Clinton Lauds Peace, Prosperity at Christmas Concert

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Clinton Sunday evening marked his final holiday season as the nation's chief executive, taking his family to an annual Christmas concert and expressing gratitude for America's "unprecedented peace and prosperity.''

The president, accompanied by First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and daughter, Chelsea, attended the 19th "Christmas in Washington'' concert at the National Building Museum.

"Our family looks forward to this 'Christmas in Washington' every year,'' Clinton said. "This is our last one here. Also, it's the first Christmas of the new millennium,'' he added. ''Tonight I am grateful that we can celebrate an America blessed with unprecedented peace and prosperity.''

The concert was sponsored by Time Warner and benefited the Children's National Medical Center. Hosting the event was actress Sarah Michelle Gellar. Performers included Motown soul singer Brian McKnight, pop singer Jessica Simpson, Irish singing family The Corrs, Latin singer Marc Anthony, and rock-and-roll legend Chuck Berry.

In a reference to the youthful participants in the concert, Clinton observed that they are part of a "world growing increasingly more diverse,'' and also that if the young are our guide, it will be more unified.

The event will screen on cable's TNT on Dec. 17.