    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book II)]
    [September 20, 2008]
    [Pages 1224-1225]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a State Dinner Honoring President Alvaro Uribe Velez of Colombia
    September 20, 2008

        Mr. President, members of your delegation, members of my Cabinet,
    Members of the United States Senate and United States Congress, honored
    guests: Welcome to the White House. Laura and I
    are really pleased you all are here. Our nations share a faith in
    liberty, a willingness to defend it, and a confidence that freedom will
    define the future for our region. The American people, Mr. President,
    are proud to call the Colombian people our friends and our allies.
        You, Mr. President, are a strong leader. You and your Government and
    the Colombian people have shown courage in freedom's cause by taking on
    the terrorists and the drug lords. This summer, our Nation was impressed
    by the daring rescue of 15 hostages, 3
    of whom were
    American citizens. We appreciate your leadership. We are pleased to be
    your partner in strengthening the rule of law and combating the illegal
    drug trade and helping victims of violence rebuild their lives and
    communities.
        We're also partners in the spread of prosperity. We have negotiated
    a fair free trade agreement that will benefit families and businesses in
    both our nations. And I appreciate your strong advocacy for this
    agreement. And my sincere hope is that the United States Congress will
    pass the Colombia free trade agreement as soon as possible.
        Mr. President, Laura and I warmly remember
    our visits to your beautiful country. We were honored to visit a city
    liberated by the great Simon Bolivar. And in that visit we were honored
    to be with you and your lovely wife.
        And so tonight I want to propose a toast to our friendship, the
    friendship between our countries. May God bless Colombia, and may God
    bless the United States.

    Note: The President spoke at 7:31 p.m. in the East Room at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Marc Gonsalves, Thomas Howes, and
    Keith Stansell, former hostages held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces
    of Colombia (FARC); and Lina Maria Moreno de Uribe, wife of President
    Uribe. The transcript released by the Office of the Press Secretary also
    included the remarks of

    [[Page 1225]]

    President Uribe. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a
    Spanish language transcript of these remarks.