[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 51 (Monday, December 26, 2005)]
[Page 1905]
[Online from the Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on Departure for Camp David, Maryland

December 22, 2005

    I hope you all have a happy holiday. This has been a year of strong 
progress toward a freer, more peaceful world and a prosperous America. 
We had three sets of elections in Iraq. This is an amazing moment in the 
history of liberty. A new Parliament has been seated in Afghanistan. Our 
economy is strong and getting stronger. People are working. We've added 
4.5 million new jobs since April of 2003. Productivity is up. Small 
businesses are flourishing. Homeownership is high. It's been a good year 
for the American people.
    We've got a lot of work to do. Yesterday and during this past week, 
the Congress acted in a wise way with the taxpayers' money, fiscally 
responsible set of appropriations bills that were passed that funded 
important priorities, key priorities--to make sure our troops have what 
they need to do their job. The DOD bill did just that. Another key 
priority is to make sure the people in the gulf coast of our country get 
the help they need to help rebuild New Orleans and the Mississippi gulf 
coast. And there is a good deal of money available for those who 
suffered from Katrina and Rita.
    It appears to me that the Congress understands we've got to keep the 
PATRIOT Act in place, that we're still under threat. There's still an 
enemy that wants to harm us, and they understand the PATRIOT Act is an 
important tool for those of us here in the executive branch to use to 
protect our fellow citizens. The Senate extended the PATRIOT Act by 6 
months.
    As we head into the holiday season, I do want to say to the families 
of those who have got a loved one deployed overseas, we stand with you, 
and we pray with you for the safety of your loved one. We want to send 
our greetings to your loved one overseas and tell him how much we 
appreciate you serving for the cause of freedom and peace.
    Anyway, I hope you all have a great holiday. Thank you very much.

Note: The President spoke at 2:25 p.m. on the South Lawn at the White 
House. A tape was not available for verification of the content of these 
remarks.