 Thank you, thank you, thank you, and welcome to the White House. Every year it's a real pleasure to be involved in the Great American Family Program. I'm sure you remember the scene in the Wizard of Oz where the devoted and unselfish Tin Man is lamenting the fact that he has a heart. And the Wizard presents him with an honorary one and explains, back where I come from, there are men who do nothing all day but good deeds, and their hearts are no bigger than yours. But they have one thing that you haven't got, a testimonial. Therefore, in consideration of your kindness, I present you with a token of our esteem and affection, and remember, my sentimental friend, that our heart isn't judged by how much you love, but how much you're loved by others. So to the families here today, let me say, you indeed are loved by many, many others. That's obvious because you've been selected as outstanding examples of all a family can be in this very complex and modern world. While the awards you're receiving are not in the shape of a heart, like in the movie, they are symbolic of your accomplishments and come to you from the bottom of my heart. And this testimonial at the White House is a way in which the American people can pay tribute to you as great American families. My deepest congratulations to all of you, and may your families continue to flourish and enrich our nation for many more generations to come. Thank you and God bless. Thank you very much, Mrs. Reagan. I know I expressed the feelings of everyone here in telling you how deeply we appreciate the help, support, the moral support you've given us in this great program of the American Family Society and the Great American Families. I often think that families are like trees. They come in all sizes and shapes. And I think we're going to see that demonstrated most vividly today when we meet the six great American families, whom Mrs. Reagan is going to greet in just a moment. Once again, Mrs. Reagan, thank you very much for your warmth and for your hospitality here today. Thank you. It is my turn next, and they always hire a weatherman to keep everybody straight. And I hope I can do that this afternoon. I have a confession to make, and I hope it doesn't cause a split between the Democrats and the Republicans, or an international incident. I have been in love with this lady ever since the first day I played Santa Claus, and she sat on my lap. I have been coming to the White House because I was born in Alexandria, Virginia, ever since the days of Mrs. Elner Roosevelt. I sang for Mrs. Roosevelt. I will spare you that. I don't think there's any more appropriate place in the whole world, and especially our nation, to honor American families than to be, I have the first family honor them in the first house, the White House. This is a beautiful service. It is my pleasure to be here now for the fourth year. It is warm. It is real. It is sincere. And it is something that I know we all share in this room. And I know even more so. It is something that is so strongly and desperately needed and desired by every living human being on the face of the earth. And that is the love, the generosity, the warmth, the security of a family. There is nothing in the whole world that can even come close. Whatever is second, as we used to say, isn't even in the race. That concludes my ad lib. And now I will present the program. We honor Stanley F. and Brenda K. Hoisingen and family from Fort Campbell, Kentucky. If you'll please come forward. The Hoisingtons. And the Hoisingtons are a military family from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, a great American family in the strictest sense of every single word since they have lived in nearly every part of America and probably in most foreign countries. Their philosophy is that nothing is more important than that which takes place within the walls of a home. And furthermore, they make an effort to live with that philosophy daily and it's earned them with respect to friends and neighbors throughout the world. Each family member is encouraged to do one kindness every day and the experiences to be gained from day to day living are given the same emphasis as formal education. Fisher and Mrs. Hoisingen serve as examples of the good citizens that they wish their children to become through their support of a variety of community projects. Mrs. Hoisingen, for example, teaches parenting and leadership skills to young military wives while her husband coordinates housing for incoming military personnel and directs a social service program for 2,500 church members. Ladies and gentlemen, here they are from Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The Hoisingtons family, Stan, Brenda, Stephen, Tyler, Kyle, Mike, Janine, Todd, Brett and Bryce. Thank you. We didn't know we had a break dancer here today, did we? That's terrific. Thank you so much. The Hoisingtons family, Fort Campbell, Kentucky. I don't know if you got up early enough this morning to watch our little program on today, but I had a real treat. It was a steam sealer. Mildred Morris and family from Asheville, North Carolina are absolutely dynamite and this little fellow coming out right now, I'll tell you, I may not have a job tomorrow. Mrs. Morris has been a single parent to a dozen children, two of her own and 10 foster children. In fact, she's become known as a second mother to many in her community. She provides a peaceful, understanding home where each child is taught to work hard to do his or her very best. And she also teaches her children to believe in their ability to do whatever they want to do. Consequently, one daughter has become a psychiatric nursing supervisor and a son has joined the Peace Corps and a foster daughter returned to her native Zimbabwe to apply nursing skills learned in college. Ladies and gentlemen, Mildred Morris and her beautiful children, Dorothy Jean, John Beard, Bobby Bishop, Michelle and Clara Brown from Asheville, North Carolina. He didn't want to leave. I told you, he wants to stay up here. Another great American family, Richard W. and Sue Stevenson family from Arlington, Texas, home of the former Washington Senators. There you go. Not the political group for any of you young enough not to remember our great baseball team, bless their souls, wherever they are. The Stevens family, like all being honored here this afternoon, has built on the principle of love, sharing and communication. Dick and Sue strongly believe that when one door closes, another opens. And that is the philosophy they have passed on to their adopted sons. They firmly believe that every challenge in life has a positive outcome. For example, when Jeff turned out to be too small to become the football star he hoped to be, they suggested that he take advantage of his speed and quickness and play soccer instead. Jeff, like all teenagers, did exactly what his parents said to do. He took their advice and went on to become a starring freshman of his college soccer team. Ladies and gentlemen from Arlington, Texas, where they have recently rediscovered baseball, please meet the Stevens family, Dick, Sue, Jeff and Joel. Thank you. The Stevens family from Arlington in the great state of Texas, where anything's possible, right? That's right. We can amen. Our next family is William T. and Anne C. Sweeney and family from Subic Bay, the Philippines. Colonel Sweeney has been lovingly supported as he and other family members have carried out a number of humanitarian efforts in the Philippine Islands. For example, when the Colonel and Mrs. Sweeney initiated the feeding program for malnutrition Filipino children last year, their own children helped by preparing home cooked meals and by delivering and distributing the food. In the Sweeney home, the spiritual growth of each member is carefully nourished through daily prayer and active church involvement. Unity is promoted by having the whole family together for evening meals on Sundays and holidays and for each member's birthday. And family members also routinely support one another's individual pursuits and see athletic activities as a way of teaching mental discipline and teamwork. Ladies and gentlemen, the Sweeney family from Subic Bay in the Philippines, Bill Anne, Big and Little Steve, Danny, Kathleen, Andrew, Manon, Ian, Michael, Sarita, Shirley, Timothy, Bridget and Chris. How about that? Congratulations. How about that? That's terrific. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you so much. Sweeney family, if you thought that was a group, you ain't see nothing yet as the late great Al Jelson. Misha Waka, Indiana. Did I say it right? Misha Waka, Indiana, near Fort Wayne. Where? Now it's South Bend. I want to see if you're paying attention. Bernard and Florence Velman and family from Misha Waka, Indiana. The Velmans learned the art of love and togetherness early on with Get This. And you'll see what I mean as they slowly assemble. We thought about building a wing onto the White House just for this afternoon, 17 children and a set of glorious twins, five from natural births, six adopted and six foster. They also have found that peeling enough potatoes to feed their large family is much less a chore when three or four pitch in to do it. And when they go to McDonald's, they have to go for a loan. Mrs. Velman, and they don't get changed back in their pocket. Mrs. Velman continues to do the grocery shopping as she has for 25 years of married life. But the kids unpack the van and put it all away. Likewise, she does the laundry, but each child sorts and puts away his or her own clothes. I asked her this morning on television, you know, we always, when you do your laundry always lose one sock a month. She loses about 37 socks a month and none of them are in the same pair. The big payoff comes at the end of the day when it's not uncommon for Mrs. Velman to find a love note stashed under her pillow by one or more of her beautiful children. Here they are. Let's go. Nineteen from Mishewalk, Indiana, Mr. Mrs. Bernard Belman, Maria Julianne, Bernie Jr., Wendy James, Paul Timothy, Emily Angela, Ronald Christopher, Jamie Hardicy, Anaheim, Azusa, Kukamanga, wait a minute. Laura Jones, Jennifer and Jeremy Jaworski, and Misty and Dina Mervine, ladies and gentlemen of the Belman family. Our group, thank you very much. How sweet. We had a nice show this morning. Thank you all so much. You do have a van, right? What? Mishewalko. I'm going to come to Mishewalko. What is the old line, come after breakfast, bring your lunch, and leave before summer time. Remember that? That goes back to my grandfather. So does my grandma. Jason and Geraldine Weiner and family from Orlando in great sunshine state of Florida. Would you come forward, please? Group activities combined with love and acceptance of individual differences and talents are the hallmark of this great American family. A continuous threat of teamwork and love has allowed the family to band together to overcome adversity and achieve current individual levels of success. Jason and Geraldine Weiner serve as leaders influencing each child with the values of hard work, family love, high achievement, spiritual pursuit, caring for others, and the development of individual talents and abilities. When one son developed an interest in the martial art of karate, Mr. Weiner accompanied him to class and went on to become a black belt himself. And when another son was born with a disease that led to blindness, the Weiner family responded in typical fashion, the Weiner family in typical fashion by selflessly giving their time, love, and training necessary to ensure that the child became an accepted and vital family member. And let me just mention that Daniel Weiner has since gone on to enter college at the age of 15, proficiently speaks in seven foreign languages, is currently studying in eighth, and is to become a weatherman. Wait a minute. I don't want him in my bedroom. Ladies and gentlemen from Orlando, Florida, the Weiner family, Mr. and Mrs. Jason Weiner, their lovely children, Andrew, Mary, Gail, Daniel, Douglas, Alexander, and Nathan. I have the pleasure now. Thank you all so much. Again, you are the stars here, and you all were just wonderful. We had one small rehearsal. Everybody did their part exactly right. Only one person messed up a little bit, but they'll get somebody else next year because David Hartman works cheaper than I do. But anyway, I love David Hartman. You wind him up and he gives the wrong time. He's my favorite morning holler. I don't think there's no one that is anyone that's worked as hard to help keep and put this what I like to lovingly refer to as this great act together than Wayne Scott, president of the great American families. And at this time, Wayne would like to step forward, I hope, and say a few words if you would please, sir. Mrs. Reagan, we want to thank you for such an inspiring experience. I know all of you joined with me in that this great American family program, which you launched four years ago with Willard's wonderful help, is continuing to expand, just like Willard is. There have been some tremendous wonderful volunteers and supporters and great friends in the media, Mrs. Reagan, who really care about family values have had so much to do with this. But beyond this, we feel that your great love for America and her families has been the really far and deep influence in this program. We love you for that. We would like to share with you, Mrs. Reagan, a little evidence of the impact you're having on people. We've been we have here some letters from families you've honored. And I'm going to just quote a few of these for the group here today. A military family has said your recognition of the importance of the family was a tremendous morale booster sorely needed in today's society. A North Carolina family said the papers quoted us as saying, Mrs. Reagan is a great hugger. A Minnesota family, speaking of their experiences here with you at the White House, said the sum total reinforced our belief that we are all members of the human family and the family of God. And in Oregon, one mother said, I've told our family that if the house ever catches fire, grab the plaque. Mrs. Reagan, for the with many, many people across this country, literally millions who so much appreciate what you and your husband do to help us build stronger families. We want to present this set of letters to you from these families with our love and gratitude and say, as so many do, God bless you and God bless America. Thank you. That's very nice. And I'll look forward to reading all those letters and really treasure the album. Thank you. And now it's my pleasure to introduce members of the entertainers, youth chorus, who will sing a special song called I belong to a great American family. And after the program at the at the conclusion of the program, you're all invited into the state dining room for refreshments. Thank you. I belong to a family of people who care, people who dare to believe, be strong and what we dare to do, we can achieve. I belong to a great American family. I belong to a great American family. Cookies, cookies, the best cookies in the world, White House cookies. They are delicious.