[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 49 (Monday, December 12, 2005)]
[Page 1815]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at the Children's Holiday Reception

December 5, 2005

    The President. Thanks for coming. Welcome. We're glad you're here. 
This is Laura; I'm George W. [Laughter] We hope you've had some fun 
here. I hope nobody pinched Rudolph on the nose. [Laughter] No, nobody 
did. That's good--Rudolph is happy about that too. [Laughter]
    We welcome the students from Stratford Landing Elementary School in 
Alexandria and Glen Haven Elementary School in Silver Spring. We're glad 
you all are here. We want to welcome your teachers and your parents. 
Thanks for coming. We're glad you're at the White House.
    I particularly want to welcome those of you here who have got a mom 
or dad serving our country in the United States military. I know it's 
hard when they're away; this has got to be a difficult time for you. But 
we really want you to know that they're doing important work. They're 
not only protecting the country, but they're helping other boys and 
girls live in freedom like we do here in the United States, and that's 
important. So one message I want to give you is, we're really proud of 
your mom or dad, and you tell them thanks--thanks on behalf of a 
grateful nation.
    And now I get to introduce somebody I'm grateful for, and that's the 
First Lady of the United States, Laura Bush.

Note: The President spoke at 10:30 a.m. on the State Floor at the White 
House. The transcript released by the Office of the Press Secretary also 
included the remarks of the First Lady.