Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents

Monday, March 20, 1995 Volume 31—Number 11 Pages 395–441

1

VerDate 28-OCT-97 11:16 Jan 17, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00001 Fmt 1249 Sfmt 1249 E:\TEMP\20MRPRE pfrm07 Contents

Addresses and Remarks Executive Orders Morocco, King Hassan II Israel-United States Binational Industrial Arrival—420 Research and Development Foundation— State dinner—426 408 National Conference of State Legislators—431 Prohibiting Certain Transactions With Respect National Hockey League champion New York to the Development of Iranian Petroleum Rangers—438 Resources—424 National League of Cities—398 National PTA Legislative Conference—410 Interviews With the News Media NCAA football champion Nebraska Exchange with reporters in the Roosevelt Cornhuskers—398 Room—436 Radio address—395 News conference with King Hassan II of Radio and TV Correspondents Association Morocco, March 15 (No. 89)—421 dinner—418 Saint Patrick’s Day ceremony—436 Meetings With Foreign Leaders Virginia, regulatory reform in Arlington—426 Ireland, Prime Minister Bruton—436 Morocco, King Hassan II—420, 421, 426 Appointments and Nominations Central Intelligence Agency, Director, Proclamations statement—396 National Day of Prayer—417 U.S. Marine Corps, Commandant, National Public Health Week—409 statement—417 Statements by the President Communications to Congress See also Appointments and Nominations Iranian petroleum resources, message—425 California, disaster assistance—397 Communications to Federal Agencies Housing and Urban Development Secretary Henry Cisneros—417 California floods, memorandum on Federal Transportation Secretary Federico Pen˜ a—435 employees affected—438 Chechnya, memorandum on assistance to Supplementary Materials victims—409 Acts approved by the President—441 Palestinian police force, memorandum on Checklist of White House press releases—440 assistance—435 Digest of other White House announcements—439 Nominations submitted to the Senate—440

WEEKLY COMPILATION OF regulations prescribed by the Administrative Committee of the Federal Register, approved by the President (37 FR 23607; 1 CFR Part 10). PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS Distribution is made only by the Superintendent of Docu- ments, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. Published every Monday by the Office of the Federal Reg- The Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents will be ister, National Archives and Records Administration, Washing- furnished by mail to domestic subscribers for $80.00 per year ton, DC 20408, the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Docu- ($137.00 for mailing first class) and to foreign subscribers for ments contains statements, messages, and other Presidential $93.75 per year, payable to the Superintendent of Documents, materials released by the White House during the preceding Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. The week. charge for a single copy is $3.00 ($3.75 for foreign mailing). The Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents is pub- There are no restrictions on the republication of material lished pursuant to the authority contained in the Federal Reg- appearing in the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Docu- ister Act (49 Stat. 500, as amended; 44 U.S.C. Ch. 15), under ments.

2

VerDate 28-OCT-97 11:16 Jan 17, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00002 Fmt 1249 Sfmt 1249 E:\TEMP\20MRPRE pfrm07 Week Ending Friday, March 17, 1995

The President’s Radio Address college loans with much better repayment March 11, 1995 terms. But we’ve insisted on more respon- sibility. The cost to you, the taxpayers, of de- Good morning. I ran for President to keep linquent college loans has gone down from the American dream alive for the forgotten $2.8 billion a year to $1 billion a year since middle class and for all of those struggling I took office, opportunity and responsibility. to make it in our country, to make sure all Look at the economy. When I took office, Americans have the chance to live up to their we had no economic strategy for putting peo- God-given potential. Today in Washington, ple first. Instead, we’d had 12 years in which there’s a great debate about how best to do trickle-down economics had quadrupled the that, and the choices we make will say a lot deficit and investments in our people had about who we are as a nation as we enter been ignored. There was less opportunity the new century. and less responsibility. Today, we’re reducing On one side, there’s the old one-size-fits- the deficit by over $600 billion. The Federal all Washington view that big Government work force is down by over 150,000 and will can fix every problem. On the other, there’s soon be the smallest since John Kennedy was the Republican contract view that the Fed- President. We cut 300 programs in our first eral Government is the cause of every prob- two budgets, and this year, we want to elimi- lem. Well, I have a different view. I believe nate or combine 400 more. But while we’ve the purpose of Government is to expand op- cut, we’re also helping people to invest in portunity, not bureaucracy, to empower peo- their future, more for Head Start to appren- ple through education to make the most of ticeships, to college loans, to training for their own lives, and to enhance our security adults. The results are clear: This strategy is on our streets and around the world. I be- working. lieve in a Government that is limited but ef- fective, lean but not mean, not a savior but We have the lowest combined rate of un- not on the sidelines, a partner in the fight employment and inflation in 25 years. Since for the future. I believe in a Government that I became President, we have 6.1 million promotes opportunity but demands respon- more jobs. Now, there’s more to do. More sibility and that understands that we need people want work, and too many people all Americans in strong grassroots commu- haven’t gotten a raise and are living with eco- nities. That’s what the New Covenant is all nomic uncertainty. We’ve got to keep cutting about, opportunity and responsibility. unnecessary spending and investing in grow- Let me give you two examples. First, with ing our economy. regard to welfare reform, I believe we should The old view resisted change, but the Re- offer more opportunity in terms of education publican contract view often goes too far. Let and work to people on welfare, but we must me give you another example. We want to demand more responsibility, tougher child save money and to change the Agriculture support enforcement, responsible parenting, Department, and so do the Republicans. The and the requirement that to receive benefits, old view just left the Agriculture Department young people should be in school or working alone, though agriculture has changed great- toward going to work. ly. My approach was to close 1,200 offices Or take the college loan program. Our ad- and to shrink the bureaucracy. But the Re- ministration believes more people should go publicans want to cut the school lunch pro- to college, so we’ve offered more opportunity gram that’s helped our children thrive for 50 to millions of young people, more affordable years.

395

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00001 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 396 Mar. 11 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995

You’ll see this debate played out in many to the future is through opportunity and re- areas. One involves AmeriCorps, our national sponsibility. service program. AmeriCorps is about oppor- Before I close, I want to emphasize that tunity and responsibility. You get a helping in spite of these differences, I think we can hand for your own education if you give one make real progress now. We don’t have to to your country. Our young AmeriCorps vol- give in to gridlock. I’ve already signed a bill unteers are partners with our communities, to apply to Congress the laws it applies to with nurses, pastors, police officers, doing private business, and we’re about to com- work that won’t get done any other way. plete a bill to limit the ability of Congress They’re walking police beats in Brooklyn, to pass mandates on the State and local gov- building homes in Georgia, fighting fires in ernment without paying for them. Idaho. There’s more we can do to cut pork, not Jamie Kendrick is one of these young peo- people, in the Federal budget. We’re about ple. He’s here with me, along with some to begin debate in the Senate on the line- other AmeriCorps volunteers today. He item veto, an issue on which the Republican leaders and I strongly agree. We need to pass works with disadvantaged children in Balti- it and keep cutting unnecessary spending. more. And as he does, he’s helping them to This can be a very good time for our coun- help others. Every week, he leads more than try if we all remember our mission: to make 90 troubled kids into a nursing home to visit life easier, not harder for middle income older people. The seniors get companionship families, to grow the middle class and shrink and a chance to share their wisdom. The chil- the underclass, to make the future brighter, dren, many of whom come from broken not darker, for our young people, to promote homes, now know older people who care opportunity and responsibility. about them. And Jamie knows he’s serving We must keep faith with the American others as he earns tuition for college. This dream. The Jamie Kendricks of our country is a good deal for Jamie, for the seniors, for will do right by all of us if we will do right the young people, and for us, too. We get by them. better citizens, stronger communities, and Thanks for listening. more education. I want to keep AmeriCorps growing. Right NOTE: The President spoke at 10:06 a.m. from now, Republicans in the House of Rep- the Oval Office at the White House. resentatives are proposing to cut off opportu- nities in AmeriCorps for 15,000 people like Statement on the Withdrawal of Jamie. Then they want to end AmeriCorps Michael Carns and the Nomination altogether. But AmeriCorps isn’t a bureauc- of John Deutch as Director of racy, it’s a grassroots partnership to build Central Intelligence strong communities through opportunity and responsibility. March 11, 1995 The House Republicans want to cut all this It is with profound regret that I accept and more, including the Safe and Drug-Free General Michael Carns’ decision to withdraw Schools program, the summer jobs program his name from consideration for the position to pay for huge tax cuts costing $700 billion of Director of Central Intelligence. over 10 years and benefiting mostly upper I understand General Carns’ concern that income Americans. AmeriCorps, the school allegations made against him in the course lunch program, the Safe and Drug-Free of his background investigation could be mis- Schools programs, all together, they cost a construed and complicate his confirmation. tiny fraction of that. The sad truth is that we live in a time when Now, I believe we must keep cutting even the most exemplary individuals like spending, and we should give middle-class General Carns, who already has given so Americans tax relief to help pay for their edu- much to his country, are deterred from serv- cation, their child rearing, their health care ing by the fear that their records will be dis- costs. But this proposal goes too far. The path torted, their achievements ignored, and their

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00002 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995 / Mar. 12 397

families maligned during the confirmation Strengthening U.S. intelligence is an effort process. to which I attach the highest personal prior- General Carns’ decision to withdraw is our ity. To make that commitment absolutely country’s loss. This man, who flew more than clear, and to underscore that he will be a 200 combat missions over Southeast Asia and full member of my national security team, distinguished himself as a military com- I have decided to appoint Deputy Secretary mander and an innovative manager, was pre- Deutch to my cabinet if he is confirmed as pared to come out of retirement to serve Director of Central Intelligence. America one more time in a vital mission. In John Deutch, we have a dynamic, bril- I deeply regret that he will not have that op- liant leader with all the necessary skills for portunity, and that our intelligence commu- this critical assignment and my highest trust nity and the American people will not have and confidence. I look forward to working the benefit of his broad experience, his intel- with him, the Aspin commission, and Con- ligence, and his dedication. gress in building an intelligence community Finding another individual with the excep- that will meet our national security chal- tional skills and qualities needed to lead the lenges well into the next century. intelligence community was no easy task. But in Deputy Secretary of Defense John NOTE: A statement by Michael Carns was also Deutch, who I am pleased to announce my made available by the Office of the Press Sec- retary. intent to nominate as the next Director of Central Intelligence, we have found such a man. Statement on Disaster Assistance for Deputy Secretary Deutch has served at the California highest levels of academia and Government March 12, 1995 in a wide variety of positions, from assistance professor of chemistry at Princeton to pro- Today, I am declaring that a major disaster vost at MIT, from Under Secretary of Energy exists in California. Federal funds will begin under President Carter to member of the to flow to the individuals and communities President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory affected by this latest terrible act of nature. Board under President Bush, from Under California has been badly hit by Mother Na- Secretary of Defense to Deputy Secretary of ture during the last 2 years, wildfires, the Defense in my administration. Northridge earthquake, January’s flood, and Over the past 2 years, I’ve enjoyed an in- now this flooding. But California has not creasingly close personal and professional re- been beaten. That is because of the great lationship with Deputy Secretary Deutch. fortitude, spirit, and can-do attitude of its Together with former Defense Secretary people. I saw this spirit when I visited the Aspin and Secretary Perry, I have asked Dep- town of Roseville in January, as neighbor uty Secretary Deutch to take on some of the helped neighbor cope with the tragedy of de- toughest, most important assignments at the stroyed homes, possessions, and livelihoods. Pentagon. I know these are difficult times for many Deputy Secretary Deutch has played a Californians. My administration will do all lead role in reviewing our nuclear force pos- that we can to help permit life to return to ture. He’s overseen the modernizing of our normalcy as soon as possible. James Lee weapons systems. And he has become inti- Witt, our Federal Emergency Management mately familiar with the workings of the intel- Agency Director, has gotten all too familiar ligence community, especially its support for with California during the last 2 years. I am the military. The blueprint Deputy Secretary directing Director Witt and his staff to begin Deutch worked out to eliminate the flow of programs and to continue to per- redundancies and duplication between our form its tele-registration and other outreach civilian and military intelligence dem- functions with the same enthusiasm and cus- onstrates the kind of innovative thinking we tomer service orientation that we are now need to meet the new challenges of the post- used to. I met some of those outreach people cold-war world. in January. They make us all proud.

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00003 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 398 Mar. 12 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995

State and local officials are working around I want to thank this team and this coach the clock to rescue victims and fight the not only for winning the national champion- floods. And the American Red Cross is pro- ship—that’s obviously a great honor—but for viding food, comfort, and shelter to those in the way that it was won and the character need. Most importantly, the thousands of vol- and teamwork and spirit that Coach Osborne unteers in communities throughout Califor- has always displayed and that this team dis- nia are all working together in this difficult played. I think it inspired people all across time. This community spirit is truly the best the country who are fans of athletics, and America has to offer. I think even people who are not great football Hillary and I send our thoughts and pray- fans or particularly knowledgeable about all ers to the families of those who have lost the details, who read about the Nebraska their lives. The thoughts and prayers of the team, who saw not only that you had three American people are with them as well. All-Americans but three Academic All-Amer- icans, and who have followed the work of Tom Osborne over the years. It inspired Remarks Honoring the 1994 them all to believe in the value of teamwork NCAA Football Champion and sacrifice and discipline, and certainly you Nebraska Cornhuskers were rewarded in ways that were well justi- March 13, 1995 fied. I’d also like to say, I asked Coach Osborne Please be seated. Welcome to the White on the way out if this was the largest football House on this beautiful morning. I am de- team ever to win a national championship, lighted to welcome all of the members of the and he said, ‘‘Yes, but they’re good students, national championship Nebraska Cornhusk- too.’’ I liked it because I felt this is the only— ers here, along with Chancellor Spanier, your when those three guys walked out with me, athletic director Bill Byrne, and of course, this is the only football team in America that Coach Osborne and all the players. I wel- could make me look like a ballerina. [Laugh- come the Nebraska congressional delegation: ter] I liked it. Senator Exon, Senator Kerrey, and Rep- So I welcome you here. I honor your resentatives Barrett, Bereuter, and achievement. We’re delighted to have the Christensen. I do want to say a special word players here. And I’d like to ask Coach of regret, too, that Bob Devaney couldn’t be Osborne to take the microphone now. here today, but we all wish him a very speedy Coach? recovery. I have been, since I was a very small boy, NOTE: The President spoke at 11:51 a.m. on the an ardent college football fan. I know that South Lawn at the White House. In his remarks, Coach Osborne’s record alone justifies a na- he referred to Graham Spanier, chancellor, and tional championship, an 820 percent winning Bob Devaney, athletic director emeritus, Univer- percentage. Most of us would like to have sity of Nebraska. Following the President’s re- that here. [Laughter] Cornhuskers have been marks, Coach Thomas Osborne made brief re- to a bowl game in each of his 22 years, and marks, and the team presented the President with as I said when I called him the night Ne- a team jersey and an autographed football. braska won, nobody deserves it more. I want to congratulate your three first team All-Americans, linebacker Ed Stewart, tackle Remarks to the National League of Zach Wiegert, and guard Brenden Stai, and Cities also your three first-team Academic All- March 13, 1995 Americans, tackle Terry Connealy, tight end Matt Shaw, and the Academic All-American Thank you very much, Carolyn, for that of the Year, who I just understood has never warm introduction. And thank you, ladies made a B, Rob Zatechka. We could give him and gentlemen, for the wonderful welcome a job here at the White House. It’s sort of you have given me. I’m glad to be here on like praying for pro football. this podium with all your officers, including

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00004 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995 / Mar. 13 399

Mayor Lashutka of Columbus. Did I pro- many millions of conflicting messages with nounce that right? Close? Lashutka. high levels of rhetoric. I just had the Nebraska football team over I want to try to move back from that today at the White House, and so I had a lot of and just to speak frankly about the choices practice pronouncing names this morning. that we face here and the choices that you [Laughter] The Nebraska football team are face in doing your job and how we both can so big, that’s the only group of people in make the right decisions. As we stand on the America I could stand with and look like the edge of a new century and a new millennium, resident ballet dancer. [Laughter] I think there are two great tasks facing Amer- Mayor James, it’s good to see you here, ica and our generation. and all the other mayors who are here, and The first is to make sure that we enter all of the other representatives of the cities the next century with the American dream and towns of our country. alive and well for all of our people, for the I like to come here and meet with you middle class whose interests are so often for- because you deal with people at the level gotten, for those who are struggling to make where you can have the greater contact with it in the global economy, for all the poor peo- them. When I was Governor, nothing was ple in this country who are working hard to more important to me than actually being play by the rules and to live up to their God- able to spend a lot of time with the citizens given capacity. at the grassroots community level who were interested in solving the problems of people. The second thing we have to do is to make And I’ve always said that one of the things sure we enter the next century making sure I like most about the job I used to have and that America is still the strongest country on one of the things I like least about the job Earth, still the greatest force in the world I have now is that the closer you get to the for freedom and democracy and opportunity. people, the less political the work is, and the There are two great threats to this endeavor. closer you get to Washington, the more polit- One is the stagnation of middle class eco- ical it becomes. nomics. The other is the erosion of main- The most frustrating thing about being stream values. President is that I don’t get enough time to And the third thing that I want to talk to speak with ordinary Americans in terms that you about is the fact that the Government they can understand about what we’re trying has often made these problems worse, not to do up here. Although I must say, when better, in the last several years. So we have I was driving up here today, I thought, these to ask ourselves, what can we do to restore local officials may be out of touch, too. This middle class economics, the opportunity part is the most beautiful day we’ve had in Wash- of the American dream? And what can we ington in 6 months, and here you are listen- do to restore mainstream values, the respon- ing to a politician inside. [Laughter] I don’t sibility part of the American dream? And know. what kind of Government changes do we You have the opportunity to see people need here to make sure we’re good partners struggling to keep the American dream alive with the American people where you live and everyday. And when you think of these work? issues, it must stun you at times what you For the last 20 years, most people have hear in the news about what’s going on up worked the same hours or even longer hours, here, when it seems too rhetorical. Because for the same or even lower wages. There is I know when you think of these issues you a new class of permanently poor people, know a name, you see a face, you know a mostly young women and their small chil- life story. That gives meanings to the prob- dren, and they’re growing. And the anxieties lems that we are dealing with. And I think of people are pronounced, economically. Washington has suffered grievously from los- Even in this time of economic recovery, peo- ing that connection, losing that touch with ple worry about downsizing everywhere and the people who sent us here, and trying to whether they really count in the workplace communicate with people from such a long anymore. And there is a huge inequality way away over the mass media through so growing among our workers, where those

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00005 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 400 Mar. 13 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995

with good education and those capable of every problem in America would miracu- learning new skills tend to get good jobs with lously solve itself. growing incomes and those without tend to I have a different view, and it’s probably be stuck in a rut forever. rooted in the fact that I didn’t live and work We have all this good news. We had—in here until 2 years ago. My view is rooted in 1993, we haven’t gotten the ’94 figures yet— the fact that my experiences as a Governor in ’93 we had the largest number of new busi- of a small State are much more like yours nesses started in the United States of Amer- than they are like most of the people who ica in any year in our history, and that’s some- make most of the decisions in this commu- thing to be proud of. But we also see people nity. I think we have to chart a course be- struggling just to hold on and to maintain tween and beyond the old way of big Govern- their lifestyle, even though in many families ment and the new rage of no Government. both the husband and the wife are working No great country can survive without a Na- and having less and less time to spend with tional Government that in the information their children. age is more limited but is still strong and On the social front, the values we all cher- effective. We do have, after all, common ish, work and family and community, are problems as a people. We have common op- threatened as crime and violence and drug portunities. And these require a common re- use rises all across America. And even when sponse. We need the Government, in short, it falls, it’s still to high. The rate of children to be a partner with people in their private that are born out of wedlock continues to lives as citizens, a partner with State and local go up. Our social problems, in many ways, government, a partner with all of us. seem more profound today than they have I believe in a Government that promotes in a long time. opportunity and demands responsibility, that And you see the traditions of breakdown deals with middle class economics and main- in family, community, rooted in a loss of alle- stream values, a Government that is different giance to these mainstream values and a lack radically from the one we have known here of opportunity. This is a dangerous erosion over the last 30 to 40 years but that still un- of the things that made America great and derstands it has a role to play in order for kept us strong for over 200 years. us to build strong communities that are the We are now in the midst of a great debate bedrock of this Nation. That’s what the New here in Washington about what we ought to Covenant I talk about all the time is really do about this. How can we make the good all about, more opportunity and more re- things more present and how can we reduce sponsibility. the bad things in America? How can we do Our job is to work together to grow the the things we need to do to keep the Amer- middle class, to shrink the under class, to ex- ican dream alive and keep our country pand opportunity and to shrink bureaucracy, strong? How we answer these questions will to empower people to make the most of their say an awful lot about what kind of people own lives. We can’t give any guarantees in we’re going to be and what kind of country this rapidly changing world, but we can give we’re going to pass on to our children in the people the capacity to do for themselves. And 21st century. we must do that; all of us must do it. There is on one side of the debate, on the And finally we have to work to enhance extreme, the old and now discredited Wash- our security on our own streets and around ington view that a big, bureaucratic, one-size- the world. I believe, in short, that the role fits-all Government can provide big solutions of this Government is to be a partner in the to all America’s big problems and maybe to fight for the future, not a saviour—it can’t some of America’s not so big problems. be that—but not a spectator on the sidelines The other extreme is the view of the Re- either. We’ve tried that, and it didn’t work publican contract, that Government is the out very well. source of all the problems, and if we could We must face the fact that we live in a just get rid of it completely or at least reduce certain historical period in which the econ- the Federal Government’s spending role, omy is global, the information age means that

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00006 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995 / Mar. 13 401

the basis of most wealth in the future will who made those unpopular decisions lost be knowledge, and that we can be far more their seats in Congress last year, because decentralized and flexible than we ever have people were told for years and years and been before. No one will ever again have to years they could have a free lunch, that there rely on a distant bureaucracy to solve every were no tough decisions to be made. problem in today’s rapidly changing environ- Everything here operated at the level of ment. rhetoric. We got down to business. They We have to focus more on equipping peo- talked about cutting the deficit. We did, by ple with the resources they need to tackle $600 billion. And we did it with over a quar- their own problems and to give people the ter of a trillion dollars in spending cuts, with responsibility to determine how best to do income tax increases on the wealthiest 1.2 that. We have to send more and more deci- percent of our people, with discipline—not sions back, not only to State and local govern- by the way, because I think that’s good thing ment but to citizens themselves. to do but because they were the ones best We must cut spending. We must cut Gov- able to pay. And those were the people who ernment. But I believe we must also invest were benefiting most economically from the more in jobs, incomes, technology, edu- economy. cation, and training. That’s what will make And at the same, we were cutting 300 do- us wealthy. mestic programs. We were also providing tax I ran for President because I felt these relief for 15 million working families who challenges were not being met, because I felt were working at or near the poverty line to that there was no economic strategy for put- make sure that nobody who works 40 hours ting our people first. We had 12 years of a week with children in their home should trickle-down economics in which the deficit ever live in poverty. It’s the biggest incentive quadrupled and our future was mortgaged. to stay off welfare to know that if you work But we didn’t invest in our people or our hard and you raise your kids, you’re going economy. We had both less opportunity and to be able to make a living wage. These are less responsibility. In Washington all I ever the things that we worked on. heard was the blame game. And it often re- Now, we eliminated or consolidated or cut minded me of—I felt often when I was out about 300 programs. And in this new budget there in the country like you, like people that I’ve got—we’ll talk more about that in must feel in a jury box, you know when two a minute—we propose to eliminate or con- lawyers get in an argument with a judge over solidate 400 more. We reduced the size of what they can say or not? All the jury wants the Federal work force in 2 years by over to know is who did it. [Laughter] 100,000. And if no new laws pass—[ap- And the American people, what they want plause]—thank you. If no new laws pass, the to know is, what are we going to do? And work force will be reduced over a 6-year pe- are we going to do? And so I ran for this riod to its smallest size since John Kennedy job because I was tired of a system in which was President. It will be 272,000 fewer peo- both middle class economics and mainstream ple working here than on the day I was inau- values were suffering. And the Government gurated President. I’m proud of that. was doing well by special interest but not the We have shifted power away from Wash- public interest. I felt very strongly that we ington to more responsibility for States and had to do something to stop the conditions counties and cities and towns. The Vice in which most Americans were living, where President has lead our reinventing Govern- people were working harder and harder and ment initiative, which has already saved the harder for less and less and less security. And taxpayers $63 billion and will save more. I still believe that’s what we ought to be We’ve already cut regulations in banking and about. intrastate trucking and many other areas that Now, we have begun to change all that. make it now easier for businesses to create We have begun to change all that. And it jobs and create opportunities. And we must required some pretty tough decisions, some do more, and we will. We’ve worked too hard of them were unpopular. Some of the people to try to make it easier for you to do your

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00007 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 402 Mar. 13 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995

jobs and to improve the lives of the people gotten a raise. Every year more and more that we both serve. people lose their health insurance even Now, we’ve done a lot of other things, as though they’re in the work force. This is the well, that often get lost in the smoke around only advanced country in the world that has here. We passed the family leave law after a smaller percentage of people in the work 6 years of arguing about it. We passed the force covered by health insurance in 1995 crime bill after 6 years of arguing about it. than had it in 1985. No other country can We expanded Head Start and provided for say that. the immunization of all children under 2 by And we know these other problems are 1996. And we made lower cost, better repay- still with us. Half of all Americans are living ment college loans available to 20 million on less money than they had 15 years ago. young Americans so more people could go So we now have to focus not only on creating to college. We were busy around here in the jobs but raising incomes and improving the last 2 years. security of working life and family life when And along the way we were able to pass people do the right thing. If we’re going to two major trade agreements, resolve major strengthen the middle class and shrink the trade disputes with China and other coun- under class, we have got to do those things tries, and expand trade by more than at any which will enable people to really feel the time in a generation. Very important when American dream. We’ve got to begin by you consider the fact that low-cost goods equipping people with the skills they need from other countries come into our open to compete in today’s economy. Even as we markets if we have no trade agreements, but cut yesterday’s Government, we must invest the trade agreements open markets for high more in the education and training of our value-added American goods and American people. We must. We must. services and American jobs all around the We have tried to approach that work as world. the partner of people at the local level. Most I say this to point out how much different folks around here think last year was the best it is where you live than where we live. If year for education legislation passing through you had done that, your voters would know Congress in 30 years as we expanded Head it, right? [Laughter] And all the nay-sayers Start and provided more funds for appren- said, ‘‘Oh, if they put this economic plan in, ticeships for young people who don’t go onto it’ll be the worst thing that ever happened college and made those college loans more to the country. The economy will collapse affordable and wrote into Federal law the immediately. Everything will be terrible.’’ Goals 2000, the world-class standards for our Now they’re all going to New Hampshire and schools. giving the same speech all over again. But we changed the way we were making [Laughter] I heard it for 2 years. education law in Washington pretty dramati- You know, since no country has permanent cally. We didn’t neglect our responsibilities growth, if they keep predicting a recession, to help create educational opportunity, but eventually we’ll get around to it. [Laughter] we didn’t presume to tell the people at the They said, ‘‘Oh, this is a terrible thing—if grassroots level how to meet the standards they pass this program, oh, it’s terrible. The as the Government had done so much in the economy will just—it’ll be terrible.’’ past. Instead, we gave to local educators and Well, what’s happened in the last 2 years? to parents the power to decide how to meet We’ve got the lowest combined rate of unem- global standards of excellence. ployment and inflation in 25 years because We said, here are some things that have we took it on. Over 6.1 million Americans to be done to improve our children’s edu- have new jobs in the last 2 years. That is cation. Here are things we’d like to do to a good beginning. help you do it. But you decide how to do Now, having said all that, let’s face the it. In many ways, in dealing more directly facts. You live with these folks, and you know with city government, our empowerment as well as I do, there are still profound prob- zones and enterprise communities are the lems out there. Most people still have not embodiment of that kind of approach: to cre-

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00008 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995 / Mar. 13 403

ate opportunity, to shrink bureaucracy, to de- neither does anybody else, or we’d have mand more responsibility, and then let you solved it by now. decide what you want to do with it and how But we have done our best here to give you can best create jobs and opportunities. more and more and more authority to con- We said to distressed communities, give duct sweeping welfare reform efforts to the us a comprehensive plan to create jobs, to States. We have given 25 States waivers from revitalize neighborhoods, to bring the com- the Federal rules and regulations to pursue munity together, to involve the private sec- welfare reform. Today we will give a waiver tor. Find the solutions together. The oppor- to Oklahoma, the 26th State to pursue a wel- tunity you get will be some cash money and fare reform proposal. That is more combined tax incentives to encourage investment and shift of power from the Federal Government resources to deal with other problems, like to the States than occurred under my two transportation or safety. And we’ll cut the predecessors, combined. I believe in this. I redtape so you can apply those resources as believe in this. you see fit. This is a partnership between I know that the Government shouldn’t dic- government, the private sector, and commu- tate all the rules from Washington. On the nities to encourage investment, to create jobs other hand, I don’t think we should give in places where too many people have been States welfare money without any standards left completely behind. at all. We do have a national interest in pro- If you think about it, our country has had moting work and responsible parenting, the major initiatives in the last several years to reduction of out of wedlock births. We have invest in Latin America, to invest in the Car- a national interest in doing this. ibbean, to invest in all different kinds of Last year, I sent to Congress the most places. They’re fine. But this is the first major sweeping welfare reform plan ever proposed initiative we’ve had to get people to invest by an administration. It included the tough- in America, to create jobs and markets and est possible child support enforcement. Let our best opportunities. me just mention child support for a minute. And by the way, I hope that before this Do you know if we collected all the money session is over, we will see an expansion of owed in this country by deadbeat parents, that program, not a contraction of it, one that we could move 800,000 mothers and children is paid for, one that is funded, but we ought off the welfare rolls immediately, 800,000. to work to expand it, to involve more commu- Now, one of the things that we have nities. We had hundreds of communities reached agreement with the Congress on is wanting to be involved in it who had good that in this area there has to be some national proposals that could not be funded. standard setting, because 30 percent of these We have to recognize that if we want peo- cases cross States lines. So even though we ple to live by the work ethic, there must be want to move decisions back to the States, work for them to do. That also is something when the Governors came to town, they said, we should remember as we deal with the next ‘‘Look, we know we’ve got to have some na- issue that is coming in this session of Con- tional action on child support and enforce- gress that affects some of you more than oth- ment. Otherwise we can’t ever collect on ers, depending on how the system operates these orders that cross State lines. Justice in your State, but all of you in some ways, should not depend solely on geography.’’ and that is, how are we going to fix the wel- Reforming welfare is now a top priority fare system? I believe we should offer more for both parties, and that’s good news. And opportunity in the form of education and we’ve worked together to find common solu- work to people on welfare and then insist tions, and that’s good news. We still have our on more responsibility, requiring work after differences. My plan and the one our admin- 2 years, tougher child support enforcement, istration has been behind for over a year now responsible parenting. I’ve been working on sends a clear message to young people. It this issue—[applause]—I’ve been working on says, take responsibility to turn your life this issue for 15 years now, and I know that around. Teen fathers must pay child support. Washington doesn’t have all the answers and Teen mothers should stay at home or in other

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00009 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 404 Mar. 13 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995

appropriate settings, and they have to stay by $100 billion. We have to keep working in school if they want to get a check. on the deficit. But the Republican plan sends a different But we have to do it in the right way. One message at some points. It says, for example, of the things that the Republican leadership if you make a mistake before you’re 18, and and I agree on is the line-item veto. We’re you have a baby, you’re on your own. No about to take up debate on the line-item veto benefits for teenagers and their children who in the Senate. I hope it will pass quickly be- have babies before they’re 18, until they turn cause it will give the President the oppor- 18, and then if the States want to keep them tunity and the responsibility to look at every out of benefits forever, that’s okay. I think single line item in the budget for waste. It that’s a mistake. I think what we ought to will give us the chance to cut pork without be saying to people is, ‘‘You should not have hurting people. And that is an important dis- done that. You make a mistake. We don’t tinction. want anybody else to do it. But we’re going Let me give you an example of what I to help you succeed as a student and a parent mean. Everybody knows we have to shrink and a worker, and you have to help yourself the Department of Agriculture. Ross Perot by playing by these rules.’’ I think that is a had the best line of any of the candidates better approach. And I think it’s in your in- in the 1992 election. It grieves me to say that, terest. but he did. [Laughter] Ross Perot had this Look, when people get—if we just cut peo- great line where he said, ‘‘Did you hear about ple off without putting them to work or keep- the employee at the Department of Agri- ing them in school, without making sure they culture that had to go see a psychiatrist be- have child care, if we just end all this, well, cause he lost his farmer?’’ [Laughter] And the Federal Government will save a little what he meant by that was, of course, that money. And you know what will happen, the number of farmers was shrinking and that don’t you? They’ll be on your doorstep. They technology and the modern world had re- won’t be part of some Federal statistic, and duced the need for some of the size and people say, ‘‘Oh, we’re not spending money scope of organization of the Agriculture De- on that up here like we used to. We’ll just partment. So we all wanted to do that. Every- give you the problem, and you figure out body knows we’ve got to save money. what to do with it.’’ One of the reasons I fought so hard for Well, my own view is that just shifting the that GATT world trade agreement is so we problem is not enough. Like many of the cuts could cut agricultural subsidies here without currently being debated, I think it will ulti- hurting our farmers in the global market. So mately be counterproductive. It will cost us my budget cuts agricultural subsidies, but more than we will save. The Federal Govern- now our competitors have to cut theirs more ment, the cities, the States, the taxpayers all to give our people a fair break. will pay more down the road if we do some- I’ll give you another example. We wanted thing that fundamentally undermines the to cut the Agriculture Department, so we just health of our children, the future of our chil- closed 1,200 offices, 1,200. That’s a lot of dren, and our commitment to getting more money. I do not think the way to cut the Americans to live with the opportunities of Agriculture Department is to freeze the middle class economics and the responsibil- school lunch program and send it to you, ities of mainstream values. That’s what I be- which means we’re going to cut school lieve. lunches as the price of food goes up and the Now, yes, yes, we do have to continue to number of kids goes up. I don’t agree with cut the deficit. We do have to continue to that. save money. My new budget cuts the deficit And you cannot make me believe with all another $81 billion and has over $140 billion the poor kids in this world today and in this in spending cuts. And I want to work with country who show up hungry to school every the Republicans to do more. We have already day, whose only decent meal occurs in reduced the rate of health care cost increases school, you cannot make me believe that we in the Federal budget over the next 5 years cannot find a way to eliminate unnecessary

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00010 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995 / Mar. 13 405

spending from the Government budget with- Thousands of young people now are par- out cutting the school lunch program. We ticipants, as partners, as nurses, as teachers, can, and we will. We will. working with pastors, working with police of- I’ll give you another example that affects ficers at the grassroots level. They walk police a lot of you here. Some in Congress want beats in Brooklyn. They build homes in to eliminate our community development Georgia. They fight fires in Idaho. But some bank initiative. Most of you probably have people in the House want to cut this effort, never heard of that, but let me tell you what to deny 15,000 young people the chance to it does. It’s an initiative that would spend participate in it. Now I’ve offered spending $500 million to either establish or support cuts, and I’ll find some more. But I think banks that are set up in economically dis- it is a mistake to cut AmeriCorps because tressed areas, whose primary purpose is to it’s a good deal. It gives us better citizens, get lower income people in high unemploy- stronger communities, more education for ment areas into the free enterprise system. limited money. And it enables a lot of people Now, I found out about this a few years to do things in their communities that simply ago when I was in Chicago, when I had a would not get done any other way. friend working for the South Shore Develop- Ironically, one other area where we’re hav- ment Corporation. And we set up a commu- ing a big difference of opinion is in college nity development bank in Arkansas when I loans. There’s some in the Congress who was Governor that operated in a rural area, want to severely limit the reach of the so- and it did amazing things. People got credit called direct loan program that we started who could never get credit from any bank which, believe it or not, lowers the cost of before, and they set up businesses, and they the loans to the students, cuts the time of started working, and they started hiring peo- paperwork and bureaucracy to the colleges, ple. And it changed lives for a lot of people and saves money for the taxpayers because in these communities. we get around the middle man. So here’s one So when I ran for President, I said here’s area where we can do more to send people a good idea that came out of grassroots to school for lower cost and actually save America. We could put a little money in it money. We’ve offered millions and millions and make a lot of difference. It is estimated of young people the opportunity to take these that the $500 million that we could spend loans out and then pay them back as a per- on the community development bank initia- centage of their income. tive in your communities all over the country But I want to emphasize that we’ve also will generate $22 billion in activity in the free been more responsible than Government was enterprise system in places that have no en- before. When I took office it was costing you terprise today. So I think it would be a mis- as taxpayers, $2.8 billion a year to pay tax take to eliminate it. That’s what I believe. money for defaulted loans. We have cut that Believe you me, there’s a lot of Govern- $2.8 billion down to $1 billion. We’ve cut ment programs that don’t have that kind of it by nearly two-thirds and made more loans return. And keep in mind, what is the pur- available so people can go to college. That’s pose of the Government? It’s to empower the approach we ought to be taking. That people to make the most of their own lives, is the way to save money on the program. to enhance their security, and to help create Now, one last thing in this area that I’m opportunity as a partner. That’s what this very concerned about, in the education area, does. and that is that one of the things in the House I’ll give you another example of the things list of rescissions to cut is all the money for that I don’t think should be cut. Our national safe and drug-free schools that would go to service project, AmeriCorps, is all about op- 94 percent of the schools in this country. And portunity and responsibility. A lot of you have that’s very important to me, personally. I in- AmeriCorps projects in your communities. vested a lot of time in fighting the problem Young people get a helping hand with their of drugs when I was a Governor. We have college in exchange for helping people solve worked hard to get more investment to fight their problems at the local community. drugs in every area in which we fight it here,

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00011 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 406 Mar. 13 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995

since I’ve been President. And we see dis- Now, I have proposed, I will say again, to turbing signs that in parts of our population, consolidate 60 programs and eliminate 4,000 among young people, drug use is going up bureaucrats to save money in the Housing again, more casual drug use, young people and Urban Development Department, for thinking, after a decade of it going down, that example. I have proposed to do a lot of things somehow it’s maybe not dangerous anymore, like that. forgetting that it’s illegal. And a lot of our I told you about the Agriculture Depart- schools are still not safe because of the root ment. We’re coming with more. Hold on; problems of drugs and violence. Now this every week, there will be more. I am not money gives schools the ability to hire police here to defend the way Government has op- officers, to put up metal detectors, but also erated in the past in Washington. But we to have drug education programs, the pro- have to make judgments here. We get hired grams like the D.A.R.E. program that so to make judgments and the right decisions many of you have had in your schools and and not to throw out the baby with the bath others that try and help these kids stay off water. drugs. I think it would be a mistake to cut Take the HUD Department, for example, this money out. I’m all for—I’m consolidating 60 programs. Let me remind you that this money got We’re getting rid of 4,000 people. We’re into the crime bill, which you worked so hard phasing the Department down. But I don’t for, because I gave the Congress, for the first believe in the proposed cut to housing assist- time, a plan to cut the size of the Federal ance that helps 63,000 families—women with Government by 270,000. So we didn’t raise small children, low-income senior citizens. any taxes. We didn’t take any money away What we ought to do is to look at the right from anybody. We shrunk the Government kind of cuts. This whole rescission package and gave the money to the communities of does some interesting things. We’re sup- this country to fight crime, including the safe posed to be passing responsibility back to and drug-free schools money. We should not you, but not undermining your ability to do eliminate that. We should fight for it, not your job. fight to cut it out. I think it’s smarter to streamline programs As we are trying, you and I, to make re- and cut bureaucrats than to put families on sponsibility a way of life in this country again, the street or to leave you to deal with the to teach young people the value of work, I problem. Many of the people willing to pass think that all of us are going to have to say, you the buck are talking about ending unfair first of all, without regard to our party, we burdens on local government. I do want to agree with that. say this: I think—and the Speaker probably Now that brings me to one other point I said this earlier today—it looks like we may want to make beyond education. When I was have an agreement now among all of the con- a child, my mother used to say, ‘‘Idle hands ferees and the administration and everybody are the devil’s workshop.’’ You’re going to on this unfunded mandate bill. I am very have a whole lot more idle hands this sum- strongly in favor of that. It is a good thing mer if we cut out those 600,000 summer jobs to do. It’s something we should do. for our young people. And is it worth it to It is long since past time to stop imposing deny 1,000 young people in Louisville or those mandates on you without paying for 1,600 young people in Boston—I met with them. I spent a decade in the Governor’s of- a young—the Mayor’s Youth Council up fice in Arkansas, writing checks for decisions there not very long ago, 2,000 in the San Jose other people made. Now, I’m excited about area. Is it worth it to deny them the chance that. That bill just passed the House a few to work, to be around responsible adults, to weeks ago. It passed the Senate. It’s a good, learn what it’s like to sort of show up on time, good thing. put a day’s work in, how you relate to other But look at this: The rescission package people at work? I mean, this goes way be- that’s moving through the Congress actually yond the little amount of money you get out cuts off funds to help you comply with of this. present Federal requirements, including safe

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00012 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995 / Mar. 13 407

drinking water, lead paint, and asbestos re- Now, the congressional bills and the crime moval. So that makes them, I guess, not un- bill are different from the House and Senate, funded, but de-funded mandates. [Laughter] but I ask you to look at the system we have So we eliminate burdens on the one hand now and the work it did, not only to catch and create new ones on the other. I think criminals but to prevent crime. In New York that is an error. City, the police commissioner implemented Let me mention just one final area where an aggressive community policing program we worked closely last year. We passed the that helped to significantly reduce serious crime bill after the people who were here crimes last year: auto thefts down 15 percent, before just talked about it for 6 years, played robberies down 16 percent, murder down 19 politics with it, and the rhetoric was so juicy percent. Not just in big cities: The mayor on both sides they could never get around of Odessa, Texas, wrote to tell me that in to passing a bill. That’s what always happens, 1991 and ’92, they had a very high crime you know? rate. Then they implemented community po- Every one of these issues are tough. If they licing, and 3 years later, serious crimes have were easy, somebody would have done them. dropped a total of 43 percent. Union City, And you could pick either side and say it in Tennessee, calls for help from the police a way that a majority is for you, right? I mean, went down by 30 percent and arrests went you can. Are you for a balanced budget? Yes. up by 35 percent with community policing. Do you want to cut Social Security? No. That’s why this crime bill was a partnership to help communities willing to take the re- [Laughter] See what I mean? So both sides sponsibility to invest in their own security be win, right? Meanwhile, you’re like the jurors more secure. An opportunity that is buried listening to the lawyers’ argument. Well, in redtape can hurt more than it helps. I what’s going to happen? Who did it? So we’ve don’t know how many times I’ve seen little got to work on this. towns in my State have to hire consultants But I want to say this about the crime bill. to figure out how to get Federal money, and We finally did that. And what we did largely it cut the margin of benefit dramatically. was what was recommended by law enforce- What we did was to set this police program ment officials and community leaders around up so that cities and counties can apply di- the country: money for prevention with a lot rectly to the Federal Government, using a of flexibility for people at the local level; one-page application with eight questions, tougher punishment, but help for States that awarding police resources directly to you. would adopt tougher punishment, to build Now, I think that’s a pretty good deal. I know more prisons; and of course, more police, one of those bills wants to add another layer 100,000 more police on the street. to that. I don’t think that’s a very good idea, We did that because of two things. First either. I think that we ought to have an op- of all, the law enforcement people said, we portunity for communities to apply directly need more police. They also said they wanted and get the funds directly for law enforce- a prevention fund. Secondly, we did it be- ment. My fellow Governors may disagree cause of the evidence of what happens when with that, but that’s what I think. community policing is properly instituted in Now, in just the last few months since the the cities of our country. crime bill took effect last fall, half the police From over about the last 30 years, the departments in America have already re- number of police in our country had grown ceived authority to hire almost 17,000 new by only about 10 percent, while the violent police officers. We are ahead of schedule, crime rate tripled. Clearly, there is a connec- and we’re under budget. Some people who tion between those two statistics. And yet, criticize our bill said that local governments still we’ve seen in place after place, where wouldn’t really want it; it was too much of more police are put on the street in commu- a burden; it’s an imposition; they can’t afford nity policing modes, the crime rate will drop. to pay any match. All I know is, we have That’s why every major law enforcement or- already received almost 11,000 applications ganization supported that. representing over 60 percent of the police

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00013 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 408 Mar. 13 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995

departments in America. Somebody thinks you don’t do anything else while you’re here, it’s a good idea, and I think we ought to stay give us your energy and tell us you want ac- with it. tion. Here’s the bottom line: The crime bill now Thank you, and God bless you all. on the books guarantees 100,000 new police officers. The alternative proposal doesn’t NOTE: The President spoke at 1:02 p.m. at the guarantee a single one. We do give more Washington Hilton Hotel. In his remarks, he re- flexibility and responsibility to you. Some of ferred to Carolyn Long Banks, president, National their proposals add bureaucracy and cut League of Cities; Mayor Greg Lashutka of Colum- funds at the same time. So I say to you, if bus, OH; and Mayor Sharpe James of Newark, it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. NJ. A portion of these remarks could not be veri- We should never, never close the door to fied because the tape was incomplete. writing new laws that will make us more se- cure in the fight against crime. And it should never be a partisan issue again. I was sick Executive Order 12956—Israel- when I got here 2 years ago and I realized United States Binational Industrial they’d been fooling around with that crime Research and Development bill for 4 years because each side could figure Foundation out how to gain rhetorical advantage. And small differences obscured large agreements. March 13, 1995 So I want to continue to work on this prob- By the authority vested in me as President lem. by the Constitution and the laws of the But this police initiative is a better deal United States of America, including section for you and a better deal for the American 1 of the International Organizations Immuni- people. And as I have said repeatedly, if nec- ties Act (22 U.S.C. 288), and having found essary, I will veto any effort to repeal or un- that the Israel-United States Binational In- dermine it. dustrial Research and Development Founda- But let me say this, what we need is not tion is a public international organization in more vetoes. What we need is more action. which the United States participates within What we need is for people here to behave the meaning of the International Organiza- the way you have to behave or you couldn’t tions Immunities Act, I hereby designate the survive. Half of you come from places so Israel-United States Binational Industrial small that if you made people declare their Research and Development Foundation as a party every time they walked through the public international organization entitled to door to see if they got anything done or not, enjoy the privileges, exemptions, and immu- you’d be run out on a rail within a week. nities conferred by the International Organi- [Laughter] zations Immunities Act. This designation is So, the veto is a useful device and an im- not intended to abridge in any respect the portant thing on occasion. But what the privileges, exemptions, or immunities that country really needs is action. We need ac- such organization may have acquired or may tion. We need to remember these problems acquire by international agreements or by have faces, names, and life histories. We congressional action. need to pull together. We’re doing it on the unfunded mandates. We can do it on the William J. Clinton line-item veto. We can do it on all these other areas if we will exercise simple common The White House, sense and recognize what our mission is. March 13, 1995. We’ve got to keep the American dream alive: middle class economics, mainstream values, [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, jobs, incomes, work, and family. We’ve got 9:18 a.m., March 14, 1995] to make sure this country stays strong. And I’m telling you, it takes action, not NOTE: This Executive order was published in the just words. You live where the action is. If Federal Register on March 15.

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00014 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995 / Mar. 13 409

Proclamation 6776—National Public sion with activities to promote healthy life- Health Week, 1995 styles and to heighten awareness of the many March 13, 1995 benefits good health brings. In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set By the President of the United States my hand this thirteenth day of March, in the of America year of our Lord nineteen hundred and nine- ty-five, and of the Independence of the A Proclamation United States of America the two hundred A clean bill of health is one of life’s most and nineteenth. precious gifts. But for many Americans, and William J. Clinton for millions around the world, good health can seem almost a luxury. The AIDS epi- [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, demic, the prevalence of poor nutrition, un- 2:28 p.m., March 13, 1995] planned pregnancies, and environmental degradation—these are just some of the NOTE: This proclamation was published in the pressing crises facing hardworking public Federal Register on March 15. health officials everywhere. While our soci- ety’s medical technology has advanced to a level unimaginable to the generations before, Memorandum on Assistance to the crucial job of ensuring basic public health Victims of the Conflict in Chechnya for all remains just beyond our reach. March 13, 1995 Now, more than ever, public health pro- grams and services are needed so that we Presidential Determination No. 95–16 can ensure the best possible health for every- one. Providing safe living and working envi- Memorandum for the Secretary of State ronments, developing methods to immunize Subject: Determination Pursuant to Section populations against infectious disease, main- 2(c)(1) of the Migration and Refugee taining good nutritional standards, and hav- Assistance Act of 1962, as Amended ing good prenatal care for everyone are vital endeavors—and such primary and preventive Pursuant to section 2(c)(1) of the Migra- measures can mean the difference between tion and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962, as life and death. amended, 22 U.S.C. 2601(c)(1), I hereby de- Every day, thousands of individuals across termine that it is important to the national our country are working to build healthy interest that up to $11,000,000 be made communities, meet the needs of our diverse available from the U.S. Emergency Refugee population, plan appropriate responses to and Migration Assistance Fund to meet the natural disasters, educate individuals about urgent and unexpected needs of victims of workplace hazards, and encourage respon- the conflict in Chechnya. These funds may sible behavior in all that we do. Their leader- be used as necessary to provide U.S. con- ship is helping America to address one of hu- tributions in response to the appeals of inter- manity’s most essential concerns, and their national and intergovernmental organizations service is building a safer, healthier future for funds to meet the urgent and unforeseen for all of our people. humanitarian needs of victims of the conflict Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, in Chechnya. President of the United States of America, You are authorized and directed to inform by virtue of the authority vested in me by the appropriate committees of the Congress the Constitution and laws of the United of this determination and the obligation of States, do hereby proclaim the week of April funds under this authority and to publish this 3 through April 9, 1995, as ‘‘National Public memorandum in the Federal Register. Health Week.’’ I call upon all Federal, State, William J. Clinton and local public health agencies to join with appropriate private organizations and edu- [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, cational institutions in celebrating this occa- 4:54 p.m., March 20, 1995]

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00015 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 410 Mar. 13 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995

NOTE: This memorandum will be published in the I also, besides being an active member of Federal Register on March 22. the PTA and spending a lot of time at Chel- sea’s school, had a chance to work with the PTA for a dozen years in my State and Remarks and a Question-and-Answer throughout the country as we worked to im- Session With the National PTA plement the recommendations of the Nation Legislative Conference at Risk Report, starting in ’83. And then we March 14, 1995 worked up to the national education goals in ’89. And then, of course, ultimately cul- The President. Thank you very much, minating in my service as President in the Kathryn. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. last 2 years. I am delighted to be here with you. More At a time when many of our most impor- importantly, I am delighted to have you here tant citizenship organizations have been suf- with me. I need all the help I can get. fering and civic institutions generally are [Laughter] I feel like reinforcements have often in decline, the PTA has grown as par- just arrived. ents have come back in droves to under- I want to say, too, a special word of thanks standing that they had to do more to make to the PTA for presenting Secretary Riley the their children’s education work and that they PTA Child Advocacy Award tomorrow. He’s had to be involved. PTA embodies the three here with me. And I think he’s done a mag- ideas that I have talked about so much for nificent job. And I thank you for giving him the future—opportunity, responsibility, and that award. community—what we call the New Cov- Such a beautiful sort of premature spring enant. day outside. I almost feel that we should be This is a period of profound change in the having recess instead of class. [Laughter] But unfortunately, events compel us to have class, life of America and in the lives of Americans. for we are in danger of forgetting some of There are many things going on which are our most fundamental lessons. wonderful, exhilarating, exciting, and others I want to start by thanking a kindergarten which are profoundly troubling. The biggest class taught by Linda Eddington from Jack- challenges we face on the eve of this new son Hole, Wyoming, for the wonderful letters century relate to our economic and social they sent up here with her. I reviewed the problems, which threaten the middle class letters. I had some favorites. Charlie Wheeler economics of the American dream and the said, ‘‘You are a good paper-writer, because mainstream values of work and family and you practice.’’ My favorite letter, regrettably, community. We see it everywhere in every was unsigned, otherwise I would be writing community. About half of the American peo- a letter back. It said, ‘‘You’re one of the best. ple are making the same or less money than I never have seen you, but I like your speech- they made 15 years ago. We have an enor- es.’’ I am sending to the Congress today a mous divide opening up within the great proposal to lower the voting age to 5. [Laugh- American middle class based largely on the ter] We might get better results. level of education. And in spite of the fact I want to thank the PTA for now nearly that—and I’m very proud of the fact—that 100 years of help to children and to parents we’ve had an economic recovery that has pro- and to schools. The PTA has meant a lot to duced the lowest rates of unemployment and me personally. I have been a member of the inflation combined in 25 years and 6.1 mil- PTA—Hillary and I both were active when lion new jobs, a whole lot of Americans are I was the Governor of Arkansas. Essie used still worried about losing theirs or losing the to come sell me my membership every year. benefits associated with their job, their [Laughter] And I actually paid and actually— health care, their retirement, or never getting [laughter]. You know how Presidents never a raise. And in spite of the progress we are carry any money anywhere they go? I making on many fronts, there is still an awful brought some money today, because I knew lot of social turmoil in this country from she was going to be here. [Laughter] I did. drugs and violence and gangs and family

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00016 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995 / Mar. 14 411

breakdown. And these things are profoundly on at the State and local level that they don’t troubling to the American people. agree with, in which case they want Federal So we have a lot of good news and a lot action. But, basically, that’s the argument of bad news. And a whole lot is happening. stated in the most extreme forms. In 1993 we had the largest number of new I believe that the truth is somewhere both businesses started in the United States in any in between and way beyond that. I believe single year in the history of the country. So we have common problems that require we’re all trying to work through this as a peo- common approaches. I believe we need a ple, as we must. I believe our common mis- Government in Washington that is leaner but sion must be to keep the American dream not meaner, one that does not pretend to alive for all of our people as we move into be the savior of the country but does not the next century and to make sure our coun- presume to sit on the sidelines, either, one try is still the strongest force for peace and that, instead, is a partner in working with the freedom and democracy in the world. To do American people to increase opportunity that, we’ve got to have a strong economy. while we shrink bureaucracy, to empower We’ve got to be able to grow the middle class people to make the most of their own lives, and shrink the under class. We have to sup- and to enhance the security of the American port all these wonderful entrepreneurial people, both here at home on our streets and forces that are bubbling up in our society. around the world. I believe that such a Gov- We have to dramatically change the way Gov- ernment would promote both opportunity ernment works. But our goal must be always, and responsibility. And I believe that such always the same: to make sure that every a Government should have clear priorities American has the chance to live up to his that put the interests of the American people or her God-given potential. And that is what first, the interests of all the American people. the PTA is all about. Now, there are strong feelings on both Education has always been profoundly im- sides of this debate. And a lot of what is said portant in American life, from the very be- may be hard to follow. But I think it’s impor- ginning. Thomas Jefferson talked about it a tant that we keep in mind what is really the lot. But it has never been more important issue. The issue is, how are we going to get to the prosperity and, indeed, to the survival this country into the 21st century? How are of the America we know and love than it is we going to give our children and our grand- today, never. children a chance to live out the unlimited Now, as we move away from the cold war aspirations of the human spirit and to fulfill and the industrial age into the post-cold-war the traditions of America. era and the information age where most Now, let’s look at this thing on an issue- wealth generation is based on knowledge and by-issue basis. There is broad agreement that technology is changing things at a blinding we should cut the size of Government, that pace, we know that there will be big changes we should send more responsibility back to and there must be in the role of Government. the State and local level, and that we should There’s a huge debate going on here in work more in partnership directly with citi- Washington, which can be seen in almost zens, with businesses, with other organiza- every issue, about exactly what the role of tions and less in a regulatory Government- the Government should be as we move to- knows-best way. There is broad agreement ward the 21st century. On the one side is on this. Indeed, we started this movement. the largely rejected view that Washington But the question is, how do you implement still knows best about everything and that these challenges, and what does the Govern- there is a one-size-fits-all big answer to every ment still have to do? For example, I believe big problem in the country. On the other side we should downsize the Government, but I is what you might call the Republican con- think we should invest more in education, tract view, which is that the Government is training, technology, and research. Why? Be- the source of all the problems in the country, cause I think it’s in our interest. It looks to and if we just had no Government, we’d have me like walking away from our opportunities no problems, and—unless something is going to succeed in the global economy and to de-

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00017 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 412 Mar. 14 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995

velop the capacities of all of our people at terms better for millions and millions of mid- a time when we have so much diversity in dle class and lower income students. We our country and the world is getting smaller, made a new commitment to help you to get so all this racial and ethnic diversity is a huge drugs and guns out of our schools and to end advantage to us. At a time when we have the mindless violence that too many of our people who have phenomenal abilities who children still suffer from. And of course, with live all over the country in tiny, tiny places your help, we passed Goals 2000, something and big, big cities, to walk away from our that was very, very important to me and very common objective of developing their capac- important to you. And it’s a clear example ities, it seems to me, is not very smart. I just of Government as a partner, not a savior and don’t think it makes much sense. And I don’t not on the sidelines. think that any theory of what we should or No one disagrees with the fact that edu- shouldn’t be doing should be allowed to ob- cation is largely a State matter when it comes scure the clear obligation we all have to help to funding and a local matter when it comes our people get into the next century. This to teaching and learning. But global edu- is about a fight for the future. cation and global competition will go hand Now, let me put it another way. It seems in hand. There must be some idea in our to me like trying to cut back on education country of the world-class standards of excel- right now would be like trying to cut the de- lence we need to really meet the challenges fense budget in the toughest days of the cold of the future. war. Because that’s what—our competition As Secretary Riley reminded me, when we for the future, our security now is going to were Governors working together and the be determined in large measure by whether ‘‘Nation at Risk’’ report came out—that’s we can develop the capacities of all of our what the name of the report was, and it came people to learn for a lifetime. That is it. out in a Republican administration. It was For the 12 years before I came here, there ‘‘A Nation at Risk,’’ not one place here and was this political tug of war where Govern- another place there and not somebody some- ment was regularly bashed but the deficit where else. It was ‘‘A Nation at Risk.’’ And quadrupled and we walked away from our Goals 2000 responds to that. It sets those obligations to invest in our future. For the standards reflecting the national education 4 years before I came here, we had the slow- goals that were adopted by the Governors est job growth in America since the Great in 1989, working with President Bush and Depression. For 2 years, we have worked the Bush administration, plus a commitment very hard here to both create more opportu- to continuing development of our teachers, nities and insist on more responsibilities. And plus the very important parental involvement we’re making progress. The deficit is down. goal that the PTA got in this—[applause]. The Federal Government is smaller by over If it was a good idea last year with biparti- 100,000. We’re on our way to the smallest san support, it didn’t just stop being a good Federal Government since Mr. Kennedy was idea because we had one election. We the President. We have more jobs, more po- worked for 10 years on this in a bipartisan lice on the street, more prosperity than when way. It didn’t stop being a good idea because I took office. And we have invested more in we had an election. That is not what the elec- our children. tion was about. It was not about turning our In the last 2 years, we have, I believe, had backs on world-class excellence in education the best year in terms of legislative advance- and a partnership to make our schools better ments for education that we’ve had in 30 and the support that you need to succeed years. And I might say it was done in a largely in all of your communities. That was not what bipartisan way. We expanded and reformed was going on. Head Start. We passed an apprenticeship The success we’ve had in the last 2 years program for young people who don’t go on is building on what has been done in the last to 4-year colleges but do want to move into 10 years. You know, after all, I think it’s im- good jobs after high school. We made college portant to remember that there’s been a lot loans more affordable and the repayment of progress in our schools in the last 10 years.

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00018 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995 / Mar. 14 413

To hear these folks talk about it, you’d think the Safe and Drug-Free School program, all that it’s all gotten worse and only because the funds at a time when, disturbingly, young we had a Department of Education in Wash- people are beginning to use drugs casually ington—ran the whole thing into the ditch. again, forgetting that they’re dangerous and [Laughter] I don’t know what they’re doing illegal, when schools still need the funds to in Idaho today, carrying the burden of the help them be literally more secure in difficult Department of Education around all day areas. They want to eliminate all the funds long in their schools. [Laughter] That’s the in that bill for teaching homeless children, kind of talk we’ve got. all the funds for the parent resource centers, The truth is that kids are staying in school which you know are very important. We’re longer, more of them are going to college, dealing with a lot of parents, folks, who want math and science performance is up, because to do a better job by their kids but need some we emphasized, we worked on those things. help and some support from people like you We did it together. Are there a lot of prob- who have been showing up in the PTA for lems? You bet there are. But this country years, some of you for decades. They need is the most remarkable experiment in diver- it. [Laughter] Well, your kid stays in school. sity of all kinds in all of human history. And [Laughter] Listen, I got to keep laughing. we are doing better because we are working Otherwise, we’ll be in tears thinking about together and setting goals and working as this. partners. And that’s what we should continue They want to eliminate much of the money to do. for computers and new technologies. The Dick Riley in a way has been perfectly suit- amount they propose to cut from Goals 2000 ed to be the Secretary of Education at this is equal to all the funds now allocated for time. I can’t imagine why anybody would poor and rural communities and all the funds want to abolish his job after watching him necessary to help 4,000 schools raise their do it for a couple of years. I’d just like to academic standards. And they want, of point out something to the people who say course, to cut back on the school lunch pro- on the other side that the answer to our prob- gram. lems in education is to abolish the Depart- Now, how are we going to cut? Dick Riley ment of Education. I noticed one of the Re- found a way to cut 41 programs without publican leaders said the other day that they doing this. This school lunch program is a had actually—the Department of Education mystery to me. Everybody wants to cut funds actually made things worse. in the Agriculture Department because the Well, here are the facts. There are fewer number of farmers is smaller. You know what people working in the Department of Edu- we did? We finally concluded a world trade cation today than were working for the Fed- agreement so that our competitors would eral Government in education when it was have to cut agricultural subsidies, so we cut part of the Department of Health, Education agriculture subsidies. And then we realized and Welfare in the seventies. It’s an incon- we had basically an outdated structure in the venient fact for the people who want to abol- Agriculture Department. The best line in the ish it. ’92 Presidential campaign was Ross Perot’s Here’s another interesting fact. Secretary line about the employee at the Department Riley has proposed to end in this present re- of Agriculture who had to go to the psychia- scission package that we sent up, or in the trist because he lost his farmer. [Laughter] coming budget, 41 programs and to consoli- Because the number of farmers had gone date 17 others, 58 of the 240 programs in down. the Department of Education—inconvenient So what did we do? We closed 1,200 agri- facts for those that are saying that it’s terrible cultural offices. They want to cut the school and they’re throwing money away. It happens lunch program. I think we know how to cut to be true. better than they do. I think that’s the way But we don’t agree with what they’re try- to do it. ing to do in the House, to cut $1.7 billion So let me say again, every effort we had from education, to eliminate all the funds for in the last 2 years, from Head Start to ap-

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00019 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 414 Mar. 14 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995

prenticeships, to Goals 2000, to the reforma- to have. Thank you, Mr. Secretary. That’s tion of the Elementary and Secondary Edu- about as good as it gets. [Applause] cation Act, everything we did was done in Let me say again in closing my remarks, a bipartisan way. And now, we see education I am doing my best to work in good faith becoming both a partisan and a divisive issue with this new Congress. There are deep again. We cannot walk away from this. You trends going on here which can make this need to be here. You are the reinforcements a positive time if we stop posturing and put for America’s future, and I want you to go our people first. We do have to change the up there today and say that, say this $1.7 bil- way Government works. We need dramatic lion in a $1.5 trillion budget is a drop in the reform in the Government, and we are work- bucket and it should not be eliminated to ing hard to get it. pay for $188 billion in tax cuts. It should not. But what is the purpose of all this? The You know, I want us to have the right purpose of all this is the same purpose that framework here so that you can go back you have. To elevate the potential of the home and do your job. I’ve done everything American people to make the most of their I could and Secretary Riley’s done everything own lives, to keep the American dream alive, he could to devise Goals 2000 so that we and to guarantee a future for their children. would really have a partnership. We’d say, So go up there on Capitol Hill and remind here are some resources, here are the goals, everybody that we need to work together, here’s what we know, you decide how to im- tone down the rhetoric, and put the kids of plement. We want more responsibility for this country and our future first. principals and teachers and parents at the Thank you, and God bless you. grassroots level. We want less control of edu- [At this point, Kathryn Whitfill, National cation in Washington. We have done a lot PTA president, thanked the President for his in the legislation that we have passed to re- support and introduced a participant who duce the degree of Federal control and rule- voiced her concern that the Department of making below that which previous adminis- Education would be eliminated due to Fed- trations imposed. But we don’t want to walk eral budget cuts.] away from the kids and the future of this The President. Well, for one thing, you country. have to ask yourself, why would they do this? I want to just mention one other thing. First of all, there’s a burden—why would you I want to thank Secretary Riley again for tak- do it? And there are only two reasons to do ing the lead in creating the National Family it, to save money or because you think it’s Involvement Partnership for Learning. It in- doing bad things or it’s useless. And I noticed cludes many members of the private sector, the other day that the majority leader of the more than 100 organizations, including the Senate said that it was one of those depart- PTA. He’s been proposing seven basic steps ments that had done more harm than good. for all parents to take. And I like them so Now, most of the time it’s been in exist- much that I want to repeat them for every ence the Department of Education has been parent now here at the PTA meeting, be- under control of Republican Secretaries of cause if these things are not done, then our Education. Maybe they did do more harm efforts won’t succeed. And if these things are than good—[laughter]—I hadn’t really done, then our efforts here become even thought so until he said it. But maybe we more important to support the parents who need to reexamine that. But Secretary Riley are doing them: find more time to spend with has not done more harm than good. He’s your children; read with them; set high ex- done more good than harm by a good, long pectations for them; take away the remote ways. control on school nights; check their home- And I think that it’s just sort of fashionable work; check their grades; set a good example; now. I think the truth is that there have been and talk directly to your children, especially big commitments made in terms of tax cuts, to your teenagers, about the dangers of drugs mostly for upper income people, and big and alcohol and the values you want them commitments made in other areas. And so

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00020 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995 / Mar. 14 415

they are looking for ways to save money. But see constantly examples of violence both in this is not a good place. This is not the right school buildings and then in the near vicinity thing to do. And we have worked very hard of schools. to have what I consider to be the appropriate Now, what we tried to do with the safe level of partnership. and drug-free schools act, because there was Now, on the block grant issue, generally, violence in the schools and in the perimeter, let me just say I’m not against all block is to provide some funds for things like secu- grants. I strongly supported the community rity devices, metal detectors, things like that, development block grant, for example, which but also more enforcement officers in the the States get and which bigger cities get, outside of school. Then I think you must and then they get to decide how they’re going have—the PTA and all the other committed to use it to develop the economy and make groups in the country that care about the reports on an annual basis to Federal Gov- schools, but especially the PTA, has to work ernment. I think that’s fine. with every school district to make sure that We supported in the crime bill last year there really is a functioning security policy. more block granting, more flexibility to You know, there are schools that are very States and localities in prevention on crime safe environments in very high-crime areas and crime prevention programs because pro- in this country. So it’s simply not true that grams that work in one community may not there are no schools in high-crime areas that work in another. They know what works best are safe. There are schools that are quite safe there. We’ve now given 26 States waivers in very high-crime areas because of the secu- from Federal rules to implement welfare re- rity policies they have and because of the forms in their own States, because they know leadership and the discipline and the organi- more about it. zation of resources that have been adopted But let’s not kid ourselves, the school and because they’ve gotten a lot of parental lunch program was proposed for block grant- help often. ing just to save the money, because it works And so my recommendation is that you the way it is. And we’ve made some signifi- identify the schools that you think have done cant improvements in the school lunch pro- the best job in the most difficult cir- gram. Last year, with your support, as you cumstances, figure out what they did, and know, we got the nutritional standards up; make sure every PTA chapter in the country we made some changes. The only reason it has access to that knowledge, and then if we was proposed for block granting is because can get these funds and help out there, that block grants are in; they’re fashionable; you spend them in a way that will maximize they’re a la mode today. And that’s the way the security in the schools in your area. they could save some money. It’s a huge deal, and there’s no way—this If you add all this money up, it’s just not is the kind of partnership we need. I mean, very much money in this big Federal budget. there’s no way in the world the Federal Gov- And you could argue that we should be doing ernment can tell anybody how they should much more for education, but I think it’s very secure one, two, or three schools, because hard to argue that we should be spending they all have different circumstances. less. [A participant asked what State and local [A participant asked how the PTA could be- school officials could do to help protect the come more involved in efforts to make schools School-to-Work initiative from future budget in high-crime areas safer.] cuts.] The President. Well, I think the first thing The President. Well, the Federal School- I would say about that is that in the absence to-Work initiative essentially tries to build on of security, not much learning is going to the work that’s being done in States now. occur. You know that. We know that there When I ran for President, I was fond of talk- are thousands of children who stay home ing about the fact that we were the only ad- from school every day because they are afraid vanced country in the world that had no real of what might happen to them in school. We system for dealing with all the young people

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00021 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 416 Mar. 14 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995

who finished high school but didn’t go on is, if you need it under certain circumstances, to 4-year colleges; and that, while most jobs the money will flow. A nonentitlement is a in the 21st century would not require 4-year program where the Congress appropriates a college degrees, most jobs would require at certain amount of money every year and you least 2 years of some sort of education and spend that and it runs out and you don’t training after high school. And we already spend anymore. saw in the difference between the ’80 and Entitlements basically fall into three cat- the ’90 census what’s happening to the earn- egories. One is—the best example is agricul- ings of people who don’t have post-high tural entitlements, where the farm programs school education and training. are set up like that because the farm econ- Therefore, in terms of the long-term sta- omy will change from year to year, you know, bility of a middle class lifestyle in America, based on not only weather conditions and that is, the idea that if you work harder and crop conditions in the United States, but all smarter, you might actually do a little better around the world. And it’s necessary to sort year in and year out, this School-to-Work sys- of even out the farming cycle. tem, the idea of putting in to some sort of The other programs, and by far the biggest apprenticeship development system in entitlements today, are Medicare and Medic- America, may be the most significant thing aid, the medical programs. And the main we can do to raise incomes. And so what our problem with the Federal budget today is not system does is to provide funds to States to discretionary spending and education, is not help to build their own systems according to defense spending—both discretionary the best information we have and to build spending and defense spending have been on the systems that States are working on. going down for the first time in 25 years— And you’re right. I did a lot of work on it’s entitlements in health care, health care this at home because I became so alarmed, costs going up by more than the rate of infla- even as we got the college-going rate up, that, tion, and the accumulated interest payments though we increased it quite a lot, there are on the debt run up between 1981 and 1993, all these people out there that were still just when I took office. That’s basically what the cut loose after high school. And we have to big problem is with the budget. put an end to that. The best way to protect The other entitlements are entitlements that program here is to—for every State to basically for poor people, generally. And ex- aggressively get with the Department of cept for Medicaid, they, by and large, have Education and begin to participate as quickly not kept up with inflation, but they do pro- as possible. vide a safety net. So if there is going to be That’s the same thing with the Goals 2000. a move away from those entitlements, the Secretary Riley’s probably going to talk about burden is on those who would move away this tomorrow, but I think we’re on track for to say, how are you going to care for these over 40 States to be involved in that pretty poor children? soon. And so the more States get involved, Now, I like the Women, Infants and Chil- the more people get involved at the local dren program; I like the school lunch pro- level, the more it’s Democrats and Repub- gram. I think these programs have worked licans and independents, it’s not a political pretty well for us over time. And we have deal, it’s education, the more likely we are an interest, all of us do, in not going back to continue to go forward with this. to the days when children were basically liv- ing in very brutal conditions. And I think A participant asked how future cuts in enti- [ there is a national interest in the welfare of tlement programs could be prevented. ] the children. The President. Well, I think, first of all, I’m all for having the States have more it’s important for me to point out to all of flexibility about how to do these things, but you, if you talk about the entitlements, that I think there is a national interest in helping an entitlement—let me say, an entitlement States to keep a floor under the lives of our is a program in which there is no predeter- children. Not every State is as wealthy as mined amount of money to be spent. That every other State. Not every State has the

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00022 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995 / Mar. 14 417

same priorities. So, having a system that uni- distinguished career, General Krulak served formly says we ought to have a quality of life two command tours in Vietnam, oversaw the for our poor children, that we believe that Marine Corps logistic efforts during Desert all of our children ought to have a chance Storm, and was responsible for significant to get to the starting line is pretty important. and innovative changes in military doctrine What does the first education goal say? and organization. He brings to the job of Audience members. Ready to learn. Commandant a dynamic vision of the Marine The President. Yes. Every kid ought to Corps’ future, a wealth of experience, and show up ready to learn, right? Not just intel- a highly effective leadership and managerial lectually but physically able to learn. My ar- style. gument is, if I were making your strategy, General Krulak assumes the post of Com- I would say that we represent the PTA, and mandant of the Marine Corps at an impor- our schools can’t succeed if, by the time our tant time in the U.S. Marine Corps’ history. kids show up for school, their deprivations I will depend on him to continue General have already been so great that they will Mundy’s superb efforts in ensuring that the never overcome them, and that the rest of Marine Corps remains fully ready and able us will pay a whole lot more in tax money in carrying out its important responsibilities and social misery later on down the road if under our national security strategy. we back away from our obligation to get these kids to school ready to learn. Statement on Secretary of Housing [Ms. Whitfill thanked the President for par- and Urban Development Henry ticipating and presented him with a paper- Cisneros weight.] March 14, 1995 The President. Thank you very much. Thank you. Bless you. Henry Cisneros’ service as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development has been NOTE: The President spoke at 9:15 a.m. at the outstanding, and I know him to be a man Washington Renaissance Hotel. In his remarks, of integrity and character. The Attorney Gen- he referred to Essie Middleton, president of the eral has determined that the facts warrant Arkansas PTA and member of the National PTA the appointment of an independent counsel Board of Directors. to inquire into a question she believes is a ‘‘close and difficult factual and legal issue.’’ Statement on the Nomination of Lt. Secretary Cisneros is a good man and an Gen. Charles C. Krulak To Be effective public servant. He says he regrets Commandant of the Marine Corps any mistakes he has made. So do I. But that does not outweigh the excellent work he has March 14, 1995 been doing and will do as Secretary of Hous- I am pleased to nominate Lt. Gen. Charles ing and Urban Development. I look forward C. Krulak, U.S. Marine Corps, for appoint- to his continued valuable service. ment to the grade of general and as Com- mandant of the Marine Corps, succeeding Proclamation 6777—National Day of Gen. Carl E. Mundy, Jr., who is retiring. Prayer, 1995 I have asked the Secretary of the Navy to March 14, 1995 announce my decision today in ceremonies at Iwo Jima commemorating the 50th anni- By the President of the United States versary of the battle. of America General Krulak currently serves as Com- mander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific A Proclamation and Commanding General, Fleet Marine Our Nation was built on the steadfast Force Pacific. In this capacity, he is respon- foundation of the prayers of our ancestors. sible for Marine Corps units and activities In times of blessing and crisis, stability and throughout the Pacific theater. During his change, thanksgiving and repentance, ap-

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00023 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 418 Mar. 14 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995

peals for Divine direction have helped the In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set citizens of the United States to remain faith- my hand this fourteenth day of March, in ful to our long-standing commitment to life, the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and liberty, and justice for all. ninety-five, and of the Independence of the This reliance on spiritual assistance has es- United States of America the two hundred pecially characterized times of national tran- and nineteenth. sition and uncertainty. As our country was William J. Clinton ravaged by the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln remarked, ‘‘I have been driven many times [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, upon my knees by the overwhelming convic- 2:02 p.m., March 15, 1995] tion that I had nowhere else to go.’’ And with NOTE: This proclamation was published in the him, millions of slaves cried out to the Al- Federal Register on March 17. mighty for an end to their suffering. Abolitionist Frederick Douglass said this about the spiritual songs sung on the planta- Remarks at the Radio and Television tions: ‘‘Every tone was a testimony against Correspondents Association Dinner slavery, and a prayer to God for deliverance March 14, 1995 from chains.’’ Since that time, we have wit- nessed tremendous improvements in rela- Thank you very much. Thank you very much, Bill. I can’t think of anything better tions between people of all races and back- for a politician than to be introduced by a grounds. Indeed, long ago, through the work guy named ‘‘Headline.’’ [Laughter] of prayer and common effort, and with the Hillary and I are delighted to be here. I inspiration of the Creator, we began to turn am told that this is by far the largest group the tide in this Nation from divisiveness and of radio and television correspondents ever recrimination toward reconciliation and heal- assembled this far from a Los Angeles court- ing. room. [Laughter] You know, the press is al- Let us not forget those painful lessons of ways asking me if I’m watching the O.J. trial, our past, but continue to seek the guidance and Mike McCurry always has to say, oh, he’s of God in all the affairs of our Nation. We so busy with affairs of—of course, I watch must not become complacent, but rather it. [Laughter] And the other day I was watch- press onward for the protection of the vul- ing it, and the camera zoomed in to Judge nerable and the downtrodden. In the words Ito’s computer monitor. You’ve seen that, of President Lincoln, ‘‘it behooves us then haven’t you? There was an E-mail message to humble ourselves before the offended on it from Wolf Blitzer begging for a recess. Power, to confess our national sins and pray [Laughter] for clemency and forgiveness’’ for any injus- You know, every year when I come here, tice we perceive in our midst. May we, the even though I’ve only been here a couple people of this country, set a steady course, of years, I recognize more and more faces. dedicated to respect for one another and for And now I’m getting so good at it I can tell individual freedom. when people are missing. [Laughter] This The Congress, by Public Law 100–307, has year, thanks to Mr. Armey and others, PBS called on our citizens to reaffirm annually our couldn’t afford a ticket for both MacNeil and dependence on Almighty God by recognizing Lehrer. [Laughter] I know that because a ‘‘National Day of Prayer.’’ Louis Rukeyser told me that when he Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, checked my coat when I came in. [Laughter] President of the United States of America, I’m trying to figure out what’s going on do hereby proclaim May 4, 1995, as a Na- here. I guess the rest of you are, too. I have tional Day of Prayer. I call upon every citizen puzzled over this Republican assault on af- of this great Nation to gather together on firmative action. You know, the Republicans that day to pray, each in his or her own man- started affirmative action under Mr. Nixon. ner, for God’s continued guidance and bless- I think the reason that they don’t like it any- ing. more is because the Democrats are now a

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00024 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995 / Mar. 14 419

minority. [Laughter] I have decided to adopt [Laughter] And we decided that we could their position on another important issue: consolidate our staff further by replacing fif- term limits. I’ll settle for two. [Laughter] teen 30-year-olds with five 90-year-olds. You know, this campaign is amazing. It’s [Laughter] Then the rest of the staff came gotten so heated up that when I called L.L. in. They all trooped in, and we were talking Bean last week they told me they’re back- about new ideas, these exciting breakthrough ordered on red flannel shirts for several ideas. We discussed an opportunity for entre- months. Because I’m President, they prom- preneurship in dealing with the deficit, which ised to send me mine by June. [Laughter] I know the Republicans will agree with. Next Look, in spite of this campaign, I want to week I intend to propose that we put the tell you that I am going to keep doing the President and the Congress on commissions. job the American people elected me to do. Then we’ll turn a profit in no time. All your I’m going to let the rest just take care of programs will be gone, but we’ll do well. itself. I’m still working on Saturdays. I mean, [Laughter] I was working on Saturday a couple of weeks This is a serious proposal. Instead of get- ago, trying to do the things that a President ting rid of all these domestic observances that really doesn’t have time for during the week. we have, all these domestic programs, why I was reinventing my filing system according don’t we do what all the athletic events are to Gore, adding up my own frequent flier doing, you know, like the Mobil Cotton miles on Air Force One. I even did a little Bowl? Let’s get corporate sponsorships for spackling in the Roosevelt Room. [Laughter] Government. Like, we could make February And I noticed—I looked outside and there 12 Lincoln-Mercury’s birthday. [Laughter] was the Vice President mulching the environ- And you all tell me all the time I need ment in the Rose Garden. [Laughter] So I to do better marketing. So we have a new invited him in, and we—there we were, all alone on a Saturday, a beautiful Saturday, idea. We’re going to put Ed McMahon’s pic- and we got into this deep discussion about ture on the IRS refund checks. Just imagine, the new ideas we needed for reinventing when you get your envelope from the Treas- Government. I said, ‘‘You know, we’ve got ury Department, up in the corner it says, to have exciting ideas, breakthrough ideas, ‘‘You may already be a winner.’’ [Laughter] third-wave ideas.’’ And so, we began to think. Two other ideas we had—somebody in Right off the bat in this drive to downsize one of these meetings—you know, even the Government, we discovered that there was Democrats go too far sometimes on a useless extra ‘‘C’’ in the FCC, and we got downsizing Government. One of them said rid of it right away. [Laughter] we ought to turn the Pentagon into a triangle. Then we asked ourselves, in our lust for And I said, no, I am going to hold the line consolidation, ‘‘Do we really need North and with a veto threat for a rhombus. [Laughter] South Dakota?’’ [Laughter] But when we Then it was suggested that the greatest con- thought of how frugal and inexpensive they solidation we could do is to consolidate the were, and when we remembered the votes Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Joint Chiefs on the balanced budget amendment, we said, of Staff into the Joint Chiefs. [Laughter] You ‘‘Yes, we do.’’ [Laughter] Furthermore, for know, I was afraid that was politically incor- economy’s sake, we intend to propose a Cen- rect, but it got by. It got by. [Laughter] tral Dakota for this Congress. [Laughter] The Now, this is the most important thing I’m Vice President, ever the humble public serv- going to say tonight. I came here to offer ant, suggested that this year we could save a way to make peace with our Republican money by doing away with the White House friends on this heated school lunch issue. Al Christmas tree, and we could just hang the Gore and I have discovered a reinventing ornaments on him. Now, he approved that Government way, Mr. Armey, to get around joke, I want you to know. [Laughter] this terrible rhetoric we’ve been flinging at Then Leon Panetta came in, and we had, you on school lunches. We have a way to finally, at last, three people in the same room save money through streamlining that does in the White House who were over 45. not require us to deprive our children of

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00025 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 420 Mar. 14 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995

food. Instead of cutting food, we’re going to our country and do what we do in the hope cut the cutlery. And here’s how: with a spork. that we’re doing it well enough to advance [Laughter] Now, you know, I don’t know how the interests of the United States and to keep many of you know this, I’ve been eating off the American dream alive. these things for years. I never knew they This is an unusual and difficult time for were called sporks. But that’s what they are. all of us because of all the challenges out This is the symbol of my administration. This there in the country today, but it’s a very, is a cross between a spoon and fork, no more very exciting time, not only to be covering false choice between the left utensil and the events in Washington but to be a part of it. right utensil. This is not an ideological I thank you for the work you do, and I thank choice. This is a choice in the middle and you for having us here tonight. a choice for the future. This is a big, new I do want to say that I’m a little apprehen- idea, the spork. [Laughter] sive; the next speaker, Bill Maher, has a TV Now, when we get by that, I’m going to show named ‘‘Politically Incorrect.’’ Out of reach a breakthrough agreement with Sen- respect for him, I’ve tried not to be politically ator Dole to cut down on the commuting incorrect tonight. Out of respect for me, I costs of Congress by moving the Senate ses- hope he won’t try to be Presidential tonight. sions to New Hampshire. [Laughter] I’m [Laughter] hoping even to get Senator Gramm’s vote for Thank you all, and good night. that. [Laughter] Also, we decided to do something for that NOTE: The President spoke at 9:42 p.m. at the group of constituents that’s supposed to be Washington Hilton. In his remarks he referred to so alienated from the Democratic Party. We Bill Headline, chair, Radio and Television Cor- want to combine the Bureau of Alcohol, To- respondents Association; CNN News reporter bacco and Firearms with both the Bureau Wolf Blitzer; Congressman Richard Armey; Rob- of Fisheries and the Interstate Trucking ert MacNeil and James Lehrer, co-anchors of the Commission. We’re going to call it the De- MacNeil/Lehrer Newshour; economic commenta- partment of Guys. [Laughter] And if you tor Louis Rukeyser; and TV host Ed McMahon. don’t like it, there ain’t a place for you in the Democratic Party anymore. [Laughter] Finally, I have decided to support the most Remarks at an Arrival Ceremony for controversial Republican idea in the legal re- King Hassan II of Morocco form area: loser pays. But only if we tie it March 15, 1995 to campaign finance reform and make it ret- roactive to 1992. [Laughter] Your Majesty, Your Royal Highnesses, Now, that was what Al Gore and I did on members of the Moroccan delegation, distin- just another Saturday afternoon at the White guished guests: On behalf of the United House. So even though all the action’s with States, it is my honor to welcome back to the Republicans on the Hill, I just wanted Washington a good friend of America and you to know you’re still getting your money’s one of the Islamic world’s most respected worth out of us. [Laughter] It shows you the leaders, King Hassan II. kind of great thinking you get out of a bunch Your Majesty, the ties that link our two of highly motivated people who don’t get nations go back to the dawn of our independ- enough sleep at night. [Laughter] ence. Before the cornerstone of this White Well, I could go on like this forever, but House was laid, President George Washing- you know that, don’t you? [Laughter] Let me ton and your ancestor, Sultan Mohammad say, for 51 years, all of you have gotten to- III, signed a treaty of peace and friendship. gether and invited others to join you in cele- In the decades since, our two nations have brating the best of the electronic media. And sought to live up to that treaty’s ideals by while the times change and the rules change building on our friendship and working for and the practices change, I really believe that peace and prosperity in your region and most of us in this room, like the people who throughout the world. Now, much of what came here 51 years ago, want what’s best for we have labored for and dreamed of is closer

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00026 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995 / Mar. 15 421

than ever to becoming reality, thanks in good visit, and continuing the tradition that he first measure to your wisdom and to your vision. began with President Kennedy of providing Your Majesty, you have worked tirelessly wise counsel to American Presidents. to secure a lasting and comprehensive peace Of course, we talked about how we can in the Middle East, from helping to arrange best support and accelerate the momentum President Sadat’s historic journey to Jerusa- for peace in the Middle East. His Majesty’s lem to building trust through quiet diplo- visit comes at a time of renewed hope. As macy, from establishing ties with Israel to a result of Secretary Christopher’s intensive hosting the Casablanca Economic Summit. discussions in the region, we now have an Now, we must accelerate the momentum for agreement to resume direct talks between peace in the Middle East, the momentum Israel and Syria. This is a very encouraging which you have done so much to nurture and development. Combined with the new en- sustain. ergy we see in the Israel-Palestinian discus- As Morocco and the United States work sions and continued progress in implement- for peace, we are also forging stronger bonds ing the Jordan-Israel peace treaty, I believe of commerce between our peoples. Morocco there is now a real opportunity to secure a has embraced free markets, and today your durable resolution to the Arab-Israeli con- economy stands poised to reap the benefits flict. of this wise decision. Your Majesty, I look The promise of peace owes much to King forward to discussing new opportunities for Hassan’s vision and courage. He helped to trade and investment which will support arrange President Sadat’s historic trip to Je- good jobs and create wealth in both our na- rusalem. He undertook a direct dialog with tions. Israel at a time when doing so was difficult. Your Majesty, under your leadership, Mo- His quiet diplomacy facilitated talks between rocco has served as a force for tolerance and other Arab leaders and Israel. And Morocco progress rooted in Islamic values. At a time continues to lead the effort to build a new when cooperation and moderation are taking Middle East. hold in more countries than ever before but His Majesty and I agreed that one key to when violence and extremism still threaten peace is bringing tangible economic benefits all that we are working for, your example and to the people of the Middle East, a change your commitment to peace are more impor- in the quality of their daily lives so that they tant than ever before. can develop a real stake in peaceful coopera- Your Majesty, the United States is glad to tion. That’s why the process begun under have you as a friend, honored to have you King Hassan’s leadership at the Casablanca as a partner as we work to shape the world summit last October is so important in order for the better. Welcome to the White House. to expand economic integration and encour- Welcome to America. age private sector growth and investment. His Majesty and I reviewed the next step NOTE: The President spoke at 10:46 a.m. on the in this process, including the Amman busi- South Lawn at the White House. ness summit this fall. We also discussed tak- ing down barriers to trade and investment, such as the Arab League boycott of Israel that had denied the Middle East its full place The President’s News Conference as a dynamic participant in the global econ- With King Hassan II omy. March 15, 1995 We discussed our shared interest in fight- ing the spread of weapons of mass destruc- The President. Good afternoon. His Maj- tion, which pose a threat to the entire Middle esty King Hassan and I have just concluded East and, indeed, to the world. I emphasized a very productive and wide-ranging meeting. the importance the United States attaches to We apologize for talking a little longer than securing the indefinite extension of the Nu- the scheduled time, but we had much to dis- clear Non-Proliferation Treaty as a vital part cuss. Let me begin by thanking him for his of this effort.

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00027 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 422 Mar. 15 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995

We are also working to build closer eco- We have spoken about many issues, Mr. nomic ties. Today we will sign a trade and President and myself. Now, we did not have investment framework agreement to expand the opportunity of knowing each other per- bilateral commerce and investment and to sonally before, but we have come to know provide a framework for further trade liberal- each other through the messages that we ization. And Morocco announced plans to es- have exchanged in the past and also by means tablish a counterpart in the United States to of the various positions that were taken by the U.S.-Morocco Joint Committee on Trade Mr. President concerning the peace in the and Investment. Middle East. I think that Mr. Clinton should Later this afternoon, His Majesty will pre- be proud of his balance sheet after 2 years side over a protocol signing with the Over- in the White House. seas Private Investment Corporation. OPIC We have also talked about bilateral issues, will guarantee $200 million in U.S. Govern- and thanks to God, we have come to realize ment support for a $1.5 billion powerplant how much harmony exists between the posi- being built by an American company near tions of our two countries. However, in the Casablanca. Morocco’s decision to welcome modern world in which we live today, there foreign participation in privatizing its state- can be no schizophrenia in any healthy rela- owned power sector made this project pos- tionship. There is absolutely no justification sible. Together with similar ventures in the for us to have such excellent political rela- future, it promises to generate jobs and ex- tions on the one hand and then on the other ports for the United States and to provide hand to have economic relations that are not Morocco with the electricity it needs to up to the same level. power its own industrial growth. Up to now, we have been a one-legged Finally, I’d like to express my own grati- man in our mutual action. And I hope that tude to the King for his enlightened leader- in the future we will be able to walk on two ship of the Organization of the Islamic Con- feet, that is, hand in hand, towards the pros- ference. I share his conviction that Islam can perity and the success we are hoping for both be a powerful force for tolerance and mod- countries. eration in the world and that its traditional Obviously, the United States of America values—devotion to family and to society, to has its own vision of matters because it deals faith and good works—are in harmony with with international issues. And therefore, the the best of Western ideals. analysis of matters have to be to that propor- As I said in my speeches to the Parliaments tion. of Jordan and Israel, the United States has Morocco, though modest the way it is, has great respect for Islam and wishes to work its own vision of things. Thanks to God, dur- with its followers throughout the world to se- ing our talks, we had absolutely no dif- cure peace and a better future for all our ferences concerning our principles, ideals, children. and the aims that are to be attained. But con- Throughout the course of our long friend- sidering that Mr. President and myself are ship, which goes back to the very beginning perfectionists, we have to devise the most ap- of this country, Morocco and the United propriate strategy in order for us to reach States have worked together to shape the the aims that both countries have in mind. world we live in for the better. King Hassan Mr. President, once again I want to thank and I are committed to continuing that great you for your warm welcome, but I would like partnership for progress well into the future. also to thank you for the open heart with And I thank him for the contributions he has which I have been received here in the White made to that today. House. Your Majesty. King Hassan. To begin with, I’d like to reiterate my thanks to Mr. President for the Middle East Peace Process warm welcome with which we have been sur- Q. Mr. President, you spoke this morning rounded ever since we have tread the soil of the need to accelerate the peace process. of this country. What can the United States do to break the

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00028 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995 / Mar. 15 423

impasse when Syria and Israel resume nego- the establishment of the Middle East devel- tiations next week? opment bank? The regional powers are anx- The President. Well, of course we’re ious for it in the Middle East, but some Eu- doing what we can with the Secretary’s trip ropean leaders are opposed to it. What is to the Middle East, and with the work that happening with it, and if so, what’s the time- Mr. Ross and others are doing. What we have table on it? sought to do, always, is to facilitate the condi- The President. I don’t know that I can tions within which both parties will feel se- give you a timetable. I can tell you that we cure in making peace. That has always been are committed to it, as you know, and we our role. We cannot make a peace for the are working with our allies in Europe. We’re parties, and we’re doing what we can once doing our best to set it up, and we’ll do it again, to make our best case to both sides as quickly as possible. I still think it’s a good about what things will make them secure in idea. making the decision. As you know, when they discuss matters King Hassan and U.S. Presidents of this kind, it’s best to let them deal with Q. Your Majesty, you had the opportunity the details and make the decisions. So the to meet seven Presidents of the United less I say about the specifics, the greater the States. How did you find the President Bill opportunity they have to make the peace. Clinton different of the other? Thank you. Is there a question from Morocco? King Hassan. First, let me say no two men are alike. As a wise man once said, style is North Africa what defines the man. All the different Presi- Q. Mr. President, you have spoken during dents that I’ve had the honor to meet here the last visit you had made that you were contribute together to the richness and the concerned with stability—in Paris—that you variety in the United States. Each time it has were concerned with stability in North Afri- been a new style, a new inspiration, a new ca. You have also spoken about the fact that team. Morocco is a point of stability and security The President. If His Majesty had not in the region. Now, in your discussions with been a direct descendant of the Prophet, he His Majesty, did you come to devise some might have become Morocco’s greatest dip- kind of strategy in order to strengthen and lomat. [Laughter] sustain this idea of the security in the North African region? Egypt The President. His Majesty and I spoke Q. Thank you, Mr. President, Your Maj- at great length about North Africa, and I esty, I’d like to ask you, sir, what you make asked him for his evaluation and for his ad- of the increasing political difficulties that vice with regard to a number of countries. President Mubarak is said to be facing in And I think it’s fair to say that he believes Egypt, and whether this subject arose be- the United States is pursuing the right policy. tween the two of you today? And also, Mr. One of the things I think we have to do President, I’d like to have your views on that is to try to strengthen economically the forces as well. of progress and tolerance, which is why I’m King Hassan. Let me state, first of all, very pleased about the agreements that we that this world in which we live cannot be have announced with Morocco today. We without political crisis. Each country, on will continue to push to support elements of whatever continent and whatever the social progress and tolerance in other nations as economic level and governance it has, con- well. fronts difficulties in economic, social, or em- Your Majesty, would you like to say any- ployment areas. But it was not on our agenda thing about that question? to carry out a checkup on Egypt, so we did not take the time to devote to that particular Middle East Development Bank issue. Q. The question is addressed to both you The President. The only thing I would and His Majesty. What about the latest in add is I thought His Majesty made a very

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00029 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 424 Mar. 15 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995

important point when we discussed this Executive Order 12957—Prohibiting briefly, which was that you cannot see the Certain Transactions With Respect Egyptian difficulties solely in political terms, to the Development of Iranian and that they have to be seen in the context Petroleum Resources of the challenge that that nation—and I might add, many others are having around March 15, 1995 the world—of sustainable development, of By the authority vested in me as President balancing a rapidly growing population with by the Constitution and the laws of the all the pressures and problems that creates United States of America, including the with the need to provide for them food and International Emergency Economic Powers shelter and education and a stable set of op- Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), the National portunities. And I appreciated that insight Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), very much. and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, Middle East Peace Process I, William J. Clinton, President of the Q. Your Majesty, we would like to know United States of America, find that the ac- what you are doing on the level of the peace tions and policies of the Government of Iran process in the Middle East and what is your constitute an unusual and extraordinary position about the Arab boycott of Israel? Are threat to the national security, foreign policy, there any disagreements between Morocco and economy of the United States, and here- and the United States regarding this issue? by declare a national emergency to deal with King Hassan. Yes, indeed, we did discuss that threat. the issue of boycott—or that is, the boycott I hereby order: of the Arab States towards Israel. As I’ve said Section 1. The following are prohibited, previously, I believe that man cannot walk except to the extent provided in regulations, on one leg. We are not looking into the peace orders, directives, or licenses that may be process without looking into the economic issued pursuant to this order, and notwith- peace process also. The boycott of which you standing any contract entered into or any li- have spoken is not a Moroccan-Israeli issue. cense or permit granted prior to the effective It is a boycott on the part of all of the mem- date of this order: (a) the entry into or per- bers of the Arab League and independently formance by a United States person, or the of whatever the view of any of the members approval by a United States person of the of the Arab League is. Concerning this issue, entry into or performance by an entity owned I would say that there has to be a com- or controlled by a United States person, of promise among the members of the Arab (i) a contract that includes overall supervision League if the boycott is to be lifted. and management responsibility for the devel- As Mr. President has said previously, there opment of petroleum resources located in are signs of good will that have been reported Iran, or (ii) a guaranty of another person’s from Secretary Christopher’s trip to Syria. performance under such a contract; And there is no doubt that the progress that (b) the entry into or performance by a is scored in the peace negotiations between United States person, or the approval by a Israel and Syria will certainly bring about a United States person of the entry into or per- collective decision on the part of all of the formance by an entity owned or controlled members of the Arab League concerning the by a United States person, of (i) a contract lifting of the boycott. for the financing of the development of pe- The President. Thank you very much. troleum resources located in Iran, or (ii) a guaranty of another person’s performance under such a contract; and NOTE: The President’s 89th news conference began at 1:17 p.m. in the Rose Garden at the (c) any transaction by any United States White House. In his remarks, he referred to Den- person or within the United States that nis B. Ross, Special Middle East Coordinator. evades or avoids, or has the purpose of evad- King Hassan spoke in Arabic and French, and his ing or avoiding, or attempts to violate, any remarks were translated by an interpreter. of the prohibitions set forth in this order.

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00030 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995 / Mar. 15 425

Sec. 2. For the purposes of this order: (a) NOTE: This Executive order was published in the The term ‘‘person’’ means an individual or Federal Register on March 17. entity; (b) The term ‘‘entity’’ means a partnership, Message to the Congress on the association, trust, joint venture, corporation, Prohibition on Development of or other organization; (c) The term ‘‘United States person’’ Iranian Petroleum Resources means any United States citizen, permanent March 15, 1995 resident alien, entity organized under the To the Congress of the United States: laws of the United States (including foreign Pursuant to section 204(b) of the Inter- branches), or any person in the United national Emergency Economic Powers Act States; and (50 U.S.C. 1703(b)) and section 301 of the (d) The term ‘‘Iran’’ means the land terri- National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1631), tory claimed by Iran and any other area over I hereby report that I have exercised my stat- which Iran claims sovereignty, sovereign utory authority to declare a national emer- rights or jurisdiction, including the territorial gency to respond to the actions and policies sea, exclusive economic zone, and continen- of the Government of Iran and to issue an tal shelf claimed by Iran. Executive order prohibiting United States Sec. 3. The Secretary of the Treasury, in persons from entering into contracts for the consultation with the Secretary of State, is financing of or the overall management or hereby authorized to take such actions, in- supervision of the development of petroleum cluding the promulgation of rules and regula- resources located in Iran or over which Iran tions, and to employ all powers granted to claims jurisdiction. me by the International Emergency Eco- The Secretary of the Treasury is author- nomic Powers Act as may be necessary to ized to issue regulations in exercise of my carry out the purposes of this order. The Sec- authorities under the International Emer- retary of the Treasury may redelegate any gency Economic Powers Act to implement of these functions to other officers and agen- these prohibitions. All Federal agencies are cies of the United States Government. All also directed to take actions within their au- agencies of the United States Government thority to carry out the provisions of the Ex- are hereby directed to take all appropriate ecutive order. measures within their authority to carry out I am enclosing a copy of the Executive the provisions of this order. order that I have issued. The order is effec- Sec. 4. Nothing contained in this order tive at 12:01 a.m., eastern standard time, on shall create any right or benefit, substantive March 16, 1995. or procedural, enforceable by any party I have authorized these measures in re- against the United States, its agencies or in- sponse to the actions and policies of Iran in- strumentalities, its officers or employees, or cluding support for international terrorism, any other person. efforts to undermine the Middle East Peace Sec. 5. (a) This order is effective at 12:01 Process, and the acquisition of weapons of a.m., eastern standard time, on March 16, mass destructions and the means to deliver 1995. them. We have worked energetically to press (b) This order shall be transmitted to the the Government of Iran to cease this unac- Congress and published in the Federal Reg- ceptable behavior. To that end we have ister. worked closely with Allied governments to prevent Iran’s access to goods that would en- William J. Clinton hance its military capabilities and allow it to further threaten the security of the region. The White House, We have also worked to limit Iran’s financial March 15, 1995. resources by opposing subsidized lending. Iran has reacted to the limitations on its [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, financial resources by negotiating for West- 4:50 p.m., March 15, 1995] ern firms to provide financing and know-how

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00031 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 426 Mar. 15 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995

for management of the development of pe- long and hard. We do not have the right to troleum resources. Such development would disappoint the faithful and courageous peo- provide new funds that the Iranian Govern- ple who have placed their trust in us.’’ For ment could use to continue its current poli- the past 34 years, you have lived by your fa- cies. It continues to be the policy of the U.S. ther’s admonition. And by pursuing progress Government to seek to limit those resources for the Moroccan people and peace for all and these prohibitions will prevent United the peoples of your region, you have truly States persons from acting in a manner that fulfilled his legacy. undermines that effort. The American people especially admire William J. Clinton your steadfast devotion to securing a com- prehensive peace among all the peoples of The White House, the Middle East. In a region where passion March 15, 1995. and hatred have so often overwhelmed cooler heads and clearer minds, yours has always Remarks at a State Dinner Honoring been a voice of reason and tolerance. King Hassan II Quoting from the Koran, you have said, ‘‘If two groups of believers fight each other, en- March 15, 1995 deavor to reconcile them.’’ You have been Ladies and gentlemen, Your Majesty, Your tireless in your pursuit of reconciliation. You Royal Highnesses, members of the Moroccan have helped the countries of the Middle East delegation, distinguished guests: Hillary and turn on the past and start a new chapter of I are delighted to welcome you to America’s peaceful coexistence. home. I have been grateful for this oppor- Your Majesty, you have spoken of your be- tunity to get to know Your Majesty and to loved Morocco as a bridge between East and appreciate the wise counsel you have given West, between Islam and the Judeo-Chris- to every American President since John Ken- tian faiths, between respect for tradition and nedy. openness to the future. Under your leader- In fact, your relationship with our coun- ship, that bridge which runs from the tip of try’s leaders, I have learned, goes back even Europe to the sands of the Sahara and joins further than that. In January of 1943, at the the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, that height of World War II, you were present bridge has risen high as a beacon of hope. when your father Mohammed V, hosted the And for all those reasons, ladies and gen- Casablanca summit between President Roo- tlemen, honored guests, please join me in sevelt and Prime Minister Churchill. History raising a glass to His Majesty, King Hassan does not record what advice you gave Presi- II, to the Prince and the Princess who are dent Roosevelt and the Prime Minister, but here, and to the people of Morocco, who I did note that, thereafter, the war turned have done so much to build the bridges of decisively to the allies’ advantage. [Laughter] understanding and peace. So, clearly, you gave good advice. NOTE: The President spoke at 8:45 p.m. in the I also noted that when President Roosevelt State Dining Room at the White House. and Prime Minister Churchill were in Casa- blanca, Mr. Roosevelt thought he had to come home and go to work, and Prime Min- Remarks on Regulatory Reform in ister Churchill made him stay in Morocco Arlington, Virginia for 3 more days to see the beautiful sights. March 16, 1995 My staff never lets me do that. [Laughter] So we have not made progress in every re- The President. Thank you, Stu, and, la- spect since the 1940’s. dies and gentlemen, thank you. Let me first Your Majesty, you have written that in the of all say how delighted I am to be in this joyous moment following the declaration of wonderful place. Among other things, they Morocco’s independence, your father pulled do their printing here with soy ink, and that’s you aside and said, ‘‘We have passed through really why we’re here, because I come from a difficult trial. But the road ahead will be Arkansas, and my—[laughter]—my farmer

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00032 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995 / Mar. 16 427

friends grow a lot of soybeans, and we’re al- all of you can, as well, from your own per- ways looking for new markets, and we’re just sonal experience. trying to support responsible people who are Our goal is to get rid of yesterday’s Gov- using great ink. ernment so that we’re capable of meeting the This is a wonderful story today, and I thank problems of today and the challenges of to- all of these people for hosting us, Stu and morrow. We want a Government that offers all of his partners behind us, to make a point opportunity, demands responsibility, and that, to me, is very, very important. You shrinks bureaucracy, one that embodies the heard the Vice President say that last month New Covenant I’ve been talking about, more I called together the heads of the Federal opportunity and more responsibility with a regulatory agencies and told them to begin less bureaucratic Government. I think Gov- a root and branch examination of how we ernment can be as innovative as the best of regulate the American people in all the var- our private sector businesses. I think Govern- ious ways that we do. ment can discard volume after volume of I wanted to make this the next big part rules and, instead, set clear goals and chal- of the reinventing Government process that lenge people to come up with their own ways the Vice President has overseen so well for to meet them. That kind of Government will the last 2 years. And today, we want to an- be very different from the old one-size-fits- nounce the fruits of that process. But it’s im- all bureaucracy. But it also would be dif- portant to remember what the purpose is. ferent from the new proposals for one-size- Most Americans are honest people. The free fits-all deregulation and cutbacks. enterprise system brings us great benefits. I want to see a different approach. I want But we know we have certain things in com- a Government that is limited but effective, mon that we have to pursue through the Gov- that is lean but not mean, that does what ernment that we all are responsible for. it should do better and simply stops doing The question is: How can we do it best? things that it shouldn’t be doing in the first Today, we’re announcing basically two sets place, that protects consumers and workers, of changes: First of all, some Government- the environment, without burdening busi- wide regulatory reforms that will cut back ness, choking innovation, or wasting the on paperwork and trust honest business peo- money of the American taxpayers. ple as partners, not adversaries and, second, We do need to reduce paperwork and un- significant reforms in the way we protect the necessary regulation. I don’t think we want environment and the way we assure safe and to freeze efforts to protect our children from high quality drugs and medical devices. unsafe toys or unsafe food. We do need to The philosophy that guided these changes carefully analyze the risks, the costs, the ben- is pretty simple: Protect people, not bureauc- efits of everything we do, but I don’t think racy; promote results, not rules; get action, it’s a better approach to pile on dozens of not rhetoric; wherever possible, try to em- new procedural requirements. That will only brace common sense; it will confound your run up legal bills and weaken the public trust. enemies and elate your friends. [Laughter] Paralysis by process is not common sense. Since I became President, I have worked So as I said before, reform, yes, and let’s hard on this. You know, I spent 12 years as do it with a bipartisan flare, but let’s don’t a Governor of a State where I got to deal roll back our commitment to the things that with the regulatory apparatus of the Federal make life worth living here. We all want Government as it related to both State Gov- water we can drink and air we can breathe, ernment and to every friend I had in every food we can eat, and a place we can work walk of life in my State. And I found that in and feel safe and secure. But we know in the environmental area, for example, we that the way we have sought these goals often had both the environmentalists and the through Government often, often has frus- people who were in business both frustrated trated the very goals we seek. The way our by some things that were going on. And I regulatory system has grown into a dense jun- could give you lots of other examples, and gle of rules and regulations, precise lists of

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00033 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 428 Mar. 16 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995

do this and don’t do that, can trip up even believe will raise incomes, offer more people the most well-intentioned business person. opportunity, and protect the environment Can you imagine a fellow like this running while we grow the economy. I don’t think a shop like this on the cutting edge of the we should apologize for that. We should ex- environment, is afraid to call the Federal ercise judgment and common sense about Government for advice? There is no better what we cut and what we spend money on. example of what has been wrong. Here’s a We also are trying to change the regulatory guy who’s tried to do right, wants to do more environment. I was proud to sign the first right, and is afraid that if he does it, he’ll bill this new Congress passed, which applies be punished for doing it. It really is true that to Congress most of the laws they impose often in the Government no good deed goes on the private sector. I think that will have unpunished. [Laughter] So it’s time to stop a very salutary impact on the deliberations doing things that drive people up the wall. of Congress. A few weeks ago, my good friend the Gov- We are about to get a bill out of the Con- ernor of Florida, who is also on this journey gress which will restrict the ability of Con- with us and has talked to me for more than— gress to impose mandates on State and local oh, I don’t know—10 years we’ve been work- governments that are unfunded; I think that ing on these issues, long before I ever is a good idea. And maybe most important thought of running for President, gave me of all, we’re working hard, as the Vice Presi- this remarkable book that is now sweeping dent has said, to eliminate rules that are ob- the country, ‘‘The Death of Common Sense.’’ solete, to simplify rules that are too com- It makes an interesting point, the book does. plicated, to cut paperwork wherever we can, It says that in our entirely understandable in short, just to change the way Government and necessary desire to protect the public, works. we have put in place a system that very often requires those who are carrying it out to defy Most of the people I grew up with, who common sense, unduly burden private tax- all write me with their great ideas now that payers, and undermine the very objectives I’ve become President, are just out there liv- we are seeking to achieve. ing in this country, making a living, raising Now, the author of that book, Philip How- their families, obeying the law, and doing the ard, has made a major contribution to the best they can. I believe their biggest objec- American debate on this. He’s here with us tion to Government is not the size of it but today. He has done some work with the Vice the way it regulates, the way it operates in President’s National Performance Review, their own lives. and I’d like to ask him to stand and be recog- And I have done my best, relying on the nized. And thank you, sir, for doing this. [Ap- extraordinary leadership of the Vice Presi- plause] dent and the National Performance Review Over the last 2 years, we’ve tried to get staff and all the people who have been intro- this Government of ours into some kind of duced here, particularly from the SBA and shape. We have lowered the deficit by $600 the EPA and the FDA and the Office of billion, and we’ve reduced the size of the Management and Budget, to try to change Federal bureaucracy by over 100,000. We’re this. on the way to reducing the Federal work Let me just give you some examples. We force by more than a quarter of a million. want economic development. We’ve got the It’ll be the smallest it’s been since President most active Commerce Department in Kennedy was here when our budgets are fi- American history. But the Commerce De- nally implemented. partment is also cutting the rules for busi- Now, we’ve tried to do more than that. nesses in half. That will also develop the We’ve tried to do more than just cut. We’ve economy. We want nutritious food, and the tried to change the way the Government USDA has raised food safety standards, but works. We’ve tried to spend more money, they’re also making it easier to import safe for example, on education and training and fruits and vegetables. We ought to repeal silly research and technology, the things that we rules. The Department of the Interior just

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00034 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995 / Mar. 16 429

eliminated feather import quotas for exotic The second thing we want to do is to curb birds and a lot of other things as well. the Government’s appetite for paperwork. So what are we going to do now? Today We are going to have each agency allow regu- we’re announcing the first big steps of what larly scheduled reports to the Government I assure you is just the beginning of a process to be cut in half, unless there is some impor- that we intend to continue for as long as we tant public purpose that won’t permit it. In have the public trust. First, we want to do other words, if people file quarterly reports, something that recognizes that most of the we want the agency to say file them twice businesses in this country are small, most of a year, if they file them twice a year, file them want to do the right thing, and most annual reports. The Vice President likes that. of the new jobs are being created by them. We’ll leave more trees up, and we’ll save We want to get our enforcers out of the busi- more time for small business. Time is money. ness of mindlessly writing traffic tickets and Time is the most important thing we have. into the business of achieving results. We’re You know, we got rid of the Federal per- going to let these regulators apply common sonnel manuals. I forget—the Vice President sense. knows better than I do—I forget how many Two of the three problems Mr. Howard thousands of pages. talks about in his book are addressed here The Vice President. Ten thousand pages. today. One is that in our attempt to try to The President. Ten thousand pages. You tell people how we think the Government know, I have yet to have the first Federal should regulate, we have tried to imagine all employee come up and attack me for that. conceivable permutations of things that [Laughter] I’ve yet to have the first citizen could occur and then write rules to cover say, ‘‘How dare you waste my money. With them. The other is that we’ve been far more this new arbitrary system, you got rid of these obsessed—the Government has in the past— 10,000 pages. I can’t sleep at night for think- with process than results. That’s the general ing about it being gone.’’ [Laughter] And be- problem I might add, of Washington, DC, lieve me, nobody will notice this as long as not confined entirely to the Government. we take care to protect the public health, the [Laughter] public safety, and the public interest. Today, we are ordering a Government- The second thing I want to talk about are wide policy. Enforcers will be given the au- fundamental reforms in the area of the envi- thority to waive up to 100 percent of punitive ronment and drug and medical services. En- fines for small businesses so that a business vironmental regulation touches every part of person who acts in good faith can put his our lives. And this is a moment of transition energy into fixing the problem, not fighting in our environmental policy. The modern era with a regulator. In other words, if they want began in 1970 with Earth Day, the passage to spend the fine money fixing the problem, of landmark legislation and the creation of better they should keep it and fix the prob- the Environmental Protection Agency. lem than give it to the Government. The results, we should never forget, are Similarly, regulators will be given the dis- a great American success story, envied and cretion to waive fines for small businesses copied around the world. Because we made altogether if it’s a first-time violation and the a common commitment to protect the envi- firms quickly and sincerely move to correct ronment, people are living longer and living the problem. Let me be clear: These changes better, and we have a chance to pass the will not be an excuse for violating criminal country along to our children and grand- laws; they won’t be an amnesty for businesses children in far better shape than would have that harm public health; they won’t enable been the case otherwise. But the methods people to undermine the safety of the public that worked in the past aren’t necessarily while their competitors play by the rules. But adequate to the present day. we will stop playing ‘‘gotcha’’ with decent, Our environmental programs must work honest business people who want to be good better and cost less to meet the challenges citizens. Compliance, not punishment, of the future. Today we are announcing a should be our objective. landmark package of 25 environmental re-

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00035 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 430 Mar. 16 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995

forms. Let me describe them in general The other set of major reforms we’re talk- terms. ing about involve the realms of drugs and First we recognize that market mecha- medical devices. When I was running for nisms generally make more sense than President, I don’t know how many Americans micromanagement by the Government. Let- I had come up to me and talk to me about ting utilities buy and sell their rights under this all over the country but especially in the Clean Air Act, for example, has saved places where a lot of this kind of work is utilities and their customers $2 billion and done. There was a time when consumers given us cleaner air. Today we will dramati- might find that their food was adulterated, cally extend this market concept to other their drugs were quackery or had dreadful areas of clean air and water protection. side effects. Second, too many businesses are afraid to Today, Americans don’t have to worry come to the EPA for help in cleaning up their about the safety or effectiveness when they act because they’re afraid they’ll be pun- buy anything from cough syrups to the latest ished. That’s the story you just heard. We’re antibiotics or pacemakers. The Food and going to open compliance centers to help Drug Administration has made American small businesses and say to them, ‘‘If you dis- Drugs and medical devices the envy of the cover a problem, you’ll have 180 days to fix world and in demand all over the world. And it with no punitive fine.’’ we should never forget that, either. And we are going to stick with the standards we have, And third, because you shouldn’t need a the highest in the world. But strong standards forest full of paper to protect the environ- need not mean business as usual in every ment, EPA will cut its paperwork require- area. ments on businesses and communities by 25 Today we are announcing a set of reforms percent, that is 20 million hours of work for that will make our high-quality drugs and businesses and communities that will be medical devices available to consumers more saved for other purposes next year. quickly and more cheaply. First, FDA will While these steps will improve the current stop using a full-blown review every time a system, others will move well beyond it to biotech drug company makes a minor and a shift in the way we actually think about risk-free manufacturing change in an estab- regulation. EPA will launch a pilot program lished drug. called Project XL, excellence and leadership, Second, FDA will stop requiring costly as- which is simple but revolutionary. They will sessments on drugs that obviously have no say to the companies in the pilot and, hope- significant impact on the environment. fully, eventually, the companies all across the Third, FDA will eliminate 600 pages of country, ‘‘Here is the pollution reduction cumbersome regulations controlling the pro- goal. If you can figure out how to meet it, duction of antibiotics and other drugs. And you can throw out the EPA rulebook. You I’ll give you $100 if anybody comes up to figure out how to meet the goal.’’ you and complains within the next 12 I want to say, especially here, how much months—[laughter]—when you do that. And I appreciate both the environmental groups finally, 140 categories of medical devices that and the business groups that are here. We pose low risk to patients, from finger exer- know that pollution prevention pays. We cisers to oxygen masks, will no longer need know pollution prevention and reduction is preapproval by FDA before they are put on a great source of job creation for America, the market. as well as a guarantee for our children that These FDA reforms and others we’ll an- this country will be worth living in. nounce in the next few weeks, will keep qual- We also ought to be smart enough to know ity at world-class levels and save industry and that people who are living with the con- consumers nearly half a billion dollars a year. sequences of this might be able to figure out And I am pleased, again, to say that there how to fix it better than folks who are writing are representatives from the drug and medi- rules about it. So we’re going to see if we cal device industry here, as well. We appre- can figure out how to do it in this way. ciate your support.

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00036 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995 / Mar. 16 431

I am very, very excited about this. These often think in the course of working here changes, taken together, represent real and both for the last 2 years and for the last 2 fundamental reform. Now, they lack the months, if we wouldn’t be better off as a sledge hammer subtlety of a moratorium, but country if we worked more like that up here. if we’re going to be responsible, we ought [Applause] Yes, you can clap for that. That’s to fix the problem, not just seek to freeze all right. That’s a pretty good idea. [Applause] the problem. To go from yesterday’s Govern- I’ve even met half a dozen of my State ment to tomorrow’s Government we need legislators since I’ve been gone from Arkan- movement, not paralysis. We need to con- sas who said they missed me, which is some- tinue our commitment to a Government that thing I never thought I’d hear. [Laughter] works better, costs less, reflects our values, Warm my heart. and can make a difference and that doesn’t We have a lot of former legislators in this drive us up the wall but drives us into the administration, as I’m sure you know. I see future together. That is common sense, and the Deputy Secretary of Education out there, we can give it to the American people to- Madeleine Kunin, also the former Governor gether. of Vermont; and Arthur DeCoursey of SBA Thank you very much. was a State legislator in Massachusetts. Pat- rick McGowan with the SBA was a State leg- NOTE: The President spoke at 10:47 a.m. at Cus- islator in Maine. Thomas Redder with the tom Print. In his remarks, he referred to Stu SBA was a State legislator in Colorado—all McMichael, owner of Custom Print. the other employees for the SBA were actu- ally in small business at one time or an- Remarks to the National Conference other—[laughter]—of course, Secretary of State Legislators Pen˜ a was as well, and Gary Blumenthal, the March 16, 1995 Executive Director of the President’s Com- mittee on Mental Retardation. So we’re in- Thank you, Jane Campbell, and thank you, terested in what you’re going through and Senator Lack, and thank you to the other in working with you. leaders of the NCSL for meeting me outside. I have said many places, but I’d like to And welcome, all of you, to Washington. I have the privilege of repeating it here today, know you just heard from Secretary Reich. that I ran for this job because I felt the mis- He actually—he hasn’t been here? [Laugh- sion of this country at the end of the 20th ter] That gives me something else to make century was to get us into the next century fun of my staff about. [Laughter] That’s what with the American dream alive and well and it says. Let me try—what else does it say? with America still the strongest country in [Laughter] Maybe I should put my glasses the world, the greatest force for peace and on, and it will come out differently. [Laugh- freedom and democracy. Alive and well ter] means that we have to have opportunities for Let me say, I am delighted to see all of more jobs and higher incomes. Half the you. I’m about as happy to see you as you American people are living on less money acted like you were to see me. [Laughter] today when you adjust for inflation than they I loved the legislative process when I was were making 15 years ago. That’s one of the Governor, and in Arkansas we had an inter- reasons a lot of people aren’t happy in the esting system. We were all there in our old recovery. We’ve got 6.1 million new jobs and State capitol, and the legislature was on the the lowest combined rates of unemployment third floor, and I was on the second floor. and inflation in 25 years, but a lot of folks’ And when the legislature was in session I just incomes are not going up. And they feel un- sort of kept open house. If a legislator certain, insecure. showed up, I saw him or her. And we’d have I get letters all the time from people I grew morning planning meetings at 7:30 a.m. up with in Arkansas who are nearing that every morning, and half the time legislators magic age of 50 talking about the uncertainty just wandered in and sat at the administra- they feel about their future, their children. tion’s planning meeting. And I must say, I Are they going to be able to educate their

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00037 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 432 Mar. 16 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995

children? Are they going to be caught up in security of our people, both in terms of safe some great downsizing move, kind of the streets and our security around the world. other side of this great churning change and And that’s what I have worked to do so all this opportunity that’s out there? that if you believe that, it means that you The other part of the American dream is have to have a smaller Government that is keeping our values alive, work, family, com- still effective, that does what it’s supposed munity, values you might put under the gen- to do well and stops doing things that it eral heading of responsibility, so that we can shouldn’t do, and that works more in partner- pull back together. So I think we ought to ship with you. Since I have been President, offer more opportunity and more responsibil- we have now given 26 States waivers from ity. I also think to do it here in Washington, Federal rules to enact their own welfare re- we have to have a dramatic change in the form proposals, and nine States waivers to way Government has worked. And I have do major, major health care reform, more been working hard at that for the last 2 years. States that the previous two administrations The old view was that there was kind of combined. a one-size-fits-all—drove you nuts in the We’ve also done a lot to try to deregulate State houses of the country, I’m sure—that certain aspect of the private economy from there was a one, single big Government solu- undue Federal oversight. And we did a lot tion for every big problem in America. And more about that today, and I’ll say more half the time we told you what to do and about that in a minute. We have reduced the didn’t give you the money to do it with. size of the Federal payroll by more than The other view that seems to have a lot 100,000. We’ve reduced the size of the Fed- of energy around here is that, basically, eral deficit by $600 billion. We’re on our way maybe there’s nothing for the Federal Gov- to the smallest Government in Washington ernment to do except to give the problem since Kennedy was President and 3 years of to you and give you less money to deal with deficit reduction in a row for the first time it, and the idea is that since Government since Truman was President. We are chang- would mess up a one-car parade, we just ing the way things operate around here. ought to walk away from all these problems. Now that the new Congress is here, we’re My view is different from that, and I guess having a huge debate about what the role it’s forged largely on my 12 years of experi- of Government ought to be. And it can be ence as a Governor and the fact that before a very healthy thing indeed. I must tell you, I got this job I actually used to be able to as all of you know, I have real differences, spend large amounts of time talking to real as well as real agreements with this Congress. people every day. I don’t mean that the peo- I have vigorous agreements and vigorous dis- ple I talk to aren’t real people; I mean that agreements. I strongly agreed with the bill mostly the people I talk to have business be- that applies to Congress the laws Congress fore the Government or work for the Presi- imposes on the private sector. I thought it dent or in some event that I’ve set up. I don’t was long overdue and was elated to sign it. get to walk the streets the way I used to and I campaigned on it in ’92. just visit with people in a more informal set- We’re about to get a bill out of the con- ting. ference and to my desk which will end un- My view is that what we need is a Govern- funded mandates that are unreasonable and ment that is very different, that has less bu- sharply reduce the ability of Congress to im- reaucracy, that is lean but not mean, that op- pose on you and on local governments re- erates in a more entrepreneurial fashion, that quirements which we don’t give you the gives more decision to the State and local money to pay for. And I think that is a very governments and to the private sector, but good thing indeed. that is an active partner in doing three things: But I do not agree with the proposals that promoting economic opportunities through undermine our fundamental mission, more jobs and incomes, empowering people economic opportunity, empowering people through education and training to make the through education and training, and increas- most of their own lives, and enhancing the ing our security. Therefore, I don’t agree

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00038 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995 / Mar. 16 433

with the proposal that would eliminate the it was funnier that you did, apparently. 100,000 police commitment and the crime [Laughter] bill that we worked for 6 years for or cut But anyway—so, we knew that we had to school lunches or cut our education pro- cut some money. What did we do? We closed grams, the Goals 2000 program for 4,000 1,200 offices. What did they do? They pro- schools in America or the proposal for safe pose cuts in the school lunch program. They and drug free schools. say, ‘‘Well, they’re not really cuts in the Some of these proposals are embodied in school lunch program.’’ Well, yes, they are. the so-called rescission bill which was adopt- If this proposal had been law in 1989, this ed by the House today. Some of them are year there would be one million fewer kids embodied in their general budget. What they getting lunch at school. And a lot of these have in common, is, in my view, is they cut kids show up at school, and they don’t have too much of people and not enough pork. enough to eat at home. The meals they get The proposal passed today would virtually at school is the only dad-gum good meal they eliminate the AmeriCorps program, our na- get all day. There are children going to school tional service program, which is not a bu- in this country that never see a dentist until reaucracy, which many of you have worked they are 16, 17, 18 years old. We want them with which, as you know, is helping police to learn, and you know, everybody rails about on the street, helping people to build houses, the schools, I’m telling you, it’s hard for a helping to fight fires in the West, doing work teacher to teach a poor kid who’s hungry. So I think there’s a right way to do this that wouldn’t be done otherwise, and letting and wrong way to do it. And it doesn’t have young people earn money to pay for their to be a partisan deal. I told you, I’m for a education. It is a great grassroots program. lot of what they’re trying to do. We do need It should not be eliminated. to change the way we do business here. But So as we move into the future and as these we need to have the ability to bring common bills go to the Senate, we’re going to have sense to bear in judgment, and we need to an interesting debate here. And a lot of it put our children and our educational system will affect you. I wondered when the un- and our future first. We need to keep our funded mandate bill passed why it wasn’t eye on what is the mission. The mission to made immediately effective, because I’m get the country into the 21st century still the strong for it. I’m for the line-item veto, too, strongest country in the world in a place and I hope we get that up here pretty soon. where there’s real opportunity. There’s a lot of things Republicans want to Today, we had a meeting about regulation. do that I am strongly in favor of. But I said We’ve got a lot of regulatory legislation here, to myself, why are we making an unfunded freeze all pending regulations for 6 months mandates bill immediately effective? And I or a year or whatever, and a lot of other read that rescission bill, and I realized you’re things. Well, what I’ve been trying to do is going to get some ‘‘defunded’’ mandates. If not freeze it, I’ve been trying to fix it. Today you look at some of those cuts to the States, we announced the following things in the the responsibilities are still on you, but the regulatory area, something that I think is money is being taken back. very, very important, that should be popular So I say to you, what kind of Government in every State here: We announced some dra- do we want? We knew we had to cut some matic changes for small business, in the envi- money out of the Agriculture Department, ronment, and in the area of drugs and medi- just for example. You know, the Agriculture cal technology. Department got real big. And the best line We announced first of all, that small busi- that came out of the 1992 Presidential cam- nesses who try to do the right thing but make paign, I’m embarrassed to say—I wish it were a mistake, will be given the opportunity not mine, but it wasn’t—was Ross Perot’s line to pay their fine to the Government but to about the Agriculture Department employee take the money in the fine they would have that had to go see a psychiatrist because he paid to the Government and fix the problem lost his farmer. Remember that? I thought in the first place and that small businesses

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00039 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 434 Mar. 16 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995

who make a mistake, for the first time, can nobody will ever miss them, and it will save have their fines waived altogether if they this industry, one of our most productive in- have never had a record of bad behavior and dustries, $500 billion a year. who are obviously trying to do the right thing. So this is the sort of thing we’re trying to We announced today that all Government do. It will make a huge difference in the life agencies, when it is consistent with the public of this country. But better to fix the problem interest—that is, public health and well- than just to freeze it in place. Better to do being—will cut in half the reporting require- something real than to do something that ments for small businesses. So whenever pos- sounds good, that maybe causes more harm sible, if they have to report four times a year, than good. We all want to have water we can now they can report twice a year. If they have drink and air we can breathe and food we to report twice a year, now they can report can eat and a place to work we can feel safe once a year. And we think it will make a big and secure in. We can do this. difference and so does the Small Business Now you have to decide, without regard Administration. We are trying to change to your party or your region what you believe things. our role is, too. To make a judgment about In the area of the environment we an- this debate that’s unfolding here, you have nounced today that we would allow small to make up your own mind. businesses a grace period of 6 months to cor- You know, I spent, when I was a Governor, rect violations after they’ve been identified. I bet I spent more time cussing the Federal We found out that a lot of people wouldn’t Government than most of you do. And since call the Government and find out what the I’ve been President, I bet I’ve spent even law is, because they were afraid that some- more time doing it. [Laughter] But the fact body would come see them and fine them. is that this country has benefited by 25 years So we had a lot of people who were out of of effort to clean the environment up. This compliance because they were literally afraid country has benefited by our common efforts to ask how to get in compliance. to make people secure at work, to make toys We’re going to cut environmental paper- safe for our children. This country has bene- work by 25 percent, which will save—get fited from these efforts, but we have forgot- this—20 million hours of work per year for ten common sense in a lot of the way we the American people. We are going to launch do things. So the trick is to put common a pilot program with 50 businesses which will sense back into this and reestablish a partner- allow companies to reach a pollution reduc- ship that makes sense between the National tion goal however they want. And if they can Government, those of you at the State level, reach it, they can throw out the EPA rule people at the local level, and most impor- book. Doesn’t matter how they reach it, as tantly, private citizens, so that what we do long as they reach the production goals. makes sense, it achieves common goals, and Same thing we tried to do for the schools, doesn’t waste taxpayer money. by the way, in the Elementary and Secondary That is going to be the great debate here. Education Act, to give you more flexibility— And to make the judgments, you have to here are the national goals, you figure out move beyond the rhetoric to the reality of how to meet them—in the schools, the prin- each issue here. Everybody is for cutting cipals, the teachers. It’s a very important pol- Government, but I think there’s a real dif- icy change. ference between closing 1,200 offices and In the area of drugs and biotechnology, cutting back on food stamps. I think there’s we have decided to stop doing a full-blown a real difference between closing the regional and very expensive review every time a offices at HUD and cutting back on a pro- biotech company makes a minor and insig- gram for homeless veterans at the Depart- nificant change in one of its products. We’re ment of Labor. I think there’s a difference. going to stop requiring very costly assess- I think it matters. ments on drugs that obviously don’t have any I don’t think all Federal Government impact on the environment. We’re going to spending is the same. I think with drug use eliminate 600 pages of regulation. I’ll bet you on the rise and among young people again,

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00040 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995 / Mar. 17 435

for reasons that are almost impossible to un- you do, we’ll help you make America a better derstand, young people thinking that it’s no place. longer really dangerous to fool with drugs Thank you, and God bless you all. again, not to mention illegal, to cut out all of these programs that would give 94 percent NOTE: The President spoke at 2:20 p.m. at the of the schools in this country an opportunity Hyatt Regency Hotel. In his remarks, he referred to make their schools safer and more drug- to Jane Campbell, president, National Conference of State Legislators, and James Lack, New York free, whether it’s metal detectors and police State senator. officers or more folks in there teaching pre- vention, is not common sense. So I believe if we’ll work together, check Statement on the Justice our rhetorical baggage, and try to get this Department’s Conclusion of the country into the 21st century remembering Investigation of Transportation our mission, we can cut a good deal more Secretary Federico Pen˜ a spending without cutting our kids and our future. We can absolutely, dramatically re- March 16, 1995 duce the unfair burden of regulation without This is good news for a Secretary of Trans- undermining the quality of our environment portation who’s doing a great job. I’m pleased or the safety of our lives. for Federico. In short, we can do what Americans have always done. We have always been philo- sophically conservative, pragmatic, oper- Memorandum on Assistance to the ationally progressive people who got the job Palestinian Police Force done and moved the country into the future. March 16, 1995 That’s how we have performed. That’s why we’re still around after over 200 years. That Presidential Determination No. 95–17 is the genius of our constitutional system. That’s how you pass a budget in your legisla- Memorandum for the Secretary of State, ture every year. the Secretary of Defense So, since you’re up here in a leadership conference, I would urge you without regard Subject: Drawdown of Commodities and to your party or your region, to urge this Services from the Inventory and Resources course on the Congress—[applause]—urge of the Department of Defense to Support this course on the Congress. You know, I Activities of the Palestinian Police Force don’t need any lectures in the need to cut Pursuant to the authority vested in me by spending. We reduced the deficit $600 bil- section 552(c)(2) of the Foreign Assistance lion without a lot of help 2 years ago. And Act of 1961, as amended, 22 U.S.C. we’re going to do it some more. But we can- 2348a(c)(2) (the ‘‘Act’’), I hereby determine not walk away from our responsibilities to our that: children and to our future. We have got to (1) as a result of an unforeseen emer- stop a lot of this crazy regulation, but we gency, the provision of assistance have got to do it in a way that leaves us not under Chapter 6 of Part II of the Act only more prosperous in the short run but in amounts in excess of funds other- leaves us with a safer and more secure envi- wise available for such assistance is ronment and a healthier citizenry over the important to the national interests of long run. the United States; and We can do this. We don’t have to make (2) such unforeseen emergency requires a bunch of bogus choices. But we’ve got to the immediate provision of assistance act more like most people do at the State under Chapter 6 of Part II of the Act. level and at the local level. We’ve got to be I therefore direct the drawdown of com- committed to solving problems, putting peo- modities and services from the inventory and ple first, checking the ideological baggage at resources of the Department of Defense of the door. I hope you’ll help us do that. If an aggregate value not to exceed $5 million

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00041 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 436 Mar. 17 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995

to provide and transport 200 vehicles and pursuing a peaceful rather than a violent concurrent spare parts to Israel for use by path. That vista that you opened up to them the Palestinian police force. by that decision enabled them, gave them The Secretary of State is authorized and the confidence to end their campaign and directed to report this determination to the take a new road. Congress and to arrange for its publication Others need to show similar courage and in the Federal Register. generosity. And I know that the United William J. Clinton States will be willing to play the same crucial role in being a friend to all in Ireland and NOTE: This memorandum was released by the Of- encouraging all in Ireland to be generous fice of the Press Secretary on March 17. risktakers, as you have been, Mr. President, in your dealings with Ireland since the com- mencement of your administration. Remarks at a Saint Patrick’s Day My purposes in coming here today, on St. Ceremony With Prime Minister Patrick’s Day, is to thank you very, very John Bruton of Ireland and much, from the bottom of my heart, for what an Exchange With Reporters you have done, and to look forward to work- March 17, 1995 ing with you and your administration and, indeed, Congress on a bipartisan basis on The President. Good morning. Please be building on this, your great achievement. seated. Happy St. Patrick’s Day. It’s a great The President. Thank you. pleasure for me to welcome the Prime Min- Prime Minister Bruton. Now, Mr. Presi- ister here. This is the Taoiseach’s first visit dent, it is my high honor to present you with to the United States since he assumed office. some shamrocks to celebrate this great day. So on this St. Patrick’s Day, I think we should The President. Thank you very much, Mr. begin with an appropriate greeting, Ceade Prime Minister, for the beautiful gift, the mile failte, a hundred thousand welcomes. beautiful Irish crystal. I hope the shamrocks Mr. Prime Minister, I think, in this sym- will bring us the luck of the Irish over the bolic ceremony, you should go first. So I want next few months. [Laughter] to turn the microphone over to you. Today, we don’t have to look much further Prime Minister Bruton. Thank you very than the green ties and the dresses in this much. Mr. President, Mr. Vice President, room to be reminded of the bonds between Secretary of State, ladies and gentleman: It’s the United States and Ireland, the common a wonderful honor for me to be received here heritage we share and have shared since the as the leader of an Irish Government of a beginning of our country’s existence. Much country, Ireland, that’s now at peace, at of America’s love of freedom has Irish roots, peace after 25 years of violence. whether our ancestors were Catholics or I want to say that you, Mr. President, prob- Protestants. Four signers of the Declaration ably as much as any individual, have helped of Independence were born in Ireland. At to bring that about. When you look back on least nine more were of Irish descent. And your administration, I think the bringing of many of our bravest soldiers in the Revolu- peace to Ireland will rank as one of your tionary War were Irish-Americans. major personal achievements. The willing- Today the Irish are still fighting the good ness that you showed, Mr. President, to take fight, the fight for peace in Lebanon and So- risks, to do things that many of us might have malia and the Balkans. Irish troops under thought were foolhardy at the time, like U.N. command have braved great dangers granting a visa to Gerry Adams—it has been in the quest for peace. Ireland has also proven to be—you have been proven to be opened a school to train U.N. peacekeepers right. You made the right decision. from other nations so that we may all benefit The results are there for all of us to see, from Ireland’s experience. because you gave that organization the sense Ireland has demonstrated its commitment of confidence in itself and a glimpse of the to peace most powerfully, of course, in the political dividend that was there for them by efforts to end the violence in Northern Ire-

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00042 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995 / Mar. 17 437

land. On this St. Patrick’s Day, as the ture of Ireland and the strong ties between Taoiseach said, Northern Ireland is closer our nations. than at any time in a generation to a just I finally want to say that I am very much and lasting settlement of the differences of looking forward to our reception tonight at the people who share that small country’s the White House. I’m glad that you, Mr. land. Prime Minister, and Mrs. Bruton will join At this historic moment, I salute Prime us. And we’re going to have a high old Irish Minister Bruton for his tireless efforts for time. [Laughter] peace and for continuing the work of his In closing, let me thank the Secretary of predecessor, Prime Minister Reynolds, in State, and our fine Ambassador to Ireland, completing the joint framework document Jean Kennedy Smith, for the work they have for Northern Ireland with the British Prime done in supporting the White House and the Minister, John Major, who also deserves our President in our efforts to help you bring salutes for the brave risks that he has taken peace. to make peace. This is a landmark step for Thank you all very much. all the parties to bring them together and forge a new partnership for reconciliation. Peace Process in Northern Ireland Today I want to take this opportunity, this Q. Mr. President, may I ask you, first of St. Patrick’s Day, once again to urge all the all, how you have reacted to what appears parties to look carefully at the framework, to be an implied British Government criti- to accept it as the basis for moving forward. cism of your decision to allow Mr. Adams I call on all those who still resort to violence to come into this country? And do you agree to end the beatings, the intimidations, the with those other Irish-Americans who seem shootings. To those who have laid down their to believe that the British Government and arms, I ask you now to take the next step that John Major is being slow, too slow, in and begin to seriously discuss getting rid of allowing his ministers to talk to Mr. Adams? these weapons so they can never be used The President. Well, let me answer it in again and violence will never again return to this way. First of all, I have had a good rela- the land. tionship during my Presidency with Prime I welcome the statement by Sinn Fein, re- Minister Major. And the United States has iterating its readiness to include the issue of had a very unique and powerful relationship weapons in the talks with the British Govern- with Great Britain for a very long time. We ment. It must be included, and progress must may differ from time to time about the spe- be made. cific actions that each would take, but our As we have in the past, the United States goal is the same. And I think we all have stands ready to help those who are taking to recognize the risks that Prime Minister risks for peace. Our economic initiatives in Major has taken for peace within the context Ireland are proceeding under the supervision in which he must operate. of former Senator George Mitchell. In May So I look forward to having a chance to we are hosting a White House Conference visit with him in the next couple of days about on Trade and Investment in Ireland. And this, and I’m basically very positive about it. there’s tremendous interest in this con- And if you’re the President of the United ference from our private sector. States, there are days when you’re grateful Mr. Prime Minister, the United States will for implied criticism. Most of it’s expressed. continue to support your efforts and those [Laughter] of Prime Minister Major. You have done very Q. Mr. President, you were asking for peo- much to bring the prospect of a new day to ple who have guns and have used them in Northern Ireland. Ireland to take the next step. How soon do I’m also pleased to announce that begin- you think that next step might be taken by ning April 1st, Irish citizens visiting the the IRA and Sinn Fein? United States on vacations or business will The President. Well, I know that it no longer require visas. This step is another couldn’t come soon enough for me. And this demonstration of our confidence in the fu- whole business about weapons decommis-

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00043 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 438 Mar. 17 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995

sioning is, obviously, critical to the comple- marks, he referred to Gerry Adams, leader of the tion of the process. And we here in the Sinn Fein. United States have reached out not only to Sinn Fein, but also to the Unionists. The Memorandum on Federal Prime Minister has pointed that out. The Vice President and my National Security Ad- Employees Affected by California viser have, on more than one occasion, tried Floods to establish contacts to make sure we were March 17, 1995 reaching out to everyone in Northern Ire- Memorandum for the Heads of Executive land. Departments and Agencies And the important thing to me is that we keep pushing this process and keep it going Subject: Excused Absence for Employees in the right direction. And I have every con- Affected by Widespread Flooding in fidence that that will occur. California Wolf [Wolf Blitzer, Cable News Network]. I am deeply concerned about the devastat- Russia ing losses caused by widespread flooding in California and the impact on the well-being Q. Mr. President, President Yeltsin an- and livelihood of our fellow Americans who nounced that he’s willing to eliminate mili- have been affected by this disaster. Many tary hardware from his V–E parade on May parts of the Federal Government have been 9th in order to encourage you to join others mobilized to respond to this disaster. in Moscow to celebrate the 50th anniversary As part of this effort, I request heads of of the end of World War II. Is that enough executive departments and agencies who to encourage you to go to Moscow, and will have Federal civilian employees in the areas you include a trip to Ireland after that? designated as disaster areas because of the [Laughter] flooding to use their discretion to excuse The President. Well, I appreciate what from duty, without charge to leave or loss President Yeltsin said today. And I expect to of pay, any such employee who is faced with be making a decision about that whole set a personal emergency because of the flood- of issues very shortly. And when I do, I’ll ing and who can be spared from his or her announce it. usual responsibilities. This policy should also Q. Mr. President, Is Chechnya the stum- be applied to any employee who is needed bling block? for emergency law enforcement, relief, or Peace Process in Northern Ireland clean-up efforts authorized by Federal, State, Q. Mr. President, What pressures can the or local officials having jurisdiction. U.S. administration bring on Sinn Fein, par- William J. Clinton ticularly in regards to the decommissioning of arms? And was there a quid pro quo in Remarks Honoring the 1994 that area for your granting a visa to Gerry Adams to fundraise in the United States? National Hockey League Champion The President. Well, certainly, his prompt New York Rangers statement about the willingness of Sinn Fein March 17, 1995 to discuss arms decommissioning had an in- fluence on my decision. I think it’s important Good afternoon. Please be seated. that the United States take some steps along I’m delighted to see all of you here, and the way, as the Prime Minister has said, to welcome to the White House and to the Rose keep this process going. When others take Garden. You come on the first day that the appropriate steps, I think it makes it a lot trees are blooming, so you’re bringing us all easier for us to do the same thing. wonderful weather. Thank you. It’s an honor for me to host the New York Rangers here, including the Commissioner NOTE: The President spoke at 10:40 a.m. in the of the National Hockey League, Gary Roosevelt Room at the White House. In his re- Bettman, the President and General Man-

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00044 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995 439

ager of the Rangers, Neil Smith, Coach Colin This team took that one step further, because Campbell and Assistant Coach Dick Todd. the Rangers know that teamwork isn’t only And I think Congressman Eliot Engel was about the guys who lace up the skates, it’s supposed to be here, and he is unless they’re also about your fans, too. And if ever a team still voting. had great fans, you do. So you paid your fans It was last June 14th when the Rangers back by remembering right after the victory won the Stanley Cup, finally breaking the in- a longtime fan who had passed away, by famous curse. The next day I got a letter from bringing the cup to sick children in the hos- Senator Moynihan, a big Ranger fan, who pital and even by bringing the cup to res- said that since the Rangers brought the Cup taurants and bars throughout New York— back to Madison Square Garden, I should [laughter]—as well as to one of the Vice bring the Rangers to the Rose Garden. I’m President’s favorite hangouts, the David delighted you’re finally here. We’ve been try- Letterman show. ing to arrange this visit for some time, but For all that, I thank you. Your victory has what’s a few months compared to 54 years. shown us what is best about professional [Laughter] sports, perseverance, hard work, real com- I can’t tell you how much I personally en- mitment to working together. It’s an example joyed the playoffs. I really got into them. I for which all of us in Madison Square Garden tried to rearrange my schedule so that I could and the Rose Garden are very grateful. see the games. I enjoyed seeing Mark Congratulations, and welcome again. Messier predicting and delivering a victory when your backs were against the wall. I en- NOTE: The President spoke at 2:39 p.m. in the joyed Brian Leetch’s MVP playoff perform- Rose Garden at the White House. ance, the first by an American-born player. And I especially enjoyed your goalie, Mike Richter’s, acrobatic saves. All of us here in Washington can appreciate what goalies do Digest of Other because we have so many shots taken at us White House Announcements every day. [Laughter] And I was hoping, maybe in addition to a jersey, one of you could loan me a face mask for the next year The following list includes the President’s public or so. [Laughter] schedule and other items of general interest an- I also want to say something that I ob- nounced by the Office of the Press Secretary and not included elsewhere in this issue. served watching these playoffs. Stars alone don’t win championships; teams do. I re- member your chant from last year, ‘‘Heave March 12 ho. Everybody pulling together.’’ This year The President declared a major disaster in it’s turned into ‘‘Heave ho. Two in a row.’’ the State of California and ordered Federal The Stanley Cup is the oldest trophy com- aid to supplement State and local recovery petition by professional athletes in North efforts in the areas struck by winter storms America, the only trophy that bears the that caused flooding, landslides, and mud de- names of not only the teams but the individ- bris flows beginning February 13. ual players who won it. March 13 I’d also like to say a special word of appre- In the afternoon, the President was pre- ciation because the Rangers boast the first sented with the Boy Scout Report to the Na- four Russians ever to have their names en- tion by Boy Scout of America representatives graved on the Stanley Cup, another sign of in the Oval Office. our increasingly interconnected global com- munity and America’s outreach to the rest March 14 of the world. The President declared a major disaster in I also admire the tradition that the entire the State of South Dakota and ordered Fed- team shares the Stanley Cup. Each player eral aid to supplement State and local recov- gets to take it home to friends and to family. ery efforts in the areas struck by severe win-

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00045 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 440 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995

ter storms for the period of January 13–Feb- Nominations ruary 10. Submitted to the Senate The President announced his intention to appoint Paul Warnke, Albert Carnesale, Mike Mochizuki, and Gregory van der Vink The following list does not include promotions of to be members of the Scientific and Policy members of the Uniformed Services, nominations Advisory Committee of the Arms Control to the Service Academies, or nominations for For- eign Service officers. and Disarmament Agency. The President announced his intention to appoint LeRoy F. Saunders to the Commit- Submitted March 14 tee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind Mary Beck Briscoe, or Severely Disabled. of Kansas, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit, vice James K. Logan, retired. March 15 In the morning, the President met with California State legislators in the Roosevelt Room to discuss flood relief efforts. Checklist of White House Press Releases March 16 In the afternoon, the President attended a St. Patrick’s Day luncheon at the Capitol. The following list contains releases of the Office Later, he briefly met with President Franjo of the Press Secretary that are neither printed as items nor covered by entries in the Digest of Tudjman of Croatia; Kresimir Zubak, Presi- Other White House Announcements. dent, and Ejup Ganic, Vice President, Fed- eration of Bosnian Muslims and Croats; and Tatjana Ljujic-Mijatovic, Presidency Mem- Released March 13 ber, Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina in the Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- Roosevelt Room. He then met with Presi- retary Mike McCurry dent Tudjman in the Oval Office. The President declared nine additional Released March 14 counties in California as major disaster areas Transcripts of press briefings by Press Sec- following winter storms which caused flood- retary Mike McCurry ing and mud slides. Statement by Press Secretary Mike McCurry on the President’s intention to issue an Exec- March 17 utive order prohibiting certain transactions In the evening, the President and Hillary with respect to development of Iranian pe- Clinton hosted an Irish reception on the troleum resources State Floor. Statement by Press Secretary Mike McCurry The President announced his intention to announcing that the Justice Department will appoint Linda Alvarado to the President’s join an appeal of the decision in a Federal Advisory Commission on Educational Excel- District Court in Texas on the Religious lence for Hispanic Americans. Freedom Restoration Act The President announced his intention to appoint Mary Houghton to be a member of Announcement of the nomination for the the Board of Directors of the Credit Stand- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit ards Advisory Committee. Released March 15 The President announced his intention to appoint Louis V. Gerstner, Jr., and John A. Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- Georges to be members of the Advisory retary Mike McCurry Committee for Trade Policy and Negotia- Statement by Press Secretary Mike McCurry tions. on reinventing Government

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00046 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1995 441

Released March 16 Transcript of a press briefing by Health and Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala on retary Mike McCurry child support enforcement Transcript of a press briefing by Elaine White House statement on child support en- Kamarck, Senior Policy Adviser to the Vice forcement President; Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Carol Browner; Small Busi- Listing of Democratic Senators meeting with ness Administrator Phil Lader; and Federal the President Drug Administrator David Kessler on regu- latory reform Statement by Press Secretary Mike McCurry on the President’s meeting with Bosnian and Croatian leaders Acts Approved by the President Advance text of Surgeon General-Designate Henry Foster’s remarks to the National Newspaper Publishers Association NOTE: No acts approved by the President were Released March 17 received by the Office of the Federal Register Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- during the period covered by this issue. retary Mike McCurry

VerDate 20-JAN-98 13:03 Jan 24, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00001 Frm 00047 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\PD20MR95.TXT pfrm01