[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.