    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
    [December 5, 2005]
    [Pages 1808-1809]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at the Children's Holiday Reception
    December 5, 2005

        The President. Thanks for coming. Welcome. We're glad you're here.
    This is Laura; I'm George W. [Laughter] We hope
    you've had some fun here. I hope nobody pinched Rudolph on the nose.
    [Laughter] No, nobody did. That's good--Rudolph is happy about that too.
    [Laughter]
        We welcome the students from Stratford Landing Elementary School in
    Alexandria and Glen Haven Elementary School in Silver Spring. We're glad
    you all are here. We want to welcome your teachers and your parents.
    Thanks for coming. We're glad you're at the White House.
        I particularly want to welcome those of you here who have got a mom
    or dad serving our country in the United States military. I know it's
    hard when they're away; this has got to be a difficult time for you. But
    we really want you to know that they're doing important work. They're
    not only protecting the country, but they're helping other boys and
    girls live in freedom like we do here in the United States, and that's
    important. So one message I want to give you is, we're really proud of
    your mom or dad, and you tell them thanks--thanks on behalf of a
    grateful nation.

    [[Page 1809]]

        And now I get to introduce somebody I'm grateful for, and that's the
    First Lady of the United States, Laura Bush.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:30 a.m. on the State Floor at the White
    House. The transcript released by the Office of the Press Secretary also
    included the remarks of the First Lady.