Computers, Bunnies Vie for Tots’ Eye During White House Easter Egg Roll

Setting his crutches aside and leaning against a podium, President Clinton surveyed the throng of eager children from a White House balcony and gave the signal: “Are you all ready?”

With a sharp blast from the presidential whistle, a roar from the crowd spread over the South Lawn and the 119th annual White House Easter Egg Roll was underway Monday.

As usual, lines for the egg-rolling stations stretched halfway down the South Lawn, but there were plenty of other activities for the kids.

For instance, they could explore the Internet and send an e-mail to the president at a computer tent. Or they could hear stories read by actress Jane Seymour, Education Secretary Richard W. Riley and Atty. Gen. Janet Reno, who read “Queen Janet From the Bunny Planet.”

And, of course, there was an Easter egg hunt, where children searched for wooden eggs, some of them signed by Socks, the first family’s cat. About three dozen blind children participated in a special hunt for beeping eggs.

At one of the egg-rolling courses, 4-year-old Jessica Cooke, bundled in a blue coat and hat against the spring day’s chill, clutched her white slotted spoon and pushed a pink hard-boiled egg down the lane.

She won her race and a pink wooden Easter egg featuring a bunny holding the White House signed by the Clintons.

“I have pink,” she said, showing it to her mother, Terra Cooke of Oakton, Va.

Clinton, recovering from knee surgery March 14, and Hillary Rodham Clinton watched the fun for about five minutes.