Digest of Other White House Announcements, Week Ending Friday, February 20, 2004

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.

February 14

In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing.

February 15

In the morning, the President and Mrs. Bush traveled to Daytona Beach, FL, arriving in the afternoon.

Later in the afternoon, at Daytona International Speedway, the President and Mrs. Bush attended the Daytona 500 NASCAR race. Prior to the race, the President participated in an interview with Bill Weber of NBC Sports. During the race, he participated in a radio interview with the Motor Racing Network.

Later in the afternoon, the President and Mrs. Bush traveled to Tampa, FL. Later, he had a telephone conversation with NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt, Jr., to congratulate him on winning the Daytona 500.

February 16

In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. Later, he and Mrs. Bush participated in a tour of NuAir Manufacturing.

Later in the morning, the President and Mrs. Bush returned to Washington, DC.

February 17

In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. Later, he traveled to Fort Polk, LA, where, upon arrival, he greeted USA Freedom Corps volunteer Marguerite Nobles.

In the afternoon, the President had lunch with National Guardsmen from the 39th Brigade Combat Team. Later, he met with families of soldiers killed in Iraq.

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

February 18

In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. Later, in the Roosevelt Room, he met with leaders of the Roman Catholic community.

In the afternoon, in the Old Family Dining Room, the President had lunch with President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia, following their meeting in the Oval Office.

February 19

In the morning, the President had a telephone conversation with President Roh Moo-hyun of South Korea to express his appreciation for the Korean National Assembly’s approval of the dispatch of additional troops to Iraq.

Later in the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. Later, he met with Secretary of State Colin L. Powell.

In the afternoon, in the Dwight D. Eisenhower Executive Office Building, the President participated in a roundtable discussion with taxpayers.

The President declared a major disaster in Oregon and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the areas struck by severe winter storms December 26, 2003, through January 14, 2004.

February 20

In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. Later, he met with Mark B. McClellan to discuss his intention to nominate Mr. McClellan to be Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Later in the morning, via computer from the Oval Office, the President started the new printing presses for the Buffalo News.

The White House announced that the President will welcome President Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia to the White House on February 25.

The President announced his intention to nominate Mark B. McClellan to be the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

The President announced his intention to nominate Paul V. Applegarth to be chief executive officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation.

The President announced his intention to nominate John Campbell to be Ambassador to Nigeria.

The President announced his intention to appoint John W. McCarter, Jr., as a member of the Cultural Property Advisory Committee (museum representative).

The President announced his intention to appoint LaSalle Doheny Leffall, Jr., as a member of the President’s Cancer Panel.