    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [June 24, 1991]
    [Pages 711-712]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at the Dedication Ceremony for the Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher
    House in Bethesda, Maryland
    June 24, 1991

        Thank you, Secretary. What a beautiful day out here at Bethesda.
    Please be seated and thank you. Thank you, Secretary Garrett. And good
    morning, Admiral Lichtman. Thank you and all your associates for this
    warm welcome. I want to, of course, single out Zachary and Elizabeth
    Fisher for their generosity, not just for this but for others to follow.
        I want to, with the risk of embarrassment, say that coming in I
    congratulated Admiral Trost, our former CNO, for his vision in getting
    this program underway. And everybody jumped all over me and said, it's
    not Carl, it's Pauline. So, we salute her as well, and both of them for
    their vision.
        It's a special day for Barbara and me, coming back here to Bethesda
    to see an exceptional group of people. Glad we don't have to stay this
    time. [Laughter] But it does give me an opportunity, seeing so many
    familiar faces--with my tiny, minor problem in mind--to just say thank
    you. For those who have not been inside this place as a patient, the
    care and the concern for everybody--all the patients that I visited with
    telling me this--is just unbelievable. And it's typical of hospitals, of
    course, all across this country, but we saw it firsthand. And I extend
    you all my heartfelt thanks. No fibrillation, just bringing it on out--
    [laughter]--and would give you this report. Over the weekend, I played
    three hard sets of tennis, ran 2 miles, hit some golf balls. So, lest
    there be any doubts about the efficiency of Navy medicine, why, Admiral,
    I'm back 100 percent.
        And true story and perhaps of not much interest, but I got this
    letter from a farmers' group during my recovery: ``This wouldn't have
    happened if you'd eaten your broccoli.'' [Laughter] I would rather risk
    refibrillation, but that's my position. [Laughter] But there's a lot
    goes on at this medical center

    [[Page 712]]

    that's inspiring. I again commend the dedication of the doctors and the
    nurses, the corpsmen; all who make life so pleasant for people that are
    under stress and strain--some of whom are just back from the Gulf, I
    might add, some of the professionals; and others who are still caring
    for some of the cases right here at the main hospital for those who
    really suffered, really got hurt in Desert Storm.
        And so, today we celebrate something else that makes this place
    remarkable--the opening of this Elizabeth and Zachary Fisher House, the
    gift of two longtime friends of ours. Barbara and I have known the
    Fishers for many, many years. I think it dates back, Zach, to 1971 when
    I was Ambassador at the U.N. But his building will provide lodging for
    military families who have come to visit their seriously ill or injured
    loved ones.
        With pride I tell you that Barbara Bush has been very helpful in
    encouraging this kind of dwelling--the Ronald McDonald Houses that so
    many of you know about that are connected with the many other hospitals,
    civilian hospitals. And she shares my joy in celebrating this one here.
        Because a concerned couple cared, this house will become a home to
    families facing the triple blow of critical illness, financial
    pressures, and separation. And we had the pleasure of meeting several
    such families inside. And I must say, to hear them talk about what this
    means to them says it all.
        Listen to how the Fishers dedicate this house: ``To our greatest
    national treasure, our military men and women and their loved ones.''
    Millions were touched by the sacrifice of our troops, but the Fishers
    did something. They acted upon this. And I've spoken to a lot of people
    about our concept of Points of Light, those who have given themselves to
    help others. And Elizabeth and Zach are brilliant Points of Light. They
    saw a need, and then they moved in to fill it. They didn't wait for
    Congress. They didn't wait for a study or a committee hearing. They saw
    a problem, moved in and solved it.
        This kind of dedication and ingenuity has made ours the strongest
    and, I think, the most caring nation in the world. This comfort home is
    one of seven furnished family retreats that the Fishers are donating to
    military hospitals across the country. They were inspired by a simple
    wonderful truth: The most important part of life is being with someone
    you love, helping someone you love, sharing life with someone you love.
        It was a little over a year ago that Barbara spoke up at Wellesley
    about our philosophy--I think, our country's philosophy. So, let me--
    possibly risking embarrassing her--but let me share it with you again
    today. She said: ``You will never regret not having passed one more
    test, not winning one more verdict, or not closing one more deal. You
    will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child, or a
    parent.''
        And on behalf of the families who will find peace in this home and
    the ill or injured loved ones who will find comfort in their presence, I
    want to join the rest of you in thanking the Fishers. You really
    represent this wonderful concept in America. De Tocqueville noticed when
    he first came here the propensity of one American to help another. You
    represent our best.
        And may I just say to our military men and women with us here
    today--the Coast Guard, represented by Admiral Kime, the Navy and other
    services as well--thank you for your service to our nation. And may this
    house bring you comfort in your time of need.
        Thank you all very, very much.

                        Note: The President spoke at 9:25 a.m. outside the
                            Fisher House. In his remarks, he referred to
                            Lawrence Garrett III, Secretary of the Navy;
                            David M. Lichtman, commander of the National
                            Naval Medical Center; Carlisle A.H. Trost,
                            former Chief of Naval Operations, and his wife,
                            Pauline; and J. William Kime, Commandant of the
                            U.S. Coast Guard.