President George W. Bush signs the Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act at the Pentagon Monday, Dec 2. "The legislation I sign this afternoon was passed by Congress in a remarkable spirit of unity. It sets priorities of our Defense Department in a critical, critical period for our country," said President Bush."We're rewarding the service and sacrifice of our military families with higher pay, improved facilities and better housing." White House photo by Paul Morse>
President George W. Bush signs H.R. 3908, the Reauthorization of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act in the Dwight D. Eisenhower Executive Office Building Dec. 2. Standing with the President for the signing are, from left to right, Rep. Robert Underwood (D-Guam), Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD), Sec. of Agriculture Ann Veneman, Sen. Bon Smith (R-NH) and Sec of Interior Gale Norton. The legislation matches federal funds with non-federal sources to promote public-private partnerships that conserve and restore the nation's wetlands. White House photo by Tina Hager
Laura Bush receives the official White House Christmas Tree, a Noble Fir, from the Hedlund Family of Elma, Wash., at the North Portico of the White House Dec. 2. The Hedlund family was the winner of the National Christmas Tree Association's "Grand Champion" grower contest. White House photo by Tina Hager.
More than 1,500 Air Force Air National Guard members listen as Vice President Dick Cheney discusses the role the Guard plays in the war on terrorism during the Air National Guard Senior Leadership Conference in Denver, Monday, Dec. 2. "For all the challenges we face, the United States of America has never been stronger than we are today," said the Vice President, noting that there are approximately 11,000 mobilized and volunteer members of the Air National Guard serving at home and oversees. "We are using our great strength not to dominate others, but to lift the dark threat of terrorism from our country and from our world." White House photo by David Bohrer.