    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book II)]
    [September 5, 2006]
    [Pages 1609-1610]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on the Nomination of Mary E. Peters
    To Be Secretary of Transportation
    September 5, 2006

        The President. Good afternoon, and welcome to the White House. I'm
    pleased to announce that I intend to nominate Mary Peters to be the next
    Secretary of Transportation.
        Our Nation's transportation infrastructure is vital to our
    prosperity and competitiveness; it's critical to the everyday lives of
    our citizens. The Secretary of Transportation is responsible for
    maintaining a safe, reliable, and efficient transportation system. In
    addition, the Secretary of Transportation plays an important role in our
    Nation's coordinated efforts to guard against terrorist threats to our
    aircraft, our seaports, and our infrastructure. It is the job that
    requires vision and strong leadership.
        Mary Peters is the right person for this job. She brings a lifetime
    of experience on transportation issues, from both the private and public
    sectors. She now serves as a senior executive for transportation policy
    at a major engineering firm. Before that, Mary served in my
    administration as the head of the Federal Highway Administration. As
    Administrator, Mary led efforts to improve safety and security, reduce
    traffic congestion, and modernize America's roads and bridges.
        And before coming to Washington, Mary served in the Arizona
    Department of Transportation for more than 15 years, rising through the
    ranks to become the director in 1998. Mary has a reputation for
    character and common sense. She's an innovative thinker. She knows how
    to set priorities and to solve problems. And as a member of my Cabinet,
    Mary will work closely with State and local leaders to ensure that
    America has a state-of-the-art transportation system that meets the
    needs of our growing economy.
        When confirmed by the Senate, Mary will succeed one of our Nation's
    finest Secretaries of Transportation in Norm Mineta. When I came to Washington, I asked Norm to continue his
    service by joining my Cabinet. And he shows that when we put politics
    aside, people from different political parties can work together to
    achieve results for the American people.
        He was the Secretary of Transportation
    on September the 11th, 2001, and he led the unprecedented effort to
    bring tens of thousands of passengers aboard commercial aircraft to safe
    landings. And since then, he's worked to strengthen the security at
    America's airports and seaports. He's played a critical role in keeping
    America safe from terrorist attacks. Norm also worked hard to modernize
    the aviation market. And after Hurricane Katrina, Norm and his team
    swung into action to repair and reopen major highways and seaports and
    airports and pipelines along America's gulf coast.
        Norm Mineta has served America with
    integrity and dedication and distinction. He leaves office as the
    longest serving Secretary of Transportation in our Nation's history. I
    appreciate Norm's lifetime of service to our country. I wish him and
    Deni and all his family all the best. I also
    want to thank Maria Cino for her outstanding
    leadership of the Department since Norm stepped down in July.
        Mary Peters knows the legacy she has to live up to at the Department
    of Transportation. She will take this new post during a time of historic
    challenges for our economy and our transportation system. I want to
    thank Mary for her willingness to serve yet again. She's going to make
    an outstanding Secretary of Transportation, and I call upon the United
    States Senate to confirm her promptly. Congratulations.

    [[Page 1610]]

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

        The President. Good job, thank you. Thank you all.

    Note: The President spoke at 2:36 p.m. in the Roosevelt Room at the
    White House. In his remarks, he referred to Danealia ``Deni'' Mineta,
    wife of former Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta; and Maria
    Cino, Acting Secretary of Transportation. The transcript released by the
    Office of the Press Secretary also included the remarks of Secretary-
    designate Peters.