Mutombo Honored During State of the Union [J. Mark English]

President George W. Bush sure does like to surround himself by famous athletes during political events. The former major league baseball owner, who two years ago invited quarterback Tom Brady to sit with First Lady Bush in the gallery of heroes, invited Dikembe Mutombo to be honored during the State of the Union. This is what the President said about Mutombo:

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 built a brand new hospital in his old 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 a citizen of the United States of America.