Bush Responds- Transcript Now Live
This afternoon, just hours after ONE staff dropped off a petition at the White House with nearly 120,000 signers, President Bush stood before press and TV cameras to call for $770 million in emergency food aid.
You can now see a transcript of his 3:30 PM public speech here.
Some excerpts:
In recent weeks, many have expressed concern about the significant increase in global food prices. And I share this concern. In some of the world’s poorest nations, rising prices can mean the difference between getting a daily meal and going without food…
I think more needs to be done, and so today I am calling on Congress to provide an additional $770 million to support food aid and development programs. Together, this amounts to nearly $1 billion in new funds to bolster global food security…
As America increases its food assistance, it’s really important that we transform the way that food aid is delivered. In my State of the Union address this year, I called on Congress to support a proposal to purchase up to nearly 25 percent of food assistance directly from farmers in the developing world. And the reason you do that is, in order to break the cycle of famine that we’re having to deal with too often in a modern era, it’s important to help build up local agriculture…
We believe in a timeless truth: To whom much is given, much is expected. And so therefore at home we are working to ensure that the neediest among us can cope with the rising food prices. And with the new international funding I’m announcing today, we’re sending a clear message to the world: that America will lead the fight against hunger for years to come.
Thank you very much for your interest. God bless.
Read the full transcript here.
-Virginia Simmons
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May 1, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Woo hoo! Go ONE! My name is in there!
May 1, 2008 at 8:17 pm
now that’s a great thot matthew – quite cool eh? they look fantastic there, and great great job everyone.
stay close,
sammi =)
May 1, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Awesome. I was happy to hear some news about President Bush that made me proud to be a US citizen finally.
May 1, 2008 at 10:49 pm
This is the news I was looking to hear my name is in that petition happy the President response quickly like he did this is something everyone should be pround of no matter political views. This should do a lot of good to all people.
May 7, 2008 at 10:52 pm
Yay!! My name is on there too!! We made a difference!! I am so excited that the president is actually listening!
May 8, 2008 at 8:54 pm
It’s great to see that our voices do matter and that our president is actually doing something helpful. I am shocked and amazed, but proud to be a US citizen once again.
May 9, 2008 at 9:50 am
This M.M.Rahman from Bangladesh.
I was still continuing all of campaign about AIDS and beside these i also start provide family necessary first aids into these poor people who are really need this too much. and beside this i also strating a new campaign about hungry crices but whatever i did this is totally i have to done by my personal investmen.
So please i think that beside these one senator have take a look about providing fund to this deserve country members.
Contact number: 088-01727786626
email: one_bdorg.2007@yahoo.com
alvi_bba.2006@yahoo.com
May 10, 2008 at 1:23 am
I think its great that George Bush is giving a large amount of money to feed starving people who are our brothers and sisters. George Bush is so right, those who are given more, more is expected of them. It is our duty to God and to our brothers and sisters in Africa, South America and Asia and to the children starving that we help the needy. Feed the hungry, supply water to the thirsty and heal the sick, just as God wants us to do.I’m very proud to be a part of the ONE movement, Gordon, Australia
May 10, 2008 at 3:13 am
excelent word… but we are hopping for some actions as well…
May 13, 2008 at 6:43 am
hey One! good job! i hope many people will join our campaign against poverty!
To God be the Glory!
May 13, 2008 at 6:47 am
hey One! Good job! Let’s continue the fight against poverty!
so that the world can be a safer place for our family.!
To God be the Glory!
May 20, 2008 at 7:56 pm
I can hardly believe that we “won”! I thought it would be harder. And I’m so glad to have helped someone, to have made a difference. My name was on that petition and you can bet it’ll be on other petitions in the future. Excuse me while I cheer. YYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYY!
*cough*
.. that felt good. ^_^
May 21, 2008 at 2:57 am
Yeah.! president Bush though listen but i hope that i can see him in the field…
it’s easy for him to listen but he don’t have the guts to be on the field..:D
well i hope many will participate..not only the president but everyone in the society
including the Hollywood stars too.:D
thanks to everyone who supported this campaign..
i hope the Youth For Christ leaders will join too..
*i love you guys*
May 26, 2008 at 6:51 am
Wo hoo ,I am here .Unit we stand!!!