CAMPAIGN ’88 : Mushroom Lures Bush

Bush flew across one-quarter of the nation Sunday to pay tribute to . . . the mushroom.

It seems that each year for the last 19, the citizens of Cicero, Ill., have held a celebratory parade for the “Houby,” which is Czech for mushroom. So it was Sunday, and Bush flew in from Washington--1,112 miles round trip--to ride one mile in the 1988 Houby Parade, his single campaign event of the day.

“None of us will ever forget that there is no freedom in Eastern Europe,” Bush said in a 45-second speech to residents of the community, which owes its heritage to Eastern European immigrants.

“I pledge that the President can never forget that.”

Riding in an antique fire engine with his wife, Barbara, and Illinois Gov. James R. Thompson, Bush waved and gulped shishkebab and a waffle with strawberries. But no mushrooms.