Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 1 page
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
323150422
label
University of Tennessee Women's Basketball Team, 4/20/89
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
323150422
contentType
document
title
University of Tennessee Women's Basketball Team, 4/20/89
citationUrl
identifierLocal
13483-007
collections
Records of the White House Office of Speechwriting (George H. W. Bush Administration)
Speech Draft Files
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
323150422
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
8d0dca750f37b73b
ocrText
Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
S
2011-2184-F
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection: George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Speech File Draft Files
Subseries:
Chron File, 1989-1993
OA/ID Number:
13483
Folder ID Number:
13483-007
Folder Title:
University of Tennessee Women's Basketball Team, 4/20/89
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
G
26
15
6
6
FINAL
TO POTRUS
(McNally/Wallace)
April 18, 1989, 11:50 a.m.
Draft four
(B-Ball)
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS:
UNIV. OF TENN. WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM
THE ROSE GARDEN
THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1989
11:00 A.M.
Sorry we're a little late getting started. I heard there
was a back-up getting Bridgette Gordon's jewelry through the
metal detectors. (("GLITTERING" GORDON, AMERICA'S BEST WOMAN
PLAYER, DRESSES COVERED WITH GOLD LIKE "MR. T".))
President Alexander, Coach Summitt -- the families and
friends and fans -- Members of Congress and our own local teams
-- the White House is proud to host Tennessee's Lady Volunteers:
((WITH EMPHASIS)) The 1989 NCAA Champions.
After you won in Tacoma -- after the tears of joy and
victory and remembrance -- Pat Summitt told a cheering nation
that, "This one belongs to the family."
And it's quite a family, these Lady Volunteers.
Five freshmen. Two sophomores. Three seniors. Before this
season, only the seniors had ever played college ball. The LA
Times called your victory, "Beyond the imagination of most."
Arch-rival Auburn's coach dubbed the Lady Vols a "Who's Who
roster" of excellence. Melissa McCray. Sheila Frost. Players
like Carla, who came back from a 1987 car accident after they
said she'd be lucky to ever run again.
And there's Tonya Edwards and Dena Head. Now, I admit, the
Bush family's generally pretty happy when Texas wins. But your
2
mid-season loss to Texas is also when this team proved it had
character, as well as talent. Tonya -- the 1987 MVP who led the
Vols to Tennessee's first championship -- got hurt. Dena, a
little-known freshman, came off the bench and emerged as SEC
Rookie of the Year. Tennessee's rally song is "Rocky Top," but
that sounds more like the movie "Rocky."
Don't worry: I'm not forgetting Bridgette Gordon.
All American. MVP. The papers call her the best woman in
college basketball. When Auburn closed to within three in that
final game, Bridgette stepped in and sank three straight jumpers.
Maybe you heard what the losing coach said about Bridgette: "God
bless her, graduate her -- and get her out of Tennessee!"
And there's Coach Summitt. A silver medalist as a player in
1976, she coached America's Olympic team to a gold in 1984. In
13 years she's brought Tennessee to the Final Four ten times,
winning it twice. Later on we're going down to that fountain to
see if it's true she can walk on water.
And the most rare, the most important stat of all: In 14
years as coach, her players have a 100 percent graduation rate.
All five of this year's freshmen are on the Dean's List.
One, Debbie Hawhee, has a 3.95 GPA in medical technology.
Debbie, we gotta ask you: What did you get the A-minus in?
Every sport has legendary teams from its early days. In
baseball it's the Yankees. In hockey, Montreal. Football, some
would say Vince Lombardi's Packers. ((PAUSE))
3
( (TO TEAM) ) I see you like this talk of dynasties.
((PAUSE)) That's the first time a group of attractive women has
been flattered by being compared to the 1967 Green Bay Packers.
But seriously, as the years unfold you will always remember
that championship season that brought you to the White House.
Tomorrow's news clippings, yellowed with age, will be read by
grandchildren born in another century. It is a story that began
on summer nights long ago, years before college, when these
champions were themselves kids -- shooting until twilight in
obscure barns and haylofts and driveways scattered across the
deep South and the Middle West -- young girls unknown to one
another, but dreaming the same dream that this month became real.
Thanks for coming here today. Hold fast your dreams yet to
come. God bless you. And God bless America.
#
#
#
(McNally/Wallace)
April 14, 1989
2:00 p.m.
Draft one
(B-Ball)
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: UNIV. OF TENN. WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM
(1989 NCAA CHAMPIONS)
THE ROSE GARDEN
THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1989
11:00 A.M.
Sorry we're a little late getting started. I heard there
was a back-up getting Bridgette Gordon's jewelry through the
metal detectors. (("GLITTERING" GORDON, AMERICA'S BEST WOMAN
PLAYER, DRESSES COVERED WITH GOLD LIKE "MR. T".))
President Alexander, Coach Summitt -- the families and
friends and fans -- the White House is proud to host Tennessee's
Lady Volunteers: ( (WITH EMPHASIS)) The 1989 NCAA Champions.
After you won in Tacoma -- after the tears of joy and
victory and remembrance -- Pat Summitt told a cheering nation
that, "This one belongs to the family."
And it's good to have the Tennessee family here. But it's
your own families that I will congratulate first. In a very
private way, the years of hard work, sacrifice, and yes, love for
your daughters has have brought this moment to pass. You deserve the
first round of applause.
I was going to call them, "your little girls." Then I saw
Sheila Frost ((6'4")), Carla McGhee ((6'3")) and Daedra Charles
((6'3")). I may be President but I'm only six foot two.
2
Like the Lady Volunteers, the Bush team went into the 1988
season -- the primaries -- ranked Number One. So we know what
you mean when the Coach said of your victory: "It's harder to do
something you're supposed to do."
Five freshmen. Two sophomores. Three seniors. Before this
season, only the seniors had ever played college ball. The LA
Times called your victory, "Beyond the imagination of most."
But, as another college coach once observed: "I don't mind
starting the season with unknowns. I just don't like finishing
with a bunch of them."
Well, your unknown days are over. Arch-rival Auburn's coach
dubbed the Lady Vols a "Who's Who roster" of excellence. Players
like Carla, who came back from a 1987 car accident after they
said she'd be lucky to ever run again. And the ball-control
specialists who led Tennessee's hard-nosed defense, Melissa
McCray and Sheila Frost.
And there's Tonya Edwards and Dena Head. Generally, the
Bush family's pretty happy when Texas wins. But your cliff-
hanger loss to Texas turned especially sour when Tonya -- who led
the Vols to Tennessee's 1987 championship -- got hurt. Freshman
pre-med Dena -- the classic "player to be named later" -- came
off the bench and emerged as SEC Rookie of the Year. Tennessee's
rally song is "Rocky Top," but that sounds more like the movie
"Rocky."
Don't worry: I'm not forgetting Bridgette Gordon.
All American, MVP, the papers call her the best woman in
college basketball. When Auburn closed to within three in that
3
final game, Bridgette stepped in and sank three straight jumpers.
Later, she told Sports Illustrated: "When I saw that score, I
told myself I had to do something."
That struck a chord. I told myself the same thing when I
came in third in the Iowa caucuses.
And there's Coach Summitt.
A silver medalist as a player in 1976, she coached America's
Olympic team to a gold in 1984. In 13 years she's brought
Tennessee to the Final Four ten times, winning it twice. Later
on we're going down to that fountain to see if it's true she can
walk on water.
And the most important statistic of all: In 14 years as
coach, her players have a 100 percent graduation rate.
Pat Summitt's proud of that record. But the other coaches
are even happier.
Maybe you heard what Auburn's coach said about
move
Bridgette: "God bless her, graduate her -- and get her out of
Tennessee.
All five of this year's freshmen are on the Dean's List.
One, Debbie Hawhee, has a 3.95 GPA in medical technology.
Debbie, we gotta ask you: What did you get the A-minus in?
Men's basketball should be so lucky. One college athlete
admitted he'd never graduated. He said he was only in school for
two terms Carter's and Reagan's.
And you know what the Texas A & M basketball coach told a
S
player who got four F's and a D: "Son, it looks to me like
you're spending too much time on one subject."
4
You know, many of my own heroes are pioneering players from
the early days of baseball. In women's basketball, Tennessee is
creating its own legends. These three seniors have attended the
Final Four every year that they played -- an unprecedented feat
that may never again be equaled.
Every sport has a legendary team like this. In baseball
it's the Yankees. In hockey, Montreal. Basketball, probably the
Celtics, maybe LA. Looking back, in football it's got to be
Vince Lombardi's Packers. Men's college basketball you'd get an
argument: John Wooden's UCLA, but some would say Kentucky.
( (LOOKING AT THE TEAM)) You like this talk of dynasties.
It's probably the first time in history a group of attractive
women have been flattered by being compared to the Green Bay
Packers.
Pat, we also hear your husband R.B. is a former bank
00
examiner. If he can do with banks what you can do with
basketball, maybe he can stick around and help us sort out the
deficit. Someone else suggested we could cut the deficit in half
by just having Bridgette sell off some of her jewelry.
But seriously, Coach. The press is gathered here. America
is watching. And you know the question that's on everyone's
lips: How is Bridgette Gordon going to get another NCAA ring
onto those fingers?
Before we say goodbye, I have something of a surprise for
you. Coach Summitt promised that if you won, she'd do something
unreserved. Well, my White House team has been trying to get me
to do something unreserved for weeks. Last week I finally did.
5
I was crazy enough to actually try to shoot a free throw after
Michigan's Rumeal Robinson. And it went in. It'll never happen
again. And I'm not crazy enough to dare to shoot free throws
with the likes of Dena Head.
But it's too nice a day not to throw something. So
afterwards, I'd be very honored if the Lady Volunteers would join
me for a few tosses down at these new horseshoe pits.
In the years to come you will remember not your April
morning in the Rose Garden but that championship season that
brought you here. The story began on summer nights long ago,
years before college, when today's champions were mostly hard-
working country kids -- shooting until twilight in barns and
haylofts and driveways across the deep South and the Middle West
-- young girls unknown to each other, but dreaming the same dream
that this month became real.
Thanks for coming here today. Good luck in your dreams yet
to come. God bless you. And God bless America.
#
#
#
Document No.
026999SS
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
4/15/89
4/17/89 c.o.b.
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM
THE ROSE GARDEN
SUBJECT:
THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1989
(4/15 - 1:30 p.m. draft)
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE N/C
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN n/c
STUDDERT
BATES N/U
UNTERMEYER
ROGERS
BREEDEN
CARD
WINSTON
CICCONI
PINKERTON
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY N/C
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston,
Rm. 122, x2930, no later than Monday, 4/17/89, c.o.b.,
with an info copy to my office. Thank you.
RESPONSE:
James W, Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
(McNally/Wallace)
April 15, 1989, 1:30 p.m.
Draft three
(B-Ball)
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: UNIV. OF TENN. WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM
THE ROSE GARDEN
THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1989
11:00 A.M.
1989 15 2:
Sorry we're a little late getting started. I heard there
was a back-up getting Bridgette Gordon's jewelry through the
metal detectors. ( ("GLITTERING" GORDON, AMERICA'S BEST WOMAN
PLAYER, DRESSES COVERED WITH GOLD LIKE "MR. T".) )
President Alexander, Coach Summitt -- the families and
members of Congress and our own local terms)
friends and fans, -- the White House is proud to host Tennessee
Lady Volunteers: ( (WITH EMPHASIS) ) The 1989 NCAA Champions.
After you won in Tacoma -- after the tears of joy and
victory and remembrance -- Pat Summitt told a cheering nation
that, "This one belongs to the family. "
to honor the daughters of
And it's good to have the Tennessee family here But it's
your own families that I will congratulate first. In a very
private way, the years of hard work, sacrifice, and yes, love for
your daughters have brought this moment to pass. You deserve the
first round of applause.
the the team
I was going to call them, "your little girls." Then I saw
Sheila Frost ((6'4")), Carla McGhee ((6'3")) and Daedra Charles
( (6'3") ) I may be President but I'm only six foot two.
Five freshmen. Two sophomores. Three seniors. Before this
season, only the seniors had ever played college ball. The LA
Times called your victory, "Beyond the imagination of most."
2
Arch-rival Auburn's coach dubbed the Lady Vols a "Who's Who
roster" of excellence. Melissa McCray. Sheila Frost. Players
like Carla, who came back from a 1987 car accident after they
said she'd be lucky to ever run again.
And there's Tonya Edwards and Dena Head. Now, I admit, the
Bush family's generally pretty happy when Texas wins. But your
mid-season loss to Texas is also when this team proved it had
character, as well as talent. Tonya -- the 1987 MVP who led the
Vols to Tennessee's first championship -- got hurt. Dena, a
little-known freshman, came off the bench and emerged as SEC
Rookie of the Year. Tennessee's rally song is "Rocky Top," but
that sounds more like the movie "Rocky."
Don't worry: I'm not forgetting Bridgette Gordon.
All American. MVP. The papers call her the best woman in
college basketball. When Auburn closed to within three in that
final game, Bridgette stepped in and sank three straight jumpers.
Maybe you heard what the losing coach said about Bridgette: "God
bless her, graduate her -- and get her out of Tennessee!"
And there's Coach Summitt.
A silver medalist as a player in 1976, she coached America's
Olympic team to a gold in 1984. In 13 years she's brought
Tennessee to the Final Four ten times, winning it twice. Later
on we're going down to that fountain to see if it's true she can
walk on water.
And the most rare, the most important stat of all: In 14
years as coach, her players have a 100 percent graduation rate.
3
All five of this year's freshmen are on the Dean's List.
One, Debbie Hawhee, has a 3.95 GPA in medical technology.
Debbie, we gotta ask you: What did you get the A-minus in?
You know, many of my own heroes are pioneering players from
the early days of baseball. In women's basketball, Tennessee is
creating its own legends. These three seniors have attended the
Final Four every year that they played an unprecedented feat
that may never again be equaled.
from its earlydays.
Every sport has legendary teams/like A this. In baseball
it's the Yankees. In hockey, Montreal. College football it
some would say
Rockne's Irish. Pro football it's probably got to be Vince
Lombardi's Packers. Men's college basketball you'd get an
argument: ((PAUSE)) John Wooden's UCLA, but some would say Kentucky.
( (TO TEAM) ) You like this talk of dynasties. It's probably
Thats
>
the first time in history that a group of attractive women has
been flattered by being compared to the 1967 Green Bay Packers.
But seviously
As the years unfold you will always remember that
championship season that brought you to the White House.
Tomorrow's news clippings, yellowed with age, will be read by
grandchildren born in another century. It is a story that began
these
on summer nights long ago, years before college, when today S
champions were themselves kids -- shooting until twilight in
obscure barns and haylofts and driveways scattered across the
deep South and the Middle West -- young girls unknown to one
another, but dreaming the same dream that this month became real.
4
Thanks for coming here today. Hold fast your dreams yet to
come. God bless you. And God bless America.
#
#
#
Document No.
026999SS
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
4/15/89
4/17/89 c.o.b.
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM
THE ROSE GARDEN
SUBJECT:
THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1989
(4/15 - 1:30 p.m. draft)
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
CARD
WINSTON
CICCONI
PINKERTON
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston,
Rm. 122, x2930, no later than Monday, 4/17/89, c.o.b.,
with an info copy to my office. Thank you.
RESPONSE:
Emphasize "little" on p.l; perhaps word "women
rather than "gill," should be word.
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
(McNally/Wallace)
April 18, 1989, 11:50 a.m.
Draft four
(B-Ball)
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: UNIV. OF TENN. WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM
THE ROSE GARDEN
THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1989
11:00 A.M.
Sorry we're a little late getting started. I heard there
was a back-up getting Bridgette Gordon's jewelry through the
metal detectors. (("GLITTERING" GORDON, AMERICA'S BEST WOMAN
PLAYER, DRESSES COVERED WITH GOLD LIKE "MR. T".))
President Alexander, Coach Summitt -- the families and
friends and fans - - Members of Congress and own own locals teams
-- the White House is proud to host Tennessee's Lady Volunteers:
( (WITH EMPHASIS) The 1989 NCAA Champions.
After you won in Tacoma -- after the tears of joy and
victory and remembrance -- Pat Summitt told a cheering nation
that, "This one belongs to the family."
And it's good to have the family here to honor the daughters
of Tennessee. ((PAUSE)) I was going to call the team, "your
little girls." Then I saw Sheila Frost ((6'4")), Carla McGhee
((6'3")) and Daedra Charles ((6'3")). I may be President but I'm
only six foot two.
Five freshmen. Two sophomores. Three seniors. Before this
season, only the seniors had ever played college ball. The LA
Times called your victory, "Beyond the imagination of most."
Arch-rival Auburn's coach dubbed the Lady Vols a "Who's Who
roster" of excellence. Melissa McCray. Sheila Frost. Players
2
like Carla, who came back from a 1987 car accident after they
said she'd be lucky to ever run again.
And there's Tonya Edwards and Dena Head. Now, I admit, the
Bush family's generally pretty happy when Texas wins. But your
mid-season loss to Texas is also when this team proved it had
character, as well as talent. Tonya -- the 1987 MVP who led the
Vols to Tennessee's first championship -- got hurt. Dena, a
little-known freshman, came off the bench and emerged as SEC
Rookie of the Year. Tennessee's rally song is "Rocky Top," but
that sounds more like the movie "Rocky."
Don't worry: I'm not forgetting Bridgette Gordon.
All American. MVP. The papers call her the best woman in
college basketball. When Auburn closed to within three in that
final game, Bridgette stepped in and sank three straight jumpers.
Maybe you heard what the losing coach said about Bridgette: "God
bless her, graduate her -- and get her out of Tennessee!"
And there's Coach Summitt. A silver medalist as a player in
1976, she coached America's Olympic team to a gold in 1984. In
13 years she's brought Tennessee to the Final Four ten times,
winning it twice. Later on we're going down to that fountain to
see if it's true she can walk on water.
And the most rare, the most important stat of all: In 14
years as coach, her players have a 100 percent graduation rate.
All five of this year's freshmen are on the Dean's List.
One, Debbie Hawhee, has a 3.95 GPA in medical technology.
Debbie, we gotta ask you: What did you get the A-minus in?
3
Every sport has legendary teams from its early days. In
baseball it's the Yankees. In hockey, Montreal. Football, some
would say Vince Lombardi's Packers.
( (PAUSE) )
( (TO TEAM) ) I see you like this talk of dynasties.
( (PAUSE) ) That's the first time a group of attractive women has
been flattered by being compared to the 1967 Green Bay Packers.
But seriously, as the years unfold you will always remember
that championship season that brought you to the White House.
Tomorrow's news clippings, yellowed with age, will be read by
grandchildren born in another century. It is a story that began
on summer nights long ago, years before college, when these
champions were themselves kids -- shooting until twilight in
obscure barns and haylofts and driveways scattered across the
deep South and the Middle West -- young girls unknown to one
another, but dreaming the same dream that this month became real.
Thanks for coming here today. Hold fast your dreams yet to
come. God bless you. And God bless America.
#
#
#
Document No.
026999SS
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
4/15/89
4/17/89 c.o.b.
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM
THE ROSE GARDEN
SUBJECT:
THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1989
(4/15 - 1:30 p.m. draft)
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
ROGERS
BREEDEN
CARD
WINSTON
CICCONI
PINKERTON
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston,
Rm. 122, x2930, no later than Monday, 4/17/89, c.o.b.,
with an info copy to my office. Thank you.
a little love
RESPONSE:
All comments
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
(McNally/Wallace)
April 15, 1989, 1:30 p.m.
Draft three
(B-Ball)
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: UNIV. OF TENN. WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM
THE ROSE GARDEN
THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1989
11:00 A.M.
1989 15 Fill
2:
Sorry we're a little late getting started. I heard there
was a back-up getting Bridgette Gordon's jewelry through the
metal detectors. ( ("GLITTERING" GORDON, AMERICA'S BEST WOMAN
PLAYER, DRESSES COVERED WITH GOLD LIKE "MR. T".))
President Alexander, Coach Summitt -- the families and
members of congers, and on rocal teams -
friends and fans -- the White House is proud to host Tennessee's
Lady Volunteers: ( (WITH EMPHASIS) ) The 1989 NCAA Champions.
After you won in Tacoma -- after the tears of joy and
victory and remembrance -- Pat Summitt told a cheering nation
that, "This one belongs to the family."
OK
And it's good to have the Tennessee family here. But it's
your own families that I will congratulate first In a very
private way, the years of hard work, sacrifice, and yes, love for
your daughters have brought this moment to pass. You deserve the
first round of applause.
the Team
I was going to call them, "your little girls." Then I saw
Sheila Frost ( (6'4")) Carla McGhee ((6'3")) and Daedra Charles
( (6'3") ) I may be President but I'm only six foot two.
Five freshmen. Two sophomores. Three seniors. Before this
season, only the seniors had ever played college ball. The LA
Times called your victory, "Beyond the imagination of most."
2
Arch-rival Auburn's coach dubbed the Lady Vols a "Who's Who
roster" of excellence. Melissa McCray. Sheila Frost. Players
like Carla, who came back from a 1987 car accident after they
said she'd be lucky to ever run again.
And there's Tonya Edwards and Dena Head. Now, I admit, the
Bush family's generally pretty happy when Texas wins. But your
mid-season loss to Texas is also when this team proved it had
character, as well as talent. Tonya -- the 1987 MVP who led the
Vols to Tennessee's first championship -- got hurt. Dena, a
little-known freshman, came off the bench and emerged as SEC
Rookie of the Year. Tennessee's rally song is "Rocky Top," but
that sounds more like the movie "Rocky."
Don't worry: I'm not forgetting Bridgette Gordon.
All American. MVP. The papers call her the best woman in
college basketball. When Auburn closed to within three in that
final game, Bridgette stepped in and sank three straight jumpers.
Maybe you heard what the losing coach said about Bridgette: "God
bless her, graduate her -- and get her out of Tennessee!"
And there's Coach Summitt.
A silver medalist as a player in 1976, she coached America's
Olympic team to a gold in 1984. In 13 years she's brought
Tennessee to the Final Four ten times, winning it twice. Later
on we're going down to that fountain to see if it's true she can
walk on water.
And the most rare, the most important stat of all: In 14
years as coach, her players have a 100 percent graduation rate.
3
All five of this year's freshmen are on the Dean's List.
One, Debbie Hawhee, has a 3.95 GPA in medical technology.
Debbie, we gotta ask you: What did you get the A-minus in?
You know, many of my own heroes are pioneering players from
the early days of baseball. In women's basketball, Tennessee is
creating its own legends. These three seniors have attended the
Final Four every year that they played - an unprecedented feat
that may never again be equaled.
Every sport has a legendary team like this. In baseball
it's the Yankees. In hockey, Montreal. College football it's
Rockne's Irish. Pro football, it's probably got to be Vince
Lombardi's Packers. Men S college basketball you'd get an
argument: John Wooden's UCLA, but some would say Kentucky.
( (TO TEAM) ) You like this talk of dynasties. It's probably
the first time in history that a group of attractive women has
flattered by being compared to the 1967 Green Bay Packers.
the years unfold you will always remember that
championship season that brought you to the White House.
Tomorrow's news clippings, yellowed with age, will be read by
grandchildren born in another century. It is a story that began
on summer nights long ago, years before college, when today these
champions were themselves kids -- shooting until twilight in
obscure barns and haylofts and driveways scattered across the
deep South and the Middle West -- young girls unknown to one
another, but dreaming the same dream that this month became real.
4
Thanks for coming here today. Hold fast your dreams yet to
come. God bless you. And God bless America.
#
#
#
THE WHITE house
WASHINGTON
April 16, 1989
Memorandum to Chriss Winston
From:
Roger B. Porter RBP byll
Jim Pinkerton
Re:
Comments on Central America, USDA, and Tennessee
drafts
We have no comments on the Central America draft.
Our comments on the USDA draft are as follows:
First, will everyone in the audience know what "GATT" is?
There might be some benefit to providing more of a transition
from the 2nd and 3rd grafs on the first page.
Second, in the 4th graf on p.1, we suggest replacing
"tricks" with "devices. On the first line of the next graf down,
we would delete "any." We don't need to gratuitously tie our
hands on these sensitive policy questions.
Third, we would delete the graf that starts on the bottom of
p. 2 on the budget. The fact is that agriculture programs will
get less as a result of the budget agreement. Most farmers will
know this, and therefore our point about "three to four times
higher" is nothing to brag about. The budget will probably come
up in the Q and A session. That's the right time to use these
statistics. As a substitute for this graf, we would restate the
good news that we have to announce: the opening up of foreign
markets, the new rural task force, and the advance deficiency
payments.
We are very impressed with the Tennessee draft. The
richness of detail will impress the audience, not to mention the
team. The penultimate graf generates real emotion. Our only
comment: the President may need help on the pronunciation of the
surname "Hawhee" at the top of pg. 3.
#
CC: Bill Roper
John Gardner
Document No.
026999SS
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
4/15/89
4/17/89 c.o.b.
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM
THE ROSE GARDEN
SUBJECT:
THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1989
(4/15 - 1:30 p.m. draft)
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
ROGERS
BREEDEN
CARD
WINSTON
CICCONI
PINKERTON
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston,
Rm. 122, x2930, no later than Monday, 4/17/89, c.o.b.,
with an info copy to my office. Thank you.
RESPONSE:
No Comment
4/17/89.
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
(McNally/Wallace)
April 15, 1989, 1:30 p.m.
Draft three
(B-Ball)
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: UNIV. OF TENN. WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM
THE ROSE GARDEN
THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1989
11:00 A.M.
E 6861
Sorry we're a little late getting started. I heard there
was a back-up getting Bridgette Gordon's jewelry through the
metal detectors. ( ("GLITTERING" GORDON, AMERICA'S BEST WOMAN
PLAYER, DRESSES COVERED WITH GOLD LIKE "MR. T".))
President Alexander, Coach Summitt -- the families and
friends and fans -- the White House is proud to host Tennessee's
Lady Volunteers: ( (WITH EMPHASIS) ) The 1989 NCAA Champions.
After you won in Tacoma -- after the tears of joy and
victory and remembrance -- Pat Summitt told a cheering nation
that, "This one belongs to the family."
And it's good to have the Tennessee family here. But it's
your own families that I will congratulate first. In a very
private way, the years of hard work, sacrifice, and yes, love for
your daughters have brought this moment to pass. You deserve the
first round of applause.
I was going to call them, "your little girls." Then I saw
Sheila Frost ((6'4")), Carla McGhee ((6'3")) and Daedra Charles
((6'3")) I may be President but I'm only six foot two.
Five freshmen. Two sophomores. Three seniors. Before this
season, only the seniors had ever played college ball. The LA
Times called your victory, "Beyond the imagination of most."
2
Arch-rival Auburn's coach dubbed the Lady Vols a "Who's Who
roster" of excellence. Melissa McCray. Sheila Frost. Players
like Carla, who came back from a 1987 car accident after they
said she'd be lucky to ever run again.
And there's Tonya Edwards and Dena Head. Now, I admit, the
Bush family's generally pretty happy when Texas wins. But your
mid-season loss to Texas is also when this team proved it had
character, as well as talent. Tonya -- the 1987 MVP who led the
Vols to Tennessee's first championship -- got hurt. Dena, a
little-known freshman, came off the bench and emerged as SEC
Rookie of the Year. Tennessee's rally song is "Rocky Top," but
that sounds more like the movie "Rocky."
Don't worry: I'm not forgetting Bridgette Gordon.
All American. MVP. The papers call her the best woman in
college basketball. When Auburn closed to within three in that
final game, Bridgette stepped in and sank three straight jumpers.
Maybe you heard what the losing coach said about Bridgette: "God
bless her, graduate her -- and get her out of Tennessee!"
And there's Coach Summitt.
A silver medalist as a player in 1976, she coached America's
Olympic team to a gold in 1984. In 13 years she's brought
Tennessee to the Final Four ten times, winning it twice. Later
on we're going down to that fountain to see if it's true she can
walk on water.
And the most rare, the most important stat of all: In 14
years as coach, her players have a 100 percent graduation rate.
3
All five of this year's freshmen are on the Dean's List.
One, Debbie Hawhee, has a 3.95 GPA in medical technology.
Debbie, we gotta ask you: What did you get the A-minus in?
You know, many of my own heroes are pioneering players from
the early days of baseball. In women's basketball, Tennessee is
creating its own legends. These three seniors have attended the
Final Four every year that they played -- an unprecedented feat
that may never again be equaled.
Every sport has a legendary team like this. In baseball
it's the Yankees. In hockey, Montreal. College football it's
Rockne's Irish. Pro football, it's probably got to be Vince
Lombardi's Packers. Men's college basketball you'd get an
argument: John Wooden's UCLA, but some would say Kentucky.
((TO TEAM)) You like this talk of dynasties. It's probably
the first time in history that a group of attractive women has
been flattered by being compared to the 1967 Green Bay Packers.
As the years unfold you will always remember that
championship season that brought you to the White House.
Tomorrow's news clippings, yellowed with age, will be read by
grandchildren born in another century. It is a story that began
on summer nights long ago, years before college, when today's
champions were themselves kids -- shooting until twilight in
obscure barns and haylofts and driveways scattered across the
deep South and the Middle West -- young girls unknown to one
another, but dreaming the same dream that this month became real.
4
Thanks for coming here today. Hold fast your dreams yet to
come. God bless you. And God bless America.
#
#
#
Document No.
026999SS
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
4/15/89
4/17/89 c.o.b.
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM
THE ROSE GARDEN
SUBJECT:
THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1989
(4/15 - 1:30 p.m. draft)
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
ROGERS
BREEDEN
CARD
WINSTON
CICCONI
PINKERTON
DEMAREST see comments
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston,
Rm. 122, x2930, no later than Monday, 4/17/89, c.o.b.,
with an info copy to my office. Thank you.
RESPONSE:
SMS
LI/ti
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
(McNally/Wallace)
April 15, 1989, 1:30 p.m.
Draft three
(B-Ball)
1989
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: UNIV. OF TENN. WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM
THE ROSE GARDEN
THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1989
15
11:00 A.M.
FM
Sorry we're a little late getting started. I heard there
3
was a back-up getting Bridgette Gordon's jewelry through the
metal detectors. ( ("GLITTERING" GORDON, AMERICA'S BEST WOMAN
PLAYER, DRESSES COVERED WITH GOLD LIKE "MR. T".))
President Alexander, Coach Summitt -- the families and
friends and fans -- the White House is proud to host Tennessee's
Lady Volunteers: ( (WITH EMPHASIS) ) The 1989 NCAA Champions.
After you won in Tacoma -- after the tears of joy and
victory and remembrance -- Pat Summitt told a cheering nation
that, "This one belongs to the family."
And it's good to have the Tennessee family here. But it's
your own families that I will congratulate first. In a very
private way, the years of hard work, sacrifice, and yes, love for
your daughters have brought this moment to pass. You deserve the
first round of applause.
I was going to call them, "your little girls." Then I saw
Sheila Frost ((6'4")) Carla McGhee ((6'3")) and Daedra Charles
( (6'3") ) I may be President but I'm only six foot two.
Five freshmen. Two sophomores. Three seniors. Before this
season, only the seniors had ever played college ball. The LA
Times called your victory, "Beyond the imagination of most."
2
Arch-rival Auburn's coach dubbed the Lady Vols a "Who's Who
roster" of excellence. Melissa McCray. Sheila Frost. Players
like Carla, who came back from a 1987 car accident after they
said she'd be lucky to ever run again.
And there's Tonya Edwards and Dena Head. Now, I admit, the
Bush family's generally pretty happy when Texas wins. But your
mid-season loss to Texas is also when this team proved it had
character, as well as talent. Tonya -- the 1987 MVP who led the
Vols to Tennessee's first championship -- got hurt. Dena, a
little-known freshman, came off the bench and emerged as SEC
Rookie of the Year. Tennessee's rally song is "Rocky Top," but
sayort
that sounds more like the movie "Rocky."
Don't worry: I'm not forgetting Bridgette Gordon.
All American. MVP. The papers call her the best woman in
college basketball. When Auburn closed to within three in that
final game, Bridgette stepped in and sank three straight jumpers.
Maybe you heard what the losing coach said about Bridgette: "God
bless her, graduate her -- and get her out of Tennessee!"
And there's Coach Summitt.
A silver medalist as a player in 1976, she coached America's
Olympic team to a gold in 1984. In 13 years she's brought
Tennessee to the Final Four ten times, winning it twice. Later
on we're going down to that fountain to see if it's true she can
walk on water.
And the most rare, the most important stat of all: In 14
years as coach, her players have a 100 percent graduation rate.
11 Most Valuable Player"
3
All five of this year's freshmen are on the Dean's List.
One, Debbie Hawhee, has a 3.95 GPA in medical technology.
Debbie, we gotta ask you: What did you get the A-minus in?
You know, many of my own heroes are pioneering players from
the early days of baseball. In women's basketball, Tennessee is
creating its own legends. These three seniors have attended the
Final Four every year that they played -- an unprecedented feat
that may never again be equaled.
Every sport has a legendary team like this. In baseball
it's the Yankees. In hockey, Montreal. College football it's
Rockne's Irish. Pro football, it's probably got to be Vince
Lombardi's Packers. Men's college basketball you'd get an
argument: John Wooden's UCLA, but some would say Kentucky.
( (TO TEAM) ) You like this talk of dynasties. It's probably
the first time in history that a group of attractive women has
been flattered by being compared to the 1967 Green Bay Packers.
As the years unfold you will always remember that
championship season that brought you to the White House.
Tomorrow's news clippings, yellowed with age, will be read by
grandchildren born in another century. It is a story that began
on summer nights long ago, years before college, when today's
champions were themselves kids -- shooting until twilight in
obscure barns and haylofts and driveways scattered across the
deep South and the Middle West -- young girls unknown to one
another, but dreaming the same dream that this month became real.
why alienate the Tennessee bas ketball
and football teams which Tennessee is
equally Proud of.
4
Thanks for coming here today. Hold fast your dreams yet to
come. God bless you. And God bless America.
#
#
#
(McNally/Wallace)
April 15, 1989, 11:00 a.m.
Draft two
(B-Ball)
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: UNIV. OF TENN. WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM
THE ROSE GARDEN
THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1989
11:00 A.M.
Sorry we're a little late getting started. I heard there
was a back-up getting Bridgette Gordon's jewelry through the
metal detectors. ( ("GLITTERING" GORDON, AMERICA'S BEST WOMAN
PLAYER, DRESSES COVERED WITH GOLD LIKE "MR. T".))
President Alexander, Coach Summitt -- the families and
friends and fans -- the White House is proud to host Tennessee's
Lady Volunteers: ( (WITH EMPHASIS) ) The 1989 NCAA Champions.
After you won in Tacoma --- after the tears of joy and
victory and remembrance -- Pat Summitt told a cheering nation
that, "This one belongs to the family."
And it's good to have the Tennessee family here. But it's
your own families that I will congratulate first. In a very
private way, the years of hard work, sacrifice, and yes, love for
your daughters have brought this moment to pass. You deserve the
first round of applause.
I was going to call them, "your little girls." Then I saw
Sheila Frost ((6'4")), Carla McGhee ((6'3")) and Daedra Charles
((6'3") ) I may be President but I'm only six foot two.
Five freshmen. Two sophomores. Three seniors. Before this
season, only the seniors had ever played college ball. The LA
Times called your victory, "Beyond the imagination of most."
2
Arch-rival Auburn's coach dubbed the Lady Vols a "Who's Who
roster" of excellence. Melissa McCray. Sheila Frost. Players
like Carla, who came back from a 1987 car accident after they
said she'd be lucky to ever run again.
And there's Tonya Edwards and Dena Head. Now, I admit, the
Bush family's generally pretty happy when Texas wins. But your
mid-season loss to Texas is also when this team proved it had
character, as well as talent. Tonya -- the 1987 MVP who led the
Vols to Tennessee's first championship -- got hurt. Dena, a
little-known freshman, came off the bench and emerged as SEC
Rookie of the Year. Tennessee's rally song is "Rocky Top," but
that sounds more like the movie "Rocky."
Don't worry: I'm not forgetting Bridgette Gordon.
All American. MVP. The papers call her the best woman in
college basketball. When Auburn closed to within three in that
final game, Bridgette stepped in and sank three straight jumpers.
Maybe you heard what the losing coach said about Bridgette: "God
bless her, graduate her -- and get her out of Tennessee!"
And there's Coach Summitt.
A silver medalist as a player in 1976, she coached America's
Olympic team to a gold in 1984. In 13 years she's brought
Tennessee to the Final Four ten times, winning it twice. Later
on we're going down to that fountain to see if it's true she can
walk on water.
And the most rare, the most important stat of all: In 14
years as coach, her players have a 100 percent graduation rate.
3
All five of this year's freshmen are on the Dean's List.
One, Debbie Hawhee, has a 3.95 GPA in medical technology.
Debbie, we gotta ask you: What did you get the A-minus in?
You know, many of my own heroes are pioneering players from
the early days of baseball. In women's basketball, Tennessee is
creating its own legends. These three seniors have attended the
Final Four every year that they played -- an unprecedented feat
that may never again be equaled.
Every sport has a legendary team like this. In baseball
it's the Yankees. In hockey, Montreal. Basketball, probably the
Celtics, maybe L.A. Looking back, in football it's got to be
Vince Lombardi's Packers. College football it's Rockne's Irish.
Men's college basketball you'd get an argument: John Wooden's
UCLA, but some would say Kentucky.
( (LOOKING AT TEAM)) You like this talk of dynasties. It's
probably the first time in history that a group of attractive
women has been flattered by being compared to the 1967 Green Bay
Packers.
In the years to come you will remember not your April
morning in the Rose Garden but that championship season that
brought you here. Tomorrow's news clippings, yellowed with age,
will be read by grandchildren born in another century. It is a
story that began on summer nights long ago, years before college,
when today's champions were themselves kids -- shooting until
twilight in obscure barns and haylofts and driveways scattered
across the deep South and the Middle West -- young girls unknown
4
to one another, but dreaming the same dream that this month
became real.
Thanks for coming here today. Hold fast to your dreams yet
to come. God bless you. And God bless America.
#
#
#
(McNally/Wallace)
April 14, 1989
2:00 p.m.
Draft one
(B-Ball)
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS:
UNIV. OF TENN. WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM
(1989 NCAA CHAMPIONS)
THE ROSE GARDEN
THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1989
11:00 A.M.
Sorry we're a little late getting started. I heard there
was a back-up getting Bridgette Gordon's jewelry through the
metal detectors. ("GLITTERING" GORDON, AMERICA'S BEST WOMAN
PLAYER, DRESSES COVERED WITH GOLD LIKE "MR. T".))
President Alexander, Coach Summitt -- the families and
friends and fans -- the White House is proud to host Tennessee's
Lady Volunteers: ( (WITH EMPHASIS)) The 1989 NCAA Champions.
After you won in Tacoma -- after the tears of joy and
victory and remembrance -- Pat Summitt told a cheering nation
that, "This one belongs to the family."
And it's good to have the Tennessee family here. But it's
your own families that I will congratulate first. In a very
private way, the years of hard work, sacrifice, and yes, love for
your daughters has brought this moment to pass. You deserve the
first round of applause.
I was going to call them, "your little girls." Then I saw
Sheila Frost ((6'4")), Carla McGhee ((6'3")) and Daedra Charles
((6'3")). I may be President but I'm only six foot two.
2
Like the Lady Volunteers, the Bush team went into the 1988
season -- the primaries -- ranked Number One. So we know what
you mean when the Coach said of your victory: "It's harder to do
something you're supposed to do."
Five freshmen. Two sophomores. Three seniors. Before this
season, only the seniors had ever played college ball. The LA
Times called your victory, "Beyond the imagination of most."
But, as another college coach once observed: "I don't mind
starting the season with unknowns. I just don't like finishing
with a bunch of them.
Well, your unknown days are over. Arch-rival Auburn's coach
dubbed the Lady Vols a "Who's Who roster" of excellence. Players
like Carla, who came back from a 1987 car accident after they
said she'd be lucky to ever run again. And the ball-control
specialists who led Tennessee's hard-nosed defense, Melissa
McCray and Sheila Frost.
And there's Tonya Edwards and Dena Head. Generally, the
Bush family's pretty happy when Texas wins. But your cliff-
hanger loss to Texas turned especially sour when Tonya -- who led
the Vols to Tennessee's 1987 championship -- got hurt. Freshman
pre-med Dena -- the classic "player to be named later" -- came
off the bench and emerged as SEC Rookie of the Year. Tennessee's
rally song is "Rocky Top," but that sounds more like the movie
"Rocky."
Don't worry: I'm not forgetting Bridgette Gordon.
All American, MVP, the papers call her the best woman in
college basketball. When Auburn closed to within three in that
M
final game, Bridgette stepped in and sank three straight jumpers.
Later, she told Sports Illustrated: "When I saw that score, I
told myself I had to do something."
That struck a chord. I told myself the same thing when I
came in third in the Iowa caucuses.
And there's Coach Summitt.
A silver medalist as a player in 1976, she coached America's
Olympic team to a gold in 1984. In 13 years she's brought
Tennessee to the Final Four ten times, winning it twice. Later
on we're going down to that fountain to see if it's true she can
walk on water.
And the most important statistic of all: In 14 years as
coach, her players have a 100 percent graduation rate.
Pat Summitt's proud of that record. But the other coaches
are even happier. Maybe you heard what Auburn's coach said about
Bridgette: "God bless her, graduate her -- and get her out of
Tennessee."
All five of this year's freshmen are on the Dean's List.
One, Debbie Hawhee, has a 3.95 GPA in medical technology.
Debbie, we gotta ask you: What did you get the A-minus in?
Men's basketball should be so lucky. One college athlete
admitted he'd never graduated. He said he was only in school for
two terms -- Carter's and Reagan's.
And you know what the Texas A & M basketball coach told a
player who got four F's and a D: "Son, it looks to me like
you're spending too much time on one subject."
4
You know, many of my own heroes are pioneering players from
the early days of baseball. In women's basketball, Tennessee is
creating its own legends. These three seniors have attended the
Final Four every year that they played -- an unprecedented feat
that may never again be equaled.
Every sport has a legendary team like this. In baseball
it's the Yankees. In hockey, Montreal. Basketball, probably the
Celtics, maybe LA. Looking back, in football it's got to be
Vince Lombardi's Packers. Men's college basketball you'd get an
argument: John Wooden's UCLA, but some would say Kentucky.
( (LOOKING AT THE TEAM)) You like this talk of dynasties.
It's probably the first time in history a group of attractive
women have been flattered by being compared to the Green Bay
Packers.
Pat, we also hear your husband R.B. is a former bank
examiner. If he can do with banks what you can do with
basketball, maybe he can stick around and help us sort out the
deficit. Someone else suggested we could cut the deficit in half
by just having Bridgette sell off some of her jewelry.
But seriously, Coach. The press is gathered here. America
is watching. And you know the question that's on everyone's
lips: How is Bridgette Gordon going to get another NCAA ring
onto those fingers?
Before we say goodbye, I have something of a surprise for
you. Coach Summitt promised that if you won, she'd do something
unreserved. Well, my White House team has been trying to get me
to do something unreserved for weeks. Last week I finally did.
5
I was crazy enough to actually try to shoot a free throw after
Michigan's Rumeal Robinson. And it went in. It'll never happen
again. And I'm not crazy enough to dare to shoot free throws
with the likes of Dena Head.
But it's too nice a day not to throw something. So
afterwards, I'd be very honored if the Lady Volunteers would join
me for a few tosses down at these new horseshoe pits.
In the years to come you will remember not your April
morning in the Rose Garden but that championship season that
brought you here. The story began on summer nights long ago,
years before college, when today's champions were mostly hard-
working country kids -- shooting until twilight in barns and
haylofts and driveways across the deep South and the Middle West
-- young girls unknown to each other, but dreaming the same dream
that this month became real.
Thanks for coming here today. Good luck in your dreams yet
to come. God bless you. And God bless America.
#
#
#
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
April 17, 1989
MEMORANDUM FOR CHRISS WINSTON
DEPUTY ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT
FOR COMMUNICATIONS
FROM:
PATRICIA MACK BRYAN PMB
ASSOCIATE COUNSEL TO THE PRESIDENT
SUBJECT:
Presidential Remarks: University of Tennessee
Women's Basketball Team, The Rose Garden
Thursday, April 20, 1989
Pursuant to your request Counsel's Office has reviewed the above-
referenced matter. We have no legal objection to the contents of
the Presidential remarks.
CC: James W. Cicconi
REMARKS:
UNIV. OF TENN. WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM
THE ROSE GARDEN
THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1989
11:00 A.M.
SORRY WE'RE A LITTLE LATE GETTING STARTED. I HEARD
THERE WAS A BACK-UP GETTING BRIDGETTE GORDON'S JEWELRY
THROUGH THE METAL DETECTORS. (("GLITTERING" GORDON,
AMERICA'S BEST WOMAN PLAYER, DRESSES COVERED WITH GOLD
LIKE "MR. T".))
- 2 -
PRESIDENT ALEXANDER, COACH SUMMITT -- THE FAMILIES
AND FRIENDS AND FANS -- MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND OUR OWN
LOCAL TEAMS -- THE WHITE HOUSE IS PROUD TO HOST
TENNESSEE'S LADY VOLUNTEERS: ((WITH EMPHASIS)) THE
1989 NCAA CHAMPIONS.
AFTER YOU WON IN TACOMA -- AFTER THE TEARS OF JOY
AND VICTORY AND REMEMBRANCE -- PAT SUMMITT TOLD A
CHEERING NATION THAT, "THIS ONE BELONGS TO THE FAMILY."
AND IT'S QUITE A FAMILY, THESE LADY VOLUNTEERS.
- 3 -
FIVE FRESHMEN. Two SOPHOMORES. THREE SENIORS.
BEFORE THIS SEASON, ONLY THE SENIORS HAD EVER PLAYED
COLLEGE BALL. THE LA TIMES CALLED YOUR VICTORY,
"BEYOND THE IMAGINATION OF MOST."
ARCH-RIVAL AUBURN'S COACH DUBBED THE LADY VOLS A
"WHO'S WHO ROSTER" OF EXCELLENCE. MELISSA MCCRAY.
SHEILA FROST. DEADRA ((DAY-DRAH)) CHARLES.
- 4 -
PLAYERS LIKE CARLA MCGHEE, WHO CAME BACK FROM A 1987
CAR ACCIDENT AFTER THEY SAID SHE'D BE LUCKY TO EVER RUN
AGAIN.
AND THERE'S TONYA EDWARDS AND DENA HEAD. Now, I
ADMIT, THE BUSH FAMILY'S GENERALLY PRETTY HAPPY WHEN
TEXAS WINS. BUT YOUR MID-SEASON LOSS TO TEXAS IS ALSO
WHEN THIS TEAM PROVED IT HAD CHARACTER, AS WELL AS
TALENT. TONYA -- THE 1987 MVP WHO LED THE VOLS TO
TENNESSEE'S FIRST CHAMPIONSHIP -- GOT HURT.
- 5 -
DENA, A LITTLE-KNOWN FRESHMAN, CAME OFF THE BENCH AND
EMERGED AS SEC ROOKIE OF THE YEAR.
DON'T WORRY: I'M NOT FORGETTING BRIDGETTE GORDON.
ALL AMERICAN. MVP. THE PAPERS CALL HER THE BEST
WOMAN IN COLLEGE BASKETBALL. WHEN AUBURN CLOSED TO
WITHIN THREE IN THAT FINAL GAME, BRIDGETTE STEPPED IN
AND SANK THREE STRAIGHT JUMPERS. MAYBE YOU HEARD WHAT
THE LOSING COACH SAID ABOUT BRIDGETTE: "God BLESS HER,
GRADUATE HER -- AND GET HER OUT OF TENNESSEE!"
- 6 -
AND THERE'S COACH SUMMITT. A SILVER MEDALIST AS A
PLAYER IN 1976, SHE COACHED AMERICA'S OLYMPIC TEAM TO A
GOLD IN 1984. IN 13 YEARS SHE'S BROUGHT TENNESSEE TO
THE FINAL FOUR TEN TIMES, WINNING IT TWICE. LATER ON
WE'RE GOING DOWN TO THAT FOUNTAIN TO SEE IF IT'S TRUE
SHE CAN WALK ON WATER.
AND THE MOST RARE, THE MOST IMPORTANT STAT OF ALL:
IN 14 YEARS AS COACH, HER PLAYERS HAVE A 100 PERCENT
GRADUATION RATE.
- 7 -
ALL FIVE OF THIS YEAR'S FRESHMEN ARE ON THE DEAN'S
LIST. ONE, DEBBIE HAWHEE, HAS A 3.95 GPA IN MEDICAL
TECHNOLOGY. DEBBIE, WE GOTTA ASK YOU: WHAT DID YOU
GET THE A-MINUS IN?
EVERY SPORT HAS LEGENDARY TEAMS FROM ITS EARLY
DAYS.
- 8 -
I HAVE A FEELING THAT YEARS FROM NOW WHEN THEY GO BACK
AND TALK ABOUT THE LEGENDS OF WOMEN'S BASKETBALL, IT
WILL BE YOUR TEAM, THE 1989 NCAA CHAMPIONS FROM
TENNESSEE, THAT SETS THE HIGHEST STANDARD.
As THE YEARS UNFOLD YOU WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER "THAT
CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON" THAT BROUGHT YOU TO THE WHITE
HOUSE. TOMORROW'S NEWS CLIPPINGS, YELLOWED WITH AGE,
WILL BE READ BY GRANDCHILDREN BORN IN ANOTHER CENTURY.
- 9 -
IT IS A STORY THAT BEGAN ON SUMMER NIGHTS LONG AGO ,
YEARS BEFORE COLLEGE, WHEN THESE CHAMPIONS WERE
THEMSELVES KIDS -- SHOOTING UNTIL TWILIGHT IN OBSCURE
BARNS AND DRIVEWAYS SCATTERED ACROSS THE DEEP SOUTH AND
THE MIDDLE WEST -- YOUNG GIRLS UNKNOWN TO ONE ANOTHER,
BUT DREAMING THE SAME DREAM THAT THIS MONTH BECAME
REAL.
- 10 -
THANKS FOR COMING HERE TODAY. HOLD FAST YOUR
DREAMS YET TO COME. GOD BLESS YOU. AND GOD BLESS
AMERICA.
#
#
#
- 2 -
PRESIDENT ALEXANDER, COACH SUMMITT, ATHLETIC
DIRECTOR CRONAN -- THE FAMILIES AND FRIENDS AND FANS --
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND OUR OWN LOCAL TEAMS -- THE
WHITE HOUSE IS PROUD TO HOST TENNESSEE'S LADY
VOLUNTEERS: ((WITH EMPHASIS)) THE 1989 NCAA
CHAMPIONS.
- 3 -
AFTER YOU WON IN TACOMA -- AFTER THE TEARS OF JOY
AND VICTORY AND REMEMBRANCE -- PAT SUMMITT TOLD A
CHEERING NATION THAT, "THIS ONE BELONGS TO THE FAMILY."
AND IT'S QUITE A FAMILY, THESE LADY VOLUNTEERS.
FIVE FRESHMEN. Two SOPHOMORES. THREE SENIORS.
BEFORE THIS SEASON, ONLY THE SENIORS HAD EVER PLAYED
COLLEGE BALL. THE LA TIMES CALLED YOUR VICTORY,
"BEYOND THE IMAGINATION OF MOST."
Ret
REMARKS:
UNIV. OF TENN. WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM
THE ROSE GARDEN
THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1989
11:00 A.M.
SORRY WE'RE A LITTLE LATE GETTING STARTED. I HEARD
THERE WAS A BACK-UP GETTING BRIDGETTE GORDON'S JEWELRY
THROUGH THE METAL DETECTORS. (("GLITTERING" GORDON,
AMERICA'S BEST WOMAN PLAYER, DRESSES COVERED WITH GOLD
LIKE "MR. T".))
- 2 -
PRESIDENT ALEXANDER, COACH SUMMITT -- THE FAMILIES
AND FRIENDS AND FANS -- MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND OUR OWN
LOCAL TEAMS -- THE WHITE HOUSE IS PROUD TO HOST
TENNESSEE'S LADY VOLUNTEERS: ((WITH EMPHASIS)) THE
1989 NCAA CHAMPIONS.
AFTER YOU WON IN TACOMA -- AFTER THE TEARS OF JOY
AND VICTORY AND REMEMBRANCE -- PAT SUMMITT TOLD A
CHEERING NATION THAT, "THIS ONE BELONGS TO THE FAMILY."
AND IT'S QUITE A FAMILY, THESE LADY VOLUNTEERS.
- 3 -
FIVE FRESHMEN. Two SOPHOMORES. THREE SENIORS.
BEFORE THIS SEASON, ONLY THE SENIORS HAD EVER PLAYED
COLLEGE BALL. THE LA TIMES CALLED YOUR VICTORY,
"BEYOND THE IMAGINATION OF MOST."
ARCH-RIVAL AUBURN'S COACH DUBBED THE LADY VOLS A
"WHO'S WHO ROSTER" OF EXCELLENCE. MELISSA MCCRAY.
SHEILA FROST. DEADRA ((DAY-DRAH)) CHARLES.
- 4 -
PLAYERS LIKE CARLA MCGHEE, WHO CAME BACK FROM A 1987
CAR ACCIDENT AFTER THEY SAID SHE'D BE LUCKY TO EVER RUN
AGAIN.
AND THERE'S TONYA EDWARDS AND DENA HEAD. Now, I
ADMIT, THE BUSH FAMILY'S GENERALLY PRETTY HAPPY WHEN
((PAUSE))
TEXAS WINS. ^ BUT YOUR MID-SEASON LOSS TO TEXAS IS ALSO
WHEN THIS TEAM PROVED IT HAD CHARACTER, AS WELL AS
TALENT. TONYA -- -- THE 1987 MVP WHO LED THE VOLS TO
TENNESSEE'S FIRST CHAMPIONSHIP -- GOT HURT.
+
- 5 -
DENA, A LITTLE-KNOWN FRESHMAN, CAME OFF THE BENCH AND
EMERGED AS SEC ROOKIE OF THE YEAR.
DON'T WORRY: I'M NOT FORGETTING BRIDGETTE GORDON.
ALL AMERICAN. MVP. THE PAPERS CALL HER THE BEST
WOMAN IN COLLEGE BASKETBALL. WHEN AUBURN CLOSED TO
hop one
WITHIN THREE IN THAT FINAL GAME, BRIDGETTE STEPPED IN
AND SANK THREE STRAIGHT JUMPERS. MAYBE YOU HEARD WHAT
THE LOSING COACH SAID ABOUT BRIDGETTE: "GOD BLESS HER,
GRADUATE HER -- AND GET HER OUT OF TENNESSEE!"
- 6 - ((PAUSE))
AND THERE'S COACH SUMMITT. / A SILVER MEDALIST AS A
PLAYER IN 1976, SHE COACHED AMERICA'S OLYMPIC TEAM TO A
GOLD IN 1984. IN 13 YEARS SHE'S BROUGHT TENNESSEE TO
I(PAUSE))
THE FINAL FOUR TEN TIMES, WINNING IT TWICE. LATER ON
WE'RE GOING DOWN TO THAT FOUNTAIN TO SEE IF IT'S TRUE
SHE CAN WALK ON WATER.
AND THE MOST RARE, THE MOST IMPORTANT STAT OF ALL:
IN 14 YEARS AS COACH, HER PLAYERS HAVE A 100 PERCENT
GRADUATION RATE.
- 7 -
ALL FIVE OF THIS YEAR'S FRESHMEN ARE ON THE DEAN'S
LIST. ONE, DEBBIE HAWHEE, HAS A 3.95 GPA IN MEDICAL
TECHNOLOGY. ((PAUSE)) DEBBIE, WE GOTTA ASK YOU: WHAT DID YOU
GET THE A-MINUS IN?
EVERY SPORT HAS LEGENDARY TEAMS FROM ITS EARLY
DAYS.
- 8 -
I HAVE A FEELING THAT YEARS FROM NOW WHEN THEY GO BACK
AND TALK ABOUT THE LEGENDS OF WOMEN'S BASKETBALL, IT
WILL BE YOUR TEAM, THE 1989 NCAA CHAMPIONS FROM
TENNESSEE, THAT SETS THE HIGHEST STANDARD.
5
As THE YEARS UNFOLD YOU WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER "THAT
CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON" THAT BROUGHT YOU TO THE WHITE
HOUSE. TOMORROW'S NEWS CLIPPINGS, YELLOWED WITH AGE,
WILL BE READ BY GRANDCHILDREN BORN IN ANOTHER CENTURY.
- 9 -
IT IS A STORY THAT BEGAN ON SUMMER NIGHTS LONG AGO,
YEARS BEFORE COLLEGE, WHEN THESE CHAMPIONS WERE
THEMSELVES KIDS -- SHOOTING UNTIL TWILIGHT IN OBSCURE
BARNS AND DRIVEWAYS SCATTERED ACROSS THE DEEP SOUTH AND
THE MIDDLE WEST -- -- YOUNG GIRLS UNKNOWN TO ONE ANOTHER,
BUT DREAMING THE SAME DREAM THAT THIS MONTH BECAME
REAL.
- 10 -
THANKS FOR COMING HERE TODAY. HOLD FAST YOUR
DREAMS YET TO COME. GoD BLESS YOU. AND GOD BLESS
AMERICA.
# # #
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
April 18, 1989
INFORMATION
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
EDWARD E. McNALLY over
THROUGH:
CHRISS WINSTON cw
SUBJECT:
ROSE GARDEN CEREMONY FOR UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM -- THE 1989 NCAA CHAMPIONS
I. SUMMARY
Attached for your consideration and review are draft remarks
for your Rose Garden congratulations on Thursday morning to the
University of Tennessee Women's Basketball Team -- the 1989 NCAA
champions.
II. DISCUSSION
On at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 20, 1989 you are
scheduled to arrive at the Rose Garden to offer brief
congratulations to Coach Pat Summitt's championship basketball
team -- the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers.
The event was suggested to Ed Rogers by former Governor
Lamar Alexander (now president of the University of Tennessee).
In addition to President Alexander, the team and others from the
university, the ceremony will be attended by Coach Summitt's
husband (R.B. Summitt), mother (Mrs. Hazel Head) and the
Tennessee congressional delegation.
Following your brief remarks (see attached), the team plans
to present you with basketball shoes for both you and Mrs. Bush.
(McNally/Wallace)
April 18, 1989, 11:50 a.m.
Draft four
(B-Ball)
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS:
UNIV. OF TENN. WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM
THE ROSE GARDEN
THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1989
11:00 A.M.
Sorry we're a little late getting started. I heard there
was a back-up getting Bridgette Gordon's jewelry through the
metal detectors. (("GLITTERING" GORDON, AMERICA'S BEST WOMAN
PLAYER, DRESSES COVERED WITH GOLD LIKE "MR. T".))
President Alexander, Coach Summitt -- the families and
friends and fans -- Members of Congress and our own local teams
-- the White House is proud to host Tennessee's Lady Volunteers:
((WITH EMPHASIS)') The 1989 NCAA Champions.
After you won in Tacoma -- after the tears of joy and
victory and remembrance -- Pat Summitt told a cheering nation
that, "This one belongs to the family."
And it's good to have the family here to honor the daughters
of Tennessee. ((PAUSE)) I was going to call the team, "your
little girls." Then I saw Sheila Frost ((6'4")), Carla McGhee
((6'3")) and Daedra Charles ((6'3")). I may be President but I'm
only six foot two.
Five freshmen. Two sophomores. Three seniors. Before this
season, only the seniors had ever played college ball. The LA
Times called your victory, "Beyond the imagination of most."
Arch-rival Auburn's coach dubbed the Lady Vols a "Who's Who
roster" of excellence. Melissa McCray. Sheila Frost. Players
2
like Carla, who came back from a 1987 car accident after they
said she'd be lucky to ever run again.
And there's Tonya Edwards and Dena Head. Now, I admit, the
Bush family's generally pretty happy when Texas wins. But your
mid-season loss to Texas is also when this team proved it had
character, as well as talent. Tonya -- the 1987 MVP who led the
Vols to Tennessee's first championship -- got hurt. Dena, a
little-known freshman, came off the bench and emerged as SEC
Rookie of the Year. Tennessee's rally song is "Rocky Top," but
that sounds more like the movie "Rocky."
Don't worry: I'm not forgetting Bridgette Gordon.
All American. MVP. The papers call her the best woman in
college basketball. When Auburn closed to within three in that
final game, Bridgette stepped in and sank three straight jumpers.
Maybe you heard what the losing coach said about Bridgette: "God
bless her, graduate her -- and get her out of Tennessee!"
And there's Coach Summitt. A silver medalist as a player in
1976, she coached America's Olympic team to a gold in 1984. In
13 years she's brought Tennessee to the Final Four ten times,
winning it twice. Later on we're going down to that fountain to
see if it's true she can walk on water.
And the most rare, the most important stat of all: In 14
years as coach, her players have a 100 percent graduation rate.
All five of this year's freshmen are on the Dean's List.
One, Debbie Hawhee, has a 3.95 GPA in medical technology.
Debbie, we gotta ask you: What did you get the A-minus in?
3
Every sport has legendary teams from its early days. In
baseball it's the Yankees. In hockey, Montreal. Football, some
would say Vince Lombardi's Packers.
( (PAUSE))
( (TO TEAM) ) I see you like this talk of dynasties.
((PAUSE) ) That's the first time a group of attractive women has
been flattered by being compared to the 1967 Green Bay Packers.
But seriously, as the years unfold you will always remember
that championship season that brought you to the White House.
Tomorrow's news clippings, yellowed with age, will be read by
grandchildren born in another century. It is a story that began
on summer nights long ago, years before college, when these
champions were themselves kids -- shooting until twilight in
obscure barns and haylofts and driveways scattered across the
deep South and the Middle West -- young girls unknown to one
another, but dreaming the same dream that this month became real.
Thanks for coming here today. Hold fast your dreams yet to
come. God bless you. And God bless America.
#
#
#
Document No. 0256999 999
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
04/18/89
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
SUBJECT: PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: UNIV. OF TENN. WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM
(04/18 11:50 a.m. Draft four)
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
V
SUNUNU
P
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
A
DARMAN
i
STUDDERT
BATES
d
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
1
CARD
\
PINKERTON
CICCONI
F
WINSTON
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY
\
HAGIN
REMARKS:
The attached has been forwarded to the President.
RESPONSE:
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
1989 APR 18 PM 2:00
April 18, 1989
INFORMATION
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
EDWARD E. McNALLY over
THROUGH:
CHRISS WINSTON
cw
SUBJECT:
ROSE GARDEN CEREMONY FOR UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM -- THE 1989 NCAA CHAMPIONS
I.
SUMMARY
Attached for your consideration and review are draft remarks
for your Rose Garden congratulations on Thursday morning to the
University of Tennessee Women's Basketball Team -- the 1989 NCAA
champions.
II. DISCUSSION
On at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 20, 1989 you are
scheduled to arrive at the Rose Garden to offer brief
congratulations to Coach Pat Summitt's championship basketball
team -- the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers.
The event was suggested to Ed Rogers by former Governor
Lamar Alexander (now president of the University of Tennessee).
In addition to President Alexander, the team and others from the
university, the ceremony will be attended by Coach Summitt's
husband (R.B. Summitt), mother (Mrs. Hazel Head) and the
Tennessee congressional delegation.
Following your brief remarks (see attached), the team plans
to present you with basketball shoes for both you and Mrs. Bush.
(McNally/Wallace)
April 18, 1989, 11:50 a.m.
Draft four
1989 APR 13 Fill 3(B-Ball)
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS:
UNIV. OF TENN. WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM
THE ROSE GARDEN
THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1989
11:00 A.M.
Sorry we're a little late getting started. I heard there
was a back-up getting Bridgette Gordon's jewelry through the
metal detectors. ("GLITTERING" GORDON, AMERICA'S BEST WOMAN
PLAYER, DRESSES COVERED WITH GOLD LIKE "MR. T".))
President Alexander, Coach Summitt -- the families and
friends and fans -- Members of Congress and our own local teams
-- the White House is proud to host Tennessee's Lady Volunteers:
( (WITH EMPHASIS)) The 1989 NCAA Champions.
After you won in Tacoma -- after the tears of joy and
victory and remembrance -- Pat Summitt told a cheering nation
that, "This one belongs to the family."
And it's quite a family, these Lady Volunteers.
Five freshmen. Two sophomores. Three seniors. Before this
season, only the seniors had ever played college ball. The LA
Times called your victory, "Beyond the imagination of most."
Arch-rival Auburn's coach dubbed the Lady Vols a "Who's Who
roster" of excellence. Melissa McCray. Sheila Frost. Players
like Carla, who came back from a 1987 car accident after they
said she'd be lucky to ever run again.
And there's Tonya Edwards and Dena Head. Now, I admit, the
Bush family's generally pretty happy when Texas wins. But your
2
mid-season loss to Texas is also when this team proved it had
character, as well as talent. Tonya -- the 1987 MVP who led the
Vols to Tennessee's first championship -- got hurt. Dena, a
little-known freshman, came off the bench and emerged as SEC
Rookie of the Year. Tennessee's rally song is "Rocky Top," but
that sounds more like the movie "Rocky."
Don't worry: I'm not forgetting Bridgette Gordon.
All American. MVP. The papers call her the best woman in
college basketball. When Auburn closed to within three in that
final game, Bridgette stepped in and sank three straight jumpers.
Maybe you heard what the losing coach said about Bridgette: "God
bless her, graduate her -- and get her out of Tennessee!"
And there's Coach Summitt. A silver medalist as a player in
1976, she coached America's Olympic team to a gold in 1984. In
13 years she's brought Tennessee to the Final Four ten times,
winning it twice. Later on we're going down to that fountain to
see if it's true she can walk on water.
And the most rare, the most important stat of all: In 14
years as coach, her players have a 100 percent graduation rate.
All five of this year's freshmen are on the Dean's List.
One, Debbie Hawhee, has a 3.95 GPA in medical technology.
Debbie, we gotta ask you: What did you get the A-minus in?
Every sport has legendary teams from its early days. In
baseball it's the Yankees. In hockey, Montreal. Football, some
would say Vince Lombardi's Packers. ((PAUSE))
3
((TO TEAM)) I see you like this talk of dynasties.
( (PAUSE)) That's the first time a group of attractive women has
been flattered by being compared to the 1967 Green Bay Packers.
But seriously, as the years unfold you will always remember
that championship season that brought you to the White House.
Tomorrow's news clippings, yellowed with age, will be read by
grandchildren born in another century. It is a story that began
on summer nights long ago, years before college, when these
champions were themselves kids -- shooting until twilight in
obscure barns and haylofts and driveways scattered across the
deep South and the Middle West -- young girls unknown to one
another, but dreaming the same dream that this month became real.
Thanks for coming here today. Hold fast your dreams yet to
come. God bless you. And God bless America.
#
#
#
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
April 20, 1989
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
TO THE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP
UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM
The Rose Garden
11:05 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Well, beautiful Rose Garden day. Sorry
we're a little late getting started. I heard that there was a little
security problem, a little back-up going through these devices, that
-- Bridgette Gordon's jewelry getting through the metal detectors out
there. (Laughter.) ("Glittering Gordon, America's best woman player,
dresses covered with gold like "Mr. T.") No, we're just delighted
you all are here, and I'm particularly pleased to see the President,
former Governor, Lamar Alexander, here with us today. I know I speak
for Dan Quayle when we give him a warm welcome back to Washington.
Coach Summitt, Athletic Director Cronan, families and
friends and fans -- Members of Congress and then our own local teams
that are here today -- the White House is proud to host Tennessee's
Lady Volunteers: The 1989 NCAA Champions. It's a great pleasure
having you here. (Applause.)
After you won in Tacoma -- and after the tears of joy and
victory and remembrance -- Pat Summitt told a cheering nation that,
"This one belongs to the family."
And it's quite a family, these Lady Volunteers.
Five freshmen. Two sophomores. Three seniors. And
before this season, only the seniors had ever played college ball.
And the L.A. Times called your victory, "beyond the imagination of
most."
And arch-rival Auburn's coach dubbed the Lady Vols a
"Who's Who roster" of excellence. Melissa McCray. Sheila Frost.
Daedra Charles. Players like Carla McGhee, who came back from a 1987
car accident after they said she'd be lucky ever to run again.
And there's Tonya Edwards and Dena Head. And now, I
admit, the Bush family is generally pretty happy when Texas wins
something. But your mid-season loss to Texas is also -- when it
proved that this team had character, as well as talent. Tonya -- the
1987 Most Valuable Player, who led the Vols to Tennessee's first
championship, got hurt. Dena, a little-known freshman, came off the
bench and emerged as SEC Rookie of the Year.
And don't worry, I'm not forgetting Bridgette Gordon.
All American. Most Valuable Player -- MVP. The papers call her the
best woman in college basketball. And when Auburn closed to within
three in that final game, she stepped in and sank three straight
jumpers. Maybe you heard what the losing coach said about her: "God
bless her, graduate her -- and get her out of Tennessee."
(Laughter.)
You'll note there is no basket here today in the Rose
Garden. That's on purpose. I'll be darned if' I want to go
head-on-head with her out there on the foul line. (Laughter.)
MORE
- 2 -
And then the Coach. A silver medalist as a player in
1976, Coach Summitt. She coached America's Olympic team to a gold in
1984. And in 13 years she brought Tennessee to the Final Four ten
times, winning it twice. Later on we're going down to that fountain
over here that you all can see, to see if literally she can walk on
water. (Laughter.) There's been some speculation about that.
And the most rare, the most important stat of all: In 14
years as coach, her players have a 100 percent graduation rate.
(Applause.)
And all five -- Lamar would kill me if I didn't point
this out -- all five of this year's freshmen are on the Dean's List.
One, Debbie Hawhee, has a 3.95 GPA in medical technology. What in
the world did she get the A-minus in? (Laughter.)
MS. HAWHEE: English.
MR. ALEXANDER: English.
THE PRESIDENT: English. Well, she speaks Tennessean,
and so we're going to get her a -- every sport has legendary teams
from its early days. And I have a feeling that, years from now, when
they go back, as sports fans do and historians do, and talk about the
legends of women's basketball, it'll be this team -- your team -- the
1989 NCAA champions from Tennessee, that sets the highest standard.
As the years unfold, you will always remember that championship
season that brought you to the White House.
Tomorrow's news clippings that be yellowed with age,
are going to be read by grandchildren born in a different century.
And it's a story that began on summer nights, not so long ago, years
before college, though, when these champions were themselves kids --
shooting until twilight in obscure barns or out in driveways
scattered across the deep South and the Middle West -- young girls
unknown to one another, but dreaming the same dream that this month
became real.
So this is a great opportunity to say thank you all for
coming here. Hold fast to your dreams yet to come. Congratulations
to all of you, and God bless you. And God bless the USA. Thank you
all very, very much. (Applause.)
COACH SUMMITT: This is a great honor for us, and I think
throughout this year, this has been a real special team because we
have been family. And we talked about all the highlights that we
experienced as a team and as a staff and as a family. And certainly,
winning a national championship was a great highlight. I know Debbie
Scott, one of our freshmen, said her highlight this year was getting
lost in New York City -- (laughter) -- until she found out we got to
come here and she said, "It would be to see the puppies."
(Laughter.)
So, we are delighted and honored to be here. I am
extremely proud of our academic success. We have won two national
championships in the last three years. But the most important
statistic for our team and our program is 100 percent graduation
rate, of which we will hold our heads very proudly. And I know
Lamar's excited about that too, but we all are.
We have had great leadership, and I don't think you win
without leadership. And you don't win without great people. And
we've had both. And today, we'd like for our three seniors, who have
been very instrumental in leading the University of Tennessee to four
consecutive NCAA appearances, to come forth and present you with a
little gift. And that's Bridgette Gordon -- she wants to deposit her
gold, I think, today -- (laughter) -- Sheila Frost and Melissa
McCray.
THE PRESIDENT: Come on -- here we go. Who is which,
now?
MORE
- 3 -
MS. McCRAY: I'm Melissa McCray. Nice to meet you.
THE PRESIDENT: That's Bridgette -- good to see you all.
Who's going to give the speech?
MS. McCRAY: Okay, I will. (Laughter.) I certainly want
to echo what our coach has said. I think it's indeed an honor and a
privilege to be here. It's nice to see Mrs. Bush out and certainly
nice to-see Dan Quayle, the Vice President.
We have a jacket here for you. Now, I realize you're not
going to playing any basketball. But maybe once when you're out
walking through the garden and playing with your puppies, you might
think about the Lady Vols from Tennessee, all right? I hope you
enjoy it.
THE PRESIDENT: Oh, yes. That's beautiful. Thank you so
much. She'll come. Come on, Bar.
MS. FROST: Mrs. Bush, we have something for you also.
I'd like to echo just about the same thing that Melissa said. Thank
you for inviting us out. And this is a little something when you go
out to see the puppies, you'll be matching. (Laughter.)
MRS. BUSH: That's so sweet. Thank you.
MS. FROST: Thank you.
COACH SUMMITT: Yes, oh, they want to see the puppies.
THE PRESIDENT: They really do want to see them?
MRS. BUSH: You're all invited to see the puppies, but
they're not. (Laughter.)
COACH SUMMITT: Okay, we got that. It's our secret.
MS. GORDON: I have "The Summitt Season" here. It's a
book written about Pat and our team.
THE PRESIDENT: Great.
MS. GORDON: The year that we lost to Louisiana Tech, but
-- (laughter.)
THE PRESIDENT: There she is.
MS. GORDON: And this is for Mr. Quayle -- a T-shirt.
THE PRESIDENT: Great.
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Thank you.
MS. GORDON: And I have an autographed poster of myself.
(Laughter.)
THE PRESIDENT: Let's see that -- hey! Oh, this is neat.
Thank you.
MS. GORDON: You're welcome.
THE PRESIDENT: Here we've got to get this all set for
our -- here, I'll hold it so it doesn't get bent.
MS. GORDON: Okay.
THE PRESIDENT: Loaded up with -- well, I think that -- I
want to ask the Members of Congress that are here to come up and
congratulate you all. We've got some good Tennesseans out there.
And congratulations to all of you. And Barbara means it. She'll
arrange to take you over to see the -- if you're really interested.
You don't have to be interested, but you --
MORE
- 4 -
THE TEAM: Oh, yes, we are, we are.
THE PRESIDENT: They are SO cute.
COACH SUMMITT: There's one thing. I want you to meet my
mom.
THE PRESIDENT: Oh, we want to see her. Now, you guys
come say hello.
END
11:19 A.M. EDT