Dikembe Mutombo was among the guests of honor at the State of the Union Address. During his annual speech to the nation, President Bush saluted Dikembe Mutombo for building a new hospital in the Congo and never forgetting the land of his birth even after becoming a star in the NBA, and a citizen of the United States.
"Dikembe Mutombo grew up in Africa, amid great poverty and disease. He came to Georgetown University on a scholarship to study medicine -- but Coach John Thompson got a look at Dikembe and had a different idea. Dikembe became a star in the NBA, and a citizen of the United States. But he never forgot the land of his birth -- or the duty to share his blessings with others. He has built a brand new hospital in his hometown. A friend has said of this good hearted man: "Mutombo believes that God has given him this opportunity to do great things." And we are proud to call this son of the Congo our fellow American.", Bush said.
Dikembe Mutombo sat next to First Lady Laura Bush, and Lynn Cheney, the wife of Vice-president Dick Cheney.
After the introduction by President Bush, he stood up to a standing ovation by those attending the event which included the members of the cabinet, the Supreme Court, senators, congressmen, and other invited guests.
The State of the Union Address is an annual event in which the President of the United States reports on the status of the country, normally to a joint session of the U.S. Congress (the House of Representatives and the Senate). The address is also used to outline the President's legislative proposals for the upcoming year. It has occurred in January (except for six occasions in February) since 1934.
Related articles
- • Kabila's Party Loses Seats in Parliament, Increasing Reliance on Allies (February 3, 2012)
- • Tshisekedi Says He Will Form His Government Next Week (January 21, 2012)
- • Tshisekedi Stages Self-Inauguration at Home (December 23, 2011)
- • In Inauguration Speech, Kabila Vows to Speed Up Modernization (December 21, 2011)
- • Tshisekedi Says He Is President-Elect, Asks Security Forces to Arrest Kabila (December 18, 2011)
- • Supreme Court Rules Joseph Kabila Won Presidential Election (December 16, 2011)
- • Supreme Court Hears Appeal on Presidential Election (December 15, 2011)
- • Presidential Election Results Not Truthful, Says Cardinal Monsengwo (December 13, 2011)
- • Joseph Kabila Wins Presidential Election (December 9, 2011)
- • 19,497 Candidates to Run for 500 Seats in Parliament (September 26, 2011)
- • Kabila's Election Speech Leads to Judges' Strike (September 20, 2011)
- • Eleven Candidates to Run for President (September 15, 2011)
- • Malu Malu Challenges Opponents of Elections Timetable (August 12, 2010)
- • NBA Players Inspire African Youths to Strive for Basketball Dreams (August 11, 2010)
- • Electoral Commission Sets Date for 2011 Presidential Election (August 9, 2010)
- • President Barack Obama Praises Dikembe Mutombo for Humanitarian Work (January 19, 2010)
- • Dikembe Mutombo to serve as NBA global ambassador (November 18, 2009)
- • Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. Contributes State of the Art Medical Equipment to Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital (October 1, 2009)
- • Clinton Praises Mutombo Hospital in Kinshasa (August 17, 2009)
- • Hillary Clinton to tackle Congo conflict (August 10, 2009)
- • Video: Dikembe Mutombo talks to CNN about Barack Obama and the humanitarian situation in Congo (November 6, 2008)
- • Yves Kisombe expelled from the MLC (April 25, 2008)
- • Comment: Judicial Appointments Violate Constitution (February 29, 2008)
- • Chaos in the Courts (February 27, 2008)
- • Insecurity prompts political crisis in South Kivu (November 16, 2007)
- • National Assembly closes second extraordinary session (July 19, 2007)
- • National Assembly: The decentralisation law is the priority of priorities (June 5, 2007)
- • Congo Military Tribunal Acquits Woman of Inciting Supreme Court Arson (April 30, 2007)
- • The AMP of President Kabila takes the majority of seats in the Senate (January 22, 2007)
- • Cardinal Frederic Etsou-Nzabi-Bamungwabi dies at 76 (January 7, 2007)
