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CNN Live At Daybreak

White House Reopens to Select Visitors Today

Aired February 15, 2002 - 06:49   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Something has been missing at the White House for the past five months. Tour groups.

But CNN's Bill Prasad is here to tell us that's about to change -- good morning, Bill.

BILL PRASAD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol. The White House will open its doors later today. For the first time since September 11, tours will be given to a selected group of people.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PRASAD (voice-over): 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the address of the People's House, but since September 11, the people haven't been able to tour the Executive Mansion. D.C. delegate to the House of Representatives, Eleanor Holmes Norton, says it sends the nation the wrong message.

ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON, D.C. DELEGATE TO HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: When the White House is closed, the signal to everybody is there is something to be afraid of.

PRASAD: President Thomas Jefferson first opened the White House to tours in 1805. The Mansion cost $232,000 to build and has 132 rooms. President Gerald Ford once called it the best public housing he had ever seen.

An average of 6,000 people once toured the first family's home each day, but now tourists are barred from entering.

BRYAN MARRINER, TOURIST: Unfortunately this morning, we found out we can't go in. You know, and it's quite -- it's disheartening. It's really disheartening.

PRASAD: The White House has been closed to tourists for the longest period since renovations in 1948. Also, district officials say visitors are staying away from one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country, Washington. And perhaps most conspicuously absent have been the kids. Students once made up one of the largest touring groups to visit the city. After September 11, they virtually disappeared.

But now, the kids are back. Today, students from Illinois and D.C. will be the first to tour the White House since September. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE STUDENT: I am very excited. I think it's a wonderful opportunity for all of us.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PRASAD: The White House will be open to student groups only. The general public still now allowed inside.

Bill Prasad, CNN, Washington.

COSTELLO: Well, at least we're moving forward now. Thank you, Bill Prasad, reporting...

Exactly.

COSTELLO: Yes. Bill Prasad reporting live for us from Washington.

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