    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book I)]
    [April 18, 2007]
    [Page 425]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Prior to a Meeting With Congressional Leaders
    April 18, 2007

        All of us around the table care deeply about what happened at
    Virginia Tech. And I know I can speak for all of us here that we send
    our prayers to the families of the victims, and we send our prayers to
    the friends of the victims. And we also send our deep concerns to the
    Virginia Tech community.
        This fine educational institution is going through a lot of trauma
    and pain, and all of us here care deeply about their lives, and they
    just need to know it. They need to know people grieve for them.
        I also want to thank the leaders from Congress for coming down. I'm
    looking forward to what will be a--one, I suspect, of many conversations
    on this war in Iraq and other major foreign policy issues.
        We're going to have a very good discussion. People have strong
    opinions around the table, and I'm looking forward to listening to them.
    I've got my own opinion, which I'm more than willing to share. The whole
    objective is to figure out how best to get our troops funded, get the
    money they need to do the job that I've asked them to do.
        And so, again, I want to thank you all for coming. I'm looking
    forward to our discussions.

    Note: The President spoke at 2:30 p.m. in the Cabinet Room at the White
    House.