Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on the President's Meeting with Sadako Ogata, United Nations High Commissioner for Refu
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June 24 / Administration of George Bush, 1991 Note: The exchange began at 11:08 a.m. in was not available for verification of the con- the Oval Office at the White House. A tape tent of these remarks. Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on the President’s Meeting With Sadako Ogata, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees June 24, 1991 President Bush met today with Mrs. diately an additional $5 million in refugee Sadako Ogata, the United Nations High program funds to meet the emergency Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). needs of refugees and displaced persons in They discussed refugee issues worldwide, the Horn of Africa. This brings total U.S. with special emphasis on the Horn of Africa support for refugee assistance activities in and the situation in Iraq. They agreed on the Horn of Africa for fiscal year 1991 to the importance of a rapid and comprehen- $51.3 million, including recent provision of sive response to humanitarian emergencies. $18 million in Food for Peace food and The President underscored the strong and 3.6 million Meals Ready to Eat (MRE’s) continuing U.S. support for UNHCR and valued at $15.3 million. wished Mrs. Ogata well in her new position The United States is prepared to provide as High Commissioner. additional assistance as may be required. The United States will contribute imme- Remarks Congratulating the National Hockey League Champion Pittsburgh Penguins June 24, 1991 Well, please be seated. And standing next The Penguins have brought home the city’s to me is a Pennsylvanian of note, our Attor- first-ever Stanley Cup—brought the Cup ney General. And he and I are very excited back to the U.S. for the first time since and somewhat—I am, at least—apologetic 1983. Somehow, I have the feeling that’s for keeping this group of athletes waiting. even—special even if you’re a Rose Garden I don’t want to get them up in arms like veteran like Eddie DeBartolo over here, I’ve seen them from time to time out on who comes regularly with his football team. the ice. [Laughter] But it’s not exactly hock- [Laughter] But four Super Bowls with the ey weather, either; I’ll admit that. But let 49ers, and now he’s starting down this Stan- me salute Pennsylvania’s two Senators that ley Cup collection road. We welcome you, are with us today, Senator Specter, Senator sir. Wofford; of course, Rick Santorum, your The Penguins take their place alongside Congressman from out there; and Bob the Pirates and the Steelers in the hearts Walker, another great Pennsylvanian. So, of Pittsburghers. And in the ‘‘City of Cham- welcome all. pions,’’ a new ice age has begun. I’m delighted that we’re here to honor Back when the season started, I don’t the Penguins, the National Hockey mean to downgrade you guys, but I don’t League’s champions that brought such ex- think anyone of all our sports sages and citement to this country. This is a special scribes were predicting that you’d end up moment, I’m sure, for the city of Pittsburgh, right here. But sure enough—well, one of as it is for all of us here in the Rose Garden. the reasons last year, some very good 716 VerDate May 04 2004 08:34 Jul 20, 2004 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00728 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 D:\91PAP1\91PAP1.014 APPS10 PsN: 91PAP1 Administration of George Bush, 1991 / June 24 games, but you finished fifth—watched the 4, and already she’s pulled through surgery playoffs on TV. The Penguins began this and chemo and a bone marrow transplant. year without their mainstay, Mario And Ashley, I’m just so pleased you could Lemieux, and he was then out—as we all come here to the Rose Garden today. She’s know who follow this sport—with a serious sweet. You play your cards right and I’ll back injury. Without his top scorer, Coach invite you in to say hello to Millie, our Johnson built a strategy around the defense. dog, too. [Laughter] Mark Recchi and Kevin Stevens stepped Now, the Barrassos have overcome their right in to supply the scoring, and goalie pain to reach out to other children battling Tom Barrasso took his motto from Harry illness. They’ve begun a foundation to com- Truman: ‘‘The puck stops here.’’ [Laughter] bat childhood cancer. Every member of the And, yes, as we all know, Mario made Penguins team—the family, if you will— it back. Just so he wouldn’t feel left out, has joined in this effort. his teammates let him skate away with the I can tell you nothing hits harder than Stanley Cup MVP—you talk about a come- to see a kid up against this kind of a prob- back. lem. And so I would say to you, you are, But your success took team effort. A large in addition to being fantastic skaters—tough share of the credit does go to Craig Patrick, hockey players—you are what we like to the general manager who took a gamble refer to as Points of Light, each of you in March when the Penguins were 12 points in your own way, and we’re very grateful out of first place. Craig engineered a six- for the example that sets for our country. player trade that brought Ron Francis, Ulf So, you’re champions on the ice and off Samuelson, Grant Jennings to the team. the ice. And welcome to all of you. We’re And I think, most sports observers would just delighted you’re here on this beautiful concede it was in there that things started day. turning around. The Penguins went 9, 3, Thanks for coming. and 2 in their last 14 games—came from behind and clinched the title. Note: The President spoke at 11:42 a.m. in You beat the injuries. You beat the odds. the Rose Garden at the White House. In And, clearly, you beat your opponents all his opening remarks, he referred to Attorney the way to the Stanley Cup. General Dick Thornburgh; Senators Arlen So, your hard work, your drive, your de- Specter and Harris Wofford; Representatives termination made this a season to remem- Richard John Santorum and Robert S. Walk- ber. But while you’re here, let me just com- er; Edward DeBartolo, owner of the Pitts- mend you for another special achievement burgh Penguins and the San Francisco 49ers off the ice—for a team spirit that just football team; Bob Johnson and Craig Pat- doesn’t win games, but saves lives. rick, Penguins coach and general manager; I mentioned Tom Barrasso a moment ago. team members Mario Lemieux, Mark Recchi, Two years ago, Tom and his wife Megan Kevin Stevens, Tom Barrasso, Ron Francis, got the news that every parent dreads— Uif Samuelson, and Grant Jennings; and Mr. they learned their daughter was stricken Barrasso’s wife, Megan, and daughter, with cancer. And this brave little girl is only Ashley. 717 VerDate Aug 04 2004 09:33 Jul 12, 2005 Jkt 206205 PO 00000 Frm 00729 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 C:\91PAP1\91PAP1.014 APPS10 PsN: 91PAP1.