Administration of George W. Bush, 2005 / Apr. 13

Corps and Fort Hood, and his wife, Cindy; son, Fort Hood; Gov. Rick Perry of Texas; Maj. Gen. Peter Chiarelli, USA, com- President Jalal Talabani of the Iraqi Transi- manding general, 1st Cavalry Division; Maj. tional Government; and Hajim al-Hasani, Gen. James D. Thurman, USA, commanding Speaker, Iraqi Transitional National Assem- general, 4th Infantry Division, and his wife, bly. The Office of the Press Secretary also Dee; CSM Thomas O. McMurtrie, USA, released a Spanish language transcript of command sergeant major, U.S. Army Garri- these remarks.

Remarks Honoring the 2005 Champion April 13, 2005

The President. Thank you all. Please be the delegation hasn’t come, but, you know, seated. Welcome. Well, back again. [Laugh- Red Sox one week, Patriots the next—it’s ter] I was thinking that Coach Belichick getting to be old hat here. But glad you was so comfortable coming to the Rose all are here. Garden that he might just wear one of , it’s good to see you. I con- those designer sweatshirts. [Laughter] I’m gratulate you on showing such incredible a little disappointed. [Laughter] I’m glad courage on the field and off the field. to see you own a tie, though. There’s a lot of people that were praying I want to welcome—— for you, I know. And I’m glad you’re feel- Head Coach . Is this a ing good, and I’m glad you’re back. You roast? [Laughter] look great. The President. Yes. I want to welcome I want to welcome all the staff, the the Krafts back. Congratulations once coaches who are here. Last time I didn’t again. Obviously, this club has got fine pay much attention to the managers and ownership, and you know how to run a the people passing out the equipment, so team. Welcome back. I’d like to pay special tribute to the people And obviously, you know how to coach. who do all the work in the locker room I’m pretty impressed with the way you han- dle yourself. I think some of us involved and probably never get recognized except in the political arena could spend a little by the players, who love you. So welcome time getting tutelage on how to handle the to the White House, and welcome to the mike like you do. [Laughter] Rose Garden. I want to welcome members of my Cabi- I want to say a special welcome to all net who are here. Thank you for coming. the Patriots fans from around the DC area. Alphonso, I thought, like, you’re a Cowboy I see some from New Hampshire who have fan or something. What are you doing here, come as well, and . And you’re wel- you know? [Laughter] come. Glad you’re here. You’re honoring Secretary of Housing and Urban Devel- a team that showed a lot of heart. opment Alphonso Jackson. [Inaudible] You know, the commentators would say, The President. Oh, thank you, sir. well, they’re not the flashiest bunch; they’re The Secretary of Agriculture is with us. not the fanciest bunch; they just happen We appreciate so very much Senator to be the best team. They’re the team that Kennedy and Senator Kerry. Welcome. showed that when you play together, when Marty Meehan—I’m glad you all are here. you serve something greater than yourself, Thanks for coming. I’m surprised more of you win.

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I’m sorry your fieldgoal kicker is not I appreciate . He went to Rice, here. You’re probably sorry you didn’t have as I understand it. Is that right? Yes, Rice to use him this year to win. But I do wish University in Houston, Texas. Guess what Adam all the best with the birth of their he did? He went overseas to the USO— second child. He has got an excused ab- the USO in Afghanistan. And sence. I want to thank you for doing that. Is it One of the things about this club is you Izzo or ‘‘Eyezo?’’ set a lot of records. You know, in sports, Linebacker Larry Izzo. Izzo. they always talk about, records are made The President. Yes. Well, if you’re from to be broken. Let me talk about some of Texas, you say ‘‘Eyezo,’’ and if you’re the records of the New England Patriots. from—[laughter]. In back-to-back championship seasons, Mr. Izzo. It sounds good to me. you’ve won 34 games. That’s a record. The President. If you’re from Massachu- You’ve won nine straight playoff games, setts, it’s Izzo. At least I got Rice right. which ties a record. The coach has the [Laughter] best playoff record in league history. This I also want to thank you all for going is a club that has won 20 games in a row by Walter Reed and the National Naval in the home park. If you’re going to win Medical Center here in Washington. I think 20 games, it’s probably good to do it in you saw firsthand the definition of courage your home stadium, you know. It tends to when you saw those young soldiers who make the fans want to come back—doesn’t had been wounded that are working hard it, Marty? to overcome their injuries. I can assure you I appreciate the inspiration you’ve shown that your visit helped lift their spirits. for the region—inspired the Red Sox. I There’s nothing better than a Super Bowl think the Patriots have also inspired the champ encouraging somebody to continue Celtics. But whatever is happening in New to work hard to recover. And I want to, England, it’s a pretty strong sports record, again, thank you for that. Thank you for anchored by the great New England Patri- your example. ots, champs 3 out of 4 years. I once again welcome you back. You And so, welcome back. We’re glad you’re know, I think I said last time there’s a here. I want to thank you for what you’ve chance you’ll be back. I wasn’t sure about done off the field. I did so the last time me. [Laughter] I’m confident I’ll be back you were here; I want to do it again. I next year—[laughter]—and the way you’ve want to thank you for the importance that been playing, there’s a good chance you you’ve shown for education and literacy. I will be too. Congratulations, and welcome. appreciate the example that you’ve set for kids. I want to thank you for working in youth football. I want to thank you for sup- NOTE: The President spoke at 3:35 p.m. in porting the Boys and Girls Clubs of Massa- the Rose Garden at the White House. In his chusetts. There’s nothing better than en- remarks, he referred to , chair- couraging mentoring to help save a child’s man and owner, Jonathan Kraft, vice chair- life. And as a pro football champion, you man, Tedy Bruschi, linebacker, and Adam have an opportunity to do just that. Vinatieri, kicker, New England Patriots.

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Remarks at the American Society of Newspaper Editors Convention and a Question-and-Answer Session April 14, 2005

The President. Thank you all. Please be said. Jefferson said, ‘‘Our liberty depends seated. Thanks, Rich. I appreciate the on freedom of the press; that cannot be chance to come back—more than you limited without being lost.’’ He also went know. [Laughter] I miss my hometown on to say, ‘‘I’ve given up newspapers, and newspaper. Austin was my hometown news- I find myself much happier.’’ [Laughter] paper for quite a while. I miss reading it I haven’t given up newspapers. I do find every morning as it was thrown on the Gov- myself much happier than I’ve been in a ernor’s Mansion doorsteps, but not enough long time in Washington. I’m enjoying my- to want to stay here for 4 more years. self. It’s been a fascinating experience to [Laughter] be the President of the country. It’s been I appreciate your leadership, Rich. Two a remarkable time in Washington. You thoughts came to mind when I first saw know, as Rich said, the last time I was Rich. One, he has to work with a guy here we were talking about the EP–3. It named Ken Herman. [Laughter] Is Herman seems like an eternity ago. A lot has hap- in the pool today? pened. Ken Herman. Yes, sir, Mr. President. Somebody said, ‘‘Well, how do you de- The President. Yes, okay. [Laughter] Just scribe the Presidency?’’ I said, ‘‘It is a deci- trying to help you out—[laughter]—kind of sionmaking job. I make a lot of decisions.’’ like you try to help me out, you know what At your next editorial board, when you’re I mean? [Laughter] dealing with a future President, you ought And second, I know Rich is proud of to say, ‘‘How do you intend to make deci- his son, Rich, Jr., who is in Baghdad. My sions? What is the process by which you daughter Barbara—one of our daughters will make large decisions and small deci- went to Yale, and she brought a fellow over sions? How do you decide?’’ the other day. I said, ‘‘What are you I’ve got a decision to make today. Do doing?’’ He said, ‘‘Well, I was in your I go with the fastball or a slider? [Laughter] daughter’s class. I’m in Baghdad, and I’m A couple of thoughts about this year and working with the State Department to help the agenda, and then questions. First, we’ve shepherd the press corps.’’ I said, ‘‘Oh, who got a problem with energy. And it’s a prob- are some of the characters you’ve run into lem that didn’t happen overnight. It’s a there?’’ And he mentioned a guy named problem that’s been brewing for quite a John Burns, who I had known when my while because the country has yet to imple- dad was the liaison officer in China. And ment a strategy that will make us less de- believe it or not, he mentioned Oppel. I pendent on foreign sources of energy. said, ‘‘I know the old man.’’ [Laughter] I was at Fort Hood the other day and I know you’re proud of him. I appreciate sitting, having lunch with some soldiers, the service he’s providing. and the second question that the fellow And I want to thank Karla Garrett asked me was, ‘‘Why don’t you lower gaso- Harshaw as well, from Clark County, Ohio. line prices?’’ I said, ‘‘I’d like to.’’ Happens to be one of my favorites. [Laugh- You see, the problem is, the supplies are ter] out of balance with demand when it comes Just a couple of brief thoughts, and I’d to the major feedstock of gasoline, which be glad to answer some questions if you is crude oil. We’ve got to think long term have any. [Laughter] Here’s what Jefferson in this country, and Congress needs to pass

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