[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 8 (Monday, March 3, 2008)]
[Pages 284-285]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Following a Meeting With Special Envoy to the Organization of 
the Islamic Conference Sada Cumber and an Exchange With Reporters

February 27, 2008

    The President. A while ago, I announced that I would be naming a 
Presidential Envoy to the Organization of Islamic Conference, and I am 
pleased to announce it's Sada

[[Page 285]]

Cumber. He's a very successful businessman, a person who knows the 
Islamic world. He's agreed to serve in that capacity, and, Sada, I want 
to thank you very much.
    We just had a discussion about his mission. And the core of his 
mission is to explain to the Islamic world that America is a friend--is 
a friend of freedom, is a friend of peace, that we value religion, 
that--matter of fact, we value it to the point where we believe that 
anybody should be able to worship the way they see fit, and we respect 
that.
    And his is an important job. There's a lot of misperceptions about 
America, and Sada is going to be a part of our effort to explain the 
truth. And when people hear the truth about America, when they know that 
we're a land full of compassionate people and that we value other 
people's opinions, that they'll slowly but surely begin to better 
appreciate.
    Now, a lot of people love America; don't get me wrong. After all, 
there's a lot of people trying to come here because of what we stand 
for. But we've got work to do in certain areas. And I can't thank you 
enough for going and really will strongly support you in your work.
    Special Envoy Cumber. Thank you.
    The President. Thank you very much, sir.

William F. Buckley, Jr.

    Q. Any thoughts on Buckley?
    The President. I just had the--I just hung up with Christopher 
Buckley, the son of William F. Buckley. I expressed Laura and my sadness 
over the passage of this very important figure in American political 
thought. He was a great author, a great wit, and a leader. And Chris 
said that his dad died at his desk. And I asked whether it had been a--I 
know it's a painful experience for Chris's heart, but he said that his 
dad died a peaceful death. And we got to thank God for that and thank 
God for his life.
    Q. Did you talk to him much during this--[inaudible]--sir?
    Q. You once said Buckley moved conservatism into the Oval Office, 
that he moved conservatism from the margins of American society into the 
Oval Office.
    The President. No question, he was a--one of the great political 
thinkers. He influenced a lot of people, including me. And he was--I can 
remember those debates they had on TV. And he was so articulate, and he 
captured the imagination of a lot of folks because he was--he had a 
great way of defining the issues. It was erudite, and yet a lot of folks 
from different walks of life could understand it. And he's a big figure 
in our history, and he'll be missed. And we ask for God's blessings on 
his soul. Thank you.

Note: The President spoke at 2:01 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White 
House.