Pat Dollard | Young Americans

The Swamp:

Honey baked ham with maple mustard sauce will be served at the president’s Easter Brunch today — and eggs benedict, bacon and biscuits. Spinach salad and waffles. Sauteed asparagus and cheese grits. A fresh fruit platter, double coconut layer cake and lemon curd trifle with fresh berries.

Time for a walk after that.

Most of the president’s Cabinet will join in the readings of children’s books at the Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House Monday morning. And for any questions about the Easter Egg roll that started with the administration of Rutherford B. Hayes, search no further for answers:

“Hayes officially opened the White House grounds to local children for egg rolling on Easter Monday in 1878,’’ the first lady’s office reports. “Successive presidents have continued the tradition of inviting children to the South Lawn for egg rolling and other activities and entertainment. On occasion, the Easter Egg Roll has been cancelled, either due to inclement weather or in times of war (World War I and World War II).”.

Most of the tickets for this year’s event – some 22,000 — were distributed to the public on March 22. There are only 15,000 eggs, though, so those will be saved for the children.

And never mind that it’s a good three hours to the ocean from Washington — the egg roll this year will carry a lesson about ocean conservation.

“The 2008 White House Easter Egg Roll will focus on the importance of ocean conservation to our national heritage, economy, and security,” the first lady’s office reports. “As children explore the White House grounds, they will learn about our oceans and how to preserve them for future generations. Through education and volunteerism, all families can make a difference in keeping our oceans clean.

”The message of ocean conservation will be present throughout the White House grounds as children learn about how they can clean marine debris and keep our oceans clean and safe. Children will be able to view and touch marine life, interact with U.S. Coast Guard’s Officer Snook, help paint visions of the sea on a 20-foot mural with the help of renowned marine life artist Wyland, and collect literature on ocean conservation.’’

The Bush family extended a special invitation through USA Freedom Corps to organizations that pitched in with ocean conservation.

It all gets underway with food and entertainment on the South Lawn. Children seven and younger take part in the egg roll. There will be reading corners, egg coloring, art activities, face painting, stage entertainment, music, magicians, and other activities. The readings are given by the authors of popular children’s books, athletes, actors, Cabinet members, and other senior Bush Administration officials.

The American Egg Board provided more than 15,000 eggs, including, 7,500 real eggs for the Egg Roll, 3,200 dyed eggs for the Egg Hunt, and 4,500 plain hard cooked eggs for children to dye.

Michael McWillie of Parker, Texas designed this year’s commemorative wooden egg and poster, as well as the artwork found on the tickets and program. “McWillie is well known for his whimsical paintings of Scottish Terriers,’’ explains the first lady, owner of two.

The guest reader includes: Laura Bush, daughter Jenna Bush and former first lady Barbara Bush,.

And from the administration: Elaine Chao, Secretary of Labor, Carlos Gutierrez, Secretary of Commerce, Michael Leavitt, Secretary of Health & Human Services, Alphonso Jackson, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Henry Paulson, Jr., Secretary of the Treasury, Mary Peters, Secretary of Transportation, Ed Schafer, Secretary of Agriculture, Margaret Spellings, Secretary of Education, Stephen Johnson, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Ambassador Susan Schwab, United States Trade Representative, Josh Bolten, Chief of Staff, Anita McBride, Chief of Staff to the First Lady, Dana Perino, Assistant to the President and Press Secretary.