    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [February 21, 2008]
    [Pages 251-253]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks During a Visit to the Barclay Training Center in Monrovia
    February 21, 2008

        Madam President, you're right: We
    have met four times, and every time, I'm the better for it. [Laughter] I
    appreciate the warm welcome we've received from the people of your
    beautiful country.

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        We bring with us the greetings and best wishes of the American
    people. I'm proud to be traveling today not only with a strong
    delegation, headed by my wife, but also the
    Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice.
        I'm so honored to be with your troops. I'm looking forward to the
    display of talent and professionalism we're about to see. I thank those
    who've worked hard to help them become professional soldiers, all in the
    cause of bringing peace and security to the people of Liberia.
        Though we're over 4,500 miles from the United States, I feel pretty
    much at home here. In Liberia, you fly the ``lone star'' flag.
    [Laughter] Of course, I was the former Governor of Texas. [Laughter] We
    call ourselves the Lone Star State. [Laughter] Your capital is named for
    an American President, and, of course, I am an American President.
    [Laughter] The name of your country, Liberia, means ``land of the
    free,'' and there is no place I feel more welcome than a land where
    liberty is love and the hope of freedom reigns.
        This country was founded by former American slaves who came here
    seeking the freedom they had been denied in my country. Through hard
    work and determination, they established the first independent republic
    on the continent of Africa. The free country they built became a source
    of pride for her people and a strong ally in the cause of freedom. As
    the President said, Franklin Roosevelt came here in 1943 to confer with
    your great President, Edwin Barclay. Together, our two nations helped
    defeat the forces of fascism. Together, our two nations helped saved
    millions from lives of tyranny and despair.
        In the intervening years, Liberia saw days of challenge and sorrow.
    You suffered the descent into dictatorship and chaos. Civil wars took
    the lives of hundreds of thousands of your citizens. Yet even in their
    darkest moments, the Liberian people never gave up on the hope that this
    great nation would once again be the land of the free that its founders
    intended.
        In 2005, you reclaimed your liberty. You went to the polls and chose
    the first woman ever elected to lead an African nation. President Ellen
    Johnson Sirleaf has been a strong
    leader for the Liberian people. She has been a strong partner of the
    United States of America. I'm proud to call her friend, and I'm proud of
    the work we are doing together to help the people of this nation build a
    better life.
        Together, we're fighting the scourge of disease. It is irresponsible
    for comfortable nations to stand by knowing that young babies are dying
    from mosquito bites. It is unnecessary, and the United States will
    continue to lead the cause to eradicate malaria from the continent of
    Africa.
        We're working to lift the burden of debt so that Liberia can achieve
    her potential and unleash the entrepreneurial spirit of her citizens.
    We're working to help the children of Liberia get a good education so
    they'll have the skills they need to turn their freedom into a future of
    prosperity and peace. And today, Madam President, I'm proud to announce that the United States will
    provide 1 million textbooks over the next year, as well as desks and
    seating for at least 10,000 Liberian schoolchildren by the start of the
    new school year.
        Together, with the help of the United Nations Mission in Liberia,
    we're working to heal the wounds of war and strengthen democracy and
    build a new armed forces that will be a source of security for the
    Liberian people, instead of a source of terror.
        In all these areas, we're making good progress. You know, one of the
    things I've learned and I suspect the people of Liberia have learned,
    it's easier to tear a country down than it is to rebuild a country. And
    the people of this good country must understand, the United States will
    stand with you as you rebuild your country.
        And you are making progress, and it's possible because of the iron
    will of the lady you lovingly refer to
    as ``Ma.'' That

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    would be you, Madam President. [Laughter] I appreciate the fact that
    you've ushered in an age of reform, and you've opened up a new chapter
    in the relationship between our country. And as you mentioned, it was my
    high honor to welcome you to the White House last year and present you
    with America's highest civil honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
        I'm pleased to visit your land. I thank you for the invitation. I
    thank the Liberian people for courage and steadfastness and enduring
    faith in the power of freedom. With your continued determination, there
    is no doubt in my mind that Liberia will become a beacon of liberty for
    Africa and the world, and you will forever uphold the ``lone star.''
        May God bless you, and may God bless the people of Liberia.

    Note: The President spoke at 2:34 p.m.