    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 24 (Monday, June 19, 2006)]
    [Pages 1162-1163]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Remarks at the Congressional Picnic

    June 15, 2006

        Thank you all for coming. Welcome to the South Lawn. Laura and I are
    thrilled you're here. This is called ``Rodeo on the South Lawn.''
    [Laughter] And we've--first of all, I want to thank all the Members of
    the Congress and the Senate who are here. Thanks for serving the
    country.
        I always take this opportunity to thank your families on your
    behalf. I know you do it all the time, but I know you couldn't serve
    without the support of your loved ones. And so, for all the family
    members who are here, the wives and the husbands and the children and
    the grandchildren, welcome. Thanks for serving the country too.
        We got some interesting entertainment for you tonight. We got some
    people who can play music and some people who think they can play music.
    [Laughter] We got three bands, one--the first band will be called The
    Compassionates. The leader of that band is my Chief of Staff, Josh
    Bolten. Yes. Then we've got--The Second Amendments will be playing
    tonight. That would be Congressman Collin Peterson, Dave Weldon, Kenny
    Hulshof, Thaddeus McCotter--he's that rock and roll dude, Thaddeus
    McCotter--and Congressman Jon Porter. Once you get through those two
    bands, then a real group of musicians will be here, and we're fortunate
    Riders in the Sky will be playing for you tonight.
        I hope you enjoy this as much as Laura and I enjoy it. We're really
    glad you're here. God bless you all, and God bless our great country.
    Please welcome The Compassionates.

    [[Page 1163]]

    Note: The President spoke at 6:50 p.m. on the South Lawn at the White
    House.