Thursday, April 26, 2007
On April 26, 2007, while President George W. Bush was in Washington, D.C., meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Japanese First Lady Akie Abe traveled to Mount Vernon with First Lady Laura Bush. While touring the Upper Garden, Mount Vernon's Director of Horticulture picked a French tulip for Mrs. Abe, as seen in the photograph above.
First Lady Abe remarked of her visit:
I have been to Washington, D.C., many times, but this is my first visit to Mount Vernon. This is a place of history. And I heard that Mrs. Laura Bush liked this place very much, and I am so pleased that she has taken me to her favorite place.
And I have also been treated to a wonderful lunch. I understand that this is the place that honors the President of the United States, President Washington. I was very moved that many Americans, as well as many children, come here to study American history. And I think that is a wonderful thing.