For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 14, 2006

President Bush Presents White House Trees to Prime Minister Howard at Australian Embassy
Australian Ambassador's Residence
Washington, D.C.

Presidential Remarks   Audio

      Official Visit of the Prime Minister of Australia

6:45 P.M. EDT

PRESIDENT BUSH: Well, first of all, Ambassador, thanks for having us, and happy birthday.

AMBASSADOR RICHARDSON: Thank you very much.

PRESIDENT BUSH: How old are you?

AMBASSADOR RICHARDSON: Well --

PRESIDENT BUSH: Don't say, then. (Laughter.) It's wonderful to be here with our dear friends, the Howards. I think it is interesting that we're planting two trees, and this is a symbol of our enduring friendship. I can't thank you enough, John, for your strong support of the liberty agenda, deep desire for the world to be a peaceful place. I really enjoy working with you for the common good. Thanks for having us. (Applause.)

PRIME MINISTER HOWARD: Thank you. Well, George, you and Laura, not only for the offices that you hold, but also for the people you are, are very welcome on this piece of Australian soil in Washington. I indicated to the President a moment ago that it was here on this lawn that I addressed a news conference on the 12th of September, 2001, when I said that Australia would stand side-by-side with the United States in responding to the new threat of terrorism. And that resolve is as strong now as it was on the 12th of September, 2001.

These trees are a wonderful symbol of that friendship. This residence has a lot of history. It was, of course, the very first residence occupied by an Australian envoy to other than a then dominion or Commonwealth country. And when the then Prime Minister RG Menzies announced it, he said that having an ambassador -- a representative or envoy to America represented the first time we were sending one to what he called a foreign country.

There has certainly been nothing foreign in the relationship between our two countries since then, and it's great to have you and Laura with us, and it's a wonderful symbol. The Ambassador has got to look after the trees -- (laughter) -- and to keep his two Rottweilers away from them. (Laughter and applause.)

END 6:48 P.M. EDT

Printer-Friendly Version   Email this page to a friend

• Afghanistan
• Africa
• Budget Management
• Defense
• Economy
• Education
• Energy
• Environment
• Global Diplomacy
• Health Care
• Homeland Security
• Immigration
• International Trade
• Iraq
• Judicial Nominations
• Middle East
• National Security
• Veterans

more issues

News

• Current News
• Press Briefings
• Proclamations
• Executive Orders
• Radio
• Setting the Record Straight

more news

February 2007

News by Date

•   |   February 2007
•   |   January 2007
•   |   December 2006
•   |   November 2006
•   |   October 2006
•   |   September 2006
•   |   August 2006
•   |   July 2006
•   |   June 2006
•   |   May 2006
•   |   April 2006
•   |   March 2006
•   |   February 2006
•   |   January 2006
•   |   December 2005
•   |   November 2005
•   |   October 2005
•   |   September 2005
•   |   August 2005
•   |   July 2005
•   |   June 2005
•   |   May 2005
•   |   April 2005
•   |   March 2005
•   |   February 2005
•   |   January 2005
•   |   December 2004
•   |   November 2004
•   |   October 2004
•   |   September 2004
•   |   August 2004
•   |   July 2004
•   |   June 2004
•   |   May 2004
•   |   April 2004
•   |   March 2004
•   |   February 2004
•   |   January 2004
•   |   December 2003
•   |   November 2003
•   |   October 2003
•   |   September 2003
•   |   August 2003
•   |   July 2003
•   |   June 2003
•   |   May 2003
•   |   April 2003
•   |   March 2003
•   |   February 2003
•   |   January 2003
•   |   December 2002
•   |   November 2002
•   |   October 2002
•   |   September 2002
•   |   August 2002
•   |   July 2002
•   |   June 2002
•   |   May 2002
•   |   April 2002
•   |   March 2002
•   |   February 2002
•   |   January 2002
•   |   December 2001
•   |   November 2001
•   |   October 2001
•   |   September 2001
•   |   August 2001
•   |   July 2001
•   |   June 2001
•   |   May 2001
•   |   April 2001
•   |   March 2001
•   |   February 2001
•   |   January 2001

Appointments

• Nominations

Federal Facts

•   |   Federal Statistics

West Wing

•   |   History