[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 17 (Monday, May 2, 2005)]
[Page 707]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at a Tree Planting Ceremony in Honor of Arbor Day

April 29, 2005

    The President. Glad you all are here. Ready, Mr. Secretary?
    Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns. I'm ready.
    The President. First of all, I'm honored--we're honored to be here 
with the Secretary of Agriculture as well as Marshal Case, who is head 
of The American Chestnut Foundation. We are planting an American 
chestnut tree here at the White House. This is the 133d year of Arbor 
Day. Our message is to our fellow citizens: Plant trees. It's good for 
the economy, and it's good for the environment.
    As well Marshal informs me that The American Chestnut Foundation has 
worked very closely with the Agriculture Department to coming up with a 
disease-resistant strain of the American chestnut. And he says we're 
making good progress and that one day the American chestnut, which had 
been wiped out by blight, will be coming back. And this is our little 
part to help it come back.
    So, Mr. Secretary, are you prepared?
    Secretary Johanns. I am ready. Let's----
    The President. A man known for shoveling a lot of things. [Laughter]
    Secretary Johanns. Exactly.
    The President. Ready to go?
    Secretary Johanns. Yes, I am ready.
    The President. All right, let's do it.

Note: The President spoke at 1 p.m. on the North Lawn at the White 
House. In his remarks, he referred to Marshal T. Case, president and 
chief executive officer, The American Chestnut Foundation. A tape was 
not available for verification of the content of these remarks.