[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 33, Number 48 (Monday, December 1, 1997)]
[Pages 1924-1925]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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 
Faisun, 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

[[Page 1925]]

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.