[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 16 (Monday, April 25, 2005)]
[Pages 642-644]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on Presenting the Commander in Chief's Trophy to the United 
States Naval Academy Midshipmen

April 20, 2005

    Thank you. Please be seated. Welcome to the Rose Garden. It is my 
honor to welcome the Midshipmen of the United States Naval Academy back 
here again. Coach Johnson told me last year--he said, ``Don't worry 
about it, Mr. President, we'll be back.'' [Laughter] I like a man who 
keeps his word. [Laughter]
    The football rivalry of our military academies is one of the great 
American sports traditions. Once again, the Midshipmen set a standard of 
excellence on the field. This team is tough; it is talented; and you 
knew how to win. You whipped the Air Force

[[Page 643]]

Academy in the field goal in the last minute. I was there when you beat 
Army. [Laughter] And you won the Commander in Chief Trophy again.
    I want to thank our guests who are here. A Member of the United 
States Senate is on his way who is a huge Naval Academy supporter, and 
that would be Senator John McCain. He will be here soon. I appreciate 
Mike McIntyre from North Carolina joining us. Congressman, thank you for 
being here. I appreciate Michael Steele, the Lieutenant Governor from 
Maryland. I appreciate Gordon England, who's the Secretary of the Navy, 
soon to be, upon Senate confirmation, the Deputy Secretary of Defense. 
We're glad you're here, sir. And I appreciate Vice Admiral Rod Rempt for 
your hospitality at the games.
    Coach Johnson, welcome back. Congratulations on the award you have 
won. There's nothing like a good team to make you look good. [Laughter]
    This team will be well-represented in the Navy record books. You won 
more games than any Navy team in 99 years. That's a long time. 
[Laughter] The last time a team of Midshipmen won 10 games, the 
Commander in Chief was Theodore Roosevelt, who, by the way, built the 
West Wing. You finished the season ranked number 24 in the polls. The 
last time that happened, that you were in the top 25, was 1979. None of 
the players on this team had been born then. You earned a trip to the 
Emerald Bowl in San Francisco, and you beat New Mexico for your first 
bowl victory in 9 years.
    You also set--Senator John McCain. Thank you, sir. Thanks for 
coming. The thing McCain loved about the Naval Academy was he got to 
study all the time. [Laughter] He and I have both showed that if you--
people with C averages can succeed. [Laughter] Welcome.
    The interesting thing about the football game at the Emerald Bowl 
was this--I happened to watch it--it was the drive that lasted 14 
minutes and 26 plays--like he kind of redefined the definition of ball 
control. The team was a source of pride for the brigade of Midshipmen 
and for Navy fans everywhere. The seniors on this team led one of the 
most dramatic improvements in college football history. Navy went 0 and 
10 during your plebe year, and 10 and 2 this year.
    I'd like for the record to show that your turnaround started the 
year I delivered the commencement. [Laughter] I'm not, like, taking any 
credit for it. But I do appreciate the invitation to come back, and I'm 
looking forward to giving the commencement address this year at the 
Naval Academy.
    You've inspired fans everywhere, so much so that Josh Smith's 
hometown radio broadcast the Navy games. And by the way, that radio--
that hometown is in Indiana.
    The lessons you learned on the football field will prepare you for 
helping us win the war on terror. Midshipmen, you've developed 
leadership, teamwork, and strong character. You know the importance of 
setting high standards, and you know the importance of training hard to 
meet those standards. All these qualities will serve our Nation well as 
you become commissioned officers in the finest military the world has 
ever known.
    We are still at war, and many of your former teammates are serving 
and sacrificing at this very hour. Marines and sailors are leading vital 
missions in Afghanistan and Iraq and elsewhere. They're interdicting 
shipments of deadly weapons. They're maintaining America's command of 
the seas. You're helping to protect this country, and the citizens of 
America are grateful.
    We've lost some of our finest men and women in the war on terror, 
including several former Navy football players. Our Nation will always 
honor their sacrifice. The American people are safer and the world will 
be more peaceful because of the honor and courage and commitment of the 
United States Navy and Marine Corps.
    I thank you all for volunteering to serve in a cause greater than 
yourself. I'm proud of what you have achieved on the football field. I 
am confident that your service will bring even greater achievements in 
the years ahead. It's an honor to be the Commander in Chief of such a 
fine group of people.
    Congratulations again on winning the football trophy, the Commander 
in Chief Trophy. May God bless you all, and may God continue to bless 
the United States of America.

[[Page 644]]

Note: The President spoke at 3:43 p.m. in the Rose Garden at the White 
House. In his remarks, he referred to Paul Johnson, head coach, and Josh 
Smith, safety, U.S. Naval Academy football team; and Vice Adm. Rodney P. 
Rempt, USN, superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy.