    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1994, Book II)]
    [December 7, 1994]
    [Page 2159]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Lighting the National Christmas Tree
    December 7, 1994

        Thank you, John Betchkal, Mrs. Betchkal, Reverend Leon. I want to
    thank especially our wonderful entertainers tonight: Willard Scott, who
    would make anybody believe in Santa Claus; Trisha Yearwood, it's
    wonderful to see you again; Richard Leech, you are terrific. If I had a
    voice like you, I would have stayed out of politics. [Laughter] And I
    want to say a special word of thanks and congratulations to the
    magnificent Aretha Franklin who was recently honored at the Kennedy
    Center Honors. We are glad to see all of you here tonight. Thank you. We
    congratulate the Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys for the wonderful job
    that they did.
        Let me say that Hillary and Chelsea and I are delighted to be back
    here for our second Pageant of Peace. I don't know how many of you were
    here last year, but it was a lot colder. And I still feel in the
    Christmas spirit and more comfortable doing so. I'm glad to be here
    tonight, and I appreciate this wonderful weather.
        This year, we have a lot to be grateful for. This is the first
    Christmas since the beginning of the cold war when our parents can tuck
    all of their children into bed on Christmas Eve knowing that there are
    no Russian missiles with nuclear warheads pointed at them.
        In holy Bethlehem and throughout the Middle East, ancient enemies
    are taking giant steps toward peace and reconciliation. Peace is making
    progress in Northern Ireland, in South Africa, in Haiti, and Eastern and
    Central Europe, where people are making courageous steps to escape the
    shackles that have bound them.
        Here at home, I appreciate what Willard Scott said about prosperity
    coming back. And we do have the strongest economy we've had in many
    years, but let us never forget that many of our people are living in
    poverty and others are working hard in insecurity, and that as we
    celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, let us not
    forget His lesson that one day we will be asked whether we lived out His
    love in ways that treated all of our brothers and sisters as we would
    have treated Him, even the least of them. He taught us all to seek peace
    and to treat all people with love.
        In this holiday season as we gather our families and often go back
    to the places where we grew up, this is a time to rededicate ourselves
    to the things which matter most, to our responsibilities, to our
    families, our communities, and our country.
        With all of our challenges in this holiday season, we can take great
    comfort in knowing that when we come together and seek God's help, we
    can meet any challenge. At this holiday season also, my fellow
    Americans, let us extend our special gratitude and prayers for the men
    and women of our Armed Forces who protect the peace and stand sentry for
    our freedom. Many of them are very, very far from their families and
    friends; they must be close to our hearts.
        Finally let me say, this wonderful evergreen Christmas tree, the
    ``Tannenbaum'' about which Aretha Franklin sang, is a symbol of the
    enduring values of our lives. As we light it, let it rekindle in our
    hearts faith and hope and love for one another.
        And now I wish God's blessings on you all at this special season,
    and I'd like to ask Hillary and Chelsea to join me as we light the
    Christmas tree.

    Note: The President spoke at 5:53 p.m. on the Ellipse. In his remarks,
    he referred to John J. Betchkal, chairman, Pageant of Peace, and his
    wife, Kathleen; Rev. Luis Leon, pastor, St. John's Episcopal Church; and
    entertainers Willard Scott, Trisha Yearwood, Richard Leech, and Aretha
    Franklin.