    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book I)]
    [May 31, 2006]
    [Pages 1048-1050]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a Swearing-In Ceremony for Michael V. Hayden as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency in Langley,
    Virginia
    May 31, 2006

        Thank you. Thanks for the warm welcome. It's great to be back with
    the really fine people here at the Central Intelligence Agency.

    [[Page 1049]]

        I'm honored to be here at the swearing-in of Mike Hayden as
    America's new Director of the CIA. He's such a good man, we're going to
    swear him in twice--yesterday--[laughter]--and today.
        Mike is a patriot; he's a reformer; he's one of our Nation's finest
    intelligence professionals. I know firsthand how good this guy is; I've
    worked with him on some really important issues related to the security
    of the United States. He brings more than two decades of experience in
    the intelligence field. He is going to be a superb leader for the
    dedicated men and women of the CIA.
        I appreciate Ambassador Negroponte
    being with us today, the Director of National Intelligence. I want to
    thank Attorney General Al Gonzales for
    joining us and the Director of the FBI, Bob Mueller, for joining us as well. But most importantly, thank you
    all for coming.
        I'm proud to serve with you. It is such an honor to serve the United
    States of America, and I appreciate your serving along my side to make
    America secure. The role of the CIA is critical to the security of the
    United States. This Agency is helping to lead the intelligence war
    against the terrorists who attacked us on September the 11th, 2001. They
    continue to plot attacks, and together, we are going to stop them.
        The role of the CIA is vital to my doing my job. I cannot do my job
    without the Central Intelligence Agency. This Agency remains the
    principal provider of intelligence analysis to the President, to the
    Director of National Intelligence, and to senior national security
    officials in my administration. As Director of the CIA, Mike will
    continue the reforms needed. America's leaders are going to have the
    best possible intelligence, and Mike Hayden is going to work with you to
    see that that's the case.
        I've asked Mike to continue to develop the human intelligence
    capabilities of the CIA, which are essential to understanding the plans
    and intentions of dangerous regimes and terrorist organizations around
    the world. I've asked Mike to continue improving the analytical skills
    of the CIA, which apply the best minds to interpret the intelligence
    that we gather. I'm confident that under Mike's leadership, the CIA will
    help us stay ahead of America's enemies and win the war on terror.
        The men and women who work here at the CIA have got a tough job and
    a really important job. You must penetrate closed societies and
    secretive organizations. You must master foreign languages and deal with
    unfamiliar cultures. Much of your work is secret, and American lives
    depend on that work remaining secret. America appreciates the good work
    you're doing, and so do I.
        And in Mike Hayden, you have a leader who recognizes your talents,
    who understands your challenges and will ensure that you remain the
    finest intelligence agency in the world.
        In his new position, Mike will build on the good work of Director
    Porter Goss. Nearly 2 years ago, I asked
    Porter to take on a tough assignment, the transformation of the CIA.
    Porter carried out that assignment with skill and determination. He
    upheld the high standards and proud tradition of the Agency, and he
    leaves behind a CIA that's stronger than the one he found. And
    Laura and I wish Porter and his family well as
    they begin a new chapter in their lives.
        Mike Hayden succeeds Porter Goss at a
    time of great change in the world and great challenge for our
    intelligence community. Under the leadership of John
    Negroponte, our intelligence community is
    growing more integrated and more effective every day. And under the
    leadership of Mike Hayden, the Central Intelligence Agency will continue
    to play a critical role in our Nation's intelligence enterprise. Mike
    understands that the CIA must transform to confront new dangers and do
    so without slowing the high tempo at which it already operates, to
    protect this country.

    [[Page 1050]]

    I'm confident that with Mike Hayden at the helm, the CIA will succeed
    and continue to make important contributions to the security of the
    American people.
        As Mike takes on this important assignment, he has my trust, my full
    trust, and he has the support of a loving family. I'm glad to see his
    wife, Jeanine, his children and  grandchildren, and his father, Harry, and all the other members of the Hayden family who have
    joined us as well today.
        I want to thank Mike for agreeing to serve our Nation once again.
    And I look forward to continuing to work with him to do our duty to
    protect the American people.
        Thank you all for coming today. May God bless Mike Hayden; may God
    bless you all; and may God continue to bless America.

    Note: The President spoke at 2 p.m. at CIA Headquarters. The transcript
    released by the Office of the Press Secretary also included the remarks
    of Director Hayden.