Digest of Other White House Announcements, Week Ending Friday, January 13, 2006

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.

January 7

During the day, the President traveled to Camp David, MD, where he had an intelligence briefing.

January 8

In the afternoon, the President returned to Washington, DC.

January 9

In the morning, in the Private Dining Room, the President had breakfast with Supreme Court Associate Justice-designate Samuel A. Alito, Jr. Later, he had an intelligence briefing.

Later in the morning, the President had a telephone conversation with Vice President Dick Cheney to wish him well after his brief hospital visit earlier that morning. He and Mrs. Bush then traveled to Glen Burnie, MD, where they visited with students at North Glen Elementary School before returning to Washington, DC.

In the evening, in the Cabinet Room, the President met with Vice President Cheney, members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and combatant commanders to discuss U.S. military operations around the world. Later, in the Residence, he hosted a reception and dinner for members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and combatant commanders.

The President announced his designation of the following individuals as members of a Presidential delegation to Astana, Kazakhstan, to attend the Inauguration of President Nursultan Nazarbayev on January 11: Mike Johanns (head of delegation); John M. Ordway; Josette Sheeran Shinger; and Timothy D. Adams.

The President announced his recess appointment of Steven Kent Mullins as U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota.

January 10

In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing.

In the afternoon, in the Oval Office, the President participated in a photo opportunity with the 2005 Little League Softball World Series champions.

The President declared a major disaster in Oklahoma and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by an extreme wildfire threat on December 1, 2005, and continuing.

January 11

In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. Later, he met with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Then, in the Oval Office, he participated in a signing ceremony for the U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement.

Later in the morning, the President traveled to Louisville, KY, where, upon arrival, he met with USA Freedom Corps volunteer Bob Manning.

In the afternoon, at the Kentucky International Convention Center, the President met with family members of a soldier killed in Iraq. Later, he returned to Washington, DC.

The President declared a major disaster in Texas and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by an extreme wildfire threat beginning on December 1, 2005, and continuing.

January 12

In the morning, the President had a telephone conversation with acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel to express his concern for the health of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel and to wish the acting Prime Minister well. Later, he had an intelligence briefing.

Later in the morning, the President traveled to New Orleans, LA. While en route aboard Air Force One, he had a telephone conversation with Supreme Court AssociateJustice-designate Samuel A. Alito, Jr., to discuss the judge’s Senate confirmation hearing. Upon arrival in New Orleans, he met with USA Freedom Corps volunteer Daisy Vandenburgh.

In the afternoon, the President traveled to Waveland, MS, where, upon arrival, he met with a group of first-responders. Later, he traveled to Palm Beach, FL. Upon arrival, he met with USA Freedom Corps volunteer Yirela Alcantara.

In the evening, at a private residence, the President attended a Republican National Committee reception. Later, he returned to Washington, DC.

The President announced his intention to nominate Gale A. Buchanan to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Research, Education, and Economics.

The President announced his intention to nominate Donald T. Bliss to be U.S. Representative on the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization with the rank of Ambassador.

January 13

In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. Later, he had a telephone conversation with President Elias Antonio Saca Gonzalez of El Salvador to discuss bilateral issues. Then, in the Oval Office, he met with Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany.

In the afternoon, the President had a working lunch with Chancellor Merkel. Later, in the Oval Office, he met with business leaders to discuss natural disaster relief and reconstruction efforts in Central America.

Later in the afternoon, in the Oval Office, the President participated in a photo opportunity with the U.S. Solheim Cup women’s golf team. He and Mrs. Bush then traveled to Camp David, MD.

The White House announced that the President will welcome Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz of Pakistan to the White House on January 24.

The President announced his designation of a Presidential delegation to attend the Inauguration of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia on January 16: Laura Bush (head of delegation); Condoleezza Rice; Donald E. Booth; Jendayi E. Frazer; Cindy Courville; and Barbara P. Bush.