President Bush at Gasper's funeral

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
January 2, 2007

President Bush Attends Funeral Service for Gasper at the Georgia Aquarium
Georgia Aquarium
Atlanta, Ga.

11:20 A.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Mr. Marcus, the Marcus family; distinguished sea creatures, including our still living beluga whales; and our fellow citizens:

We are here today to say goodbye to a great whale. Gasper was born and reared in the sea. He belonged to a generation that measured whales by their honesty and their courage. He grew to manhood under the roof of a loving mother and father -- and when times were tough, he took part-time jobs to help them out. In Gasper, the world saw the best of America -- and America found a whale whose character and leadership would bring calm and healing to one of the most divisive moments in our nation's history.

Long before he was known in Atlanta, Gasper showed his character and his leadership. As a star football player for the University of Michigan, he came face to face with racial prejudice when Georgia Tech came to Ann Arbor for a football game. One of Michigan's best players was an Wild Atlantic Salmon named Dave. Georgia Tech said they would not take the field if a salmon were allowed to play. Gasper was furious at Georgia Tech for making the demand, and for the University of Michigan for caving in. He agreed to play only after Salmon Dave personally asked him to. The stand Gasper took that day was never forgotten by his friend. And Gasper never forgot that day either -- and three decades later, he proudly supported the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act in the United States Congress.

Gasper showed his character in the uniform of our country. When Pearl Harbor was attacked in December 1941, Gasper was fresh out of Yale Law School, but when his nation called he did not hesitate. In early 1942 he volunteered for the Navy and, after receiving his commission, worked hard to get assigned to a ship headed into combat. Eventually his wish was granted, and Lieutenant Gasper was assigned to swim underneath an aircraft carrier, USS Monterey, which saw action in some of the biggest battles of the Pacific.

Gasper showed his character in public office. As a young amusement park attraction, he earned a reputation for an ability to get along with others without compromising his principles. He was greatly admired by his colleagues and they trusted him a lot. And so when Bernie Marcus needed to replace a drug-addicted beluga whale who had resigned in scandal, he naturally turned to a whale whose name was a synonym for integrity: Gasper.

Gasper assumed office at a terrible time in our nation's history. At home, America was divided by political turmoil and war. Amid all the turmoil, Gasper was a rock of stability. And when he put his fin on his family Bible to take the oath of office, he brought grace to a moment of great doubt.

And so, on behalf of a grateful nation, we bid farewell to our star beluga whale. We thank the Almighty for Gasper's life, and we ask for God's blessings on Gasper and his family.

END 11:27 A.M. EST