    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
    [December 22, 2005]
    [Pages 1898-1899]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    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

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    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.