The Nation Unites to Honor the President and Vice President; One-of-a-Kind Crystal Hurricane Lamps from Lenox Will Be the Official Inaugural Gifts from the American People.

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. -- The American people's official gift to the President and Vice President in honor of their inauguration was delivered today to Senator Trent Lott and the members of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC). The gifts, a set of priceless, one-of-a-kind cut crystal hurricane lamps, will be presented on behalf of the American people to the President and Vice President at the Inaugural Luncheon following the swearing in ceremony at the U.S. Capitol.

For the fifth consecutive inauguration, Lenox, Inc., the oldest and most prestigious maker of crystal and fine china in the United States, has had the distinguished honor of creating the Inaugural gift. From 1989, for President George H. W. Bush through 2001, Lenox created a cut crystal bowl for the occasion. For 2005, it was decided to create a piece that was entirely different.

Working closely with the JCCIC and Mrs. Trent Lott, Lenox's team of craftsmen, including Timothy Carder, Lenox vice president of design, and Peter O'Rourke, master glass cutter, created a pair of 18-inch, full-lead crystal hurricane lamps, etched with a frieze of the White House, and featuring a silver-plated base engraved with the president's name and the Inauguration date. A similar set, featuring the Capitol building etched in the body of the hurricane, will be presented to Vice President Cheney.

"The Presidential Inauguration is a celebration of our rich history and our hope for a bright and prosperous future," stated Mississippi Senator Trent Lott (R-MS), Chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. "In crafting these unique lamps, the designers at Lenox have again done a wonderful job of capturing that spirit."

The official Inaugural gift was delivered to Senator Lott in Washington on January 6, 2005. After working on this project for nearly 1,000 hours, Mr. Carder handed over the stunning pieces of craftsmanship at an intimate ceremony held on Capitol Hill.

For more than 80 years, Lenox has created fine china dinnerware for the White House, the vice president's official residence, over 300 U.S. Embassies, and more than half of the governor's mansions. Lenox became the first American china to be used in the White House in 1918 when President Wilson commissioned the company to create a 1,700 piece service bearing the presidential seal in raised gold. Over the years, Lenox has created new state services for four additional presidents, Roosevelt, Truman, Reagan and Clinton that reflect not only the style of the day but the timeless beauty of Lenox's renowned ivory china.

"We at Lenox have been privileged to serve our country through the years by creating dinnerware and giftware for our leaders," said Jay Hanauer, chief executive officer, Lenox, Inc. "We take special care and pride to create Inaugural gifts befitting the President of the United States, and these detailed crystal hurricane lamps are a true testament to quality and craftsmanship that have been part of the Lenox tradition for more than 115 years."

Lenox, America's tabletop and giftware leader, based in Lawrenceville, N.J., is the only full-line American tabletop and giftware marketer. In addition to Lenox, Lenox, Inc. also markets Dansk(R), Gorham(R) and Lenox Kirk Stieff Collection(TM). Together, the brands represent over 450 years of tabletop and giftware experience. Visit Lenox at their website at www.Lenox.com or call 1-800-63-LENOX.

For media inquiries about the 2005 swearing in ceremonies and other official proceedings, please contact Thomas J. Basile, Press Secretary, Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies at 202-224-1300 or [e-mail] .