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CNN LIVE EVENT/SPECIAL

President Bush Lights Christmas Tree

Aired December 6, 2001 - 17:55   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: President and Mrs. Bush watching the entertainment as they prepare to light the Christmas tree, a 78-year tradition here in the Nation's Capitol. President Bush will be lighting that Christmas tree momentarily. He is now going to be introduced by the chairman of the Pageant of Peace in Washington, Peter Nostrand.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you very much.

Now, as we near that very special moment, when we light this magnificent tree, I want to take a moment to, on behalf of all of you, to thank the president and Mrs. Bush for their involvement in this year's pageant.

(APPLAUSE)

Now this pageant is very important to them. And I can tell you that every single president, every president since Calvin Coolidge, has participated in this family gathering and in the lighting of your national Christmas tree here in the best city in the world.

(APPLAUSE)

And I don't need to tell you, but this is a very special time. That irrepressible spirit of love, of hope, of peace, the spirit which is at the very heart of this pageant and that powerful message of peace has never meant more than here and now. So with affection and gratitude like you have never shown before, ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States!

(APPLAUSE)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Thank you very much.

(APPLAUSE)

Be seated please, except for you all.

I want to thank you very much and welcome you all to this year's Christmas Pageant of Peace. During this time of conflict and challenge, we once again celebrate the season of hope and the season of joy. We give thanks to our nation and to our families and to our friends.

The first lady and I are so honored to be here. I want to thank Peter Nostrand and the committee for putting this together. And I particularly want to thank the entertainment committee, the person in charge of getting these fantastic entertainers to come by. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

(APPLAUSE)

I want to thank all the employees and sponsors who put on this magnificent event. I want to thank Fran Mainella, the director of the National Park Service, and all the Park Service employees who've worked hard to put this event on.

(APPLAUSE)

And I want to thank Santa Claus for being here tonight.

(APPLAUSE)

I've been looking for you, Santa.

(LAUGHTER)

In a moment we will light the national Christmas tree, a tradition Americans have been celebrating since 1923. The history of this event has included some memorable moments, including 60 years ago, less than three weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor, when Prime Minister Winston Churchill made an appearance with President Franklin Roosevelt to light the tree.

Now, once again, we celebrate Christmas in a time of testing with American troops far from home. This season finds our country with losses to mourn and great tasks to complete. In all those tasks, it is worth recalling the words from a beautiful Christmas hymn. In the third verse of "Oh, Holy Night," we sing: "His law is love and his gospel is peace. Chains he shall break for the slave is our brother. And in his name all oppression shall cease."

America seeks peace and believes in justice. We fight only when necessary. We fight so that oppression may cease. And even in the midst of war, we pray for peace on Earth and goodwill to men.

(APPLAUSE)

This is a time of the year for families and friends to gather together, not simply to celebrate the season, but to renew the bonds of love and affection that give fulfillment to our lives.

And this is the year we will not forget those who lost loved ones in the attacks on September the 11th and on the battlefield. They will remain in our prayers.

It is now my honor to invite Leon Patterson and Faith Elseth and Laura to join me up here as we light the national Christmas tree.

(APPLAUSE)

Leon and Faith's fathers, Major Clifford Patterson and Lieutenant Commander Robert Elseth, served in the United States military. Both of these good men were lost in the attack on the Pentagon.

Leon and Faith, we thank you for helping us celebrate Christmas. You remind us of the comfort at Christmas that hope never fails and love never ends. And now, would you please help Laura light up our beautiful tree?

(APPLAUSE)

(MUSIC)

ANNOUNCER: Ladies and gentlemen, please remain in your seats until the president and his party have left the Ellipse.

BLITZER: And there it was, a 40-foot Colorado blue spruce the president and his family -- the president, first lady and two guests lit the Christmas tree, this annual Pageant of Peace in Washington.

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