Unveiling the Official President Bush Portrait

Fred Ryan: Good afternoon. I'm Fred Ryan,

president

of the board of directors of the White House Historical Association. The Association is honored to be part of today's historic ceremony and to have played a role in organizing the magnificent

portrait

s that are about to be unveiled. The White House Historical Association was founded 50 years ago by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy with two specific missions. The first is to educate and inform the public about the history of the White House and the distinguished group of Americans who have inhabited it. In this sense, it is an exciting time for us as we commemorate our 50th anniversary campaign in the history of the White House.

North of the White House, in the historic Decatur House, we just opened the new David Rubenstein National Center for White House History. Next year, south of the White House, we will open a newly redesigned White House Visitor Center. It will provide the millions of visitors who visit Washington each year the opportunity to gain a broader understanding of life in the White House. If we can acquire something to the east and west, we will surround the place. (laughter) The association's other mission is to provide funds to preserve the public rooms of the White House and enhance its incomparable collection of fine and decorative arts.

Over five decades and ten

president

s since our founding, the Association is proud to have provided nearly $40 million in financial support to renovate and make major acquisitions for the White House. Through the

portrait

s of our presidents and first ladies, it is a wonderful tradition that here in the home of America, our country honors those who have honored us. The tradition began with the acquisition of George Washington's portrait in 1800. It was purchased by the United States government. It was considered such an important national treasure that it was the object of Dolly Madison's greatest concerns when the British burned the White House in 1814.

The White House Historical Association has had the privilege of commissioning the

official

portrait of each president and first lady over the past 50 years, and acquire historical portraits of those previously missing from the White House collection. In our digital world, where so many images are mere flashes on a screen, these enduring portraits of great Americans by acclaimed artists are lasting tributes to our presidents and first ladies and will always be part of the White House collection. Today, portraits of President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush will join this unique collection of those who have occupied this house and served our nation with distinction.

And to those great presidential portraitists whose works here include Gilbert Stuart, John Singer Sargent, and Aaron Shikler, we now add John Howard Sanden. So today's event may once again spark one of those great debates that have often taken place inside the White House. Both sides will present strong arguments. It is not a debate about issues or between parties. There is debate over whether the portrait actually resembles the President and First Lady. (laughs) And we'll soon find out. It is now my great pleasure to introduce the President of the United States. (applause) President Obama: Thank you. Thank you so much. (applause) Thank you.

Please, everyone, take a seat. Well, good afternoon everyone. Thanks, Fred, for that introduction. To President George H.W. Bush and Barbara, to all the members of the Bush family who are here. It is a great privilege to have you here today. And to President and Mrs. Bush, welcome back to the house you called home for eight years. The White House is many things at once. It is a working office, it is a living museum, it is an enduring symbol of our democracy. But at the end of the day, when the visitors return home and the lights go out, some of us have the tremendous honor of living here.

I think it's fair to say that all presidents are well aware that we are only temporary residents here: we are tenants. We take care of maintenance until our lease ends. But we also left a piece of ourselves in this place. And today, with the

unveiling

of the portraits at my side, President and Mrs. Bush will take their place alongside the men and women who built this country and those who worked to perfect it. It has been said that no one can truly understand what it is like to be president until he sits behind that desk and feels the weight and responsibility for the first time.

And that's true. After three and a half years in office, and with a lot more gray hair, (laughter), I have a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by the presidents before me, including my immediate predecessor, President Bush. In this job, no decision that lands on your desk is easy. No choice you make will be free of costs. No matter how hard you try, you won't be able to make everyone happy. I think that's something that President Bush and I learned pretty quickly. (laughter) And that's why, from time to time, those of us who have been privileged to hold this position find ourselves turning to the only people on Earth who know that feeling.

We may have our political differences, but the presidency transcends those differences. We all love this country. We all want America to succeed. We all believe that when it comes to moving this country forward, we have an obligation to work together. And we all followed the humble and heroic example of our first president, George Washington, who knew that a true test of patriotism is the willingness to freely and graciously pass the reins of power to another person. This has certainly been true in the case of President Bush. The months before he was sworn in were a chaotic time.

We knew our economy was in trouble, our fellow Americans were suffering, but we wouldn't know until later how stunning the financial crisis had been. And yet, during those two and a half months, in the midst of that crisis, President Bush, his Cabinet, his staff, many of you who are here today, did everything possible... George, you did everything possible. in their own way, to ensure that the transition to a new administration was as smooth as possible. President Bush understood that rescuing our economy was not just a Democratic or Republican issue; It was an American priority. I will always be grateful for that.

The same goes for our national security. None of us will ever forget where we were on that terrible September day when our country was attacked. All of us will always remember the image of President Bush standing on that pile of rubble, megaphone in hand, conveying extraordinary strength and determination to the American people, but also representing the strength and determination of the American people. And last year, when we brought justice to Osama bin Laden, I made clear that our success was because many people in many organizations worked together for many years, across two administrations. That's why my first call, once the American forces were safe and out of danger, was to President Bush.

Because protecting our country is not the job of one person or the task of one period of time, it is an ongoing obligation that we all share. Finally, on a personal note, Michelle and I thank the entire Bush family for their guidance and example during our own transition. George, I will always remember the meeting he organized for all the living past presidents before I took office and his kind words of encouragement. Plus, you also left me a really good TV sports package. (laughs) I use it. (laughter) Laura, you reminded us that the most rewarding thing about living in this house is not the title or the power, but the opportunity to highlight the issues that matter most.

And the fact that you and George raised two beautiful, intelligent daughters, first as children visiting their grandparents and then as teenagers preparing to go out into the world, that obviously gives Michelle and I tremendous hope as we try to make the right thing. something of our own daughters in this slightly strange atmosphere we have created. Jenna and Barbara, we will never forget the advice you gave Sasha and Malia as they began their lives in Washington. They were told to surround themselves with loyal friends, to never stop doing what they love; sliding down the railings from time to time... (laughs)... playing sardines on the grass; meet new people and try new things; and try to absorb it all and enjoy it all.

And I can tell you that Malia and Sasha took that advice to heart. It really meant a lot to them. One of the greatest strengths of our democracy is our ability to navigate power transitions peacefully and routinely. It speaks to the fact that we have always had leaders who believe in America and all it stands for, above all else: leaders and their families who are willing to dedicate their lives to the country they love. This is what we will think about every time we pass these portraits, just as millions of other visitors will in the decades, and perhaps even centuries, to come.

I want to thank John Howard Sanden, the artist behind these beautiful works, for his efforts. And on behalf of the American people, I want to very sincerely thank President and Mrs. Bush for their extraordinary service to our country. And now I would like to invite you to the stage to participate in the presentation. (applause) (portraits are revealed) (applause) President Bush: Thank you, please sit down. Sit down. Behave yourself. (laughter) Mr. President, thank you for your warm hospitality. Madam First Lady, thank you very much for inviting our rowdy friends (laughter) to my hanging. (laughs) Laura and I feel honored to be here.

Mr. Vice President, thank you for coming. We are overwhelmed by your hospitality. And thank you for feeding the Bush family, all 14 of us here. (laughs) I want to thank our girls for coming. I thank mom and dad, brother, sister, in-laws, aunts and uncles. I appreciate you taking your time. I know you are as excited as Laura and I to be able to return here, and in particular, I thank the people who helped make this house a home for us for eight years: the White House staff. I want to thank Fred Ryan and the White House Historical Association and Bill Allman, the curator of the White House.

I am pleased that my portrait adds interesting symmetry to the White House collection. Now it begins and ends with a George W. (laughter and applause). When the British burned the White House, as Fred mentioned, in 1814, Dolley Madison saved this famous portrait of the first George W. (laughter). Now, Michelle, if anything happens, there's your man. (laughter and applause) I am also pleased, Mr. President, that as you wander these halls wrestling with difficult decisions, you will now be able to look at this portrait and ask yourself: What would George do? (laughter) I am honored to be around a man who gave me the greatest gift possible, unconditional love... and that would be number 41. (applause) I want to thank John Howard Sanden for agreeing to use his considerable talents to paint. my likeness You've done a good job with a challenging topic. (laughs) In the portrait, there is a painting by W.H.D.

Koerner called: "A position to hold." He hung in the Oval Office for all eight years of my presidency. I asked John to include him because he reminds me of the wonderful people I had the privilege to serve with. Whether they served in the Cabinet or on the presidential staff, these men and women (many of whom are here) worked hard and served with honor. We had a job to fulfill and we fulfilled it. It is my privilege to introduce you to the best First Lady of all time. I'm sorry, Mom. (laughs) Would you agree to a tie? (laughs) A woman who brought so much grace, dignity and love to this house. (applause) Mrs.

Bush: Thank you all. (applause) Thank you all. Thank you so much. Thanks love. Thank you, President and Mrs. Obama. Thank you for your kindness and consideration today. It was very nice of them to invite us back to the White House to hang some family photos. (Laughs) And I'm sure you know that nothing makes a house a home like having portraits of its former occupants staring back at you from the walls. (laughs) This is not the first time that I have had the opportunity to confront an artistic image of myself. A few years ago, just after the 2008 election, a friend sent me something he had found in the gift shop at the National Constitutional Center in Philadelphia.

It was a Laura Bush bobblehead doll. (laughs) He said she found it on the clearance rack. (laughs) But I am flattered and grateful to know that this particular work has a permanent home. And thanks to the masterful talent of John Howard Sanden, I like it a lot more than that bobblehead doll. (Laughter) Thank you very much, John Howard Sanden. It's great to work with you. And thanks to Elizabeth and her family who joined them today. Thank you very, very much Juan. (applause) And, of course, it is meaningful to me as a private person to know that these portraits will be on display in the White House, that my portrait will hang right down the hall next to my mother-in-law's, and that George's portrait will hang very close to his father's.

But what is more significant is that it is significantfor me as a citizen. This was our family home for eight years. It was our home, but it wasn't our house. This house belongs to the people whose portraits will never hang here, the ordinary and not-so-ordinary people whose lives inspired us and whose expectations guided us during the years we lived here. In this room are many of the people who supported us when we faced the tragedy of 9/11 and who worked with us in the years since. Thank you to each and every one of you for your service to our country. (applause) I hope others see in this portrait what I see: a woman who was honored and humbled to live in the White House during a period of great challenges, and who will never forget the countless American faces that make up the true portrait. of that time.

Thank you very much to all. Thank you so much. And thanks Michelle, if you want to come up. (applause) The First Lady: Well, I don't think we have enough tissues to go around. (laughs) Jenna and Barbara, you're a mess. (Laughter) But I want to thank President and Mrs. Bush for joining us today. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Laura for providing me with such a wonderful model of strength and grace to follow as First Lady. It is an interesting job and it has been fantastic to learn from her example not only as a First Lady, but also as a mother of two wonderful daughters.

You are on the other side of where we hope to be... (laughter)... in a couple of years... two daughters who sit up straight and cry when they are... (laughter)... and think lovingly. in his mom and dad. (laughs) We're working toward that goal, but you guys have done a fantastic job. And I also want to echo Barack. We couldn't be more grateful for the warmth and kindness you both (all of you showed) showed our family when we moved three years ago. It is truly a true privilege for us to occupy this house. And hopefully, we are setting the same example of warmth, love and hope that you all have provided as well.

The warmth truly shines through in these portraits, and I promise you... (laughs)... I promise, I'm heading straight for... (laughs)... and I'm sure it will be closer when you go down the stairs. and I'll get straight to it. That's why I'm excited for all the White House visitors who will soon have the opportunity to enjoy them too. And I'm excited for you both to join these incredible Americans whose portraits are already on display here at the White House. So congratulations again. Congratulations on the work you have done, the example you have set for this country, and what it means to be an American family.

We are very happy, proud and honored to be part of it. And with that, it is my pleasure to invite you all to join us at a reception just outside the State Hall. Now it's time to eat. (laughs) Thank you all very much. (applause)