Obama with Bush and Gates for "Points of Light" at Texas A&M

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

______________________________________________________________________

October 16, 2009

For Immediate Release

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT

AT POINTS OF LIGHT 20TH ANNIVERSARY

Texas A&M University

College Station, Texas

4:39 P.M. CDT

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you. So, howdy, Aggies.

AUDIENCE Howdy!

THE PRESIDENT: It is an honor to be here with all of you today at this

outstanding university. (Applause.)

Now, I was told that if the winds had been different today, President Bush would

have parachuted in to kick things off here. (Applause.) That's the story. But that's

okay, I am still thrilled to be introduced by this man whose vision of service we

celebrate today, and whose life of service is an inspiration to all of us. (Applause.)

And much to his likely embarrassment, I'm going to talk a little more about the

singular nature and impact of that service in a minute. But before I do, I'd like to

recognize several other people joining us today, starting with President Bush's

extraordinary wife, Mrs. Barbara Bush -- (applause) -- where did she go, Madam First

Lady? There she is over there. (Applause.) As we all know, Mrs. Bush has an

impressive record of service herself, particularly her tremendous work to promote

family literacy across this country. So we are very, very grateful for everything that

she's done on behalf of our nation.

We have our Secretary of Defense here, Secretary Bob Gates, who I think you

know a little bit about. (Applause.) He has served for four decades under eight

Presidents with integrity, with candor, with an undying commitment to keep this

nation safe. (Applause.) And I know how much he loved his time as President here

at A&M, which is why he was relieved to hear that this week's game is out at Kansas

State. I didn't want him to be sneaking away to relive his glory days leading yell

practice, never returning to Washington.

But I can tell you -- and I want everybody to understand this -- although it is an

enormous sacrifice for him to have left this institution, he could not be doing a better

job on our behalf, and I want you all to know that I'm very proud to have him as our

Secretary of Defense. (Applause.)

I want to acknowledge former Secretary of State, Jim Baker, who's served this

country for decades as a trusted advisor to Presidents, and more importantly, as a

statesman. (Applause.)

I also want to thank another Texan, Ambassador Ron Kirk, for his terrific work as

our United States Trade Representative. (Applause.) Former Senator Sam Nunn for

his lifetime of service. (Applause.) I want to mention particularly Senator Nunn's

visionary work on nuclear nonproliferation. And we have two outstanding members

of Congress who are here with us today: Chet Edwards and Sheila Jackson Lee.

(Applause.) Where's Chet? Chet is over there.

I want to recognize Melody Barnes, Director of the White House Domestic

Policy Council, for her outstanding work on service and many other issues. Stand up,

Melody. (Applause.)

I want to thank Michelle Nunn, the CEO of Points of Light, as well as Neil Bush,

Chairman of the Board, for their wise leadership. (Applause.)

I want to congratulate Mallory Myers, today's Daily Point of Light Award winner,

and commend her for her tireless work to pulling together the Big Event, which I

know is no easy task. (Applause.)

DOGSPOT