    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [December 22, 2003]
    [Page 1759]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Lighting the Hanukkah Menorah and an Exchange With Reporters
    December 22, 2003

        The President. Thank you all. Welcome.
        Hanukkah celebrates a great miracle and a great victory, the triumph
    of faith over tyranny. More than 2,000 years ago, the land of ancient
    Israel had been conquered, and the practice of Judaism was outlawed. Yet
    a patriot named Judah Maccabee and his followers courageously captured
    Jerusalem. As the Maccabees prepared to rededicate the holy temple, they
    found enough oil to last for only one day. But the oil lasted for 8
    days, a miracle that we remember by lighting the menorah.
        The Jewish tradition calls on us to honor every commandment with
    works of beauty. This beautiful menorah, more than two centuries old, is
    from the Spertus Museum in Chicago, and Laura and
    I are honored to have it here at the White House.
        I want to thank the Kol Sasson from the great University of Maryland
    for joining us today, and thank you for lending your beautiful voice for
    this occasion.
        Tonight as we prepare to light the candles, we hope and pray that
    all who live under tyranny will see their day of freedom and that the
    light of faith will always shine through the darkness. We also pray for
    the brave men and women of our Armed Forces, many of whom are spending
    the holiday season far from home and their loved ones. We are grateful
    for their service to America. We're grateful for the support and
    sacrifice of their families.
        And now, Jacob Murphy and Sidney
    Hallem will help us light the candles.
    Their fathers are
    serving in our United States Armed Forces with distinction and with
    honor.

    [At this point, the menorah was lit.]

    Holiday Travel

        Q. Mr. President, do you have any words for Americans who are
    worried about traveling this holiday season?
        The President. My words are these: Our Government is doing
    everything we can to protect our country. We've got a lot of really
    decent, hard-working Americans who will be working over the holiday
    season to do everything we can to protect Americans from harm. And I
    want to thank them for their efforts, thank them for their hard work.
    American citizens need to go about their lives, but as they do so, they
    need to know that governments at all levels are working as hard as we
    possibly can to protect the American citizens.
        Thank you all.

    Note: The President spoke at 4:32 p.m. in the Bookseller's Area in the
    East Wing at the White House. In his remarks, he referred to a cappella
    singing group Kol Sasson.