    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book I)]
    [February 11, 2007]
    [Pages 122-123]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a Dinner in Honor of the Ford's Theatre Abraham Lincoln
    Bicentennial Celebration
    February 11, 2007

        Good evening, and welcome. Laura and I are delighted to have you
    here as we celebrate the 198th birthday of Abraham Lincoln. And we're
    really glad you're here.
        We thank Ford's Theatre for helping us honor this great American
    President. We thank David Herbert Donald and
    Doris Kearns Goodwin for scholarship
    that has given us a deeper appreciation of Lincoln's life and purpose.
    We welcome all the Lincoln scholars who are here.
        We are here tonight to remember the life, the incredible life and
    the great sacrifice of the man who saved our Union. We remember Abraham
    Lincoln's eloquence, his wisdom, his unshakeable faith in the enduring
    truth that we're all created equal. He worked to renew the promise of
    America's founding and to build a more perfect union for all Americans.
        As we approach the bicentennial of President Lincoln's birth, his
    words and principles continue to guide our Nation. We look to his
    example for courage and to find the better angels of our nature. His
    legacy is the birthright of all Americans, and tonight we honor those
    who helped pass the story of his life from generation to generation.
        In this story of this good and decent man, we really find the best
    of America. And so tonight I would like to offer a toast to our 16th
    President, Abraham Lincoln, and to our blessed country.

    Note: The President spoke at 7:40 p.m. in the State Dining Room at the
    White House. In his remarks, he referred to David Herbert Donald and
    Doris Kearns Goodwin, members, Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission
    Advisory Committee. The transcript

    [[Page 123]]

    was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on February 12.