[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.