    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book I)]
    [January 19, 2005]
    [Pages 65-66]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at the ``Celebration of Freedom'' Concert
    January 19, 2005

        Thank you all. Thank you all for coming. Thanks for being out here
    in the cold. You know, I was realizing there is--you know, no night is
    too cold to celebrate freedom.
        Mr. Vice President, thank you for your kind introduction. I thank
    you and Lynne for your fine service to the
    American people. Our Nation has never had a finer Vice
    President. Sorry, Dad. [Laughter] Our Nation has never had a finer First Lady
    than Laura. Sorry, Mother. [Laughter]
        I'm really proud that much of my family is with me tonight and will
    be there tomorrow. I'm really so happy my dad and mom are with us.
        Appreciate the members of the Cabinet who are here, Members of
    Congress, members of the Armed Forces. How about the Apollo astronauts?
    I can't thank them enough for coming. And I love our entertainers who
    are here. I want to thank our host, Ryan Seacrest. Thanks for so much, Ryan. You're doing a fine job. I
    appreciate you being here.
        I want to thank all the other entertainers who have come tonight. It
    means so much to Laura and me, and I hope it
    means a lot to you, that they have taken time out of their busy
    schedules to entertain you and to kick off this Inauguration.
        I really thank you all for coming. Many of you have traveled a long
    way. What you're doing is you're taking a part in a great tradition of
    hope and renewal in our Nation's Capital, and we are really glad you are
    here.
        An Inauguration is a time of unity for our country. With the
    campaign behind us, Americans lift up our sights to the years ahead and
    to the great goals we will achieve for our country. I am eager and ready
    for the work ahead, and I know that this office carries a duty to the
    entire Nation. After all, we are one America, and every day that I am
    your President, I will serve all Americans.
        In these 4 years, we have moved forward as a people. We have faced
    challenges. We have faced them together. And we've taken up serious
    tasks at home as well as abroad. We have grown in appreciation for our
    freedom, and we have grown in appreciation for the men and women who
    defend it.
        At this very hour, more than a million of our fellow citizens are
    standing watch for America. We are grateful to them all, and we are
    grateful to their families. We pray for our troops; we pray for their
    families. And on this night, as we celebrate the blessing of liberty,
    America honors the spirit of service that keeps our Nation strong and
    free.
        Tomorrow I will take an oath and deliver an Inaugural Address.
    You'll be pleased to hear I'm not going to deliver it twice. But I will
    speak about freedom. This is the cause that unites our country and gives
    hope to the world and will lead us to a

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    future of peace. We have a calling from beyond the stars to stand for
    freedom, and America will always be faithful to that cause.
        Thank you for coming. May God bless you, and may God continue to
    bless our great Nation. Thank you all.

    Note: The President spoke at 5:57 p.m. on the Ellipse. In his remarks,
    he referred to radio and television personality Ryan Seacrest.