    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book I)]
    [June 20, 2003]
    [Page 665]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 665]]

    Remarks on the Appointment of Scott McClellan as White House Press Secretary
    June 20, 2003

        The President. I am, one, sad that Ari's
    leaving. He's done a fabulous job for my administration. I appreciate
    his friendship, his ability to handle a very tough job, and that is
    dealing with you.
        Fortunately, I've got a good man to take his place in Scott
    McClellan. I've known Scott for a long time. I look forward to working
    closely with him to make sure that the American people and, of course,
    the press corps gets the information that's needed to reflect the
    philosophy and the decisionmaking of this administration. He's able to
    do the job like Ari did, with the highest
    amount of professionalism and class, and I've got the full confidence in
    my new Press Secretary.
        Deputy Press Secretary McClellan. Mr. President, I'm honored. Thank
    you for your support and confidence.
        Four-and-a-half years ago, I went to work for the President because
    I believed in his leadership and I believed in his agenda. I knew that
    the President was a results-oriented, inclusive leader who governed from
    clear principles and compassionate conservative philosophy. And we have
    made a tremendous amount of progress in the last 2\1/2\ years, and I
    look forward to doing my small part as part of an outstanding White
    House team, to help him build upon that record of accomplishment.
        It is also a special privilege to be following my good friend Ari
    Fleischer, who has served the President exceptionally well and served
    the American people exceptionally well. I look forward to working with
    the White House press corps, at least most of you, anyway, as we do our
    part to keep the American people informed about the decisions that are
    being made here in Washington, DC.
        So Mr. President, thank you for this opportunity, and I look forward
    to it.
        The President. Thank you very much.
        Ari, thank you, buddy. You've done a great
    job.
        Thank you all. Have a great weekend. See you in Georgia.

    Note: The President spoke at 3:39 p.m. on the South Lawn at the White
    House prior to his departure for Greensboro, GA.