    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book II)]
    [December 10, 1995]
    [Pages 1875-1876]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at ``Christmas in Washington''
    December 10, 1995

        Thank you. Thank you, Kelsey. I'd like to thank all the cast of
    ``Frazier,'' Peri and Jane and John and David, for the wonderful job
    they did tonight; Gloria Estefan; Clint Black; Al Green; Dawn Upshaw;
    the Naval Academy Glee Club--makes you proud to be Commander in Chief--
    [laughter]--the U.S. Army Band's Herald Trumpets also do; the
    magnificent Eastern High School Chorus; and of course, Ian Frazier and
    the ``Christmas in Washington'' Orchestra,

    [[Page 1876]]

    for the magnificent music all of you have given us. Let's give them a
    great hand. [Applause]
        Every year, Hillary and Chelsea and I really look forward to this
    wonderful ``Christmas in Washington'' evening. Besides getting us into
    the holiday spirit, it also gives us the opportunity to recognize one of
    our country's preeminent health care facilities, the Children's National
    Medical Center right here in Washington.
        As always, Christmas is a time for us to reflect on our good fortune
    in the past year. This Christmas, I have much to be grateful for. But
    among the things I am most grateful for is the way the people all around
    the world still look at our beloved land. Recently I returned from
    Europe, where this was brought home to me ever more than before. People
    see America as a nation graced by God with peace and prosperity, a land
    of fundamental fairness and great freedom. And even though it sometimes
    imposes extra burdens on us, it is wonderful to know that people the
    world over trust us to work with them to achieve and share the blessings
    of peace.
        So at Christmas, as we celebrate the birth of a homeless child whose
    only shelter was the straw of a manger but who grew up to become the
    Prince of Peace, let us remember that He said, ``Blessed are the
    peacemakers.'' And let us ask the blessings of peace this Christmas for
    everyone, from the Middle East to Northern Ireland, to Bosnia, and not
    only for the children there but, of course, for our troops as well. And
    let us also as Americans resolve, each of us, to do what we can to be
    peacemakers, not only to bring peace and reconciliation around the world
    but also to the most difficult neighborhoods of our own Nation, to every
    child who deserves to be free from violence and full of hope. That is
    our prayer for this Christmas.
        Hillary and Chelsea and I offer this wish of our season to all of
    you and to all Americans everywhere: Peace on Earth, good will toward
    men. Merry Christmas, and God bless you all.
        Thank you.

    Note: The President's remarks were recorded at 6:20 p.m. at the National
    Building Museum for broadcast at 10 p.m. on December 13. In his remarks,
    he referred to Kelsey Grammer, Peri Gilpin, Jane Leeves, John Mahoney,
    and David Hyde Pierce, cast members of the television show ``Frazier;''
    and entertainers Gloria Estefan, Clint Black, Al Green, Dawn Upshaw, and
    Ian Frazier.