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Posted on 06/23/2006 5:06:07 PM PDT by Wolfstar
PRESIDENTIAL NEWS OF THE DAY: President and Mrs. Bush hosted Opening Day of the White House Tee Ball season. General Peter Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was today's Tee Ball Commissioner. Following is a transcript of the President's Remarks to open the season:
THE PRESIDENT: Seth, thank you very much. Good job. Welcome to the South Lawn. Laura and I are thrilled you're here for opening day. It is an honor for me, and the Commissioner, General Pete Pace, to welcome you all here for what is going to be an exciting ball game between the Yankees -- (applause) -- from McGuire Air Force Base -- (applause) -- yes, right from New Jersey. Welcome. Glad you all are here. And they're going to be playing the Dolcom Little League Indians from Groton, Connecticut -- (applause) -- representing the Naval Submarine Base of New London. Thank you all for coming. (Applause.) Welcome.We want to welcome the coaches and the players. We want to welcome the moms and dads and grandparents here to this historic ballpark. And we're glad you're here to help us kick off the 2006 Tee Ball on the South Lawn season. General Pace and I expect there to be some pretty good competition today.
I do want to welcome the Mayor of Groton, Connecticut, Mayor Harry Watson. Mr. Mayor, thank you for coming; proud you're here. (Applause.) Thanks for serving. Thanks for joining us. I welcome Captain Sean Sullivan, who will be the First Base Coach. Captain, thanks for serving. Proud you're here. (Applause.) Good luck. You've got some awesome duties today. And Colonel Rick Martin, from McGuire, good to see you, Colonel. (Applause.) Thanks for coming, Colonel. Proud you're here.
We're proud to welcome Steve Keener, who is the President and CEO of Little League International, and his wife Cheryl. Steve, thanks for coming back. Thanks for helping. (Applause.) For those of you who want to be a Major League player, Mike O'Connor is with us, from the mighty Washington Nationals. Mike, thank you for coming, buddy. Mike is a pitcher for the Nationals. Glad you're here, Mike. We welcome Seth Fallon. We just heard from Seth. Thanks. And I want to thank the Navy Sea Cadets Corps, who happen to be the color guard.
Zane Ellingwood is about to put the first ball on the first tee for the first game. (Applause.) But not quite yet. I do want to welcome Tim Brant. Where are you, Tim? There he is. Tim, thanks for coming, buddy.
MR. BRANT: Thank you, pal.
THE PRESIDENT: A national baseball announcer here to call opening day. We really appreciate you coming. Thanks.
And finally, I do want to welcome representatives from the Armed Forces Foundation, the Fisher House, and our military kids. Thank you for serving our families. (Applause.) After the game, it's my honor to be able to present the balls to each of the players on the team. And I will also be able to welcome Dave Erbe, who is a youth volunteer. He volunteers to help the wounded and injury [sic] military personnel at Walter Reed. David, thank you in advance for doing what you're doing. Thanks for serving your generation and our country. You're a good man. (Applause.)
And now, before we put the first ball on the tee, I do want you to join me in the Little League Pledge. Are you ready? All players ready? Doesn't look like it. (Laughter.) Are you ready?
(The pledge is recited.)
THE PRESIDENT: Play ball. (Applause.)
The game began at 1:09 P.M. EDT.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: From the President's Remarks to the People of Hungary, Gellert Hill, Budapest, June 22, 2006:
I appreciate the opportunity to stand here on Gellért Hill, which offers a striking view of your beautiful city. Fifty years ago, you could watch history being written from this hill. In 1956, the Hungarian people suffered under a communist dictatorship and domination by a foreign power. That fall, the Hungarian people had decided they had had enough and demanded change. From this spot you could see tens of thousands of students and workers and other Hungarians marching through the streets. They called for an end to dictatorship, to censorship, and to the secret police. They called for free elections, a free press, and the release of political prisoners. These Hungarian patriots tore down the statue of Joseph Stalin, and defied an empire to proclaim their liberty.Twelve days after the Hungarian people stood up for their liberty, the communists in Moscow responded with great brutality. Soon the streets of Budapest were filled with Soviet tanks. The Red Army killed many who resisted, including women and children. The Soviets threw many more into prison. They crushed the Hungarian uprising, but not the Hungarian people's thirst for freedom.
Some 200,000 Hungarians fled into exile in search of liberty. Many found refuge in the United States. These immigrants have contributed to my country in countless ways, and America will always be glad that we opened our doors to Hungarians that were seeking freedom. Fifty years later, the sacrifice of the Hungarian people inspires all who love liberty. Some of those who faced those tanks are here today. I had the honor of meeting three such gentlemen at lunch. I was proud to be in their presence. America honors your courage. We've learned from your example, and we resolve that when people stand up for their freedom, America will stand with them.
lets stick with innocent children. Great. That's what we need sometimes.
Totally disagree LOL :0)
LOL! One is named Sugar, another China and the third Sara. I wanted to name one for snugs, too, but Sugar and China just worked for those two kittens. So only one has a Dose-related name because the kitten reminded me of Sara's joyous posts.
LOL! Yeah. All those little boys better not mess with her.
You're welcome, Sara. Thank YOU for your love of my country.
awww, I was wondering about that. They look gorgeous though.
LOL...I was just teasing you...I like the name China...I should have named my female pug that...
Hi onyx. So cute -- and good for what ails us after this week on FR. :)
OMGoodness. Look at the middle kitty in photo #7!
LOL -- he or she is actually smiling!
Thanks for double duty this week, Wolfie.
I like the fact that W has gotten the military and civic organizations so involved in the WH South Lawn Tee Ball action.
Love that little girl in the first photo. She has had some great coaching!
I am hoping the little shy guy does not grow up to be a democrat..lol.
You're welcome. I knew everyone would love that photo. I wish we knew her name. The photo comes from the WH website, bu they didn't give her name.
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Good memories, if a touch sad for days gone by.
I wonder which of the three finally got the ball, LOL!
Truly priceless. Made my day too, when I saw it. :)
I've never seen a photo of Mrs. Pace, IIRC.
"Totally disagree LOL :0)"
LOL!
Spoken, er written like a true footie fan!
:)
Hi Miss Marple. Yes, he's very humble, and I love his speaking voice. It's deep, soothing and reassuring.
Of course. There's a part of him that's still that age. Grin...
Mrs. Pace sure looks like a nice lady!
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