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QUOTE OF THE DAY
President Bush Holds Social Dinner in Honor of United States Past and Present Olympians
East Room

7:31 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Ladies and gentlemen, Laura and I are thrilled to have you here. Welcome to the East Room of the White House. Chairman Ueberroth; Mr. Secretary -- the Veterans Affairs Secretary Peake; member of the Congress; members of the 2008 United States Olympic and Paralympic teams; Mayor of Chicago, who will be hosting the 2016 Olympics. (Applause.) Ambassadors; supporters of the Olympics; distinguished guests: We're really glad you're here.

I also do want to recognize Seldom Scene. They're the bluegrass band that will be playing after dinner in the Rose Garden.

In a few weeks, the athletes here and others will participate in one of the greatest traditions in the world of sports. You're going to travel halfway around the globe, you'll step onto the field of competition, and you will represent the United States of America at the 2008 Olympics. And we're really excited. (Applause.) And not only are we excited, but people who have worn the USA uniform before are excited with you. And we welcome all the previous Olympians who are with us today, and I want to thank you for coming.

And you're not going to be alone in Beijing because you're going to be accompanied by the hopes and pride of millions of Americans. There's going to be a lot of folks in Beijing to watch you, including Laura and me. And I cannot wait to cheer you on. All the room have devoted years to training and preparation. You've developed the self-discipline that defines a champion. And you've proven yourself worthy of representing the nation.

The tradition you're carrying on is long and it is noble. It turns out when the first American Olympians traveled to the 1896 games in Athens, Grover Cleveland lived here in the house. The Oval Office had yet to be built. In those 112 years that have passed, we have been reminded time and again that the Olympics are not just a chance to celebrate our greatest athletes; they're an opportunity to demonstrate the strength of the human spirit.

We were reminded of this truth in 1936, when Jesse Owens won four Gold Medals at the Berlin Olympics; reminded of the truth in 1972, when 80,000 spectators filled Munich's Olympic Stadium to honor 11 Israeli athletes and coaches killed by a cowardly act of terrorism; and we were reminded of this truth in 2002, when a tattered American flag recovered from the ruins of the World Trade Center entered the Olympic Stadium in Salt Lake City, and displayed to the world the resolve and resilience of our country.

Those of you who will be competing in this years games in Beijing are continuing a proud tradition of athletic excellence, and a proud tradition of representing our country with honor and dignity.

We wish you luck. We wish you endurance. And we wish you victory. (Applause.) And before I ask Peter Ueberroth to join us, I would like to propose a toast to the Olympic athletes, past and present, and to the United States of America.

(A toast is offered.)

PHOTO OF THE DAY

President George W. Bush poses for a photo with Catharine Aboulhouda, age 5, the 2008 March of Dimes National Ambassador, during her visit to the White House Monday, July 21, 2008, in the Oval Office. As the 2008 National Ambassador, Catharine will travel around the country with her parents, sharing her story to help other understand the seriousness of premature birth and the importance of supporting the March of Dimes' mission to help all babies be born full term and healthy. White House photo by Eric Draper

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Dose going up - please wait for the all clear before posting or reposting any photos or graphics

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Sunday

President Bush and first lady Laura Bush walk down the stairs from Air Force One upon their arrival at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. Sunday, July 20, 2008

President Bush and first lady Laura Bush are welcomed by Brig. Gen. Margaret H. Woodward, Commander, 89th Airlift Wing, upon their arrival at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. Sunday, July 20, 2008.

President Bush and his wife, first lady Laura Bush applaud outgoing Deputy Chief of Staff, Joe Hagin, left, after arriving on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Sunday, July 20, 2008.

Well wishers hold up fans carrying the image of outgoing White House Deputy Chief of Staff, Joe Hagin, as he lands with President Bush on Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Sunday, July 20, 2008.

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Today

President Bush speaks in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Monday, July 21, 2008, during an event honoring the 2008 United States Summer Olympic Team

President Bush makes remarks in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Monday, July 21,2008, to members of the 2008 U.S. Summer Olympic Team. Team U.S.A. softball pitcher Jennie Finch.

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President George W. Bush delivers remarks to the members of the 2008 United States Summer Olympic Team Monday, July 21, 2008, in the Rose Garden of the White House. White House photo by Eric Draper

President Bush, left, receives a softball jersey from Team U.S.A. softball pitcher Jennie Finch after making remarks to the 2008 U.S. Summer Olympic Team, Monday, July 21, 2008, in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington.

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President Bush talks with U.S. Olympic Softball pitcher Jennie Finch, talks in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Monday, July 21, 2008, during an event honoring the 2008 United States Summer Olympic Team.

President Bush salutes Scott Winkler, an injured Iraq war veteran who made the U.S. Paralympic Track and Field Team, Monday, July 21,2008, after making remarks to the 2008 U.S. Summer Olympic Team in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington.

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President George W. Bush (C) is pictured alongside U.S. Olympic athletes bound for Beijing during a photo opportunity in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, July 21, 2008

President George W. Bush joins the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team for a photo opportunity Monday, July 21, 2008, in the Rose Garden of the White House. White House photo by Shealah Craighead

President Bush talks with U.S. Olympic Volleyball Team member Misty May-Treanor in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Monday, July 21, 2008, after speaking to the 2008 U.S. Summer Olympic Team

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President Bush stands with the March of Dimes National Ambassador Catharine Aboulhouda of Allentown, Pa., Monday, July 21, 2008, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington

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President Bush shakes hands with both Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu, center, and Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, left, as they met, Monday, July 21, 2008, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington.

President Bush, right, meets with Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu, center, and Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci , Monday, July 21, 2008, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington

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President Bush pauses during a meeting with Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu and Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, Monday, July 21, 2008, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington.

President Bush shakes hands with both Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu, center, and Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, left, as they met, Monday, July 21, 2008, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington.

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President Bush meets with Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu, Monday, July 21, 2008, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington

Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu pauses during a meeting with President Bush, Monday, July 21, 2008, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington.

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President George W. Bush makes a toast during a social dinner in honor of United States Past and Present Olympians in the East Room of the White House in Washington July 21, 2008

President Bush, center, flanked by Olympians Jackie Joyner-Kersee, left, and Jennie Finch, right, offers a toast during a social dinner in honor of United States past and present Olympians, Monday, July 21, 2008, in the East Room of the White House in Washington

President Bush offers a toast during a social dinner in honor of United States past and present Olympians, Monday, July 21, 2008, in the East Room of the White House in Washington

President George W. Bush sits with Olympians, including Jackie Joyner Kersee (L), during a toast during a social dinner in honor of United States Past and Present Olympians in the East Room of the White House in Washington July 21, 2008

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Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, center, meets with nine Arab foreign ministers in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Monday, July 21, 2008

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, meets with the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Monday, July 21, 2008.

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The Bush family home in Kennebunkport, Maine, is seen before Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and former President George H.W. Bush held a news conference there, Monday, July 21, 2008.

Republican presidential candidate U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) (L) arrives for a news conference with former U.S. President George Bush on a golf cart at former President Bush's residence on Walker's Point in Kennebunkport, Maine July 21, 2008

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Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and former President George H.W. Bush hold a news conference at the Bush family home in Kennebunkport, Maine, Monday, July 21, 2008.

[maica]

A beautiful child!

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All clear - please feel free to post or repost any photo or graphic in the spirit of this thread

[AmericanMade1776]

Thank you Snugs for pictures of two of my favorite Presidents... number 41 and 43.. Love them both. I am sure going to miss President George W. Bush. I pray that the Angel in the Whirlwind that guides this country does not desert us in November. God Bless America!

[dalebert]

Thanks for the dose. Bless the President and his family.

[bray]

Howdy Snugs. Preseident Bush has returned dignity back to the WH. Someone has to ask Oblack if the World would be safer with Saddamn in power or dead.

Pray for W and Our British Friends