    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [October 14, 2003]
    [Pages 1299-1300]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Honoring the 2003 National Basketball Association Champion San
    Antonio Spurs
    October 14, 2003

        The President. Thank you all for coming. Thank you. Please be
    seated. Welcome. To all you San Antonio Spurs fans, we're glad you're
    here in the Rose Garden. I'm particularly glad the San Antonio Spurs are
    here today. We want to congratulate you on a fantastic championship run.
        I first want to welcome my friend Peter Holt,
    who turned out to be a pretty darn good owner. [Laughter] It's more than
    I can say for the former Ranger ownership. [Laughter] But
    congratulations, Peter, to you and your organization. I want to thank
    R.C. Buford, who is the general manager, and
    Gregg Popovich, who is the manager of--the
    coach of the club. And I want to welcome the players and your wives and
    friends and family here. After this is over, I'd like to invite you in
    the Oval Office and let you see where the decisions are made that affect
    the peace and freedom of this world.
        I want to welcome some huge San Antonio Spurs fans: Senator John
    Cornyn from San Antonio; Lamar Smith and Henry Bonilla as well
    from San Antonio. You got to know that during the playoffs, these guys
    were touting the Spurs. They were giving a pretty hefty line to anybody
    who dared bet against the Spurs, and you didn't let them down. So
    welcome. I'm glad you're here.
        Danny Ferry is here. Where is Danny Ferry?
        Audience member. He's there.
        The President. Yes, there he is. He and I
    share an interesting relationship. As you may know, his father,
    Bob, won the NBA Championship ring. And so Danny
    and Bob Ferry are only the second father/son combination to ever win a
    championship ring--[laughter]--if you get my drift. [Laughter] We're
    members of the famous fathers club. [Laughter] And anyway, I want to
    welcome you here. You'll see where the--only the second son of a
    President office is in a minute. [Laughter]
        I also--one of the things that happens when a championship team
    comes here, it gives me a chance to talk about the development of a
    culture, a winning culture inside an organization. I like to call it a
    culture of service, people being willing to serve something greater than
    themself, in this case, a team.
        I was struck by Tim Duncan's comments after
    the sixth game when they were talking about the fantastic individual
    effort he had. And a reporter said, ``What about that effort?'' He said,
    ``It's cool,'' but then immediately went on to talk about the
    accomplishments of his teammates, recognizing that you can't win a
    championship unless you're able to rely upon others and lift others up
    and participate with others and work hard with others. And it's a
    phenomenal tribute to the San Antonio Spurs that they've got such great
    individual players who are willing to work as a team. And it's a
    wonderful example for our country--it really is.
        The other thing that struck me about this organization that is so
    powerful is that there is a culture of service when it comes

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    to utilizing their positions as champs to make somebody else's life
    better. Gregg Popovich won a Point of Light
    for his drug--anti-drug programs in the early nineties. What a class act
    that must be for players to work for a coach who then takes time out of
    his private life to set a good example for the children of the community
    in which he lives and to work to rally the armies of compassion to make
    somebody else's life better, in this case to help a community fight off
    the scourge of drugs.
        Or David Robinson, who is now heavily
    involved in education in the San Antonio community. He's not only a
    great husband but a great role model for others to see. I know many of
    you all do the same thing in your communities, that you care deeply
    about the lives of your fellow citizens, and I want to congratulate you.
    I think you're champs because you understand that serving something
    greater than yourself is the road to championships. And that's what
    you're here to do, is to receive the accolades from our country for
    serving as not only great athletes but as great role models for children
    who look up to you.
        So welcome to the Rose Garden. Congratulations on such a great,
    successful season. And may God continue to bless you, and may God
    continue to bless the United States of America. Thank you for coming.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:56 a.m. in the Rose Garden at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Peter Holt, chairman and chief
    executive officer, R.C. Buford, general manager, Gregg Popovich, head
    coach, Danny Ferry, director of basketball operations, Tim Duncan,
    center, and David Robinson, retired center, San Antonio Spurs; and
    Representatives Lamar Smith and Henry Bonilla of Texas.