 President of the United States. Thank you all very much. Thank you very much and good morning and welcome to the old Executive Office building. Please be seated. I'm delighted to be able to welcome you as we gather for a few moments here to sign this proclamation declaring May 7th our National Day of Prayer for the coming year. No one can hold this office without noticing that prayer is something deeply woven into the fabric of our history that indeed spiritual values are essential to the successful life of a democracy. It was George Washington himself who said of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. Throughout our history our leaders have always turned to prayer in times of crisis. All of us know how George Washington knelt in the snow of the Holy Forge to ask for divine assistance when the fate of our nation hung in the balance. Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation shortly after the battle of Gettysburg in treating the nation to pray for perfect enjoyment of union and fraternal peace. And after the shock of Pearl Harbor Franklin Rose Day season when in Hanukkah we celebrate God's faithfulness to the Jewish nation and in Christmas we mark the birth of one whom is also some honor as a great and holy prophet and others adore as the Son of God. Listen if you will for a moment to the words of the scriptures. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo the angel of the Lord came upon them and the glory of the Lord shone round about them. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host giving glory to God in the highest and on earth peace goodwill toward men. Perhaps in our own prayers we would do well to remember the words of the heavenly host on that one still night so long ago. Each of us in our own way giving glory to God and asking in all earnestness for peace on earth and goodwill toward men. So thank you and God bless you all and now I shall sign the proclamation. That's what we feel here today. Ha ha ha. Ha ha ha.