    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book I)]
    [May 11, 2005]
    [Page 784]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Prior to a Meeting With Congressional Leaders
    May 11, 2005

        I thank the Members of the Congress for coming down to give me and
    the Secretary of State a chance to talk about our recent trip to Europe.
    It was a great trip, and it's such an honor to represent the United
    States.
        Sitting in Red Square honoring the veterans of World War II was an
    amazing event. I remember as a kid watching the missiles parade through
    Red Square, and here I sat as the President of the United States in Red
    Square, paying homage to people who died to defeat nazism. And I was
    sitting beside a friend. Russia is not an enemy. Russia is our friend.
    And it's important that we work together to achieve peace. Obviously, we
    have a difference of opinion on certain issues, but we don't have a
    difference of opinion on working together for peace.
        I went to the Baltics, had a great trip to Latvia. It's such an
    inspiring experience to be in countries that are newly minted
    democracies that love freedom. And I met with civil society advocates. I
    look forward to briefing you on the situation that this young democracy
    faces in making sure that all people are participating in the democracy.
        Went to the Netherlands. Her Majesty kindly
    came and visited--paid a visit with us. I laid a wreath with Her Majesty
    honoring the U.S. soldiers who died at the end of World War II.
    Interestingly enough, some of my father-in-law's unit were there, and it
    was neat for Laura to be able to hug them and to
    remember her dad as she paid tribute to the veterans.
        Then I went to Georgia. It was--standing in front of 150,000 people
    that love freedom was a fantastic experience.
        The lessons of World War II is to honor the sacrifice of those who
    helped us keep the peace and to remember that the United States is
    always the beacon of freedom and that when we find people living under
    tyranny, we've got to work to free them in order to make the world more
    peaceful.
        And so I want to thank you all for coming. I look forward to
    briefing you in specific on some of the conversations I had, and I'm
    looking forward to your comments as well.

    Note: The President spoke at 3:05 p.m. in the Cabinet Room at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to President Vladimir Putin of
    Russia; and Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands.