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Oct. 6 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2008 seek a more productive and cooperative re- you. May God bless you, and may God lationship in Washington, then they have bless the American people. a perfect opportunity to prove it, by giving these nominees the up-or-down vote they NOTE: The President spoke at 3:02 p.m. at deserve. the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza. In Our democracy requires us to come to- his remarks, he referred to Peter W. gether and to get things done for the citi- Schramm, executive director, Ashbrook Cen- zens of this great republic. I’m confident ter for Public Affairs, Ashland University, we can do that. And I’m grateful that there who introduced the President; former U.S. are dedicated people like you all who are Solicitor General Paul D. Clement; and working so hard to help us put good judges former Ohio Secretary of State J. Kenneth on the courts and, equally important, to Blackwell. He also referred to H.R. 1424, ap- help invest the American people in the proved October 3, which was assigned Public process. Law No. 110–343. The Office of the Press I salute you for your good work. Appre- Secretary also released a Spanish language ciate the chance to come and visit with transcript of these remarks. Remarks Honoring the 2008 United States Summer Olympic and Paralympic Teams October 7, 2008 The President. Thank you. Welcome. The President. ——including John Burke, Good morning. the Chairman; Dot Richardson, the Vice Audience members. Good morning. Chairman—by the way, member of the The President. This is a special day for 1996 and 2000 U.S. Olympic gold medal the White House. Laura and I are proud softball teams. And the reason I want to to welcome the greatest Olympic and mention them is today the Health and Paralympic team ever assembled. And I Human Services is issuing its Physical Fit- bring greetings from the honorary captain ness Guidelines, and there’s no better time of the Olympic teams, President George to remind our fellow citizens that physical H.W. Bush; we call him 41. fitness will lead to a healthy America. Just look what’s happened to the people sur- I want to thank the members of the Cab- rounding me. [Laughter] And so we urge inet who are here and the administration. our fellow citizens to look at these guide- I want to thank the coaches and the team lines and to take time out of your days leaders, and the U.S. Olympic Committee to exercise. Now, not every one of you has leadership and staff for being here. We to ride a mountain bike, but if you walk welcome the representatives of Chicago just 20 minutes a day, you’ll help America 2016 who are here. Members of the U.S. and help yourself. Armed Forces, moms, dads, girlfriends, Attending the Beijing Olympics was one boyfriends, supporters of the mighty Olym- of the great experiences of our lifetime. pic team, we’re glad you’re here. Laura and I had a fantastic experience. We I do want to welcome members of the will never forget the first night at the Bird’s President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Nest for the spectacular opening ceremony. Sports—— When the Team USA was announced, HEARING Audience member. Whoo! [Laughter] there was a notable increase in the cheers. with 1276 DSK7SPTVN1PROD on VerDate Mar 15 2010 10:40 May 25, 2012 Jkt 217559 PO 00000 Frm 00310 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 E:\HR\OC\217559.013 217559 wreier-aviles Administration of George W. Bush, 2008 / Oct. 7 And then came the greatest sight of all: gratulate all the swimmers for the Olympic more than 500 America’s—of America’s fin- team. est athletes marching behind our flag, car- And how about our gymnasts, Nastia ried by Bernard Lagat [Lopez Lomong]. Liukin and Shawn Johnson? What I found It was an incredible sight, and I know it interesting was that these champions were was a moment that all of our athletes roommates while they were competing for looked forward to, and it’s a moment that gold. And one wonders whether or not that we were so honored to share with you. friendship would be damaged in the heat In the weeks that followed, our Olympic of the competition. The truth of the matter team took part in the largest games ever is, it wasn’t. They showed the true Olympic held. Over 100,000 [10,000] * athletes com- spirit of being competitors in the gym but peted in more than 300 events. An unprec- being friends in the dorm. And so we wel- edented 87 countries brought home medals. come these two champions here today, and Forty-three world records were broken. we thank you for setting such a good exam- About 4.7 billion viewers watched the ple. Olympics. So, as you know, I’m a baseball guy and And with the eyes of the world turned have come to admire women’s softball a on Beijing, our teams rose to the occasion. lot. The Olympic team finished with the top Audience member. Whoo! medal count of 110 medals. The President. Yes. [Laughter] So I know But more impressive was the decency with us today are Finch, Duran, Abbott, and character that these Olympics brought Galindo, Lappin, Lowe, Berg, and Watley, on the world stage. I know you worked members of the U.S. Olympic women’s hard—the Olympics and Paralympic teams softball team. worked hard to get to this moment. Wheth- I bring this up because I really think er you won a medal or not, it really doesn’t that these women are an inspiration to matter in the long run. What really matters young girls all across the globe, and the is the honor you brought to your sports Olympics would be smart to keep women’s and to your families and to your country. softball as a part of its program. And I And we thank you for the lasting memo- want to thank you for welcoming to your ries that you gave us all. And so here are practice. some of the lasting memories that I will I also want to welcome today a fellow take with me forever. First of all, the Water Texan named Laura Wilkinson. And at Syd- Cube—watching Jason Lezak touch out, I ney, she stunned the world by taking gold. think it was the French team—[laughter]— This summer, she returned to the Olympic on the 4x100 freestyle relay, and then stage for the third and final time, and she watching the joy of his teammates, includ- was fighting through injuries. But she ing Michael Phelps. brought such class to the arena. There was People say, ‘‘Did you ever get to meet never any of this, ‘‘woe is me, how pitiful Michael Phelps?’’ I said, ‘‘I did.’’ ‘‘So that is life.’’ She said she was honored to com- was the highlight?’’ I said, ‘‘Not really; pete. She and her husband have returned meeting his mother was more of a high- home to the great State of Texas to raise light.’’ [Laughter] She reminded me of my money for a new diving center in The mother—plain-spoken and full of love. Woodlands, Texas. In other words, she had So, Michael, we congratulate you. We put something back into the community. thank you for joining us today, and we con- And I urge all of us, whether we’re Olym- pic—Olympians or not, to recognize the HEARING * White House correction. opportunity to make the communities in with 1277 DSK7SPTVN1PROD on VerDate Mar 15 2010 10:40 May 25, 2012 Jkt 217559 PO 00000 Frm 00311 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 E:\HR\OC\217559.013 217559 wreier-aviles Oct. 7 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2008 which we live a better place. Laura, wel- Now, one of the things that we really come, and thank you for the example you regret missing was the—being in the Bird’s have set. Nest for the 13th Paralympic Games. And So I spent a little time at the beach we congratulate the athletes who are here volleyball arena. [Laughter] I got to meet as well. We recognize your hard work, and Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser. These we’re proud to call you Olympians. two men are incredible athletes, and they— I’m particularly pleased to be here with it was really interesting to be there to those who have worn the uniform of our watch them warm up. And then they intro- country. On the America team were 16 duced me to the Brazilian team and to men and women who served the Nation the Italian team. And it was really a lot in uniform, one of whom was Army Lieu- of fun, but not nearly as much fun as spending time with Misty May-Treanor and tenant Melissa Stockwell. She lost her leg Kerri Walsh. [Laughter] while serving our country in Iraq. Four These two women are not only great ath- years after hard work, 4 years after signifi- letes, they’re really great people. And I’m cant rehabilitation, she qualified as a swim- just so sorry that Misty May got injured mer. And her teammates elected her as on Dancing for the Stars. [Laughter] God, the flag bearer for the closing ceremonies. if only she had me as a partner, you know? We welcome you, Melissa, and we welcome [Laughter] Except I can’t dance.

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