Digest of Other White House Announcements

The following list includes the President’s public schedule and other items of general interest announced by the Office of the Press Secretary and not included elsewhere in this issue.

July 26

In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing.

July 28

In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing.

In the afternoon, the President had lunch with Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani of Pakistan. Later, in the East Room, he participated in a photo opportunity with members of the Texas 4-H and Youth Development Program. Then, in the Oval Office, he participated in an interview with John Chettle for his book "The Shaping of the President’s Mind: What They Read and Why It Matters."

July 29

In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. Later, in the Oval Office, he and Mrs. Bush participated in a bill signing ceremony for H.R. 1553, the Caroline Price Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act of 2008.

During the day, the President met with Chinese human rights activists Bob Fu, Sasha Gong, Ciping Huang, Rebiya Kadeer, Wei Jingsheng, Harry Wu, and interpreter Alim Seytoff. Later, he dropped by a meeting between National Security Adviser Stephen J. Hadley and Minister of Foreign Affairs Yang Jiechi of China.

In the afternoon, the President traveled to Cleveland, OH, where, upon arrival, he met with USA Freedom Corps volunteer Linda Campbell. Later, he traveled to Euclid, OH, where he toured Lincoln Electric Company. He then traveled to Gates Mill, OH, where, at a private residence, he attended a Congressional Trust 2008 reception.

In the evening, the President stopped by the home of Gates Mill, OH, resident Ruth E. Harris to wish her a happy 91st birthday. He then returned to Washington, DC. While en route aboard Air Force One, he participated in a bill signing ceremony for S. 2766, the Clean Boating Act of 2008.

The President announced his intention to nominate Patrick W. Dunne to be Under Secretary for Benefits of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The President announced his intention to nominate James A. Slutz to be Assistant Secretary of Energy (Fossil Energy) and to designate him as Acting.

The President announced his intention to appoint B. Jackson Miller, Dana M. Muir, and John J. Szczur as members of the Advisory Committee to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

July 30

In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing.

July 31

In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. Then, in the East Room, he participated in a photo opportunity with recipients of the Scouts in Action Commendation and the families of Boy Scouts who where killed during the June 11 tornado in Little Sioux, IA. Later, he traveled to Lewisburg, WV, where, upon arrival, he met with USA Freedom Corps volunteer Jackie Goodall.

Later in the morning, the President traveled to White Sulphur Springs, WV. Later, he traveled to the Bush family home in Kennebunkport, ME, arriving in the afternoon.

The White House announced that the President, Mrs. Bush, and their daughter Barbara will attend the opening ceremony of the Olympic games in Beijing, China, on August 8 along with the following members of the Presidential delegation: George H.W. Bush; Clark T. Randt, Jr., and Sarah Talcott Randt; Marvin and Margaret Bush; Dorothy Bush Koch; Roland and Lois Betts; and Brad Freeman.

The President declared a major disaster in Idaho and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by flooding from May 15-June 9.

The President announced his intention to nominate Gineen Bresso Beach to be a Commissioner of the Election Assistance Commission.

The President announced his intention to appoint Eileen Johnson, Robert C. O’Brien, and James Wright Willis as members of the Cultural Property Advisory Committee.

The President announced his intention to appoint Michael Lewis Cromartie and Leonard A. Leo as members of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.

The President announced his intention to designate Cheryl Ann Oldham as Acting Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education at the Department of Education.

The President announced his intention to designate Katharine Lee Reid as Chairman of the Cultural Property Advisory Committee.

August 1

In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing.

The President announced that he has nominated Michael W. Hager to be Director of the Office of Personnel Management and that he intends to designate him as Acting.

The President announced that he has nominated Deborah Hersman to be a member of the National Transportation Safety Board.

The President announced that he has nominated Gregori Lebedev to be U.S. Representative to the United Nations for U.N. Management and Reform, with the rank of Ambassador, and Alternate U.S. Representative to the Sessions of the United Nations General Assembly.

The President announced that he has nominated Sung Y. Kim to be accorded the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as Special Envoy for the Six-Party Talks.