    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [March 24, 2008]
    [Pages 411-412]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Briefing at the Department of State
    March 24, 2008

        Madam Secretary, thank you very much
    for your hospitality. I just had a very interesting dialogue on how to
    strengthen the State Department's capacity to bring freedom and peace
    around the world, how to make sure the State Department works
    collaboratively with the Defense Department as we deal with some of the
    more difficult areas and really take advantage of some of the great
    opportunities that we're faced with.
        And so I really want to thank you, Madam Secretary, and I thank the folks who work in this building.
    Our citizens have really no idea of how competent, courageous, and
    successful the people here who work at the State Department are. I do.
    After my--now my eighth year as President, I've gotten to know the
    people in the State Department well. And I'm impressed, and so should
    our citizens.
        Obviously, we want to expand the reach of the State Department by
    increasing the size and its efficiencies and to make sure that there's
    interoperability. And along these lines, of course, I'm fully aware that
    folks who have worked in the State Department lost their lives and--in
    Iraq, along with our military folks. And on this day of reflection, I
    offer our deepest sympathies

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    to their families. I hope their families know that citizens pray for
    their comfort and their strength. Whether they were the first one who
    lost their life in Iraq or recently lost their lives in Iraq, that every
    life is precious in our sight.
        And I guess my one thought I wanted to leave with those who still
    hurt is that one day people will look back at this moment in history and
    say, ``Thank God there were courageous people willing to serve, because
    they laid the foundations for peace for generations to come.'' That I
    have vowed in the past, and I will vow so long as I'm President, to make
    sure that those lives were not lost in vain; that, in fact, there is a
    outcome that will merit the sacrifice that civilian and military alike
    have made; that our strategies going forward will be aimed at making
    sure that we achieve victory, and therefore, America becomes more
    secure, these young democracies survive, and peace more likely as we
    head into the 21st century.
        So, Madam Secretary, I'm honored to be
    here. And I thank you very much for your hard work and your dedication.
        Thank you all.

    Note: The President spoke at 3:03 p.m.