[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book I)]
[February 25, 2007]
[Page 188]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks at a Dinner for the National Governors Association Conference
February 25, 2007

    Laura and I are honored to have you here. 
Welcome. This is really one of the dinners that we look forward to the 
most. And we welcome the Governors and their spouses. We welcome 
Governors without their spouses. [Laughter]
    I appreciate members of my Cabinet for joining us. I also thank very 
much Governor Napolitano, who is the 
chairman of the Governors Association--National Governors Association, 
and Tim Pawlenty, the vice chairman of the 
Governors Association, for joining us.
    I thank the former Governors who are in my Cabinet who have joined 
us: Secretaries Kempthorne, 
Johanns, and Leavitt. There's life after being a Governor. [Laughter]
    I'm looking forward to our meetings tomorrow. It's a really good 
chance to talk about important issues for the country. I'm--I believe 
that Governors add a lot to the worth of our Nation. And I believe if we 
work together, we can do a lot of good things. I'm looking forward to 
talking about the issue of homeland security. We need to protect our 
country. I'm looking forward to talking about education and health care 
and good, sound immigration policy. I'm looking forward to reminding me 
and you that when we work together, we can do big things, that we have 
an obligation to serve all the people.
    And so tonight is a night to--a festive night. Our friend, Ronan 
Tynan, is going to entertain you. I'm looking 
forward to it. I hope you are as well.
    And before I call up Janet, I'd like to offer a toast to the 
Nation's Governors.

Note: The President spoke at 7:30 p.m. in the State Dining Room at the 
White House. In his remarks, he referred to Gov. Janet A. Napolitano of 
Arizona and Gov. Timothy J. Pawlenty of Minnesota.