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 Home > News & Policies > June 2005

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
June 15, 2005

President Hosts Congressional Picnic at the White House
South Lawn

6:56 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all for coming tonight. I think we're going to have a pretty special picnic here on the South Lawn. Laura and Lynne and Dick and I are really pleased you're here. It's a chance to say thanks to the members of Congress and their families.

I appreciate the Marine Band. I hope you've enjoyed them as much as I enjoyed listening to them upstairs. (Applause.)

President George W. Bush and Mrs. Bush address their guests at the Congressional Picnic on the South Lawn Wednesday, June 15, 2005.  White House photo by Paul Morse So enjoy the food. In about 45 minutes or so, we're going to have a celebration of American musicals, at the tent down there below. We hope you'll join us. WETA is going to film it, so make sure you look pretty. (Laughter.)

But thanks for coming. May God bless you all, and your families. Glad you're here. (Applause.)

END 6:57 P.M. EDT


President Thanks Guests of the Congressional Picnic at the White House
South Lawn

THE PRESIDENT: Laura and I are pleased that you came to our backyard picnic. (Laughter.) We really want to thank the Speaker, Speaker Hastert, and Senator Frist, Congresswoman Pelosi, and all the members of Congress who joined us today. I want to thank you for your hard work, and I want to thank you for your devotion to your constituents and to our country. I look forward to continuing to work with you, as we serve the American people.

Laura and I also want to thank all the families who are with us here for your extraordinary service and sacrifice. Public service puts great demands on our families and our country is grateful to you all.

Laura and I want to thank WETA and all tonight's performers -- Tom Wopat, and Shirley Jones, Harolyn Blackwell, and Cartier Williams. You put on such a fantastic performance, and we're grateful. (Applause.)

Again, thank you all for coming. We hope you've enjoyed this evening. And may God bless your families, and may God continue to bless our great country. (Applause.)

END


President George W. Bush meets with guests during the Congressional Picnic on the South Lawn Wednesday, June 15, 2005.  White House photo by Paul Morse
Lt. Col. Michael J. Colburn, USMC, conducts "The President's Own" United States Marine Band during the Congressional Picnic on the South Lawn Wednesday, June 15, 2005.  White House photo by Paul Morse