• Afghanistan
• Africa
• Budget Management
• Defense
• Economy
• Education
• Energy
• Environment
• Global Diplomacy
• Health Care
• Homeland Security
• Immigration
• International Trade
• Iraq
• Judicial Nominations
• Middle East
• National Security
• Veterans

Home > News & Policies > June 2005

Printer-Friendly Version   Email This Page

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

President Hosts Congressional Picnic at the White House
South Lawn

Video (Real)

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.)

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

Printer-Friendly Version   Email This Page