    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book I)]
    [April 25, 2006]
    [Pages 807-808]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Presenting the Commander in Chief's Trophy to the United
    States Naval Academy Midshipmen
    April 25, 2006

        Thank you. Be seated. Welcome to the White House. For you Navy fans,
    it's welcome to the White House again. [Laughter] I am so honored to
    welcome the Midshipmen from the United States Naval Academy here to the
    Rose Garden, and I congratulate you for winning your third straight
    Commander in Chief Trophy.
        I also want to announce that Coach Johnson
    is now a member of the White House Frequent Visitors Club. [Laughter]
        I appreciate, like a lot of Americans, the football rivalry between
    our military academies. It's truly one of the country's great
    traditions.
        This season the Midshipmen have pretty well handled that rivalry in
    good shape, set a good standard by winning their games against the Air
    Force and the Army. But the greatest achievement for the Midshipmen will
    be when they join their counterparts from West Point and Colorado
    Springs to help us win the war on terror. So we're glad you all are
    here.
        I'm particularly pleased to see members of the Naval Academy Board
    of Visitors who are also in the United States Congress, starting with
    Congressman Steny Hoyer. Thank you for
    coming, Steny. Congressman Mike McIntyre,
    proudly wearing that Navy hat; Congressman John Kline; as well, we have Congressman Ben Cardin. Thank you all for coming; proud you're here.
        I appreciate the Secretary of the Navy, Don Winter, is with us. Mr. Secretary, thank you for coming. Admiral
    Ed Giambastiani--and for those
    of you who don't speak English too well, we call him Admiral G--happens
    to be the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and a fine man.
        Vice Admiral--I mean, Admiral Mike Mullen, Chief of Naval Operations--we're proud you're here,
    Admiral Mullen. Thanks for the job you're doing. As well as Vice Admiral
    Rod Rempt--Rod, it's good to see you. Thank
    you for your service.
        I appreciate the members of the Naval Academy football team who are
    here. I thank the members of the Naval Academy coaching staff who are
    here, particularly the head coach, who seems to
    have done a pretty good job. Might deserve a little pay raise if I might
    make a suggestion, you know what I'm saying? [Laughter] I don't know if
    you agree with that or not, Coach? Yes. [Laughter]
        This team is a source of great pride for the brigade of Midshipmen
    and Navy fans everywhere. It will hold a special place in Navy football
    history. Nothing like making history.
        This team showed great resilience. After losing its first two games
    in heartbreaking fashion, the team went on to win 8 of the next 10, and
    5 of those were come-from-behind wins.
        It took a little bit to be a Navy fan this year, a little patience,
    a little faith. But the faith paid off. The Poinsettia Bowl victory in
    San Diego was the first time a Navy team has ever won bowl games in
    back-

    [[Page 808]]

    to-back years. And we congratulate you for that feat. Pretty good deal
    to win big bowls and study hard and prepare to serve your Nation.
        I appreciate the fact that the Navy offense led the nation in
    rushing. And second place to the Navy rushing record was the mighty
    Texas Longhorn team--[laughter]--whose offensive lineman only weighed
    about 40 pounds per person more.
        Seniors on this team have led one of the most dramatic turnarounds
    in college football history. Navy has won 26 games in the past 3 seasons
    after winning just 3 games during the previous 3 years. The seniors are
    the sixth class in Academy history to have beaten Army all 4 years.
        The lessons learned on the football field are preparing you all well
    for your next mission, which is winning the war against the terrorists.
    Every player on this team works hard to win on Saturday afternoons, but
    like the rest of your Midshipmen, your top priority is preparing to
    defend this Nation.
        The thing I appreciate about the folks here is that when it came
    time to serve our country, they said, ``I volunteer to serve. I
    recognize there's something more important than life, than serving
    myself. I want to serve my nation.'' And for that the American people
    are really grateful.
        The leadership and discipline and teamwork you have learned not only
    on the field of play but at the Naval Academy will serve you well as you
    become commissioned officers in the world's finest military. And I
    assure you, and I know the Members of Congress assure you, we intend to
    keep our military the world's finest military.
        This Nation is at war, a war we are going to win. And many of your
    teammates are serving and sacrificing at this very hour. And we send our
    prayers and best wishes to them. I appreciate the service of people like
    Marine First Lieutenant Brian Stann, a former
    Navy linebacker who was awarded the Silver Star last month for his
    actions and his bravery in Iraq.
        Today, there are sailors and marines who are leading vital missions
    in Afghanistan and in Iraq and around the world. Graduates from the
    Naval Academy patrol the world's oceans to keep deadly weapons out of
    the hands of the terrorists and are maintaining America's command of the
    seas.
        You protect our Nation, and equally importantly, you're laying the
    foundation of peace for a generation of Americans to come. And so we're
    here to first and foremost honor a really fine football team and present
    the Commander in Chief Trophy. But as well, we pay tribute to men and
    women who wear the uniform of the United States and say, thank you from
    the bottom of our collective hearts for protecting us.
        My God bless the Midshipmen, and may God continue to bless our
    country.

    Note: The President spoke at 2:05 p.m. in the Rose Garden at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Paul Johnson, head coach, U.S.
    Naval Academy football team; and Vice Adm. Rodney P. Rempt, USN,
    Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy.