    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book I)]
    [May 17, 2006]
    [Pages 940-942]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Honoring the United States Winter Olympic and Paralympic Teams
    May 17, 2006

        Thank you all very much. Please be seated. Laura and I are so honored to welcome the 2006 winter Olympic
    and Paralympic teams to the White House. It is such a joy to have you
    all here, and congratulations for being champs.
        I appreciate the Members of the Congress who are here: Senator
    Thomas and Congressmen Shays, Buyer,
    Hastings, and Ryun. Thank
    you all for coming. Thanks for honoring these great Olympians--
    Congressman Ted Poe from Texas as well.
        I want to thank all the athletes who've taken time to come. We
    really appreciate your giving us a chance to pay respects to your
    athleticism and your character. I want to thank the coaches and the team

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    leaders and the U.S. Olympic staff. I particularly want to thank the
    members of the Texas A&M Singing Cadets for joining us today. Thanks for
    coming to provide the--[applause].
        I wish I could have been at the games there in Turin, but
    fortunately we do have TVs here in the White House. [Laughter] It was
    such a thrill to watch you all compete. Laura
    represented our country and really enjoyed getting to know you all. She
    came back and talked about the kindness and the integrity of our
    athletes. I appreciate the fact that you treated her with such respect.
    More importantly, I appreciate the fact that you represented our country
    with such nobility and dignity.
        I thank you for the example you set. I don't know if you know this
    or not, but there's all kinds of people watching our Olympic and
    Paralympic athletes, wondering whether or not it's possible for them to
    be able to achieve the same level of accomplishments that you all
    achieved. The fact that you compete hard and train hard and set high
    goals and succeed is a really important part of encouraging others to
    follow in your footsteps. Being a champ means that you've got enormous
    responsibilities, and I thank you for upholding those responsibilities
    with the class that you've showed as athletes in Turin.
        Thanks for creating so many lasting memories for the American
    people. We love our athletes. We follow your successes. We love it when
    the ``Star Spangled Banner'' is played. We also understand that not
    everybody is going to win the gold, but we appreciate so much the fact
    that you competed so hard and in such a way that brought honor to our
    country.
        The memories are such that we remember the--America's first medal in
    ice dancing in 30 years with Tanith and
    Ben. Congratulations to you both. We
    appreciate the courage of Lindsey Kildow, who
    overcame a terrible crash in the training run and then decided to
    continue to compete. That kind of courage stirs our hearts. It's such a
    great example for people.
        We appreciate Joey Cheek, who won the gold
    and then turned around and donated $40,000 to help the refugee children
    of Sudan. What a wonderful example for all of us here in America to know
    that with our personal victories comes the responsibility of helping
    those who suffer and those who need help.
        We're honored that ``the Flying Tomato''
    represented our country. And we want to thank all the dudes and dudesses
    of the snowboarders who are here. [Laughter]
        America's Paralympians overcame incredible odds to earn 12 medals
    for our Nation. Laurie Stephens was born
    with spina bifida; she won two golds and the silver medal in Alpine
    skiing. What a strong example for people to look at Laurie and realize
    that ``I can achieve dreams too.''
        Steve Cook, he lost part of his right leg in
    a tractor accident, but that didn't stop him. He's gone on to earn seven
    medals in cross-country skiing, including two golds and a bronze in this
    year's Paralympics. Steve, I appreciate your courage, and I appreciate
    the example you have shown for others.
        Lonnie Hannah is with us; she had
    breast [he had skin]* cancer last year and came back to help the U.S.
    sled hockey team win the bronze in a really thrilling game against
    Germany.
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        *White House correction.
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        All of our successes in the Olympics and Paralympics required
    unbelievable skill and determination, and they also required the support
    of a lot of people in your lives. The honors you've won are a tribute
    to, of course, your coaches and trainers but also to your parents and to
    your brothers and sisters and your friends and supporters who continue
    to cheer you. I know all of you join me in thanking those who supported
    you.
        At the games, you showed the best values of our country. You were
    humble in

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    victory and gracious in defeat. You made us proud. And so here on the
    White House South Lawn, I want to thank you for being such great
    ambassadors to our country. Welcome, and may God bless you all.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:16 a.m. on the South Lawn at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto,
    ice dancers, Lindsey Kildow, Alpine skier, Joey Cheek, speed skater, and
    Shaun ``the Flying Tomato'' White, snowboarder, U.S. Olympic Team.