    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [December 8, 1999]
    [Pages 2239-2240]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Lighting the National Christmas Tree
    December 8, 1999

        Thank you. Thank you very much, Peter.
    Ladies and gentlemen, this is a wonderful ceremony every year, but this
    year it has been very special. I want to thank Wayne Newton and Renee Fleming, Marty
    Stuart, Al Roker--he's a
    good Santa Claus. [Laughter] I want to thank the cast from ``Chicago''
    and Ricky Payton and the Urban National
    Youth Choir and, of course, Colonel Tim Foley and the Marine Corps Band, ``The President's Own.'' The
    best perk of the Presidency is the Marine Corps Band, and I want to give
    them all a hand. [Applause] They've been wonderful.
        For over 85 years now, our country has gathered around our National
    Christmas Tree to celebrate the beginning of this wonderful season of
    peace and hope. I am honored once again to be part of a tradition I have
    come to look forward to every year. For me, Christmas always starts now
    with the Pageant of Peace and the lighting of this beautiful Colorado
    spruce. And I am especially honored to be here to light the last tree of
    the 20th century.
        In this sacred season, it is time for all of us to renew our
    commitment to give of ourselves, to reach out to those who are less
    fortunate, to reach out to those who are different from us, to build the
    one America of our dreams. In this Pageant of Peace, we celebrate
    Christmas, also the season of Hanukkah and Kwanzaa and others, all
    joined by a simple and universal message, that we are to love our
    neighbors as ourselves.
        This holiday season, we Americans have an awful lot to be thankful
    for: Our Nation is at peace, and all around the world we are privileged
    to make peace, from Bosnia to Northern Ireland to the Middle East, the
    land where a homeless child grew up to be the Prince of Peace.
        Just today, in this season, I was proud to announce that after a
    long, long stalemate, the Israelis and the Syrians have agreed to meet
    again in just a few days to make their peace.
        At the dawn of a new millennium, as we enjoy these wonderful
    performers and the timeless songs of all of our childhoods, let us
    rededicate ourselves to the true spirit of Christmas. As we light the
    National Christmas Tree, let us spread the light of peace and good will
    toward our family, our friends, our neighbors, and all those across the
    world, especially those who need it most.
        Merry Christmas, happy new year, and God bless you.
        I'd like to ask, now, the young scouts to come up and join me in
    lighting the Christmas tree. Caitlin Fong and
    Chris Alvarez--they're going to come up here.
    And didn't they do a good job? Let's give them another hand. [Applause]
        Unlike the sissies, like me, they did it without any coats on,
    either. I thought they were wonderful. All right, you put your hands on
    the switch now, and I'm going to count from three down to one and tell
    you to flip it, okay? Ready? Three, two, one, go!
        Good job.

    Note: The President spoke at 6 p.m. on the Ellipse during the annual
    Christmas Pageant of Peace. In his remarks, he referred to Peter
    Nostrand, chairman, Christmas Pageant of Peace; entertainers Wayne
    Newton, Renee Fleming, and Marty Stuart; television weatherman Al Roker;
    and Ricky Payton, Sr., director, BET Urban Nation Voices of Youth H.I.P.
    H.O.P. Choir; and Col.

    [[Page 2240]]

    Timothy W. Foley, USMC, Director, ``The President's Own'' United States
    Marine Band.