    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [April 25, 2008]
    [Pages 579-580]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks During a Visit to the Northwest Boys & Girls Club in Hartford,
    Connecticut
    April 25, 2008

        Entertainer Melinda Doolittle. We need
    you speaking up here right now. I would love--actually, Mr. President, I
    know that you went to Africa. I got a great chance to go to Africa with
    your wife and kind of see firsthand in Zambia what the disease does to
    people and how much they are appreciative of getting these bed nets. I
    know you got to travel, so I'd love it if you'd share some things--
    [inaudible]--of that.
        The President. Sure. I think the thing that I would start with was
    how appreciative people in Africa were of the fact that total strangers
    cared about their lives. You see, if you are a mother who is holding a
    baby that is sick because of a mosquito bite, it creates a lot of
    hopelessness, and you really wonder whether anybody cares. And the fact
    that total strangers would come together--in Boys & Girls Clubs or
    basketball teams or singers--and care about them really lifts their
    spirits.
        And so it's been a--been really interesting to travel to Africa and
    see how appreciative the people in Africa are of the United States and
    the citizens. Isn't it interesting that there's a call to love your
    neighbor like you'd like to be loved yourself? And that's what you're
    doing. And I'm here really to thank all the people, not only here, but
    across the country, for being so supportive of a humanitarian effort
    that is worthy of a great nation.
        So the trip was great. It was really a lot of fun. You know what
    it's like there.
        Ms. Doolittle. I do, I do.
        The President. It's a bit exciting, isn't it?
        Ms. Doolittle. Yes, and I think the
    thing that struck me the most is that in the midst of all of that
    devastation that you may see in any country, they are the most joyful
    people you will ever meet in your entire life. And that also is
    infectious. So that is one thing that I wanted to catch going out of
    Africa, is that joy that they had in the midst of all that they were
    going through. So these are people that absolutely love life, they
    cherish it. And we get to help them cherish that life a little longer.
    So it's a wonderful, wonderful thing to do.
        I would love to have you two come up and look at these bed nets and
    kind of----
        The President. Yes, why don't we get a team picture?
        Ms. Doolittle. ----kind of see----

    [[Page 580]]

        The President. I don't think there's enough cameras here. [Laughter]

    Note: The President spoke at 11:30 a.m.