    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book II)]
    [November 6, 2008]
    [Pages 1350-1351]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks to White House Staff
    November 6, 2008

        Thank you all for coming. Mr. Vice President
    and Lynne, thank you for being here with us.
    Laura and I welcome you to the South Lawn, better
    known as Barney's playground. [Laughter]
        I want to thank members of my Cabinet who've joined us. We've just
    finished a Cabinet meeting, and I gave them--it gave me a chance to tell
    them how much I appreciate the good work they're doing during this
    critical time for our Nation.
        I also appreciate the men and women who make up the Executive Office
    of the President for joining us today. Some of you have been at the
    White House for just a few months, others arrived the same day that we
    did nearly 8 years ago. You're the ones who can tell that my hair has
    gotten a little grayer. [Laughter] Others here are career employees who
    have been here for 30 or 40 or sometimes 50 years. I can tell that your
    hair has gotten grayer. [Laughter]
        People on this lawn represent diverse backgrounds, talents, and
    experiences. Yet we all share a steadfast devotion to the United States.
    We believe that service to our fellow citizens is a noble calling and
    the privilege of a lifetime.
        This is an exciting time for our country. Earlier this week, more
    than 120 million people voted for a new President and Congress, one of
    the largest turnouts in the history of the country. No matter how we
    cast our ballots, this election gives us all reason to be proud of our
    democracy and our country. And I hope you will join Laura and me in congratulating President-elect Obama and wishing him the very best for his family and our
    country.
        Just before our Inauguration in 2001, Laura
    and I went back to Midland, Texas. She was born there, and I was raised
    there. I said that Laura and I would never quite settle in Washington. I
    told them, ``While the honor is great, the work is temporary.'' This is
    true for many of us here today. This peaceful transfer of power is one
    of the hallmarks of a true democracy, and ensuring that this transition
    is as smooth as possible is a priority for the rest of my Presidency. We
    face economic challenges that will not pause to let a new President
    settle in. This will also be America's first wartime Presidential
    transition in four decades. We're in a struggle against violent
    extremists determined to attack us, and they would like nothing more
    than to exploit this period of change to harm the American people.
        So over the next 75 days, all of us must ensure that the next
    President and his team can hit the ground
    running. For more than a year now, departments and agencies throughout
    the Federal Government have

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    been preparing for a smooth transition. We've provided intelligence
    briefings to the President-elect, and the Department of Justice has
    approved security clearances for members of his transition team. In the
    coming weeks, we will ask administration officials to brief the Obama
    team on ongoing policy issues, ranging from the financial markets to the
    war in Iraq. I look forward to discussing those issues with the
    President-elect early next week.
        Offices within the White House are at work preparing extensive
    transition materials. We're preparing career employees throughout the
    administration to take on added responsibilities to help prevent any
    disruption to the essential functions of the Federal Government.
        Taken together, these measures represent an unprecedented effort to
    ensure that the executive branch is prepared to fulfill its
    responsibilities at all times. As we carry out this transition, I know
    that you will continue to conduct yourselves with the decency and
    professionalism you have shown throughout my time in office.
        Successful transition is just one of the many important tasks
    remaining in our last 75 days. To help address the global financial
    crisis, the Secretary of Treasury is
    working endless hours, and I will host an international summit here in
    Washington on November the 15th. This will be an historic meeting, and
    I'm confident that you will work hard to help make it a success.
        We'll also keep urging Congress to approve America's free trade
    agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea. And we will continue
    to protect this homeland by defeating the terrorists and extremists
    abroad, so we do not have to face them here at home.
        As January 20th draws near, some of you may be anxious about finding
    a new job or a new place to live. I know how you feel. [Laughter] But
    between now and then, we must keep our attention on the task at hand,
    because the American people expect no less. Earlier this year, I
    promised that I would sprint to the finish. I am keeping that promise,
    and I know I have given some of you a good workout along the way. As we
    head into the final stretch, I ask you to remain focused on the goals
    ahead. I will be honored to stand with you at the finish line. May God
    bless you.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:12 a.m. on the South Lawn at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Lynne V. Cheney, wife of Vice
    President Dick Cheney. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a
    Spanish language transcript of these remarks.