[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 19 (Monday, May 10, 2004)]
[Pages 726-727]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner

May 1, 2004

    Thank you all. Thanks for coming. Thank you for the invite. Thank 
you, Carl. I'm glad you got a taste of Mother. [Laughter] I was going to 
start off tonight telling some self-deprecating jokes. [Laughter] But 
then I couldn't think of any mistakes I had made to be self-deprecating 
about. [Laughter]
    In my recent press conference, John Dickerson of Time Magazine asked 
the question about what I considered my biggest mistake. It's an 
excellent question that totally stumped me. [Laughter] I guess looking 
at it practically, my biggest mistake was calling on John. [Laughter] Or 
take that one about Cheney and me answering questions together. That was 
a toughie. [Laughter] So from now on, Dick and I will be holding joint 
press conferences. [Laughter]
    We could do it that way, or we could do it this way: You could ask 
the question, then I could tell Bob Woodward--[laughter]--and he could 
tell you. [Laughter]
    I thought about giving an economics speech tonight. It really gets 
me when the critics say I haven't done enough for the economy. I mean, 
look what I've done for the book publishing industry. [Laughter] You've 
heard some of the titles: ``Big Lies;'' ``The Lies of George W. Bush;'' 
``The Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them.'' [Laughter] I'd like to 
tell you I've read each of these books, but that would be a lie. 
[Laughter]
    Laura and I always look forward to this event because of the good 
spirit that brings us together. And I appreciate that, Carl, you 
reflecting that spirit tonight. This year, we are also mindful that our 
country is in a period of testing and sacrifice. As I speak, men and 
women in uniform are taking great risks, and so are many journalists who 
are being faithful to their own sense of duty.
    When we think of the great war journalists, we often think of an 
earlier era: Edward R. Murrow reporting from wartime London; Joe

[[Page 727]]

Rosenthal with his camera at Iwo Jima; or Ernie Pyle, sending columns 
home from Europe and the Pacific and dying with the men whose stories he 
told.
    In every field in every generation, we tend to view the best as 
belonging to the past. Yet, in our time, that's not right or fair. Many 
of us were privileged to know Michael Kelly and to read his clear words 
and to feel the moral conviction behind them. David Bloom passed through 
our midst with incredible energy, enthusiasm, and tenacity in getting 
the story. Others, like Michael Weisskopf, have shown incredible 
presence of mind and courage that won our admiration. This generation of 
wartime journalists has done fine work and much more, and they will be 
remembered long after the first draft of history is completed.
    The same is true of our military. We are nearing important days of 
remembrance. Soon, we will mark the 60th anniversary of D-day, in the 
company of men who have lived long and can tell you the names of the 
boys who did not. Later this month, we will dedicate the World War II 
Memorial here in Washington and look back on a generation that saved the 
liberty of the world. These events will have an added meaning because 
America is again asking for courage and sacrifice.
    As we honor veterans who are leaving us, we also honor qualities 
that remain. The generation of World War II can be certain of this: When 
they are gone, we will still have their kind wearing the uniform of the 
United States of America.
    The loss of Army Corporal Pat Tillman last week in Afghanistan 
brought home the sorrow that comes with every loss and reminds us of the 
character of the men and women who serve on our behalf. Friends say that 
this young man saw the images of September the 11th, and seeing that 
evil, he felt called to defend America. He set aside a career in 
athletics and many things the world counts important, wealth and 
security and the acclaim of the crowds. He chose, instead, the rigors of 
Ranger training and the fellowship of soldiers and the hard duty in 
Afghanistan and Iraq.
    Corporal Tillman asked for no special attention. He was modest 
because he knew there were many like him, making their own sacrifices. 
They fill the ranks of the Armed Forces. Every day, somewhere, they do 
brave and good things without notice. Their courage is usually seen only 
by their comrades, by those who long to be free, and by the enemy. 
They're willing to give up their lives, and when one is lost, a whole 
world of hopes and possibilities is lost with them.
    This evening, we think of the families who grieve and the families 
that wait on a loved one's safe return. We count ourselves lucky that 
this new generation of Americans is as brave and decent as any before 
it. And we honor with pride and wonder the men and women who carry the 
flag and the cause of the United States.
    May God bless them, and may God continue to bless the United States 
of America.

Note: The President spoke at 8 p.m. at the Washington Hilton Hotel. In 
his remarks, he referred to Carl Cannon, president, White House 
Correspondents' Association; and journalist Bob Woodward.