THE PRESIDENT: Welcome to the Rose Garden. Of course, this is an old
habit for a lot of the players standing behind me. After all, this is
the fifth year in a row that the mighty Navy football team won the
Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy. And we’re here to congratulate them on
that amazing achievement. As a matter of fact, coming to the Rose
Garden is as familiar a place as Bancroft Hall. (Laughter.)</p>
<p>We welcome you here and we congratulate you. Coach, thanks for coming.
Proud you’re here. This team has had an historic season. For the third
year in a row, had the most rushing yards in the nation, as well as the
nation’s highest graduation rate. (Applause.) You went to your fifth < BR>straight bowl game, and of course you accomplished your most important
goal: You beat Army. (Applause.)</p>
<p>I want to thank the House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, strong supporter
of the Naval Academy, for joining us. Congressman Hoyer, thanks for
being here. Secretary Don Winter, Secretary of the Navy, and Linda.
John Dalton, former Secretary of the Navy and a fine Texan, as well as
Margaret. Thanks for coming. Vice Admiral Jeff Fowler, thanks for
being here, sir. Proud you’re here. Coach – just Coach. (Laughter.)
Like, you call me George, I’ll call you Ken. (Laughter.) Glad you all
are here. (Laughter.)</p>
<p>This team set a school record by scoring 511 points. And with your
sixth straight win over Army, you established the longest winning streak
against Army in history. You beat Notre Dame for the first time since
1963. (Applause.) I’m probably not going to spend much time talking to
the Pope about it. (La ughter.)</p>
<p>You had an interesting game in the great state of Texas against North
Texas, when you won 74 to 62 – 136 combined points were the most scored
in a regulation game in the history of NCAA’s top division. You earned
an invitation to play in the Poinsettia Bowl – forget the score.
(Laughter.) But you made an exciting finish. In other words, you
brought great credit to a fabulous place of higher institute – of
learning. And I want to thank your head coach and welcome him. He’s
been a big part of the success over the past six years, and no doubt in
my mind – more importantly no doubt in the superintendent’s mind –
that he’s going to be a fabulous head coach for years to come.
Congratulations. (Applause.)</p>
<p>I’ve been reading about some of the standout performers on the team,
starting with slot back Reggie Campbell, team captain. On offense, he
holds – he owns eight school records. He was the M VP of the Army-Navy
game. Linebacker Irv Spencer, team captain on defense. He led the team
with 95 tackles. Adam Ballard – Texan. (Laughter.) Lewisville,
Texas. He came back from a broken leg in 2006 to score Navy’s first
touchdown of the season; he’s a bruiser. Cornerback Ketric Buffin,
Rowlett, Texas. You think I only talk about Texas, don’t you?
(Laughter.) Had an interception in each of the first four games. He’s
the first player in school history to accomplish that feat. Zerbin
Singleton. Now there’s an inspirational story for all. He faced great
challenges growing up, he overcame injuries from a car accident to make
it to the Naval Academy, and during the season he received the Disney
Wide World of Sports Spirit Award as college football’s most
inspirational figure. He’s the brigade commander of all 4,200
midshipmen at the Naval Academy. He’ll soon begin flight training as a
Marine aviator.</p>
<p>Proud to welc ome all the individual stars here. But no question this
team played well because you played as a unit. I want to thank every
football player for agreeing to put on the uniform of the finest
military ever. You signed up after 9/11. You knew the stakes involved
in the war against extremists and radicals. You knew that your country
depended on you. And you didn’t hesitate to wear the uniform.</p>
<p>I welcome you as stars on the football field, and I welcome you as
soon-to-be sailors and Marines who have a major responsibility to
protect the United States from harm and spread the great blessings of
liberty so we can have peace.</p>
<p>I cannot wait to be able to say to you someday, I’m proud to be your
Commander-in-Chief. And so I welcome you to the Rose Garden. I
congratulate you on being fine football players. More importantly, I
congratulate you on being patriotic Americans. May God bless you.
(Applause.)