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Speeches & Official Statements
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, December 18, 2007

The White House - Office of the Press Secretary
  
President Bush Visits Little Sisters of the Poor and Discusses Volunteerism
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President George W. Bush draws smiles from the audience of volunteers, staff and residents at the Little Sisters of the Poor Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2007, during a visit with Mrs. Laura Bush to the Washington, D.C. facility. Enjoying the moment with them are Mother Benedict de la Passion, Superior and President of Little Sisters of the Poor, and Archbishop Donald Wuerl of the Archdiocese of Washington.

Washington, DC

10:53 A.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Listen, thank you all for welcoming us. Laura and I are honored to be with you. (Applause.) Sister, thanks for your hospitality, and more importantly, thank you for showing the nation what is possible when people with loving hearts reach out to a neighbor in need. It is easy to feel the great compassion of the sisters here in this hall as you help make somebody else's Christmas a joyous time of celebration.

First, there are volunteers here in the community who have taken time out of their busy schedules to volunteer to help somebody. And that's one of the messages of the Christmas season, that I hope our fellow citizens reach out and find a neighbor in need, find out somebody who needs a loving pat on the back, or somebody who could use a little help in learning how to read, or an elderly citizen who wants to know that somebody cares for them. It doesn't take much effort; it takes a little prioritization. And during a season in which we count our blessings, I would hope those of us who are blessed help somebody else.

And there's no better place to come to see that happening than right here. The Little Sisters of the Poor are renown for their great hearts and wonderful compassion. Isn't that right, Archbishop? (Laughter.)

And so Laura and I are thrilled to be here with you all. I do want to thank the volunteers -- high school students, some going to the schools nearby, some home-schooled, who have heard the universal call to love a neighbor just like you'd like to be loved yourself.

I want to thank you all for making cards for our troops in harm's way. As I worked the tables I was most thankful that people here said that they pray for our troops, the safety of our troops. And so do I. And so does Laura. And one way to let our troops know that people care deeply about their safety and their well-being is to send them a Christmas card, which you all are fixing to do here. So I thank you for that, as well.

I finally want to thank our musician. (Laughter and applause.) The man hadn't lost a step. (Laughter.) Thank you, sir, for your beautiful -- I particularly liked the Eyes of Texas. (Applause.)

And so we say to you all, Merry Christmas. May God continue to bless you. May God continue to bless the United States of America. Thank you for your hospitality. (Applause.)

END 10:56 A.M. EST

Additional photos:

President George W. Bush speaks to a resident at the Little Sisters of the Poor of Washington, D.C., Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2007, during a visit with Mrs. Laura Bush to the facility that provides nursing and assisted-living services to elderly people of lesser means.
 President George W. Bush pauses with residents of the Little Sisters of the Poor Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2007, in Washington, D.C. The Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Poor was founded in France in 1839, and today, Little Sisters care for the aged poor in 31 countries around the world.
 President George W. Bush and Sister Therese Noel join the festivities as they listen to 75-year-old resident Joe Dignazio of West Virginia, play "The Eyes of Texas" during a visit Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2007, to the Washington, D.C. facility. The President told Mr. Dignazio, "You are really good! Keep playing!"
President George W. Bush shares a moment with a staff member at the Little Sisters of the Poor in Washington, D.C., Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2007, during his visit with Mrs. Laura Bush to the facility that provides nursing and assisted-living services to elderly people of lesser means.
 President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush visit the "book nook" at the Little Sisters of the Poor Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2007, in Washington, D.C. With them are, from left: Archbishop Donald Wuerl of the Archdiocese of Washington, Mother Benedict de la Passion, Superior and President of Little Sisters of the Poor, and Mary Ann Lucey, volunteer librarian.
 Mrs. Laura Bush reaches out for the hand of a resident of the Little Sisters of the Poor during a visit Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2007, with President George W. Bush to the Washington, D.C. facility that provides nursing and assisted living services to elderly people of lesser means.

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