Nickname
Willie. India "Willie" Bush has been a beloved member of the Bush family for more than 10 years.

"Dream" Job
Presidential Historian...loves to tell interesting facts about past Presidents and First Ladies.

Address
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C.

Owners
President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush

Namesake
Named for former Texas Ranger baseball player, Ruben Sierra, who was called "El Indio"

State of the Union History
My pals, Spotty and Barney, love the outdoors, but I prefer to stay inside and visit the White House library. Do you like to read? I hope so. My favorite book is "If You Take a Mouse to the Movies" by Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond. Mrs. Bush read this book to children at the White House during the holidays.

George Washington delivered his first annual message to Congress in person at Federal Hall, New York.

The President has been busy lately. President Bush has talked about the economy, homeland security and America's response to terrorism. He also has been preparing for an important speech, the State of the Union message.

The U.S. Constitution directs the President to give Congress information from time to time about the "State of the Union." Presidents since George Washington have reported on the condition of the nation and have made recommendations to Congress. The President gives his speech in the House of Representatives Chamber at the U.S. Capitol. The audience for the speech is Congress, but members of the President's Cabinet and the U.S. Supreme Court often attend the speech. Americans are also the audience for the speech, which is broadcast on radio, television, and on the President's web site, whitehouse.gov.

Here are some interesting facts about the State of the Union.

• The State of the Union message was originally referred to as the annual message. Franklin Roosevelt began using the phrase "State of the Union" in his annual message in 1935.
• George Washington gave the first annual message to Congress in person on January 8, 1790.
• Thomas Jefferson started the tradition of submitting his annual message to Congress in writing only in 1801. For the next 112 years, the annual message was written, not spoken.
• Woodrow Wilson revived George Washington's tradition of delivering the annual message through a speech to Congress in 1913.
• The first annual message broadcast on radio took place in 1923 when Calvin Coolidge was President.
• Harry Truman's 1947 message was the first State of the Union message broadcast on television.
• President Reagan began the tradition of hosting guests in the House gallery for the State of the Union message. The guests sit next to the First Lady.

Favorites

Sport
Hiding from owners

Food
Tuna-flavored kitty treats

Book if she could read
If You Take a Mouse to the Movies, by Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond

Place to nap
Under the bed

Meet
Spotty
Barney
India
Ofelia
Jackson & Dave