WASHINGTON, Nov 10: President Bill Clinton and three of his predecessors on Thursday paid homage to the White House, which has sheltered American presidents for two centuries, as the contest to determine its next tenant remained unresolved. reports Reuters.

With the US presidential election still not decided two days after the vote, Clinton and three former presidents attended a banquet in the East Room lo celebrate the 200th anniversary of the executive mansion.

Among the guests were former President George Bush and his wife Barbara. Their son. Texas Gov. George W. Bush, is locked in the tightest contest for president in decades with Vice President Al Gore.

"In the entire 200 years of White House history never before has this many former presidents, first ladles, gathered in this great room." Clinton said at the start of the dinner.

"In ways both large and small, each and every one of you has cast your light upon this house." he said. T salute you and all those yet to grace these halls."

While the guests dined on seared striped bass and smoked loin of lamb, the next presidency rested on a vote recount in Florida that showed a

razor-thin margin between Republican Bush and Democrat Gore

The senior Bush said his son was doing the right th Ing and doing it with dignity.

I'm a father, a very proud father, proud of the way my son has conducted himself and is conducting himself." Bush said before the dinner.

First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, who made history this week as the only president's wife lo be elecled to the Senate, switched to her White House role for the formal dinner.

The Clintons were each separated from the Bushes by a person al the head table, where former Presidents Jimmy Carter. Gerald Ford, their wives, and former first lady Lady Bird Johnson were also seated.

Ford once called the White House the "best public housing' in the world and former President HarryTruman called it a "glamorousprison.

The first president to move into the White House was John Adams, who arrived on Nov. 1. 1800. with the building still not finished, the surrounding area mainly undeveloped and ihe Capitol only half built.

The guest list was heavy on historians and members of Clinton's Cabinet, and light on members of Congress.