    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [February 27, 2008]
    [Pages 282-283]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Meeting With United States Special Envoy to the
    Organization of the Islamic Conference Sada Cumber and an Exchange With Reporters
    February 27, 2008

        The President. A while ago, I announced that I would be naming a
    Presidential Envoy to the Organization of Islamic Conference, and I am
    pleased to announce it's Sada Cumber. He's a very successful
    businessman, a person who knows the Islamic world. He's agreed to serve
    in that capacity, and, Sada, I want to thank you very much.
        We just had a discussion about his mission. And the core of his
    mission is to explain to the Islamic world that America is a friend--is
    a friend of freedom--is a friend of peace; that we value religion; that,
    matter of fact, we value it to the point where we believe that anybody
    should be able to worship the way they see fit, and we respect that.
        And his is an important job. There's a lot of misperceptions about
    America, and Sada is going to be a part of our effort to explain the
    truth. And when people hear the truth about America, when they know that
    we're a land full of compassionate people and that we value other
    people's opinions, that I--they'll slowly but surely begin to better
    appreciate.
        Now, a lot of people love America; don't get me wrong. After all, a
    lot--there's a lot of people trying to come here because of what we
    stand for. But we've got work to do in certain areas. And I can't thank
    you enough for going and really will strongly support you in your work.
        Special Envoy Cumber. Thank you.
        The President. Thank you very much, sir.

    Death of William F. Buckley, Jr.

        Q. Any thoughts on Buckley?

    [[Page 283]]

        The President. I just had the--I just hung up with Christopher
    Buckley, the son of William F. Buckley.
    I expressed Laura and my sadness over the passage of this very important
    figure in American political thought. He was a great author, a great
    wit, and a leader. And Chris said that his dad died at his desk. And I
    asked whether it had been a--I know it's a painful experience for
    Chris's heart, but he said that his dad died a peaceful death. And we
    got to thank God for that and thank God for his life.
        Q. Did you talk to him much during this--[inaudible]--sir?
        Q. You once said Buckley moved conservatism into the Oval Office,
    that he moved conservatism from the margins of American society into the
    Oval Office.
        The President. No question, he was a--one of the great political
    thinkers. He influenced a lot of people, including me. And he was--I can
    remember those debates they had on TV. And he was so articulate, and he
    captured the imagination of a lot of folks because he was--he had a
    great way of defining the issues. It was erudite, and yet a lot of folks
    from different walks of life could understand it. And he's made--he's a
    big figure in our history, and he'll be missed. And we ask for God's
    blessings on his soul. Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 2:01 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House.