[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.