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Skriven 2005-04-20 23:33:16 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0504206) for Wed, 2005 Apr 20
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President Presents Commander-In-Chief's Trophy to Naval Academy
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
April 20, 2005

President Presents Commander-In-Chief's Trophy to Naval Academy
The Rose Garden

President's Remarks
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3:43 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: 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 Academy in a 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 we're 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 nine years.

You also set -- Senator John McCain. Thank you, sir. (Applause.) Thanks for
coming. The thing McCain loved about the Naval Academy was he got to study
all the time. (Laughter.) He and I 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 turn-around started the year I
delivered the commencement. (Laughter.) I'm not, like, taking any credit
for it. (Applause.) 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. (Applause.)

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 the win
-- 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. (Applause.)

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 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. (Applause.)

END 3:49 P.M. EDT

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