    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book II)]
    [December 14, 2007]
    [Pages 1550-1551]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Resignation of William McGurn and the Appointment of Marc Thiessen as Assistant to the President for Speechwriting
    December 14, 2007

        As Assistant to the President for Speechwriting, Bill McGurn has
    worked tirelessly to help communicate my agenda to the American people
    and the world. Bill is a serious thinker and a gifted writer whose
    command of language and knowledge of history have helped shape a wide
    variety of my speeches. I have counted on Bill to help me prepare State
    of the Union Addresses, policy announcements, and speeches to the
    Nation. In all our work together, I have valued Bill's creativity,
    insight, and sound judgment. And I have appreciated his friendship,
    generous spirit, and sense of humor.
        As he moves on to the next stage of his career, Bill can be proud of
    his service at the White House. The son of a marine, Bill loves his
    country and has served it well. Laura and I have
    come to know Bill's wife Julie and their
    daughters Grace, Maisie, and Lucy, and we wish Bill and
    his family all the best.
        I am pleased to announce that Bill's deputy, Marc Thiessen, will
    succeed him as Assistant to the President for Speechwriting. Marc has
    done superb work in the speechwriting office for more than 3 years.
    Before coming to the White House, he served as chief speechwriter to
    Secretary Rumsfeld. Marc is a talented
    writer and experienced communicator who will do an outstanding job in
    his new position. I look forward to continuing to work with him.

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