    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [June 1, 2008]
    [Pages 742-743]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at the Ford's Theatre Gala
    June 1, 2008

        Thank you all. Hal, thanks for the
    introduction. And I want to thank you all for supporting Ford's Theatre.
    Laura and I have been coming here now for 8 years

    [[Page 743]]

    to the Ford's Theatre gala, and this is by far the best.
        We want to thank our choir and our orchestra and all the fabulous
    performers for taking time out of your busy schedules to help--to
    support this really important part of Washington. And Gatlin is probably saying, of course, I said that for the
    crowd last year. [Laughter] But no, it really was fantastic. And it's
    such an uplifting performance and a reminder of what a great President
    Abraham Lincoln was.
        I do want to thank Paul Tetreault for
    being a really fabulous director of the Ford's Theatre. And I want to
    thank the gala cochairs and all the people who support the Ford's
    Theatre. I know you're excited about the opening of the renovated Ford's
    Theatre in February 2009. Laura and I are excited
    too. Just send the pictures down to Crawford. [Laughter]
        Thanks for a fabulous evening, and God bless.

    Note: The President spoke at 7 p.m at the National Theatre. In his
    remarks, he referred to actor Hal Holbrook; musician Larry Gatlin; and
    Paul R. Tetreault, producing director, Ford's Theatre. The transcript
    released by the Office of the Press Secretary also included the remarks
    of the First Lady. The transcript was released by the Office of the
    Press Secretary on June 2.