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1252180
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12/17/74 - Remarks for Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
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1252180
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contentType
document
title
12/17/74 - Remarks for Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
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President's Speeches and Statements Reading Copies (Ford Administration)
Reading Copies of Presidential Speeches and Statements
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Speeches, addresses, etc.
Holidays
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1252180
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17
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1974-12-17
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12
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1974
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17
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1974-12-17
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12
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1974
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The original documents are located in Box 4, folder "12/17/74 - Remarks for Christmas
Tree Lighting Ceremony" of the President's Speeches and Statements: Reading Copies at
the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box 4 of President's Speeches and Statements: Reading Copies at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN.
of
REMARKS FOR THE CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1974
- 1 -
I AM DELIGHTED TO JOIN THIS HAPPY CELEBRATION TONIGHT --
TO LIGHT AND SHARE WITH YOU ALL THE NATION'S CHRISTMAS TREE.
- 2 -
National Rach
AS A FORMER FOREST RANGER CONCERNED WITH CONSERVATION,
I AM PLEASED TO KNOW THAT THIS MAGNIFICENT TREE FROM THE STATE OF
PENNSYLVANIA IS ALIVE AND GROWING - AND WILL BE THE NATIONAL
COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS TREE FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.
- 3 -
AND AS A PRESIDENT VITALLY CONCERNED WITH THE SAVING OF
ENERGY, I ALSO WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THE ELECTRICITY CONSUMED BY
THE LIGHTING OF THIS TREE, IS A CONSIDERABLE REDUCTION OF WHAT HAS
BEEN USED IN PREVIOUS YEARS.
AND THAT IS THE WAY IT SHOULD BE.
THE GLOW OF CHRISTMAS SHOULD COME FROM A POWER SOURCE WE WILL
NEVER RUN SHORT OF -- OUR ABIDING FAITH AND THE LOVE OF GOD.
- 4 -
THE TRUE SPIRIT OF THIS SEASON CAN BEST BE SEEN IN OUR
FACES.
THE CHILDREN HERE TONIGHT, LIKE MILLIONS OF CHILDREN
AROUND THE WORLD, REFLECT THE WONDER AND EXCITEMENT OF
ANTICIPATION.
THOSE OF US WHO ARE OLDER LOOK FORWARD TO THE
WARMTH OF REUNIONS WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
- 5 -
TRADITIONS, TREASURED MEMORIES AND SHARED HOPES,
ARE THE TIES THAT BIND FAMILIES AND NATIONS TOGETHER.
THE
TREE BEFORE US IS PART OF OUR NATIONAL TRADITION AND, AS SUCH,
IT HAS SEEN BOTH TRIUMPHS AND TRAGEDIES.
- 6 -
have
CHRISTMAS AND THE NEW YEAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN A TIME TO
REFLECT ON THE PAST -- AND THEN LOOK AHEAD TO THE FUTURE.
I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT 1975 WILL BE A BRIGHTER YEAR FOR AMERICA.
BUT IT MUST ALSO BE A BRIGHTER YEAR FOR THE ENTIRE WORLD IF WE,
AS A NATION, ARE TO PROSPER.
- 7 -
AND so, I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU MY PERSONAL
LIST OF CHRISTMAS WISHES: AT THE TOP OF MY LIST ARE PEACE,
ECONOMIC WELL-BEING FOR ALL, AND A CARING CLIMATE THAT WILL
PERMIT EVERYONE TO ACHIEVE THE FULLEST POTENTIAL OF THEIR HUMAN
GIFTS.
I WISH THIS NATION A STRONG FUTURE OUT OF A PROUD PAST.
- 8 -
AND I WISH EVERY ONE OF US THE REALIZATION OF LOVE AND BELONGING.
BILLIONS OF WORDS HAVE BEEN WRITTEN, SUNG AND SPOKEN
ABOUT THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS.
NONE HAVE EVER SAID IT
MORE ELOQUENTLY THAN: "ON EARTH, PEACE, GOOD WILL TOWARD
MEN!"
AND THAT IS MY FINAL CHRISTMAS WISH FOR US ALL.
END OF TEXT