[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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