    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [March 10, 1991]
    [Pages 242-243]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 242]]

    Remarks at the Ford's Theatre Gala
    March 10, 1991

        Thank you all very much. Please be seated. You know, when Americans
    get together to celebrate country, we sure do it right. We sure do it in
    style. What a magnificent performance here tonight.
        A lot of marvelous country songs--one I like is just a little story
    of an American family. And I know what it feels like for me and Barbara
    here tonight. The music and the words and all of these emotions remind
    us of what we truly are, each and every one, part of the proud and great
    American family.
        To Andy Andrews I would only say, now I know exactly how I will
    treat with those 14 grandchildren of mine. [Laughter]
        But tonight America's family is gathered here in America's theatre.
    And we all want to thank the people, all the people, who made this gala
    possible. Of course, Peatsy Hollings and Ann Simpson here, Mary Jane
    Wick, Frankie Hewitt. Her vision brought about this theatre's
    resurrection, and the others are saluting this theatre's reality every
    year.
        I want to congratulate Bill McSweeney for his well-deserved honor.
    And I want to thank Lod Cook of ARCO also, and salute some of the
    country's special friends who are with us tonight. We have the Vice
    President and Mrs. Quayle here tonight. We have many members of our
    Cabinet. Perhaps it would not be inappropriate at this patriotic moment
    to single out Secretary Cheney and, of course, General Powell. We might
    ask them to stand. [Applause] We have many distinguished leaders in the
    United States Congress.
        You know, for over 100 years after Lincoln's assassination this
    theatre was closed, a dark reminder of an American tragedy. But tonight
    shows how this place can come back to life as a living symbol of the
    American spirit. And I can't think of a better theme than ``A
    Celebration of Country'' because it means not just country music but
    also our country, the United States of America.
        The incredible feeling here in this theatre tonight shows really
    what I love best about country music: It hits all the right chords, like
    caring for your family, having faith in God--Ricky Skaggs' ``Somebody's
    Praying'' said it very well indeed, that part of it--songs about people
    who care for each other with the biggest hearts on Earth.
        And country songs are about real people. Randy Travis, I must say I
    love that new song about the Points of Light. And--where did he go? And
    I want to thank Don Schlitz and Tom Schuyler for doing that. Senator
    Hollings told me this song has real merit, it has a real beat.
    [Laughter] But certainly the message does. And I think Don and Tom know
    exactly how to put our feelings into words.
        I think that at this moment in our history, our family--American
    family, if you will--is closer than it's ever been. We know who made
    this exhilarating moment possible. I'm talking about the men and women
    that serve in the Armed Forces of the United States, as Morgan Freeman
    said, ``thousands of miles from here.'' What a wonderful job they've
    done for all of us.
        It is very, very exciting. And as they come home, I expect every
    family is like Barbara's and mine with the tears coming down our faces
    today and almost every day since they started back. But as they come
    home, we're going to take all the pride and the excitement that this
    country feels and give them the biggest welcome-home party that this
    country has ever seen.
        And so, thank all of you here tonight, each and every one of you,
    for reminding us that we can dream and achieve together. A good night
    and thanks to all of you. And once again, Ricky, someone was praying,
    someone was praying.
        Thank you very much.

                        Note: The President spoke at 9:49 p.m. from the
                            stage of the theatre. In his remarks, he
                            referred to comedian Andy Andrews, who performed
                            at the gala; Rita ``Peatsy'' Hollings, wife of
                            Senator Ernest Hollings, and Ann Simpson, wife
                            of Senator Alan Simpson, general chairmen of ``A
                            Festival at

    [[Page 243]]

                            Ford's''; Mary Jane Wick, gala chairman; Frankie
                            Hewitt and Bill McSweeney, Ford's Theatre
                            executive producer and chairman of the board;
                            Lodwrick M. Cook, chairman and chief executive
                            officer of ARCO; Vice President Dan Quayle and
                            his wife, Marilyn; Secretary of Defense Dick
                            Cheney; Gen. Colin L. Powell, Chairman of the
                            Joint Chiefs of Staff; country music performers
                            Ricky Skaggs and Randy Travis; songwriters Don
                            Schlitz and Tom Schuyler; and actor Morgan
                            Freeman, who delivered a tribute to Abraham
                            Lincoln.