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Remarks by the President at the Menorah Lighting Ceremony
Bookseller's Area
The White House

Video (Real)

4:32 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all; welcome. Hanukkah celebrates agreat miracle and a great victory: the triumph of faith over tyranny.

More than 2,000 years ago, the land of ancient Israel had beenconquered, and the practice of Judaism was outlawed. Yet a patriot,named Judah Maccabee, and his followers courageously capturedJerusalem. As the Maccabees prepared to rededicate the holy temple,they found enough oil last for only one day. But the oil lasted foreight days, a miracle that we remember by lighting the menorah.

The Jewish tradition calls on us to honor every commandment withworks of beauty. This beautiful menorah, more than two centuries old,is from the Spertus Museum in Chicago, and Laura and I are honored tohave it here at the White House.

I want to thank Kol Sasson from the great University of Marylandfor joining us today, and thank you for lending your beautiful voicefor this occasion.

Tonight, as we prepare to light the candles, we hope and pray thatall who live under tyranny will see their day of freedom, and that thelight of faith will always shine through the darkness. We also prayfor the brave men and women of our armed forces, many of whom arespending the holiday season far from home and their loved ones. We aregrateful for their service to America, we're grateful for the supportand sacrifice of their families.

And now, Jacob Murphy and Sidney Hallem will help us light thecandles. Their fathers are serving in our United States Armed Forceswith distinction and with honor.

(The menorah is lighted.)

* * * * *

Q Mr. President, do you have any words for Americans who areworried about traveling this holiday season?

THE PRESIDENT: My words are these: our government is doingeverything we can to protect our country. We've got a lot of reallydecent hardworking Americans who will be working over the holidayseason to do everything we can to protect Americans from harm. And Iwant 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, theyneed to know that governments at all levels are working as hard as wepossibly can to protect the American citizens.

Thank you, all.

END 4:40 P.M. EST

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