Catholic school students on hand as Bush spares life of turkey

Published: 2004-11-19

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Students at Immaculate Conception School in Northeast Washington had a rare opportunity to watch in person as President George W. Bush exercised a presidential prerogative and issued a pardon to stop a scheduled execution. In ceremonies at the White House Rose Garden Nov. 17, Bush issued an executive pardon to Biscuits, the national Thanksgiving turkey presented to him by the National Turkey Federation. With the action, Biscuits was guaranteed not to wind up on the president's -- or anybody else's -- Thanksgiving Day table. Instead, he will live out his life at Frying Pan Park in Virginia. Immaculate Conception students were the only students in the nation invited to the ceremony. After pardoning Biscuits, Bush invited the students to pet the turkey. The president shook hands with the students, asking them what grade they were in, posing for pictures with them and wishing them a happy Thanksgiving.

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