Celebrate the 61st Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Pardon
This year marks the 61st anniversary of the National Thanksgiving Turkey presentation. Though live Thanksgiving turkeys have been presented intermittently to
presidents since the Lincoln administration, the current ceremony dates to 1947, when the first National Thanksgiving Turkey was presented to President Harry
Truman.
The peaceful transfer of power from one Presidential Administration to the next is a hallmark of American democracy.
With our Nation at war, our homeland targeted by terrorist adversaries, and our economy facing serious challenges, the
Administration is committed to establishing and executing a transition plan that minimizes disruption, maintains
continuity, and addresses the major changes in government since the 2000 transition, including the Intelligence Reform
and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, as well as the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, the Director of
National Intelligence, and the Homeland Security Council.
On October 22, 2008, the President invited the leaders of the Group of 20 countries to a summit in the Washington, D.C. area, on November 15 to discuss financial markets and the global economy. The G-20 finance process, which includes key developed and emerging market countries, was established in 1999, after the last financial crisis with worldwide implications.
President Bush has outlined decisive government action to preserve and sustain America's financial system and economy. This is a pivotal moment for America's economy. Problems that originated in the credit markets – and first showed up in the area of subprime mortgages – have spread throughout our financial system. As a result, the government is acting now to protect our Nation's economic health from serious risk.
President Bush's top priority is the safety and security of the American people. Though America and its allies are safer since 9/11, we are not yet safe. We have important challenges ahead as we wage a long-term battle not just against terrorists, but against the ideology that supports their agenda.
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President George W. Bush talks to military personnel from Camp David, Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2008. The President called members of the Armed Forces stationed in remote locations worldwide to wish them a happy Thanksgiving and thank them for their service to our nation. White House photo by Eric Draper
Two years ago, this day seemed unlikely - but the success of the surge and the courage of the Iraqi people set the conditions for these two agreements to be negotiated and approved by the Iraqi parliament. The improved conditions on the ground and the parliamentary approval of these two agreements serve as a testament to the Iraqi, Coalition, and American men and women, both military and civilian, who paved the way for this day. En Español Strategic Framework Agreement Security Agreement In Focus: Iraq
The President made telephone calls this morning to exemplary members of the Armed Forces who are stationed in remote locations worldwide to wish them a Happy Thanksgiving and to thank them for their service to our Nation. Thanksgiving 2008
In his weekly radio address President Bush said, "This week, Americans gather with loved ones to celebrate Thanksgiving. This holiday season is a time of fellowship and peace. And it is a time to give thanks for our many blessings." En Español Audio
President Bush on Wednesday said, "This is my final Thanksgiving as the President. Over the past eight years, I have been given many reasons to be thankful. I'm thankful to our men and women in uniform and I am incredibly proud to have been their Commander-in-Chief. I am thankful for the armies of compassion volunteers who feed the hungry and shelter the poor. I am thankful for the teachers and nurses and pastors police officers and firefighters, and others who serve their neighbors and better their communities." Thanksgiving 2008