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Welcome to "Ask the White House" -- an online interactive forum where you can submit questions to Administration officials and friends of the White House. Visit the "Ask the White House" archives to read other discussions with White House officials.
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May 8, 2007
Raymond P. Martinez
Good afternoon everyone. Thank you very much for having me on Ask the White House. I look forward to talking with you today about the Office of the Chief of Protocol and what our role is for the President. We are responsible for many activities including the planning, hosting, and officiating of ceremonial events for visiting chiefs of state and heads of government, as well as coordinating logistics for the visits. We also manage Blair House, the President's guesthouse, and oversee all protocol matters for Presidential, Vice Presidential and Presidential delegation trips abroad. As you know, The President and Mrs. Bush welcomed Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness, The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, for a State Visit yesterday at the White House. It was a beautiful day with the State Arrival Ceremony in the morning and the State Dinner in the evening. I also had the honor to greet Her Majesty last Thursday in Richmond, VA upon her arrival to the United States. There have been many other activities that have taken place during the visit, and Her Majesty is still here with a reciprocal dinner at the British Embassy this evening. The last time the Queen visited the White House was in 1991 when The Presidents father, George Herbert Walker Bush, was President, so this is a very exciting time for us. Eugene, from Palisades Park, New Jersey writes: Raymond P. Martinez Joyce, from Portland, Oregon writes: Raymond P. Martinez
The Military District of Washington (MDW) has a multitude of responsibilities - from performing expert concerts and performances as you have referenced to rendering honors at Arlington National Cemeterys Tomb of the Unknowns to protecting the nations capitol. MDW plays an integral role in many of the events that the Office of the Chief of Protocol is involved with and we work with their leadership to coordinate ceremonial support for the President of the United States and visiting heads of state. I encourage you to visit their website at www.mdw.army.mil Joyce, from Singapore writes: Raymond P. Martinez
Together, we help develop a detailed schedule that ensures that necessary logistical support is provided throughout the visit and security needs are addressed and, most importantly, that Her Majesty and His Royal Highness have a successful visit to the United States. It is a team effort with many parts. As with all of their official guests, the President and First Lady take a personal interest in ensuring the comfort of our visitors and providing an atmosphere for a successful visit. In fact Joyce, I had the honor of greeting your Prime Minister last Friday, May 4, when he met with President Bush. Steve, from St. Louis writes: Raymond P. Martinez
The Blair House is the Presidents guest house and was purchased by the federal government during WW II. It is used primarily in its mission as the Presidents guest house as well as the site for many high level diplomatic functions of the United States. It has a beautiful and graceful charm and is a perfect temporary residence for visiting heads of state and government. Besides being a historic home, it has 109 rooms so that an entire delegation accompanying a head of state can remain in close proximity to their leader. In addition, there are many areas where the visitors staff can work and take meals. Many leaders also meet with Cabinet members and other official members of the United States government. As you noted, it is located directly across from the White House complex so it is extremely convenient and does provide a greater degree of privacy for the visiting leader. For a virtual tour, visit www.blairhouse.org
Rusty, from Ermo, SC
writes: Raymond P. Martinez
Thanks for your question Rusty. Ermo is a beautiful area, I was there several years ago.
Stephanie, from Maryland writes: Raymond P. Martinez Newton Chardonnay Unfiltered 2004 Dover Sole Almondine Roasted Artichokes, Pequillo Peppers and Olives Saddle of Spring Lamb Chanterelle Sauce Fricassee of Baby Vegetables Peter Michael Les Pavots 2003 Arugula, Savannah Mustard and Mint Romaine Champagne Dressing and Trio of Farmhouse Cheeses Rose Blossoms Schramsberg Brut Rosé 2004
For more information, please visit: Welcoming Queen Elizabeth II. Dorothy, from Bellingham, WA
writes: Raymond P. Martinez Clay, from South Carolina
writes: Raymond P. Martinez Tyrone, from Florida writes: Raymond P. Martinez President and Mrs. Bush gave The Prince Philip an exclusive sterling silver eagle box by Tiffany & Co. with personal inscription on the inside lid. President and Mrs. Bush gave Their Majesties a leather presentation box filled with a collection of documents from the National Archives. One of the items was a copy of an original letter from President Roosevelt to her father, King George, written in 1938. There were also photos from previous royal visits and a DVD of the footage from the Queens visit to the United States when she was Princess Elizabeth in 1951. Their Majesties gave President Bush a sterling silver oversized plate by William & Son with gold seals including: the Presidential seal, the Royal seal and a center seal with the star of Texas surrounded by roses. There was a personal inscription on the back of the plate. They gave Mrs. Bush a gold and crystal clock with the Royal seal by William & Son. The Office of the Chief of Protocol assists the President and First Lady in the selection and presentation of gifts to foreign leaders.
Raymond P. Martinez |
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