    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book I)]
    [February 22, 2004]
    [Page 250]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a Dinner for the Nation's Governors
    February 22, 2004

        Good evening. Welcome to the White House. Laura and I are honored to host so many of our friends and
    new acquaintances. The Nation's Governors were the guests at our first
    official state dinner almost 3 years ago today. It's great to see so
    many of those same Governors with us tonight. It's kind of like being
    with members of your family. Right, Jeb? [Laughter]
        I appreciate the fact that the Vice President is with us. I
    oftentimes say Dick Cheney is the finest Vice
    President our country has ever had. Mother
    always says, ``Wait a minute.'' [Laughter] I want to thank the former
    Governors who are in my Cabinet, Tommy Thompson and John Ashcroft, Tom
    Ridge, who is not with us tonight, and the newest
    member of my Cabinet, Mike Leavitt.
        I want to welcome the Nation's new Governors, Barbour and Fletcher,
    Kernan, Blanco, Walker,
    Tulafono, and
    Schwarzenegger. [Laughter] Last
    time I was with Governor Schwarzenegger, it dawned on me that we have
    some things in common. We both married well. [Laughter] We both have
    trouble with the English language. [Laughter] We both have big biceps.
    [Laughter] Well, two out of the three. [Laughter]
        In the past 3 years, our country has faced some great challenges.
    We're still at war. The war on terror is a new kind of war in which
    every American is threatened and every level of government must work
    together. We've taken vital steps to secure our homeland, and I want to
    thank the Governors for their hard work. I'm going to continue to work
    with you to fulfill our solemn duty to protect the American people.
        We share responsibility as well to enhance the entrepreneurial
    spirit so that our economy continues to grow and people can find work;
    work together to make sure Americans can gain affordable access to
    health care; to make sure every child learns to read and write and add
    and subtract. We've made good progress. We'll continue to meet our
    obligations in future years.
        I've got great confidence in America because I believe in the
    strength of the American people. I've got great confidence in our
    Nation's Governors because you represent your State's highest ideals and
    you hold your people's trust.
        It's a pleasure to host you all here. And now I'd like you all to
    join me in a toast to the Governors of the United States.

    Note: The President spoke at 8:12 p.m. in the State Dining Room at the
    White House. In his remarks, he referred to Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida;
    Gov. Haley Barbour of Mississippi; Gov. Ernie Fletcher of Kentucky; Gov.
    Joseph E. Kernan of Indiana; Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco of
    Louisiana; Gov. Olene S. Walker of Utah; Gov. Togiola Tulafono of
    American Samoa; and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California.