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For Immediate Release
Office of the First Lady
April 26, 2007

Mrs. Bush's Remarks After a Visit to George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate with Wife of the Prime Minister of Japan, Mrs. Abe
Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon, Virginia

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     Fact sheet Welcoming Prime Minister Abe

1:51 P.M. EDT

MRS. BUSH: Well, I'm so happy to have the opportunity to welcome Mrs. Abe to Washington. Later this evening, President Bush and I, and Prime Minister Abe and Mrs. Abe will have dinner together at the White House. But I thought it would be really fun for me, and I hope for her, too, to have this chance to visit Mount Vernon, the home of our first President. Mount Vernon, as you can tell from all the tourists you've already seen, is a very, very popular place for Americans to visit, but it's also a popular place for Japanese tourists to come. And other Prime Ministers have been hosted -- from Japan -- has been hosted here, as well as members of the Japanese Royal Family.

Mrs. Laura Bush and Mrs. Akie Abe, wife of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, stand before a portrait of George Washington as they talk to members of the media, following a tour of the Mount Vernon Estate of George Washington Thursday, April 26, 2007, in Mount Vernon, Va. White House photo by Shealah Craighead So it's a thrill to have this chance to bring Mrs. Abe to Mount Vernon.

MRS. ABE: (As translated.) I have met Mrs. Laura Bush during the APEC meeting, so this is the second time I am meeting her. And I was looking forward very much to coming to the United States.

I have been to Washington, D.C. many times, but this is my first visit to Mount Vernon. This is a place of history. And I heard that Mrs. Laura Bush liked this place very much, and I am so pleased that she has taken me to her favorite place.

And I have also been treated to a wonderful lunch. I understand that this is the place that honors the President of the United States, President Washington. I was very moved that many Americans, as well as many children, come here to study American history. And I think that is a wonderful thing.

Tonight I will have dinner with President Bush and Mrs. Bush at the White House. I am looking forward to that very much, as well. And I think my two days here will be very meaningful.

Thank you very much, all.

MRS. BUSH: Thank you, everybody. Thank you so much, and welcome again.

END 1:56 P.M. EDT


Mrs. Laura Bush and Mrs. Akie Abe, wife of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, talk to members of the media follwing their visit to the Mount Vernon Estate of George Washington Thursday, April 26, 2007, in Mount Vernon, Va. White House photo by Shealah Craighead Printer-Friendly VersionPrinter-Friendly Version   Email this pageEmail This Page