[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.