NewsMax.com Wires
Monday, April 4, 2005

Press secretary Scott McClellan said the White House would announce the rest of the delegation that will attend with Bush later on Monday. He said with all the countries planning to send high-level representatives to the funeral, the United States will keep its delegation small.

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He said the Bushes probably will leave Wednesday for the Friday funeral, although plans were still being finalized.

McClellan said Bush will reschedule plans for a Thursday trip to South Carolina to push for change to the Social Security system. He's moving a visit to Fort Hood, Texas, from Friday up to Tuesday, McClellan said. The schedule at Fort Hood includes a speech on the war on terror and lunch with the troops.

Bush will still host Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon at his Texas ranch next Monday, McClellan said.

Bush remembered the pope in a live televised statement less than 90 minutes after his death on Saturday, calling him a "hero for the ages."

Since then, the White House has been working with the Vatican to make plans for the Bushes to attend the funeral but the trip was not definitely announced until Monday.

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