[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

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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.