No more rumor and speculation. Following is a statement from The White House press secretary, issued during the president's visit to Iraq:
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Baghdad, Iraq)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For Immediate Release June 13, 2006
STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY
Visit of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan to Memphis, Tennessee
The President and Mrs. Bush will accompany Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan to Memphis, Tennessee on June 30, 2006, the day following the Prime Minister’s visit to the White House. The two leaders will visit Graceland Mansion, home of the Presley Family. The President and Mrs. Bush look forward to introducing the Prime Minister to the beauty and warm hospitality of the people of the Volunteer State.
Edit ElvisNews: No pollitical commend please, stick to Elvis, the man and his music.
Presidential Visit To Graceland Confirmed
June 13, 2006 | People Source:EPE - Elvis Presley Enterprisesbyebye wrote on
June 13, 2006
This is so absolutely cool and wonderful. Conclusion, -A signal that the king is more important then the president. It´s like... "-well I´ll come, but only if we go to Memphis and Graceland" :)
SendToTodd wrote on
June 14, 2006
President Bush & Prime Minister Koizumi's visit to Graceland will bring more world-wide publicity to Elvis than any other single event since his death. Obviously security will be frantic, and I guess there will be a five mile exclusion zone in the air and on the land around the property so don't go to rubberneck. This is amazing - this is publicity - this is fantastic!
joemin wrote on
June 14, 2006
Who are President Bush & Prime Minister Koizumi? It will be a great honour for them to visit the K1NG!!!
Pedro Nuno wrote on
June 14, 2006
P.M. Junichiro Koizumi of Japan is a true, loyal and devoted Elvis Fan, who never, ever lost a single opportunity to talk about Elvis Music, career and Life. He has done quite a lot for the Elvis World in this lasts years. He is just like one of us. A Big Big Humble Elvis Presley Fan! Thank You Koizumi!
JerryNodak wrote on
June 14, 2006
Politics aside, this is a GOOD thing. This visit will get top drawer coverage everywhere. You can't buy this type of publicity/coverage. This is fantastic!!
emjel wrote on
June 14, 2006
DanielEtrnal - the last thing that is needed is someone like you parading outside Graceland venting your feelings. This visit can only be good publicity for Elvis. If you feel strongly about Bush & co, go parade outside the White House. As Elvis once said, don't mix entertainment with politics.
Natha wrote on
June 14, 2006
Quite right to quote the King in saying not to mix entertainment with politics. The main point here is that a devoted Elvis Fan from Japan in the capacity of his esteemed position visits Graceland. This will make clear that people in high ranking positions are indeed Elvis fan. The fact that at the initiative of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan he will visit Graceland, shows the world his unflagging appreciation to Elvis is a unique message to this world and will show abundantly that Elvis' influence is felt in all layers of human society. Others might just have to follow him on his musical quest. Don't bother his entourage. In honour and respect of The King, of his legacy and of the openness of Prime Minister Koizumi admiration of the King, we should join in and not stain this visit by irrelevant protests. For that please use other platforms.
byebye wrote on
June 14, 2006
DanielEtrnal -Elvis would have loved this and been delighted! Remember Elvis visit to Nixon in the white house????! Now.. I dont know if you know your history, but Nixon was pretty ocupied with war protesters against Vietnam at that point. However, Elvis served his country in Germany, so I can assure you that he wouldn´t like to have protesters hanging around outside his gates. (Besides... everybody doesn´t feel the way you do about the president.!)
jeremytcb wrote on
June 14, 2006
C'mon people...this is not about politics. Think of it as the "President of the United States" visiting, not George W. Bush if you wish. It is great to have a sitting president bring a foriegn leader to Graceland. I couldn't stand Bill Clinton, but would have been thrilled if he would have brought another leader to Graceland while he was in office or even just toured it himself. It is a cool thing that the President is personally taking him too, not sending him with some flunky.
Crawfish wrote on
June 14, 2006
Great that Japan's pm is a devoted Elvis fan. But in my sarcy world, I can't help but think a lot of next's years merchandise will come from Japan. Having said that we all know they will love it but pleased I am not due to visit on 30th June! Hey, wonder if they will buy that fabulous rubber duck or a cross stitch! :)
Crawfish wrote on
June 14, 2006
And just wait ..... won't be long until Tony and Cherie decide to tag along!! (From Crawfish, from England!!)
Steve V wrote on
June 14, 2006
Following on the heels of the American Idol tribute show, this is great exposure for Elvis 2 months in a row. I'm no big fan of Pres Bush but the politcal comments were quite childish in this instance and dont belong here
dannyboy1 wrote on
June 15, 2006
Looks like you are the only one, DanielEtrnal. This is a good thing for Elvis and speaks well of his respect internationally. Regarding politics, Elvis had a good philosophy: "...I'd rather keep my own personal views about that to myself." This board would appreciate it if you could do likewise.
EinVegas wrote on
June 15, 2006
I think this is Awesome!!! I bet George Bush Sr. has some stories about Elvis. The two met at the Jayce Awards in 1971. I guess this is coming full circle for George W Bush to come to Graceland. June 30th there will be a Prime Minister, A President and The King.
Richard Stables wrote on
June 15, 2006
Although it is fantastic that the President of The United States (the office and not the man) is accompanying the Prime Minister of Japan to Graceland, I cannot help but feel sorry that unfortunately it is George Bush Jr. and not someone else. I am in the UK, a country which is solidly behind The United States in the 'War against Terror', but Mr Bush is considered a Joke here, so you can imagine how he is viewed across the rest of Europe and the World. All feelings aside though, I am sure that Mr Koizumi will have a great time visiting a great country, a great City and the wonderful Graceland itself.
EspenK wrote on
June 15, 2006
"It would be best to spend some time in this country before giving any opinion" - opinion about what - the Iraq war? I think not! Bush *is* a joke to the rest of the world, but this visit to Graceland is still great publicity for our man Elvis and his image, as it makes him more relevant to todays world and news/media coverage, a welcome change from the "Elvis impersonator bites dog" kinda stories we get now and then.
Sean Ryan wrote on
June 15, 2006
yeah. lets keep this to do with Elvis and not get into a personal hate campaign against the US president.If it happens then its great news for the Elvis world.
Jim Hoff wrote on
June 15, 2006
Remember to bring along Michael Moore - and a video camera -:) Well ok. I really think it's nice that an Elvis related historic site gets this attention. Fine with me. And remember: Elvis once visited Tricky Dicky Nixon, so now it's time the White House comes to the King's mansion, I think.
efan4ever wrote on
June 16, 2006
Before you abuse critizie and accuse walk a mile in the Presidents shoes. Enoy it!
Teacher wrote on
June 18, 2006
As A Child, George Bush Wanted To Be Elvis, By: Elvis Australia - April 23, 2004
During the 1950s when he was in the fourth grade, President George W. Bush's greatest aspiration was to be Elvis Presley, First Lady Laura Bush said Wednesday during a ceremony to honor Teacher of the Year. Laura Bush said the president's mother Barbara Bush had to rescue her son from the principal's office after he used charcoal to draw sideburns on his face and he disrupted his music class. These remarks by the First Lady Mrs Bush where made to the 2004 National and State Teachers of the Year.
Elvisy wrote on
June 23, 2006
I think its a wonderful idea that the President is going to graceland.Like all of us even He has a right to a visit. Surely since he did like and admire Elvis. Elvis would have liked that so who are we to complain! Let Elvis decide. Elvis himself loved meeting the then President he did have a Thing for Presidents!He would be thrilled to know that surely. As for bringing in politics to Graceland I think its in very poor taste and frankly speaking its not THE KINGS way by far so let there be peace.I would love to see the President's face when entering Graceland.
Elvisy wrote on
June 23, 2006
I think we all should be glad atleast for Elvis' sake.No one can disagree that Elvis had a THING for Presidents.Its an honour indeed and great really!As for politics I think, even Elvis would'nt like the comments.Sorry guys but I guess there is a time and a place for all things political and THIS is NOT the place! peace to one and all