the first menorah lighting in the executive residence was in december of 2001 with george and laura bush. in 2007, the parents of slain reporter daniel pearl, a victim of terrorism, lit the menorah at the white house. the menorah had been in the pearl family for generations. the menorah we light tonight has special meaning. it once belonged to hiam pearl, who was the great-grandfather of wall street journal reporter daniel pearl. while reporting in pakistan 2002, daniel was kidnapped and murdered by terrorists. his only crime was being a jewish american. by honoring daniel, we re given the opportunity to bring forth hope from the darkness of tragedy, and that is a miracle worth celebrating during the festival of lights. it was also the last time a first family has been separated by war.