[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 20 (Monday, May 22, 2006)]
[Page 927]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks During a Presentation of White House Trees With Prime Minister 
John Howard of Australia

May 14, 2006

    President Bush. Well, first of all, Ambassador, thanks for having 
us, and happy birthday.
    Ambassador Dennis Richardson. Thank you very much.
    President Bush. How old are you?
    Ambassador Richardson. Well----
    President Bush. Don't say, then. [Laughter] It's wonderful to be 
here with our dear friends, the Howards. I think it is interesting that 
we're planting two trees, and this is a symbol of our enduring 
friendship. And I can't thank you enough, John, for your strong support 
for the liberty agenda, deep desire for the world to be a peaceful 
place. I really enjoy working with you for the common good. Thanks for 
having us.
    Prime Minister Howard. Thank you. Well, George, you and Laura, not 
only for the offices that you hold but also for the people you are, are 
very welcome on this piece of Australian soil in Washington. I indicated 
to the President a moment ago that it was here on this lawn that I 
addressed a news conference on the 12th of September, 2001, when I said 
that Australia would stand side by side with the United States in 
responding to the new threat of terrorism. And that resolve is as strong 
now as it was on the 12th of September, 2001.
    These trees are a wonderful symbol of that friendship. This 
residence has a lot of history. It was, of course, the very first 
residence occupied by an Australian envoy to other than a then dominion 
or Commonwealth country. And when the then Prime Minister R.G. Menzies 
announced it, he said that having an ambassador--a representative or 
envoy to America represented the first time we were sending one to what 
he called a foreign country.
    There has certainly been nothing foreign in the relationship between 
our two countries since then, and it's great to have you and Laura with 
us, and it's a wonderful symbol. The Ambassador has got to look after 
the trees--[laughter]--and to keep his two rottweilers away from them. 
[Laughter]

Note: The President spoke at 6:45 p.m. at the Australian Ambassador's 
Residence. Participating in the event was Australia's Ambassador to the 
U.S. Dennis Richardson.