    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book II)]
    [November 26, 1997]
    [Page 1665]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at the Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation Ceremony and an
    Exchange With Reporters
    November 26, 1997

        The President. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I want to welcome
    the folks from the National Turkey Federation here, the chairman, Sonny
    Faison, and the president, Stuart Proctor. And a special word of welcome
    to all the kids who are here from Horton's Kids in Anacostia and all the
    rest of you who want to see one more turkey before Thanksgiving.
    [Laughter]
        This is a special day in the Rose Garden every year, and let me
    thank again the National Turkey Federation on their golden anniversary
    for donating a Thanksgiving turkey to the White House every year for 50
    years. That's right. Now, this marks the 50th year when we give one more
    turkey in Washington a second chance. [Laughter]
        I want to acknowledge our special guest, this fine tom from the
    Tarheel State of North Carolina, the number one turkey-producing State
    in our Nation. President Truman was the first President to pardon a
    turkey, but in some ways, the tradition actually began 83 years earlier
    when President Lincoln received a turkey for Christmas holiday. His son,
    Tad, grew so attached to the turkey that he named him ``Jack,'' and
    President Lincoln had no choice but to give Jack the full run of the
    White House. Jack was here, actually, for some monumental events. On
    election day in 1864 when Mr. Lincoln was running for reelection, a
    special polling place was actually set up right here on the grounds of
    the White House so that the soldiers could vote. Well, Jack the turkey
    actually strutted in front of some of the would-be voters and broke in
    line. Lincoln asked his son, ``Why is your turkey at the polls? Does he
    vote?'' Without hesitation, Tad said, ``He's not old enough yet.''
    [Laughter]
        Tomorrow 45 million turkeys will make the ultimate sacrifice for
    America's feast--but not this one. I'm granting this turkey a permanent
    reprieve. After many years in the coop, he's on his way to a farm in
    Virginia to bask in the sun, collect his hard-earned pension, and enjoy
    his golden years. And that's one less turkey in Washington. [Laughter]
    Happy Thanksgiving.

    Attorney General Janet Reno

        Q. Mr. President, how is the Attorney General?
        The President. She's fine. I talked to her this morning. She said
    she was feeling great.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:20 a.m. in the Rose Garden at the White
    House.