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For Immediate Release
Office of Mrs. Bush
September 13, 2004

Remarks by First Lady Laura Bush on Mitch Daniels in Indianapolis, IN

STATEMENT TO THE PRESS BY FIRST LADY LAURA BUSH

Indianapolis International Airport Indianapolis, Indiana

5:37 P.M. CDT

MRS. BUSH: Thanks so much, Mitch. Well, I'm so glad to be here with Mitch Daniels, who was such a very important part of my husband's Cabinet as the Director of Office of Management and Budget.

I don't know if you know what that job is, but it's one of the most important in the federal government. It's the job that really oversees the whole federal budget and not only looks at all the numbers and the programs, but also goes to Congress to work with Congress to make sure they don't overspend. And Mitch had a very great relationship with congressmen. And it's a difficult job to be the director of that office and then to go to Congress and work with congressmen. But he was able to do that with members on both sides of the aisle.

And I know what a personal sacrifice it was for him to -- and financial sacrifice, to move to Washington and serve our government for those years, to be away from his family. I think he came home every weekend. A couple of weekends, we had Cheri and his four girls come to Camp David with us, so he would have a chance to have them in Washington with him some time.

But I'm really very proud to stand up with him today. And I know I speak also on behalf of President Bush when I recommend Mitch Daniels to you as governor, because he's such a very, very fine man and he'll do a really terrific job.

So thanks, and I'm really glad to be in Indiana and be here in Indianapolis. So thank you all. Thanks for coming out today. Thanks a lot. (Applause.)

5:39 P.M. CDT END