[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.