Welsh Affairs Office, Cardiff
01 March 2007
Presidential Message For St. David's Day 2007
On this St. David's Day, I send our warmest greetings to the people of Wales from the United States of America. Today, we honor the friendship between our two peoples.
Welsh immigrants and Welsh-Americans have made great contributions to American governance. Many signers of the Declaration of Independence had Welsh ancestry, as did Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and nine other U.S. Presidents. J.P. Morgan was one of many Welsh who were prominent in the economic development of America, particularly in the mid-Atlantic and upper mid-West. We continue to learn from prominent Welsh economists like Sir Clive Granger, a Noble Prize winner in 2003, who shapes our future leaders at the University of California. Welsh-Americans have also added to the richness of America's cultural fabric, whether in a literal sense with Laura Ashley's home designs, or in a more philosophical way as through the writing of Jack London, the humor of Terry Jones, the acting of Sir Anthony Hopkins, or the singing of Sir Tom Jones.
Today, the people of the United States and Wales stand together promoting liberty and equality around the world, but never forgetting the admonition of St. David himself to "do the little things." After all, greatness is often best reflected in the smallest of kindnesses.
On behalf of the American people, and from my family to yours, I wish the people in Wales and Welsh everywhere a wonderful St. David's Day.
Sincerely,
George W. Bush
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