Administration of George W. Bush, 2002 / Nov. 8
Remarks Honoring the 2002 Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings November 8, 2002
Thank you all for coming. Gosh, we’re the character you’ve displayed as a real honored you’re here. Thanks for coming, leader. and welcome to the White House. I’m also pleased to welcome some of De- I am honored to be greeting the mighty troit’s biggest fans here, including some of Detroit hockey team, winners of the Stan- the elected officials who are the biggest ley Cup 3 out of the last 6 years, 10 times fans, starting with our Secretary of Energy, winners of the Stanley Cup and the team Spence Abraham—Mr. Secretary. And that made Detroit ‘‘Hockeytown.’’ we’ve got the Levin boys here from Michi- It’s an honor to be with the Ilitches. gan, Senator Carl and Congressman Sand- Mike and Marian are the—who do a really er. Thank you all for coming. Congressman good job of setting the right tone for this Mike Rogers and, of course, Congressman club. I knew Mike when he was a Detroit Conyers is here as well. We’re honored that Tiger owner. And this goes to prove it’s you all have come, and I know the team easier to win in hockey than in baseball, is grateful that you’ve taken time to come I guess. [Laughter] and express your support. Somebody said, ‘‘Well, the roster looks We’re glad you all are here. Mr. Com- like the Hall of Fame ballot.’’ It doesn’t missioner, thank you for coming. I appre- look like the Hall of Fame ballot to me; ciate you being here. It’s an honor also it looks like the United Nations. [Laughter] to be on the stage with a great coach, a We’re proud to welcome the team mem- man whose name appears on the Stanley bers from all around the globe. It is a re- Cup 10 times—9 times as a coach. Obvi- markable sport that is able to attract star ously, he knows what he’s doing. [Laughter] athletes from a lot of different countries He gets all these ruffians skating in the and bring them together to play on one same direction, is a pretty good—[laugh- team. I think that’s a pretty good example ter]. for the world to see. I think it is a remark- But I’m real proud of you, Scotty. I know able feat that you’ve got all these stars from the people of Detroit love you, and they’re different parts of the world all aiming in going to miss your leadership. the same direction. If I hadn’t already asked—announced Darren McCarty put it this way. He said, that yesterday the Vice President was going ‘‘A lot of us were’’—when I say the word to be my running mate, I was going to— ‘‘it,’’ it’s talking about the Stanley Cup— [laughter]—I was thinking about you, any- ‘‘A lot of us were fighting to get it back; way. [Laughter] some guys were fighting to do it for the I appreciate Dave Lewis, Scotty’s re- first time. The bottom line is, we’re all placement, being here, and I wish you all fighting to do it together.’’ And I appreciate the best, Dave—for coming. It’s an honor that spirit. I think it’s a good example for as well to be with the—obviously, one of a lot of people who live in America, doing the true leaders of any sport, the team cap- something to serve something greater than tain of the—of the Detroit team, captain yourself, in this case, the team. We appre- for 17 years, which is pretty remarkable ciate that spirit. I don’t think you’d have that Steve could keep the respect of a won without the team concept. group of highly skilled professionals for that I also am appreciative of what you do long a period of time. And I am honored with the Stanley Cup, the traditions of not to be able to meet you, and I appreciate only putting the players’ names on the cup
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but taking the cup to different players’ See, it’s one thing to be the champion hometowns. I think that’s a pretty neat on the ice; it’s another thing to be a cham- idea. And so this cup has been all across pion in living your lives. I think there’s the U.S.; of course, it’s been all across Can- a huge responsibility that comes with being ada. [Laughter] It seems like you’ve got a champion. It’s a huge responsibility when quite a few Canadians on the team there. people put the spotlight on you. You have [Laughter] But it’s been to Sweden and a responsibility to set the right example and Russia and the Czech Republic. I’m fixing to use your position to help not only serve to go to the Czech Republic. The cup goes, something greater than yourself, the team, and then the President goes. [Laughter] but to serve a society and help heal the It rode on the back of a Harley with hurt and help people who need a little spe- Darren McCarty, went to Wrigley Field cial care. with Kris, got a bagpipe reception at Kris So not only has this great team proven Draper’s Stanley Cup party, and here it themselves to be champs on the ice, you’ve is at the White House. The cup has seen proven yourself to be champs off the ice. a lot, because the players are people that And for that, we are really grateful. Wel- were proud to show off their accomplish- come to the White House. ments. But let me tell you what I’m most im- pressed with, about how the players and the owners have used this championship victory. It brightened a lot of people’s lives. NOTE: The President spoke at 1:16 p.m. in See, that’s the most important thing about the East Room at the White House. In his this championship, as far as I’m concerned. remarks, he referred to Gary Bettman, com- One afternoon, Steve Yzerman brought missioner, National Hockey League; Red the cup to children in three different hos- Wings owners Mike and Marian Ilitch; and pitals across the State of Michigan. The Red Wings retired coach Scotty Bowman, Ilitch family used the cup to raise a lot coach Dave Lewis, right wing Darren of money for a local emergency room. The McCarty, and centers Kris Draper and Steve coach made a dream come true for a child Yzerman. The transcript released by the Of- with leukemia, who just simply wanted to fice of the Press Secretary also included the touch the Stanley Cup. remarks of Mr. Bowman.
The President’s Radio Address November 9, 2002
Good morning. This was an important With the United Nations Security Coun- week for our country and for the world. cil resolution passed yesterday, the world The United Nations Security Council voted has now come together to say that the out- for a resolution requiring the Iraqi regime law regime in Iraq will not be permitted to declare and destroy all weapons of mass to build or possess chemical, biological, or destruction or face the consequences. Here nuclear weapons. That is the judgment of at home, our citizens voted in an election the United Nations Security Council. That I believe will strengthen our ability to get is the judgment of the United States Con- things done for the American people. gress. And my administration will see to it that the world’s judgment is enforced.
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