Administration of George W. Bush, 2003 / Oct. 14

Development for Community Planning and of Health; Harvey Waite, husband of Rep- Development Roy A. Bernardi; Anthony S. resentative Virginia Brown-Waite; and Prime Fauci, Director, National Institute of Allergy Minister Silvio Berlusconi of Italy. and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes

Remarks Honoring the 2003 National Association Champion October 14, 2003

The President. Thank you all for coming. may know, his father, Bob, won the NBA Thank you. Please be seated. Welcome. To Championship ring. And so Danny and Bob all you San Antonio Spurs fans, we’re glad Ferry are only the second father/son com- you’re here in the Rose Garden. I’m par- bination to ever win a championship ring— ticularly glad the San Antonio Spurs are [laughter]—if you get my drift. [Laughter] here today. We want to congratulate you We’re members of the famous fathers club. on a fantastic championship run. [Laughter] And anyway, I want to welcome I first want to welcome my friend Peter you here. You’ll see where the—only the Holt, who turned out to be a pretty darn second son of a President office is in a good owner. [Laughter] It’s more than I minute. [Laughter] can say for the former Ranger ownership. I also—one of the things that happens [Laughter] But congratulations, Peter, to when a championship team comes here, it you and your organization. I want to thank gives me a chance to talk about the devel- R.C. Buford, who is the general manager, opment of a culture, a winning culture in- and , who is the manager side an organization. I like to call it a cul- of—the coach of the club. And I want to ture of service, people being willing to welcome the players and your wives and serve something greater than themself, in friends and family here. After this is over, this case, a team. I’d like to invite you in the Oval Office I was struck by ’s comments and let you see where the decisions are after the sixth game when they were talking made that affect the peace and freedom about the fantastic individual effort he had. of this world. And a reporter said, ‘‘What about that ef- I want to welcome some huge San Anto- fort?’’ He said, ‘‘It’s cool,’’ but then imme- nio Spurs fans: Senator John Cornyn from diately went on to talk about the accom- San Antonio; Lamar Smith and Henry plishments of his teammates, recognizing Bonilla as well from San Antonio. You got that you can’t win a championship unless to know that during the playoffs, these guys you’re able to rely upon others and lift were touting the Spurs. They were giving others up and participate with others and a pretty hefty line to anybody who dared work hard with others. And it’s a phe- bet against the Spurs, and you didn’t let nomenal tribute to the San Antonio Spurs them down. So welcome. I’m glad you’re that they’ve got such great individual play- here. ers who are willing to work as a team. Danny Ferry is here. Where is Danny And it’s a wonderful example for our coun- Ferry? try—it really is. Audience member. He’s there. The other thing that struck me about The President. Yes, there he is. He and this organization that is so powerful is that I share an interesting relationship. As you there is a culture of service when it comes

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to utilizing their positions as champs to road to championships. And that’s what make somebody else’s life better. Gregg you’re here to do, is to receive the acco- Popovich won a of Light for his lades from our country for serving as not drug—anti-drug programs in the early nine- only great athletes but as great role models ties. What a class act that must be for play- for children who look up to you. ers to work for a coach who then takes So welcome to the Rose Garden. Con- time out of his private life to set a good gratulations on such a great, successful sea- example for the children of the community son. And may God continue to bless you, in which he lives and to work to rally the and may God continue to bless the United armies of compassion to make somebody States of America. Thank you for coming. else’s life better, in this case to help a community fight off the scourge of drugs. Or , who is now heavily NOTE: The President spoke at 10:56 a.m. in involved in education in the San Antonio the Rose Garden at the White House. In his community. He’s not only a great husband remarks, he referred to Peter Holt, chairman but a great role model for others to see. and chief executive officer, R.C. Buford, gen- I know many of you all do the same thing eral manager, Gregg Popovich, head coach, in your communities, that you care deeply Danny Ferry, director of basketball oper- about the lives of your fellow citizens, and ations, Tim Duncan, , and David Rob- I want to congratulate you. I think you’re inson, retired center, San Antonio Spurs; and champs because you understand that serv- Representatives Lamar Smith and Henry ing something greater than yourself is the Bonilla of Texas.

Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting a Report on Iraq October 14, 2003

Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:) under section 7 of the Iraq Liberation Act Consistent with the Authorization for of 1998 (Public Law 105–338). Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolu- Sincerely, tion of 2002 (Public Law 107–243), the Au- GEORGE W. BUSH thorization for the Use of Force Against Iraq Resolution (Public Law 102–1), and NOTE: Identical letters were sent to J. Den- in order to keep the Congress fully in- nis Hastert, Speaker of the House of Rep- formed, I am providing a report prepared resentatives, and Richard B. Cheney, Presi- by my Administration. This report includes dent of the Senate. This letter was released matters relating to post-liberation Iraq by the Office of the Press Secretary on Octo- ber 15.

Remarks Following a Roundtable Discussion in Dinuba, California October 15, 2003

Como esta? [Applause] Me, too. [Laugh- be here. Fred, thank you very much for ter] Thanks for coming. It’s an honor to your hospitality on this beautiful day. It’s

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