[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 48 (Monday, December 5, 2005)]
[Pages 1806-1807]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on Lighting the National Christmas Tree

December 1, 2005

    Thank you all very much. Welcome to the Christmas Pageant of Peace. 
Laura and I are so honored to join you all. The lighting of the National 
Christmas Tree is one of the great traditions in our Nation's Capital. 
Each year, we gather here to celebrate the season of hope and joy and to 
remember the story of one humble life that lifted the sights of 
humanity.
    Santa, thanks for coming. [Laughter] Glad you made it. I know you've 
got a lot of commitments this time of year. By the way, we have a lot of 
chimneys in the White House--[laughter]--if you're looking for something 
to do. I appreciate all our entertainers. Thanks for being here. This is 
a fantastic evening.
    I want to thank Peter Nostrand, who is the chairman of the Christmas 
Pageant of Peace, and John Betchkal, all the members of the board. I 
appreciate Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton, other members of my 
Cabinet who are here. I appreciate the Members of Congress who have 
come.
    I particularly want to give a special thanks to the National Parks 
Service Director Fran Mainella and all the good folks who work for the 
National Parks Service. Reverend Martin, thank you very much as well.
    Christmas is a time to rejoice and to give thanks for the blessings 
of the season and for the blessings that surround us every day of the 
year. We also remember that we have a responsibility to help those in 
need. America is a compassionate and generous land, and acts of kindness 
toward others fulfill the spirit of the season.
    As we approach Christmas in this time of war, we pray for freedom 
and justice and peace on Earth. In his Christmas Eve address

[[Page 1807]]

to the Nation in 1941, Franklin Roosevelt said that ``Against enemies 
who preach the principles of hate and practice them, we set our faith in 
human love, and in God's care for us and all men everywhere.'' We ask 
for God to watch over our men and women in uniform who are serving 
overseas. Their families miss them, hold a seat open for them, and pray 
for their safe return. America's military men and women stand for 
freedom, and they serve the cause of peace. Many of them are serving in 
distant lands tonight, but they are close to our hearts.
    As an expression of our hope for peace and happiness in this 
Christmas season, we light the National Christmas Tree. Jackie, Melissa, 
and Jenna Kantor of Bethesda are with us here. They started ``Project 
Backpack'' to give children displaced by Hurricane Katrina new backpacks 
filled with books and toys and school supplies. These girls are an 
example of the compassion that is found in the hearts and souls of 
Americans everywhere, and they have shown how much good can be done when 
we reach out to help a neighbor in need. And so Laura and I now invite 
them to join us to turn on the lights.
    And would you help turn on these lights, as well, by counting down. 
Five, four, three, two, one.

Note: The President spoke at 5:55 p.m. on the Ellipse at the White 
House. In his remarks, he referred to John J. Betchkal, president, 
Christmas Pageant of Peace; and Rev. Richard B. Martin, pastor, Church 
of the Nativity, Burke, VA.