    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book II)]
    [November 23, 2002]
    [Pages 2115-2116]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Receiving the Order of Vytautas the Great in Vilnius,
    Lithuania
    November 23, 2002

        Mr. President, thank you very much. It's
    an honor to receive this award. And it's an honor to be the first United
    States President to come to Lithuania. Laura and
    I are honored to be here.
        I want to thank the members of the Government who are here as well,
    the Prime Minister, the
    Speaker, other members of your Cabinet.
        This is a great day for Lithuania. It shows the Lithuanians'
    commitment to

    [[Page 2116]]

    freedom, to religious tolerance. It shows the Lithuanians' courage is
    being rewarded by membership in one of the greatest alliances ever
    formed.
        The NATO Alliance will be stronger with Lithuania's presence. Not
    only will you help militarily, but as importantly, your presence will
    help lift, invigorate the spirit of the European North Atlantic
    Alliance. After all, Lithuania represents to me the courage of people
    standing in the face of tyranny and demanding freedom.
        There are thousands of Americans today who rejoice at the fact that
    Lithuania will be joining with America in the NATO Alliance. I'm proud
    of your accomplishments, and my country is proud to call you friend. May
    God bless the people of Lithuania.

    Note: The President spoke at 8:24 a.m. at the Prezidentura. In his
    remarks, he referred to President Valdas Adamkus and Prime Minister
    Algirdas Mykolas Brazauskas of Lithuania; and Speaker of the Lithuanian
    Parliament Arturas Paulauskas. A tape was not available for verification
    of the content of these remarks.