Published: February 13, 2006
Mrs. Bush, Heading Olympic Delegation, Spreads Message of Goodwill
By Michael Jay Friedman, Washington File
Meets with Pope Benedict, U.S. troops; supports breast cancer research
Arriving in Italy as the head of the official U.S. delegation to the 2006 Winter Olympic Games at Turin, U.S. first lady Laura Bush spread a message of goodwill. In meetings with Pope Benedict XVI, with the Italian and American press and at an event supporting breast cancer research in Italy, Mrs. Bush stressed the need to relieve disease, hunger and injustice.
In their February 9 meeting, which Mrs. Bush called a "huge privilege," the first lady and the pontiff discussed Mrs. Bush's January visit to Nigeria's St. Mary's Hospital, a Catholic institution that partners with the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), to provide care and anti-retroviral treatment for AIDS patients.
They also discussed such Rome-based international hunger relief organizations as Feed the Hungry and the World Food Program. Mrs. Bush later observed that the United States provides about half of the money or food distributed by the latter group. She also pointed out that $30 can feed a child for a year, and that AIDS medications cannot work without proper nutrition.
Mrs. Bush said that Pope Benedict expressed concern over terrorism and expressed his hopes for peace and tolerance.
"I know that the United States and the Holy See share many of the same goals of trying to relieve suffering around the world, either because of AIDS or because of hunger and injustice," she told the Italian publication La Stampa.
The first lady also attended a Rome event sponsored by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Founded by a personal friend of the first lady, the Komen Foundation and its network of affiliates in the United States, Puerto Rico, Italy and Germany raises breast cancer awareness and - through such events as the Race for the Cure, a series of 100 annual running races with more than 1 million yearly participants - raises funds to support research toward a cure.
Bush praised the financial contributions of the U.S. government and individual Americans in support of "exciting and hopeful" research.
En route to the games, the first lady stopped at Aviano Air Force base, where she thanked Italian forces for their support and sacrifice in the war against terrorism.
She similarly thanked the American servicemen and women present, telling them "You've earned the respect and the gratitude of the American people."
Recounting the achievements of airmen and soldiers stationed in Aviano and in Vicenza, Italy, Bush praised their efforts in training Afghan National Guard members, responding to the recent earthquake in Pakistan and East Asian tsunami and continuing to maintain peace and stability in the Balkans.
At several stops, the first lady introduced other members of the official Olympic delegation, including U.S. Ambassador to Italy Ronald Spogli and four former U.S. Olympians: figure skaters Dorothy Hamill and Debi Thomas; speed skater Eric Heiden; gymnast Kerry Strug and bobsledder (and former National Football League star) Herschel Walker.
At Turin, the first lady, Italian President Azeglio Ciampi and a crowd of some 35,000 attended the Opening Ceremony, which includes a traditional parade of athletes from more than 80 participating nations.
See Also:
First Lady Offers Thanks, Encouragement at Italy Base
Source: U.S. Department of State
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