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Remarks by Mrs. Bush
DC "Party Animals" Arts Unveiling
May 9, 2002
Remarks by Mrs. Bush at DC "Party Animals" Arts Unveiling
As delivered.
Thank you, Mayor Williams. Thanks also to the D.C. Council; the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities and the sponsors and artists for giving Americans one more reason - or should I say 200 more reasons! - to visit our Nation's Capital this spring and summer.
"Party Animals" is a terrific arts project that celebrates the talent and creativity of Washington-area artists and two symbols of our nation's democracy.
The donkey and the elephant first appeared in public in the 1870s -- in Harper's Weekly magazine1. That's when political cartoonist Thomas Nast used them to make satirical jabs at the politicians of the day.
You might say that his efforts backfired: the animals have instead become much-loved symbols of American politics. Today we present two of the symbols in a new and rare form and you'll find even more of them around town.
President Bush and I invite Americans to visit Washington, D.C. this summer and take a Party-Animal safari. You'll find 200 creatively designed creatures throughout the District with the help of a Party Animals Tour Guide Map and a little imagination.
And now Mayor Williams and I will reveal two of DC's newest residents, a real pair of party animals.
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