Moments to Remember from the President's First 100 Days
(From the White House Communications Office)
January 20 Inaugural Address
As his first act in office President Bush outlined his vision of a new commitment to live out America's promise through civility, courage, compassion and character.
January 23 President Bush Makes Education Reform the Cornerstone of his Administration
Just two days into his term President Bush began to set the national policy agenda by sending Congress his education reform plan to help ensure no child is left behind by holding schools more accountable and focusing on results. Following his education announcement, the President would spend the coming days and weeks formally submitting several other key policy initiatives to Congress:
- On January 29 he sent Congress his Immediate Helping Hand prescription drug proposal to help seniors with the skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs.
- January 30 he sent Congress his proposal to help our most needy by supporting faith and community-based organizations.
- On February 1 he sent Congress his New Freedom Initiative that will help tear down the barriers to the community and the workplace that face many of the 54 million Americans with disabilities.
- On March 15 the President sent Congress his principles for campaign finance reform.
- The President directed Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to conduct a comprehensive review of our military and make recommendations to ensure that our armed forces stay generations ahead of any potential opponent on the battlefield.
- The President directed Vice President Dick Cheney to make recommendations on a comprehensive national energy strategy to address America's growing energy crisis.
January 24 The President Fosters a New Constructive Spirit of Bipartisan Respect and Results
From day one the President kept his word to change the tone in Washington by undertaking one of the most aggressive bipartisan congressional outreach programs ever. President Bush met with elder Democrat statesmen and more Members of Congress from the opposing party in the first week of his Administration than any modern President (29 in the first week alone). The President put bipartisanship into action by inviting Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Rep. George Miller (D-CA) with him on a school visit to highlight accountability. And the President's outreach began to show bipartisan results as Senator Zell Miller (D-GA) announced his support for the President's tax relief plan.
February 8 President Bush Sends his Tax Relief Plan to Congress
President Bush sent Congress his fair and responsible tax relief plan that will help tear down the barriers to the middle class for low-income Americans and remove 1 in 5 low-income families with children from the tax rolls.
February 26 First Lady Laura Bush Launches Ready to Read, Ready to Learn Initiative
The First Lady launched her signature initiative, beginning her drive to help recruit more teachers and ensure that all young children are ready to read when they enter the classroom. In the first 100 days the First Lady also held several school and library visits, community outreach activities and meetings with education leaders to promote her initiative. On March 22 and 23 the First Lady traveled to California to help build support behind her agenda.
February 27 President Bush Speaks to a Joint Session of Congress
In his first major address to Congress the President delivered a poised, focused and confident outline of his new vision of government. The President spoke about bipartisan results on key priorities like education, Social Security, Medicare, defense and the environment. He also made a strong, principled case for his tax relief plan, saying, "The people of America have been overcharged and I am here on their behalf to ask for a refund."
February 28 President Sends His Budget to Congress
The President sent his "Blueprint for New Beginnings" to Congress, a budget that funds important priorities, pays down historic levels of government debt, and provides fair and responsible tax relief.
March 8 House Passes the First of Many Presidential Initiatives on Tax Relief
The House acted swiftly and responsibly on the President's proposals to help jump-start our economy and put money back in the pockets of families. On March 8 the House passed the President's marginal tax rate reduction proposal. On March 29 the House passed marriage penalty tax relief and child tax credit expansion proposals. And on April 4 the House voted to abolish the dreaded death tax.
March 28 House Passes the President's Budget
March 28 Senate Marches Forward on the President's Bipartisan Education Reform Proposal
Momentum continued to grow behind the President's bipartisan education reform package to leave no child behind as the Senate reported the President's proposal out of committee unanimously. The President and Congress are nearing an agreement on a comprehensive bipartisan education reform bill and the Senate plans to take up the legislation as its first order of business when Senators return from recess.
April 6 Senate Passes President's Budget Framework
15 Democrats joined Republicans in voting for the basic framework of the President's budget, including $1.2 trillion in tax relief. The bipartisan vote was evidence that the President's emphasis on teamwork is yielding bipartisan accomplishments. The vote was also proof that President Bush has led a seismic shift in the tax debate from a rancorous, partisan debate over IF there will be tax relief, to a bipartisan discussion of HOW MUCH tax relief Americans will have.
April 11 President Bush Announces Release of American Flight Crew From China
Following an unfortunate accident between an American air crew and a Chinese pilot, the President's decisive, measured and realistic leadership led to the American crew's release from China and their return to an emotional heroes welcome in Hawaii and Washington.
On foreign policy, the President has been decisive, measured and realistic. He operates with a clear understanding of American interests and a commitment to work with our friends and allies to advance our common security in the world. During his first 100 days, the President traveled to Mexico and worked to strengthen alliances in our hemisphere at the Summit of the Americas in Canada, guided diplomacy that brought home our crew after an accident in China, and personally met with more than 20 world leaders to build relationships and discuss common interests and concerns.
April 30 President Hosts Bipartisan Congressional Lunch at the White House
The President ended his first 100 days in office the same way he began his first days in officehe brought Republicans and Democrats together to break bread and renew the spirit of bipartisan cooperation, respect and results.
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