[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992-1993, Book II)]
[December 10, 1992]
[Page 2181]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks on Presenting Congressional Gold Medals to General Colin Powell 
and General H. Norman Schwarzkopf
December 10, 1992

    Let me just say this is a very brief but, in my view, significant 
presentation ceremony. But in April of 1991, the laws were passed 
authorizing me as President to present gold medals on behalf of the 
Congress to Generals Powell and Schwarzkopf. The medals were designed 
and struck by the U.S. Mint to commemorate their exemplary service in 
liberating the nation of Kuwait pursuant to those United Nations 
resolutions. And the mint is also producing duplicates of these medals, 
bronze duplicates, for public sale.
    I'm just delighted to be here. I salute the Members of Congress who 
are with us today, who had an awful lot to do with making this happen.
    So we'll start by a presentation to General Schwarzkopf who was, as 
we know, commander in chief of the United States Central Command. He 
valiantly directed the United States and coalition in the Operation 
Desert Storm. And the U.S. and coalition forces under his command met 
the objectives that we established to counter ruthless aggression and to 
free Kuwait. He led the men and women of the Armed Forces of the United 
States in a magnificent achievement in United States military history.
    I will now ask the commander to read the citation.

[At this point, the gold medal was presented to General Schwarzkopf.]

They tell me you're not supposed to touch it except with a glove. 
Congratulations, well-deserved honor.
    Then General Colin Powell, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. He 
displayed an extraordinary degree of leadership, competence, 
professionalism throughout Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert 
Storm. General Powell and his subordinates brilliantly planned and 
coordinated the rapid mobilization, the deployment of more than one-half 
million men and women of the Armed Forces to the Persian Gulf. And that 
resulted in the successful prosecution of the Persian Gulf war. And 
Congress fittingly honors General Powell.

[At this point, the gold medal was presented to General Powell.]

                    Note: The President spoke at 4:04 p.m. in the 
                        Roosevelt Room at the White House. Lt. Comdr. 
                        Wayne E. Justice, USCG, Coast Guard Aide to the 
                        President, read the citations.