    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [November 24, 2003]
    [Pages 1604-1605]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at the Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation Ceremony
    November 24, 2003

        Thank you all. Welcome. Thanks for coming. Good morning, and welcome
    to the Rose Garden. In a moment you can come up and welcome our guest of
    honor, Stars the turkey. He looks pretty friendly. He actually looks
    well rested. You'd be well rested, too, if you had your own room in
    Hotel Washington here in Washington, DC. [Laughter] It sounds like Stars
    wants to give the speech.
        I appreciate you joining me to give this turkey a Presidential
    pardon. Stars is a very special bird with a very special name. This
    year, for the first time, thousands of people voted on the White House
    web site to name the national turkey and the alternate turkey. ``Stars''
    and ``Stripes'' beat out ``Pumpkin'' and ``Cranberry.'' And it was a
    neck-to-neck race. [Laughter]
        Under the official rules, the alternate turkey has an important
    role, not to be taken lightly. The rulebook states that an alternate
    turkey is chosen in case the national Thanksgiving turkey cannot fulfill
    his role in this ceremony. It's kind of like being the Vice President.
    [Laughter]
        Our Nation's sense of gratitude is the source of great generosity of
    our people. Some of the boys and girls here today have done their part
    this year. Fifth graders from Flint Hill School collected the fixings
    and made sandwiches for people at the local homeless shelter. Through
    your compassion, you're showing the goodness of America, and we are
    really proud of you. Thanks for doing that.
        I want to thank our Secretary of Agriculture for joining us today.
    Secretary Ann Veneman is doing a great job for
    our country. I want to thank Bob Wright, who's
    the chairman of the National Turkey Federation, for joining today. I
    appreciate Dr. Alice Johnson, who's the
    president. Thanks for coming, Alice.
        Today marks a--and continues a long White House tradition. We're
    honoring the beginning of a holiday season. It speaks well for America
    that one of our most important holidays is set aside for sharing and
    appreciating our blessings. Our Nation was founded by people of great
    accomplishment, great courage, and great humility. They believed not
    only in themselves but also in the goodness of God's wisdom and God's
    plan for every life. This American quality has endured throughout the
    generations. Americans are, at our best, are a reverent and a grateful
    people. Even in times of hardship, we see all around us gifts to be
    thankful for, our families and friends, the beautiful land we call home,
    and the freedom granted to us all.
        This year, as in other times in our history, we can be especially
    grateful for the courage and faithfulness of those who defend us. Every
    man and woman who wears our country's uniform is a volunteer, facing
    hardships and sometimes peril, because they believe in this country and
    our cause. We're thinking of them and their families. We think of the
    military families that have suffered loss. We can be grateful to live in
    a country that has produced such good

    [[Page 1605]]

    and brave people who stand between us and the dangers of the world.
        On this holiday, we're reminded of our blessings. We're reminded of
    our responsibilities. Our Nation's sense of gratitude is the source of
    the great generosity and compassion of our people.
        And now it's time to grant a little compassion to our guest of
    honor. I'm not sure why any turkey would want to reside at a place
    called Frying Pan Park. [Laughter] Maybe they explained the alternatives
    to him. [Laughter] In any case, off he goes. By virtue of the
    Presidential pardon, Stars will live out his days there at Kidwell Farm
    in Virginia. And so he won't be alone, I hereby pardon Stripes as well.
        Happy Thanksgiving to you. May God bless you and your families.
    Thanks for coming.

    Note: The President spoke at 9:25 a.m. in the Rose Garden at the White
    House. The Thanksgiving Day proclamation of November 21 is listed in
    Appendix D at the end of this volume.