Official White House Squirrel Feeder
Odd trivia: Rick Feeney is arguably the longest-serving White House appointee ever, having served as the Official White House Squirrel Feeder since 1949, when Truman appointed him to the post. Having never been replaced, he presumably still holds the role. Feeney was 5 years old when appointed, which would make him about 75 now. I wonder what would happen if he wandered up to the White House and insisted on being able to perform his squirrel feeding duty.
The story goes that his father (who was Truman’s administrative assistant) took him to the White House in 1949 to meet the president, whereupon Feeney informed Truman that the White House squirrels were skinnier than the ones in Lafayette Park. So Truman promptly appointed him to be the White House squirrel feeder, noting that the Senate was in recess so their confirmation wasn’t needed. Feeney was to serve “at the pleasure of the President.”
In 1974, when Feeney was 29, he noted that it was really time for someone to replace him, but no other Squirrel Feeder has ever been appointed.
More details at Southern Maryland This Is Living.
A children's book published in 2016 tells the story of the White House squirrel feeder. Available on Amazon.
The story goes that his father (who was Truman’s administrative assistant) took him to the White House in 1949 to meet the president, whereupon Feeney informed Truman that the White House squirrels were skinnier than the ones in Lafayette Park. So Truman promptly appointed him to be the White House squirrel feeder, noting that the Senate was in recess so their confirmation wasn’t needed. Feeney was to serve “at the pleasure of the President.”
In 1974, when Feeney was 29, he noted that it was really time for someone to replace him, but no other Squirrel Feeder has ever been appointed.
More details at Southern Maryland This Is Living.
Binghamton Press and Sun-Bulletin - Sep 6, 1974
A children's book published in 2016 tells the story of the White House squirrel feeder. Available on Amazon.
Comments
Gubment handouts creating dependencies, once again.
Posted by Virtual on 02/03/19 at 10:28 AM
He better have plenty Big Macs, the squirrel there now only eats junk food.
Posted by F.U.D. in Stockholm on 02/03/19 at 12:23 PM
F.U.D., I've seen gray squirrels, black squirrels, and red squirrels, but I've never seen an orange one. Must be some other kind of critter.
Posted by ges on 02/03/19 at 08:12 PM
Commenting is not available in this channel entry.
Category: Animals | Politics | 1940s