[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.