June 7 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2001

Remarks Honoring the XXXV Champion Ravens June 7, 2001

Thank you. Please be seated. It seems field, the wives deserve a lot of credit, too, like we drew quite a crowd here today. by standing behind the players. So con- It’s been a big day here at the White gratulate to the family members. House. I got to sign the most significant This is a team that is blessed by five tax relief in a generation. [Applause] Recy- native—having five native Texans on the cling a few tax families here. [Laughter] team. [Laughter] Very wise of you. [Laugh- Then, of course, I get the high honor of ter] So to my fellow Texans, welcome to welcoming the Super Bowl champs, the the White House. It’s good to see you. . [Laughter] First, I do want to thank the Members A couple of points I want to make. First, of the United States Congress from the I realize it’s been 30 years since the State of Maryland who are here. It seems Lombardi Trophy rested in Baltimore, like they have got a particular interest in Maryland. It’s clear by bringing it back this event. Thank you all for coming. Car- home, Art, that you have indelibly etched dinal, thank you for being here, as well. your team and your style and the team’s With you on the side of the Ravens, I can culture in the hearts of the people of Balti- now understand why teams like the Cow- more. boys didn’t do very well. I also want to use this opportunity—as Art, welcome, and congratulations. Some you know, I’m going over to Europe, and of you may know, or don’t know, I used one of the discussions there in Europe will to be an owner in the professional leagues. be about defense—[laughter]—Senator It happened to be in baseball. I never had Sarbanes. [Laughter] I think our Allies the thrill of receiving a trophy like you need to look at the Baltimore Ravens. and your family have done. It’s a great trib- [Laughter] They’ll realize good defense ute to good ownership, to win a trophy wins. A good defense is one which adjusts such as this, and I congratulate you for to the times. A good defense is modern. being here. And I congratulate you for put- A good defense is clear. And if Secretary ting together a fine organization. Big Ozzie, Rumsfeld gets tired of his job, ‘‘Secretary congratulations, sir. I’m your age. [Laugh- ’’ sounds pretty good—[laugh- ter] You look younger. [Laughter] Any- ter]—Secretary of Defense. [Laughter] way—I also want to congratulate the coach. At any rate, congratulations for winning. Brian, it’s good to see you again. I think I also want to congratulate Michael the players know this, that you can’t win McCrary. I do because he recently received a championship without a good coach, with- the NFL Players Association highest honor out a good leader. And it’s pretty hard to of humanitary achievement. That’s impor- inspire a group of strong-headed, great ath- tant. It’s important to be a champ on the letes—[laughter]—but you did. I congratu- field, and it’s important to be a champ off late you. the field. And Michael, I want to thank I want to congratulate all the players who you for your work with the Special Olym- are here. And I want to congratulate your pics. families, too. It’s sometimes not easy to be I don’t know if any of you have ever the wife of a football player or a baseball had a chance to go to see the Special player. There’s a lot of time away from Olympics, but if you do, and somebody of- the home. And while the players, of course, fers you a chance to be a hugger—which deserve the great credit for winning on the means you’re standing on the other side

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of the finish line to hug somebody who NOTE: The President spoke at 2:25 p.m. in comes running across—do it. It touches the East Room at the White House. In his your heart. And Michael, thank you for remarks, he referred to His Eminence Wil- that. And thank you for setting a good ex- liam Cardinal Keeler, Archbishop of Balti- ample. more; and owner , vice president Thank you all for coming to the White of player personnel , head House. Thanks for being champs. And on coach , behalf of the American people, I congratu- Marvin Lewis, and player Michael McCrary, late you. Baltimore Ravens.

Remarks at a Tax Relief Celebration in Dallas Center, Iowa June 8, 2001

Thank you all very much. It’s nice to corps, I called her first thing this morning be back on the farm. [Laughter] I want and wished her a happy birthday. to thank the Barretts for their hospitality. But Senator Grassley listens to someone I was here before; I’m going to make men- named Barbara, as well, and she is with tion of that in a minute. But it’s great to us today, Barbara Grassley. Thank you for be back here again. Tom and Judy and coming, Barbara. their family represent what America is all Four Congressmen from Iowa stood fast about: family values, family love, hard work, with the people of Iowa. Congressman tradition, history, generations. So it’s an Ganske—some say he might be thinking honor to be back here and be able to talk down the road. If he is, I hope everybody a little bit about what’s going on in the gives him a serious look, because he was Nation’s Capital. steadfast when it came to worrying about I am so honored to be traveling today the working people in the State of Iowa with members of the Iowa congressional and the farmers in the State of Iowa. And delegation, at least those who had the wis- you’ve allowed others from the great State dom to support tax relief for the hard-work- of Iowa to come into the greater Des ing people of Iowa. Moines area: Latham, Leach, and Nussle, fine Congressmen, honest, decent Ameri- The Senator was really effective. I know cans. And by the way, Congressman Jim you were proud of him before this piece Nussle was the head of the Budget Com- of legislation passed, but if you had seen mittee, who did a superb job, an unbeliev- him like I saw him, working hard on behalf ably good job of shepherding through a of people, you’d really be proud. This is budget that not only helps the Nation meet a monumental legislative achievement, be- our priorities but a budget that also in- cause the chairman from the great State cluded some of the surplus going back to of Iowa worked diligently on behalf of the the people that pay the bills. Congressman American people. This happened because Nussle distinguished himself on behalf of Chairman Grassley made it happen, and I all Americans and particularly the people am so grateful. of the State of Iowa. So I am so honored As you know, we Bushes are used to that the three—four Congressmen are with taking orders from people named Barbara. us. [Laughter] That’s right, it is her birthday. You may have heard that I’m on my way I want you to note, those in the press from here to chunk out the first pitch at

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