[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.