    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [June 24, 1991]
    [Pages 716-717]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Congratulating the National Hockey League Champion Pittsburgh
    Penguins
    June 24, 1991

        Well, please be seated. And standing next to me is a Pennsylvanian
    of note, our Attorney General. And he and I are very excited and
    somewhat--I am, at least--apologetic for keeping this group of athletes
    waiting. I don't want to get them up in arms like I've seen them from
    time to time out on the ice. [Laughter] But it's not exactly hockey
    weather, either; I'll admit that. But let me salute Pennsylvania's two
    Senators that are with us today, Senator Specter, Senator Wofford; of
    course, Rick Santorum, your Congressman from out there; and Bob Walker,
    another great Pennsylvanian. So, welcome all.
        I'm delighted that we're here to honor the Penguins, the National
    Hockey League's champions that brought such excitement to this country.
    This is a special moment, I'm sure, for the city of Pittsburgh, as it is
    for all of us here in the Rose Garden. The Penguins have brought home
    the city's first-ever Stanley Cup--brought the Cup back to the U.S. for
    the first time since 1983. Somehow, I have the feeling that's even--
    special even if you're a Rose Garden veteran like Eddie DeBartolo over
    here, who comes regularly with his football team. [Laughter] But four
    Super Bowls with the 49ers, and now he's starting down this Stanley Cup
    collection road. We welcome you, sir.
        The Penguins take their place alongside the Pirates and the Steelers
    in the hearts of Pittsburghers. And in the ``City of Champions,'' a new
    ice age has begun.
        Back when the season started, I don't mean to downgrade you guys,
    but I don't think anyone of all our sports sages and scribes were
    predicting that you'd end up right here. But sure enough--well, one of
    the reasons last year, some very good

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    games, but you finished fifth--watched the playoffs on TV. The Penguins
    began this year without their mainstay, Mario Lemieux, and he was then
    out--as we all know who follow this sport--with a serious back injury.
    Without his top scorer, Coach Johnson built a strategy around the
    defense. Mark Recchi and Kevin Stevens stepped right in to supply the
    scoring, and goalie Tom Barrasso took his motto from Harry Truman: ``The
    puck stops here.'' [Laughter]
        And, yes, as we all know, Mario made it back. Just so he wouldn't
    feel left out, his teammates let him skate away with the Stanley Cup
    MVP--you talk about a comeback.
        But your success took team effort. A large share of the credit does
    go to Craig Patrick, the general manager who took a gamble in March when
    the Penguins were 12 points out of first place. Craig engineered a six-
    player trade that brought Ron Francis, Ulf Samuelson, Grant Jennings to
    the team. And I think, most sports observers would concede it was in
    there that things started turning around. The Penguins went 9, 3, and 2
    in their last 14 games--came from behind and clinched the title.
        You beat the injuries. You beat the odds. And, clearly, you beat
    your opponents all the way to the Stanley Cup.
        So, your hard work, your drive, your determination made this a
    season to remember. But while you're here, let me just commend you for
    another special achievement off the ice--for a team spirit that just
    doesn't win games, but saves lives.
        I mentioned Tom Barrasso a moment ago. Two years ago, Tom and his
    wife Megan got the news that every parent dreads--they learned their
    daughter was stricken with cancer. And this brave little girl is only 4,
    and already she's pulled through surgery and chemo and a bone marrow
    transplant. And Ashley, I'm just so pleased you could come here to the
    Rose Garden today. She's sweet. You play your cards right and I'll
    invite you in to say hello to Millie, our dog, too. [Laughter]
        Now, the Barrassos have overcome their pain to reach out to other
    children battling illness. They've begun a foundation to combat
    childhood cancer. Every member of the Penguins team--the family, if you
    will--has joined in this effort.
        I can tell you nothing hits harder than to see a kid up against this
    kind of a problem. And so I would say to you, you are, in addition to
    being fantastic skaters--tough hockey players--you are what we like to
    refer to as Points of Light, each of you in your own way, and we're very
    grateful for the example that sets for our country.
        So, you're champions on the ice and off the ice. And welcome to all
    of you. We're just delighted you're here on this beautiful day.
        Thanks for coming.

                        Note: The President spoke at 11:42 a.m. in the Rose
                            Garden at the White House. In his opening
                            remarks, he referred to Attorney General Dick
                            Thornburgh; Senators Arlen Specter and Harris
                            Wofford; Representatives Richard John Santorum
                            and Robert S. Walker; Edward DeBartolo, owner of
                            the Pittsburgh Penguins and the San Francisco
                            49ers football team; Bob Johnson and Craig
                            Patrick, Penguins coach and general manager;
                            team members Mario Lemieux, Mark Recchi, Kevin
                            Stevens, Tom Barrasso, Ron Francis, Uif
                            Samuelson, and Grant Jennings; and Mr.
                            Barrasso's wife, Megan, and daughter,
                            Ashley.