    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book II)]
    [December 8, 2008]
    [Pages 1431-1432]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at the Children's Holiday Reception
    December 8, 2008

        The President. Welcome to the White House.

        Children. Thank you.

        The President.  Yes. We're excited you are here. And we're excited
    you're here for a couple of reasons. One, we love to see the wonder in
    people's eyes when they get to see the majesty of the White House at
    this time of year. And I'm looking in your eyes, and I'm seeing wonder.

        Secondly, I am glad you're here because I wanted to thank your moms
    and dads for serving the United States of America. We love being with
    our military families, because it gives us a chance to express the
    sincere and deep appreciation of all Americans for the sacrifices that
    families make. So I want to thank you for standing by your moms and dads
    and telling them you're proud of them and telling them you love them.

        Thirdly, I'm going to ask you to do us a favor, and that is, when
    you e-mail mom or dad, just tell them you came by the

    [[Page 1432]]

    White House--[laughter]--and the President and Laura, the First Lady, sent a special holiday greeting. So
    you'll be the messenger. So your job is to say, we respect your mom and
    dad, we admire your mom and dad, and we pray for your mom and dad. So
    would you do that for us?
        Children. Yes.
        The President. And fourthly, I'm glad to be here because I get to
    introduce my wife. [Laughter] It's a pretty neat thing, isn't it?
        Children. Yes.
        The President. Now, Laura tells me you've
    already seen Santa----
        Children. Yes.
        The President. ----had a few cookies----
        Children. Yes.
        The President. Yes? I'm surprised there's not more wiggling going
    on. [Laughter] At any rate, please welcome my dear wife, First Lady Laura Bush.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:01 a.m. in the East Room at the White
    House. The transcript released by the Office of the Press Secretary also
    included the remarks of the First Lady.