[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.