    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book II)]
    [July 25, 2007]
    [Pages 1010-1011]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Briefing by the President's Commission on Care for
    America's Returning Wounded Warriors
    July 25, 2007

        I want to thank Secretary Shalala and
    Senator Dole for briefing myself and the
    Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Secretary
    of Defense on the general recommendations
    they'll be making to the country about how to make sure that our wounded
    heroes get the best possible care from the Defense Department and the
    Veterans Affairs Department.
        I asked these two distinguished
    citizens to lead an extensive search about
    how best for this Government to respond. We owe a wounded soldier the
    very best care and the very best benefits and the very easiest-to-
    understand system. And so they took a very interesting approach, and
    that they took the perspective from the patient, as the patient had to
    work his way through the hospitals and bureaucracies. And they've come
    up with some very interesting and important suggestions that they'll be
    voting on later and then will be holding a press conference about
    afterwards.
        The reason I've asked you to come in is, I do want to thank you on
    behalf of the Nation for doing what's right.
        I also want to recognize Bob Woodruff here.
    He is a--he himself was wounded, severely wounded and went through the
    system, to a certain extent. And we welcome you back, and we're glad
    you're with us. And we would hope that any wounded soldier, any person
    in uniform would receive the kind of care and the ability to return to
    work, just like you have done. And so we're glad you're with us, Bob.
    Congratulations on the will to recover.

    [[Page 1011]]

        That will exists with our troops as well. It's amazing how
    courageous our men and women in uniform are, and they deserve the best.
    And that's the spirit in which you analyzed the system. And we welcome
    your recommendations, and we thank you for your service.
        Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:34 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to former Secretary of Health and
    Human Services Donna E. Shalala and former Sen. Robert J. Dole,
    Cochairs, President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded
    Warriors; Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates; and ABC News reporter
    Bob Woodruff, who was injured in Iraq on January 29, 2006. The Office of
    the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of these
    remarks.