    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book I)]
    [June 19, 2007]
    [Pages 773-774]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at the Congressional Picnic
    June 19, 2007

        The President. Thank you all for coming. Laura and I welcome you to the South Lawn. This is an
    opportunity to thank the Members of Congress and their families for
    serving the United States.
        First, I want to recognize the Speaker.
    Madam Speaker, thank you for joining us. It means a lot that you've
    come. I appreciate the leadership of the House and the Senate who've
    joined us. For all the wives and husbands, thank you for standing by
    your spouse. It's not easy to be in public office. It's a lot easier,
    though, when you have somebody who loves you to help you do your job.
    And so Laura and I want to thank you all, in
    particular. We're proud to be serving with you. Occasionally, we might
    have our differences, but one thing we all agree on is, we represent the
    greatest country on the face of the Earth.
        I want to thank our chef, Paul Prudhomme,
    from New Orleans, Louisiana--one of the great chefs in America. Thanks
    for coming, Paul. I thank Tony Snow and his bunch of, well, mediocre
    musicians--[laughter]--no, great musicians. Beats Workin', thanks for
    coming. Kermit, come up here. Kermit, we're
    proud to have you.
        Kermit Ruffins. Well, thanks for having
    us.

    [[Page 774]]

        The President. Kermit Ruffins and the
    Barbecue Swingers, right out of New Orleans, Louisiana. Yes, sir.
        Mr. Ruffins. Thank you. Thanks for having
    us. We're glad to be here. Thank you, sir.
        The President. Proud you're here. Thanks for coming.
        You all enjoy yourself. Make sure you pick up all the trash after
    it's over. [Laughter]
        God bless you, and may God bless America. Thanks for coming.

    Note: The President spoke at 8:10 p.m. on the South Lawn at the White
    House. The transcript was released by the Office of the Press Secretary
    on June 20.