[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000-2001, Book III)]
[December 10, 2000]
[Pages 2670-2671]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks at ``Christmas in Washington''
December 10, 2000

    Thank you very much. First, I would like to thank my good friend 
Gerry Levin, George and Michael Stevens. Thank 
you, Sarah Michelle Gellar. I thank 
the Corrs for what they said about the work we've tried to do for peace 
in Ireland.

    Thank you, Billy Gilman. I think you've got 
a future. [Laughter] Thank you, Brian McKnight, Jessica Simpson, Marc 
Anthony, and my old friend Chuck Berry.

    Our family looks forward to this ``Christmas in Washington'' every 
year. But tonight, as many have noted, it's more special than ever to 
us, because it's our last one here. It also is the first Christmas of 
the new millennium.

    Tonight I am grateful that we can celebrate in an America blessed 
with unprecedented peace and prosperity, a nation that, as we see when 
we look at all of these young people who sang for us tonight, is growing 
increasingly more diverse, and yet, at least if the young are our guide, 
increasingly more united as one community.

    So this is a time for us to be grateful for our good fortune and to 
rededicate ourselves to the lessons of love and reconciliation taught by 
a child born in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago. As people all around the 
world gather this season to decorate trees and to light menorahs, we 
should remember the true meaning of the holidays, the spirit of giving. 
A gift was given to us, and we should in turn give--to bring a little 
light into every child's life, to give a little love and laughter and 
hope to those who don't have it.

    That's really what Christmas is all about and what this celebration, 
and the work of the Children's National Medical Center, has been about. 
They've been at it for 130 years. In healing children, they remind us 
that every one of our children is a miracle.

    As we rejoice in their lives, let's also take time tonight, when we 
look at the Navy Glee Club, to remember our men and women in uniform and 
all those around the world working for peace who will not be home this 
Christmas.

    Finally, let me just thank all of you and the American people for 
giving Hillary, Chelsea, and me this incredible opportunity to share 
this joyous season and seven previous ones with you in the White House.

    Thank you. God bless you. Merry Christmas.

Note: The President spoke at 7:27 p.m. at the National Building Museum. 
In his remarks, he referred to Gerald M. Levin, chairman and chief 
executive officer, Time Warner, Inc.; George Stevens, Jr., executive 
producer, and Michael Stevens, producer, ``Christmas in Washington;'' 
actress Sarah Michelle Gellar, master of ceremonies; and musicians the 
Corrs, Billy Gilman, Brian

[[Page 2671]]

McKnight, Jessica Simpson, Marc Anthony, and Chuck Berry. ``Christmas in 
Washington'' was videotaped for broadcast at 8 p.m. on December 17.