President Bush Lights National Christmas Tree at Pageant of Peace, The Ellipse, Washington, D.C. 5:55 P.M. EST
 | Santa goes into the audience to sing a song , Thursday evening, Dec. 1, 2005, during the Pageant of Peace and the lighting of the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse in Washington. White House photo by Paul Morse |
Santa, thanks for coming. (Laughter.) Glad you made it. I know you've got a lot of commitments this time of year. By the way, we have a lot of chimneys at the White House -- (laughter) -- if you're looking for something to do. I appreciate all our entertainers. Thanks for being here. This is a fantastic evening.
I want to thank Peter Nostrand, who is the Chairman of the Christmas Pageant of Peace, and John Betchkal, all the members of the board. I appreciate Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton, other members of my Cabinet who are here. I appreciate the members of Congress who have come.
I particularly want to give a special thanks to the National Parks Service Director Fran Mainella and all the good folks who work for the National Parks Service. (Applause.) Reverend Martin, thank you very much as well.
Christmas is a time to rejoice, and to give thanks for the blessings of the season and for the blessings that surround us every day of the year. We also remember that we have a responsibility to help those in need. America is a compassionate and generous land. And acts of kindness toward others fulfill the spirit of the season.
As we approach Christmas in this time of war, we pray for freedom, and justice, and peace on Earth. In his Christmas Eve address to the nation in 1941, Franklin Roosevelt said that "Against enemies who preach the principles of hate and practice them, we set our faith in human love, and in God's care for us and all men everywhere." We ask for God to watch over our men and women in uniform who are serving overseas.Their families miss them -- hold a seat open for them -- and pray for their safe return. America's military men and women stand for freedom -- and they serve the cause of peace. Many of them are serving in distant lands tonight, but they are close to our hearts.
As an expression of our hope for peace and happiness in this Christmas season, we light the national Christmas tree. Jackie, Melissa, and Jenna Kantor of Bethesda are with us here. They started "Project Backpack," to help give children displaced by Hurricane Katrina new backpacks filled with books, and toys and school supplies. These girls are an example of the compassion that is found in the hearts and souls of Americans everywhere, and they have shown how much good can be done when we reach out to help a neighbor in need. And so Laura and I now invite them to join us to turn on the lights.
And would you help turn on these lights, as well, by counting down. Five ... Four ... Three ... Two ... One. (Applause.)
END 5:59 P.M. EST, For Immediate Release, Office of the Press Secretary, December 1, 2005
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Related: Saturday, November 20, 2004 Remarks by the First Lady, Saturday, November 20, 2004 Fact Sheet: White House Holiday Decorations, Monday, November 29, 2004 Laura Bush White House Christmas tree, Thursday, December 02, 2004 White House 2004 Holiday christmas, Friday, December 03, 2004 National Christmas Tree, Friday, December 24, 2004 Secretary Rumsfeld Holiday Visit to Iraq, Friday, December 24, 2004 Presidential Christmas Message, 2004, Saturday, December 25, 2004 How Does NORAD Track Santa?, Saturday, December 25, 2004 barney whitehouse christmas,
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