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For Immediate Release
Office of the First Lady
May 17, 2008

Mrs. Bush's Remarks After a Coral Reefs and Conservation Boat Tour
Sharm El Maya Port
Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt

photos  Photos

3:56 P.M. (Local)

MRS. BUSH: This has been a very interesting and really beautiful tour of this Ras Mohammed National Park. This is a national protected marine area in Egypt because of the fabulous coral reefs that are below.

I was with people who are scientists here -- NGOs that are working to -- with the government, to make sure all of this stays protected; members of USAID who also are partnering in this effort to let people be able to see these fabulous coral reefs, but at the same time protect the coral reefs forever.

Mrs. Laura Bush sits with Ms. Hilda Arellano, USAID Cairo Mission Director, as they prepare to launch out on a Challenger Boat Tour Saturday, May 17, 2008, off the coast of Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. White House photo by Shealah Craighead And one of the things they're working on is ecotourism, bringing people here who come specifically to look at the coral reefs and look at the fish that we got to see when we were below, but also are very involved in the environment themselves have come with the idea of being able to protect what they're looking at.

So it was terrific. I hope you all got to see when you were down there a little bit with me how -- what fabulous sights we got and how unbelievable the fish were and what a beautiful world we have.

Thank you all.

END 3:58 P.M. (Local)

 


Mrs. Laura Bush listens to Dr. Mohamed Salem, Head of the South Sinai Protectorates, Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency, as they prepare to depart for a coral reefs and ocean conservation tour Saturday, May 17, 2008, in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Joining them are Ms. Hilda Arellano, USAID Cairo Mission Director, and Mr. Amir Ali, Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association. White House photo by Shealah Craighead
Mrs. Laura Bush is seen as she prepares to leave on the Challenger Boat Tour Saturday, May 17, 2008, off the coast of Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. White House photo by Shealah Craighead
Mrs. Laura Bush and Mrs. Anita McBride, Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff to the First Lady, listen to Mr. Amir Ali, Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association, as they head out for a coral reefs and ocean conservation tour Saturday, May 17, 2008, in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. White House photo by Shealah Craighead
Mrs. Laura Bush looks out from underwater windows during her coral reefs and ocean conservation tour Saturday, May 17, 2008, in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. White House photo by Shealah Craighead
Mrs. Laura Bush speaks with members of the media following her participation in a coral reefs and ocean conservation tour Saturday, May 17, 2008, in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Printer-Friendly VersionPrinter-Friendly Version   Email this pageEmail This Page