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US

Clinton gives turkey reason to say thanks

Harry the turkey
Harry the turkey, named after President Harry Truman, who started the tradition of presidential turkey pardoning, escaped the Thanksgiving dinner table courtesy of President Clinton  

Free as a bird after traditional presidential 'pardon'

November 24, 1999
Web posted at: 3:24 p.m. EST (2024 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A turkey named Harry has reason to welcome Thanksgiving in a way his fellow fowl can't. The 50-pound Minnesota native was given a "pardon" Wednesday by President Clinton, upholding a tradition that calls for a chosen bird to be spared execution on the way to a dinner table.

Harry, brought to the White House by the National Turkey Federation, received his presidential stay of execution during a Rose Garden ceremony that included children from the Greater Washington Boys and Girls Club.

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  • Now a free bird, Harry will live out his days at a petting zoo in Fairfax, Virginia, the president said.

    The annual "pardon" dates back to 1947, when President Harry Truman received -- and spared -- the first presidential turkey.

    White House Correspondent Kelly Wallace contributed to this report.



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