    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book II)]
    [October 7, 2006]
    [Page 1796]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Death of John J. ``Buck'' O'Neil
    October 7, 2006

        Buck O'Neil represented the best of America's national pastime. He
    devoted his long and full life to baseball and refused to allow
    injustice and discrimination to diminish his love of the game and his
    joyous, generous spirit. Laura and I extend our
    sympathies to his family and friends, and on behalf of all Americans, we
    give thanks for the life of one of the great ambassadors in baseball
    history.