    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [August 11, 2003]
    [Pages 993-994]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Announcing the Nomination of Governor Michael O.
    Leavitt To Be Environmental Protection
    Agency Administrator in Aurora, Colorado
    August 11, 2003

        The President. Good afternoon. First, I want to make a comment about
    some foreign policy. Today's departure of Charles Taylor from Liberia is an important step toward a better
    future for the Liberian people. The United States will work with the
    Liberian people and with the international community to achieve a
    lasting peace after more than a decade of turmoil and suffering.
        The United States will help ECOWAS and the humanitarian relief
    organizations to get aid to those who need it. I appreciate the efforts
    of many African leaders, most especially Nigerian President
    Obasanjo, Ghanaian President
    Kufuor, South African President
    Mbeki, Mozambican President Chissano. Their continued leadership will be needed in
    the weeks and months ahead as a new government is formed and the
    Liberian people seek to chart a future of peace and stability.
        Earlier today, I spoke in Arizona about the urgent need to safeguard
    America's forests from wildfire. It's one of the many environmental
    challenges that face our Nation. Those challenges go beyond our forests.
    We must also be vigilant in protecting the air and soil and waters
    around us.
        This is the primary responsibility of our Environmental Protection
    Agency, and today I am pleased to introduce my nominee to lead that
    Agency, Governor Mike Leavitt of Utah. I appreciate so very much
    Jackie being here, as well as Michael,
    Taylor, Anne Marie, Westin, and Chase, who's not with us. The Leavitt family is a great
    American family, primarily because Dixie and Anne, the mom and dad of
    the Governor, worked hard to make it such, and I'm honored they are here
    as well. Thank you all for coming.

    [[Page 994]]

        I also appreciate the fact that the leader of the house and the senate
    from Utah have joined us today.
        I selected Mike Leavitt because he is a trusted friend, a capable
    executive, and a man who understands the obligations of environmental
    stewardship. With the Senate's approval, Mike Leavitt will lead an
    agency with 18,000 dedicated employees in offices all across our
    country. The work of the EPA is vital and reflects a national consensus
    on the importance of good stewardship.
        During the last three decades, we've seen extraordinary progress in
    cleaning our air and protecting our land and making our water more pure.
    The quality of our air is far better than it was in the 1970s. Many more
    of our lakes and rivers are safe for fishing and swimming. Toxic
    emissions have declined, and we're bringing new resources and programs
    to reduce runoff and erosion. We're making real progress protecting
    endangered species and helping them recover.
        Mike Leavitt will come to the EPA with a strong environmental record
    and a strong desire to improve on what has taken place during the last
    three decades. He served for over a decade as Governor of an important
    State. As cochair of the Western Regional Air Partnership, Governor
    Leavitt has been a leader in applying high standards in air quality, and
    he understands the importance of clear standards in every environmental
    policy. He respects the ability of State and local governments to meet
    those standards, rejects the old ways of command and control from above.
    He was twice reelected by the people of Utah, in part because he leads
    by consensus and focuses on results instead of process.
        In Utah and beyond, he has gained wide respect for handling
    environmental issues in a spirit of openness and bipartisanship. These
    qualities and his experience will make Mike Leavitt a fine addition to
    my administration. I will count on him to continue the good work begun
    by former Administrator Whitman and
    Acting Administrator Horinko.
        He will join my Cabinet with a full agenda and with my full
    confidence. Mike, I appreciate your willingness to serve. I thank the
    people of Utah as you leave office to take on this incredibly important
    assignment in our Nation's Capital.

    [At this point, Governor Leavitt made brief remarks.]

        The President. Great job. Thank you. Thank you all. Good job,
    Michael.

    Note: The President spoke at 3:34 p.m. at the Marriott Hotel. In his
    remarks, he referred to former President Charles Taylor of Liberia;
    President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria; President John Agyekum Kufuor of
    Ghana; President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa; President Joaquim Alberto
    Chissano of Mozambique; Jacalyn S. Leavitt, wife of Gov. Leavitt, and
    their children Michael, Taylor, Anne Marie, Westin, and Chase; Martin R.
    Stephens, speaker, Utah State House of Representatives; and L. Alma
    ``Al'' Mansell, president, Utah State Senate. The transcript released by
    the Office of the Press Secretary also included the remarks of Gov.
    Leavitt.