[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 22 (Monday, June 9, 2008)]
[Page 776]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at the Ford's Theatre Gala

June 1, 2008

    Thank you all. Hal, thanks for the introduction. And I want to thank 
you all for supporting Ford's Theatre. Laura and I have been coming here 
now for 8 years to the Ford's Theatre gala, and this is by far the best.
    We want to thank our choir and our orchestra and all the fabulous 
performers for taking time out of your busy schedules to help--to 
support this really important part of Washington. And Gatlin is probably 
saying, of course, I said that for the crowd last year. [Laughter] But, 
no, it really was fantastic. And it's such an uplifting performance and 
a reminder of what a great President Abraham Lincoln was.
    I do want to thank Paul Tetreault for being a really fabulous 
director of the Ford's Theatre. And I want to thank the gala cochairs 
and all the people who support the Ford's Theatre. I know you're excited 
about the opening of the renovated Ford's Theatre in February 2009. 
Laura and I are excited too. Just send the pictures down to Crawford. 
[Laughter]
    Thanks for a fabulous evening, and God bless.

Note: The President spoke at 7 p.m at the National Theatre. In his 
remarks, he referred to actor Hal Holbrook; musician Larry Gatlin; and 
Paul R. Tetreault, producing director, Ford's Theatre. The transcript 
released by the Office of the Press Secretary also included the remarks 
of the First Lady. The transcript was released by the Office of the 
Press Secretary on June 2.