[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book III)]
[November 17, 2004]
[Pages 2978-2979]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks on the Nomination of Margaret Spellings To Be Secretary of Education
November 17, 2004

    The President. Thank you all. Please be seated. Good morning. I'm 
proud to announce my nomination of Margaret Spellings to be the 
Secretary of Education.
    I've known Margaret Spellings for more than a decade. I have relied 
on her intellect and judgment throughout my career in public service. As 
Governor of Texas, I called on her to serve the children of our State as 
my chief education adviser, a job she carried out with conviction and 
great results.
    When I was elected President, I asked her to serve as Assistant to 
the President for Domestic Policy. I've benefited from her knowledge and 
experience on many issues, from health care to immigration to job 
training. I'm now calling on this energetic reformer to serve the 
children of America by continuing our vital work of improving our 
Nation's public schools.
    Margaret Spellings has a special passion for this cause. She 
believes that every child can learn and that every school can succeed. 
And she knows the stakes are too high to tolerate failure. She believes 
in high standards and improving the resources necessary--and providing 
the resources necessary to meet those standards. In Margaret Spellings, 
America's children, teachers, and parents will have a principled, 
determined ally in my Cabinet. She has my complete trust, and she will 
be an outstanding Secretary of Education.
    With the Senate's approval, Margaret Spellings will continue the 
work of a fine educator and leader, Secretary Rod Paige. As Secretary of Education, this humble and decent man 
inspired his Department and implemented the most significant Federal 
education reform in a generation. Today, thanks to the No Child Left 
Behind Act, students of every background are making hopeful progress in 
reading and math. The Nation's schools are stronger because of Rod 
Paige's leadership. I'm grateful for his friendship. I'm grateful for 
his years of service.
    We've made great progress in our schools, and there is more work to 
do. Margaret Spellings and I are determined to extend the high standards 
and accountability measures of the No Child Left Behind Act to all of 
America's public high schools. We must ensure that a high school diploma 
is a sign of real achievement, so that our young people have the tools 
to go to college and to fill the jobs of the 21st century. And in all 
our reforms, we will continue to stand behind our Nation's teachers, who 
work so hard for our children.
    The issue of education is close to my heart. And on this vital 
issue, there is no one I trust more than Margaret Spellings. Two decades 
ago, as a young aide in the Texas State legislature, Margaret dedicated 
herself to strengthening public schools. She went on to help lead the 
Texas Association of School Boards, to advise two Governors on school 
reform, and to serve 4 years as my top domestic policy adviser right 
here in the White House. And now her talent and idealism have brought 
her to the highest education office in the land. Through it all, she has 
kept her good humor and her perspective on life. She is a devoted, 
loving mother to Mary and Grace, and Laura and I are proud to count her 
and Robert as good friends.
    I urge the Senate to promptly confirm Margaret Spellings as 
America's eighth Secretary of Education. And I look forward to having 
her in my Cabinet.
    Congratulations.

[At this point, Secretary-designate Spellings made brief remarks.]

    The President. Good job.

[[Page 2979]]

Note: The President spoke at 11:07 a.m. in the Roosevelt Room at the 
White House. The transcript released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary also included the remarks of Secretary-designate Spellings.