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Eisenhower Birthday, Washington, DC 3/27/90 [OA 8130]
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323154819
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Eisenhower Birthday, Washington, DC 3/27/90 [OA 8130]
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Records of the White House Office of Speechwriting (George H. W. Bush Administration)
Curt Smith Chronological Files
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Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
S
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:
Smith, Curt, Files
Subseries:
Chron File, 1989-1992
OA/ID Number:
13889
Folder ID Number:
13889-010
Folder Title:
Eisenhower Birthday, Washington D.C., 3/27/90
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
G
18
29
1
5
guin those enough the in
(Smith/Blessey)
8 P.M.
March 20, 1990
IKE
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: EISENHOWER BIRTHDAY
soull
WASHINGTON, D.C.
4014
and
TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 1990
In
Commission and Foundation members, Relatives of beloved Ike,
Senator Dole, Honored guests, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to
the White House. And to an event honoring the man who was indeed
?
as much a citizen of London as of Abilene.
Every President has a favorite President. For Harry Truman,
it was Andrew Jackson. // For Gerald Ford, Harry Truman.
/
For Ronald Reagan, it was Fala's friend and Hitler's foe
Franklin Roosevelt. //
Today, I say it loudly and so very proudly: My favorite
?
President was Ike. //
This year marks the centennial anniversary of Dwight
Eisenhower's birth. A date your two groups have already done
works
much to commemorate. // And as we gather here, questions rise
like daisies from the Kansas plains. What made Ike so special?
Why do we revere him in death -- even as in life? //
lane,
and
To begin, because Ike was a man of character -- of which
chich issued
make
his
very
goodwill was at the core. He was a healer -- not hater. He had
a deep faith in God -- and believed America to be divinely
blessed. // We loved him even more for what he was than what he
did. And even now, we salute the last words he spoke on earth:
"I have always loved my wife. I have always loved my children.
2
I have always loved my grandchildren. I have always loved my
country. //
These priorities are explained by a memorable speech
Eisenhower gave shortly after V-E Day, in a ceremony at London's
historic Guildhall. And which, in turn, explain a second reason
we treasure Ike: His affinity with Americans. // "I come from
the heart of America," he told his audience. Later, he would
11
define that heart.
"I had the great and priceless privilege
of
growing up in a small town." //
From small-town America Dwight Eisenhower learned values and
social decencies the mosaic that was his culture. // He
played baseball at West Point, and followed it avidly. He loved
to read. He loved TV westerns. His favorite band was Fred
Waring and the Pennsylvanians. // Of course, his foxtrot was
better than mine. But, as Barbara says, whose isn't? // And a
few feet from here is where Ike had his famous putting green.
Ike made golf a nationally-popular sport. You'll know I've had a
similar impact if someday we have a seniors' fishing tour. / /
Bago!
In part, then, America Liked Ike because he was one of us
-- was trusted to act on behalf of us. // In fact, fracturing
syntax, he even spoke like us. // Come to think of it, now I
know why he's my favorite President. // Yet áffinity alone
?
cannot explain his appeal.
Dwight Eisenhower was intensely knowledgeable -- on becoming
President, already a giant in foreign affairs. // Some people
thought I had a pretty good resume when I ran for President, but
close
he 3
it didn't include the words "preserved civilization.' // Ike's
did. // Most Presidents try to save the world after they get
got stated a little ency,
?
elected. Dwight Eisenhower did it the other way around. //
Next, Ike was decisive -- acting on instincts that were
invariably wise. // You know, some critics can't figure out how
Eisenhower was so successful as President without that vision
on
thing. // Well, his vision was etched through a plaque which
pitting
stood on his desk: "Gently in manner, strong in deed." // At
home, it rested on a belief in private enterprise. And abroad,
that a strong America would lead to negotiation, not
confrontation. // Take a look today at Nicaragua or Poland or
the USSR. Everything we are doing -- everywhere freedom is
winning -- had its roots in the vision of this soldier, diplomat,
?
and five-star general.
Finally, we revere Ike for the simplest -- and most honest
-- of reasons. He produced, never postured. He didn't
demagogue -- he delivered. // Listen to his record of
Presidential hits. // Eight years of peace and prosperity.
Eight years of America at unprecedented prestige -- of domestic
unity unparalled in our history. He was a role model, a national
hero. 1 // What a magnificent legacy he leaves left to all Americans.
everyones second frocher
Dwight Eisenhower was President during most of the 1950s.
Molding -- embodying -- one of the great decades in the history
of man. He provided what he prescribed for America: "Faith,
love of freedom, intelligence, and energy." And fashioned such
a golden age that author Theodore White was moved to write,
4
"Never did the sun shine fairer across a great Nation and its
prospects than it did in the age of Eisenhower."
What, in the end, was "I Like Ike?" Not cliche -- it was
reality. // Reality not merely in Boise and Buffalo -- but also
India and Italy, Budapest and Berlin. // Like us, they
cherished his cheer and generosity. And saw him as the living
symbol of America. // Like us, they knew Ike's greatness to
eclipse the flesh and bones of biography. For he was -- to many,
will always be -- first citizen of the globe.
In life, Ike enriched us all. Now, it's up to us to tell
his story -- and so enrich our kids. That's what your Commission
and Foundation are doing. And I thank you for it -- and pledge
my help. God bless you, and God bless the land Ike so deeply
loved -- the United States of America.
#
#
#
#
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19ml the a asch the ida a x pm push que
4
Highway System. He supported the first civil rights law in 82
years. He was a role model, a national hero. // What a
magnificent legacy he leaves to our kids.
Dwight Eisenhower was President during most of the 1950s.
But more than that, he came to embody one of the great decades in
the history of man. He provided what he prescribed for America:
"Faith, love of freedom, intelligence, and energy." And
fashioned such a golden age that author Theodore White was moved
to write, "Never did the sun shine fairer across a great Nation
and its prospects than it did in the age of Eisenhower."
Truly, "I Like Ike" was reality. And not merely in Boise
and Buffalo - but also India and Italy, Budapest and Berlin.
Like us, they cherished his cheer and generosity. And saw him as
the living symbol of America -- courageous and true. And like
us, they knew Ike's greatness eclipsed the flesh and bones of
biography. For he was -- quite literally -- first citizen of the
globe.
Always, he made America proud -- and us proud to be
Americans. Now, it's up to us to honor him with the lives we
lead. That's what your Foundation is doing. And I thank you for
it. God bless you, and God bless the land Ike so deeply loved
-- the United States of America.
# # # #
3
Dwight Eisenhower was intensely knowledgeable -- on becoming
President, already a giant in foreign affairs. 11 Some people
thought I had a pretty good resume when I ran for President, but
it didn't include the words "preserved civilization." 11 Ike's
did. // Most Presidents try to save the world after they get
elected. Ike did it the other way around. //
Next, Ike was decisive -- acting on instincts that were
invariably wise. // You know, some critics can't figure out how
Eisenhower was so successful as President without that vision
thing. // Well, he had a vision -- etched through a plaque
which stood on his desk: "Gently in manner, strong in deed." //
His vision rested on a belief in private enterprise. And that a
strong America was an America at peace. // Knowing war, he
hated it -- said Ike to the Soviets in '55, "I've had enough of
war." // So he kept us strong -- so that we could begin the age
of summitry. For Ike believed in negotiation, not confrontation
-- and that "open skies" could open hearts. // Take a look
today at Panama or Nicaragua or Poland or the USSR. Everything
we are doing -- everywhere freedom is winning -- had its roots in
the vision of this soldier, diplomat, and five-star general.
Finally, we revere Dwight Eisenhower for the simplest -- and
most honest -- of reasons. He produced, never postured. He
didn't demagogue -- he delivered. Listen to his record of
Presidential hits. // Eight years of peace and prosperity.
Eight years of America at unprecedented prestige -- of domestic
unity unparalled in our history. Ike created the Interstate
2
my wife. I have always loved my children. I have always loved
my grandchildren. I have always loved my country." //
These priorities are explained by a memorable speech
Eisenhower gave shortly after V-E Day, in a ceremony at London's
historic Guildhall. And which, in turn, explains a third reason
we treasure Ike: His affinity with Americans. "I come from the
heart of America," he told his audience. Later, he would define
that heart: "I had the great and priceless privilege of growing
up in a small town." //
From small-town America Dwight Eisenhower learned its values
and social decencies -- and perhaps most of all, its culture. //
He loved TV westerns and Zane Grey novels. His favorite band was
Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians. // Of course, his foxtrot
was better than mine. But then, as Barbara says, whose isn't?
// He played baseball at West Point, and followed it avidly.
And a few feet from here you can still see the terrain of Ike's
famous putting green. // Ike made golf a nationally-popular
sport. You'll know I've had a similar impact if the next few
years bring establishment of a seniors' fishing tour. //
In part, then, America Liked Ike because he was one of us
-- was trusted to act on behalf of us. // In fact, mangling
syntax, he even spoke like us. // Come to think of it, now I
know why he's my favorite President. // Yet affinity alone
cannot explain why he was perhaps the most beloved person in
American history.
(Smith/Blessey)
8 A.M.
March 19, 1990
IKE
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: EISENHOWER BIRTHDAY
WASHINGTON, D.C.
TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 1990
Commission members, Relatives of President Eisenhower,
Honored guests, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the White
House. And to an event saluting the 100th birthday of a man who
was indeed as much a citizen of London as of Abilene.
Every President has a favorite President. For Harry Truman,
it was Andrew Jackson. // For Gerald Ford, Harry Truman. //
For Ronald Reagan, it was Fala's friend and Hitler's foe --
Franklin Roosevelt. //
Today, I say it loudly and so very proudly: My favorite
President was Ike. //
This year marks the centennial anniversary of Dwight
Eisenhower's birth. An anniversary your Commission has done much
to commemorate. // And as we gather here, questions rise like
daisies from the Kansas plains. What made Ike so special? Why
do we revere him in death -- even as in life?
To begin, we revere him 5 because Ike was a man of character
-- of which goodwill was at the heart. His life was based on
duty. He was a healer -- not a hater. He had a deep faith in
God -- and believed America to be divinely blessed. Small wonder
that we loved him even more for what he was than what he did.
Consider the last words he spoke on earth. "I have always loved