President Bush's commencement address at Texas A&M University on Friday will be transmitted live to Rudder Auditorium, which will be open to the general public, university officials announced Thursday.

KAMU-TV will provide a live telecast of the 10:30 a.m. event at Reed Arena.

White House officials have been tight-lipped about what Bush will say during the address.

But a few details emerged during the daily White House press briefing Thursday when a reporter in Washington asked press secretary Dana Perino whether she had read the speech.

"I have read it," she said, according to a White House transcript. "Actually, it's a very good speech.

"I shouldn't say 'actually,'" she added, to laughter.

"OK, I'm digging myself out of the hole," she said. "The speech is about -- it's not focused a lot on policy. The president will -- it's a commencement speech, so one of the things the president will do is talk about some -- he'll give some advice as to how he thinks they can have good and healthy and productive lives as American citizens graduating from Texas A&M University. Obviously, it's near and dear to the family's heart, and to his dad's, in particular."

Former President George Bush and his wife, Barbara, were in College Station on Thursday. The couple dined at a table for two at Cafe Eccell on Northgate.

Security will be tight, and officials said it might be necessary for ticket-holders to arrive two to three hours early.

Everyone entering Reed Arena, including infants, must have a ticket, and everyone will go through a security screen.

Road closures are standard when the president delivers a commencement address, but that information -- along with everything related to the security of the president -- won't be released, a spokesman for the Secret Service said.

Bush has attended 22 commencement ceremonies since he became president. Friday's will mark his first in six months and will be his last as president, according to a White House spokesman.

IN SHORT

Security will be tight for President Bush's commencement speech at Texas A&M's Reed Arena on Friday.

* Everyone, including infants, must have a ticket to enter Reed Arena.

* Everyone over the age of 16 must have a valid photo ID.

* Backpacks, bags, food, liquids and other personal belongings will not be allowed in the arena.

* Ticket-holders must enter through Reed Arena's north or east entrance between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.

* All vehicles in the area must be parked by 9:45 a.m.

Comments

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3 comment(s) found!

Posted by: PHARAOH On: 12/12/2008

Comment Title: OVERSHADOWING
Arlene, your comments are overshadowing your daughter's graduation. You can choose to be happy or choose to be angry. Congratulations!

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Posted by: Ruth On: 12/12/2008

Comment Title: Bush Speech
Actually, you are misinformed. He's not speaking at the actual graduation, but a separate event. The graduations start at 2 pm this afternoon and have two tomorrow. He's not overshadowing a thing. I graduated 20 years ago and Bush 41 spoke at my graduation only out of three. He was the sitting president then and I was honored, so I don't really understand that thought.

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Posted by: Arlene Griffis '76 On: 12/12/2008

Comment Title:
I think that it is really sad that GWB's address has overshadowed the graduation of these young people. My daughter graduated last May and I know that it is one of the most exciting days in the life of a family. I think that it is inconsiderate to the families attending graduation for there to be so many restrictions and obstacles. What were university officials thinking? Bush is a lame duck who should quietly ride off into the sunset and the sooner the better for our country.

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