[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

[[Page 1036]]

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.