    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
    [June 5, 2002]
    [Pages 936-937]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at the Congressional Barbecue
    June 5, 2002

        Welcome. Laura and I are really happy to give you all a taste of
    Texas. We want to thank our friends Asleep At The Wheel out of Austin,
    Texas, for your fantastic music. Thank you all very much. And I want to
    thank our friends from Buffalo Gap, Texas, the people who brought the
    food. That would be Tom Perini and--[inaudible]--we want to thank them
    and all the people who served the food. We want to thank you all for
    coming tonight.
        First I want to say something to the spouses and the family members
    who are here. Thank you for your service to the country. We appreciate
    your patience and we appreciate you supporting your loved ones in their
    important jobs of representing the greatest nation on the face of the
    Earth, the United States of America.
        The last time we were supposed to have this party was on September
    the 11th. And we have come together here in Washington and around the
    Nation for a great and noble cause, and that is to defend freedom. The
    defense of our freedoms here in America is not a Republican calling or a
    Democratic calling; it is an American calling. And I want to thank all
    the Members of Congress.
        I want to thank you for your support here in Washington, and I want
    to thank you for going home to your districts and

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    your States and explaining to our citizens, our fellow citizens, what's
    ahead. This country is patient, and this country is united, and this
    country is plenty tough when it comes to defending that which we hold
    dear. And a lot of it has to do with what you do when you go home, and I
    want to thank you for that a lot. It means a lot.
        It is much easier to be the Commander in Chief when the people are
    pulling in the same direction. And they're pulling in the same
    direction, much to the chagrin of the enemy.
        So it's our great pleasure to welcome you here. I know sometimes we
    have squabbles with the legislative branch. If only you did it the way
    the Vice President and I wanted you to do it, everything would be fine.
    [Laughter] But I admire--I admire those who serve in the Senate and the
    House. I admire your steadfast love of democracy, and I appreciate so
    very much your love of our country.
        May God bless your work, and may God continue to bless America.
    Thank you all for coming.

    Note: The President spoke at 7:48 p.m. on the South Lawn at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Tom Perini, chuckwagon cook,
    Perini Ranch Steakhouse.