Appointment of J. Dorrance Smith As Assistant to the President for Media Affairs April 19, 1991
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Administration of George Bush, 1991 / Apr. 22 1990, and director of special events for the Inaugural, 1985. In 1984, he served as a Eisenhower Centennial Foundation, 1989. press advance representative for Reagan- From 1985 to 1989, Mr. Foster served as Bush ’84. Deputy Director of the Office of Presi- Mr. Foster graduated from the University dential Advance for Press at the White of Texas, Austin (B.S., 1981). He was born House. He was director of inaugural balls March 21, 1959, in Fort Worth, TX, and in the Operations Division of the Com- currently resides in Washington, DC. mittee for the 50th American Presidential Appointment of J. Dorrance Smith as Assistant to the President for Media Affairs April 19, 1991 The President today announced the ap- Tiananmen—The Untold Story,’’ which pointment of J. Dorrance Smith, of Texas, aired in June 1989. Previously he was a to be Assistant to the President for Media Staff Assistant to President Gerald Ford. Affairs. Mr. Smith will be responsible for the Office Mr. Smith is the former executive pro- of Public Affairs and the Office of Media ducer of ABC News ‘‘Nightline.’’ Previously Relations. he was executive producer of ‘‘This Week He graduated from Claremont College With David Brinkley,’’ a post he held since (California) in 1973 with a B.A. in literature. the broadcast premiered in 1981. In addi- He was born on May 25, 1951, in Houston, tion, Mr. Smith served as executive pro- TX. ducer of ‘‘The Koppel Report: Tragedy at Remarks on Meeting the National Collegiate Athletic Association Men’s and Women’s Basketball Champions April 22, 1991 Good morning, and please be seated. Let West Point class 1969. And I see one of me salute our Vice President and our Sec- my trusted right-hand people from the State retary of Education, the latter fairly well- Department here, but I understand that known in the circles in Tennessee from there may be others of your classmates, but which he has just come. But we’re de- Bob Kimmitt is a key member of the State lighted—Dan and I are delighted that he’s Department. I welcome the staff of the a part of our administration, and we’re al- Blue Devils and the players. I see that Pat ready grateful for that Tennessee touch as has an armful here, but I welcome her and we try to do something to help kids all her assistants. I offered her relief to find across our country. Not instantly, it’s not somebody to volunteer. I figured maybe going to happen all at once, but we’ve got Senator Helms or former Congressman a wonderful program. And I just was in Mizell would hold the baby, but no, she’d proselytizing, trying to get all this talent have none of that. [Laughter] But, Pat, we on my right and on my left involved in welcome you and your assistants. the future in their own way, but that’s what We have with us today representatives of it’s going to take. the Midnight Basketball League. I was over I’m delighted to be here. Of course, I’m there last week in Baltimore and was so glad to see Coach K on my left over here, impressed by what Mr. Standifer and others Mike Krzyzewski. He was a graduate of the are doing to help these young people. They are Points of Light for an entire nation. 409 VerDate Aug 04 2004 15:42 Jul 08, 2005 Jkt 206205 PO 00000 Frm 00421 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 C:\91PAP1\91PAP1.008 APPS10 PsN: 91PAP1 Apr. 22 / Administration of George Bush, 1991 High school championship teams are here even better. First, you stunned unbeaten from DeMatha High School, coached by UNLV in one of the greatest games in Morgan Wootten; and from Madison High NCAA tournament history. I happened to School, by Pat Deegan. I assume it’s these catch the end of that one, and it was sensa- pros over here, but welcome all. We’re de- tional. And next, you beat Kansas in the lighted you’re here. title game with one of the youngest teams And let me just say that just a few feet in your tenure, coach: two seniors, three from here, in this State Dining Room, Yogi juniors, three sophomores, and five fresh- Berra once said of a state dinner, ‘‘How men. could you get a conversation started in Bobby Hurley never had that quandary. there? Everybody was talking too much.’’ His craft is basketball, and he is a virtuoso [Laughter] on the court, and so is Christian Laettner— Well, today all of America is talking. And and the Final Four’s Most Valuable Player. they’re talking about these two teams, your Grant Hill, Thomas Hill added to the Blue incredible championships. And they’re call- Devils’ hit parade. And seniors Greg ing it Blue Devil destiny or yet another Koubek and Clay Buckley have set a record Volunteer victory. that can never be broken. They made it— Consider first how Tennessee won its and this one can never be broken—they third title in just 5 years, showing what made it to four Final Fours. Together the Hemingway termed ‘‘grace under pres- Blue Devils slam-dunked opponents and sure’’—that depth and quickness, shooting, seized Duke’s first-ever championship. intelligence, poise, and yes, strength of Coach K, like Pat, you showed that nice character which embodies a champion. guys can finish first. And moreover, your In the Good Book, it reads, ‘‘And a little team, like Pat’s, proved the scholar athlete child shall lead them.’’ Well, here the little is not a contradiction in terms. child was Tyler, Pat’s kid, a 6-month-old son. And before the title game against Vir- Let me repeat what you said about your ginia, Pat put him in a t-shirt, I’m told, kids, about your players: Everything in their with a Cavaliers mascot crossed out—they lives doesn’t hinge on a basket or a rebound, X-ed him out—then presented her son to so they can rationalize when there’s a road- the team. The gift helped the Vols upset block, when maybe they should stay on the Virginia in overtime. Mission Impossible same avenue a little longer. became Mission Achieved. At Duke and Tennessee, that avenue Dena Head spurred that mission, scoring leads to graduation. Both schools have high 28 points in the championship game. So academic standards. Each recruits aggres- did teammate Daedra Charles, 19 points sively but honestly and openly. And both and 12 rebounds; Jodie Adams, whose last- stay within the rules. Over the last decade, second three-pointers helped get the Lady more than 90 percent of Duke and Ten- Vols to the title game; Peggy Evans, the nessee players got their diplomas—over 90 sixth woman, great center; Lisa Harrison, percent of the players got their diplomas. great passer; Kelli Casteel, the blue collar Both teams have higher graduation rates Lady Vol and Most Valuable Player in the than the student bodies at their institutions. year’s mideast regional. Together, you and Like many of your fellow alumni, you play- your team helped Pat win her third NCAA ers will make an even greater difference championship title, more than any coach after graduation than before. but John Wooden and Adolph Rupp. She’s I ought to tell the rest of our audience fast becoming the most famous legend to that I—a little more about this. I met with come out of Tennessee since Davey Crock- these players and asked them to continue ett. [Laughter] their volunteers efforts toward educational Then there’s the pride—I will switch over excellence. And I want to help them ener- here—the pride of Tennessee’s neighboring gize our educational system at all levels. State. Five times in the last 6 years, includ- I’m proud to report that there seem to be ing the last 4, Duke had made the Final enthusiastic agreement—it’s not obligation Four. This year, you made a good thing but it’s a privilege to be able to help others. 410 VerDate May 04 2004 13:56 Jul 07, 2004 Jkt 019194 PO 00000 Frm 00422 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 D:\91PAP1\91PAP1.008 APPS10 PsN: 91PAP1 Administration of George Bush, 1991 / Apr. 22 In a real sense, the student athletes from Note: The President spoke at 10:25 a.m. in Duke and Tennessee have become a meta- the Rose Garden at the White House. In phor for our national education strategy, his remarks, he referred to Secretary of Edu- a long-term movement that touches every cation Lamar Alexander; Mike Krzyzewski, school and student in America. You set high men’s basketball coach at Duke University; goals and you reach them. You excelled in Robert Michael Kimmitt, Under Secretary the classroom. You demonstrated the kind of State for Political Affairs; Pat Summitt, of commitment and determination that we women’s basketball coach at the University hope all students will adopt in the future. of Tennessee, and her son, Tyler; Senator You showed why education is our most en- during legacy, vital to everything we are Jesse Helms; former Representative Wilmer and can become. D. Mizell, Sr., Executive Director of the For that I salute you. I thank you for President’s Council on Physical Fitness and what you’ve done and are doing today. And Sports; Van Standifer, founder of the Mid- I just can’t tell you what a pleasure it is night Basketball League; and basketball to have both of these outstanding champion coaches Morgan Wooten of DeMatha High teams to the White House.