For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
December 22, 2003
President Participates in Menorah Lighting Ceremony
Remarks by the President at the Menorah Lighting Ceremony
Bookseller's Area
The White House
4:32 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all; welcome. Hanukkah celebrates a
great miracle and a great victory: the triumph of faith over tyranny.
More than 2,000 years ago, the land of ancient Israel had been
conquered, and the practice of Judaism was outlawed. Yet a patriot,
named Judah Maccabee, and his followers courageously captured
Jerusalem. As the Maccabees prepared to rededicate the holy temple,
they found enough oil last for only one day. But the oil lasted for
eight days, a miracle that we remember by lighting the menorah.
The Jewish tradition calls on us to honor every commandment with
works of beauty. This beautiful menorah, more than two centuries old,
is from the Spertus Museum in Chicago, and Laura and I are honored to
have it here at the White House.
I want to thank Kol Sasson from the great University of Maryland
for joining us today, and thank you for lending your beautiful voice
for this occasion.
Tonight, as we prepare to light the candles, we hope and pray that
all who live under tyranny will see their day of freedom, and that the
light of faith will always shine through the darkness. We also pray
for the brave men and women of our armed forces, many of whom are
spending the holiday season far from home and their loved ones. We are
grateful for their service to America, we're grateful for the support
and sacrifice of their families.
And now, Jacob Murphy and Sidney Hallem will help us light the
candles. Their fathers are serving in our United States Armed Forces
with distinction and with honor.
(The menorah is lighted.)
* * * * *
Q Mr. President, do you have any words for Americans who are
worried about traveling this holiday season?
THE PRESIDENT: My words are these: our government is doing
everything we can to protect our country. We've got a lot of really
decent hardworking Americans who will be working over the holiday
season to do everything we can to protect Americans from harm. And I
want to thank them for their efforts, thank them for their hard work.
American citizens need to go about their lives, but as they do so, they
need to know that governments at all levels are working as hard as we
possibly can to protect the American citizens.
Thank you, all.
END 4:40 P.M. EST
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