Thank you, Clay Johnson, for that kind introduction. And thanks to everyone at the OMB's Diversity Council and the Office of Administration who put this event together.

I want to thank you all for taking time from your very busy schedule to join us today. This is the 18th anniversary of Women's History Month—born the same year, I might add, as my eldest daughter Mary. (I have to be careful not to embarrass her too much in my speeches!)

It's a good time to reflect on how far women have come in America and the world, and the opportunities—many of them hard-fought—we now enjoy.

It's also a good time to focus on the opportunity we have, as public servants, to keep this progress going and make a difference in the lives of men and women everywhere.

America is both a model and a leader. The world looks to us to advance universal values such as liberty and equal opportunity. Over the past few months we have seen just how universal those values are, with every defiant ink-stained finger or face-painted freedom-fighter.

You are among the people they look up to for hope. You're the face we show the world. And I want to thank you for serving your country and setting such a positive example.

I have been privileged, as have many of you, to serve a President who believes in these values with all his heart. Yes, he has led a diverse Administration, appointing six women to his Cabinet , myself included, and many more to his White House staff and all throughout government.

But when the history books look back at this time, I believe they will note what we did, not who we were. We've had a seat at the table, helping to shape America and the world at a time of rapid and profound change. It's truly been a gift.

This week I had the opportunity to join the First Lady in Afghanistan with other members of the U.S.-Afghan Women's Council. We were there to help deliver the gift of education to the Afghan people.

We know that freedom cannot be easily sustained without education. That is why the Taliban closed schools and barred young girls and women from the classroom. Today Afghan women's literacy rate is still about 14 percent.

The First Lady and I toured the Women's Teacher Training Institute in Kabul and spoke to its students and teachers. The school was created directly as a result of Mrs. Bush's desire to improve education for girls in that nation. And now, they are free to teach and to learn.

While there I signed an agreement on behalf of the United States government to provide more than $17 million for the new American University of Afghanistan in Kabul, as well as $3.5 million for the International School of Afghanistan for primary and secondary children.

We also highlighted the many contributions from the private sector, including computer equipment and software donated by Dell and Microsoft.

Before we left we met with President Karzai, and thanked the United States and coalition military forces, whose brave service deserves every American's gratitude.

This was my second trip to the country, and one of the most rewarding experiences I've had in government. The first time, I heard many personal accounts about the brutality and cruelty of life under the Taliban. This time I had the opportunity to see the changes we've helped bring to that country.

But this is not the end of the journey. It's just the beginning. The First Lady reminded us that we're only a few years removed from the rule of terrorists, who denied women not only an education but basic human rights.

But we are truly making progress—strengthening democracy's foundation and setting a positive example to the rest of the world. As the President said, "no society can advance with only half of its talent and energy—and that demands the full participation of women."

That goes for us as well. Some believe that there are limits to opportunity in America—that success depends in part on one's background or bank account or race or gender.

Others believe that, with hard work, encouragement and—most importantly—education, there are no limits to one's horizon. Count me as one of them!

Unfortunately, we're still a far cry from realizing that promise for everyone. When President Bush came into office, he saw that too many American children were being left behind.

Some were misdiagnosed and held back, while others were promoted from grade to grade without mastering the material. Some attended schools where very little was expected, others had special needs that went unmet.

We sought to change this by returning high standards and accountability to our classrooms. One of the President's first legislative actions was to lead a bipartisan coalition to pass the No Child Left Behind Act.

It measures the progress of all children annually so educators can get them the help they needed before it's too late. The President coupled this reform with a 38 percent increase in K-12 funding, much of it to train teachers in proven instructional methods.

Today, a little over three years later, test scores are on the rise, with nearly every state reporting improved academic performance. And the "achievement gap" is finally beginning to close.

Two new reports tell the tale. A Center on Education Policy survey of 49 states found that overall student achievement is on the rise. At-risk students are being helped much earlier, and students with disabilities are receiving more time and attention.

A second report, "Beating the Odds Five" by the Council of the Great City Schools, found continuing progress in big-city school districts. This is welcome news for students, their families and the nation. Once lagging behind, inner-city schools are now forging ahead.

We're also improving relative to our economic competitors. NAEP, the National Assessment of Educational Progress, or "Nation's Report Card," has shown a nine-point increase in math scores for fourth-grade girls, and a five-point increase for eighth-grade girls, since 2000. And on the most recent international TIMSS test, gains were made by both female and minority students.

There is still room to do better. President Bush believes we must expand the promise of No Child Left Behind to grades 9-11, to close a growing "skills gap" faced by our graduates.

According to some estimates, two-thirds of students leave high school unprepared for college. The bipartisan National Governors Association reports that, "High schools are failing to prepare too many of our students for work and higher education." This is no small matter in a world where 80 percent of the fastest-growing jobs will require some post-secondary education.

Women, who have long been drawn to educational fields, have a special opportunity to contribute to this emerging success story. Over the past decade, female math and science teachers have increased six-fold; chemistry teachers, four-fold—contrary to some conventional wisdom.

By embracing these reforms, educators can know the rewards of making a difference for millions, one person at a time.

Today, a greater percentage of women than men hold college degrees. And women-owned businesses are growing at twice the overall rate. Women have entered male-dominated fields in a big way. Those who do now earn the same or more as their male counterparts.

But few opportunities are possible without education. To encourage young dreams, we must educate young minds. And we must work together to ensure that every young girl and boy is given that education—and that opportunity.

As Sandra Day O'Connor said, "It is wonderful to be first, but I do not want to be the last!" So in this Women's History Month, let us once again reaffirm these universal values and ideals for Americans and the entire world.

Thank you.

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