Administration of George W. Bush, 2005 / July 31 NOTE: The address was recorded at 7:36 a.m. was embargoed for release until the broad- on July 29 in the Cabinet Room at the White cast. The Office of the Press Secretary also House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on July released a Spanish language transcript of this 30. The transcript was made available by the address. Office of the Press Secretary on July 29 but Remarks to Reporters at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland July 30, 2005 President’s Health/Visit With Marines So I want to thank you for having me, The President. I just finished two things. and thanks for giving me my physical. One, I had my physical, and I’m feeling Rear Adm. Robinson. You’re welcome, pretty good. It’s a great hospital to come sir. The President. Thank you. to to get your physical. Q. How’s your health, sir? But I also visited with some brave ma- The President. She’s going to put out the rines who have been wounded. It’s a re- return. I think you’ll find it’s pretty good. markable experience to meet with these in- Thank you. credibly courageous souls who keep their spirit. And I understand why they’re serving NOTE: The President spoke at 12:16 p.m. the country. I met with their parents. I Participating in the visit was Rear Adm. met with the healers who work here at Adam M. Robinson, Jr., USN, commander, Bethesda. It’s a—it’s such a great credit National Naval Medical Center. A tape was to our country to have a place such as not available for verification of the content this. of these remarks. Remarks to the National Scout Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia July 31, 2005 Daniel, thank you for your introduction. ship and kindness. And you Scouts honor It’s such an honor to be here. Laura and them by living up to the ideals of the scout- I join Americans across our country in ex- ing they served. tending our sympathy and prayers to the Daniel, I want to thank you for your families of the Scout leaders who lost their introduction. I appreciate the Scouts pick- lives so tragically earlier this week. The ing a fellow Texan to introduce me. men you lost were models of good citizen- ship, leaders who stepped forward to serve I want to thank Congresswoman Jo Ann a good and selfless cause. As Scout leaders, Davis for her leadership. I don’t know if they devoted themselves to helping young you realize this, but she sponsored legisla- men develop the character and skills they tion in the House of Representatives to en- need to realize their dreams. These men sure that the Boy Scouts are granted equal will always be remembered for their leader- access to public lands. 1285 VerDate Nov 24 2008 15:10 May 27, 2009 Jkt 206693 PO 00000 Frm 00117 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 E:\HR\OC\206693A.004 206693A cprice-sewell on PROD1PC72 with HEARING July 31 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2005 I want to thank the president of the Boy More than half of the current Members Scouts, John Cushman; Roy Williams, the of the United States Congress participated chief scout executive; Fran Olmstead, the in the Scouts. One of the Capital’s most chairman of this fantastic jamboree. I also famous Scouts is President Gerald Ford. want to thank Major General Jay Yingling, He first saw Washington just a few years who is the commander of the—Fort A.P. after he earned his Eagle badge and even- Hill. General, thank you and all your troops tually became the first Eagle Scout to call for making sure this jamboree was a great the White House his home. success. As President, I have the privilege to work Here at the 16th National Scout Jam- with Scouts every day. When I come to boree, you’re carrying on a tradition that the Oval Office in the morning, the first dates back almost seven decades. President person I see is a Scout, my Chief of Staff, Franklin Roosevelt came to the first jam- Andy Card from the State of Massachu- boree in 1937. I don’t think he rode in setts. Down the hall is Vice President Dick the same kind of helicopter I did, though. Cheney, a Boy Scout from Casper, Wyo- [Laughter] You know, I was looking for- ming. And across the river at the Pentagon ward to coming last week, but the thunder- sits an Eagle Scout from Illinois who Amer- storms got in the way. So I appreciate the icans count on to ‘‘be prepared’’—Secretary rain check. [Laughter] It’s a fantastic sight of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. to look out on more than 30,000 young These Scouts have a lot of things in com- men wearing the uniform of the Boy mon, and one of the most important is Scouts. that they all benefited from the influence At this base there are Scouts from all of a caring adult early in their lives. Across 50 States plus Puerto Rico, Guam, the Vir- America, Scoutmasters and volunteers de- gin Islands, and countries from all around vote long hours to building the knowledge the world. As a former Cub Scout from and integrity of our Scouts. It’s not always Midland, Texas, I’m especially glad to be an easy job. When I was a Cub Scout, here with the Texas Scouts. [Applause] my mother was our den mother. It’s about Sounds like you brought a big delegation the time her hair turned white. [Laughter] this year. I want to thank the Scoutmasters of Amer- Coming to this jamboree gives me great ica and the volunteer Scouters for taking confidence in the future of our Nation. For the time to care. I want to thank you for nearly 100 years, Boy Scouts have set a your leadership and thank you for setting high standard of service and duty to God such a good example for a new generation and country. Millions of Americans have of Scouts. pledged the Scout oath, ‘‘On my honor, When you join a Scout troop and put I’ll do my best.’’ And through the genera- on the Boy Scout uniform you make a tions, Scouts have made America a stronger statement. Your uniform is a sign that and better nation. you’re a certain kind of citizen, trustworthy, Scouts have excelled in fields from loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, science to business to education to the arts. obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and Scouts have earned Olympic Gold Medals, reverent. These are the values of scouting, Nobel Prizes, and Academy Awards. Thou- and they’re important values for America. sands of Scouts have shown the highest By working to live up to them, you’re form of patriotism, by going on to wear bringing great credit to yourselves and to the uniform of the United States military. our Nation. The first Scout Jamboree was held in Coming to this jamboree is a great way Washington, DC, and Scouts have felt at to practice the values of Scout law. And home in the Nation’s Capital ever since. when you get back home, there are a few 1286 VerDate Nov 24 2008 15:10 May 27, 2009 Jkt 206693 PO 00000 Frm 00118 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 E:\HR\OC\206693A.004 206693A cprice-sewell on PROD1PC72 with HEARING Administration of George W. Bush, 2005 / July 31 lessons you might keep in mind. The first than 11,000 pocket-size flags to send to one is one you’ve probably heard before, troops serving overseas. In California, Boy and it’s one of the most valuable lessons Scouts donated money they raised for sum- I’ve learned: Listen to your mother. I didn’t mer camps to help victims of the tsunami have much choice. Mom always has a way in Asia. In Louisiana, Scouts collected five of speaking her mind. When I paid atten- tons of food to donate to a food bank. tion, I benefited. And that’s how it still In Florida, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts works. Listen, you may not always agree worked together to clean up the roads be- with your mother, but think of it this way: fore the Super Bowl. And right here at The first voice you heard is always worth the National Jamboree, Scouts are working listening to. with Habitat for Humanity to build a home Second, always remember where you for a Virginia family in need. On behalf come from and what you believe. At times of a grateful nation, I thank the Boy Scouts you may come across people who say that for serving on the frontline of America’s moral truth is relative or call a religious armies of compassion. faith a comforting illusion. They may ques- Another organization devoted to service tion the values you learn in scouting. But is USA Freedom Corps. I created the USA remember, lives of purpose are constructed Freedom Corps in 2002 to match willing on the conviction there is right, and there volunteers with opportunities in their com- is wrong, and we can know the difference. munities. If you’re interested in serving In the years ahead, you will find that America, if you’re listening to my speech indifferent or cynical people accomplish lit- today to the Boy Scouts, call up tle that makes them proud.