    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book I)]
    [June 30, 2006]
    [Pages 1242-1243]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Tour of Graceland With Prime Minister Junichiro
    Koizumi of Japan in Memphis
    June 30, 2006

        President Bush. First of all, the Prime Minister and I would like to
    thank Priscilla and Lisa for their gracious hospitality. And we thank the
    Graceland staff as well for arranging this unusual experience. First of
    all, my presence here shows it's never too late to come to Graceland.
    Laura and I are--we've known Elvis Presley since
    we were growing up. He's obviously a major part of our music history. He
    had an international reputation. His reputation was so strong that he
    attracted the attention of the now Prime Minister of Japan.
        I was hoping the Prime Minister would want to come to Graceland. I
    knew he loved Elvis; I didn't realize how much he loved Elvis. He not
    only knows Elvis's history, he can sing a pretty good Elvis song. This
    visit here shows that not only am I personally fond of the Prime
    Minister, but the ties between our peoples are very strong as well.
        And so, again, to the
    Presleys, thank you all. And Mr. Prime
    Minister, glad you joined us. Want to say a few comments?
        Prime Minister Koizumi. It's like a dream. I never expected Mr.
    President come with me to visit Graceland. There's Elvis song: ``To
    Dream Impossible.'' [Laughter]

    [At this point, Prime Minister Koizumi sang an Elvis song.]

        Prime Minister Koizumi. My dream came true. So thank you very much
    for--[inaudible]--thank you. Thank you very much for treating me nice.
    That's an Elvis song.

    [[Page 1243]]

    [Prime Minister Koizumi sang another Elvis song.]

        Prime Minister Koizumi. Thank you.
        President Bush. We're going to go have some barbeque. Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:44 a.m. on the front lawn at Graceland.
    In his remarks, he referred to the late entertainer Elvis Presley's
    wife, Priscilla, and daughter, Lisa Marie.