    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book I)]
    [June 15, 2006]
    [Pages 1156-1157]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at the Congressional Picnic
    June 15, 2006

        Thank you all for coming. Welcome to the South Lawn. Laura and I are thrilled you're here. This is called ``Rodeo
    on the South Lawn.'' [Laughter] And we've--first of all, I want to thank
    all the Members of the Congress and the Senate who are here. Thanks for
    serving the country.
        I always take this opportunity to thank your families on your
    behalf. I know you do it all the time, but I know you couldn't serve
    without the support of your loved ones. And so, for all the family
    members who are here, the wives and the husbands and the children and
    the grandchildren, welcome. Thanks for serving the country too.
        We got some interesting entertainment for you tonight. We got some
    people who can play music and some people who think they can play music.
    [Laughter] We got three bands, one--the first band will be called The
    Compassionates. The leader of that band is my Chief of Staff, Josh
    Bolten.

    [[Page 1157]]

    Yes. Then we've got--The Second Amendments will be playing tonight. That
    would be Congressman Collin Peterson,
    Dave Weldon, Kenny Hulshof, Thaddeus McCotter--
    he's that rock-and-roll dude, Thaddeus McCotter--and Congressman Jon
    Porter. Once you get through those two bands,
    then a real group of musicians will be here, and we're fortunate Riders
    in the Sky will be playing for you tonight.
        I hope you enjoy this as much as Laura and I
    enjoy it. We're really glad you're here. God bless you all, and God
    bless our great country. Please welcome The Compassionates.

    Note: The President spoke at 6:50 p.m. on the South Lawn at the White
    House.