1062 June 12 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2004 He has touched you because of his decency Remarks on the Unveiling of the and warmth, his humility and humor. You Official Portraits of President know what we know, that we are all fortunate William J. Clinton and First Lady to have George Bush as a part of our lives. Hillary Clinton Some of you are here to pay tribute to a man who has made your life’s calling a little June 14, 2004 easier. Because of our honoree’s sense of duty and service, millions have been raised Good morning. Thank you, Henry. Laura to heal hurt and disease as well as educate and I appreciate you all coming. President our young. Some are here to see the 80-year- Clinton and Senator Clinton, welcome home. old dude, who tomorrow will strap on a hel- All who live here are temporary residents. met, zip up a suit, and launch forth from a The portraits that are presented today will perfectly safe aerospace vehicle, arms be held permanently in the White House col- lection for all the ages. And so beginning sprayed, back arched, yelling at Father Time, today, the likenesses of President William ‘‘Take this, you old man.’’ One or two of you Jefferson Clinton and First Lady Hillary thought the Astros were at home. [Laughter] Rodham Clinton will take their place in a Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro, and I are here line that began with George and Martha with our families because of our deep and Washington. pure love for our dad. We love his enthu- Laura and I are pleased to welcome mem- siasm for life and his dedication to his faith, bers of the Clinton and Rodham family. his family, his friends, and his country. We Thank you all for coming. It’s great to see respect and honor the example he has set Chelsea. The fact that you survived your in service to our Nation, as a fighter pilot, teenage years in the White House—[laugh- a Representative, a diplomat, and a Presi- ter]—speaks to the fact that you had a great dent. We take comfort in knowing that he mom and dad. We are pleased that Mrs. was the same caring, decent man before, dur- Dorothy Rodham is here. Welcome. We’re ing, and after his time in the arena. glad you’re here and those two boys you’re We like to do things with him. He is a still trying to raise. [Laughter] Hugh and fun guy. We like to fish, throw a shoe, play Tony, thank you for coming. We’re glad peggity, or play golf with him. We like to you’re here. talk and laugh with him. We still get a kick It’s good to see so many who served our out of his dirty shirt joke or ‘‘show him a Nation so ably in the Clinton administration. clean one’’ line. We understand his gentle Thank you all for coming back. Thanks for tease and have learned the art of the effective your service to the country, and welcome needle from him. We appreciate those times back to the White House. We’re really glad when he gives us ample material with his you’re here, and I know the President is as weird taste in clothes. [Laughter] well. We are awed by his energy, his zest for As you might know, my father and I have life. If ever there was a guy who could say decided to call each other by numbers. his dance card was completely full, it is our [Laughter] He’s 41, I’m 43. It’s a great honor dad. We love the fact that he loves Mother. to—it’s a great pleasure to honor number 42. And we are amazed and deeply touched by We’re glad you’re here, 42. his unconditional love for us. The years have done a lot to clarify the So here’s to you, young fella. May God strengths of this man. As a candidate for any grant you health, joy, and many years of hap- office, whether it be the State attorney gen- piness. God bless. eral or the President, Bill Clinton showed in- credible energy and great personal appeal. As chief executive, he showed a deep and far-ranging knowledge of public policy, a NOTE: The President spoke at 9:30 p.m. at Minute great compassion for people in need, and the Maid Park. A portion of these remarks could not forward-looking spirit that Americans like in be verified because the tape was incomplete. a President. Bill Clinton could always see a VerDate May 21 2004 11:13 Jun 22, 2004 Jkt 203250 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\PRESDOCS\P25JNT4.018 P25JNT4 Administration of George W. Bush, 2004 / June 14 1063 better day ahead, and Americans knew he daughter become America’s First Lady. And was working hard to bring that day closer. I know he would not be surprised to see her Over 8 years, it was clear that Bill Clinton as she is today, an elected United States Sen- loved the job of the Presidency. He filled ator and a woman greatly admired in our this house with energy and joy. He’s a man country. of enthusiasm and warmth, who could make From the earliest days of her youth in Park a compelling case and effectively advance the Ridge, Illinois, Hillary Rodham impressed causes that drew him to public service. her family and friends as a person of great People saw those gifts very early in Bill ability and serious purpose. At Maine Town- Clinton. He is remembered in Hope, Arkan- ship High School South, at Wellesley Col- sas, and other places along the way as an lege, and at Yale Law School, classmates saw eager, good-hearted boy who seemed des- her not just as an achiever but as a role model tined for big things. I was particularly struck and as a leader. She inspires respect and loy- by the story of a nun at St. John’s School alty from those who know her. And it was in Hot Springs who decided that Billy Clin- ton should get a C in deportment. That was a good day in both their lives when they met a rare grade for the future Rhodes scholar at the library at Yale Law School. and President. [Laughter] So Bill’s mother Hillary’s commitment to public service gave the nun a call to see what was wrong. continued when she left this house. Listen, The Sister replied, ‘‘Oh, nothing much. But New York politics is a serious business— let me tell you, this boy knows the answer [laughter]—it’s rough business. It takes an to every question, and he just leaps to his extraordinary person to campaign and win feet before anyone else can.’’ [Laughter] She the United States Senate. She has proven went on, you know, ‘‘I know he’ll not tolerate herself more equal to the challenge, and she this C, but it’ll be good for him. And I prom- takes an interesting spot on American history ise you, if he wants to be, he will be President today, for she is the only sitting Senator someday.’’ whose portrait hangs in the White House. People in Bill Clinton’s life have always The paintings of the Clintons are the work expected him to succeed, and more than that, of a fine American artist, Simmie Knox. Mr. they wanted him to succeed. And meeting Knox has rendered portraits of a Supreme those expectations took more than charm and Court Justice, a Cabinet minister, a mayor, intellect. It took hard work and drive and and Members of Congress. And today we determination and optimism, and after all, thank him for putting his skilled hand to the you’ve got to be optimistic to give 6 months portraits that are about to be unveiled. of your life running the McGovern campaign More than 40 years have passed since a in Texas. [Laughter] boy of 16 came here to the White House He won his first statewide office at age with a group from the American Legion Boys 30, sworn in as Governor at 32. He was a Nation. On that day in the summer of 1963, five-time Governor of Arkansas, the first man Bill Clinton of Arkansas looked into the face from that State to become the President. of John F. Kennedy and left the Rose Garden He’s also the first man in his party since feeling very proud that he had shaken the Franklin Roosevelt to win a second term in hand of a President. Today he can be even the White House. And I could tell you more prouder of decades of service and effort and of the story, but it’s coming out in fine book- perseverance that brought him back to this stores all over America. [Laughter] place as the 42d President of the United At every stage in the extraordinary rise of Bill Clinton, from the little ranch house on States. Scully Street to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, My congratulations to you both, and now he and Roger had a wonderful, loving moth- will you join me on the stage for the presen- er, and I am certain that Virginia Kelley tation. would be filled with incredible pride this NOTE: The President spoke at 10:35 a.m. in the morning. East Room at the White House.