For Immediate Release
Office of Mrs. Bush
July 24, 2001
Remarks for Mrs. Bush at Camp Bondsteel Education Center Dedication, Kosovo
Camp Bondsteel Education Center Dedication, Kosovo
As delivered.
Thank you, Maj. Jackson. Thank you all for the warm welcome to Camp
Bondsteel.
President Bush joins me in saluting you today, for your service to
our country.
We deeply appreciate your dedication to the peacekeeping effort.and
the pride and honor you bring to our Armed Services.
We have just concluded a trip to some of the most beautiful
capitols in the world: London, Rome, with stops in Florence and Pisa.
We met Queen Elizabeth, Prime Minister Blair. Yesterday we were
moved by our meeting with the Holy Father and last night, we were
hosted to a lovely dinner, in Rome, by the President and Mrs. Ciampi.
But we are especially honored to wrap up our trip here with you. I
am thrilled and, I'll admit, a bit overwhelmed by this dedication in my
name.
When I was a schoolteacher in Texas, I never would have dreamed
that one- day I'd be standing among the world's finest military
personnel, dedicating an education center in Kosovo.
This trip has been educational in several regards. Last Friday I
visited Aviano Air Base, where I urged airmen and women who are about
to retire to consider going back to school.this time as teachers.
Major Jackson, I don't know if you heard that speech.but I want to
congratulate you on your decision to enlist as a teacher back at home.
Today it's a pleasure to help you dedicate this adult education
school. where you receive classroom training that will serve you well
today and throughout your careers.
Some of you may have heard about a book called "Everything I Need
to Know I Learned in Kindergarten." It's a humorous and uplifting book
about how we can apply the things we learned in kindergarten to adult
life.
But I think what better describes today is a quote by the former
French leader Georges Clemenceau. He said, "All I know I learned after
I was thirty."
We are all life-long learners. We learn for ourselves and for our
future.
In the spirit of your motto, I am glad to be your partner in the
relentless pursuit of excellence in education.and in service to
country.
Thank you again, and may God bless you as you continue your
important work here in Kosovo.
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