George H.W. Bush: “January 23, 1992 Connie, thank you. And at the outset of these remarks, let me just pay my respects to Connie Newman and…”

“January 23, 1992 Connie, thank you. And at the outset of these remarks, let me just pay my respects to Connie Newman and say what a first-class job I know she's doing at OPM. And I know that you take a lot of pride in this event, since you rose through the ranks yourself, starting, as I understand it, if my history is correct, 30 years ago as a GS-3-- [laughter]--I've still got you beat on the age now--[laughter]--GS-3 clerk-typist at Interior. And look at you now. And we are very, very proud of you. I also want to welcome Ed Derwinski, Secretary Derwinski; Acting Secretary Busey; Secretary Stone; Pat Saiki, the Administrator at SBA; Director Sessions; and so many other distinguished guests. I think I see Admiral Truly out there. I hear that when one of the recipients was told that the speaker today would be the most important man in Washington, he said, ``I thought Joe Gibbs had already left for Minneapolis.'' [Laughter] We are caught up in a frenzy here. but that should not detract from the importance of this event. And it is a privilege for me to be over here today to congratulate some extraordinary people, you might say unsung heroes. You don't always get at the head table, don't always have your name flashing out there in lights. You may be lucky on that one. [Laughter] But really extraordinary people. Vince Lombardi, you remember, he gave some pretty good advice off the field as well as on.…”