Fox News has the story on this video here:
WASHINGTON — The White House turned its attention Wednesday to preventing and eradicating malaria, a big killer of African children.
But it wasn't all serious business: President Bush pounded on the drums for a West African dance troupe and had some fun at Congress' expense.
The Rose Garden event with Bush and his wife, Laura, was the first time the White House has marked Malaria Awareness Day alongside observances elsewhere in the world.
"On this special day, we renew our commitment to lead the world toward an urgent goal, and that is to turn the tide against malaria in Africa, and around the globe," the president said.
More than 1 million people die each year from malaria. The mosquito-borne disease is the leading cause of death of African children under age 5. Tens of millions of people suffer chronically.
"Defeating malaria is going to be a challenge, but it's not going to require a miracle," he said.
He pointed to Washington's experience prevailing over malaria a century ago. It had been such a problem that many diplomats received extra hardship pay for assignments to the hot, swampy U.S. capital and, Bush said, "Congress would often flee the capital for months at a time."
"Other than that," he said, "the consequences were all negative."
In 2005, Bush undertook a five-year, $1.2 billion effort that challenges the private sector to join the U.S. government in combatting malaria in the hardest-hit African nations. Its aim is to slash the disease's mortality rate by half in targeted nations.
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[Bush] ended the event on a much less-severe note.
After a few songs from the colorfully and traditionally dressed KanKouran West African Dance Company, the president and first lady joined the dancers and drummers on stage for a picture.
In no time, it was Bush who was enthusiastically choreographing the moves. Flashing a big grin, Bush pounded on the drums to set the rhythm and led the women and men of the group in a little dance.
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