President Barack Obama marked his final Thanksgiving at the White House with humor and gratitude, according to the official transcript of the annual event, during which he “pardoned” two turkeys on Wednesday in the Rose Garden.
“For generations, Presidents have faithfully executed two great American traditions: issuing a proclamation that sets aside a Thursday in November for us to express gratitude, and granting pardons that reflect our beliefs in second chances.”
President Obama stated that his daughters, Malia and Sasha, were thankful that “this is my final presidential turkey pardon.” And then he threw in a joke for the gathered media.
“What I haven’t told them yet is that we are going to do this every year from now on. No cameras. Just us. Every year. No way I’m cutting this habit cold turkey.”
A YouTube video, seen below, captured the event. In his official remarks on a final Thanksgiving ceremony , President Barack Obama explained the significance of the day.
“Thanksgiving is a chance to gather with loved ones, reflect on our many blessings, and, after a long campaign season, finally turn our attention from polls to poultry. This year, we’re honored to be joined by two of the lucky ones, who were raised by the Domino family in Iowa: Tater and Tot.”
Obama also stated that there was much to be thankful for, giving a recitation of points he wanted to highlight for the gathered media.
“Six straight years of job creation — the longest streak ever. Low unemployment. Wages are rising again. Inequality is narrowing. The housing market is healing. The stock market has nearly tripled. Our high school graduation rate is at an all-time high. And our uninsured rate is at an all-time low, thanks to the 20 million more Americans, including millions of children, who finally know the security of health insurance.” The crowd gave him applause, to which the president quipped: “That’s worth gobbling about.”
“Thanksgiving is also a reminder of the source of our national strength — that out of many, we are one; that we’re bound not by any one race or religion, but rather by an adherence to a common creed, that all of us are created equal,” stated Obama. “And while accepting our differences and building a diverse society has never been easy, it has never been more important.” The president added another thought, following that.
“We are a people that look out for one another and get each other’s backs. We keep moving forward, defined by values and ideals that have been a light to all humanity.”
On Twitter, President-elect Donald Trump also wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving Day.
Let us give thanks for all that we have, and let us boldly face the exciting new frontiers that lie ahead. Happy Thanksgiving. pic.twitter.com/yH6LYdS2ts — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 24, 2016
The current president also said that Americans need to “see ourselves in each other because we’ve all got families we love, and we all have hopes for their better future.”
Obama added that Thanksgiving is a good time for us to remember “[w]e have a lot more in common than divides us. The holidays are also a time when it’s even more important to reach out to those who need a helping hand.”
“I believe we’re judged by how we care for the poor and the vulnerable, the sick and the elderly, the immigrant, the refugee, everybody who’s trying to get a second chance.”
Near the end of the ceremony the president stated “… before I spare these turkeys’ lives, on this Thanksgiving, I want to express my sincere gratitude to the American people for the trust that you’ve placed in me over these last eight years and the incredible kindness that you’ve shown my family.”
In the end, the president informed all that the turkeys, Tater and Tot, would both be given to Virginia Tech and would not be spending time beyond Thanksgiving in the White House.
[Featured Image by Chuck Kennedy/ Official White House image]
