print-only banner
The White House Skip Main Navigation
  
In Focus
News
News by Date
Appointments
Federal Facts
West Wing

 Home > News & Policies > February 2007

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
February 11, 2007

President Bush Attends Ford's Theatre Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Celebration
State Dining Room

Play Video  Video
RSS Feed  Presidential Remarks
Play Audio  Audio
photos  Photos

     Fact sheet Guest List for the Ford's Theatre Celebration Dinner
     Fact sheet Guest List for the Entertainment for Ford's Theatre Dinner
     Fact sheet Menu for the Ford's Theatre Celebration Dinner

7:40 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Good evening, and welcome. Laura and I are delighted to have you here as we celebrate the 198th birthday of Abraham Lincoln. And we're really glad you're here.

We thank Ford's Theatre for helping us honor this great American President. We thank David Herbert Donald and Doris Kearns Goodwin for scholarship that has given us a deeper appreciation of Lincoln's life and purpose. We welcome all the Lincoln scholars who are here.

President George W. Bush thanks David Herbert Donald for his scholarship in preserving the legacy of President Abraham Lincoln’s life while at a dinner in honor of the Ford’s Theatre Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Celebration Sunday, Feb. 11, 2007, in the East Room. "As we approach the bicentennial of President Lincoln’s birth," said President Bush, "his words and principles continue to guide our nation." White House photo by Paul Morse We are here tonight to remember the life -- the incredible life -- and the great sacrifice of the man who saved our Union. We remember Abraham Lincoln's eloquence, his wisdom, his unshakeable faith in the enduring truth that we're all created equal. He worked to renew the promise of America's founding, and to build a more perfect union for all Americans.

As we approach the bicentennial of President Lincoln's birth, his words and principles continue to guide our nation. We look to his example for courage and to find the better angels of our nature. His legacy is the birthright of all Americans. And tonight we honor those who helped pass the story of his life from generation to generation.

In this story of this good and decent man, we really find the best of America. And so, tonight I would like to offer a toast to our 16th President, Abraham Lincoln, and to our blessed country.

(A toast is offered.)

END 7:42 P.M. EST


President George W. Bush thanks Yolanda Adams after her performance at a dinner in honor of the Ford’s Theatre Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Celebration Sunday, Feb. 11, 2007.  White House photo by Paul Morse