Posted on 03/21/2003 6:31:20 PM PST by PhiKapMom
March 21, 2003
In this Issue
- AT THE TOP
^ Iraq
^ Economy
- PRESIDENTIAL & ADMINISTRATION NEWS
^1 Congressional Leaders Meeting
^2 Cabinet Meeting
^3 Threat Level Change
^4 Operation Liberty Shield
^5 Nowruz
^6 Greek Independence Day
^7 St. Patrick's Day
- IN THE NEWS
^ What They're Saying
^ Did You Read?
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Iraq
OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM BEGINS
KEY POINTS FROM THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS: American and coalition forces are in the early stages of military operations to disarm Iraq, free its people, and defend the world from grave danger. American and coalition forces will make every effort to spare innocent civilians from harm. We come to Iraq with respect for its citizens, their great civilization, and the religious faiths they practice. We have no ambition in Iraq except to remove a threat and restore control of the country to its own people.
COALITION OF THE WILLING: President Bush is assembling a Coalition to disarm Iraq of its weapons of mass destruction. As of March 20, 2003, more than 44 countries were publicly committed. This number is still growing. All Coalition member nations understand the threat Saddam Hussein's weapons pose to the world and the devastation his regime has wreaked on the Iraqi people.
IRAQI FUNDS FOR THE IRAQI PEOPLE: On Friday, President Bush vested more than $1 billion in non-diplomatic Iraqi accounts currently frozen in US banks. This action enables these Iraqi funds to be used to help the Iraqi people and assist in the reconstruction of Iraq. These assets were frozen after Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990. Once vested, the Treasury Department will administer the assets until they can be returned to Iraq.
President's Oval Office Address:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/03/20030319-17.html
Coalition Information Webpage:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/03/20030321-4.html
Joint Statement - Vision for the Iraqi People:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/03/20030316-1.html
Joint Statement - Transatlantic Solidarity:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/03/20030316-2.html
Economy
HOUSE PASSES 2004 BUDGET
President Bush issued a statement on Friday saying, "As we engage in action to ensure freedom and security, it is imperative that we stay focused on important domestic priorities, including creating jobs and strengthening economic growth at home. With passage of the budget resolution, the House has spoken clearly that future economic growth and job creation requires passing the bold plan that I proposed. I commend the House for its timely action and look forward to working with Congress to ensure that we fund our priorities, enact policies to spur growth, and restrain spending."
The President's jobs and economic growth plan builds on the success of the 2001 tax cut by: speeding up the 2001 tax cuts to increase the pace of the recovery and job creation; encouraging job-creating investment in America's businesses by ending the double taxation of dividends and giving small businesses incentives to grow; and providing help for unemployed Americans, including extending unemployment benefits and creating new re-employment accounts to help displaced workers get back on the job.
Economic Security Webpage:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/economy/index.html
Fact Sheet - Creating New Jobs:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/economy/creating_jobs.html
Fact Sheet - Helping American Families:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/economy/working_families.html
Fact Sheet - Improving Corporate Governance:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/economy/corp_governance.html
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^1 Congress
PRESIDENT THANKS CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS
President Bush thanked members of Congress today for their support of the military stating, "Not only do we support those brave souls who are sacrificing on our behalf, but we want to thank their parents and their families for their dedication, as well."
President's Remarks:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/03/20030317-8.html
^2 Cabinet Meeting
PRESIDENT MEETS WITH CABINET
President Bush Thursday met with his Cabinet to, "...review our strategies to make the world more peaceful, to make our country more secure, to make the lives of our citizens as healthy and as prosperous as possible."
President's Remarks:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/03/20030320-5.html
^3 National Threat Level Raised
HOMELAND SECURITY DEPARTMENT RAISES THREAT LEVEL TO HIGH
On Monday the Department of Homeland Security in consultation with the Homeland Security Council, made the decision to raise the national threat level from an Elevated to High risk of terrorist attack or Level Orange.
Secretary Ridge's Statement:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/03/20030317-8.html
^4 Operation Liberty Shield
HOMELAND SECURITY - OPERATION LIBERTY SHIELD
Operation Liberty Shield is a comprehensive national plan designed to increase protections for America's citizens and infrastructure while maintaining the free flow of goods and people across our border with minimal disruption to our economy and way of life. Operation Liberty Shield is a multi-department, multi-agency, national team effort. It includes: increased security at borders; stronger transportation protections; ongoing measures to disrupt threats against our nation; greater protections for critical infrastructure and key assets; and increased public health preparedness and federal response resources positioned and ready.
Fact Sheet - Operation Liberty Shield:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/03/20030317-9.html
^5 Nowruz
PRESIDENT COMMEMORATES NOWRUZ
President Bush Tuesday sent greetings to those of Iranian decent in the United States and around the world in celebration of Nowruz, the Iranian observance of spring's arrival.
President's Message:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/03/20030320-9.html
^6 Greek Independence
PRESIDENT PROCLAIMS MARCH 25 GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY
In celebration of Greek and American democracy on Tuesday, President Bush officially proclaimed March 25 as Greek Independence Day. In the proclamation Bush said, "Our commitment to the friendship between our two nations has grown from strong bonds of tradition and shared fundamental values. On Greek Independence Day, I encourage all Americans to recognize the countless contributions Greek Americans have made to our country."
President's Proclamation:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/03/20030318.html
^7 St. Patrick's Day
PRESIDENT SENDS ST. PATRICK'S DAY GREETING
In a message released by the White House on Monday, President Bush said, "In the United States, this day gives us an opportunity to recognize the vital contributions of Irish Americans. Throughout our history, America has welcomed millions of Irish immigrants to our country. These individuals have transformed our national identity and strengthened our families, our communities, and our national character."
President's Message:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/03/20030317.html
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Thanks, PKMom! And thank You, LORD, for this President!
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