http://www.thedesertsun.com/apps/pbcs.d ... 30317/1006


Bono gets one-on-one time with president
Keith Matheny
The Desert Sun
April 23, 2006

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COACHELLA VALLEY - Rep. Mary Bono got to talk about a "very full agenda" of issues with President George W. Bush, as she rode in his presidential limousine Saturday - extended personal access that would make most others in Congress envious.
"It was really nice to have half an hour of uninterrupted time with the president," Bono said. "The one-on-one face time was really extraordinary."

Among the items of discussion:

Alternative energy sources. "He was delighted to see our windmills," Bono said, adding the energy-producing wind turbines west of Palm Springs fit into Bush's alternative energy policies. Bush also discussed hybrid and fuel cell technology with Bono during the ride, she said.

Undocumented immigration. "He and I spoke quite a bit about this," Bono said. "He and I are on the same page on illegal immigration. We both believe in stronger border protection, but we also believe in allowing people to come to our country, but to do it legally."

Guest-worker program. Both Bono and Bush support a guest-worker program allowing those from other countries to come to the U.S. and work legally for a period of time in jobs where they are needed. "Neither of us supports amnesty," she said.

Disaster preparedness. Bono talked about the federal and local government roles in disaster preparedness as she explained to Bush how close they were to the San Andreas fault, one of six fault lines that crisscross the Coachella Valley. Like state emergency officials, Bono said she is increasingly concerned about what could happen should a large earthquake rumble through this corner of the California desert. She said she plans to meet with federal officials to discuss how prepared the desert is for such an event.

Bono broke news about the president's plans for recreation while here in the Coachella Valley. Bush intends to indulge his passion for bike-riding somewhere in the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Sunday before heading to Twentynine Palms, she said.