Bush Urges High Ethical Standards

WASHINGTON (UPI) – President Bush witnessed the swearing-in of his White House staff Monday and said he expected them to avoid even the appearance of impropriety and to conduct themselves with humility and civility at all times.

In an East Room ceremony, Vice President Dick Cheney administered the oath of office to several dozen White House staff members. The oath is not unlike the oaths Bush and Cheney took Saturday, committing the oath-taker to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic," and "bear true faith and allegiance to the same."

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Bush warned that he expected his White House staff to meet the highest ethical standards, avoiding not only violations of law, but even the appearance of impropriety.

"We must remember the high standards that come with high office," he said. "This begins careful adherence with the rules. I expect every member of this administration to stay well within the boundaries (that) define legal and ethical conduct."

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Bush told his staff that he sees civility as a central part of the required behavior of White House staff. "There is no excuse for arrogance and never a reason for disrespect toward others," he said. "I expect each of you ... to be an example of humility and decency and fairness."