THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

______________________________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release April 17, 2006

PRESS SCHEDULE OF THE PRESIDENT FOR TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 2006

Intown Travel Pool

Wires: AP, Reuters, Bloomberg

Wire Photos: AP, Reuters, AFP

TV Corr & Crew: CBS

Print: Baltimore Sun

Radio: CBS

Magazine Photo: Newsweek

Independent Pool: AP

8:00 am INTOWN TRAVEL POOL gathers in the Brady Briefing Room

11:10 am THE PRESIDENT meets with the Prime Minister of Lebanon

Oval Office, The White House

POOL AT BOTTOM

1:05 pm THE PRESIDENT departs The White House via Marine One

South Lawn, The White House

OPEN PRESS

(Pre-set: 12:35 pm)

(INTOWN TRAVEL POOL departs from West Executive Avenue at 12:20 pm)

1:30 pm THE PRESIDENT participates in a Visit to Parkland Magnet Middle

School for Aerospace Technology

Parkland Magnet Middle School for Aerospace Technology

Rockville, Maryland

POOL AT BOTTOM

1:55 pm THE PRESIDENT makes Remarks on the American

Competitiveness Initiative

Parkland Magnet Middle School for Aerospace Technology

Rockville, Maryland

OPEN PRESS

3:05 pm THE PRESIDENT arrives The White House via Marine One

South Lawn, The White House

OPEN PRESS

(Pre-set: 2:05 pm)

Briefing Schedule:
(Pre-set: 2:05 pm)

Briefing Schedule:

8:50 am: Gaggle by the Press Secretary in the Brady Briefing Room

12:45 pm: Briefing by the Press Secretary in the Brady Briefing Room

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BACKGROUND.....FROM WHITE HOUSE RELEASE
In His State Of The Union Address, President Bush Announced The American Competitiveness Initiative (ACI) To Encourage American Innovation And Strengthen Our Nation's Ability To Compete In The Global Economy. This ambitious strategy will increase Federal investment in critical research, ensure that the United States continues to lead the world in opportunity and innovation, and provide American children with a strong foundation in math and science. The American Competitiveness Initiative commits $5.9 billion in FY 2007, and more than $136 billion over 10 years, to increase investments in research and development (R&D), strengthen education, and encourage entrepreneurship and innovation.