    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [February 19, 2008]
    [Pages 238-240]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks During a United States Embassy Dedication Ceremony in Kigali
    February 19, 2008

        Well, thank you very much. Thank you. Please be seated--unless, of
    course, you don't have a chair. [Laughter] Mr. President, thank you for joining us. Madam Kagame, we're so thrilled you're here. Laura and I are honored to be with you. I appreciate the
    members of the diplomatic corps joining us as well.
        I had a speech; I'm not going to give it. [Laughter] Guys like me
    always like to cut ribbons. There's nothing more special than cutting
    the ribbon on a new Embassy, particularly in a country like Rwanda.
        Rwanda has come--[applause]--it's amazing. You know, Laura and I just came from the--well, we came from a
    beautiful lunch with the President and the First
    Lady. But we went to the holocaust
    museum. It's hard to believe that a country could recover so quickly
    from such a horrible moment. It's hard to believe that there can be hope
    after a devastating period of time like that, and yet there is. And so
    cutting the ribbon here really is a chance for America to say, we stand
    with you as you hope for a better future.
        Plus, I like dealing with strong leaders who care about the people.
    I like courage and compassion. And that's what I believe your
    President has, courage and compassion. He cares
    deeply about the plight of the citizens of--[applause].
        And I think when people get to know Americans, thanks to people who
    work here at this Embassy, they will find that we're

    [[Page 239]]

    a nation of courageous and compassionate people too.
        So my first call is to thank our fellow citizens for working in
    Rwanda. And thanks for serving the United States of America. I hope you
    have as much pride as I do in saying, I represent America. And the
    reason I do so is because we are a compassionate people. And when we see
    suffering, we just don't sit around and talk about it; we act upon it.
    And when we see the hungry, we feed the hungry, not because of its--you
    know, it's like we want to establish undue influence; it's because we
    all believe we're children of God.
        And so for those of you on the frontlines of saving lives with the
    malaria initiative, I say, thanks, good job, keep doing it. It's not
    that hard to spread out nets. It requires a government willing to
    cooperate with you. It's just not that difficult to figure out how to
    deal with the disease in which thousands of babies die. It's
    insecticides and nets and good strategies. And so thanks for working on
    that.
        For those of you who are dealing with HIV/AIDS, you know, people
    often ask why did I decide to get involved? I couldn't stand by and
    watch a generation of people eradicated with something that we could
    help, you see. And so I want to thank my fellow citizens for saving
    lives. And gosh, I hope it makes you feel good; it certainly makes me
    feel good to know you're out there working hard. And so thanks for being
    a part of what I call a mission of mercy. And thanks for showing the
    good heart of America.
        For the Rwandan citizens here, thanks for helping our Embassy go. We
    can't run our Embassies without the people from the host nations. And
    the Ambassador tells me that you're
    really fine people, and I know my fellow citizens thank you for working
    side by side with the people of the United States of America.
        For those of you wearing the uniform, God bless you. There's nothing
    better than being the Commander in Chief of such an outstanding group of
    men and women who selflessly serve a cause greater than themselves.
        I do want to thank Michael and
    Lesley for their service. I do want to
    recognize our great Secretary of State. I
    thought for a minute you were going to name that road after Secretary
    Condoleezza Rice. [Laughter] When they're talking about great Americans,
    and they're going on and on and on, I was certain it was going to say
    ``Rice Boulevard.'' [Laughter]
        I do want to thank Cheryl Sim and her husband
    Richard. He's from Texas. Any other Texans that
    are here? Yes, there you go. You know what it's like. [Laughter] Pretty
    lucky deal to be called Texan, isn't it?
        Finally, I do want to end by saying this: To whom much is given,
    much is required. That's a--Presidents must make decisions based upon
    certain principles that are timeless and universal. And that's one of
    the principles that stands in--it stands our Nation in good stead. We're
    a blessed nation, and I believe it is in our interests, our national
    interests and our moral interests, to help people like we're helping
    them here in Rwanda.
        And so it's an honor to be here to cut the ribbon for this new
    Embassy. It's an honor to be in front of people who've got compassion in
    their hearts and efficiency on their minds and willing to do the right
    thing to get--to save lives. And it's an honor to be in, a great friend
    and ally, Rwanda. God bless you.
        And now it's my honor to bring to the podium our President--your President and our ally, President
    Kagame.

    Note: The President spoke at 2:25 p.m. at the U.S. Embassy Kigali. In
    his remarks, he referred to Jeannette Nyiramongi, wife of President Paul
    Kagame of Rwanda; U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda Michael R. Arietti and his
    wife Lesley; and Deputy Chief of Mission

    [[Page 240]]

    Cheryl Sim, U.S. Embassy Kigali. The transcript released by the Office
    of the Press Secretary also included the remarks of President Kagame.