Posted on 01/15/2009 3:51:55 PM PST by snugs
Today George W Bush visited the State Department for the last time as President where he presented the Medal of Freedom to Ambassador Ryan Crocker.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice presented the President with a memento displaying the flags of European nations that entered NATO during his time as President during the ceremony to commemorate foreign policy achievements at the State Department during his Presidency.
Later this evening the President will address the nation for the final time.
The Vice President took part in a mock swearing-in ceremony for Sen. Roland Burris, D-Ill
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and United Arab Emirates Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al Nahyan sign an agreement on peaceful uses of nuclear energy at the State Department in Washington.
Pray for President Bush - Day 3046.
Enjoy Sanity Island
QUOTE OF THE DAY
President Bush Commemorates Foreign Policy Achievements and Presents Medal of Freedom to Ambassador Ryan Crocker
U.S. Department of State
Washington, D.C.
You know, people -- I tell people all the time, they ask me about Condi, and I say, she's like my sister. We've been through a lot together. (Laughter.) And one of the things about her is that she has never lost her great optimism. She's plenty tough when she needed to be tough; she's plenty charming when she needs to be charming. But during the darkest of days, she always had a sense of optimism and constantly reminded me of what is possible and what will happen if we don't lose confidence in fundamental truths. History will say that Condi Rice was one of the great Secretaries of State our country has ever had. (Applause.)
And I thank my friend John Negroponte. I call him Ponte -- you better call him -- (laughter) -- Mr. Secretary. He has done a lot of hard work on behalf of the country, and he has really done it well -- a variety of jobs that have required skill and dedication and courage, and each job he's handled with a lot of class, he really has.
I want to thank the ambassadors who have joined us. Thanks for coming. Appreciate your service to your countries. And I want to thank all those who work here -- veterans and rookies alike. (Laughter.) This is a fabulous department and a vital part of making sure this country remains secure in the long run. And it's been a joy to work with you.
Tonight I'm going to give a farewell address to the American people. It's going to be a short one. (Laughter.) But it's got a lot of meaning to it, as far as I'm concerned. I'm going to urge our nation to continue to engage the world with confidence -- confidence in the transformative power of freedom and liberty.
These are the ideals that gave birth to our own nation -- these universal ideals gave birth to America. And over the past eight years, together we have worked to advance these ideals. And every member of this department can be proud of the results.
PHOTOS OF THE DAY
President George W. Bush, right, kisses Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009, at the State Department in Washington
President George W. Bush visits the State Department in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009, for a farewell ceremony with diplomats and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
Hi, there!
Awwww....I love that Photo of the Day!
They are such good friends, and I am sure that they’ll miss
their everyday visits! She is an awesome Secretary of State!
Toaster winner - congratulations - regarding toasters I intend to do these next week I doubt I will get them done in time for the last thread but I will probably post eventually on next Monday’s thread even if is a week or so down the line.
President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush visit the State Department in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009, for a farewell ceremony with diplomats and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
President George W. Bush, First Lady Laura Bush, and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice attend a ceremony at the State Department to celebrate the foreign policy achievements of the Bush administration
President George W. Bush stands with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during the ceremony to commemorate foreign policy achievements at the State Department in Washington January 15, 2009.
President George W. Bush talks to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during the ceremony to commemorate foreign policy achievements at the State Department in Washington January 15, 2009
President George W. Bush, right, kisses Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009, at the State Department in Washington
President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice are applauded by diplomats during a farewell ceremony at the State Department in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009
Thanks, Snugs! I know you have been busy elsewhere with
your sweet Dad. How is he, BTW?
I will just watch for your ping on the toasters. I am going
to miss them when we are done. Can you believe the day is
coming when we won’t have a daily Dose. I am going to be in mourning...just like I was when Tony Snow died. *sigh*
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, left, presents President George W. Bush with a memento displaying the flags of European nations that entered NATO during his time as president, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009, during a farewell ceremony at the State Department in Washington. First lady Laura Bush applauds at right
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice greets first lady Laura Bush (L) during the ceremony to commemorate foreign policy achievements at the State Department in Washington January 15, 2009.
President George W. Bush speaks at the State Department in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009, during a farewell ceremony
President George W. Bush speaks at the State Department in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009. Listening, from second from left are, first lady Laura Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte.
President George W. Bush presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Ryan Crocker, who served as U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, during a ceremony at the State Department in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009
President George W. Bush greets State Department employees during a farewell ceremony with diplomats and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009, at the State Department in Washington.
President George W. Bush(L) shakes hands with US State Department personnel during a ceremony at the US State Department commemorating foreign policy achievements during the Bush administration
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