April 25, 2008 President talks about malaria in Hartford, Conn. Play video

(Brian Burnell, NECN) - President Bush was in Connecticut Thursday to raise awareness and money. He spoke at a Boys and Girls Club about the worldwide battle against malaria. The, it was off to a GOP fundraiser at the home of a former Secretary of State.

Script:

As President Bush's motorcade arrived at the Northwest Boys and Girl’s Club in Hartford, Connecticut, a few dozen anti-war protestors let him know they were there. Also on hand, was a group of flag waving kindergarteners. After taking a quick tour of the club, the President spoke about efforts to eradicate malaria. Over 150 Boys and Girls clubs nationwide have joined the President's malaria initiative and raised some $25,000 dollars to buy bednets for people in Africa where the disease is widespread but preventable. Mosquitoes spread the disease through bites. Prevent the bites, prevent malaria.

President Bush: “I know the Boys and Girls will probably never meet any of the lives who are being saved. I had the honor of traveling to Africa and I can assure all who've been helping, the people of Africa are most grateful to the American citizens for their help.”

The president says he has also called upon the other G-8 nations to match America’s commitment to wiping out malaria. He says he will remind those countries' leaders of that at this July’s G-8 meeting.

President Bush: “There are babies dieing needlessly on the continent of Africa and if they have made a pledge

to support the efforts to fight malaria they need to write the checks and, of course, we'll be reminding them of that in a very gentle way...Diplomatic fashion.”

President Bush says this effort is not only humane, it is also a tactic in the war against terrorism.

President Bush: “The terrorists and extremists can only find fertile recruiting grounds where they find hopelessness. So the best way to defeat this ideology of hate is with acts of compassion and love.”

From Hartford, the president headed to Kent, Connecticut to the home of former Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger. Kissinger hosted a $1,000 dollar per-person fundraiser for a state senator who is running for the 5th District Congressional seat this fall.