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Skriven 2006-10-20 23:31:06 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0610207) for Fri, 2006 Oct 20
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President Attends National Italian American Foundation Dinner
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 20, 2006

President Attends National Italian American Foundation Dinner
The Washington Hilton
Washington, D.C.



7:43 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Ian, thank you for that kind introduction. But what you
forgot to tell the people was that my mother said, "Listen, son, I know
you're going to be going over there this evening. Remember your father has
already spoken, so keep your remarks short." (Laughter.)

I thank you for your kind words about my mother and father. I am real proud
they're with you today. He is a remarkable guy and -- (applause.) The only
mistake you made was not to insist that Laura spoke instead of me.
(Laughter.) She's doing great. She said, "Look, you keep it short, too,
because the food is on the table." (Laughter.)

But thanks for letting me come by to say hello. I'm honored to be with you.
I love to pay homage to the Italian Americans that have made our country so
great. (Applause.) And that's precisely what you do. The National Italian
American Foundation is an important organization because it reminds people
of the great Italian heritage of many of our citizens. It also heralds the
great diversity of our country. So thanks for what you're doing. Thanks for
letting me come by to say hello.

I'm honored to be here with the Ambassador from the great country of Italy.
Mr. Ambassador, it's good to see you, sir. (Applause.) I am proud to say
that Italy is a strong ally of the United States of America. (Applause.) I
see we've got some of the third branch of government with us -- Justice
Scalia and Justice Alito. Thank you all for being here. (Applause.)

I know that you are paying Alito an honor, and I tell you, he paid this
country an honor by agreeing to serve on the Supreme Court of the United
States. I make a lot of decisions as your President, and one of the finest
decisions I made was to ask this man to serve. (Applause.)

And I understand you're honoring Frankie Valli. (Applause.) Sorry I'm not
going to be around to hear you. But rest assured I've heard plenty of you
when I was growing up. (Laughter.) Congratulations to both you men. You
picked fine winners here. Thanks for letting me come and pay homage to
them, as well.

I'm proud to be with Secchia -- Peter Secchia. See, he picks up the phone,
calls the Oval Office, and says, "Man, you're the only sitting President
who's never come to this organization." He said, "You better get over here
tonight." (Laughter.) I said, "All right, Secchia." But I'm proud to call
you friend.

You know, the story of this country is a story of immigrants, and we've
always got to remember that. And some of the greatest stories of our
country are the result of your ancestors who came to America and realized
the big dream of our country. And what this country must always do is be a
land of dreamers and doers; is to reward hard work and honor faith and
family. And the Italian Americans inspire that greatness of America every
day through your acts of kindness and generosity and through your
contributions to the country.

You know, the list of Italian Americans that have made a significant
contribution to our country is long. I mean, Tommy Lasorda. (Applause.)
Yogi Berra. (Applause.) And for you Colt 45 fans -- that's the old Houston
baseball team -- "Hollywood" Kenny Aspromonte. (Applause.) Where are you,
Aspro? Yes, sir.

I'm sorry tonight that one outstanding Italian American can't join you, but
he'll be joining me tomorrow at a meeting in the White House, and that's
Peter Pace. (Applause.) Peter "Pac ." (Laughter.) Four-star general in the
United States Marine Corps, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. The reason I
bring him up, and the reason I'm meeting with him, first, there's no finer
American than Peter Pace. He's an outstanding American -- an outstanding
Italian American.

I bring it up because we are in a titanic struggle between extremists and
radicals who cannot stand the way of life of America. They don't like the
thought that people from different backgrounds are able to live under a
nation and work together and achieve greatness. They can't stand the
thought of free societies flourishing in their midst. And generations of
Italian Americans before this generation have served with such valor to
make sure freedom still stands.

And now another generation of Americans is challenged. There are many
Italian Americans who wear our uniform today, brave men and women who have
volunteered in the great challenge of the 21st century, which is to protect
our country from terrorist attack, and at the same time, spread the great
blessings of liberty so that a generation of Americans can grow up in
peace. (Applause.)

Taking the inspiration of those who have come before us, there's no doubt
in my mind that this generation of Americans will succeed. We won't falter
in the face of danger. We'll be steadfast in our resolve to protect you. We
will be confident in the power of liberty to transform hostile regions into
hopeful regions. And when we persevere, some day somebody will step up here
to this mike, years from now, and say, thank goodness, a generation of
Americans did their duty for the sake of the security of the United States
and the peace of the world. (Applause.)

So I come before you with a lot on my mind. But one of the things that's on
my mind is how grateful I am to be the President of such a fabulous country
-- (applause) -- a country full of spirited, entrepreneurial, decent,
compassionate people.

I hope you enjoy your evening tonight. Thanks for letting me come by. God
bless you. God bless America. (Applause.)

END 7:51 P.M. EDT

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