Speaker 1 (00:27):
You got a shot of him crossing the Rose Garden?Very briefly, okay? We hope so. But they haven't… I mean, the wranglers are here and we anticipate… we anticipate it's going [inaudible 00:02:52].
Speaker 2 (04:07):
Distinguished guests please welcome the President of the United States, accompanied by National Turkey Federation Chairman John Zimmerman and his son, Grant.
Joe Biden (04:37):
Well, good morning.
Crowd (04:37):
Good morning.
Joe Biden (04:40):
They tell me there's 2,500 people here today looking for a pardon. Well, good morning and welcome to a wonderful White House tradition. We've got a lot of folks joining us today. Members of my cabinet, members of the White House staff and their families. We got students from 4H programs in Future Farmers of America. Where are you?
(05:06)
And of course, a special thanks to everyone at the National Turkey Federation. That's the old president of the federation, Leslie, where are you there? There you are. And John Zimmerman, chairman of the federation and his family from Northfield, Minnesota, john.
(05:27)
I was in Northfield last year with my Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, and our great fan, the Minnesota Governor, Tim Walz, talking about our historic investment in transforming rural America.
(05:45)
Back in Minnesota, John's been in the turkey grower for 35 years. He's raised over four million turkeys. Whoa. And with the help of his nine-year-old son Grant, they've raised two special guests we're honoring today, Peach and Blossom. Let's bring Peach up to join us.
(06:16)
They tell me Peach weighs about 42 pounds. What'd you say Peach? Peach is making a last minute plea here. The two turkeys are named after the Delaware State Flower, the Peach Blossom. And by the way, Delaware has a long history of growing peaches. In fact, the peach pie in our state is one of my favorites, it's the state dessert, and peach blossom flowers also symbolizes the resilience, which is quite frankly, fitting for today.
(06:54)
This White House tradition began when turkey was presented to President Truman, and that president, then President George H.W. Bush, began pardoning turkeys. In the last four years, I've been honored to continue that tradition by pardoning Peanut Butter and Jelly, Chocolate and Chip, Liberty and Bell. And today, Peach and Blossom will join the free birds of the United States of America.
(07:25)
Born this past July at the Zimmerman Family Farm, raised by the… Yeah, I hear you. Peach wants to speak a little bit. Raised by the family with the help of neighboring children who help the turkeys get ready for this very moment.
(07:42)
According to experts, Peach weighs 41 pounds and loves to eat hotdish and tater tots, and cross-country skis. Dreams to see… but the real dream he has is to see the northern lights, I'm told. He lives by the motto, "Keep calm and gobble on."
(08:09)
Meanwhile, Blossom weighs 40 pounds, loves eat cheese curds and watch boxing, dreams of visit each one of Minnesota's 10,000 lakes. He lives by the motto, "No fowl play, just Minnesota nice." They just finished a two-day road trip from Minnesota to Washington. By the way, you have chairs sit down. I forgot you had chairs.
(08:43)
I'm sorry. I started thinking about the arduous trip they made, you guys are still staying. That trip's 1,100 miles, it takes 16.5 hours. Through it all they stayed calm, they gobbled on, and still gobbling. They were staying nice, listening to their favorite music, which apparently includes the song Living on a Prayer. Well, fellas, your prayer is going to be answered today.
(09:20)
Based on your temperament and commitment to being productive members of society, I hereby pardon Peach and Blossom.
(09:35)
They'll now head back to Farmamerica, Minnesota Center for Agriculture Interpretation to serve as educational ambassadors of America's top Turkey-growing state, and inspire the next generation of agricultural students. Congratulations.
(09:51)
Let me close on a more serious note. This event marks the official start of the holiday season here in Washington. It's also my last time to speak here as your president during this season, and give thanks and gratitude. So let me say to you, it's been the honor of my life, I'm forever grateful. Later today, my wife Jill and I will travel to Staten Island, New York for a Friendsgiving with members of the Coast Guard and their families to demonstrate our gratitude for their service and sacrifice like my son.
(10:25)
We're also keep in our hearts those who have lost so much, who will have an empty seat at the Thanksgiving dinner table tonight. Or excuse me, Thursday night. May we use this moment, take time from our busy lives and focus on what matters most, our families. My dad used to have an expression, "Your family is the beginning, the middle, and the end," our friends and our neighbors, and the fact that we're blessed to live in America, the greatest country on Earth. And that's not hyperbole; we are.
(11:08)
No matter what, in America we never give up. We keep going. We keep the faith. You just said, remember who we are. We're the United States of America. There's nothing, nothing, nothing beyond our capacity when we do it together. So happy Thanksgiving America. God bless you all, and may God protect our troops. Thank you.