    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book II)]
    [October 3, 2006]
    [Pages 1757-1758]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at George W. Bush Elementary School in Stockton
    October 3, 2006

        The President. I want to thank Sylvia Ulmer, the principal of George W. Bush Elementary School, for
    welcoming me. It's such an honor, Sylvia--and Jack, thank you, sir--it's such an honor to have a school
    named after me. When I pulled in the parking lot and I saw George W.
    Bush Elementary, I couldn't think of a higher tribute to a person, and I
    thank you all and the citizens of this community for this honor and
    tribute. Frankly, I was a little emotional when I pulled in----
        Sylvia Ulmer. So am I. So am I.
        The President. I want to thank the teachers and the faculty here. I
    can't wait to tell Laura that I went into the
    Laura Bush Library and saw teachers working hard to teach kids how to
    read. It's just a blessing to be there.
        You know, being at this school reminds us, we have a special
    responsibility to protect our children. One of the most important jobs
    of those involved with schools and government is to make sure that
    children are safe. And Laura and I were saddened
    and deeply concerned, like a lot of other citizens around the country,
    about the school shootings that took place in Pennsylvania and Colorado
    and Wisconsin. We grieve with the parents, and we share the concerns of
    those who worry about safety in schools.
        Yesterday I instructed Attorney General Gonzales and Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings to convene a meeting next Tuesday, a meeting of
    leading experts and stakeholders, to determine how best the Federal
    Government can help States and local governments improve school safety.
    Our schoolchildren should never fear their safety when then enter to a
    classroom. And, of course, the superintendent and principal know that.
        We also had a reminder of the need for people in positions of
    responsibility to uphold that responsibility when it comes to children,
    in the case of Congressman Mark Foley. I was
    dismayed and shocked to learn about Congressman Foley's unacceptable
    behavior. I was disgusted by the revelations and disappointed that he
    would violate the trust of the citizens who placed him in office.
        Families have every right to expect that when they send their
    children to be a congressional page in Washington, that those children
    will be safe. We have every right as citizens to expect people who hold
    higher office behave responsibly in that office. I fully support Speaker
    Hastert's call for an investigation by law
    enforcement into this matter. This investigation should be thorough, and
    any violations of the law should be prosecuted.
        Now, I know Denny Hastert; I meet with
    him a lot. He is a father, teacher, coach, who cares about the children
    of this country. I know that he wants all the facts to come out, and he
    wants to ensure that these children up there on Capitol Hill are
    protected. I'm confident he will provide whatever leadership he can to
    law enforcement in this investigation.
        Again, I want to thank you for your hospitality. It's an honor to be
    here. Appreciate your time. God bless. Thank you.

    [[Page 1758]]

    Note: The President spoke at 10:28 a.m. In his remarks, he referred to
    Jack McLaughlin, superintendent, Stockton Unified School District.