[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 31 (Monday, August 8, 2005)]
[Page 1241]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Telephone Remarks to the Crew of the Space Shuttle Discovery

August 2, 2005

    The President. Commander Collins, can you hear me?
    Commander Eileen M. Collins. Yes, sir, we hear you loud and clear. 
Good morning.
    The President. Good morning. Thank you for taking my phone call. I 
just wanted to tell you all how proud the American people are of our 
astronauts. I want to thank you for being risktakers for the sake of 
exploration. I want to welcome our Japanese and Australian and Russian 
friends. And I wish you Godspeed in your mission. I know you've got very 
important work to do ahead of you. We look forward to seeing the 
successful completion of this mission. And obviously, as you prepare to 
come back, a lot of Americans will be praying for a safe return.
    So it's great talking to you. Thanks for being such great examples 
of courage for a lot of our fellow citizens.
    Commander Collins. Thank you very much, Mr. President. We want to 
tell you that we really enjoy what we're doing. We really believe in our 
mission, and we believe in space exploration and getting people off the 
planet and seeing what's out there. So the steps that we're taking right 
now are really worth it, and we want everybody to know that. And thank 
you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to talk to 
us.
    The President. Well, listen, I want to thank you, Commander, and 
thank your fellow astronauts there. I agree with you. I think what 
you're doing is really important. And you've got a strong supporter for 
your mission, here in the White House. I will tell you Laura went down 
and watched the launch in Florida with my little brother Jeb and came 
back all excited about the energy that--there on the east coast of 
Florida. But we're with you and wish you all the very best. Thanks for 
taking my phone call. Now get back to work.
    Commander Collins. Thank you very much, sir. We did fly over Texas 
today and had a good look at it. It was beautiful. Have a good day.
    The President. Thank you. [Laughter]

Note: The President spoke at 10:23 a.m. from the Roosevelt Room at the 
White House. In his remarks, he referred to Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida.