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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
December 7, 2001

President's Hanukkah Message
Hanukkah, 2001

Laura and I Send Our Warmest Greetings to All Those Celebrating Hanukkah, the festival of lights.

The celebration of Hanukkah is inspired by the story of the miracle of

the lamp: how a ration of oil sufficient only for one day burned for

eight.  It is a holiday of hope that encourages trust in God's

providence and God's purposes, even when we are threatened by darkness

and destruction.

Hanukkah commemorates the reconsecration of the ancient temple in

Jerusalem by the Maccabees and their followers, after it had been

desecrated.  Hanukkah celebrates the liberation of the ancient kingdom

of Israel from foreign occupation.  It teaches us that freedom must

sometimes be fought for -- a message that continues to resonate today.

We join all people of Jewish faith in thanking God who has "sustained us

and enabled us to reach this season."  May the candles of Hanukkah light

our memories of those lost on September 11.  And may this be a season of

joy for us all.

GEORGE W. BUSH

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