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The East Room
11:30 A.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning, and welcome to the White House. Laura and I are proud to have you all here today, especially our three honorees and their families and their friends.
 The Presidential Medal of Freedom is our nation's highest civil award given to men and women of exceptional merit, integrity and achievement. Today this honor goes to three men who have played pivotal roles in great events, and whose efforts have made our country more secure and advanced the cause of human liberty.
General Tommy Franks was raised in Midland, Texas -- nothing wrong with that. I didn't know him then, but Laura and he went to the same high school. In those days, some people in Midland wondered about Tommy's future. It sounds familiar. At a recent high school reunion, Tommy's old principal told the General, "You weren't the brightest bulb in the socket," to which the General replied, "Ain't this a great country?"
America rewards talent, intelligence, and hard work, and the career of Tommy Franks is living proof. Tommy dropped out of college after two years to enlist in the Army. He quickly rose to become an officer, graduating from Officer Candidate School with honors, and beginning his ascent through the ranks. He went on to finish his degree and earn one more. And he made the best decision of his life when he asked a young lady named Cathy Carley to marry him.
Tommy Franks served in Germany and Korea, at the Pentagon, and at the Army War College. He served in the Persian Gulf War. He served in Vietnam where he was wounded twice. Yet his greatest challenges and his greatest service came after the attacks on September the 11th.
As the commander of CENTCOM, Tommy Franks held responsibility for defending American interests in some of the most remote and difficult terrain in the world. It's a job that requires the toughness of a general, the foresight of a strategist, the tact of a diplomat, and the skill of a good manager. Tommy Franks led the forces that fought and won two wars in the defense of the world's security, and helped liberate more than 50 million people from two of the worst tyrannies in the world.
In Afghanistan, America and our allies, with a historically small force and a brilliant strategy, defeated the Taliban in just a few short weeks. The General likes to say that "no plan ever survived the first contact with the enemy." But in Iraq, Tommy Franks' plan did. A force half the size of the force that won the Gulf War defeated Saddam Hussein's regime and reached Baghdad in less than a month, the fastest, longest armored advance in the history of America warfare.
Today the people of Iraq and Afghanistan are building a secure and permanent democratic future. One of the highest distinctions of history is to be called a liberator, and Tommy Franks will always carry that title.
General, the American people thank you for your courage, your leadership, and your lifetime of service in the cause of freedom and security. To the lists of medals and honors and awards you have already earned, I am proud to add the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
General Franks symbolize the nobility of public service, the good character of our country, and the good influence of America on the world.
Now it is my honor to present the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and I ask the Military Aide to read the citations.
(The citations are read and the Medals of Freedom are presented.)
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all for coming. Laura and I now invite you for a reception here to honor our honorees.
Congratulations.
END 11:44 A.M. EST
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