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.

June 28

In the morning, at Camp David, MD, the President had an intelligence briefing.

The President declared an emergency in California and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local response efforts in the area struck by wildfires beginning June 20 and continuing.

June 29

In the afternoon, the President and Mrs. Bush returned to Washington, DC.

June 30

In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. Later, he participated in an interview with print journalists.

The President made additional disaster assistance available to Illinois by authorizing an increase in the level of Federal funding for emergency protective measures undertaken as a result of the severe storms and flooding beginning on June 1 and continuing.

The President made additional disaster assistance available to Wisconsin by authorizing an increase in the level of Federal funding for emergency protective measures undertaken as a result of the severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding beginning on June 5 and continuing.

The President made additional disaster assistance available to Missouri by authorizing an increase in the level of Federal funding for emergency protective measures undertaken as a result of the severe storms and flooding beginning on June 1 and continuing.

The President made additional disaster assistance available to Iowa by authorizing an increase in the level of Federal funding for emergency protective measures undertaken as a result of the severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding beginning on May 25 and continuing.

The President made additional disaster assistance available to Indiana by authorizing an increase in the level of Federal funding for emergency protective measures undertaken as a result of the severe storms and flooding beginning on June 6 and continuing.

July 1

In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. He then traveled to Jackson, MS, arriving in the afternoon. Upon arrival, he met with USA Freedom Corps volunteer Cameron Fox and military personnel and their families.

Later in the afternoon, at a private residence, the President attended a Mississippi Victory Committee and Senator Roger Wicker fundraiser luncheon. Later, he traveled to North Little Rock, AR, where, upon arrival, he met with USA Freedom Corps volunteer Robbie Powell.

In the late afternoon, the President traveled to Little Rock, AR, where, at a private residence, he attended an Arkansas Victory 2008 reception. While leaving Little Rock, he stopped to meet individuals attending a birthday party for 7-year-old Marby Meadors.

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

The President announced his intention to nominate Robert Hastings to be Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs).

The President announced his intention to designate Gordon S. Heddell as Acting Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Defense.

July 2

In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing.

In the afternoon, the President participated in separate interviews with foreign print and television journalists. Later, he had a telephone conversation with President Alvaro Uribe Velez of Colombia to congratulate him on the rescue of 15 hostages from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

July 3

In the morning, the President had an intelligence briefing. Later, in the Situation Room, he had a video teleconference with Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki of Iraq. He then traveled to the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD.

Later in the morning, at the National Naval Medical Center, the President participated in an interview with Mike Emanuel of FOX News. Then, also at the National Naval Medical Center, he visited with wounded U.S. military personnel and presented Purple Heart medals to service members.

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

The White House announced that the President will welcome Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani of Pakistan to the White House on July 28.

The White House announced that the President and Mrs. Bush will travel to South Korea, Thailand, and China in August.