===========================================================================
Mrs. Bush's Remarks at a Mississippi Victory Get Out the Vote Rally
===========================================================================

For Immediate Release Office of the First Lady October 30, 2008

Mrs. Bush's Remarks at a Mississippi Victory Get Out the Vote Rally Lynn
Meadows Discovery Center Gulfport, Mississippi



2:21 P.M. CDT

MRS. BUSH: Thank you very much, Senator. Thank you everybody. Thanks so
much. It's great to be here.

I'm very happy to have this chance to be here. I'm so happy to be here to
support Senator Roger Wicker as your next Senator. As he is your current
Senator, I urge you to redouble your efforts to make sure everybody gets
out to the polls on Tuesday and re-elect Roger Wicker.

I'm thrilled to be here at the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center. I've heard a
lot about this institution's good work. In January, the museum's WINGS
Performing Arts Program received a Coming Up Taller award at the White
House. And then in April, Senator Wicker and Senator Thad Cochran announced
that the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center was chosen to receive a Hurricane
Relief Award from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

The people of Gulfport are fortunate to have this great children's museum,
a place where young people can expand their creativity and build life
skills and confidence. And the people of Mississippi are also fortunate to
have great elected officials -- like Roger and Thad -- who understand that
strong cultural institutions are vital to the health of your state.

You're also very fortunate to have such a strong governor, Governor Haley
Barbour -- Governor Barbour and Marsha. (Applause.) And I'd love to have
the chance once again to thank them for everything they've done to rebuild
Mississippi after the hurricane. It's just been extraordinary, their
leadership, and Mississippi is so fortunate to have them at a difficult
time. (Applause.)

I know there are a lot of state and local officials that are here. I know
there are some mayors from towns around here. I want to also thank all the
mayors very much for your very, very hard work. George and I meet with the
mayors from the coast of Mississippi every time we come, and we get a
progress report. I know it hasn't been easy, that it's been actually very
difficult to rebuild all these coast cities, but you all have done it. And
congratulations on it. (Applause.)

John McCay, the Republican candidate for Mississippi's 4th congressional
district, is here, as well. Thank you very much, John, for joining us.

And I wish I could have heard the Gulfport High School Madrigals. I bet
they were terrific. (Applause.)

Roger's wife, Gayle, is here, and just like he said, his daughter, Caroline
Wicker Sims. You know, when your spouse is in politics, you're involved,
whether you want to be or not. (Laughter.) Marsha Barbour and I can
certainly tell everyone that. But we know that successful politicians are
the ones whose families stand with them all the time. And I want to thank
Gayle for doing that with Roger, and for Marsha for doing that with Haley
Barbour, and for making such a huge difference yourselves in your state.
Thank you both. (Applause.)

And thanks to everyone here, everybody who's come out to support Senator
Wicker, Senator Cochran, and all of Mississippi's strong Republican
candidates. I want to thank you very much for all the work you've already
done and the work you're going to do now at the very last -- we're just a
few days away from Election Day, and so I urge you to redouble your
efforts, go to the phone banks, walk door to door, make sure you take
everyone you know to the polls on Tuesday. Make sure they're all Roger
Wicker voters when you take them. (Laughter.)

Roger has served Mississippi for nearly 14 years in Washington. He has a
proven record as a conservative who cares deeply about your families and
your values. His strong leadership has earned him the endorsements from the
National Right to Life, the VFW, and the NRA -- just to name a few.
(Applause.)

And in today's economic climate, it's more important than ever to have
leaders who will make responsible choices for our future. In Washington,
Senator Wicker has distinguished himself as a passionate advocate for the
people of your state, and as someone who is making wise decisions for
Mississippi families.

Senator Wicker understands that the best way to help working families is to
make sure they get to keep more of their own hard-earned money. (Applause.)
He supports making the President's tax cuts permanent. These measures
benefited nearly a million Mississippi taxpayers last year.

Roger knows that if the President's tax cuts are allowed to expire, 116
million American taxpayers would see their taxes go up by about $1,800 on
average. He's committed to legislation that keeps more of your own money in
your own pocket, where it belongs. (Applause.)

Senator Wicker has helped to create jobs for Mississippi workers. He
introduced a measure to extend GO Zone tax benefits, and encourage
development on the Gulf Coast. President Bush signed this provision into
law in July. And Roger has joined with state leaders to attract new
businesses to Mississippi, including Toyota and SeverCorr.

Senator Wicker has supported programs such as the Appalachian Regional
Commission and the Economic Development Administration, which are
encouraging millions of dollars in private investment in predominantly
rural areas. The National Association of Manufacturers has repeatedly
recognized Roger's support for pro-growth initiatives by honoring him with
their Award for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence. Congratulations,
Roger, on that. (Applause.)

And this is especially close to my heart: Senator Wicker knows that
improving education is the best way to create opportunities for Mississippi
families. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, he works
closely with the United States Department of Education to ensure that
Mississippi schools have the resources they need. And he's expanded job
training programs so that Mississippi workers can meet the changing demands
of our global economy. (Applause.)

Senator Wicker is working with colleagues from around the country to solve
some of the greatest challenges facing our nation. He's helping reduce our
dependence on foreign oil by supporting both offshore drilling and
alternative energy sources. (Applause.) As a member of the Senate Armed
Services Committee, Roger is a champion for the men and women of the United
States military. (Applause.) His efforts are keeping Americans safe, and
ensuring that the United States military is the best equipped and most
prepared in the world.

Senator Wicker understands the sacrifices our military members and their
families make. Roger retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after 24 years in the
Air Force. His son McDaniel is an Air Force ROTC cadet. And Roger has
traveled to Iraq and Afghanistan to support our troops -- many of whom call
Mississippi home. Thank you for that, Roger. (Applause.)

Senator Wicker is making sure that the United States meets its
responsibility to our service members. In the House, he coauthored
legislation that gave the Department of Veterans Affairs the largest
funding increase in history. And Roger is continuing his work today as the
first Mississippian ever to serve on the Senate Committee on Veterans
Affairs.

Roger has been a constant advocate for his constituents' health. He was
honored by the American Heart Association for educating men and women about
the risks of heart disease. And in 2003, the American Cancer Society
presented him with the Capitol Dome Award for supporting programs that
address the devastating impact of cancer.

Senator Wicker's support for cancer treatment and research is particularly
relevant this month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month. On October 7th, the
White House showed our commitment to saving lives from breast cancer in a
historic way. We lit the White House pink, the color of the cause.
(Applause.)

Everyone here can take part in the effort to promote breast cancer
awareness by running or walking in the Race for the Cure, by supporting
advocacy groups, or talking to your mothers, sisters, and daughters about
the importance of mammograms and breast self exams, because early detection
is the closest thing we have to a cure.

This summer, Roger championed a measure that would provide half a million
dollars for a new cancer treatment center at Gulfport's Memorial Hospital.
Thank you, Roger, for your commitment to helping the people of Mississippi.
(Applause.)

And thanks to each and every one of you for supporting Roger Wicker's
re-election campaign. This election is a decisive moment for the future of
our country -- the choices you make on Tuesday will affect the course our
nation for years to come.

Here in Mississippi, you have the unique opportunity to vote for two
Republican senators -- Thad Cochran, a strong leader with a 30-year
excellent Senate record, and Roger Wicker, a dedicated public servant and
advocate for Mississippi families. Thad and Roger make a great conservative
team that's getting things done for the people of your state. (Applause.)
On November 4th, they're counting on you to go to the polls to make sure
they're re-elected.

Thank you for all you're doing to support Mississippi's Republican
candidates. Thanks especially to the volunteers for your hard work making
the phone calls and going door to door to encourage people to vote. You've
already done so much to help Roger and our other candidates in Mississippi.
In the last few days, they'll need more of your energy and enthusiasm.

We're looking forward to Election Day. This is a spirited contest, and the
Republican Party has great candidates. We have the best grassroots
volunteers. Our candidates are depending on you, so be sure you get
everyone you know to the polls. Go to the phone banks, knock on doors, and
talk to your friends and neighbors about Roger Wicker and Mississippi's
Republican candidates. They need your support, and our country needs them.

Thank you all, and God bless you. God bless America.

END 2:34 P.M. CDT

===========================================================================
Return to this article at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/10/20081030-14.html