June 13 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1994 for our reemployment bill, and we have to find First is to bring Commerce in and to bring money for welfare reform. And under the budg- this whole notion of business development in. eting rules of the Federal Government, we have And the second is to change the rules by which to follow very strict procedures. We can’t, for the facilities are turned over to local commu- example, assume what I think is a reasonable nities to try to accelerate the process, to not reduction in welfare caseloads by the success let the environmental cleanup obligations delay of this reform. We can’t assume what I think it too long, to make the best financial deal we is a reasonable growth in the economy as a could to the mayors, and to make sure that result of GATT. So we have very tough rules we focused on creating jobs and opportunities in terms of dedicating funds to this program. to replace those that were lost. And I had, myself, I had at least three long I think the dramatic change in priorities that meetings on welfare reform, which major por- we’ve made is really going to make a difference. tions of the meeting were going over funding I was out in the Inland Empire area of Cali- options as a result of the work Mr. Panetta fornia not very long ago, celebrating the suc- did. So if you can find something better, I’ll cesses that the communities are having there be glad to talk to you about it. But I can’t with one of their bases that they’re now redevel- say that I agree that there’s a better way, be- oping. cause if I thought there was, I would have it We can do this all over America. These re- there. I have, myself, been unsuccessful. But sources can be put to use to develop the econ- there are a lot of you who have proved over omy of the 21st century. But the Federal Gov- time that you’re as creative and innovative as ernment is going to have to be much more anybody in this country. So have at it, and see aggressive and flexible and responsive in working what you can come up with. with you. I think we’re on the way, and I think the Commerce Department has a lot to do with that. But I also have to say that in the last [Mayor Abramson discussed the Department of year and a half, I have seen a dramatic change Commerce’s involvement in defense conversion in the attitude of the Defense Department as and thanked the President for making the proc- well. So we’re going to work hard and do our ess easier in many cities.] best to be there for you. The President. Thank you very much, Mayor. Thank you very much. You know, we had tried very hard to do a couple of things with this base closing, based on the NOTE: The teleconference began at 12:05 p.m. experiences I had as a Governor and what may- The President spoke from Room 459 in the Old ors and Governors all over the country talked Executive Office Building. In his remarks, he re- to me about. ferred to Mayor Vera Katz of Portland, OR.

Remarks at the State Dinner for Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan June 13, 1994

Ladies and gentlemen, Your Majesties, our As citizens of a relatively young nation, we other distinguished guests from Japan, ladies and Americans are honored by your presence, and gentlemen. We are honored and privileged to we deeply value the rich culture and history welcome this evening the Emperor and Empress you represent. You embody a tradition that of Japan. stretches back century after century and a peo- You are no strangers to the United States, ple who have brought the world a civilization but it gives me particular pleasure to host you of great elegance. here at the White House on this, the occasion At a time when the call of tradition so often of your first visit to America since you ascended clashes with the demands of the modern world, to the Chrysanthemum Throne. Your Majesties revere your ancestors and your

1074 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1994 / June 14 past and, yet, revel in your own people’s extraor- The Japanese poet Basho put it well in a dinary ability to innovate for tomorrow. haiku that sums up the distance ahead: Your personal interest in your nation’s cultural Nearing autumn’s close, heritage is matched by your vital curiosity about My neighbor—how does he live? the world around you. And your travels have I wonder. surely taken you far and wide. You have fully pursued professional knowledge, and yet, in your May Your Majesties’ visit provide new answers devotion to your family, you have set an example to that question and bring our peoples closer for us all. Through your words and deeds, Your still. May your journey across our land be enjoy- Majesties have earned the respect and the admi- able and leave you wanting to visit us again. ration of the Japanese people. But those are And may the sea that separates us be also a sentiments we Americans also share. shining path between us. Today, the ties that bind our two nations have Your Majesties, Hillary and I thank you for never been stronger. The miracles of technology gracing our Nation’s home tonight. It is with and the common search for democracy, pros- deep admiration and respect for you and the perity, and peace have brought us together. Ex- great nation you represent that I now ask all change between our two peoples has opened of us to raise our glasses to join in a toast windows and shed great light. Yet, there is al- to you and to the people of Japan. ways more to learn. And as we gather here tonight in 1994, our relationship is still NOTE: The President spoke at 8:58 p.m. in the unfolding. Rose Garden at the White House.

Remarks on Welfare Reform in Kansas City, Missouri June 14, 1994

Thank you very much. Thank you, ladies and Ladies and gentlemen, this is an important gentlemen, for that warm introduction and wel- day for me because I have worked on this issue come. And thank you, Yolanda Magee, for pre- for about 14 years, and I care a great deal senting me today and, far more importantly, for about it. I came out here to the heart of Amer- presenting such a good example of a young ica, to a bank where Harry Truman had his American determined to be a good parent and first job, to talk about the values that sustain a good worker and a successful citizen. Thank us all as citizens and as Americans, faith and you, Mr. Kemper, for giving her a chance to family, work and responsibility, community and be all that. Thank you, Congressman Wheat, opportunity. for your leadership on welfare reform. And Last week, on behalf of all Americans, I took thank you, Mayor Cleaver, for your leadership a journey of remembrance—many of you, at on this issue. Thank you, Governor Carnahan, least, took it too through the television—to for proving once again that the States, just as honor the sacrifices of the people who led our James Madison and Thomas Jefferson intended, invasions at D-Day and on the Italian Peninsula. are still the laboratories of democracy, still capa- I came home from Normandy with a renewed ble of leading the way to change things that sense, which I hope all of you share, of the don’t work in this country and to unleash the work that we have to do in this time to be potential of our citizens. This is a remarkable worthy of the sacrifices of that generation and welfare reform plan that you have put together. to preserve this country for generations still to I’d like to thank also Secretary Shalala for her come. work here. Many people in the White House The people who won World War II and re- and in the Department of Health and Human built our country afterward were driven by cer- Services worked with people all over America tain bedrock values that have made our country in putting this welfare reform plan together the strongest in history. Facing the dawn of today. I thank them all.

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