana
agriculture, and he's helped ensure that next year's Farm Bill benefits
Montana's farmers and ranchers. (Applause.)

In Washington, Senator Burns is a respected voice on the issues facing
rural communities in Montana and across the country. During the early days
of the Internet and mobile phones, Senator Burns made sure these
technologies were extended to rural areas. He supports distance learning
and telecommunications initiatives so that rural Montana can benefit from
our country's 21st-century economy. And I want to tell you that rural
Texans appreciate that, too. (Applause.)

Senator Burns is helping Montana's families by keeping America's economy
strong. He supports tax cuts. And this year, with his help, President Bush
signed into law the largest tax relief package in American history.
(Applause.) These tax cuts have fueled our economy and they've helped add
5.5 million new jobs since 2003. That means 5.5 million more people wake up
every morning with the dignity and the sense of purpose that comes with a
job.

Something else Senator Burns and the President and I have in common -- and
something I share with both of them -- is a commitment to natural and
historic preservation.

In 2003, President Bush announced the Preserve America Initiative, which
encourages communities to safeguard their natural and historical treasures.
Preserve America can also boost local economies, because recognized
historical landmarks attract visitors and businesses.

Thanks to the support of Senator Burns, the Montana State Preservation
Office received a $150,000 Preserve America grant in March to help fund the
Montana Rural Heritage Experience. This project will promote and expand
access to rural historical sites throughout your state, boosting tourism
and providing Montana children with the knowledge and pride in their
state's history.

Senator Burns appreciates Montana's tremendous natural beauty, and
understands the importance of making sure our country's natural resources
can be enjoyed by future generations. In the Senate, he's protected the
drinking water supply in more than 70 rural Montana communities, and has
safeguarded acres of Montana land through the Land and Water Conservation
Fund. Thank you, Senator Burns, for this vital preservation work.
(Applause.)

One of the benefits of historical and natural preservation is that it gives
our children more opportunities to learn about our country. Visits to
museums, monuments, and national parks are great activities for young
people -- offering them healthy and positive ways to learn and to spend
time with their families.

I was very fortunate, a couple of summers ago, to spend a week in the Belly
River part of Glacier National Park. I hike every summer with four women
that I grew up with in Midland, Texas. We'll never forget that time. And I
want to make sure that beautiful and pristine park is available for my
children and my grandchildren to hike in. So thank you very much, Senator
Burns, for your good work. (Applause.)

In his 2005 State of the Union address, President Bush announced the
Helping America's Youth Initiative, and he asked me to lead it. Helping
young people learn to make wise decisions for their lives is at the heart
of Helping America's Youth.

Since the President announced the initiative, I've traveled to many parts
of our country, visiting with young people and the adults who are so
important to their lives. I've been to schools and after-school programs.
I've seen fatherhood initiatives. I've met with mentors and Big Brothers
and Big Sisters. I've visited gang intervention programs, where I met with
young people who are leaving gangs and finding jobs.

All of these visits led to the White House Conference on Helping America's
Youth last October, and then to two regional conferences in Indianapolis
and Denver. At these conferences, we introduced an online, interactive
Community Guide. This guide helps concerned adults learn more about the
problems facing youth in their own communities, and learn what local
resources are available to address these problems. The information is
available on the Helping America's Youth website, that's
www.helpingamericasyouth.gov -- that's g-o-v. I urge you to look at the
website, and to use the guide here in your communities.

Senator Burns has a long record of commitment to young people. His wife,
Phyllis, was a teacher, so Conrad understands the needs of Montana
educators. He supports increasing salaries to keep qualified teachers in
your state, so that all Montana children receive an excellent education.
Senator Burns also helped establish the Senate's Anti-Meth Caucus, which is
keeping harmful methamphetamines out of Montana's communities and away from
Montana's young people.

We all know, though, that the well-being of families in Montana and
throughout our country ultimately depends on our government's ability to
keep them safe -- by defeating terrorism and increasing liberty abroad.
(Applause.)

Senator Burns appreciates the needs of our troops during this crucial time
in our country's history. As a young Marine Corporal, Conrad served in East
Asia during the '50s. And in the Senate, he's been a steadfast champion of
the men and women of the United States military.

Thanks to our men and women in uniform, the Iraqi people are now free from
the oppression of Saddam Hussein, and working to build a democratic future
for their country. (Applause.)

In Afghanistan, women and girls can now be educated. (Applause.) It's hard
for us to imagine a country that would forbid half of its citizens from
being educated. But now little girls are in school all over Afghanistan.

Senator Burns' dedication to the people of Montana, and his achievements,
remind us of why it's so important that he's reelected. Senator Burns
understands that America faces challenges too important to be reduced to
simple politics.

President Bush has an ambitious agenda for the rest of his time in
Washington, and he takes his responsibility to the American people very
seriously. Ending our dependence on foreign oil, reforming our immigration
system, rebuilding the Gulf Coast and keeping our country safe from
terrorism are not easy tasks, but they're absolutely vital goals. And to
accomplish them, we must have serious national conversations conducted with
civility and respect. And Conrad Burns is a positive and powerful part of
that dialogue. (Applause.)

This is just one reason why Senator Burns is a wonderful leader for
Montana. When you see his distinguished record of public service, you find
many more.

Thank you so much for coming out to support Conrad. And thank you for your
generous support of his reelection. I urge you to redouble your efforts
between now and November to make sure Conrad Burns is reelected to the
United States Senate.

Thank you all very much. (Applause.)

END 4:45 P.M. MDT

===========================================================================
Return to this article at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/08/20060830-9.html

 * Origin: (1:3634/12)