Digest of Other White House Announcements, Week Ending Friday, March 18, 2005

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.

March 12

In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing.

In the evening, the President and Mrs. Bush attended the Gridiron Club dinner at the Capital Hilton Hotel.

March 14

In the morning, in his private dining room, the President had a breakfast meeting with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Karen Hughes to discuss his nomination of Hughes to be Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy. He then had an intelligence briefing.

Later in the morning, in the State Dining Room, the President participated in a photo opportunity with Intel Science Talent Search finalists.

In the afternoon, in the Oval Office, the President met with John Furgess, national commander-in-chief, Veterans of Foreign Wars. Later, also in the Oval Office, he met with Bishop William S. Skylstad, president, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

In the evening, in the Diplomatic Reception Room, the President and Mrs. Bush hosted a reception for the diplomatic corps.

The President announced his intention to nominate Dina Habib Powell to be Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs.

The President declared a major disaster in Alaska and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by a severe winter storm on January 7-12.

The President declared an emergency in Maine and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by record and/or near-record snow on January 22-23.

The President declared an emergency in Maine and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by record and/or near-record snow on February 10-11.

March 15

In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. He then participated in a roundtable interview with representatives of regional newspapers.

The President announced that he has nominated the following individuals to be members of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission: James H. Bilbray; Philip Coyle; Adm. Harold W. Gehman, Jr., USN (Ret.); James V. Hansen; Gen. James T. Hill, USA (Ret.); Lt. Gen. Claude M. Kicklighter, USA (Ret.); Samuel Knox Skinner; and Brig. Gen. Sue Ellen Turner, USAF (Ret.)

March 16

In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing.

During the day, in the Oval Office, the President met with Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul D. Wolfowitz and Secretary of the Treasury John W. Snow to discuss the President’s recommendation of Wolfowitz to serve as President of the World Bank.

The President announced that he has directed World Bank U.S. Executive Director Robert B. Holland to recommend that the World Bank Board of Directors elect Paul D. Wolfowitz as President of the World Bank.

The President announced his intention to designate Kevin J. Martin as Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.

March 17

In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing.

Later in the morning, in the Oval Office, the President met with Prime Minister Bertie Ahern of Ireland. Then, in the Diplomatic Reception Room, he participated in a photo opportunity with Northern Ireland political and civic leaders. Later, also in the Diplomatic Reception Room, he met with family members of Robert McCartney, who was murdered in Belfast, Ireland, on January 30.

In the afternoon, at the Capitol, the President and Prime Minister Ahern attended a Saint Patrick’s Day luncheon hosted by Speaker of the House of Representatives J. Dennis Hastert.

Later in the afternoon, in the Oval Office, the President met with Thomas P. Cadmus, national commander, American Legion.

The President announced his intention to nominate Joseph H. Boardman to be Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, Department of Transportation.

March 18

In the morning, the President traveled to Pensacola, FL. While en route aboard Air Force One, he met with Senator Mel R. Martinez and Representatives Tom Feeney, Ric Keller, Jeff Miller, Adam H. Putnam, and Dave Weldon of Florida. Later, also aboard Air Force One, he had an intelligence briefing. Upon arrival in Pensacola, he met with USA Freedom Corps volunteer Bob Woodard.

In the afternoon, the President traveled to Orlando, FL, where, upon arrival, he met with USA Freedom Corps volunteer Betty Haggard. Later, he toured the Life Project Senior Development Center.

In the evening, the President traveled to the Bush Ranch in Crawford, TX.

The White House announced that the President will welcome Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel to the Bush Ranch in Crawford, TX, on April 11.

The President announced his intention to nominate Linda M. Springer to be Director of the Office of Personnel Management.

The President announced his intention to appoint John Belle as a member of the Commission of Fine Arts.

The President announced his intention to appoint Herbert F. Ames as a member of the National Capital Planning Commission.

The President announced his intention to appoint A. Norman Crowder III, Robert Gordan, and Leopoldo E. Guzman as members of the Advisory Committee to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

The President announced his intention to designate James E. Nevels as Chair of the Advisory Committee to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

The President announced his intention to appoint the following individuals as members of the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board): Tricia Mason; Philip G. Pearce; Daniel O. Rios; and John O. Woods, Jr.

The President announced his intention to appoint Charles M. Younger as a member of the Board of Visitors to the U.S. Military Academy.