ANNOUNCER: Ladies and Gentlemen, the President of the United States.
[APPLAUSE]
BARACK OBAMA: Thank you so much. Thank you.
Thank you.
Please be seated.
To President and Mrs. Bush, to President Clinton
and now, former Secretary Clinton,
to President George H.W. Bush, and Mrs. Bush
to President and Mrs. Carter
to current and former world leaders
and all the distinguished guests here today
Michelle and I are honored to be with you
to mark this historic occasion.
This is a Texas-sized party
that's worthy of what
we're here to do today:
honor the life and legacy of the
forty-third president of the United States
George W. Bush
When all the living former presidents are together
it's also a special day for our democracy.
We've been called the world's most exclusive club
and we do have a pretty nice clubhouse.
[LAUGHTER]
But the truth is, our club's more like a support group.
The last time we all got together was just before I took office.
And I needed that.
because as each of these leaders will tell you
No matter how much you may think you're ready
to assume the office of the presidency,
it's impossible to truly understand the nature of
[SOUND CUTS OUT]
until you're sitting at that desk
that's why every president gains a greater appreciation
for all of those who served before them.
For the leaders from both parties
who have taken on the momentous challenges
and felt the enormous weight of the nation on their shoulders.
And for me, that appreciation very much extends to President Bush.
And the first thing I found in that desk
the day I took office
was a letter from George
and one that demonstrated his compassion and his generosity.
For he knew that I would come to learn what he had learned.
That being president, above all, is a humbling job.
There are moments where you make mistakes.
There are times where you wish you could turn back the clock.
And what I know is true about President Bush
and I hope my successor will say about me
is that we love this country and we do our best.
Now, in the past, President Bush has said it's impossible
to pass judgment on his presidency while he's still alive
so, maybe this is a little bit premature.
But even now, there are certain things that we know for certain.
We know about the son who was raised by two strong, loving parents in Midland.
Famously inheriting, as he says, "my daddy's eyes and my mother's mouth."
[LAUGHTER]
The young boy who once came home after a trip to a museum
and proudly presented his horrified mother with a small
dinosaur tail bone he had smuggled home in his pocket.
[LAUGHTER]
I bet that went over great with Barbara.
[LAUGHTER]
We know about the young man who met the love of his life
at a dinner party, ditching his plans to go to bed early
and instead talking with the brilliant and charming Laura Welsh late into the night.
We know about the father who raised two remarkable,
caring, beautiful daughters, even after they tried to
discourage him from running for president, saying
"Dad, you're not as cool as you think you are."
[LAUGHTER]
Mr. President, I can relate.
[LAUGHTER]
And now, we see President Bush the grandfather,
just beginning to spoil his brand new granddaughter.
So, we know President Bush the man, and what President Clinton is absolutely true:
to know the man is to like the man.
Because he's comfortable in his own skin
he knows who he is
he doesn't put on any pretenses
He takes his job seriously, but he doesn't take himself too seriously.
He is a good man.
But we also know something about George Bush the leader.
As we walk through this library, obviously, we're reminded
of the incredible strength and resolve that came through that bullhorn
as he stood amid the rubble and the ruins of Ground Zero
promising to deliver justice to those who had sought
to destroy our way of life.
We will remember the compassion that he showed
by leading the global fight against HIV/AIDS
and malaria
Helping to save millions of lives
and reminding people in some of the poorest corners of
the globe that America cares
and that we're here to help.
We remember his commitment to reaching across the aisle
to unlikely allies like Ted Kennedy.
Because he believed that we had to reform our schools
in ways that help every child learn
not just some
and we have to repair a broken immigration system
and that this progress is only possible when we do it together.
Seven years ago, President Bush restarted an important conversation
by speaking with the American people about our
history as a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants.
And even though comprehensive immigration reform
has taken a little longer than any of us expected,
I am hopeful that this year
with the help of Speaker Boehner
and some of the senators and members of congress who are here today
that we bring it home
for our families, and our economy, and our security
and for this incredible country that we love
and if we do that, it will be in large part, thanks to the hard work of President George W. Bush
[APPLAUSE]
And finally, a president bears no greater decision
and no more solemn burden than serving as
Commander-in-Chief of the greatest military that the world has ever known.
As President Bush himself has said, America must and will
keep its word to the men and women who have given us so much.
So, even as we Americans may, at times, disagree
on matters of foreign policy,
we share a profound respect and reverence for
the men and women of our military and their families,
and we are united in our determination to comfort
the families of the fallen, and to care for those who wear
the uniform of the United States.
[APPLAUSE]
On the flight back from Russia, after negotiating with Nikita Khrushchev at the height
of the Cold War
President Kennedy's secretary found a small slip of paper
on which the President had written a favorite saying.
"I know there is a God, and I see a storm coming.
If he has a place for me, I believe I am ready."
No one can be completely ready for this office.
But America needs leaders who are willing to face the storm
head on, even as they pray for God strength and wisdom
so that they can do what they believe is right.
That's what the leaders with whom I share this stage
have all done.
That's what President George W. Bush chose to do.
That's why I'm honored to be part of today's celebration.
Mr. President, for your service, for your courage, for your sense of humor
and most of all, for your love of country, thank you very much.
From all the citizens of the United States of America, God bless you, and God bless these United States.
[APPLAUSE]
[INAUDIBLE]
[APPLAUSE]