    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book II)]
    [July 17, 2008]
    [Pages 1034-1036]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at the Funeral Service for Former White House Press Secretary
    Tony Snow
    July 17, 2008

        Archbishop Wuerl; Father
    O'Connell; Mr. Vice President; members of the Cabinet and my administration; Members of
    Congress; distinguished guests; most importantly, the Snow family,
    Jill, Robbie,
    Kendall, Kristi, and
    Jim and other family members; former colleagues of
    Tony: Laura and I are privileged to join you
    today to pay our final respects to a cherished friend.
        Tony Snow was a man of uncommon decency and compassion. He was a
    devoted husband, a proud and loving father, an adoring son, a beloved
    colleague, and a wonderful role model and friend.
        In a life that was far too brief, he amassed a rare record of
    accomplishment. He applied his gifted mind to many fields: as a
    columnist, newspaper editor, TV anchor, radio host, and musician. He had
    the sometimes challenging distinction of working for two Presidents
    named Bush. As a speechwriter in my dad's
    administration, Tony tried to translate the President's policies into
    English. [Laughter] As a spokesman in my administration, Tony tried to
    translate my English into English. [Laughter]

    [[Page 1035]]

        Tony always gave me good and candid advice. He was a man of profound
    substance who loved ideas, held strong beliefs, and reveled in defending
    them. He took very seriously his duty to inform the public about what
    its Government was doing during historic times for our Nation.
        In the White House briefing room, Tony worked to build a
    relationship of candor and trust with the press corps. On his first day
    at the podium, he told the gathered reporters this: ``One of the reasons
    I took this job is not only because I believe in the President, but
    because, believe it or not, I want to work with you.'' Tony was the
    first working journalist to serve as the White House Press Secretary for
    nearly 30 years. He knew the job of a reporter was rigorous. He admired
    the profession and always treated it with respect. And the presence of
    so many members of the fourth estate here today attests to the
    admiration and respect that he earned.
        Of course, Tony's adjustment from commentator to spokesman was not
    seamless. Ann Compton of ABC recently recalled
    that when you asked Tony a question, he would sometimes get going, and
    she would have to stop him and say, ``Tony, wait, I asked what the
    President thought.'' [Laughter]
        Tony brought a fierce and challenging intellect to his duties, and
    he displayed an engaging wit. When a reporter asked a rather labored
    question about Congress, Tony did not answer it. The persistent reporter
    pressed him: ``Are you going to just evade that question?'' With a
    smile, Tony quipped: ``No, I'm going to laugh at it.'' [Laughter]
        I believe the reason Tony was so good at his job is that he looked
    at the world in a joyful way. He was a proud patriot who believed in
    America's goodness and an optimist who knew America's possibilities. He
    believed strongly in the wisdom of the American people. And throughout
    his career, he took a special pride in being a vigorous and unapologetic
    defender of our men and women in uniform. He supported their missions,
    saw honor in their achievements, and found every possible opportunity to
    highlight their character and courage.
        Tony Snow, the professional, is a hard act to follow. Tony Snow, the
    man, is simply irreplaceable. Everyone who worked with him quickly grew
    to love him. We will always remember his wry sense of humor and abundant
    goodness. We'll also remember he was just a lot of fun. After all, he
    played six different musical instruments and was a proud member of a
    band called Beats Working. He may be one of the few people in history to
    have jammed on the South Lawn of the White House and with Jethro Tull.
    [Laughter]
        We remember Tony's thoughtfulness. No matter how busy he was, this
    was a man who put others first. He would go out of his way to ask about
    people's families. He would check in with friends whenever he heard they
    were ill. He'd reach out to others, sometimes strangers, who were
    struggling with cancer. Even when he was going through difficult
    chemotherapy sessions, he sent inspirational e-mails to a friend whose
    son was suffering from a serious illness.
        We remember Tony's resilient spirit. When he received a second
    diagnosis of cancer, he did not turn to despair. He saw it as another
    challenge to tackle. He found comfort in the prayers he received from
    millions of Americans. As he told the graduates here at Catholic
    University last year: ``Never underestimate the power of other people's
    love and prayer. They have incredible power. It's as if I've been
    carried on the shoulders of an entire army, and they made me
    weightless.''
        Most of all, we remember Tony's love of his family. There was no
    doubt for Tony Snow that his family was first. When Jill reached a milestone birthday, Tony had a huge
    celebration. He later said that he and Jill danced that night as if they
    were teenagers. He said he was the most fortunate man in the world to
    have shared love like

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    that. So today, Jill, our hearts are with you. And we thank you for
    giving Tony such a special life.
        For Robbie, Kendall, and Kristi, you are in our
    thoughts and prayers as well. We thank you for sharing your dad with us.
    He talked about you all the time. He wanted nothing more than your
    happiness and success. You know, I used to call Tony on the weekends to
    get his advice. And invariably, I found him with you on the soccer field
    or at a swim meet or helping with your homework. He loved you a lot.
    Today I hope you know that we loved him a lot too.
        I know it's hard to make sense of today. It is impossible to fully
    comprehend why such a good and vital man was taken from us so soon. But
    these are the great mysteries of life, and Tony knew as well as anyone
    that they're not ours to unveil.
        The day Tony was born was also the day that many of his fellow
    Catholics pay tribute to Saint Justin. Justin was also a gifted thinker
    and writer and a powerful witness for the Christian faith. Because of
    his beliefs, he suffered many times of trial, and in the year 165 A.D.,
    he was arrested. Before he received a sentence of death, he was asked,
    ``If you are killed, do you suppose you will go to heaven?'' Justin
    replied, ``I do not suppose it, but I know and am fully persuaded of
    it.''
        Tony Snow knew that as well. That brought him great peace. When
    talking about the struggle he waged so admirably, he said that no matter
    how bad times may sometimes seem: ``God doesn't promise tomorrow; He
    does promise eternity.''
        And so today we send this man of faith and character and joy on his
    final journey. Tony Snow has left the city of Washington for the city of
    God. May he find eternal rest in the arms of his Savior. And may the
    Author of all creation watch over his family and all those who loved
    him, admired him, and will always cherish his memory.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:16 a.m. at the Basilica of the National
    Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. In his remarks, he referred to
    Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl of Washington, DC; Father David M. O'Connell,
    president, Catholic University of America; and Jim Snow, father of Tony
    Snow. A tape was not available for verification of the content of these
    remarks.