[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 7 (Monday, February 25, 2008)]
[Pages 256-257]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Prior to a Discussion on Education in Monrovia

February 21, 2008

    President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia. Mr. President, Mrs. 
Bush, fellow Liberians: We have been pleased that with the support of 
the United States Government to our education rebuilding process, we can 
now say that we're beginning to see the signs of progress.
    Mr. President, today you will be listening to some of the 
beneficiaries who will be sharing their experience with you. They've 
been supported through the United States Agency for International 
Development, the President's Africa Education Initiative. Liberia 
currently receives assistance for adult learners, primary school 
students, school infrastructure, teacher training, the accelerated 
learning program, and improvement of higher education.
    Thank you for being here with us. And thank you for all that you do, 
for helping us to rebuild our educational system.
    President Bush. Thank you, Madam President. [Applause] Does that 
mean you want me to speak? [Laughter]
    President Johnson Sirleaf. You speak a little bit, and I'll 
introduce the----
    President Bush. Okay, good, yes. The President said, we have met 
four times since she's been President. I said out there at the

[[Page 257]]

parade grounds that every time, I'm a better person for it, since she's 
a--[applause]. This is the last event on the last stop of what has been 
a comprehensive trip around the continent of Africa. And it's a 
fitting--fitting that we talk about education as the last subject to 
discuss.
    First of all, I just want you to know that, Madam President, we 
admire you, and we appreciate your leadership. I particularly appreciate 
your commitment to liberty and freedom. Now, the problem is, of course, 
it's one thing to be for freedom, but it's really important to have a 
healthy, educated group of folks to be able to realize the blessings of 
freedom.
    And so our desire in the United States is to answer the universal 
call to love a neighbor and to help those--I believe to whom much is 
given, much is required. A lot has been given the United States of 
America, and I firmly believe it's in our national interest to help 
others not only realize the blessings of liberty but to fight disease 
when we find it and to deal with illiteracy where we encounter it.
    And so our initiative on malaria or the AIDS initiative is all aimed 
at saving lives, which in essence helps save societies. And same thing 
with our education initiative. And so we really appreciate you all 
coming to share your message with us. I hope you're not nervous. 
[Laughter] I bet you're not, because all you got to do is tell us what's 
on your mind. Just share your stories, and I think people will find that 
they're most interested.
    But what you must know here in Liberia is that the United States of 
America is with you, and we'll stay with you because we want you to 
succeed. It's in the interest of the United States of America that 
Liberia do well. And so, Madam President, we are--[applause]--we're 
proud to stand with you. We're not going to tell you what to do because 
you're plenty competent. I believe African leaders can run African 
countries. But I do believe the United States of America can help. And 
that's exactly what we're going to discuss today, Madam President.
    So thank you very much for that introduction. And Laura is thrilled 
to be here as well. She is the librarian in the family. [Laughter]
    President Johnson Sirleaf. That's right.

[At this point, the discussion continued, and no transcript was 
provided.]

Note: The President spoke at 3:04 p.m. at the University of Liberia.