    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [May 10, 2008]
    [Pages 659-660]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

     The President's Radio Address
     May 10, 2008

         Good morning. Today is my daughter Jenna's
    wedding day. This is a joyous occasion for our family as we celebrate
    the happy life ahead of her and her husband Henry. It's also a special time for Laura, who, this Mother's Day weekend, will watch a young
    woman we raised together walk down the aisle.
         Mother's Day is a special time for mothers all across America. On
    this holiday, we pause to celebrate the love and compassion of the women
    who have raised us and to thank them for the many years of patience and
    selflessness. Throughout our lives, mothers are there with an
    encouraging word, a sympathetic ear, and a tender heart. They set our
    direction in life, and from time to time, they have been known to
    correct our course.
         Like many of you, my life has been blessed by a mother who is a source of unconditional love. Those of us
    who have been so fortunate are forever in debt to these caring women. So
    on this holiday weekend, we celebrate all those mothers who help make
    our country a better place.
         On this Mother's Day weekend, we think of the mothers who are
    celebrating this holiday for the very first time. Few blessings can
    compare to starting a new family, and few bonds are stronger than those
    between a mother and her newborn baby. This is also a special time for
    new adoptive mothers, who have welcomed their children into their homes
    with open arms and an open heart. We wish all these new parents many
    happy Mother's Days to come.
         On this Mother's Day weekend, we think of the many mothers who
    raised the brave men and women serving our country in uniform. And to
    those mothers, I offer the thanks of a grateful nation. Your sons and
    daughters are defending our freedom with dignity and honor. And America
    appreciates the sacrifices that your families make in the name of duty.
         On this Mother's Day weekend, we remember the mothers grieving a
    son or daughter lost in the service to their country as well as the
    children who have lost a mother in uniform. We share their pride in
    these wonderful Americans who have given everything to protect our
    people from harm. Nothing we say can ever make up for their loss. But on
    this special day, we hold them in our hearts, and we lift them in our
    prayers.
         I wish every mother listening this morning a blessed Mother's Day,
    including my own. And I have a message for every son

    [[Page 660]]

    and daughter listening this morning: Remember to tell mom, the first
    thing tomorrow, how much you love her.
         Thank you for listening.

      Note:  The address was recorded at 7:20 a.m. on May 8 in the Cabinet
    Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on May 10. The
    transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    May 9, but was embargoed for release until 6 a.m. on May 10. In the
    address, the President referred to Henry Hager, fiance of Jenna Bush.
    The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language
    transcript of this address.