Extracted text

OCR Page 1 of 14
THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON PRESIDENT AND MRS. NIXON'S ATTENDANCE AT NATIONAL COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING Friday, December 14, 1973 The President's Park 5:30 P.M. THE PRESIDENT: BACKGROUND The 1973 lighting of the National Christmas Tree marks the 50th anniversary of this event. You have previously lighted the tree, as President, in 1969 and 1970. This year the event will be unusual in two respects: (1) There will be a reversion to the practice of using a live tree (a 40-foot Colorado blue spruce). (2) A drastic reduction in electrical illuminations (only one light on the tree and four spotlights on the ground). The ceremony itself will be similar to previous years. Principals attending and seated on the stage will include Secretary and Mrs. Morton, Mayor and Mrs. Washington, Under Secretary and Mrs. Whitaker, Senators Bible and Hansen, Congressmen Taylor, Skubitz and Flood, and National Park Director and Mrs. Ron Walker. Prior to your arrival there will be selections by the Marine Band, Christmas Carols by the Westminster Choir of Princeton, New Jersey, an Invocation, and an introduction of all of the platform guests. Your arrival will coincide with the beginning of live national TV coverage which will continue throughout the ceremony until your departure. The principal aspects of your participation are to deliver remarks and, with the assistance of a young Boy Scout and a Camp Fire Girl, to throw the switch lighting the National Christmas Tree.