Where: The White House
Rose Garden

When: Wednesday, November 24, 1999

Who: President William J. Clinton
NTF Chairman Jim Rieth
NTF President Stuart E. Proctor

The National Turkey Federation (NTF) first presented a Thanksgiving Turkey to President Harry S Truman in 1947. Today’s presentation marks the 52nd anniversary of a tradition that has continued through nine successive administrations. Joining in the ceremony with President Clinton were children from both the Boys and Girls Clubs of Washington, DC, and Horton’s Kids, a mentoring program for underprivileged children in the Anacostia neighborhood of DC.

The 1999 National Thanksgiving Turkey is a breeder tom raised under the supervision of NTF Chairman James (Jim) N. Rieth, Jennie-O Foods, Inc., the nation’s largest turkey processor based in Willmar, MN. Jennie-O Foods is a wholly-owned Hormel Foods subsidiary.

The 31-week old turkey named “Harry,” which weights more than 50 pounds, was flown to Washington, DC, on Tuesday, November 23, and rested overnight at the Hotel Washington.

The National Thanksgiving Turkey was raised under normal feeding and other production techniques. For the first 18 weeks of its life it was raised with a flock of commercial turkeys under Mr. Reith’s supervision. To receive more “hands-on” attention, the bird was moved to the farm of Harry Meyers, Jr., the grandfather of a Jennie-O employee, in Prinsburg, MN. Minnesota is the second-biggest turkey producing state in the country; approximately 43.5 million turkeys are expected to be raised there in 1999.

"Harry, hatched 31 weeks ago near Willmar, Minn., stood coolly between two suited men on the lawn of the White House Rose Garden as Clinton pardoned him" (AP-Washington, The Daily Progress, November 25, 1999).

"'Before I feast on one of the 45 million turkeys who will make the ultimate sacrifice, let me give this one a permanent reprieve,' Clinton said. Harry's first act as a free bird was to duck his head low and poke it in and out of a nearby hedge" (AP-Washington, The Daily Progress, November 25, 1999).

"'He never clucked or flapped his wings, even as the two men lifted him and set him atop a table in front of Clinton. The president noted that Harry was 'a little more calm than the one we had last year'" (AP-Washington, The Daily Progress, November 25, 1999).

"'Turkeys really do have personalities, very different ones,' Clinton said. 'On occasion, they are as independent as the rest of Americans'" (AP-Washington, The Daily Progress, November 25, 1999).

"Clinton also pointed out that Minnesota is the nation's No. 2 turkey-producing state after North Carolina, adding: 'Sometimes I wonder if it's really a match for Washington, D.C.'" (AP-Washington, The Daily Progress, November 25, 1999).

After the presentation, the turkey and the alternate [Troy] will be taken to Kidwell Farm at Frying Pan Park in Herndon, VA. Kidwell Farm is operated by the Fairfax County Park Authority and is a working farm of the 1930s era. The birds will be on display for visitors to the farm.

“'Tomorrow when millions of Americans sit down for their Thanksgiving dinner it will be an opportunity to reflect on all the bounty we all enjoy in the United States. It is an honor to be a part of an industry that helps supply that bounty in a safe, nutritious, affordable manner that has a central role in this unique American holiday,'” said Rieth.

For more information, contact Sherrie Rosenblatt, NTF’s director of public relations (phone: 202-898-0100 Extension 233; E-mail: srosenblatt@turkeyfed.org.