THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. Welcome. Thanks for coming. Good
morning, and welcome to the Rose Garden. In a moment you can come up
and welcome our guest of honor, Stars, the turkey. He looks pretty
friendly. He actually looks well rested. You'd be well rested, too,
if you had your own room in Hotel Washington here in Washington, D.C.
(Laughter.) It sounds like Stars wants to give the speech.
I appreciate you joining me to give this turkey a presidential
pardon. Stars is a very special bird with a very special name. This
year, for the first time, thousands of people voted on the White House
website to name the national turkey, and the alternate turkey. Stars
and Stripes beat out Pumpkin and Cranberry. And it was a neck-to-neck
race. (Laughter.)
Under the official rules the alternate turkey has an important
role, not to be taken lightly. The rule book states that an alternate
turkey is chosen in case the national Thanksgiving turkey cannot
fulfill his role in this ceremony. It's kind of like being the Vice
President. (Laughter.)
Our nation's sense of gratitude is the source of great generosity
of our people. Some of the boys and girls here today have done their
part this year. Fifth graders from Flint Hill School collected the
fixings and made sandwiches for people at the local homeless shelter.
Through your compassion, you're showing the goodness of America, and we
are really proud of you. Thanks for doing that.
I want to thank our Secretary of Agriculture for joining us today.
Secretary Ann Veneman is doing a great job for our country. I want to
thank Bob Wright, who's the Chairman of the National Turkey Federation,
for joining today. I appreciate Dr. Alice Johnson, who's the
President. Thanks for coming, Alice.
Today marks a -- and continues a long White House tradition. We're
honoring the beginning of a holiday season. It speaks well for America
that one of our most important holidays is set aside for sharing and
appreciating our blessings. Our nation was founded by people of great
accomplishment, great courage, and great humility. They believed not
only in themselves, but also in the goodness of God's wisdom and God's
plan for every life. This American quality has endured throughout the
generations. Americans are, at our best, are a reverent and a grateful
people. Even in times of hardship, we see all around us gifts to be
thankful for: our families and friends, the beautiful land we call
home, and the freedom granted to us all.
This year, as in other times in our history, we can be especially
grateful for the courage and faithfulness of those who defend us.
Every man and woman who wears our country's uniform is a volunteer,
facing hardships and sometimes peril, because they believe in this
country and our cause. We're thinking of them and their families. We
think of the military families that have suffered loss. We can be
grateful to live in a country that has produced such good and brave
people who stand between us and the dangers of the world.
On this holiday, we're reminded of our blessings. We're reminded
of our responsibilities. Our nation's sense of gratitude is the source
of the great generosity and compassion of our people.
And now it's time to grant a little compassion to our guest of
honor. I'm not sure why any turkey would want to reside at a place
called Frying Pan Park. (Laughter.) Maybe they explained the
alternatives to him. (Laughter.) In any case, off he goes. By virtue
of the presidential pardon, Stars will live out his days there at
Kidwell Farm in Virginia. And so he won't be alone, I hereby pardon
Stripes, as well.
Happy Thanksgiving to you. May God bless you and your families.
Thanks for coming. (Applause.)