President George Walker Bush
(43rd US President, 2001-2009)
Three-years after President Clinton’s visit, Monroe again added to its distinguished legacy by hosting a fourth presidential visit. On September 15, 2003, President George W. Bush (2001-2009) came to the city to tour the coal-burning Monroe Power Plant on the shore of Lake Erie. The 43rd president was given a tour of what Detroit Edison says is one of the largest coal-fired electrical generating plants in the world. The president spoke to several hundred employees and invited guests about his administration’s proposed changes to air pollution laws. The commander-in-chief also reminded those gathered of his conviction to keep the nation’s security a top priority “The only way to win the war on terror is to stay on the offensive. But the best way to make sure the homeland is secure, is to hunt these killers down one by one and bring them to justice, which the United States of America will do.”
The president linked job security and economic prosperity with peoples’ and business’ ability to have confidence in having reliable sources of energy. President Bush praised the Monroe Power Plant’s employees for playing a significant role in maintaining a healthy economy in Southeast Michigan “For all the workers who work here. I want you to know that you’re providing an important service. Creating the conditions so people can find a job. You’re working hard to make sure somebody can turn on a light switch and they can realize the comforts of modern life. Thanks for what you do.”
PRESIDENT ANDREW JOHNSON
PRESIDENT HOWARD TAFT
PRESIDENT WILLIAM CLINTON