[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.