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QUOTE OF THE YEAR
Presidential Message for New Year's Day, 2007

Over the past year, we have reached important goals and confronted new challenges. At the start of this New Year, we move forward with trust in the power of the American spirit, confidence in our purpose, and faith in a loving God who created us to be free.

In 2006, the number of jobs steadily increased, wages grew, the unemployment rate dropped, and we achieved our goal of cutting the deficit in half three years ahead of schedule. Thanks to the hard work and innovation of the American people, our economy has been growing faster than any other major developed nation. Significant tax relief has helped our citizens keep more of what they earn and fuel an economy that is vigorous and healthy. My Administration will continue to work to help create more jobs, reduce the deficit, and spread prosperity to all our citizens.

Last year, America continued its mission to fight and win the war on terror and promote liberty as an alternative to tyranny and despair. In the New Year, we will remain on the offensive against the enemies of freedom, advance the security of our country, and work toward a free and unified Iraq. Defeating terrorists and extremists is the challenge of our time, and we will answer history's call with confidence and fight for liberty without wavering.

Our Nation depends on the fine men and women in uniform who serve our country with valor and distinction, and we remain mindful of their dedication and sacrifice. America's troops and their families exemplify the great character of our country, and they have earned the respect and admiration of a grateful Nation.

As we celebrate the New Year, we look with hope to the year ahead and the opportunities it will bring.

Laura and I send our best wishes for a happy New Year. May God bless you, may God bless our troops and their families, and may God bless America.

GEORGE W. BUSH

[Bahbah]

First?

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PLEASE NOTE THIS IS NOT THE DOSE THAT WILL BE GOING UP IN ABOUT ONE HOUR THIS IS A SERIES OF PHOTOS AND LINKS FROM 2006 - ENJOY

 

AS WITH THE NORMAL DAY IN THE LIFE THREADS PLEASE DO NOT POST ANY PHOTOS UNTIL THE ALL CLEAR IS GIVEN

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JANUARY 2006

President George Bush meets Sgt. Duane Dreasky, who was injured by a roadside bomb in Iraq, when the president toured the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio Jan. 1, 2006. Dreasky died from his injuries in July 2006

President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney attend a meeting with the members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Combatant Commanders in the Cabinet Room, Monday January 9, 2006, at the White House. The Combatant Commanders are part of the Unified Command Plan responsible for the geographic military operations around the world. White House photo by David Bohrer

Followed by a group of Saudi and US delegates, Vice President Dick Cheney walks down a red carpet with Prince Saud al-Faisal bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, upon arrival to King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia, Tuesday January 17, 2006. White House photo by David Bohrer

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President George W. Bush waves to guests on the South Lawn before departing for Camp David aboard Marine One, Friday, Jan. 20, 2006. White House photo by Eric Draper

President George W. Bush is presented with his own racing suit by 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Champion Tony Stewart, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2006 on the South Lawn at the White House. White House photo by Eric Draper

Laura Bush congratulates Jose Fernando Salas, left, and Carlos Gabriel Pascual from the Art and Children Program of Veracruz, Mexico, at their award presentation Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2006 in the East Room of the White House, during the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities 2006 Coming Up Taller Awards ceremony. White House photo by Shealah Craighead

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President George W, Bush is applauded as he delivers his State of the Union remarks Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2006 at the United States Capitol. White House photo by Eric Draper

[ThePythonicCow]

Moo !!

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FEBRUARY 2006

President George W. Bush and Laura Bush tour the 3M Research and Development Laboratory in Maplewood, Minn., Thursday, Feb. 2, 2006. White House photo by Eric Draper

Mrs. Laura Bush, daughter Barbara Bush and Francis Rooney, U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican, meet in a private audience with Pope Benedict XVI, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2006 at the Vatican. pWhite House photo by Shealah Craighead

Mrs. Laura Bush watches baby Giant Panda, Tai Shan, play Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2006, at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park in Washington, DC. The Giant Panda is 7 months old and weighs over 33lbs. White House photo by Shealah Craighead

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President George W. Bush addresses an audience Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2006 at Wendy's International, Inc. corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ohio, speaking on his commitment to help all Americans gain access to affordable, high-quality health care. White House photo by Paul Morse

Vice President Dick Cheney, center, walks back to his office in the White House after doing a television interview, in this Feb. 15, 2006, file photo, in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. At right is Mary Matalin, Cheney's former communication director. Man a left is unidentified.

President George W. Bush and Dr. Subhendu Guha, President of United Solar Ovonic LLC, tour the company's solar cell production area in Auburn Hills, Michigan, Monday, Feb. 20, 2006. White House photo by Eric Draper

[Albion Wilde]

bookmark

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President George W. Bush poses for photos with U.S. Marines headed to Iraq, during a stopover Tuesday evening, Feb. 28, 2006 at Shannon, Ireland's international airport terminal. President George W. Bush meets with U.S. Marines headed to Iraq, during a stopover Tuesday evening, Feb. 28, 2006 at Shannon, Ireland's international airport terminal. President Bush visited with the Marines as part of his five-day visit to India and Pakistan. White House photo by Paul Morse

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MARCH 2006

President George W. Bush meets and thanks a group of U.S. and Coalition troops, Wednesday, March 1, 2006, during a visit to Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, where President Bush thanked the troops for their service in defense of freedom. White House photo by Eric Draper

Laura Bush sits with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as they listen to President Bush's remarks Friday evening, March 3, 2006, in New Delhi. White House photo by Shealah Craighead

President George W. Bush addresses his remarks to an audience attending the National Newspaper Association Government Affairs Conference, Friday, March 10, 2006 at the Wyndham Washington Hotel. White House photo by Eric Draper

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Mrs. Laura Bush reacts to remarks from Aunt Manyongo "Kunene" Mosima Tantoh, a member of the Mothers to Mothers-To-Be organization of South Africa, Monday, March 13, 2006 in the East Room at the White House. Mrs. Bush had earlier met with members of the group, who mentor and counsel mothers who come for prenatal care to clinics and find they are HIV-positive, on her visit to South Africa in July of 2005. Group member Gloria Ncanywa is seen at right. White House photo by Shealah Craighead

Vice President Dick Cheney talks with Bob Schieffer during an interview on CBS's Face the Nation at CBS studios in Washington, Sunday, March 19, 2006. White House photo by David Bohrer

President George W. Bush stands with President Vicente Fox of Mexico, left, and Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper, during a visit Thursday, March 30, 2006, to the Chichen-Itza Archaeological Ruins. White House photo by Kimberlee Hewitt

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APRIL 2006

President George W. Bush winds up to throw the first pitch of the 2006 baseball season during the opening game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Chicago Cubs in Cincinnati, Ohio, Monday, April 3, 2006. White House photo by Eric Draper

President George W. Bush walks into the Diplomatic Reception Room where he addressed the press Friday, April 7, 2006. "Good morning, This morning's economic report shows that America's growing economy added 211,000 jobs in the month of March," said the President. "The American economy has now added jobs for 31 months in a row, created more than 5.1 million new jobs for American workers. The unemployment rate is now down to 4.7 percent -- that's below the average rate of the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s." White House photo by Kimberlee Hewitt

President George W. Bush and White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card wave to the press Thursday, April 13, 2006. Friday is Secretary Card's last day as Chief. Former Deputy White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten will assume Secretary Card's responsibilities. White House photo by Eric Draper

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President George W. Bush and Mrs. Bush participate in an Easter service at the Evergreen Chapel at Camp David, Maryland, Sunday, April 16, 2006. Also pictured in front row, from right, are Jenna Welch, Barbara Bush, Former President George H. W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush. White House photo by Eric Draper

President George W. Bush is joined by Mrs. Laura Bush as he blows a whistle to start an Easter Egg Roll race on the South Lawn of the White House during the annual 2006 White House Easter Egg Roll, Monday, April 17, 2006. The first White House Easter Egg Roll was held in 1878. White House photo by Kimberlee Hewitt

White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan and President Bush announce that Mr. McClellan is resigning his position on the South Lawn Wednesday, April 19, 2006. "One of these days he and I are going to be rocking on chairs in Texas, talking about the good old days and his time as the Press Secretary," said the President. "And I can assure you I will feel the same way then that I feel now, that I can say to Scott, job well done." White House photo by Eric Draper

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President George W. Bush and comedian Steve Bridges have a little fun at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C., April 29, 2006. White House photo by Kimberlee Hewitt

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MAY 2006

President George W. Bush makes a statement to the press regarding the recent trip to Iraq by Secretary Rumsfeld and Secretary Rice on the South Lawn May 1, 2006. The President is standing with, from left, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Peter Pace, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and State Secretary Condoleezza Rice. White House photo by Eric Draper

Vice President Dick Cheney and President Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia, share a light moment with U.S. Ambassador John Tefft, right, during a bilateral meeting held during the Vilnius Conference 2006 in Vilnius, Lithuania, Thursday, May 4, 2006. White House photo by David Bohrer

President George W. Bush delivers the commencement address to the class of 2006 of Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK on Saturday May 6, 2006. White House photo by Paul Morse

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Vice President Dick Cheney delivers remarks after receiving the 2006 Distinguished Service Award during a ceremony held in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, May 10, 2006. The Distinguished Service Award is presented to former members of the House of Representatives who have served the country with extraordinary distinction and selfless dedication. White House photo by Kimberlee Hewitt

President George W. Bush speaks during A Conversation on the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit at the Asociacion Borinquena de Florida Central, Inc., in Orlando Wednesday, May 10, 2006. White House photo by Eric Draper

President George W. Bush and Australian Prime Minister John Howard shake hands during the presentation of White House tress at the Australian Ambassador's Residence, Sunday, May 14, 2006. White House photo by Eric Draper

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President George W. Bush embraces law enforcement family members during an emotional moment at the Annual Peace Officers' Memorial Service at the U. S. Capitol Monday, May 15, 2006. The service honors fallen federal, state and local law enforcement officers. White House photo by Kimberlee Hewitt

President George W. Bush, with Mrs. Laura Bush by his side, comments on the formation of the new govenment in Iraq, Sunday, May 21, 2006 in the Diplomatic Reception Room of The White House. White House photo by Kimberlee Hewitt

Mrs. Laura Bush speaks from Long House cliff dwelling, Thursday, May 23, 2006, in the western portion of Mesa Verde National Park, Mesa Verde, Colorado. Long House was excavated between 1959 and 1961 as part of the Westerill Mesa Archeological Project. White House photo by Shealah Craighead

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President George W. Bush stands with U.S. Army Major General Guy Swan for a moment of silence during the Memorial Day wreath laying ceremony at the Arlington National Cemetery Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington, Va., Monday, May 29, 2006. White House photo by Paul Morse

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JUNE 2006

Ms. Barbara Bush talks about her experiences visiting AIDS clinics in Africa with U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton, seated at her left, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, seated next to Mrs. Bush, and staff members during a visit to the United Nations in New York June 2, 2006. Mrs. Laura Bush also spoke about HIV/AIDS to the United Nations General Assembly's High-Level Meeting on AIDS. White House photo by Shealah Craighead

President George W. Bush joins U.S. Border Patrol agents on stage before delivering remarks on border security at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center Artesia Facility in Artesia, New Mexico, Tuesday, June 6, 2006. White House photo by Eric Draper

President George W. Bush boards Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base Monday night, June 12, 2006, en route to Iraq. White House photo by Eric Draper