[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
[February 8, 2002]
[Pages 200-201]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks Following a Meeting With President Gordon B. Hinckley of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 
and an Exchange With Reporters in Salt Lake City, Utah
February 8, 2002

    The President. Mr. President, Laura and I are honored to be back. 
Thank you all very much for your hospitality.
    Mr. Hinckley. We're honored to have you here. We very much 
appreciate that you've come. We're all here excited about the Olympics, 
and we think this is going to be a great thing for this area and for the 
United States of America.
    The President. I agree. Thank you, sir.
    Mr. Hinckley. Thank you very much.
    The President. I'm looking forward to it. I want to congratulate the 
great State of Utah for putting on the games. It's going to be a--I know 
it's been a lot of hard work, and now we're here, and I think the world 
is going to see why we love the West so much here in the United States. 
People can get things done.
    Mr. Hinckley. We're happy that they're here. We hope that all will 
go well; we're confident that all will go well and that it will be a 
great season for all of us.
    The President. I might answer a few questions. You got anything, Ron 
[Ron Fournier, Associated Press] or Steve [Steve Holland, Reuters]?

Winter Olympic Games

    Q. Mr. President, are you confident about the security situation at 
the games?
    The President. I'm so confident about the security condition, I've 
come. [Laughter] Fournier, you got anything?

Genealogy

    Q. What did you talk about in there?
    The President. Well, we just--interestingly enough, we talked about 
our family heritage, our lineage. The president kindly gave us our 
family histories, genealogies that have been researched here, and it's a 
wonderful gift.
    And I said, ``Before you tell me, are there any horse thieves in 
there?'' [Laughter]
    Mr. Hinckley. I want to tell you that he comes of good stock. 
[Laughter]
    The President. That's right. [Laughter]
    Mr. Hinckley. And so does she.

Winter Olympic Games

    Q. Mr. President, did you give any advice to the American athletes 
on carrying the flag from New York, the World Trade Center flag?
    The President. No, I didn't.
    Q. And is there a danger that an event like this takes on some 
political overtones, especially with the United States engaged in a war 
on terrorism?
    The President. Well, I think the event is going the--the events are 
going to strike a proper balance between the patriotism that we all feel 
here and the international flavor of the games. As I understand it, 
they've reached what appears to be a reasonable compromise about the 
flag that flew over the World Trade Center.
    And I think it's important for all Americans, obviously, to root 
hard for our athletes and recognize, however, this is an international 
event. And one of the things that is important is that there be world 
unity. And this is a nice place to have world unity, during the 
competition. You know, an athlete wins, people salute their flag and 
their anthem. And unfortunately, it's not going to be the American flag 
every single event. It'll be somebody else's country, but it gives us a 
chance to cheer for others and celebrate with others, as well.
    So it appears to me that the proper balance has been struck. No 
question that tonight is going to be an emotional moment, though. I 
mean, we're the host country,

[[Page 201]]

and we're a nation that has been under attack. And this proud country is 
unified and strong, and when they play the national anthem, I'm sure 
there's going to be millions of Americans who are proud to hear the 
anthem played in a unique setting and in an historic moment.
    Q. Were you disappointed, sir, when you first heard that the flag 
was not going to be allowed in the ceremonies?
    The President. I knew that there would be an accommodation reached. 
I talked to some friends about it. So I'm happy with the outcome of the 
accommodation. I think it's a nice balance.
    Q. Did you weigh in at all on it?
    The President. No, I didn't.

Meeting With President Hinckley

    Q. Mr. President, why was it important for you to meet with 
President Hinckley today?
    The President. Well, first of all, this isn't my first meeting. I 
was--it's kind of----
    Mr. Hinckley. Reunion.
    The President. Reunion, right. Thank you. I was searching for the 
word. [Laughter]
    I was here in the summer of '99. And first of all, President 
Hinckley represents a great religion. He is a strong part of the 
American scene, and I wanted to come by and say hello and pay my 
respects, and I'm glad I did.
    Also, by the way, looking forward to hearing the choir tonight. It 
is going to be a magnificent moment, an incredibly touching experience 
for all of us, particularly those of us who will be there live.
    So thank you for tuning them up. [Laughter]
    Mr. Hinckley. They're all ready to go.
    The President. Thanks.
    Mr. Hinckley. Thank you very much.
    The President. Good to see you, sir.

Note: The President spoke at approximately 1:20 p.m. at President 
Hinckley's office in the Church Administration Building.