A Month in the life of George W. Bush ( News and photos) Debember 2009

White House Archives ^ | December 3, 2009

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President George W. Bush signs H.R. 2622, the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003, into law during a ceremony in the Roosevelt Room Thursday, December 4, 2003. White House photo by Tina Hager

President George W. Bush greets the Voena Children's Choir at the Pageant of Peace after lighting the National Christmas Tree at the Ellipse in Washington DC on Thursday December 4, 2003. White House photo by Paul Morse

President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush arrive at the Pageant of Peace to light the National Christmas Tree at the Ellipse in Washington DC on Thursday December 4, 2003. White House photo by Paul Morse

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President George W. Bush participates in a conversation on the economy with employees of the Home Depot home improvement stores in Baltimore, Maryland on December 5, 2003. White House photo by Paul Morse

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President George W. Bush signs H. R. 1, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., Dec. 8, 2003. "With this law, we are providing more access to comprehensive exams, disease screenings, and other preventative care, so that seniors across this land can live better and healthier lives," said President Bush. White House photo by Paul Morse

President George W. Bush and Laura Bush host a Christmas reception for children of deployed military personnel at the White House Monday, Dec. 8, 2003. A variety of activities were held for the children, including a performance of selected scenes from The Nutcracker and a visit by Santa Claus. White House photo by Eric Draper

President George W. Bush poses for pictures with a soldier and children during a reception held for children of deployed military personnel at the White House Monday, Dec. 8, 2003. A variety of activities were held for the children, including a performance of selected scenes from The Nutcracker and a visit by Santa Claus. White House photo by Eric Draper

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President George W. Bush and Premier Wen Jiabao of China stand for the playing their national anthems during an Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2003. White House photo by Paul Morse

President George W. Bush and Premier Wen Jiabao of China wave to well-wishers during an Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2003. "America and China share many common interests. We are working together in the war on terror. We are fighting to defeat a ruthless enemy of order and civilization. We are partners in diplomacy working to meet the dangers of the 21st century. We are full members of a world trading system that rewards enterprise and lifts nations," said President Bush in his remarks. White House photo by Paul Morse

After the Arrival Ceremony, President George W. Bush and Premier Wen Jiabao of China walk along the Rose Garden Colonnade on their way to the Oval Office Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2003. "We're going to have extensive discussions today on a lot of issues," said the President during an Oval Office meeting with the media. "We've just had a very friendly and candid discussion. There's no question in my mind that when China and the United States works closely together we can accomplish a lot of very important objectives." White House photo by Paul Morse

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President George W. Bush meets with Iraqi Senior Diplomatic Representative Rend Al-Rahim and members of Iraq's National Symphony Orchestra in the Roosevelt Room Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2003. President Bush and Ms. Al-Rahim attended a performance by the orchestra at the Kennedy Center Dec. 9, 2003.White House photo by Paul Morse

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President George W. Bush speaks during his Cabinet Meeting, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003. White House photo by Eric Draper.

President George W. Bush speaks to reporters at the end of his Cabinet Meeting, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003. White House photo by Eric Draper.

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Laura Bush visits with 4-month-old Devon Garner and his mother Tracy Garner at the Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., Friday, Dec. 12, 2003. Mrs. Bush attended the hospital's annual Christmas program. White House photo by Susan Sterner

President George W. Bush and Laura Bush pose for their official Christmas portrait in front of the White House Christmas Tree in the Blue Room, Dec. 7, 2003. This year's holiday theme at the White House celebrates children's storybook characters with, "A Season of Stories." More information about the theme and decorations can be viewed at www.whitehouse.gov/holiday/. White House photo by Eric Draper

Laura Bush introduces her Scottish Terrier Barney Bush at the Children's National Medical Center during the annual Christmas program and visit to the hospital Friday, Dec. 12, 2003. Mrs. Bush is accompanied by Stephanie Chapman. White House photo by Susan Sterner

President Bush and Barney take a few moments on the South Lawn to enjoy the season's first snowfall. White House photo by Tina Hager

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President George W. Bush addresses the nation on the capture of Saddam Hussein from the Cabinet Room, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2003.

President George W. Bush speaks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair during a phone call in the Oval Office, Sunday morning, Dec. 14, 2003.

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President George W. Bush holds a press conference in the Dwight D. Eisenhower Executive Office Building Monday, Dec. 15, 2003.

Discussing President George W. Bush takes questions during a press conference in the Dwight D. Eisenhower Executive Office Building Monday, Dec. 15, 2003

President George W. Bush meets with Iraqi physicians and Dr. Khudair Abbas, the Iraqi Interim Minister of Health, in the Roosevelt Room Monday, Dec. 15, 2003. Dr. Abbas is sitting at the President's right. The President and the visiting physicians discussed the improvements being made to Iraq's health system, including the establishing of a $950 million health care budget for 2004. Saddam Hussein's regime provided $16 million for the Ministry of Health in 2002, a 90 percent reduction from a decade earlier

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President George W. Bush signs H. R. 2297, the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003, in the Oval Office Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2003. The act expands the benefits program for veterans and their surviving spouses. In attendance are, from left: veterans Dave Thornton of Haymarket, Va.; Charles Stenger of Bethesda, Md.; Carol Near of East Moline, Ill.; Congressman Rob Simmons, R-Conn.; Congressman Chris Smith, R-N.J.; Congressman Lane Evans, D-Ill.; Congressman Henry Brown, R-S.C.; Congressman Bob Filner, D-Calif.; and veteran Guillermo Rumingan of Arlington, Va.

President George W. Bush pauses before signing the Controlling the Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act of 2003, which establishes a framework of administrative, civil and criminal tools to help America’s consumers, businesses and families combat SPAM, in the Oval Office Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2003. Pictured with the President are from left to right: Rep. Heather Wilson, (R, NM); Garry Betty, President and CEO of Earthlink; Rep. Edward Markey (D, MA); Rep. Rick Boucher (D, VA); Sen. Conrad Burns (R, MT); Rep. Melissa Hart (R, PA; Sen. Bill Frist (R, TN); Sen. Ron Wyden (D, OR); Rep. Chris Cannon (R, UT); Jonathan Miller, Chairman and CEO of America Online; Maynard Webb, Chief Operating Officer of eBay; Rep. Gene Green (D, TX).

President George W. Bush signs H. R. 3491, the National Museum of African-American History and Culture Act, in the Oval Office Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2003. The act authorizes the creation of a Smithsonian Institution museum dedicated to the legacy of African Americans in America.

President George W. Bush congratulates Senator Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, on S. 650, the Pediatric Equity Research Act of 2003, in the Oval Office Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2003. Senator DeWine's daughter and wife, Fran, are pictured at the left. Also pictured are Senator Bill Frist, R-Tenn., left, and Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson. The act gives the Food and Drug Administration the authority to require drug companies to conduct safety tests on pharmaceuticals that are to be administered to children. The President signed the bill into law Dec. 3, 2003.

During the signing ceremony of S. 811, The American Dream Downpayment Act, President George W. Bush delivers remarks at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in Washington, D.C., Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2003. "One of the biggest hurdles to homeownership is getting money for a down payment," said President Bush. "This administration has recognized that, and so today I'm honored to be here to sign a law that will help many low-income buyers to overcome that hurdle, and to achieve an important part of the American Dream."

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President George W. Bush waves to the crowd before speaking at the Wright Brothers National Memorial First Flight Celebration in Kill Devil Hills, N.C., Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2003. White House photo by Paul Morse

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President George W. Bush speaks to U.S. Army Corporal James Rednour, of Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, after presenting him The Purple Heart for injuries Cpl. Rednour sustained while serving in Iraq. President Bush visited troops at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washinton, D.C., Thursday, December 18, 2003. Cpl. Rednour’s parents, Chuck and Cindy look on. White House photo by Eric Draper

President George W. Bush speaks to a relative of U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Joseph Briscoe, of Liberty, Texas, after presenting Sgt. Briscoe The Purple Heart for injuries he sustained while serving in Iraq. President Bush visited troops at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washinton, D.C., Thursday, December 18, 2003. Laura Bush and Sgt. Briscoe’s brother, Ira, look on. White House photo by Eric Draper

President George W. Bush embraces the mother-in-law of U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Roy Mitchell, who is at left, as other family members look on during the President’s visit to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washinton, D.C., Thursday, December 18, 2003. President Bush had just presented Sgt. Mitchell The Purple Heart for injuries sustained while serving in Iraq. Sgt. Mitchell is from Milan, Indiana. Others present are, from left, Jerry Stoneking, Zachary Bice and Sgt. Mitchell's wife, Michelle, who is holding their son Jerrett. White House photo by Eric Draper

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President George W. Bush makes a statement to the press on Libya agreeing to dismantle its weapons of mass destruction program on Friday December 19, 2003. White House photo by Paul Morse

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President George W. Bush and Laura Bush take part in the Angel Tree Family Christmas at Shiloh Baptist Church in Alexandria, Va., Monday, Dec. 22, 2003. Began in 1982 by Prison Fellowship, the program helps provides Christmas gifts to children who has an incarcerated parent. White House photo by Tina Hager

President George W. Bush helps Jacob Murphy light a menorah along with his father Captain Neil Murphy Jr. Wednesday afternoon December 22, 2003 at the White House. White House photo by Paul Morse

President George W. Bush comments to the press after lighting a menorah Wednesday afternoon December 22, 2003 at the White House. White House photo by Paul Morse

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President George W. Bush talks during Christmas Eve telephone calls to members of the Armed Forces at Camp David White House photo by Eric Draper

The next photos are the December 2004 photos

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President George W. Bush delivers a speech at Pier 21, Canada's celebrated point of immigration and military deployment, in Halifax, Canada, Dec. 1, 2004. "I'm proud to stand in this historic place, which has welcomed home so many Canadians who defended liberty overseas, and which so many new Canadians began their North American dream," said the President.White House photo by Paul Morse

President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Paul Martin wave after their remarks at Pier 21, Canada's historic point of immigration in Halifax, Canada, Dec. 1, 2004. During his remarks, President Bush thanked Canada for the hospitality to more than 33,000 passengers whose airplanes were diverted because of the 911 attacks. "You opened your homes and your churches to strangers. You brought food, you set up clinics, you arranged for calls to their loved ones, and you asked for nothing in return," said the President. White House photo by Paul Morse

President George W. Bush waves from Air Force One during a visit to Halifax, Canada, Dec. 1, 2004.White House photo by Paul Morse

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President George W. Bush meets with the 2004 Nobel Laureates in the Oval Office Dec. 1, 2004. Pictured with President Bush, from left, are Dr. Linda Buck, physiology and medicine; Finn Kydland, economics; Edward Prescott, economics; Frank Wilczek, physics; David Gross, physics; and Richard Axel, physiology and medicine.White House photo by Tina Hager

President George W. Bush greets Dr. Finn Kydland during a ceremony honoring the 2004 Nobel Laureates in the Oval Office Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2004. Dr. Kydland received the Nobel Prize in Economics for his analyzation of the driving forces behind business cycles has influenced the practice of economic and monetary policy.White House photo by Tina Hager

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President George W. Bush listens to Nebraska Governor Mike Johanns after nominating him for Secretary of Agriculture in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Dec. 2, 2004

President George W. Bush greets Nebraska Governor Mike Johanns after nominating him for Secretary of Agriculture in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Dec. 2, 2004.

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President George W. Bush talks with Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo in the Oval Office Thursday, Dec. 02, 2004

President George W. Bush meets with Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo in the Oval Office Thursday, Dec. 02, 2004. "I think it is vital that the continent of Africa be a place of freedom and democracy and prosperity and hope, where people can grow up and realize their dreams," President Bush said after the meeting. "It's a continent that has got vast potential, and the United States wants to help the people of Africa realize that potential."

President George W. Bush meets with Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo in the Oval Office Thursday, Dec. 02, 2004.