For Immediate Release
Office of the First Lady
February 16, 2006

Mrs. Bush's Remarks at a Junior Ranger School Visit
Banyan Elementary School
Miami, Florida

Photos

9:48 A.M. EST

MRS. BUSH: Well, I talked to each little group about different things as we've gone around, but I want to encourage you to keep studying science, to keep learning as much as you can about animals. And you're lucky here where you live, because you have these great outdoor laboratories. You can go to these national parks and see animals that most people around the United States would never, ever have a chance to see in their whole lives -- like an alligator. Most people don't ever get to see an alligator.

So you all have the chance to keep studying science, to learn more and more about botany, about the plants and the animals and biology that are available -- the biodiversity of your parks here in Florida. So I want to thank your teacher for inspiring you, and I want to thank the Rangers for dedicating their whole lives and all of their careers to making sure our parks are perfect and pristine and well taken care of so that boys and girls can visit those parks, and that your children will be able to visit the parks, as well, that each generation will take care of the parks and all of our beautiful landscapes in the United States so that the next generation will be able to enjoy them, as well.

So thank you. Thank you for emphasizing science teaching. And thank you to all the Rangers for what you do for our country and for our children.

END 9:50 A.M. EST