[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.