George H.W. Bush: “Dr. Bondar, this is not a young astronaut, this is the President speak- ing now. But I just want to say how pleased we…”

“Dr. Bondar, this is not a young astronaut, this is the President speak- ing now. But I just want to say how pleased we are that you, representing Canada, are a part, a fundamental part of this. I think it's a wonderful thing, and I think in a wonderful way it shows the strength of ties between our two great countries. So, I understand the Prime Minister, my friend Brian Mulroney, called. Did he actually get through the other day? Dr. Bondar. That was right about the time we were having our briefing just near launch time. And instead, I had a lovely telegram from him, and he wished us all well and Godspeed.”