Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents

Monday, August 3, 1998 Volume 34—Number 31 Pages 1483–1552

1 Contents

Addresses and Remarks Addresses and Remarks—Continued Capitol shootings—1483, 1503 National Council of Senior Citizens—1523 New Mexico Colorado, Democratic National Committee National Social Security Forum in events Albuquerque Brunch in Aspen—1502 Remarks—1503 Teleconference remarks to Regional Dinner in Aspen—1489 Social Security Forums—1507 Reception and question-and-answer session Townhall meeting—1510 in Aspen—1493 Reception for gubernatorial candidate Martin Chavez in Albuquerque—1516 Congressional tribute honoring Officer Jacob North Carolina J. Chestnut and Detective John M. American Heritage Rivers designation, Gibson—1519 proclamation signing ceremony in Ashe Education International World Congress— County—1538 1532 Reception for senatorial candidate John Edwards in Raleigh—1543, 1545 Maryland, departure for Norfolk, VA, at Radio address—1484 Andrews Air Force Base—1483 Virginia, U.S.S. Harry S. Truman National economy—1546 commissioning in Norfolk—1487

(Continued on the inside of the back cover.)

Editor’s Note: The President was in East Hampton, NY, on July 31, the closing date of this issue. Releases and announcements issued by the Office of the Press Secretary but not received in time for inclusion in this issue will be printed next week.

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 Contents—Continued

Bill Signings Interviews With the News Media Homeowners Protection Act of 1998, Exchange with reporters in the Rose statement—1536 Garden—1546 National Science Foundation Authorization Notices Act of 1998, statement—1535 Continuation of Iraqi Emergency—1530 Communications to Congress Proclamations Arab League boycott of Israel, message Designation of American Heritage Rivers— transmitting report—1546 1542 Bosnia-Herzegovina, message reporting—1530 To Implement an Accelerated Schedule of Corporation for Public Broadcasting, message Duty Elimination Under the North transmitting report—1538 American Free Trade Agreement—1548 Cyprus, letter transmitting report—1542 District of Columbia budget request, message Statements by the President transmitting—1531 See also Bill Signings Iraqi emergency continuation, message Capitol shootings—1483 transmitting notice—1530 Deaths Weapons of mass destruction proliferation, Jacob J. Chestnut—1483 message transmitting Executive order— John M. Gibson—1483 1522 David J. McCloud—1503 Jerome Robbins—1537 Communications to Federal Agencies Senate action on job training reform Cutting greenhouse gases through energy legislation—1548 saving performance contracts, United Auto Workers strike at General memorandum—1485 Motors, resolution—1519 Outreach actions to increase employment of Weapons of mass destruction, expanding adults with disabilities, memorandum— Executive order on proliferation—1520 1537 Supplementary Materials Acts approved by the President—1552 Executive Orders Checklist of White House press releases— American Heritage Rivers, Amending 1551 Executive Orders 13061 and 13080—1518 Digest of other White House Proliferation of Weapons of Mass announcements—1549 Destruction—1520 Nominations submitted to the Senate—1550

3 Week Ending Friday, July 31, 1998

Statement on the Shootings at the Every day, a special breed of men and Capitol women pin on their badges, put on their uni- July 24, 1998 forms, kiss their families goodbye, knowing full well they may be called on to lay down Hillary and I were deeply disturbed to their lives. This year alone, 79 other law en- hear of the shootings this afternoon at the forcement officers have made the ultimate United States Capitol. Like all Americans, we sacrifice. Every American should be grateful extend our thoughts and prayers to the fami- to them for the freedom and the security they lies of the slain officers, Jacob Chestnut and guard with their lives, and every American John Gibson, as well as to the injured victim should stand up for them and stand against and her family. The Capitol is the people’s violence. house, a place where visitors and workers Officer Chestnut was a Vietnam veteran, should not have to fear violence. Every a member of the Capitol Police for 18 years, American appreciates the bravery of the Cap- just months away from retirement. Detective itol Police who prevented further injury Gibson was a deeply religious man, beloved through their courageous actions. by his co-workers and, being from Massachu- setts, devoted to the Red Sox and the Bruins. NOTE: This item was not received in time for pub- Both leave behind loving wives and children, lication in the appropriate issue. the affection of neighbors, friends, and co- workers, and the deep gratitude of those who are alive today because of their bravery. Remarks on Departure for Norfolk, In this one heartless act, there were many Virginia, at Andrews Air Force Base, acts of heroism, by strangers who shielded Maryland children with their bodies, by officers who July 25, 1998 fanned across the Capitol, by Dr. Bill Frist, a renowned heart surgeon before his election Shootings at the Capitol to the Senate from Tennessee, who had just Good morning. The shooting at the United put down his gavel when he rushed to tend States Capitol yesterday was a moment of the injured. To all these and others who savagery at the front door of American civili- stood for our common humanity, we extend zation. Federal law enforcement agencies the thanks of our Nation. and the United States Attorney’s Office are To the families of Officer Chestnut and working closely with the DC police and the Detective Gibson, nothing we say can bring Capitol Police to ensure that justice is pur- them back. But all Americans pray that the sued. power of a loving God and the comfort of Meanwhile, I would ask all Americans to family and friends will, with time, ease your reflect for a moment on the human elements sorrow and swell your pride for loved ones of yesterday’s tragedy. The scripture says, and the sacrifice they made for their fellow ‘‘Greater love hath no man than this: that citizens. he lay down his life for his friends.’’ Officer To Angela Dickerson, the young woman Jacob ‘‘J.J.’’ Chestnut and Detective John who was injured in the shooting, we extend Gibson laid down their lives for their friends, our prayers and hope for your speedy recov- their co-workers, and their fellow citizens, ery. those whom they were sworn to protect. In To every American who has been shaken so doing, they saved many others from expo- by this violent act, to the millions of parents sure to lethal violence. who have taken your children through those

1483 1484 July 25 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 very same doors, I ask you to think about Today I’m pleased to announce that the De- what our Capitol means. All around the partment of Energy will begin providing new world, that majestic marble building is the crisis assistance to low-income families, re- symbol of our democracy and the embodi- pairing and replacing air-conditioners and ment of our Nation. We must keep it a place fans, installing insulation, and giving advice where people can freely and proudly walk on the best way to keep homes cool in this the halls of their Government. And we must extreme heat. never, ever take for granted the values for But to meet the long-term challenge of which it stands or the price of preserving global warming, we must do more. Vice them. President Gore and I have launched a com- Thank you very much. prehensive, cost-effective strategy to protect our environment while creating new oppor- NOTE: The President spoke at 9:10 a.m. at the tunities for economic growth. I’ve proposed Air Force One departure site. $6.3 billion in research and tax incentives over the next 5 years to encourage the private The President’s Radio Address sector to work with us to improve our energy July 25, 1998 efficiency, generate clean power, and reduce the greenhouse gases that contribute so Good morning. This year we’ve seen a dis- much to global warming. turbing string of weather-related emer- We must all do our part to protect the en- gencies all around our country, from flash vironment, and as the Nation’s largest energy floods in Tennessee to wildfires in Florida consumer, the Federal Government must to ice storms last winter in New England. lead. At my direction, we’re undertaking a This summer record heat and drought are multipart initiative to put our own house in taking a terrible human toll, destroying crops, order. Today I’m pleased to announce the causing power outages, worst of all, taking first four parts of this plan, aimed at increas- lives. Just since June, more than 130 people ing the efficiency of Federal buildings. have died because of the heat. First, I’m directing Federal agencies to Certainly, the latest El Nin˜ o is partly to work more closely with private contractors blame for the severe weather conditions that to retrofit Federal buildings and other facili- have besieged so many communities. But ties with the best energy-saving technology, growing evidence suggests that the extreme at no cost to taxpayers. Second, we’ll replace and erratic weather we’re seeing in America hundreds of thousands of conventional light and around the world is being intensified by bulbs and fixtures with more efficient global warming. fluorescents, which will pay back in energy Consider this: 1997 was the warmest year savings nearly 5 times what they cost to in- on record, and 1998 is on track to break that stall. Third, I’m directing all agencies to work record. Five of the hottest years in history— toward bringing their existing buildings up the 5 hottest years—have all occurred in the to EPA’s ‘‘Energy Star’’ standard of energy 1990’s. Scientists predict that July may be the efficiency. And fourth, the Defense Depart- hottest month since mankind began record- ment and six other Federal agencies will ing temperatures. The world’s leading cli- adopt ‘‘sustainable design’’ guidelines for all mate experts predict even more extreme new Federal buildings to reduce their energy weather unless we reverse this dangerous use. warming trend. Now, together these measures will save We’re doing everything we can in the short taxpayers as much as a billion dollars a year term to help communities cope with this dev- in energy costs. They’ll help to jumpstart astating heat wave. This week I released $100 markets for new technologies, and they’ll million in emergency funds to the 11 hottest protect our environment by reducing green- States. On Monday Agriculture Secretary house gas emissions. Glickman and FEMA Director James Lee We are facing squarely the problem of Witt will travel to Texas and Oklahoma to global warming, but there are still some in see what more we can do to help there. Congress who would rather pretend it Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 / July 25 1485 doesn’t exist. Despite mounting evidence, Memorandum on Cutting they would deny the science and ignore the Greenhouse Gases Through Energy warning signs. Rather than invest in a com- Saving Performance Contracts monsense strategy to reduce greenhouse gas July 25, 1998 emissions, they want to cut programs for en- ergy efficiency and renewable energy, pro- Memorandum For The Heads of Executive gram that long have enjoyed bipartisan sup- Departments and Agencies port. Subject: Cutting Greenhouse Gases through Worst of all, some have even tried to keep Energy Savings Performance Contracts the public from learning the facts about glob- My Administration has made addressing al warming by barring Federal agencies from the threat of global climate change one of even talking about the issue. Thankfully, this our top environmental priorities. As the Na- gag order was defeated in the House of Rep- tion’s largest consumer of the fossil fuels that resentatives just this week. Global warming scientists believe are driving global warming, is real. The risks it poses are real, and the the Federal Government has a special re- American people have a right to know it and sponsibility to lead in developing clean en- a responsibility to do something about it. The ergy solutions and in reducing Federal en- sooner Congress understands that, the soon- ergy consumption. While Government-wide er we can protect our Nation and our planet energy saving activities over the last several from increased flood, fire, drought, and years have resulted in significant achieve- deadly heat waves. ments, we can and should do more. On March 9, 1994, I issued Executive To protect our environment, we must put Order 12902, Energy Efficiency and Water progress ahead of partisanship. For nearly 30 Conservation at Federal Facilities, which di- years now, we’ve had a bipartisan commit- rected all executive agencies to reduce en- ment to preserving the environment. We ergy consumption 30 percent below 1985 lev- have to bring it to this new challenge. els by the year 2005. We have made signifi- As sweltering as this summer has been, if cant strides, but in order to achieve this goal we don’t act now, our children may look back we must make better use of a critical energy on the summer of 1998 as one that was rel- management tool. Energy Saving Perform- atively mild and cool. There’s no excuse for ance Contracts (ESPCs), which are author- delay. We have the tools; we have the ingenu- ized under the National Energy Conserva- ity to head off this threat. We have the oppor- tion Policy Act, as modified by the Energy tunity and the deepest of obligations to leave Policy Act of 1992, provide significant oppor- our children and our grandchildren a healthy, tunities for making Federal buildings more thriving planet, God’s great gift to us all. energy efficient at little or no cost to tax- payers. Under ESPC authority, agencies can Thanks for listening. contract with private energy service compa- nies to retrofit Federal buildings with no up- front payments by the Government. These companies recover their costs from a nego- tiated share of the energy cost savings, with NOTE: The address was recorded at 12:23 p.m. the remaining savings being returned to the on July 24 in the Cabinet Room at the White contracting agency and to taxpayers. The House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on July 25. A Federal Government must make more use transcript was made available by the Office of the of these highly cost-effective contracts. Press Secretary on July 24 but was embargoed I therefore direct all Federal agencies to for release until the broadcast. maximize use of this authority by the year 1486 July 25 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998

2000, when the authority expires. I also di- To make use of this authority, Federal fa- rect the Department of Energy (DOE) to cilities need to contact the DOE or the DOD lead an interagency effort to develop a legis- to engage contractors already pre-approved lative proposal extending ESPC authority to complete ESPC work. Agencies can also past the year 2000. As part of this effort, I consider using direct appropriations or con- direct all agencies to identify and propose tract with their local utilities. I also direct areas for expansion of ESPC authority—for Federal agencies to maximize efforts to earn instance, as appropriate, to some leased an ENERGY STAR label, demonstrating to buildings, mobility, and other Federal assets. the public that they rank in the top 25 per- In addition, I direct agencies to propose ways cent for building energy efficiency. Combin- to procure electricity produced using cost- ing energy savings contracting authority with effective renewable sources. utility programs and agency funded efforts While ESPC authority has existed for can save taxpayers as much as one billion dol- some time, I have encouraged significant lars a year in energy costs over the next 15 steps to streamline and promote greater use years, and can reduce greenhouse gas emis- of this tool. To this end, the DOE and the sions by up to 3 million metric tons of carbon Department of Defense (DOD) have nego- annually. tiated contracts with energy service compa- To ensure the full use and benefits of nies over most regions of the country. These ESPC authority, I further direct each execu- ESPCs currently allow up to $5 billion worth tive agency to submit to me, in the next 90 of projects at Federal facilities within these days, a memorandum detailing: regions. The DOE and the DOD anticipate 1. Your agency’s accomplishments in re- that by the end of this year they will negotiate ducing energy consumption since contracts allowing an additional $2.7 billion 1985, and your plans to reduce energy worth of such work in specific regions. The consumption 30 percent below 1985 combined $7.7 billion provides, in effect, the levels by 2005, in compliance with Ex- total dollar amount of retrofit projects that ecutive Order 12902; Federal agencies can complete at their facili- 2. Your agency’s plan to use ESPCs and ties using ESPCs. In addition, the DOE an- other tools, as well as your plans to ticipates negotiating over $1 billion for achieve ENERGY STAR labels for ESPCs to finance the installation of renew- your facilities, as part of your in- able energy and other efficient technology creased attention to saving money systems in the near future. through energy efficiency and renew- To further compliance with this directive, able energy; I have asked the Office of Management and 3. Your proposals on how to expand the Budget to provide new guidance to agencies Federal Government’s use of these that will help remove barriers and provide tools, for inclusion in our request to more incentives for using ESPCs. This guid- the Congress for extending ESPC au- ance will change the budgetary treatment of thority beyond the year 2000; and these contracts to be consistent with the 4. Your strategy for encouraging use of unique statutory authority for ESPCs. Spe- ESPCs and other financing mecha- cifically, the full amount of budget authority nisms to install renewable energy pro- for the contract will no longer be needed up duction systems—such as those called front, but can be made available over a num- for in the Million Solar Roofs Initia- ber of years. In addition, this guidance will tive. encourage agencies to permit up to 50 per- cent of the energy savings from ESPCs to William J. Clinton remain at the facility or site where they occur. Both of these policies will help moti- NOTE: This memorandum was embargoed for re- vate Federal energy managers to make great- lease until 10:06 a.m. er use of ESPCs and reduce agency operat- ing costs. Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 / July 25 1487

Remarks at the Commissioning of to rely, as all Presidents do, on the world’s the U.S.S. Harry S. Truman in greatest Navy. Norfolk, Virginia The American people still feel a strong af- fection for Harry Truman. He seemed to July 25, 1998 some an ordinary man, but he became an extraordinary President. He represented the Thank you very much. Secretary Cohen, best in us, and he gave us the best in himself. Mrs. Cohen; Secretary Riley; Secretary and He never failed to live up to the words of Mrs. Dalton; Senator Robb; Governor his fellow Missourian, Mark Twain, which he Carnahan; Representative Skelton; Con- kept on his desk at the Oval Office: ‘‘Always gressman Pickett and other Members of do right. This will gratify some people and Congress; Admiral Johnson and Admirals astonish the rest.’’ Bowman and Reason and Gehman, and the Fifty years ago, when Harry Truman be- other distinguished leaders of the Navy who came our President, America faced a moun- are here; Captain Otterbein; men and tain of crises: Europe lay shattered; a cold women of the Navy; veterans; Mr. Fricks and war bred danger around the world; terrible others who had a role in building this mag- new weapons made every false step a poten- nificent vessel; my fellow Americans: tial catastrophe; and angry voices were being Good morning, and what a beautiful morn- raised here at home by Americans against ing it is. Let me begin this day by saying other Americans. At such a time, and after that we are all thinking of someone who the rigors of World War II, some wanted to should be here but cannot be, Margaret Tru- turn away from the world, to relinquish the man Daniel. She has been a great friend to leadership that had rescued freedom from Hillary and our daughter and to me—a great tyranny. But Harry Truman said no. He American citizen. And Harry Truman was made courageous decisions, focused always very proud of her, justifiably. I wish she could on doing right, making sure everyone knew be here. the buck stopped with him. I’d also like to thank especially a man who He approved massive aid to Europe, in- will speak after me, one who knew President cluding our former enemy, in one of the most Truman well and stands in his tradition, and farsighted instances of enlightened self-inter- who did so much to make this day happen, est in history. In 1948 he became the first Representative Ike Skelton of Missouri. world leader to recognize the new state of In 1913 Harry Truman was a young Mis- Israel, over the bitter protest of his advisers. souri farmer, experiencing some business dif- That same year, when Stalin closed off West- ficulties, as he did from time to time. But ern access to Berlin, he ordered the heroic as always, he didn’t give up easily. He wrote airlift to relieve the beleaguered city. to his sweetheart and future wife, Bess, these And 50 years ago tomorrow, as Secretary words, ‘‘My ship’s going to come in yet.’’ Cohen has noted, Harry Truman made one Now, we all know that Harry Truman was of the best decisions any Commander in a man of his word. It took 85 years, but here Chief ever made. He was sickened by stories on July 25, 1998, Harry Truman’s ship has of African-American veterans fighting hero- come in. ically for America in war, only to return to Of course, President Truman’s hometown violence and hatred. He wrote, ‘‘As Presi- of Independence, Missouri, is not exactly a dent, I know this is bad. I shall fight to end center of naval operations. Coming from the evils like this.’’ And despite the extraordinary State just south of Missouri, you know, we’re political pressures against him, despite grow- completely landlocked. And Harry Truman ing up himself in a segregated community, was an Army man. But in 1944, as a United on July 26, 1948, Harry Truman ordered the States Senator, he spoke at the christening Armed Forces to integrate with Executive of the battleship Missouri, on whose decks Order 9981. From that day forward our men Japan surrendered just a year later. He felt and women in uniform have truly been a a life-long affection for the ship known as force for freedom and a shining example to the ‘‘Mighty Mo,’’ and as President, he came all humanity. 1488 July 25 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998

President Truman’s decisive acts made made clear, the readiness of our military will crystal clear that America would not stand remain a top priority. Today and for the fu- by while the world unraveled, that our ideals ture, our forces will be fully capable of meet- were not just words on parchment but guide- ing our commitments around the world. posts for coming together as Americans. As We have done much to meet these readi- Truman said in the first address by any ness goals, but we must do more. As the American President to the NAACP, ‘‘When Members of Congress here keenly appre- I say all Americans, I mean all Americans.’’ ciate, Congress is the vital partner in this ef- When we scan the landscape of the new cen- fort. This year, with bipartisan congressional tury ahead, the future Harry Truman defined support, we provide emergency funding for is the promise we now enjoy. our military operations in Bosnia and south- Think of what has happened, growing out west Asia and, thus, are able to meet critical of the decisions he made 50 years ago: The readiness needs. But Congress as yet has not cold war is over; Europe is thriving; Berlin approved the funding we need on the same is united; Greece and Turkey are vital NATO terms for the crucial operations in fiscal year allies working with us to promote peace in 1999, which begins only 9 weeks from now. the Balkans; Israel, Japan, South Korea are If we are to remain fully prepared, it is im- among our strong, democratic partners; perative that Congress act. International organizations like NATO, the A month ago the Defense Department United Nations, the International Monetary sent to Congress a request to transfer one Fund are essential components of the archi- billion dollars from lower priority programs tecture of peace and prosperity. These are to important training, maintenance, and not accidents of history. They reflect the vi- readiness requirements to sustain our readi- sion of the leader we celebrate here today. ness. Again, I ask Congress to approve this Harry Truman knew that a President’s ability to persuade others in the world is request before the summer recess. greatly enhanced when commanding the This ship, the Harry Truman, is a monu- world’s strongest military. That is still true. ment to strength of character—to the char- When we aimed to restore hope in Haiti 4 acter of a President and the character of years ago, the Navy was there to make it hap- those who serve aboard her, to the character pen. When violence tore apart Bosnia, naval of the shipyard workers who built her in operations in the Adriatic helped to create Newport News. The motto you have adopted the conditions of peace. When we needed says it all: ‘‘The buck stops here.’’ a quick action in the Persian Gulf last winter, Over the next 50 years, America must con- the Navy was there again to put steel behind tinue to be responsible, to say the buck stops our diplomacy. with the United States, to ask the questions And on this day, our persuasiveness has that the President we honor here today been enhanced considerably. This carrier oc- asked. What do the decisions we make today cupies 41⁄2 acres, stands 20 stories tall; it will mean for our children and grandchildren? Is be home to up to 6,000 personnel, about the what we are doing good for all our people? population of Harry Truman’s hometown. Will it deepen our freedom, expand oppor- From aviators in their ready rooms to the tunity, strengthen our Union, advance the engineers in their spaces, from catapult offi- cause of freedom and peace and security in cers who can launch four aircraft in just one the world? Will it bring hope to the op- minute to the cooks who prepare 18,000 pressed and fear to the oppressors? meals a day, the men and women of the The very sight of the Harry S. Truman Harry S. Truman will do America proud. will summon our best ideals and recall the And let me say to the families of those will and vision of a man who arrived when crewmen here today, we appreciate your we needed him most. Some will look at this commitment, too. Your loved ones on the carrier and see only her massive physical di- Harry S. Truman will never be sent into mensions. I hope most of us will see some- harm’s way without clear purpose and supe- thing even bigger, the living spirit of America rior preparation. As Secretary Cohen has and the indomitable courage of one of the Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 / July 25 1489 greatest leaders our still young Nation has my obituary once again had been written sev- yet produced. eral times by several people. [Laughter] And To the men and women who will serve this fellow who is a professor at Harvard in on the Harry S. Truman, remember, the Presidential studies, he said, ‘‘ I think you’re buck stops with the United States. Godspeed, probably going to be reelected.’’ And I said, and if he were here he would say, ‘‘Give ‘em ‘‘Why?’’ And he said, ‘‘Well, for one thing, hell.’’ God bless you, and thank you very you have the most loyal Cabinet since Thom- much. as Jefferson’s second administration,’’ which was very touching to me because they’re also NOTE: The President spoke at 11:40 a.m. on the very good. ceremonial quarterdeck of the U.S.S. Harry S. Rodney Slater has worked with me for Truman at Norfolk Naval Base. In his remarks, he referred to Janet Langhart, wife of Secretary more than 15 years now, and I’m very proud of Defense William S. Cohen; Margaret Dalton, of the work he has done. And Secretary Riley wife of Secretary John H. Dalton; Gov. Mel and I have been friends for more than 20 Carnahan of Missouri; Adm. Jay L. Johnson, USN, years now, and colleagues. We are so creaky; Chief of Naval Operations; Adm. Frank L. Bow- we were actually Governors in the 1970’s. man, USN, Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion; [Laughter] So I thank them for being here Adm. J. Paul Reason, USN, Commander in Chief, and for their ardent support of our political U.S. Atlantic Fleet; Adm. Harold W. Gehman, Jr., objectives. I thank Senator Feinstein and USN, Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Com- Congresswoman DeGette. mand; Capt. Thomas G. Otterbein, USN, com- I’d also like to thank my wonderful friend, manding officer, U.S.S. Harry S. Truman; and W.P. (Bill) Fricks, chairman and chief executive Governor Roy Romer. He and Bea are here officer, Newport News Shipbuilding. tonight, and he has done a great job being a spokesperson from our party, going around the country trying to do his job as Governor Remarks at a Democratic National of Colorado and give us as much time as he Committee Dinner in Aspen, can. I thank Steve Grossman and Barbara Colorado and Lynn and Len Barrack who are here, July 25, 1998 and all the weekend hosts. I thought I would tell you—I was asking Thank you very much. Thank you, Beth. myself, although some of you are actually Thank you, Steve. Like others, I want to new to this, most people have heard me give thank Christy and Sheldon for having us in too many speeches, and I was feeling very this magnificent home tonight with the won- badly for all of you tonight. [Laughter] So derful natural surroundings. I haven’t been I was thinking what I could tell you, and I to Aspen for a long time, and for the last thought maybe I ought to start with where 3 or 4 hours I’ve been kicking myself for how I started this day. many years it’s been since I was here last. Hillary and Chelsea and I had a wonderful But in the eighties, Hillary and I had some weekend. Last night—or yesterday after- wonderful trips up here, and just looking noon, we all went out to Camp David, and around has been very—it’s a wonderful op- we managed to fool my brother into believing portunity. And again I say that this has been that we had to have this high-powered family a particularly unique opportunity for me to conference. And I think he honestly thought see many of you and to see you in these mag- I was going to tell him that I had a life-threat- nificent settings. So, thank you, Sheldon; ening illness or something. [Laughter] And thank you, Christy. We’re very grateful. we had gathered his 20 best friends from all I’d like to thank many people here. I thank around America, and we threw a surprise Secretary Riley and Secretary Slater for com- birthday party for him last night, and he ing out here and being a part of this. Once never did figure out what it was about until I had a meeting of Presidential Scholars at we hit him with it. So I didn’t think I was a time when things were not so rosy for our capable of such sleight of hand, and I felt administration as they are now—after the ’94 very good about myself afterwards. [Laugh- elections, I don’t know, it was early ’95, and ter] 1490 July 25 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998

And then, this morning I got up and I flew the most of their own lives and to advance to Newport News, Virginia, to commission the cause of peace and freedom and prosper- our newest aircraft carrier, the United States ity around the world. Ship Harry Truman. Margaret Truman, Now, if you fast-forward to the present Harry Truman’s daughter, is a good friend moment, on the edge of a new century and of Hillary’s and mine, and she was, unfortu- a new millennium, we have some of the same nately, unable to be there. But all President challenges and some very different ones. But Truman’s grandchildren and great grand- the thing I want to say to you is, the world children were there. And it was quite an ex- is moving quickly and changing profoundly, traordinary day. and we need that level of vision as a people I say that because if you think about what to decide where we want to go. And I believe Harry Truman did 50 years ago, entering as that our party best embodies that in America he was and as America was, into a new and today. very different time after World War II, it And I’d like to just give you just a few gives you some guidance in terms of what examples. First of all, when I came to office we ought to be doing today. And let me just in 1993 I was determined to reflect at least mention three things. as best I could what I thought the real experi- Number one, at the end of World War II, ence of Americans was out in the country he understood that America could not be iso- and not just to get into this Washington sort lated from the rest of the world, as we had of hyperpolitical rhetoric and shouting that been after World War I, and historically, is the staple of everyday life in Washington, throughout our country’s history before. So DC. he was the first world leader to recognize I had the privilege to serve as a Governor the state of Israel, 50 years ago this year, with two of the Coloradans here present, Roy against the advice of most of his advisors. Romer and Dick Lamm. And when we ar- Number two, he understood that America gued about things, we almost always were was fundamentally at that time still quite a arguing about what would work or not, based hypocritical society in that there was such a on what kind of country we wanted to build, huge gap between what was written on paper what kind of future we wanted to have for in the Declaration of Independence, the our children, what kind of legacy we wanted Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, and how to leave them. we were living. Fifty years ago tomorrow, So we started with a different economic Harry Truman issued the Executive order to policy, a different welfare policy, a different integrate the Armed Forces. Fifty years later, education policy, a different crime policy, we have the most diverse and the most suc- and very often what I tried to do was mis- cessful military anywhere in the world. understood at least by the political writers Number three, Harry Truman understood who were quite angry that they could no that you could not go into a new and different longer put it into a little neat box of whether time with just the right ideas; there also had it was old-fashioned liberal or old-fashioned to be some institutional mechanisms through conservative. which people could work to achieve their I concede that I caused them the discom- common objectives. Just as the same way that fort of having to think about it, but I thought if you have an idea to make money in the that’s what we should be doing. We had gone free enterprise system, you still have to orga- on too long on automatic in American poli- nize a business to do it. And that’s what the tics, and the time had come to lower the rhet- United Nations was all about; that’s what the oric and open our ears and our eyes and think International Monetary Fund was all about; about it. that’s what NATO was all about. I often used to quote Benjamin Franklin’s So Harry Truman committed us to the famous saying that our critics are our friends, world, committed us to being one America, for they show us our faults. And then I found and committed America to building and sup- so many friends in Washington, I stopped porting the institutions necessary to make it saying it. [Laughter] But nonetheless, there’s possible for the American people to make some truth to it. Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 / July 25 1491

So if you look at where are we today, today ideas but we’re rooted in traditional values, we have the lowest unemployment rate in we’re going to do better and better and bet- 28 years, the lowest crime rate in 25 years, ter, because we have broken out of the paral- the lowest percentage of people on welfare ysis of the past. And I think it’s obvious to in 29 years, the first balanced budget and anyone just following the news that the mem- surplus in 29 years, with the lowest inflation bers of the other party can’t really say that in 32 years, the highest homeownership in today. history, the smallest Federal Government in So let me just give you a few examples 35 years; with scholarships and loans that of what I think we ought to be doing. First have opened the doors of college to all Amer- of all, if we’re looking to the future, we have icans; with cleaner air, cleaner water, safer to look at how we can build one America food, fewer toxic waste dumps, more land generationally, which means that we cannot set aside in national trust than any adminis- permit the baby boom generation to retire tration except the two Roosevelts; 5 million with the present systems of Social Security children with health insurance; and a real and Medicare unaltered, because when you ethic of national service among citizens out have two people working for every one per- there, with things like AmeriCorps, which is son retired, which is what’s going to happen now at 100,000 young people serving in com- when all the baby boomers retire at present munities across America, and 1,000 different rates of birth, retirement and immigration, colleges which have had their students work- the present systems, as they’re constructed, ing in our grade schools, teaching our kids are unsustainable. to read. Now, Monday I’m going down to New So this is a better country, stronger, more Mexico to hold the second of our national well prepared for the future. But I would forums on Social Security. But there’s got to say to you we still have a lot of huge, big be—Social Security has done a lot of good; institutional challenges. I believe that where 48 percent of the seniors in this country who we are now compared to where we were 6 are above the poverty line would be below years ago is that America is working again. it if there were no Social Security. It’s done And we should come to the point where we a lot of good. But the people that I know expect that—not that there won’t always be in my generation are obsessed with the ups and downs in the economy, but we thought—and I’m not just talking about well- should expect ourselves to have a functioning off people; I mean the middle-class working society. people I grew up with in Arkansas—are ob- And we should take this moment of pros- sessed with the thought that when we retire perity and instead of doing what our friends we will impose unfair burdens on our chil- in the Republican Party hope will happen, dren and their ability to raise our grand- which is that the status quo will prevail, and children. We are determined not to see it they will hold on to power by doing the things happen. Therefore, our party, which created they’ve done to kill campaign finance reform Social Security and created Medicare, has and to kill the tobacco reform legislation and the responsibility to take the lead in a con- so far to kill the Patients’ Bill of Rights and structive reform of them if we want to honor a lot of other things that I think should be the compact in America between the genera- passed—we ought to be saying, no, no, no, tions. That’s a first big issue. I hope it will no. When things are changing and the chal- be done in early 1999. lenges are big, we should use the prosperity Second, we have an obligation to prove and the confidence it gives us to ask our- that we can grow the economy and finally selves, what are the big long-term challenges make it reach people in places that it hasn’t this country faces, and how are we going to reached in inner-city neighborhoods, in rural meet them? And that’s what I want the areas. You know, if you’ve been following the Democrats to do. farm crisis, you know there’s been a 90-per- Because as long as our party is seen as cent drop in farm income in North Dakota the party of constructive change and inclu- in one year—in native American commu- sive change, where we’re embracing new nities, where the ones that don’t have casino 1492 July 25 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 gambling have hardly had any advance in of Florida, hotter than any July or August their economic well-being at all in the last in Florida history. Ninety-seven was the hot- 6 years. If we can’t improve the economic test year in the history of the world; ’98, every circumstances, not by giving money, but by single month has set a new record. So unless creating enterprise, in these communities something happens, in spite of the wonderful when we’re doing well, we’ll never be able cool evening we’re enjoying in Aspen, this to do it. will be the hottest year on record. The third thing we have to do—and I can- Now, I am not advocating a policy of no- not say how important I think is—a lot of growth or low-growth. I am advocating a pol- you were kind enough to mention the China icy of putting our brains and our market en- trip. And let me just make a little timeout terprise to the task of growing the economy here. Jiang Zemin once asked me if I was while reducing the per unit energy use re- trying to contain China, if I were scared of quired to do it, and changing the nature of China, and I thought America had to keep energy. it in. And I said, ‘‘No, I’m not worried about The Sterns from Chicago are here; their that. Historically, your country has not been son, Todd, runs this program for me, my cli- particularly aggressive towards its neighbors, mate change program. And he’s a brilliant and you suffered from more invasion than young man, and he’s doing a wonderful job. you’ve done invading.’’ I said, ‘‘But you do But we have got to somehow convince the present a threat to our security.’’ And he American people and the Chinese people looked at me and he said, ‘‘What is it?’’ I that we can grow the economy and improve said, ‘‘I’m afraid you’re going to insist on get- the environment. And if we don’t—unfortu- ting rich the same way we did. [Laughter] nately, while I was joking with Jiang Zemin, And I want you to get rich, but if you get I told him the truth. If you go to China today, rich the same way we did, nobody on the what’s the number one health problem planet will be able to breathe.’’ they’ve got? Bronchial problems, breathing And we have to prove that we do not have problems, children with asthma—terrible to maintain industrial age energy use patterns problems. And we can do better. But it’s our to have a successful, sustainable economy in solemn obligation to do it. which our children have unparalleled oppor- Let me just mention one or two other tunities. And if you look at the technology things. First of all, I want to talk about edu- now available, I predict to you that in the cation just briefly. This is area where there’s 21st century, energy will go the way of elec- the biggest difference between the Repub- tronics in the last 50 years, you know, every- licans and the Democrats in Congress in this thing getting smaller and smaller and smaller. session. Everybody knows America has the The only reason we got this year 2000 com- best system of higher education in the world. puter problem is that those of us like Ameri- That’s why people from all over the world cans who computerized early did it when the come here to go to college and to graduate chips wouldn’t hold much memory. And so school. And we welcome them. I love it. It’s all the dates were just put in with two num- like our major exchange program. It saves bers instead of four because memory was a the Government a lot of money that people precious commodity. That will never be a want to come here anyway to go to college problem again because smaller chips hold and graduate school. And it helps us to be- unbelievable memory. The average home come even more tied into the rest of the computer now has more power than the aver- world. age supercomputer did when my daughter No serious person who knows a lot about was born, for example. education believes that we have the best sys- So we have to do this. This is a huge deal. tem of elementary and secondary education Nine of the hottest years in history, since in the world. And yet, in a world where the temperatures have been measured, have economy is based on ideas, where even those been in the last 11 years. Florida had the of you in agriculture who are here are bene- wettest winter, the driest spring in history, fiting from and have to embrace newer and and June was the hottest month in the history newer technologies every year, we need Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 / July 25 1493 more universal education than ever before. We have got to reaffirm—we’ve got to tell So I have put before the American people people, who cares that the cold war is over? and before the Congress an agenda that It’s more important than ever before that would support higher standards and greater America be in there leading the way to create accountability and better teaching and small- an international economy that works, that er classes in the early grades and hooking works for people abroad, and works for the all the classes up to the Internet and more American people as well. choice within the public schools. Now, I think if the Democratic Party And the main thing I want to say to you stands for that kind of constructive future for is that this is not a time for what I take to America, and comes forward with those kinds be the Republican response, which is make of ideas and is uncompromising, and if we possible for more people to go to private get enough help to get our message out— school and everything will be fine when 90 and Steve Grossman didn’t say this, but we percent of our kids are in public school. picked up some seats in 1996—in the last That’s just not accurate. What we need is 10 days, our candidates in the 20 closest House races were outspent four and a half universal excellence of opportunity. And so to one. We’re not talking about peanuts here. that’s something the Democrats have to be We’re talking about—and the stakes could on the forefront of. hardly be larger. The last thing I’d like to say is that we’ve Now, you pick up the paper every day; you got to be interested in creating one America watch the news every day. Do you hear de- in a time that’s far more complicated than bates at the level that I’ve just been talking Harry Truman’s time, and in having that to you about on these issues? Is this what America lead the world in a time when the you think they’re talking about in Washing- issues are more complicated than they were ton? You put us in, and that’s what we’ll be in his time. The cold war may be over, but talking about, and your children will enjoy believe you me, in the lifetime of people in the fruits of it. That’s why you’re here, and this room, we will be confronting serious we’re very grateful. challenges—of terrorists, drug runners, orga- Thank you, and God bless you. nized criminals, having access to chemical and biological weapons, other high-tech NOTE: The President spoke at 9:30 p.m. at a pri- weapons. I hope not, but they would try to vate residence. In his remarks, he referred to Beth get small-scale nuclear weapons. Dozoretz, senior vice president, FHC Health Sys- tems, who introduced the President; dinner hosts In the lifetime of the people in this room, Christy and Sheldon Gordon; former Gov. Rich- in this modern age, the ancient racial and ard Lamm of Colorado; President Jiang Zemin of religious and ethnic hatreds, which have China; and the following Democratic National killed hundreds of thousands of people in Committee personnel: Steve Grossman, national Rwanda, bedeviled Northern Ireland, con- chair, and his wife Barbara; Gov. Roy Romer of tinue to paralyze the Middle East, caused the Colorado, general chair, and his wife Bea; and Bosnian war, now have all the problems in Leonard Barrack, national finance chair, and his Kosovo—the possibility that those things wife Lynn. A tape was not available for verification of the content of these remarks. might be mixed with weapons of mass de- struction is enormous. And all of you that are involved in finance Remarks and a Question-and-Answer know what this problem in Asia—these Asian Session at a Democratic National financial problems and the challenges of Rus- Committee Reception in Aspen sia have done to the international markets July 25, 1998 there and the prospect of supporting peace and prosperity and freedom in those coun- The President. That was better than I can tries in that region. Our own economy has do, Michael. Thank you very much. Thank slowed considerably because of the Asian fi- you and thank you, Ana, for welcoming all nancial crisis. So that the last thing I want of us into your home. And I want to thank to tell you. my long, longtime friend, Roy Romer, for 1494 July 25 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 being willing to keep his day job and take unchartered challenges in the future. But on another job as well for our party. they essentially—if you go back and read the Since you mentioned the Brady bill, I Declaration of Independence and the Con- think what I’d like to do is maybe just talk stitution and the Bill of Rights, it all comes just for a few minutes and then, probably down to the fact that they believe that God to the chagrin of all the people who came gave everybody the inherent right to life, lib- here with me, take a few minutes, if any of erty, and the pursuit—not the guarantee, but you have any questions or comments or you the pursuit—of happiness, and that in those want to give a speech to me, I’ll listen to shared rights, we were created equal, not that. But you think about it, if you’ve got any with equal abilities, not with equal pace, not questions you want to ask. all the same, but equal in a fundamental But you heard the example Michael gave human sense. you of the Brady bill, and if you ask me about And then the second thing that distin- what I tried to do through and with our guishes the Democrats from the Republicans Democratic Party and as President that even today, I think—even more today than makes it worthy of the support of thoughtful in the last 50 years, the Founding Fathers Americans, many of whom might have been said, ‘‘Look, we can’t pursue these objectives Republicans before, I would say two things. completely by ourselves. We can’t protect or First of all, I’ve tried to move our party enhance the right to life, liberty, and the pur- and to move our country and, hardest of all, suit of happiness unless we band together to move Washington, DC, away from sort of and form a government. But governments yesterday’s categorical, partisan name calling ought to be limited. They ought to be limited toward a genuine debate over new ideas, be- in scope, limited in power, limited in reach, cause we are living in a new and different but they should do those things that we can- time that, coincidentally, is at the turn of the not do alone. And sometimes, in order to ad- century and the turn of the millennium, but vance our collective life, liberty, and happi- is indisputably different. It is different be- ness, individually, we have to make a few sac- cause the way we work and live and relate rifices.’’ That’s really what the Brady bill is to each other and the rest of the world is all about. different. It is different because the nature You know, in a country with 200 million of the challenges we face, among other guns, where last year, with our zero tolerance things, in relating to the natural environment for guns, we sent home—6,100 kids got sent are profoundly different than any previous home from school because they brought guns generation. So that’s the first thing; it is dif- to school, and you’ve seen in the series of ferent. murders in the schools the consequences of The second thing I would say is that I have failure when that policy either doesn’t work tried to redefine what it means for Americans or isn’t enough, the Brady bill, by requiring to be engaged in what our Founding Fathers a background check and making people wait said would be our permanent mission, form- 5 days between the time they order and get ing a more perfect Union. And the Brady a handgun has kept a quarter of a million bill is about as good an example as any I can people with criminal records, stalking think of for what the difference is today in records, or records of mental health instabil- Washington at least—not so much out in the ity from getting handguns. That’s one of the country maybe but certainly in Washington reasons that crime is at a 25-year low, and between the two parties. murder has dropped even more. If you go back to the beginning of the Re- Now, did it inconvenience some people to public, the people who got us started were wait 5 days? Doubtless so. Maybe some peo- very smart people; they understood that they ple that were mad at other people would cool weren’t perfect. Thomas Jefferson said when down after they waited 5 days. Is it an uncon- he thought of slavery, he trembled to think stitutional abridgement of the right to keep that God was just and might judge him justly. and bear arms? Not on your life. So they knew they weren’t perfect even then. In 1996 one of the most moving encoun- And then they knew there would be new and ters I had in the campaign was when I went Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 / July 25 1495 back to New Hampshire, the State that basi- tornado and after I toured the damaged area, cally allowed me to go on when the first, we I got a bunch of people I went to high school now know, Republican-inspired assault was with to come out and have dinner with me. waged against me in 1991 and ’92 in New We ate barbecue from a place we’ve been Hampshire. And they gave me a good vote, eating at 40 years and sat around and talked. and I got to go on, so I went back there. Now, most of my high school classmates Then they voted for me in 1992 for Presi- had never been to Aspen. Most of my high dent. And in 1996 they voted for me again, school classmates are just middle class peo- which is unheard of because it’s an over- ple, with modest incomes, doing the best whelmingly Republican State in elections. they can to raise their kids. But every one But I went into an area of people who are of them said to me, you’ve got to do some- big sportsmen, and they had defeated a Con- thing to modify the Social Security system, gressman who supported our crime bill with make it as strong for us as you can, do the the ban on assault weapons and the Brady best you can, but we are obsessed with not bill. And I had all these hunters there, and bankrupting our children and their ability to I’d been going to see them a long time. And raise our grandchildren because the baby I said, ‘‘I’ll tell you what, remember back in boom generation is so big that by the time ’94 when you beat that Congressman because we’re all in it, there will be only two people the NRA told you that the President was try- working for every one person drawing. ing to take your guns away with the assault Now, I personally believe since the Demo- weapons ban, and the NRA?’’ I said, ‘‘Well, cratic Party created Social Security and you beat him last time.’’ I said, ‘‘Now, every Medicare and since they, I believe, they’ve one of you who lost your hunting rifle, I ex- been great for America, that we should take pect you to vote against me this time.’’ But the responsibility of constructively reforming I said, ‘‘If you didn’t, they lied to you and them rather than going into denial and pre- you ought to get even.’’ [Laughter] And you tending that it doesn’t have to be done. could have heard a pin drop there, because That’s one example. they realized all of a sudden that this sort of radical individualism, meaning you have Example number two: We’ve got the best no responsibilities to collective citizenship, system of college education in the world, but was wrong. And they could perfectly well nobody thinks we have the best elementary pursue their heritage that’s deeply a part of and secondary education system in the world. New Hampshire where people could hunt Ninety percent of the kids in this country and fish and do whatever they want and still are in public schools. We have got to mod- have sufficient restraints to try to keep our ernize these schools, raise the standards, and children alive. And that’s just one example. do a thousand things that are necessary that And I could give you countless others. Governor Romer and I have been working But as you look ahead in a world where on for 20 years now if we expect America we have done our best to promote global to grow together in the 21st century. markets, to promote efficient enterprise, we Example number three—and then I’ll quit still have to recognize that there are some after this, although there are more, but I obligations we have to each other we have think it’s important here in Colorado, espe- to fulfill together. And as you look ahead, cially in Aspen—we’ve got to prove that we let me just mention two or three—and I can grow the economy and improve the envi- won’t mention them all, but two or three. ronment, not just preserve it the way it is One is, as presently structured, both the but actually make it better. Social Security system and the Medicare sys- We have to make energy use like elec- tem are unsustainable once all the baby tricity and other things in the next 50 years boomers retire. And I look at all these young the way electronics has been in the last 50, people who are working here, and young where everything gets smaller and smaller enough, most of them, to be for most of us, and smaller, with more and more power. to be our children. Not very long ago I went I mentioned this at the previous dinner, home to Arkansas because we had a terrible but I’ll say it again: The main reason we have 1496 July 25 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 a year 2000 problem with all these comput- a way to reduce the emission of greenhouse ers, you know, where everybody is afraid that gases into the atmosphere and still keep we’ll flip into—at the stroke of midnight, De- growing the economy, not just for America cember 31st, January 1st, 1999, 2000, we’ll but for China, for India, for all the people all go back to 1900 and everything will stop, that are looking for their future. These are is because we computerized early in Amer- just three examples. ica. And when we computerized, these chips The last point: 50 years ago tomorrow— that hold memory were rudimentary by to- I had this on my mind because I dedicated day’s standards. And so they had all the num- the aircraft carrier, the Harry Truman, today; bers they did on dates, they just had the last some of you may have seen it on TV to- 2 years, they didn’t have 4 years. So they’re night—50 years ago tomorrow Harry Truman not capable of making this transition. signed the Executive order ending segrega- Today, it’s a no-brainer. If you were build- tion in the United States military. And 50 ing something today, the power of these years later—there are a lot of people who chips is so great, nobody would even think whined and squalled about it and said it was about making it possible to have four digits the end of the world and how awful it would on there and you could go right on until the be—50 years later we have the finest military year 9999. So we’ve got to deal with this edu- in the world, in no small measure because cation challenge. And we’ve got to prove that it is the most racially diverse military in the we can do it. And then the second thing we world, where everybody meets uniform have to do on this is to prove that we can standards of excellence. do with energy what we have done with elec- Today we have one school district in Wash- tronics and the computer chip. ington—across the river from Washington, The best example of that that all of you DC, with children from 180 different na- will be able to access within 3 or 4 years is a fuel-injection engine, where today about 70 tional and ethnic groups, speaking over 100 percent of the heat value of gasoline is lost different native languages—one school dis- as it works its way through a regular engine, trict. when the fuel can be directly injected into So that’s the last point I will make. It is the process of turning the engine over you particularly important that we figure out how will cut greenhouse gas emissions by 75 to to live together and work together, to relish 80 percent and triple mileage. And that’s just our differences but understand that what one example. binds us together is more important. When I was in a low-income housing develop- you look at Kosovo and Bosnia, when you ment in California a couple weeks ago where look at Northern Ireland and the Middle the windows let in twice as much light and East, when you look at the tribal warfare in kept out twice as much heat and cold. All Rwanda and elsewhere, you look at the way of this is designed to do in energy what we the whole world is bedeviled by not being have already done in electronics and so many able to get along because of their racial, eth- other things. This is a huge challenge. nic, and religious differences, if you want I was pleased to wake up just the other America to do a good job in the rest of the morning and look at CNN; the first story was world, we have to be good at home. on climate change because of all the scorch- Those are some of the things I think we ing heat in the South and the fires in Florida, should be thinking about. And I believe poli- pointing out that the 9 hottest years ever re- tics should be about this. So if when you turn corded have occurred in the last 11 years; on the television at night and you hear re- the 5 hottest years ever recorded have all oc- ports about what’s being discussed in Wash- curred in the 1990’s; 1997 was the hottest ington, the tone in which it’s being discussed, year ever recorded; and each and every and the alternatives that are being presented, month of 1998 has broken that month’s you hardly ever hear this, do you? You ought record for 1997. to ask yourself why. I can tell you this: You This is not a game. We cannot afford to help more of our guys get in, what you’re go into denial about this. We have to find doing by your presence here, you’ll have Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 / July 25 1497 more of this kind of discussion, and I think economies, why I want to see us continue America will be better in the 21st century. to be engaged with Japan, why I went to Thank you very much. China because a strong economy will cure a lot of social problems. And very few social National Economy problems can be cured in a democracy in Q. As you know, I’m a Houstonian, but the absence of a strong economy because the I have a house down the street from my middle class becomes preoccupied with its friends, the Goldbergs. I want to say that in own problems. your last trimester of your stewardship, I re- But in this day and age, we can’t sustain member sitting on a bus with Senator John a strong economy without a strong foreign Breaux, my boyhood friend, and you talked policy that commits us to be constructively about your plans for America. And I haven’t involved with the rest of the world. And one seen this in the paper lately, but I guess I of the things that I worry most about in want to tell you that we recognize low inter- Washington is in various ways, there are ele- est rates; we recognize low inflation and, I ments that are still—some in our party but think, a booming economy. And I think with more in the other party—still pulling away that track record that I should be reading from our constructive engagement in the rest that in the paper more. But I want to tell of the world. We cannot become what we you that I thank you, and I think all these ought to become unless we continue to get people here thank you. more deeply involved, not less involved, with The President. Thank you. If I could just the rest of the world. But I thank you for say one thing about it—as you well know, what you said. because you work all over the world, the Go ahead. economy is a constantly moving target. And I am very grateful we have the lowest unem- Republican Congress ployment rate in 28 years and the lowest per- Q. You mentioned Harry Truman, and I centage of people on welfare in 29 years and still remember those headlines, ‘‘Dewey the lowest inflation in 32 years and the high- Wins,’’ right? And in fact it was Harry that est homeownership ever. That’s the good won. And my question is, I believe—I am news. not smart enough to know exactly why, but About a third of our economic growth has I believe that one of the reasons he won is come from exports. About a third to 40 per- he said, that do-nothing 80th Congress—is cent of our export growth—40 percent—has that the right number, 80—I hope—and gone in Asia. If Asia goes down, our export we’re going to really show them. growth goes down; our economic growth When are we going to—when do your ad- goes down. That is already happening. So one visers say it’s time to start talking in the parts of the things that I think is very important of matter instead of more that sort of global to do is that we impress upon the Members thing where we are all going to be together of Congress, both Republican and Demo- and be all a happy family? cratic, that we have to do those things which The President. Well, I have been hitting are designed to keep the rest of the world them pretty hard over the way they killed growing. Otherwise, we can’t grow. the tobacco bill, the way they are so far killing We are 4 percent of the world’s popu- the Patients’ Bill of Rights, the way they lation; we have 20 percent of the world’s in- killed campaign finance reform, the way they come. It does not require much mathemati- are endangering our future economic pros- cal computation to realize that if we want perity by walking away from our dues to the to sustain our income, we have to sell more International Monetary Fund. to the other 96 percent of the people in the You know I haven’t attacked them person- world. ally in the way they have attacked me, but And that’s why I’ve been in such a big fight I’ve tried to make it clear that I think there in Washington to fund America’s dues to the are serious risks being played with America’s International Monetary Fund to modernize future there. But I, frankly, believe that we and strengthen and restore growth in these have to wait until—see what happens in the 1498 July 25 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 first 2 weeks after the August recess. They’re they’re making probably a political mis- about to go out. Then they’ll come back, and calculation and certainly a miscalculation in they’ll have to make a final decision whether terms of what’s best for our country. And they are going to work with us to get some- I think you’ll hear more of it in the last 6 thing done for America or whether they’re weeks before the election. just going to play politics. And I believe the Yes? American people will have an extremely neg- ative reaction if they walk away as a do-noth- 1998 Elections ing Congress. So far—one of the major papers called Q. The Republican Party has clearly been them a ‘‘done-nothing’’ Congress. They said captured by the conservative idealogue. The so far, they’re a ‘‘done-nothing’’ Congress. Christian right, the religious right, knows They’re not yet a do-nothing Congress be- what they’re doing; they know what they be- cause they still have a few days left. But lieve; they’re well organized; and I think they they’re not meeting very much this year and are probably the most—[inaudible]—that we so far—I just think that they believe that con- have. On the other hand, Democrats, we ventional wisdom is that when times are have a—all of us have a tradition of under- good, incumbents all win, so what they really standing and of tolerance for the discrep- have to do is to keep their base happy. And ancies and the differences in opinions across in this case, the base is the most ideologically the party, we’re not so well organized. How conservative people in the country. And I do we face this—— think they think they can keep them happy The President. Well, first of all—— just by banging on me and doing a few other Q. ——election against people who are as things. determined, as well organized, and as well And I basically disagree with that because funded as the conservative right is? I do not think, as good as times are, I don’t The President. Well, we are working hard think this is an inherently stable time—I to get better organized. And I think we are mean, stable is wrong. I think it’s stable but going to be better organized than we ever not status quo. I think all you have to look— have been. We were quite well organized in 5 years ago, Japan thought they had a perma- ’96, and we did well. We would have won nent formula for prosperity. Now they’ve had the House in ’96, but for the fact that in the 5 years of no growth, and their stock market last 10 days of the election, in the 20 closest has lost half its value. races they out-spent us 41⁄2 to one—in the But one of the reasons that our country last 10 days. Over and above that, you had is working so well is that the private sector, all these third party groups like the Christian the entrepreneurs in this country, can stay Coalition groups, doing mass mailings into in constant motion. There are opportunities these districts, basically talking about what out there. They can see things that are chang- heathens our candidates were. ing, and they can move and everything. And And I think the Democrats are just going we’ve got to equip more people to do that. to have to decide whether they’re going to But I guess I’m having a vigorous agree- be tough enough to handle that, I mean, we ment with you, but I think the Republican don’t—but I think we will be better orga- political analysis is that they can get by this nized. I think we will be better funded this election by doing nothing because times are time. They did their best to bankrupt us the so good that all incumbents will benefit, even last 2 years, and it didn’t work. if the President is more benefited than oth- So I think if we’re better organized and ers. better funded and we train our candidates My belief is that the good times impose better, then what we have to do is be ready on us a special responsibility to bear down for that last 10-day onslaught where the and take on these long-term challenges be- Christian Coalition and the other far right cause good times never last forever and be- groups do these heavy, heavy mailings basi- cause things inherently change more rapidly cally trying to convince the people they’re now than they ever have before. So I think mailing to that we’re cultural aliens and that Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 / July 25 1499 we don’t have good values, and we don’t sup- The President. Well, we’ve got a lot of— port families, and the country will come apart one of the reasons we did that is that we at the seams if we become the majority again. finally got the Mexicans to agree to at least And if we’re tough enough to handle that, end some of the unsanitary conditions under I think we’ve got a chance to do pretty well. which people were living along the border. We were doing fine in ’96, we just didn’t And we tried to build up a border commis- have enough ammunition at the end. We sion that would allow us to invest in the envi- were so far down in ’95 that we had to spend ronment and elevate the public health of the a lot of our party money go get back up, and people in the Maquilladora areas along the then the last 10 days they just blew us away. border. But you’ve helped a lot by being here, and I think that you will see, I predict, a num- I think we know now that you don’t have ber of areas where there will be advances to descend to the level of personal meanness in wildlife protection and the environment that your attackers do, but you do have to in the last 2 years. We’re doing our best to show a similar level of vigor, with a strategy get a much broader agreement, for example, that will work. on all kinds of efforts to restore the oceans My own view is that we’ve got a strategy generally. There’s been a significant and that will work; we’ve got a message that will alarming deterioration in the oceans, not un- play. And you asked about the partisanship related to climate change and global warming thing—the most effective partisan attack, and a truthful one, is to say that they are being but caused by forces in addition to that. partisan in preventing us from making There is a dead spot the size of the State progress. It’s not just to say Democrats are of New Jersey in the Gulf of Mexico outside better than Republicans. It’s to say they’re the mouth of the Mississippi, for example. being partisan; they’re preventing us from And we’re trying to address all those. making progress. Here are our ideas. Now, I believe the American people—I think what are their ideas. Measure them up. Two- within a decade you’ll see an overwhelming thirds of the American people will pick ours. majority of the American people for oper- So if they don’t stampede us with fear and ational environmentalism. Today we have 70 money, we’ll do fine. And that’s the ultimate percent of our people, our environmentalists answer to the question you asked. and almost all little children are—it’s some- Q. Mr. President, first of all, I think it’s thing they have to be taught to abandon— really wonderful—you’ve had a long day, and their instincts are to preserve the planet. But you’re answering our questions. That’s really I think that people still believe something I the American way. Thank you. don’t anymore, which is that you have to give The President. It’s 1:15 a.m. our time. up all this if you want to grow the economy. I just don’t believe that. And I think that you International Environmental Issues will see a steady movement toward more ag- gressive environmental policies which will Q. Inaudible [ ]—incredible things world- come to dominate both parties, I believe, in wide. I read the newspapers where you even the next 10 years. And I hope before I leave got those two suspected terrorists and they office I can do more. may end up getting tried in The Hague. And that’s wonderful. And NAFTA was the great- I even had somebody from Utah come up est thing. I know you have to give and take, to me tonight and thank me for saving the Mr. President, but during NAFTA I know Red Rocks, the Grand Staircase Escalante, one of the things you had to kind of give you know—who said they didn’t think it was on a bit was to let the Mexican fishermen right when I did it before. take up to 10,000 dolphins and kill them. Is Moderator. Mr. President, I know your there any way in the last year and a half we schedule. Would you mind taking just a cou- could take a couple of these ecological issues ple more? and maybe readdress them again to help The President. Go ahead. make the world a better place to live? 1500 July 25 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998

Nuclear Proliferation in South Asia What I think we have to do is go back Q. Mr. President, I’ve got a question about to find a series of confidence-building meas- foreign policy. Do you have any concern ure which will enable these two nations to about India and Pakistan, South Asia, what’s work together and trust each other more and happening over there? And what kind of to move back from the brink of military con- leadership role can you take to bring peace frontation and from nuclear confrontation. over there or even float the idea of creating And we have to find a way to involve the an independent country of Kashmir, because Russians and the Chinese because the Indi- that’s the biggest problem there? What can ans always say they’re building nuclear power you do about it? because of China being a nuclear power and The President. Well, one of the problems the border disputes they’ve had with China. we’ve had—I thought—I actually feel bad And, oh, by the way, we happen to have this about this because I had a trip set up for Pakistani problem. the fall to India and Pakistan. And in 1993, So I have spent a lot of time on that, even when I took office, I got all of our people— though it hasn’t achieved a lot of notoriety actually, before I took office—and I said, in the press. And I’m still hopeful that before ‘‘Let’s look at the major foreign policy chal- the year is over, we’ll be able to put them lenges this country faces and figure out how back on the right path toward more construc- we’re going to deal with them and in what tive relations. I mean, India, interestingly order.’’ And as you might imagine, we went enough, is a democracy just as diverse, if not through the Middle East and Bosnia, and more diverse, than America. Almost no one then we had Haiti on the list. We went knows this. But most—most, but not all— through the idea that we had to build a trade the various minorities groups in India live alliance with Latin America, that we needed along the borders of India in the north. And a systematic outreach to Africa, that the big it’s just—it would be, I think, a terrible trag- issues were how were Russia and China going edy if Hindu nationalism led to both es- to define their future greatness and could we trangement with the Muslim countries on the avoid a destructive future. And we worked border and the minorities—Muslim and oth- hard on that. erwise—within the borders of India when But I told everybody at the time, I said, Ghandi basically set the country up as a one of the things that never gets in the news- model of what we would all like to be and papers in America is the relationship be- when India’s democracy has survived for 50 tween India and Pakistan and what happens years under the most adverse circumstances on the Indian subcontinent, where they al- conceivable and is now, I believe, in a posi- ready—India already has a population of over tion to really build a level of prosperity that 900 million, in 30 years it will be more popu- has not been possible before. lous than China; it already has the world’s I feel the same thing with the Pakistanis. biggest middle class. And Pakistan has well I think if they could somehow—they’re much over 100 million people and so does Ban- more vulnerable to these economic sanctions gladesh. So it’s an amazing place. than the Indians are. If they could somehow So I had planned to go there with plans ease their concerns which are leading to such to try to help resolve the conflicts between enormous military expenditures and put it the two countries. One big problem is India into people expenditures, we could build a steadfastly resists having any third party, different future there. I don’t know if I can whether it’s the United States or the United do any good with it, but I certainly intend Nations or anybody else, try to mediate on to try because I think, whether we like it or Kashmir. It’s not surprising. India is bigger not, I think that the one good thing that the than Pakistan, but there are more Muslims nuclear tests have done is that they have than Hindus in Kashmir. I mean, it’s not— awakened the West, and Americans in par- the same reason that Pakistan, on the ticular, to the idea that a lot of our children’s flipside, is dying to have international medi- future will depend on what happens in the ation because of the way the numbers work. Indian subcontinent. Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 / July 25 1501

Q. How about if you called their Prime undermine the creative enterprise of whole Ministers here? sectors of our economy. The President. Well, I can’t force a settle- So I think it’s important, first, to keep the ment on them, but I can—that’s why I say legal protections there, but secondly, it’s im- because of their relationships with India and portant that the United States make this a China, we need their help as well. And so big part of our foreign policy and all of our far—excuse me—with Russia and China. trade policy. And we try to do it. I spent And so far, the Russians and the Chinese a huge amount of time on it myself. have been very helpful to me in trying to work out a policy that we can pursue. But Education I’m working on it. Believe me, if I thought Q. Mr. President, recently Massachusetts it would work, I would do it tomorrow, and had some ugly test scores from its teachers; I will continue to explore every conceivable they couldn’t pass 10th grade equivalency. option. And there’s a problem, I guess, in other Q. That’s great. Thank you very much. States, as well. Is there any way that the edu- The President. Thanks. One last question. cation of the kids—[inaudible]—it will take Go ahead. another generation to upgrade the teaching in the public schools? Intellectual Property Rights The President. Well, first of all, yes I Q. I’m an intellectual property owner. I think—I advocate—I think what Massachu- represent a lot of entrepreneurial and inde- setts did was a good thing, not a bad thing. pendent interests against a lot of the large Most people, every time they read bad news multinational companies. I know what it’s think this is a bad thing. Sometimes when like to be on the nose cone of a missile pretty you read bad news, it’s a good thing, because much. And these interests can tell us that otherwise how are you going to make it bet- basically that black is white in Congress and ter if you don’t know what the facts are? So try to weaken the patent system and protec- the first thing I’d like to say is we ought to tion of intellectual property. give Massachusetts a pat on the back for hav- Governor Romer’s son is one of the most ing the guts to have the teacher testing, get vocal spokesmen for—[inaudible]—the thing the facts out, and deal with them. that differentiates us from the rest of the Now, what I think should happen is, I world is intellectual property. think every State should do this for first-time The President. Well, it’s interesting that teachers just the way they do it for lawyers you’d say that. First of all, I don’t think we and doctors. Then I believe there should be should weaken the system. And secondly, I a much more vigorous system for trying to think we should continue to aggressively pur- support and improve teaching as we go along, sue those protections in our trade relations. trying to bring like retired people with de- I have spent an enormous amount of time grees in science and mathematics and other with the Chinese, for example, trying to pro- things into the teacher corps, which is very tect against pirated CD’s of all kinds and uneven across the country. other technology. And there’s also something called the Na- And the consequences are far greater than tional Board for Professional Teacher Stand- they used to be. And we always had a lot ards, which certifies master teachers every of this in Asia. We had Gucci handbags and year, people who have great academic knowl- the Rolex watches and then when I first went edge, could knock the socks off that test, and to Taiwan 20 years ago, you could buy all people who have proven ability in the class- the latest hardcover books for $1.50; that was room. And one of the things that I’ve got something that was done. But the volume in my budget is enough money to fund and level of trade and the interconnections 100,000 of those master teachers, which and the sophistication of what was being cop- would be enough to put one master teacher ied were nowhere near what they are today in every school building in the country. And where you’re talking about billions and bil- if you look at—I don’t want to embarrass lions and billions of dollars that can literally him, but Tony Robbins standing here—if you 1502 July 25 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 ever listen to his tapes or look at him on tele- a few years as soon as they get out of college vision, you know he’s a teacher. He’s teach- by helping them cover their college costs. ing people to change how they behave. Moderator. Mr. President, Michael Gold- Well, it just stands to reason that if you berg promised me he would show me some could get one really great teacher in every reruns of his brother, the wrestler, on win- class, in every school building in America, ning his championship after you were done you would change the culture of that school speaking. building if they had mentoring as part of their The President. I’m really impressed by responsibility. So I think this is a huge deal. that. But let me say, there’s a lot more to do. Moderator. You’re running me out of my You have to recognize, too, that we have to time on watching that wrestling. [Laughter] do more to get young people into teaching, The President. Thank you very much. even if they only stay a few years—really NOTE: The President spoke at 10:58 p.m. at a pri- bright young people. One of the proposals vate residence. In his remarks, he referred to din- I’ve got before the Congress today would ner hosts Michael and Ana Goldberg; Gov. Roy fund several thousand young people going Romer of Colorado, general chair, Democratic into inner-city schools and other underserved National Committee; and motivational speaker areas to teach just for a couple of years and Anthony Robbins. A tape was not available for they would, in turn, get a lot of their college verification of the content of these remarks. costs knocked off for doing it. Congress hasn’t adopted it yet, but I think that’s an- Remarks at a Democratic National other important avenue to consider. You’ve Committee Brunch in Aspen got to—the quality of teaching matters. Now, I won’t go through my whole edu- July 26, 1998 cation agenda with you, but the other thing Thank you, Fred. First I’d like to thank that you have to remember whether you’re Fred and Lisa for welcoming us into their in Colorado or anyplace else, is that when modest little home. [Laughter] I live in pub- most of us who are my age at least were chil- lic housing, myself. [Laughter] I want to dren, the smartest women were teaching be- thank Roy Romer for the wonderful job he’s cause they couldn’t do anything else for a done as the general chair of our party and living. And they weren’t making much for also as the Governor of this magnificent doing it, but it was all they could do. State. I thank all the members of the Demo- And now, a smart woman can run a big cratic Party’s hierarchy here, Len Barrack company, can create a company and then and others who are here. But I want to espe- take it public and be worth several hundred cially thank all of you who have been part million dollars, can be elected to the United of this weekend. States Senate and, before you know it, will Most of you have already heard me give be President of the United States. So that two talks and at least I’ve had a night’s sleep means if you want good young people to be now, but I don’t want to make you go through teachers, we’re going to have to pay them it all again. I would like to make a couple more. And that’s—everybody nods their head of points very briefly. and then nobody wants to come up with the First of all, I want to make explicit what bread to do it, but you’ve got to do it. I mean, Fred said. You should all feel some sense there’s no question about it. If you really of personal responsibility for the buoyant want to maintain quality over a long period economy, for the lessening social problems of time, you have to do—you have to pay of our country, for the role that the United people; you have to improve the pay scales. States has been able to play in advancing the The best short-run fix is to get really smart cause of peace and freedom and security in people who did other things and now have the world. good retirement income to come in because So many of you said something nice to me they don’t need the salary as much, or to yesterday about our trip to China, which get really smart young people to do it for would not have been possible had I not been Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 / July 27 1503 elected and reelected. And I think we have Statement on the Death of the right policy there, where we’re trying to David J. McCloud advance both our security partnership and July 26, 1998 our economic interests and still stick up for democracy and freedom that we all believe Hillary and I were greatly saddened to in. You are responsible for that. learn of the death in a plane crash of Lieuten- The second point I want to make, very ant General David J. McCloud, Commander, briefly—it looks like the rain is coming Alaskan Command. He hosted us several again—is that in these elections, we’re going weeks ago at Elmendorf Air Force Base on to try to elect more Democrats to the House, our way to China and proudly described for to the Senate, and to the Governor’s office. us the mission his command carries out in We’re going to try to defend the incumbents furtherance of our national security interests. General McCloud was a superb airman and that are up for reelection. I honestly believe, an exemplary leader. He helped ensure that and any major national survey will show, that our forces from all of the military services nearly two-thirds of the American people were prepared to meet the challenges of the agree with us on virtually every significant post-cold-war environment. His impact was question. And the attacks that Republicans felt throughout the United States Air Force have raised against Democrats—that we and the Department of Defense. On behalf were weak on the economy; we couldn’t be of all Americans, we extend our condolences trusted on the deficit; we never met a tax to his family and the men and women of the we didn’t like; we were weak on welfare and Alaskan Command that he led so well. crime; we couldn’t be trusted with foreign policy—all that has no salience anymore. So, if we can convince the American peo- Remarks in a National Forum on ple that by electing more Members to the Social Security in Albuquerque, House and Senate, they can have more of New Mexico the progress they like instead of the partisan- July 27, 1998 ship they deplore in Washington day-in and Shootings at the Capitol day-out, instead of letting them get carried away by the kind of emotional, negative, but Thank you very much. Ladies and gentle- unfortunately, very powerful tactics that our men, before you sit down, if I might, I want adversaries used in the last 2 or 3 weeks of to do something quite serious but, I think, every election, you can take pride that the important here at the beginning. I would like next 2 years can produce even more progress to ask Senator Domenici and Senator Binga- ´ than the last 6 have. That’s what I want you man and Congressmen Kolbe and Becerra to come up and stand with me, and I’d like to think about. That’s what you’ve been here to ask all of us to offer a moment of silent for. And I am profoundly grateful. Thank you prayer for the memory and the families of very much. the two police officers who were slain at our Now show everybody the Democrats have Nation’s Capitol. enough sense to get in out of the rain. [Laughter] [At this point, a moment of silence was ob- served.]

NOTE: The President spoke at 12:10 p.m. at a pri- Amen. Thank you very much. vate residence. In his remarks, he referred to Fred Let me, now on a somewhat lighter note, and Lisa Baron, dinner hosts. A tape was not avail- say that Mayor Baca was reeling off all of able for verification of the content of these re- his relatives on Social Security—I’m glad to marks. see one person here who I believe is now 1504 July 27 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 eligible for Social Security, former Governor communities where agriculture is in trouble Bruce King, and his wife, Alice, over there. or Native American communities? How are I point them out for a special purpose. One we going to deal with the challenge of grow- of the demographic realities we have to con- ing the economy and preserving our natural front is that women are living longer than environment? Big, significant challenges. men. Governor King is in a wheelchair be- One of those challenges, clearly, that we cause of a fright he received from a rattle- must face together is saving Social Security, snake, which his wife killed. [Laughter] So and I might add, with it, Medicare, for the we congratulate both of them. 21st century. One of our biggest challenges Let me also say, I’m glad to see this great is what I call a high-class problem: We are and diverse group of Americans here in Albu- an aging society. We are living longer and querque. You can always depend upon get- better and healthier, and that imposes costs. ting an audience that genuinely does look like The older I get, the more I like that problem. America if you come to Albuquerque. I thank That’s a high-class problem. all the Native Americans here who are in the audience. Thank you very much for coming. It wouldn’t have been too many years ago I see our friends from the Sikh community that it would have been rather unusual to over there. I know there are a lot of His- find a mayor who could stand up and cite panic-Americans here. I know there are Afri- 3 of his family members who are over 75 can-Americans, Asian-Americans, and others. years of age. That’s not so unusual anymore. We thank you for coming here. And I also But we know now that because of the demo- thank all the young people that are in the graphic challenges facing us, we have to audience, because this is an issue for all ages make some adjustments in the Social Secu- of Americans to deal with together. rity system to strengthen and preserve it in I would like to acknowledge our Social Se- a new century. curity Commissioner, Ken Apfel, thank Bill As all of you know, I have said since my Gordon, the provost of the University of New State of the Union Address that we should Mexico, and all the university family for mak- set aside every penny of any surplus until we ing us welcome here today. I thank Horace save Social Security first. At the very moment Deets of the AARP for being here, and Har- when we have switched from deficits as far vey Meyerhoff of the Concord Coalition, and as the eye can see to surpluses as far as the Carolyn Lukensmeyer of Americans Discuss eye can see, it’s tempting to offer a large tax Social Security. cut or perhaps a new spending program paid I want to say a special word of thanks to for by the projected surplus. Some have ad- the AARP and the Concord Coalition for vocated this course, but we must not squan- hosting this forum. And of course, I thank der the hard-won legacy of fiscal responsibil- the Members of Congress who are here and ity that has brought us our present moment the leaders of the Congress for nominating of prosperity. Instead, we should use it to the Members who are on this program. tackle the long-term challenges of the United We are very blessed at this moment to States. have a strong economy in America. The ques- tion for us is whether we will do what soci- Any new tax cut or spending program done eties often do when times are good and sit before we save the Social Security system back and enjoy it or whether we will face would commit funds that may be needed to the larger challenges that our present pros- honor our commitment to our parents and perity and confidence permit us to face. They our commitment to our children. I think are significant and formidable. If you think those of us who are part of the so-called baby about the next 50 years, how are we going boom generation feel that most acutely be- to build the world’s best elementary and sec- cause it is in the years when all of us—that ondary education system? How are we going is—and I’m the oldest of the baby boomers— to bring economic opportunity to the people those who are between the ages of, roughly, who don’t enjoy this prosperity, whether 52 and 34—when we all get into the retire- they’re in inner-city neighborhoods or rural ment system. It is then when the greatest Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 / July 27 1505 stresses will be placed upon it at present lev- it’s the main source of income. Today, nearly els of retirement, projected birth rates, and one in three of the beneficiaries, however, projected immigration rates. is not a retiree. Social Security is also a life So I am very grateful for the bipartisan insurance policy and a disability policy. spirit in which we have been pursuing this. Since its enactment over 60 years ago, it I’m grateful for the people who are here. I has changed the face of America. When appreciate Senator Domenici’s strong leader- President Roosevelt signed Social Security ship and his strong support for taking the into law, most seniors were poor. A typical responsible course. In an election year, ask- elderly person sent a letter to FDR begging ing politicians to hold off on a tax cut is al- him to terminate the ‘‘stark terror of penni- most defying human nature, but Senator less old age.’’ Now, in 1996, the elderly pov- Domenici and many Republicans have joined erty rate was below 11 percent. Without So- our Democrats in saying together, ‘‘Let’s deal cial Security, today nearly half of all seniors with this problem. The American people would still live in poverty. waited 29 years to get out of the red ink and Today, the system is sound, but we all look at the black; we can take a year to enjoy know a demographic crisis is looming. There the black and deal with the long-term prob- are 76 million of us baby boomers now look- lems of the country before we decide every- ing ahead to retirement age and longer life thing we have to do with the surplus. Let’s expectancies. By 2030, there will be twice deal with first things first.’’ as many elderly as there are today, with only Also I want to thank, as I said, Senator two people working for every one person Bingaman, Congressman Kolbe, and Con- drawing Social Security. After 2032, con- gressman Becerra. We have to reach across tributions from payroll taxes to the Social Se- the lines of party, philosophy, and genera- curity Trust Fund will be only enough to tion. This will require open minds and gener- cover about 75 cents on the dollar of current ous spirits. We all have to be willing to listen benefits. and learn. In preparation for this forum We know the problem. We know that if today, I had three different sessions with my we act now, it will be easier and less painful staff members briefing me on all the various than if we wait until later. I don’t think any reforms that have been advocated by the ex- of you want to see America in a situation traordinarily distinguished panel of experts where we have to cut benefits 25 percent from whom you will hear in a few moments. or raise inherently regressive payroll taxes 25 And I’ve been doing my best to be open to percent to deal with the challenge of the fu- new ideas and to listen and to learn. ture and our obligations to our seniors. I have asked every Member of Congress I can tell you, I’ve spent a lot of time talk- not only to support the forums we’re having ing to the people I grew up with. Most of here today but to hold town meetings in them are middle-class people with very mod- every district in America. And we will have est incomes, and they are appalled at the a White House Conference on Social Secu- thought that their retirement might lower the rity at the end of this year. Next year I will standard of living of their children or under- convene the bipartisan leadership of Con- mine their children’s ability to raise their gress to craft a solution. grandchildren. So let’s do something now in The stakes are very high. Those of you who a prudent, disciplined way that will avoid our are older or who have had family members having to make much more dramatic and dis- dependent on Social Security know that for tasteful decisions down the road. 60 years Social Security has been far more Now, today we’re going to discuss one of than an ID number on a tax form, even more the most interesting and important issues than a monthly check in the mail. It reflects that will affect how much it will cost to sta- the duties we owe to our parents and to each bilize the Social Security Trust Fund and other, and this kind of society we are trying what the nature of it will be, and that is, to build. whether and how there should be Social Se- Today, 44 million Americans depend on curity investments not just in low-risk gov- Social Security, and for two-thirds of seniors ernment bonds, as the investments are made 1506 July 27 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 today but also in the stock market. I think awful hard for a generation to get our country we have to be openminded about these pro- out of the deficit mode. It’s resulted in a lot posals, and we also have to ask the hard ques- of prosperity for our country. I can tell you, tions. as I deal with other nations around the One I’ll start with is, in the 6 years I’ve world—with the Asian financial crisis, with been President, the value of the stock market all the challenges other countries face— has nearly tripled. I’m grateful for that. Can money moves around the world today in the we look forward to having that happen every flash of an eye. Investment is important. 6 years from now on? If not, what are the America will continue to be successful be- risks? What will it cost to administer such cause of our great free enterprise system as a program? If you don’t have individual ac- long as we have a responsible economic pol- counts where administration costs may be icy in this country. So we should not abandon higher, what would be the dangers of having that. the Government, either itself or through Now, those are the principles that I will some third party independent agency, make use when I try to evaluate all these proposals. such investments? I think that we just have to look at this But they don’t answer the questions. These and listen, and I hope all of you today will are hard questions. And every person who’s leave with a better understanding of both the on this panel of experts has worked hard to appeal as well as the questions in each and answer them. You’ll see they have very dif- every proposal that has been raised. As I said, ferent answers, but they all deserve a re- I have spent a lot of time studying them. I spectful listen from you, and you need to have tried to set out the five principles by start, as I always try to start, by saying, which I think we should judge any proposed ‘‘What’s good about this idea? What are the reforms. And let me just briefly state them positives about it? What are the inherent again. questions that are raised?’’ Try to work them First of all, I think we should reform Social through for yourself and go back and discuss Security in a way that protects the guarantee them with your friends and neighbors. And for the 21st century. We shouldn’t abandon most of all, let’s try to keep an open, positive, a program that has lifted our seniors out of old-fashioned American attitude toward this. poverty and that is reliable. We dare not let this disintegrate into a par- Second, I think whatever we do we should tisan rhetorical battle. Senior citizens are maintain universality and fairness in the pro- going to be Republicans and Democrats and gram. For a half century, this has been a pro- independents. They’re going to come from gressive guarantee for citizens. all walks of life, from all income back- Third, Social Security must provide a ben- grounds, from every region of this country, efit that people can count on so they can plan and therefore, so will their children and their for their future. Regardless of the gyrations grandchildren. This is an American chal- of the markets, there must be at least a de- lenge, and we have to meet it together. pendable foundation of retirement security. Thank you very much. Third, Social Security must continue to provide financial security for disabled and low-income beneficiaries. Remember, one in NOTE: The President spoke at 10:30 a.m. in the three Social Security recipients is not a re- Johnson Center Gymnasium at the University of tiree, something that is often lost on people New Mexico. In his remarks, he referred to Mayor when they comment on the relatively low Jim Baca of Albuquerque; Horace B. Deets, exec- rate of return of the retirement program. utive director, American Association of Retired Now, finally, we must maintain our hard- Persons (AARP); Harvey M. Meyerhoff, member, won fiscal discipline in anything that we do. board of directors, Concord Coalition; and Caro- That means, from my point of view, that any lyn J. Lukensmeyer, executive director, Americans Discuss Social Security. change we adopt must not lead to greater long-term projected deficits. We worked Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 / July 27 1507

Teleconference Remarks to Regional Today, Social Security is sound, but a de- Social Security Forums from mographic crisis is looming. By 2030, there Albuquerque will be twice as many elderly as there are today, with only two people working for every July 27, 1998 person drawing Social Security. After 2032, contributions from payroll taxes will only The President. Thank you, Ken. First of cover 75 cents on the dollar of current bene- all, let me say I’d like to thank the Older fits. So we must act and act now to save Social Women’s League who are watching in Chi- Security. cago; Congressman Mike Castle of Delaware How should we judge any comprehensive and his group; Congressman Earl Pomeroy proposals to do this? I will judge them by of North Dakota, who’s had such a leading five principles. role in this effort, and his group; and Con- First, I believe we must reform Social Se- gressman David Price of North Carolina. I curity in a way that strengthens and protects thank you all for hosting this forum. a guarantee for the 21st century. We Our economy is the strongest it’s been in shouldn’t abandon a basic program that has a generation. We have the lowest unemploy- been one of America’s greatest successes. ment rate in 28 years, the lowest crime rate Second, we should maintain universality in 25 years, the lowest percentage of our peo- and fairness. For a half-century, this has been ple on welfare in 29 years, the first balanced a progressive guarantee for our citizens. We budget and surplus in 29 years, the lowest have to keep it that way. inflation rate in 32 years, the highest home- Third, Social Security must provide a ben- ownership in history, and the smallest Na- efit people can count on. Regardless of the tional Government in 35 years. But this sunlit ups and downs of the economy or the gyra- moment is not a time to rest. Instead, it offers tions of the financial markets, we have to pro- us a rare opportunity to prepare our Nation vide a solid and dependable foundation for for the challenges ahead. And one of our retirement security. greatest challenges is to strengthen Social Se- Fourth, Social Security must continue to curity for the 21st century. provide financial security for disabled and As you know, I believe strongly that we low-income beneficiaries. We can never for- must set aside every penny of any budget get that one in three Social Security bene- surplus until we have saved Social Security ficiaries are not retirees. first. Fiscal responsibility gave us our strong And fifth, anything we do to strengthen economy. Fiscal irresponsibility would put it Social Security now must maintain our hard- at risk. On whether we save Social Security won fiscal discipline. It is the source of much first, I will not be moved, but on how we of the prosperity we enjoy today. save Social Security, that will require us to Now, all this will require us to plan for have open minds and generous spirits. It will the future, to consider new ideas, to engage require listening and learning and looking for in what President Roosevelt called ‘‘bold, the best ideas wherever they may be. We persistent experimentation.’’ I thank you for simply must put progress ahead of partisan- doing your part and for participating in this ship. important national effort to save Social Secu- The stakes couldn’t be higher. For 60 rity. years, Social Security has reflected our deep- Now I’d like to hear from all of you. I guess est values, the duties we owe to our parents, we should start with Betty Lee Ongley of the to each other, and to our children. Today, Older Women’s League in Chicago. Then 44 million Americans depend upon Social Se- we’ll go on to Representative Mike Castle curity. For two-thirds of our seniors, it is the in Wilmington, Delaware; then to Represent- main source of income. And nearly one in ative Earl Pomeroy in Bismarck, North Da- three beneficiaries are not retirees, for Social kota; and then to Representative David Price Security is also a life insurance policy and in Raleigh, North Carolina. So let’s begin. a disability policy, along with being a rock- solid guarantee of support in old age. [At this point, the regional discussion began.] 1508 July 27 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998

The President. Thank you. I’ll be glad to Now, let me move into the questions comment on that. Let’s go now to Congress- raised by the other people who called. And man Pomeroy in North Dakota. And again I want to give Ken Apfel a chance to talk, let me thank you all for the leading role especially if I make a technical mistake. you’ve played in this right from the beginning In various ways, you all asked the same and for your efforts to increase retirement questions about the private accounts. First benefits generally for seniors. of all, let’s back up and realize why we’re dealing with this. By 2030, there will be only At this point, the regional discussion contin- [ two people working for every one person ued. ] drawing Social Security. The average rate of The President. Well, first of all, let me return on the investment any worker makes say that we’re having this forum today in Al- on Social Security will go down as more peo- buquerque, New Mexico, with a number of ple live longer and more people are in the experts whose opinions range across the retirement fund, because Government secu- spectrum from believing that we should have rities, while they’re 100 percent certain, don’t a large portion—some believe almost half of have a particularly high rate of return, like the present payroll tax—converted over a pe- any kind of 100 percent certain investment. riod of 20 or 25 years into individual invest- So the question is then raised, well, if— ment accounts, to those who believe maybe over any 30- or 40-year period, an investment you should have a small percentage of payroll portfolio that, let’s say, was 60 percent in tax or a small annual payment to people for stocks and 40 percent in government bonds, individual investment accounts, to those who or 40 and 60 the other way, would have an believe that Social Security Trust Fund itself average rate of return far higher. And even should invest, beginning with a modest after you take account of the stock market amount, a limited amount of its funds to in- going down and maybe staying down for a crease the rate of return. So let me try to few years, shouldn’t we consider investing answer all these questions. some of this money, because, otherwise, we’ll Let me begin by going back to Betty Lee have to either cut benefits or raise taxes to Ongley’s question about the impact on cover them if we can’t raise the rate of re- women. First of all, I think it’s quite impor- turn. So—and I think those are the three tant that we maintain in the Social Security main options. system the life insurance benefits. Because And younger people especially, many of so many women are the primary home raisers whom are used to doing things on their own, of their children—even if they’re in the work accessing information over the Internet, and force—I think maintaining this life insurance also have only experienced a growing stock benefit for the children when the wage earn- market, which has been growing since 1980, er is killed or disabled is terribly important. and which, since 1993, has virtually tripled, And that is, I think, a very important thing. have been especially interested in these indi- Now, the second thing I would say is, I vidual accounts. So let me just try to deal personally believe we’re going to have to do with these issues. some things beyond the Social Security sys- First of all, what about individual accounts tem to help women to deal with the fact that and how could we set them up? There are, they live longer and that today their earnings I think, basically two basic options that have base is not as great because they’re out of been advanced. One is, should we take a one the work force for an average of 11 years. percent or two percent, or some percentage On the question of getting pay up, I think of the payroll tax and, instead of putting that that there is legislation in Congress that into Social Security, put it into a mandatory would deal with the equal pay issue, which savings account for workers, and then they would solve some of the other problems. And can invest it in stocks if they like? What’s I would like to see more aggressive work the downside of that? The downside of that done on that, to do even more work to en- is twofold. Basically, your investments might force the equal pay requirements of our law lose money, and you might not be so well- for women. So, if I could just leave that there. off with them when you retire, so that the Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 / July 27 1509 combination of your investment fund, plus counts, to see what the pluses and minuses your guaranteed Social Security fund might are. be smaller than would have otherwise been I think—what I would like to say is, if we the case. go down this road, we need to make sure The second issue that’s related to that is that behind this there’s still a rock-solid guar- that if individuals are investing like this, the antee of a threshold retirement that people administrative costs of managing it can be will be able to survive on. And then we can quite high, much, much higher than Social debate the relative merits of these individual Security, so that even though you might earn accounts versus individual guarantees within a higher rate of return, a lot of it would be these bigger units. But I think I’ve given you taken right back from the people who are the main arguments, pro and con, of both handling your account. So we have to work the individual accounts and the Government through that. units—Government investment—I’m sorry. What about having the Government do it? Let me just add one thing, if I might, be- What about having everybody have an ac- cause I think it was Mr. Weber who talked count, a number, in effect, attached to their about a lot of—either that or Congressman name for this money but having some public Pomeroy talked about a lot of the people in source invest this money? Congressman Cas- North Dakota that depend upon Social Secu- tle asked a question, as well as Congressman rity have very modest incomes from the farm Price, and I think Mr. Weber in North Da- or from other sources. One kind of modified kota asked this question. proposal that has been debated is the ques- Now, the virtue of that is that if the Gov- tion of whether, instead of dedicating a per- ernment were making these investments, you centage of payroll to an individual account could do two things. Number one, you’d have we should use the surpluses over the next much lower administrative costs. Number several years to guarantee workers, let’s say, two, you could protect people who retire in $500 a year. the bad years, because you would average If you did that, obviously, as a percentage the benefits. And as I said, as we know, over of income—and that would amount to quite any 30- or 40-year period—and the average a bit after a few years of getting that $500 person will work 40 years—the average rate check in an investment account—obviously, of returns are higher. So you could always as a percentage of income, the impact on reap the average rate of return. lower wage workers would be far greater Now, if you were a particularly brilliant than the impact on higher income workers, investor, you’d get less than you would have because the $500, and then the 1,000 and if you’d done it on your own, but on the other then the 1,500 and 2,000 and so on, would hand, you wouldn’t get burned. And if you be a much bigger percentage of a lower-wage happen to be among unfortunate people who worker’s income than just giving everybody retired in a long period where the market one percent of payroll. So the dollars would wasn’t doing well, like it was in between 1966 be much bigger if your payroll was bigger. and 1982, you’d still be held harmless for that So that’s another thing we’ve been asked because of the overall performance of the to consider by various people, whether or not market. the fairest way to do it would be to just give People worry about having the Govern- a cash grant into the account of each Social ment invest that much money. There may Security-covered person who is paying in. be a way to set up an independent board And that’s also being debated. And you all immunized from political pressure to do it, may have an opinion about that you want to but still, that would be a whole lot of money forward to us. coming from, in effect, one source, going into At this point, the regional discussion contin- the stock market. So we’re looking at the ex- [ ued. perience of Canada and some other countries ] to see what we can learn about that. And The President. I would also emphasize— we’re also looking at the experience of Chile, and again, I don’t want to further complicate as a place where they’ve used individual ac- this discussion—but I believe we have to do 1510 July 27 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 two things. I think we have to reform Social Remarks in a National Social Security in a way that makes it viable and Security Forum Townhall Meeting in available for the baby boom generation when Albuquerque all of us get into retirement age, and it July 27, 1998 doesn’t bankrupt our children or our chil- dren’s ability to raise our grandchildren. [Moderator Gloria Borger, US News and But over and above that, we have to do World Report, explained that she would take some other things, which a number of the questions from the audience but first asked Members of Congress who are here in New the President to comment on a USA Today Mexico and out there at these forums have poll in which two-thirds of the voters liked been interested in, to increase the options the idea of private investment accounts, but for retirement savings beyond Social Secu- most also did not want the Government in- rity. Right now, Social Security is responsible vesting their money for them.] for lifting about half the American senior The President. Well, I think there are a population out of poverty who would be in couple of explanations. First of all, we live poverty without it. in a time where people are using technology But most seniors do not rely solely on So- to become more and more self-sufficient and cial Security. And more and more seniors, to get more and more information directly. as we live longer, will need other sources of I mean, the Internet is the fastest growing income, as well. So we’re going to work hard communications organism in human history. on this, but we’re also working on legislation So I think that. to provide other avenues of retirement sav- Secondly, I think there’s always been a ings over and above this. healthy skepticism of Government. And thirdly, the Government hasn’t been in very Thank you very much, all of you, for join- great favor over the last 17 or 18 years, al- ing us. Commissioner Apfel and I are going though it’s doing better now than it was a to go back to work here in Albuquerque, and few years ago. we’re going to try to listen to the arguments Now, I think—in public esteem—all the of these experts on the questions you’ve surveys also show that. I think the real ques- asked: Should the Government invest in pri- tion is, from my point of view, we ought to vate securities, in the stock market, or should get down to the merits of this. The first ques- Social Security funds be invested in the stock tion you have to ask yourself is, should a por- market? And if so, should it be done by a tion of the Social Security tax funds go into public entity, or should it be done by individ- securities, into stocks? And if they should go uals with individual accounts? And we’ll try into stocks or into corporate bonds, should to get the pros and cons out and make sure that decision be made according to individual they’re widely publicized, and we welcome accounts, or should they be invested en your views, as well. masse either by the Government or by some Thank you. sort of nonprofit, nonpolitical corporation set up to handle this? And I think there are genuine concerns. NOTE: The President spoke at 11:35 a.m. by sat- For example, if the Government did it and ellite from Room 124 of the Johnson Center Gym- nasium, University of New Mexico, to four local they invested the money in stocks, would pri- forums located in Wilmington, DE; Chicago, IL; vate retirement funds just have to make up Bismarck, ND; and Raleigh, NC. In his remarks, the difference by buying Government bonds, he referred to Commissioner of Social Security or would there be no aggregate increase in Kenneth S. Apfel; Betty Lee Ongley, president, saving or investment in the country? Would Older Women’s League; and Richard Weber, vice it give the Government too much influence president of administrative services, Basin Elec- over any company or any sector of our econ- tric Power Cooperative. omy? Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 / July 27 1511

But I think most people just think, ‘‘If lated vastly more than investing in Govern- there is going to be a risk taken, I’d rather ment bonds. An audience member asked take it than have the Government take it for about the experience in Chile and Australia me.’’ I don’t think it’s very complicated, so in terms of the costs and the benefits and I think that those who believe that it’s safer the risks of setting up private accounts.] and better for people to have the public do The President. I would invite everybody the investing—or the Government do the in- to comment on Chile and Australia and vestment—have to bear that burden. Those maybe on the UK and now on Canada, since who favor, by the way, having individual ac- Canada is investing the money directly. And counts, have to ask what happens to people maybe if you all could give us whatever infor- who happen to retire after the market has mation you have about that—in whatever gone down for 5 years. So there are problems order. with both approaches, and benefits. Jim, do you want to start? [An audience member asked if the Govern- [Congressman Jim Kolbe said that Chile has ment would guarantee current benefits if in- been successful over the last 18 years in going dividual accounts were exhausted by old age, to total privatization, despite a bad economy. bad investments, or market downturns; if He also said that Britain, Australia, Mexico, doing so would create another problem; or and most of Latin America have been pleased if not doing so would inevitably plunge old with their system of individual accounts. Pro- people into poverty.] fessor Diamond said that the administrative The President. Well, why don’t we let— costs are high in Chile; in Britain, which has I think those are good questions, but I think a voluntary opt-out system, the costs are even there are answers to them. And maybe I higher; and in Australia, where the employer should let either Dr. Weaver or Professor must set up the system, the employees some- Boskin answer, and then if I want to add any- times do not get any choices, and account thing, or any of the members do, we can. spending is not regulated, which often leaves [At this point, Carolyn Weaver, American survivors with nothing but poverty support Enterprise Institute, suggested that at least from the Government. Representative Xavier a portion of personal account accumulations Becerra cautioned that because the United should be converted into some type of annu- States is very different from other countries, ity or withdrawal on a phased basis so that our solution must be unique. Ms. Weaver the individual does not exhaust those funds. agreed but pointed out that under the Chil- Professor Michael Boskin, Hoover Institu- ean system, people always know precisely tion, agreed, explaining that an annuity is an what they have accumulated and how to ad- annual or monthly payment for a lifetime but just their savings and retirement date. An au- that paying benefits for current and future dience member then asked if it would be pos- retirees plus the individual accounts would sible to rely on watchdog organizations to ei- create trillions of dollars of debt. Professor ther cap fees associated with the privatization Peter Diamond, Massachusetts Institute of and individual accounts or allow a limited Technology, added that annuities carry an amount of profit per transaction.] extra cost element to the insurance companies The President. Well, I think maybe Mr. and voiced concern that, when people want Boskin, haven’t you commented on that be- early access to their money upon retirement, fore? I think Michael has—at least I believe, requiring everyone to buy annuities might be in the preparation I did running up to this, a major political question for future Con- that the most forceful advocates of individual gresses. Senator Pete Domenici suggested to accounts have recognized that it might be avoid a risk of a downturn at the end, invest- necessary to have some kind of limit on the ment firms would be required to invest in individual administrative costs. less risky accounts for a person in the last One of the problems in Chile has been 5 to 7 years prior to retirement. Professor that they’ve got all these different people Boskin noted that, historically, long term in- competing for your account. And if they’re vestment in the stock market has accumu- competing to give you higher return for 1512 July 27 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 lower costs, that’s good. They offer people get into one little thing, and we forget how vacation trips and then when the market is it fits into the big picture. So let me just back down maybe they offer them toasters, I don’t up. know. But there are a lot of built-in costs, Suppose you took—I’ll take the simplest and you might be able to get the best of both case—suppose you said we’re going to give worlds at least on the costs, that is, to have everybody one percent of payroll to invest the individuals do the investments, make the in an individual account, okay—and we’re investment decisions. I think there would be going to take all the rest of the payroll and ways to put caps on the aggregate costs. keep on paying Social Security, but we’re [Professor Boskin agreed that fees should be going to reduce the basic guaranteed benefit, uniform to avoid hurting low income people both because we can’t afford it because of with small accounts and suggested that com- what’s happening to population and life ex- petition would keep costs down. Professor Di- pectancy, and because we just took a percent amond pointed out that regulating fees could out of payroll. That’s the bad news. The good be tricky.] news is we think you’ll get a bigger benefit out of the one percent. Right? That’s the ar- The President. In fairness now—I should gument here. say, I’m very grateful for a lot of the work that Professor Diamond has done, and I’m Now, on the administrative costs, what you very sympathetic with a lot of it. But I don’t have to figure out is, it will be more expensive think that’s a very good argument. I mean, administratively—I don’t care what we do— we have a Securities and Exchange Commis- than having the Social Security Administra- sion to regulate the stock market. We have tion or the Government run it all. Why? Be- more than one Federal agency that overlooks cause of just economies of scale. But if you various aspects of what our banks do. And get a much bigger rate of return, then you’re one of the reasons that our market economy still ahead. works so well is that we have basic Govern- So what you have to do is calculate all ment intermediary institutions that set rules these things. And all these folks in Congress and regulations and parameters. And that’s here are going to have to figure it out, too. how we get the benefit of the market without So I just ask you, don’t forget what the frame- having to bear all the downsides. work here is. And one big thing we haven’t So I would think that nearly everybody discussed is—although our panelists did would want some sort of Government regula- while I was out of the room, because I tion if we were to get into this. But that watched them—it’s not just the administra- doesn’t necessarily mean that direct invest- tive costs, it’s what are the range of invest- ment by the Government would be better ment decisions that will be available to Amer- than the individual investment. It doesn’t an- ican citizens for their payroll tax in their indi- swer the question one way or the other. I vidual account? Are there any investment de- don’t mean that it—but I think that, to me, cisions they won’t be able to make? And then, that’s not a reason to attack this. I think we how will they get the information necessary, should all—that’s what we do in almost every the advice necessary to make good decisions major area of our national life. and how is that figured into the costs? I think [Professor Diamond responded that addi- you have to look at it like that. What you tional regulation would be needed but that want to know is, where are you going to come he was concerned about regulation of prices, out on the other end of this deal in all prob- not regulation about safety and soundness of ability. financial institutions.] [Robert Reischauer, Brookings Institute, dis- The President. You all may want to ask cussed with Representative Kolbe and Profes- some more questions; I don’t want to inter- sor Boskin what might happen if Social Secu- rupt anymore. But I think it’s important. rity benefits were reduced and people in- We’re not just talking about price here. One vested unwisely or unluckily in their private of the major issues is—sometimes I think we accounts. An audience member then asked Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 / July 27 1513 who would pay for the transition to privat- part of the money that has been accumulated ization and suggested that the program fol- or will be accumulated to fund that. low the lead of the Federal Employees Retire- And I want to ask you one question. Are ment System, incorporating a traditional you saying that you would support some por- pension, Social Security, and a private invest- tion of the payroll tax being made available ment plan. Congressman Kolbe agreed that for individual accounts if retirees, or future the Thrift Savings Plan was a possible solu- retirees—savers, workers—also had the op- tion.] tion to opt into a system like the one we’ve The President. Go ahead, Michael. got, so you could choose the one we have or you could choose one with a smaller guar- [Professor Boskin said that a plan that com- anteed benefit and more investment? Is that pounded at a higher rate would offer benefits what you’re saying? I just want to make sure that exceed the transition costs, as well as because I think that’s something we need to addressing unfunded liabilities under the know. current system.] [Mr. Reischauer said that the Federal em- The President. Maybe I could say this at ployee system would not solve the problem a little—I keep trying to get back to the basic if Social Security were cut. Senator Binga- thing. If we don’t do anything, sometime in man voiced concern that if money were taken about 35 years, we’re going to have to—Sen- out of the payroll tax to finance individual ator Domenici said 50 percent; I think it retirement accounts, then benefits would comes a little later than that, 50 percent. But have to be cut and the retirement age would let’s say in 2030, we run out of money. We’re have to be raised. Audience members then going to have to do one of three things: We’re discussed how to invest the budget surplus.] either going to have to raise the payroll tax by quite a lot; we’re going to have to cut The President. The point is, though—I benefits by quite a lot; or we’re going to have agree that we have a surplus because, basi- to have the Government stop doing a huge cally, we’re still getting more money every percentage of everything else its doing, most year in from Social Security taxes than we’re of which are things that you believe we paying out in retirement on a current basis. should be doing, and just put the money into And the money, therefore, is invested in Social Security. bonds, and when it pays back, the Govern- So we really got into this whole discussion, ment has it to pay retirement later. both if you take Professor Reischauer’s view But—so that’s fine. But the real question that the Government should invest more in is, can we get a higher rate of return in the equities to get a higher rate of return or the future for a fixed amount of money that’s view expressed by Dr. Weaver that individual going to be invested by the American people accounts should do it—we got into this dis- in their retirement through the taxes of their cussion to figure out whether we could have, employers and themselves than we have got- at acceptable risk, a higher rate of return on ten in the past? Because if we can get a high- the money that’s already there so we er rate of return, then even though there will wouldn’t have to raise taxes, cut benefits dra- be fewer people working compared to the matically, or shut down a whole lot of the people retired, people can have a com- rest of the Government. So there’s going to fortable, decent retirement; we’ll be earning be a transition cost regardless. more for the money we’ve got. That’s really Now, one of the things that I want to com- the question. Is there a safer way to do that? pliment all these Members of Congress here Now, I’d like to ask Mr. Reischauer a ques- for doing, we want to avoid having to have tion; then we’ll go back to the audience. You a big tax increase for the transition, which make a very compelling argument that eco- is why we’re trying to hold on to this surplus nomically there’s no difference in having in- we’ve got for the first time in 29 years, be- dividuals do it and having the Government cause whatever we decide to do with this, do it, or having the Government set up some- we’re going to have to commit a substantial body to do it, except that there’s far less risk 1514 July 27 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 on the individual, you can average the bene- also emphasize that under all these options, fits, and if somebody retires in a bad year nearly everybody believes we have to guaran- or if there’s 5 bad years in a row—like in tee the system as it is for people, let’s say, Japan, which 8 years ago, everybody would at 55 and up, and then some period of transi- say we should do everything they do; now tion, and ultimate protections built into the for 5 years, their stock market has lost half system over the long run. its value—if somebody has 5 of those bad So I think that you don’t have any guaran- years, if the Government is doing it in the tee. If nobody ever makes this decision, then aggregate, it is true that over any 40-year pe- 35 years from now the system will run out riod, the return will still be greater—even of money and the market will make the deci- in Japan I think that’s true, even now—but sion. I mean, people will stop getting checks, you protect people from those bad years, as or there will be a big tax increase, or we’ll well as from their own mistakes. shut down a whole bunch of the Government How will you ever convince the American to pay the difference. people of that, since they always believe the So that’s why I think that you should feel Government would mess up a two-car pa- good. There is a big bipartisan consensus, I rade? [Laughter] I mean, even if you’re right, think, in the Congress that we have to reach politically, how do we ever—how do you agreement, and we have to act, and we have make that sale to the American people? to do it soon. Mr. Reischauer. Well, Mr. President, it’s An audience member asked what the Presi- not in my job description to defend the Fed- [ dent would do if it were entirely up to him eral Government. [Laughter] and a decision had to be made today. The President. Well, you tell me how to ] do it then. The President. If I answered that ques- tion today, it would make it less likely the Mr. Reischauer suggested setting up an insti- [ decision would be made. That’s the truth. tution that would be protected from inter- You have to understand—let me just say— ference of politicians and, by law, would be and I’m not dodging this. I honestly don’t required to invest passively, by selecting a know what I would do today, because I little of all available stocks and bonds. An have—and I’ve spent hours and hours just audience member asked who would make the getting ready for this meeting, trying to mas- final decision if there were no bipartisan ter all the details of the various plans that agreement. ] the people at this table have proposed. The President. Well, I think what we’re— I don’t know what I would do. But I am let me just say what the good news is about open to the idea that if we can get a higher this panel. You may leave here more con- rate of return in some fashion than we have fused than you came in about the details of been getting in the past, while being fair to these options. And if so, I would tell you everybody, and guaranteeing that we’ll still that’s a good thing, not a bad thing. I’ve been be lifting the same percentage of people out working very seriously on this for a couple of poverty, we ought to be open to those op- of years; these are complex problems. But tions. Because I think that’s better than rais- I think that there is the good news here, ing the payroll tax a lot more—because it’s which is that most of us have been on oppo- a regressive tax and, for example, more and site sides of a bunch of issues over the last more people work for small business, and if 20 years, and we all believe that we have to you’re a small-business person you’ve got to act now rather than later. pay a payroll tax whether you make any Keep in mind, every year we let go by, money or not. Seventy percent of the people all options become less attractive and require pay more payroll tax than they do income greater risk and more exertion. So, as com- tax today, working people. And I’d hate to pared with 10 years from now, anything we do that. would do today is quite modest in scope and I don’t want to cut benefits substantially has the opportunity to build in more protec- because most people have something besides tions. And because you’re 32, I think I should Social Security, but Social Security alone lifts Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 / July 27 1515 half our seniors out of poverty—48 percent, like from their late forties until retirement literally. And we’ve got the smallest Govern- age not drawing Social Security, there’s sig- ment we’ve had in 35 years, and I don’t want nificantly increased number of people be- to close down the National Park Service or cause there are just more baby boomers in stop supporting education or stop running that age group now. our environmental protection programs. And An audience member suggested raising the we’ve cut the national defense about all we [ ceiling for incomes subject to Social Security can, given our present responsibilities in the tax. world and our need to modernize it. ] So the reason I’m here with you is I think The President. Let me say, first of all, the all these people deserve to be heard, because incomes of American people have grown to if there’s any way we can get a higher rate the point now that there is a larger percent- of return in a market economy, while mini- age of people who get the benefit of the cap mizing the risk, whether it’s in either one than there used to be. That is, a higher per- of these approaches, we ought to go for it, centage of our people—I forget what it is, because the other alternatives are much less maybe one of you know—but most Ameri- pleasant already. And if we wait around for cans are under the cap. That is, most Ameri- 5 or 10 years, they’re going to get a whole cans have income under the tax cap. lot worse than they are today. People at higher income levels pay higher tax rates on their Social Security incomes An audience member asked if the privatized [ than people at lower income levels. And I retirement system would maintain the insur- think that’s—one of the reasons that the cap ance, disability benefits, and survivors’ bene- has not been raised at least a dramatic fits of the present Social Security system. Pro- amount more is to avoid having it be an ac- fessor Boskin, Representative Kolbe, Mr. Dia- tual negative investment for the people in- mond, Senator Domenici, and Representative volved, where you’re just taxing people’s pay- Becerra discussed how the disability and sur- roll far more than they’ll ever get back, and vivor benefits could be maintained. ] they’re just subsidizing the system. The way The President. Can I ask a question here? it is now, it happens a little bit, but not much. I would like to ask the Social Security Com- And people at higher incomes, once they missioner or someone else here who’s in the start to draw that Social Security, do pay a audience or with our staff to come up and higher rate of tax on it than people at lower give me the answer to the question the gen- incomes. tleman asked about disability—the exact an- Michael, you wanted—anybody else want swer. About a third of the people who draw to say anything? Social Security checks are either dependents Professor Boskin, Ms. Weaver, Representa- of people who were killed or disabled on the [ tive Becerra, Senator Kolbe, and Senator work force or disabled people themselves. So Domenici discussed taking both the tax side I want somebody to come bring me that in- and benefit side need into careful consider- formation and how much it’s grown, and I’ll ation so that all Americans would still feel give it to you precisely. that Social Security is a good investment.] Ms. Weaver voiced concern about the grow- [ Ms. Borger. Mr. President, we only have ing number of people drawing disability ben- a few minutes left in this forum, and I just efits. ] wanted to give you the opportunity to give The President. Commissioner Apfel just us your final thoughts about what’s occurred said that the number of people drawing dis- here today, and what’s coming in the future. ability has grown dramatically from more or The President. Well, I’d like to go back less equally from two sources: One is the ad- to the question the gentleman asked me dition of mental impairments to physical when he said, ‘‘If this were up to you, and ones; the other is the aging of the baby boom you had to decide today, what would you do generation because the rate of disability in- if you were all by yourself?’’ There may come creases as you approach age 50. So for people a time when I wish that we have so many 1516 July 27 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 headaches working this out, I wish it were next year we’ll be ready to act and we should just my decision to make, all by myself. do it. I think it’s important for me and for the And if we have the support of the people others in the Congress who care about this in this room, that vary across age and income to maintain—but especially for the Presi- groups and all kinds of other ways, then we’ll dent—to maintain an open mind as much as be able to do what’s right for America be- possible now, because I don’t want a particu- cause we will be doing the work of democ- lar proposal just because it’s been endorsed racy. by me to have to be supported or opposed Thank you very much. by other people because of their political po- sition. I’m doing my best to keep this a mat- NOTE: The discussion began at 12:48 p.m. in the ter of people and progress over partisan poli- Johnson Center Gymnasium at the University of tics. New Mexico. In his remarks, the President re- But I also want to make it clear to you ferred to Commissioner of Social Security Ken- neth Apfel. The panel included Carolyn L. Wea- that I honestly, myself, have not made up ver, resident scholar, American Enterprise Insti- my mind exactly what I think we ought to tute; Fernando Torres-Gil, director, Center for do on this because, as you can hear from this Policy Research on Aging, University of California debate, there are arguments on both sides Los Angeles; Robert D. Reischauer, senior fellow, of all proposals, and it’s a rather complicated Brookings Institute; Michael J. Boskin, senior fel- matter. low, Hoover Institution; and Peter A. Diamond, I can tell you this: I want a guaranteed institute professor, Massachusetts Institute of benefit. I want it to be fair and progressive Technology. Moderator Gloria Borger was as- and universal. I want to have the best earn- sisted by Matt Miller and Susan Dantzler. Vice ings we possibly can within that framework. President Al Gore participated in a panel discus- sion at a National Social Security Forum, also And I don’t want to come to a point down sponsored by the American Association of Retired the road where we have to wreck the finan- Persons and the Concord Coalition, in Cranston, cial responsibility we worked so hard to bring Rhode Island, on July 1. A portion of these re- into this country to give us our present pros- marks could not be verified because the tape was perity to pay for the retirement of my genera- incomplete. tion because we didn’t have the responsibility to take action now, when we should. And I think if we can stay with these gen- Remarks at a Reception for eral principles and continue to learn and ex- Gubernatorial Candidate Martin J. plore all these debates and learn as much Chavez in Albuquerque as we can from the experiences of other July 27, 1998 countries—we didn’t have a chance to get into this today, but you all laughed when I The President. Thank you. Thank you was kidding Mr. Reischauer about the popu- very much. Thank you for your muted wel- lar skepticism of Government making these come. [Laughter] I am delighted to be here. investments. But Canada is starting to do it, Audience members. We love for you to and we’ll have a chance to watch them and be here. [Laughter] see how they do it and see how they deal The President. Thank you. I’m glad to be with some of the objections that have been here for Marty and Margaret, and Diane and raised. Herb, and all the Democratic ticket. I’m hon- So I think that what I would urge you to ored to be on the platform with Senator do is to continue to learn about this. If you Bingaman. And I am very grateful that a man know what you think, make your voices I first met and began to admire almost 30 heard. And support your Senators and your years ago, Fred Harris, is now the chairman Congressmen in saying that we have to act of the Democratic Party in New Mexico. on this, and we have to do it next year be- Thank you. cause we can’t afford to wait. We’re taking I want to thank all the State officials who this year, studying, raising public awareness, are here and the mayor and the speaker and presenting all the alternatives to people. By the former State chairs, who are my friends, Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 / July 27 1517 and all the candidates. But I have to say a as a candidate to try to prepare this great special word. You have been so good to me country of ours for a new century which is and to Hillary and to the Vice President. New very different than the times in which most Mexico has voted twice for our ticket and of us grew up, the times in which our parents has played a major role in a lot of the policies lived. Think about what the characteristics we have implemented. I almost feel embar- of tomorrow will be, not just for someone rassed to ask you to do anything else just for in Los Angeles or Silicon Valley or New York us, but if you really wanted to do me a favor, City or Boston but for someone in Albuquer- you’d send Shirley Baca and Tom Udall and que or Little Rock or the smallest town in Phil Maloof to Congress and give me a Con- New Mexico or my home State of Arkansas. gress we can work with. No matter how small, you live in a global And I want to make one specific comment, economy that is basically growing by ideas. and that is, I would ask that people in New The fastest growing thing in the world today Mexico who have voted in the past, for what- is the Internet—by far—fastest growing or- ever reason, for the Green Party, but who ganism in history, social organism in history. honestly care about that environment, to take And it is a metaphor, a symbol of how this another look at the consequences of their economy is both going global and rooted in votes. And I would like to just mention one new ideas. thing, just for example, that affects New I met a young man yesterday in Colorado Mexico. who was telling me his story about how he I’ve worked hard with Tom Udall and with was just a middle class young guy that had Jeff Bingaman, who has worn me out about an idea, and he’s about to take his company this—[laughter]—to try to get the Baca public, and he’s worth more than he knew Ranch preserved. It is the largest volcanic existed in the world just 10 years ago because crater in the United States. It’s home to one of our biggest wild elk herds. It’s an invest- America gave him a chance but also because ment not just in the environment but in the he understood where tomorrow will be. long-term economic well-being of New Mex- Now, in that kind of economy, the second ico. I believe the preservation of your natural thing we know is that education for every- resources is the key to the new economy of body will be more important than ever be- the entire Southwest. fore. It’s always been a personal advantage It’s one of several places in New Mexico to have a good education. Now we know our that I have proposed to preserve, on a list whole country depends upon building the of 100 I have sent to Congress. I sent the finest opportunities in elementary and sec- list to Congress in February. Let me just tell ondary education for every child in this coun- you how it works. We get money approved try, without regard to their income, their for these projects, but then under the law race, their background, or whether they live I have to send them to Congress, and they on a reservation or in a rural community or have to approve the release of money for the an inner-city neighborhood. projects. The third thing we know is that the econ- I sent the list up in February. In April, omy depends upon having an environment on Earth Day, I asked again for the money that is not only preserved, but it is to some to be released. It’s now nearly August, and extent, improved. You know, I’ve just been— there’s still been no action. Now, it seems you’ve been seeing all these fires in Florida. to me that that’s one more example, here We’ve had 20 days of 100 degree tempera- in New Mexico, where the Democratic Party ture or higher, or above, from Dallas, east, is on the side of responsible, constructive across the whole wide swath of America. The environmentalism. And I would hope that all 9 hottest years ever recorded in the history people would look at that before going to have occurred in the last 11 years; 1997 was the polls again in November and voting in the hottest year ever recorded. Every month these congressional races. of 1998 has broken the 1997 record. Now, In a larger sense, let me say that I have my daughter’s friends used to say, ‘‘Denial been trying since I first came to New Mexico is not just a river in Egypt.’’ [Laughter] We 1518 July 27 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 can grow the economy and have a respon- the State is doing it with money we gave sible environmental policy. We can do that, them. Therefore, it really matters whether but we have to make a decision to do it. And a Governor wakes up every morning worry- we have to understand it’s one of the big ing about whether some kid somewhere in issues out there. New Mexico who might get sick, whose fam- What are the other big issues? I’ll just— ily doesn’t have any health insurance. we can’t forget the human element in a glob- So it is not enough, as important as it is, al economy. We can’t let people get left be- for you to make the right decisions for Sen- hind. That’s why I’m fighting so hard for this ator and Congress and for President in the Patients’ Bill of Rights. In an economy that year 2000. It really matters to the shape of is increasingly based on ideas and informa- your children’s future who the Governor of tion and organization, the human element this State is. It matters who the Lieutenant can get left behind. One of the things our Governor is. It matters if they have an ap- party has always done is to remind people proach that is consistent with your values and of the human element. I’m proud of that. if they really care about how you’re going And I think that we have proved in the last 6 years you can take care of the human ele- to live in this great new 21st century. ment; you can take care of the environment; So I’m proud to be here because New and you can still grow the economy if you Mexico has done a lot for me and for my do it right. family and for our administration. But New And the last point I want to make is—and Mexico should now do itself a favor and elect if you look around this room today, you see this great ticket. it illustrated—the world we’re living in will Thank you, and God bless you. reward nations that can reflect that world in the best sense. How much of your time as NOTE: The President spoke at approximately 2:35 President have I had to spend dealing with p.m. in the Regal and Registry Room at the Shera- other people’s religious, racial, and ethnic ton Uptown Hotel. In his remarks, he referred conflicts? As America grows ever more di- to Mr. Chavez’s wife, Margaret; Diane Denish, verse, if you want us to do good in a world candidate for Lt. Gov. and her husband, Herb; like that, we have to be good at home. We Mayor Jim Baca of Albuquerque; Raymond G. have to reflect the best of America. Sanchez, speaker, New Mexico House of Rep- And what’s all that got to do with Marty resentatives; and Shirley Baca, Tom Udall, and and Diane? I’ll tell you what. In this economy Phillip Maloof, candidates for New Mexico’s Sec- that we’ve produced, I’ve tried to actually re- ond, Third, and First Congressional Districts, re- duce the role of the Federal Government in spectively. A tape was not available for verification inessential areas, delegate more to the States of the content of these remarks. where I thought it was appropriate. We now have the smallest Federal Government we’ve had in 35 years. What does that mean? That Executive Order 13093—American means it matters a whole lot more who the Heritage Rivers, Amending Governor is. It matters what the education Executive Orders 13061 and 13080 policy of the State is. It matters what the policy is of moving people from welfare to July 27, 1998 work and whether you’re helping people raise their kids as well as expecting them to By the authority vested in me as President work if they’re able-bodied. It matters what by the Constitution and the laws of the the environmental policy of the State is. United States of America, and in order to These things matter. increase the number of rivers that the Presi- It matters. We passed, in the balanced dent may designate as American Heritage budget bill, we passed funds to give the Rivers, it is hereby ordered that the second States the ability to insure another 5 million sentence of both section 2(d)(1) of Executive kids who don’t have any health insurance. Order 13061 and of section 2(a) of Executive But the Federal Government is not doing it; Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 / July 28 1519

Order 13080 are amended by deleting ‘‘ten’’ no awards or acknowledgement, that most of and inserting ‘‘up to 20’’ in lieu thereof. us do not always appreciate—indeed, most William J. Clinton of the time we do not even see—their daily sacrifice. Until crisis reveals their courage, The White House, we do not see how truly special they are. And July 27, 1998. so they walked humbly. To the Gibsons, to Lyn, Kristen, Jack, and [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, Danny, to the Chestnuts, Wenling, Joseph, 8:45 a.m., July 28, 1998] Janice, Janet, Karen, and William, to the par- NOTE: This Executive order was published in the ents, the brothers, the siblings, the friends Federal Register on July 29. here, you always knew that John and J.J. were special. Now the whole world knows as well. Today we mourn their loss, and we cele- Remarks at the Congressional brate their lives. Our words are such poor Tribute Honoring Officer Jacob J. replacements for the joys of family and Chestnut and Detective friends, the turning of the seasons, the John M. Gibson rhythms of normal life that should rightfully July 28, 1998 have been theirs. But we offer them to you from a grateful Nation, profoundly grateful To the Chestnut and Gibson families and that in doing their duty, they saved lives; they my fellow Americans, the Bible defines a consecrated this house of freedom; and they good life thusly: ‘‘To love justice, to do fulfilled our Lord’s definition of a good life. mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.’’ They loved justice. They did mercy. Now and Officer J.J. Chestnut and Detective John forever, they walk humbly with their God. Gibson loved justice. The story of what they did here on Friday in the line of duty is al- NOTE: The President spoke at 3:30 p.m. in the ready a legend. It is fitting that we gather United States Capitol Rotunda. The transcript here to honor these two American heroes, made available by the Office of the Press Sec- here in this hallowed chamber that has retary also included the remarks of Vice President known so many heroes, in this Capitol they Al Gore. Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson gave their lives to defend. died as a result of gunshot wounds suffered during And we thank their families for enduring an attack at the Capitol on July 24. the pain and extra burden of joining us here today. For they remind us that what makes our democracy strong is not only what Con- Statement on the Resolution of the gress may enact or a President may achieve; United Auto Workers Strike at even more, it is the countless individual citi- General Motors zens who live our ideals out every day, the July 28, 1998 innumerable acts of heroism that go unno- ticed, and especially, it is the quiet courage I am pleased that the United Auto Work- and uncommon bravery of Americans like J.J. ers and General Motors have resolved their Chestnut and John Gibson and, indeed, differences today. Getting GM back to work every one of the 81 police officers who just is a win-win solution—a victory for the com- this year have given their lives to ensure our pany and its employees and a victory for all domestic tranquility. Americans. It also shows that the collective John Gibson and J.J. Chestnut also did bargaining process works. American compa- mercy in giving their lives to save the lives nies can remain competitive in the world of their fellow citizens. We honor them economy while providing good jobs and good today, and in so doing, we honor also the benefits for their employees. hundreds of thousands of other officers, in- I would like to thank Secretary of Labor cluding all of their comrades, who stand Alexis Herman, who worked night and day ready every day to do the same. They make behind the scenes to keep both parties work- it seem so ordinary, so expected, asking for ing toward a resolution. She and her team 1520 July 28 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 deserve a great deal of credit for their pa- U.S., or U.S. Government procurement tience and determination in the effort to help of goods, technology, and services. bring this dispute to a close. The amended E.O. ensures that our Gov- ernment has the necessary flexibility in de- ciding when and to what extent to impose Statement on Expanding the penalties. In the fight to stem the spread of Executive Order on Proliferation of dangerous weaponry, we must be resourceful Weapons of Mass Destruction and focus on doing what works. Being able to offer both incentives and disincentives en- July 28, 1998 hances our capacity to deal with these threats. I will continue to work with Congress Today, I am expanding existing Executive to ensure that America’s policy provides order authority to enhance America’s ability tough penalties—and also sufficient flexibil- to deal with one of the toughest security chal- ity to give us the best chance to achieve posi- lenges we face: the spread of weapons of tive results. mass destruction and missiles to deliver such My administration is working actively with weapons. our friends and allies around the world to Two weeks ago, the Russian Government prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass announced it was investigating a number of destruction. We are encouraged by recent Russian entities suspected of violating weap- commitments by Russia, by our European al- ons of mass destruction export control provi- lies, and others to increase their efforts, and sions. we will continue to press for even stronger Today’s Executive order amendment will commitments. allow us to respond more effectively to evi- dence that foreign entities around the world, such as these Russian entities, have assisted Executive Order 13094— in the transfer of dangerous weapons and Proliferation of Weapons of weapons technologies. The United States will Mass Destruction use the amended Executive order, along with July 28, 1998 other existing authorities, to bar assistance to seven of the entities identified by Russia, By the authority vested in me as President as well as to bar exports to and imports from by the Constitution and the laws of the these entities. United States of America, including the The new Executive order amends Execu- International Emergency Economic Powers tive Order 12938, issued in 1994, in key re- Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), the spects: National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 —The amended E.O. addresses not only et seq.), the Arms Export Control Act (22 transfers of chemical and biological U.S.C. 2751 et seq.) (AECA), and section 301 weapons, as provided in the original of title 3, United States Code, E.O., but also nuclear weapons and mis- I, William J. Clinton, President of the siles capable of delivering weapons of United States of America, in order to take mass destruction; additional steps with respect to the prolifera- —The amended E.O. imposes penalties tion of weapons of mass destruction and not only where a transfer has been car- means of delivering them and the national ried out, as provided in the original emergency described and declared in Execu- E.O., but also in the event of an attempt tive Order 12938 of November 14, 1994, to transfer; hereby order: —The amended E.O. expressly expands Section 1. Amendment of Executive Order the range of potential penalties on enti- 12938. ties that have contributed to prolifera- (a) Section 4 of Executive Order 12938 of tion. Penalties include prohibition of November 14, 1994, is revised to read as fol- U.S. Government assistance to the en- lows: tity and prohibition of imports into the ‘‘Sec. 4. Measures Against Foreign Persons. Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 / July 28 1521

(a) Determination by Secretary of State; eign person has ceased all activities referred Imposition of Measures. Except to the extent to in subsection (a) of this section. provided in section 203(b) of the Inter- (f) Exceptions. Departments and agencies national Emergency Economic Powers Act of the United States Government, acting in (50 U.S.C. 1702(b)), where applicable, if the consultation with the Secretary of State, may, Secretary of State determines that a foreign by license, regulation, order, directive, ex- person, on or after November 16, 1990, the ception, or otherwise, provide for: effective date of Executive Order 12735, the (i) Procurement contracts necessary predecessor order to Executive Order 12938, to meet U.S. operational military re- has materially contributed or attempted to quirements or requirements under de- contribute materially to the efforts of any for- fense production agreements; intel- eign country, project, or entity of prolifera- ligence requirements; sole source sup- tion concern to use, acquire, design, develop, pliers, spare parts, components, routine produce, or stockpile weapons of mass de- servicing and maintenance of products struction or missiles capable of delivering for the United States Government; and such weapons, the measures set forth in sub- medical and humanitarian items; and sections (b), (c), and (d) of this section shall be imposed on that foreign person to the ex- (ii) Performance pursuant to con- tent determined by the Secretary of State in tracts in force on the effective date of consultation with the implementing agency this order under appropriate cir- and other relevant agencies. Nothing in this cumstances.’’ section is intended to preclude the imposi- (b) Section 6 of Executive Order 12938 tion on that foreign person of other measures of November 14, 1994, is amended by delet- or sanctions available under this order or ing ‘‘4(c)’’ and inserting ‘‘4(e)’’ in lieu thereof. under other authorities. Sec. 2. Preservation of Authorities. Noth- (b) Procurement Ban. No department or ing in this order is intended to affect the con- agency of the United States Government may tinued effectiveness of any rules, regulations, procure, or enter into any contract for the orders, licenses, or other forms of administra- procurement of, any goods, technology, or tive action issued, taken, or continued in ef- services from any foreign person described fect heretofore or hereafter under the au- in subsection (a) of this section. thority of IEEPA, AECA, the Nuclear Non- (c) Assistance Ban. No department or Proliferation Act of 1978, the Nuclear Pro- agency of the United States Government may liferation Prevention Act of 1994, the Atomic provide any assistance to any foreign person Energy Act, the Export Administration Act described in subsection (a) of this section, and no such foreign person shall be eligible (50 U.S.C. App. 2401 et seq.), Executive to participate in any assistance program of Order 12730 of September 30, 1990, Execu- the United States Government. tive Order 12735 of November 16, 1990, Ex- (d) Import Ban. The Secretary of the ecutive Order 12924 of August 18, 1994, Ex- Treasury shall prohibit the importation into ecutive Order 12930 of September 29, 1994, the United States of goods, technology, or or Executive Order 12938 of November 14, services produced or provided by any foreign 1994. person described in subsection (a) of this sec- Sec. 3. Judicial Review. Nothing con- tion, other than information or informational tained in this order shall create any right or materials within the meaning of section benefit, substantive or procedural, enforce- 203(b)(3) of the International Emergency able by any party against the United States, Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. its agencies or instrumentalities, its officers 1702(b)(3)). or employees, or any other person. (e) Termination. Measures pursuant to this Sec. 4. Effective Date. section may be terminated against a foreign (a) This order is effective at 12:01 a.m. person if the Secretary of State determines eastern daylight time on July 29, 1998. that there is reliable evidence that such for- 1522 July 28 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998

(b) This order shall be transmitted to the country, project, or entity to use, acquire, de- Congress and published in the Federal Reg- sign, produce, or stockpile chemical or bio- ister. logical weapons (CBW). This amendment William J. Clinton adds potential penalties for contributions to foreign programs for nuclear weapons and The White House, missiles capable of delivering weapons of July 28, 1998. mass destruction. For example, the new [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, amendment authorizes the imposition of 10:40 a.m., July 29, 1998] measures against foreign entities that materi- ally assist Iran’s missile program. NOTE: This Executive order was published in the Second, the amendment lowers the re- Federal Register on July 30. quirements for imposing penalties. Executive Order 12938 required a finding that a foreign Message to the Congress on the person ‘‘knowingly and materially’’ contrib- Expansion of the Executive Order on uted to a foreign CBW program. The amend- Proliferation of Weapons of Mass ment removes the ‘‘knowing’’ requirement as Destruction a basis for determining potential penalties. Therefore, the Secretary of State need only July 28, 1998 determine that the foreign person made a To the Congress of the United States: ‘‘material’’ contribution to a weapons of mass On November 14, 1994, in light of the destruction or missile program to apply the danger of the proliferation of nuclear, bio- specified sanctions. At the same time, the logical, and chemical weapons (weapons of Secretary of State will have discretion regard- mass destruction) and of the means of deliv- ing the scope of sanctions so that a truly un- ering such weapons, using my authority witting party will not be unfairly punished. under the International Emergency Eco- Third, the amendment expands the origi- nomic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), nal Executive order to include ‘‘attempts’’ to I declared a national emergency and issued contribute to foreign proliferation activities, Executive Order 12938. Because the pro- as well as actual contributions. This will allow liferation of weapons of mass destruction imposition of penalties even in cases where continues to pose an unusual and extraor- foreign persons make an unsuccessful effort dinary threat to the national security, foreign to contribute to weapons of mass destruction policy, and economy of the United States, and missile programs or where authorities I have renewed the national emergency de- block a transaction before it is consummated. clared in Executive Order 12938 annually, Fourth, the amendment expressly expands most recently on November 14, 1997. Pursu- the range of potential penalties to include ant to section 204(b) of the International the prohibition of United States Government Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. assistance to the foreign person, as well as 1703(b)), I hereby report to the Congress United States Government procurement and that I have exercised my statutory authority imports into the United States, which were to issue an Executive order to amend Execu- tive Order 12938 in order to more effectively specified by the original Executive order. to respond to the worldwide threat of weap- Moreover, section 4(b) broadens the scope ons of mass destruction proliferation activi- of the United States Government procure- ties. ment limitations to include a bar on the pro- The amendment of section 4 of Executive curement of technology, as well as goods or Order 12938 strengthens the original Execu- services from any foreign person described tive order in several significant ways. in section 4(a). Section 4(d) broadens the First, the amendment broadens the type scope of import limitations to include a bar of proliferation activity that is subject to po- on imports of any technology or services pro- tential penalties. Executive Order 12938 cov- duced or provided by any foreign person de- ers contributions to the efforts of any foreign scribed in section 4(a). Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 / July 28 1523

Finally, this amendment gives the United all the South American border wars or go States Government greater flexibility and dis- fix the Cyprus problem—[laughter]—but, cretion in deciding how and to what extent meanwhile, he’s doing a fine job for you, and to impose penalties against foreign persons we love working with him. that assist proliferation programs. This provi- I thank you for honoring Dorothy Height sion authorizes the Secretary of State, who and Bob Georgine, two good friends of mine. will act in consultation with the heads of I wish your president, George Kourpias, well other interested agencies, to determine the in his trip to Greece. And let me join the extent to which these measures should be im- applause you gave to this young lady, Paula posed against entities contributing to foreign Postell, who sang the National Anthem. I weapons of mass destruction or missile pro- think she’s got a great future. [Applause] grams. The Secretary of State will act to fur- It’s become commonplace to say that ther the national security and foreign policy Americans over 85 are the fastest growing interests of the United States, including prin- group in the country, but I’d also like to ac- cipally our nonproliferation objectives. Prior knowledge that you have two members here to imposing measures pursuant to this provi- who are entering that extremely select group sion, the Secretary of State will take into ac- of centenarians, Cliff Holliday and Gene- count the likely effectiveness of such meas- vieve Mother Johnson. Congratulations to ures in furthering the interests of the United you. Thank you, Cliff, Genevieve. Congratu- States and the costs and benefits of such lations to both of you. We’d all like to join measures. This approach provides the nec- your group. I must say, there are plenty of essary flexibility to tailor our responses to days around here when I feel like I’m 100. specific situations. [Laughter] But I’m still working at it. I have authorized these actions in view of Before I begin, I think I’d like to just make the danger posed to the national security and a few remarks to say how very pleased I am foreign policy of the United States by the on behalf of all the American people and the continuing proliferation of weapons of mass prospects of our growing economy that the destruction and their means of delivery. I am United Auto Workers and General Motors enclosing a copy of the Executive order that resolved their differences earlier today. This I have issued exercising these authorities. is truly a win-win-win situation. It’s a victory William J. Clinton for the company, a victory for the employees and a victory for all Americans, who under- The White House, July 28, 1998. stand, I think, now more clearly than ever after the last 60 days, what a great stake all of us in the United States have in the success Remarks to the National Council of of General Motors and our auto industry in Senior Citizens general and those jobs and those workers, July 28, 1998 the cars they produce, and the contributions they make to our general welfare. Thank you very much. Well, I don’t know It also shows that the collective bargaining what all the young folks in Washington are process works. And I’m glad that I have been doing tonight, but whatever it is, they don’t able to defend it for the last 6 years. I believe have half the energy you do. [Laughter] that one of many things the United States I can’t thank you enough for that wonder- has proved over the last 6 years, nearly 6 ful welcome. I want to thank you, Tom, for years I’ve been privileged to be your Presi- your introduction. I also want to tell you— dent, is that it is possible for us to be com- we were standing outside when Tom was petitive in a global economy and still have talking and he said that I was looking for an good jobs with good benefits for productive interpreter to explain these—[laughter]—I employees. mean, you know, folks, this is America. I have spoken with President Steve Yokich Where else do you get to talk to a Greek of the UAW, and Jack Smith, the CEO of from Uruguay? I mean, come on. [Laughter] GM. And again, I want to publicly thank I can’t decide whether I want him to solve them for their role in this. And as a matter 1524 July 28 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 of personal privilege, I also want you to know I should also tell you that—you remember that our terrific Secretary of Labor, Alexis when our attackers said we were trying to Herman, worked day and night behind the have the Government take over the health scenes to keep the parties in the room to- care system, and we pointed out that we gether, keep the temperatures down, and the weren’t. When they made that charge, 40 lines of communication open. And I appre- percent of all dollars going into the health ciate that. care system in America—40 cents on the dol- I am profoundly honored to be here to- lar—came from the public. Today, because night. The NCSC has stood by me and our so many private employers have dropped administration in all the fights we have waged their employees from health insurance since from 1992 forward. You know, just before the cost goes up, 47 cents on the dollar comes I left the house—normally, when I have to from public sources in health care. go out at night like this, Hillary says some- So we have to keep working on this. But thing like, ‘‘This is the time when I’m glad don’t forget, you stood up for a good cause, you’ve got the job. You go give the speech.’’ and we have advanced the cause. And there Tonight she said, ‘‘I kind of resent the fact are millions of children who are now going that you’re going, and I’m staying home. I to get health care as a result of that provision love those people, they have been so good in the balanced budget amendment that I to me.’’ am absolutely convinced would not have hap- We will never forget the fight that you pened had it not been for your advocacy. I helped us wage for better health care for all do not believe we would have passed the Americans. And it was not a fight in vain. Kennedy-Kassebaum bill, saying people can’t I will say more about it, but you know, we lose their health insurance when someone in helped to increase the awareness of the their family is sick or when they change jobs, American people about the problems. And had it not been for your advocacy. So you we told them that unless we did something, should be proud of what you accomplished, more and more people would lose their in- as well as the fight you fought that you didn’t surance at work. Our attackers said, ‘‘Oh, the win. I’m proud of you, and I thank you for President is trying to have the Government that. take over the health care system.’’ I said, I thank you for sticking up for retirees and ‘‘No, I’m not. I’m trying to have the Govern- for working families. I thank you, too, for ment guarantee that every American family your commitment to helping us meet the has access to affordable, quality health care challenge of the year 2000 computer prob- that they don’t lose.’’ lem by reaching out to senior citizens to en- Well, since then we’ve done a lot of, I list their help. And I know other people have think, quite important things. We strength- talked to you about this—this is a big deal. ened the Medicare program. We’re doing America computerized more extensively ear- more now to help prevent breast cancer with lier than any other country. When we first mammographies. We’re doing more to deal did that, memory in these computer chips with osteoporosis. We’re doing more in re- was a precious commodity, so a lot of these search and treatment for both breast cancer little chips only had two slots for year num- and prostate cancer. We’re doing a great deal bers, instead of four. Well now, of course, more with diabetes. Last year I signed legis- it’s an entirely different thing. You can get lation that the American Diabetes Associa- hundreds of millions of bits of information tion said represented the greatest step for- out of these little computer chips. ward in the treatment of diabetes since the And we now have a whole generation of discovery of insulin 70 years ago. We are add- people out there working that don’t even ing 5 million children to the ranks of those know how to go in and speak the language with health insurance. And so while we that will fix these problems. So we’ve got to haven’t solved the whole problem, we have have retirees come back and help us. I think come a long way, thanks in no small measure it’s interesting: You have all these 25 year to your advocacy and your work and your old kids worth $200 million or $300 million conscience. in Silicon Valley, but they need you to come Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 / July 28 1525 back and help them fix this Y2K computer that haven’t felt them yet: to the inner-city problem so they don’t lose their investment. neighborhoods, where the unemployment We still need more help, so I thank you. rate is still in double digits; to the small, rural Let me say also that I’m very grateful for communities that lost the factory or where the general support you have given me. If the farm income is down; to the Native I told you on the day I was inaugurated Presi- American communities, where there has dent that I would come back in 51⁄2 years been no spark of enterprise. We have to and that we would be able to say in the last prove that America can work for all Ameri- 51⁄2 years this is what America has accom- cans who are willing to work. plished: We have the lowest unemployment The third thing we have to do is to recog- rate in 28 years, 16 million new jobs; the low- nize that we have a huge obligation to our est crime rate in 25 years; the smallest per- children to begin a process, that I believe centage of our people on welfare in 29 years; will continue well into the 21st century, of the first balanced budget and surplus in 29 proving that a country can both grow rich years; the lowest inflation rate in 32 years; and improve, rather than destroy the envi- the highest homeownership in American his- ronment. Folks, I’m telling you, this climate tory, with the smallest Federal Government change/global warming issue is real. You see in 35 years, I think you would say, that’s a the fires in Florida. They had the wettest pretty good record for 51⁄2 years. And I thank winter, the driest spring and the hottest you for your role in that. month in their history in June, and then they Now, I think our obligation is to use this got the fires. Nine hottest years on record— moment. And I think that the senior citizens the 9 hottest years on record have all oc- of our country have a special role in making curred in the last 11 years; 1997 was the hot- sure that our people, in general, and our po- test year ever recorded; every single month litical system in particular, has the right re- of 1998 has topped the preceding month in sponse. Because, normally, when people 1997. work hard and their life is full of hassles and Now, do we have to give up good jobs to they deal with one crisis after another, when do it? No, we don’t. Thankfully, what we now they hit a good patch, they just want to sit know and what is about to happen in energy back, relax, and enjoy it. And countries are use enables us to cool the planet, reduce like people and families. greenhouse gas emissions, and grow more But the world is changing so fast and there jobs that are good jobs with good wages. But are so many challenges all around the world we have to make a decision to do it. It’s a that I submit to you we cannot afford to do big, long-term challenge for America. that; that, instead, we have to use the pros- We have to continue to move forward on perity we now enjoy and the confidence we health care, and I’ll say a little more about now have to face the large, long-term chal- that in a moment because there are still great lenges of America. Now, what are they? I’ll challenges out there. I remember when Hil- just mention a few. lary said in 1994, ‘‘Look, there’s going to be One is to give America the best elementary a big growth in managed care. The question and secondary school system in the world. is whether we’ll have managed care that’s We have done a good job with our university also quality care for all Americans.’’ And then system, and now, in the last 51⁄2 years, we’ve people said, ‘‘Well, why is she trying to pro- also virtually opened the doors of college to mote that?’’ That was one of the attacks. So everybody who will work for it, with the now you see we have more people than ever HOPE scholarship and more work-study before in managed care, 160 million. But the funds and AmeriCorps national service schol- issue now is there aren’t enough guarantees arships and more Pell grants and all of these of quality care, which is what we all want. things. We’ve really worked hard. But we’ve That’s a huge challenge for the American got to have the best elementary and second- people and we have to meet it. ary system in the world for all of our kids. Not especially popular to say, but we have The second thing we’ve got to do is bring to remain engaged with the rest of the world. the benefits of this prosperity to the places I’m trying to get Congress to pay our fair 1526 July 28 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 share to something called the International So I want to talk to you about that tonight, Monetary Fund. And nearly any Congress- because we need your support and involve- man could come here and give you a speech ment. You know, for 60 years Social Security and convince you it was a bad idea, saying, has meant more than an ID number or even ‘‘Why are we giving money to all those other that monthly check. It really has become the countries.’’ Well, the reason is that if we help symbol of the responsibility we feel to one to reform and restore growth in Asia, they’ll another across the generations. buy our products. One-third of our economic You know, in 1985, our country passed a growth has come from international trade. watershed and I always think of it—1985 was About half our grain that our farmers grow the first year in the history of America when is sold abroad; 40 percent of it is sold in Asia. people over 65 had a poverty rate below that They can’t buy it if they don’t have any of the general population. Today, it’s under money. Today, they don’t have much money; 12 percent. And 48 percent, almost half of therefore, the price of grain is down. Farm all senior citizens, are lifted out of poverty income has dropped 90 percent in one year because of Social Security. It is very impor- in North Dakota. tant. So we have to stay involved in a construc- Now, we know we’re going to have a budg- tive way in the rest of the world as a force et surplus this year. We don’t know exactly for peace and freedom and prosperity. The how much, but it’s going to be quite sizeable. next thing we have to do is—I made a joke And it’s going to be the first one since 1969. about my Uruguayan Greek friend here, or We project that we will have one for years my Greek-Uruguayan friend or whatever it to come. And even when the country has re- is—[laughter]—but the truth is—the truth is cessions now and then, we think over a long that this is a country where we have people period of time, if we stay with the same from everywhere. And in a global society, a framework of budget discipline we’ve got global economy, that is a great economic now, we will run surpluses. So we’ve tried boom if we prove that we really can be one to move from deficits as far as the eye can America, that we celebrate our differences, see and a quadrupling of the Nation’s debt that we respect our differences, and that in the 12 years before I took office, to sur- we’re bound together by a set of shared val- pluses as far as the eye can see. ues. If we want to do good around the world, Now, I know you heard me say in the State we have to first be good here at home and of the Union, and I’ve said it 100 times since, set a good example for the rest of the world. we shouldn’t spend a penny of that surplus So those are the big challenges. But there’s until we save Social Security first. I’m happy one other big challenge. Those of us in the that there are both Republican and Demo- baby boom—and I’m the oldest of the baby cratic Members of Congress who agree with boomers at just nearly 52—the generation me. Some do not. And I know it is terribly now aged 34 to 52, the biggest group of tempting in an election year to offer people Americans ever, until last year’s school class a tax cut or to offer people a new spending got in. When we retire, when we’re all in program that I might love. Even if I could the retirement pool, in about 2030 or a little design the tax cut—and there are some we before—actually a little before that—there badly need—or design the spending pro- will only be about two people working for gram, I would say we should not take it out every one person drawing Social Security. of the surplus. We have to protect and save and reform So- You know, we’ve waited 29 years to see cial Security so that it will be there for the the red ink go away. It looks to me like we baby boom generation on terms that won’t should wait just a year until we fix Social Se- bankrupt our children and their ability to curity before we run the risk of getting into raise our grandchildren. And we have to do it again. And I say that to you because you it in a way that gives absolute security to all have something America needs now: mem- the people now on Social Security and those ory. It is very important to look to the future. who will go on it in the next few years. You know, my campaign theme song in 1992 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 / July 28 1527 was ‘‘Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomor- it will be there for the baby boomers, and row.’’ My campaign slogan in 1996 was it will be there for the baby boomers in a ‘‘building a bridge to the 21st century.’’ But way that will be good for their children and the First Lady’s slogan for honoring the year their grandchildren. That’s what this is about 2000 and our millennium may have more rel- and that’s what I ask your support on. evance today, ‘‘honoring the past, imagining I want to thank your officers for consulting the future.’’ To be successful you have to do with us. We’ve consulted before, all of the both. And I’m here to tell you the only way three forums we’ve had around the country, we can really imagine the future and come bipartisan forums to raise the issues here in up with all these new ideas and actualize the debate. The Vice President and I have them is if we remember our roots, our basic been to three of them. In December I’m values, and we don’t always take the easy way going to host a White House Conference on out. Social Security. I want you involved. And You have memory. We have waited a long then in January I’m going to try to get all time for this balanced budget. We have wait- the leaders of Congress together to fashion ed a long time for this surplus. There are a bipartisan resolution the way it was done a lot of things that you would like to do with back in 1983. This is only going to work if this surplus, and we may be able to do some we can find a way to reach across the lines of them if it doesn’t take all the money that of party, philosophy, and generation, because we project to be in the surplus to fix the So- Republicans and Democrats get old together. cial Security system. But first you’ve got to [Laughter] Sometimes I think they forget it, know it’s going to be there. but we do. All of them get old but Senator As I said—let me say again—by the year Thurmond. He never does, but everybody 2030, there will be twice as many seniors as else does. [Laughter] And we’ve got to do there are today, with only two people work- this together. We’re going to have to have ing for every one person drawing at present open minds and generous spirits. We’ve all rates of birth, immigration, and retirement. got to be willing to listen and learn. Around that time, 2030, if we just leave the system the way it is and we do not do any- There are going to be a lot of proposals thing, there will only be enough money com- out there and some of them will be good, ing in to fund 75 cents on the dollar current and some of them I think will be quite un- benefit. wise. But I wanted to share with you how Today Social Security is sound. Let me say I think we should all judge these proposals this again: Today Social Security is sound. for dealing with tomorrow’s challenge in So- We’re talking about 2030 and beyond. For cial Security. And you need to decide wheth- today’s seniors, Social Security is as strong er you agree with these five principles, and as it’s ever been. For those tomorrow, it’s if you don’t, how you would judge them. as strong as it’s ever been. But here’s the First, we have to strengthen and protect issue: If we wait until 2025 to start fooling the guarantee of Social Security for the 21st with it, it will require breathtaking, dramatic century. People have to know it’s there. changes that will either require huge tax in- There has to be a certainty about it. creases or huge benefit cuts or the virtual Secondly, we must maintain universality abolition of the rest of domestic Govern- and fairness. It must be available to all and ment, our investments in education, in sci- fair to all. It’s been a progressive guarantee. entific research and the environment, and All of you understand that well. There’s a maybe even some of our defense programs, lot of people who work all their lives for very just to pay the difference. modest wages that would not have enough But if we start now and make modest, dis- to live on if Social Security were not a pro- ciplined changes that will take effect over the gressive program, and we have to keep it that long run, then we can say Social Security is way. not only there for all the seniors now, Social Third, it must provide a benefit people can Security is not only there for all those that count on, regardless of the ups or downs of are going to be there in the next few years; the economy or the financial market. It has 1528 July 28 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 to be a program that has a foundation of fi- Now, those are the things that I believe nancial security in good economic times and we should be doing. You and I have worked bad. Not every 6 years will be as good as together to preserve and strengthen Medi- the last 6 years have been on Wall Street care, as Steve said. We’ve worked to secure or Main Street. But people will retire every the Medicare Trust Fund for a decade. And year. People will continue to age every year. we’ve made, as I said, mammographies and Fourth, Social Security must continue to diabetes screening more available. We’ve in- provide financial security for disabled and creased health plan choices while making low-income beneficiaries. We can’t forget beneficiaries know they can choose to keep that one in three people on Social Security their current plans. Next year we’ll also have is not a retiree. One in three people is a dis- to act to strengthen Medicare for the long- abled person or a family where the wage term, and once again as with Social Security, earner has been killed or disabled or died I’ll ask for your help, because the answer is young. It’s a life insurance program and a to strengthen the program, not to dismantle disability program and a retirement program. it. So I ask you to think about that and to And I believe, when we get done with re- be involved in it. forming it, it should still be all three, because And one last health issue that I think is those one in three people need that help as important that’s before the Congress today well. is this Patients’ Bill of Rights. It includes the And finally, I believe anything we do to guarantee of access to specialists, access to emergency rooms, the right to appeal health strengthen Social Security now must be done care decisions. Basically, it includes the right within the framework of the hard-won fiscal to say, ‘‘Okay, we want the benefits of man- discipline we have seen since 1993. When aged care, but we don’t want someone who we voted in 1993 to drive that deficit down— is an accountant telling a doctor and a patient and a lot of members in our party took the that they can’t have a life-saving procedure.’’ heat for doing it; some of them laid down It’s very important. their seats in Congress for doing it—it drove Now, if you’re on Medicare, I have, by Ex- down interest rates; it increased investment; ecutive order, extended those rights to every- it caused the economy to explode. The Amer- body on Medicare. But most Americans are ican people were out there waiting to work, not on Medicare or Medicaid. And they’re to create jobs, to start new businesses, to entitled to the same protection. We should prove they could compete in the world, and manage the system as efficiently as we can. they have done it in stunning order. We should do everything we can to get the If you look around the world today at the cost down, except risk someone’s life or deny problems a lot of our friends and neighbors them the quality health care they deserve. are having, our trading partners are having, That’s what we’re paying for. So we shouldn’t they begin to have these problems when put the cart before the horse, here, or let there is a sense that they don’t have their the tail wag the dog. That’s what the Patients’ financial house in order. Because whether we Bill of Rights is all about. like it or not, this money moves around the We’ve also, as you know, fought together world at the speed of light and people can against proposals to block grant the Medicaid move money in and out at breathtaking program, to eliminate Federal nursing home speed. So no matter what we try to do to standards, to get rid of the health care guar- help anyone else, they first have to help antee for people on welfare and their chil- themselves. But we can’t forget that lesson dren. Last week I launched a major legisla- ourselves. We cannot allow ourselves to get tive and administrative initiative to improve in another situation where we quadruple the our nursing homes, with more frequent in- debt in 10 years. The consequences would spections, immediate fines for nursing homes be far more serious if we did that again. So that provide inadequate or abusive care, a we can reform Social Security, but we have national registry for nursing home workers to do it consistent with what’s growing our known to be abusive, and unprecedented ef- economy today. forts to prevent poor nutrition and other Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 / July 28 1529 health concerns from threatening people in way back to the beginning, if you go—and nursing homes. And I thank you for your sup- I do this on a regular basis—and reread the port of that. Declaration of Independence, it’s very inter- Before I go there are two other things that esting to see that the guidance they gave then I’d ask you to help me with. I want you to is the guidance we ought to have today. We keep working with me until we actually suc- believe everybody is created equal, endowed ceed in reauthorizing the Older Americans by God with the right to life, liberty, and Act. It’s funded Meals on Wheels and many the pursuit of happiness. And we put this other programs. [Applause] Thank you. Government together because we can’t pro- I also ask you to work with me again and tect and enhance those rights alone; there to continue to oppose the public housing bill are some things we have to do together, as that recently passed the House of Represent- one people. atives. It could be devastating to our Nation’s The Government should be limited in hardest pressed seniors, unnecessarily deny- power and scope, but should have enough ing them housing assistance when they need authority to do what we all need to do to- it the most. gether that we can’t do alone. And for over We’ve got a big agenda out there, and 200 years now we’ve worked together within you’ve got to be involved in it: Social Security that framework to widen the circle of oppor- reform, Medicare reform, the Older Ameri- tunity for more people—that’s what Social cans Act, all these other issues. I have done Security did—to deepen the meaning of my best as President to bring this country American freedom—that’s what the civil together when others sought to divide it, to rights law did—and to strengthen the bonds put progress ahead of partisanship and peo- of our Union, our common home. ple ahead of politics, to build a stronger Every time we stand up for a decent cause, world for our children and grandchildren and a decent world for all of you. every time we stand up for something even I’ve been thinking a lot about this country though it may help some other group of peo- today, because I’m sure all of you know we ple more than it helps us—because we know had a very emotional service today in the that we’re better off and we’re stronger if United States Capitol for the two brave po- everybody in America has a decent life and lice officers who were killed last Friday. And a fair chance. I told their families that I realize that any We honor the sacrifice those men made words of mine were poor substitutes for the last Friday. I think you do that every week, time they should have been given with their every month, every year. And I thank you family and friends. It is unnatural for people from the bottom of my heart. to have their days terminated before they see Thank you. the seasons turn enough, before they get their fill of the rhythms of daily life, before they see their grandchildren wandering around their feet. NOTE: The President spoke at 8:30 p.m. in the But those people put on that uniform and Regency Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. went to work that day, like every other day, In his remarks, he referred to R. Thomas because they knew that somebody had to do Buffenbarger, president, International Association that so that the rest of us could enjoy all that of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, and na- normal life. I tried to tell the families that tional vice president, National Council of Senior their fathers and husbands, in laying down Citizens (NCSC); Dorothy Height, chair and their lives, had not only saved the lives of president emerita, National Council of Negro Women; Robert Georgine, president, Building many of their fellow citizens, which clearly and Construction Trade Development, AFL– they did, but they had really consecrated our CIO; Cliff Holliday, committee chair, Gerdena Capitol as the house of freedom. Valley Democratic Club; George Kourpias, presi- So I think today we can put aside a lot dent, and Steve Protulis, executive director, and of our normal conflicts and just think about Genevieve Johnson, general vice president, what America is at its best. If you go all the NCSC. 1530 July 29 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998

Notice—Continuation of Iraqi is to continue in effect beyond the anniver- Emergency sary date. In accordance with this provision, July 28, 1998 I have sent the enclosed notice, stating that the Iraqi emergency is to continue in effect On August 2, 1990, by Executive Order beyond August 2, 1998, to the Federal Reg- 12722, President Bush declared a national ister for publication. emergency to deal with the unusual and ex- The crisis between the United States and traordinary threat to the national security and Iraq that led to the declaration on August foreign policy of the United States con- 2, 1990, of a national emergency has not been stituted by the actions and policies of the resolved. The Government of Iraq continues Government of Iraq. By Executive Orders to engage in activities inimical to stability in 12722 of August 2, 1990, and 12724 of Au- the Middle East and hostile to United States gust 9, 1990, the President imposed trade interests in the region. Such Iraqi actions sanctions on Iraq and blocked Iraqi govern- pose a continuing unusual and extraordinary ment assets. Because the Government of threat to the national security and vital for- Iraq has continued its activities hostile to eign policy interests of the United States. For United States interests in the Middle East, these reasons, I have determined that it is the national emergency declared on August necessary to maintain in force the broad au- 2, 1990, and the measures adopted on August thorities necessary to apply economic pres- 2 and August 9, 1990, to deal with that emer- sure on the Government of Iraq. gency must continue in effect beyond August William J. Clinton 2, 1998. Therefore, in accordance with sec- tion 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act The White House, (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing the na- July 28, 1998. tional emergency with respect to Iraq. NOTE: This message was released by the Office This notice shall be published in the Fed- of the Press Secretary on July 29. eral Register and transmitted to the Con- gress. Message to the Congress Reporting William J. Clinton on Bosnia-Herzegovina The White House, July 28, 1998 July 28, 1998. To the Congress of the United States: [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, Pursuant to section 7 of Public Law 105– 8:45 a.m., July 30, 1998] 174, I am providing this report to inform the NOTE: This notice was released by the Office of Congress of ongoing efforts to meet the goals the Press Secretary on July 29, and it was pub- set forth therein. lished in the Federal Register on July 31. With my certification to the Congress of March 3, 1998, I outlined ten conditions— or benchmarks—under which Dayton imple- Message to the Congress mentation can continue without the support Transmitting the Notice on the of a major NATO-led military force. Section Continuation of Iraqi Emergency 7 of Public Law 105–174 urges that we seek July 28, 1998 concurrence among NATO allies on: (1) the benchmarks set forth with the March 3 cer- To the Congress of the United States: tification; (2) estimated target dates for Section 202(d) of the National Emer- achieving those benchmarks; and (3) a proc- gencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for ess for NATO to review progress toward the automatic termination of a national emer- achieving those benchmarks. NATO has gency unless, prior to the anniversary date agreed to move ahead in all these areas. of its declaration, the President publishes in First, NATO agreed to benchmarks par- the Federal Register and transmits to the allel to ours on May 28 as part of its approval Congress a notice stating that the emergency of the Stabilization Force (SFOR) military Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 / July 29 1531 plan (OPLAN 10407). Furthermore, the The benchmark framework, now approved OPLAN requires SFOR to develop detailed by military and civilian implementers, is criteria for each of these benchmarks, to be clearly a better approach than setting a fixed, approved by the North Atlantic Council, arbitrary end date to the mission. This proc- which will provide a more specific basis to ess will produce a clear picture of where in- evaluate progress. SFOR will develop the tensive efforts will be required to achieve our benchmark criteria in coordination with ap- goal: a self-sustaining peace process in Bosnia propriate international civilian agencies. and Herzegovina for which a major inter- Second, with regard to timelines, the national military force will no longer be nec- United States proposed that NATO military essary. Experience demonstrates that arbi- authorities provide an estimate of the time trary deadlines can prove impossible to meet likely to be required for implementation of and tend to encourage those who would wait the military and civilian aspects of the Day- us out or undermine our credibility. Realistic ton Agreement based on the benchmark cri- target dates, combined with concerted use teria. Allies agreed to this approach on June of incentives, leverage and pressure with all 10. As SACEUR General Wes Clark testified the parties, should maintain the sense of ur- before the Senate Armed Services Commit- gency necessary to move steadily toward an tee June 4, the development and approval enduring peace. While the benchmark proc- of the criteria and estimated target dates ess will be useful as a tool both to promote should take 2 to 3 months. and review the pace of Dayton implementa- Third, with regard to a review process, tion, the estimated target dates established NATO will continue the 6-month review will be notional, and their attainment de- process that began with the deployment of pendent upon a complex set of interdepend- the Implementation Force (IFOR) in De- ent factors. cember 1995, incorporating the benchmarks We will provide a supplemental report and detailed criteria. The reviews will include once NATO has agreed upon detailed cri- an assessment of the security situation, an teria and estimated target dates. The con- assessment of compliance by the parties with tinuing 6-month reviews of the status of im- the Dayton Agreement, an assessment of plementation will provide a useful oppor- progress against the benchmark criteria tunity to continue to consult with Congress. being developed by SFOR, recommenda- These reviews, and any updates to the esti- tions on any changes in the level of support mated timelines for implementation, will be to civilian agencies, and recommendations on provided in subsequent reports submitted any other changes to the mission and tasks pursuant to Public Law 105–174. I look for- of the force. ward to continuing to work with the Congress While not required under Public Law 105– in pursuing U.S. foreign policy goals in Bos- 174, we have sought to further utilize this nia and Herzegovina. framework of benchmarks and criteria for William J. Clinton Dayton implementation among civilian im- plementation agencies. The Steering Board The White House, of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) July 28, 1998. adopted the same framework in its Luxem- NOTE: This message was released by the Office bourg declaration of June 9, 1998. The dec- of the Press Secretary on July 29. laration, which serves as the civilian imple- mentation agenda for the next 6 months, now includes language that corresponds to the Message to the Congress benchmarks in the March 3 certification to Transmitting the District of the Congress and in the SFOR OPLAN. In Columbia Budget Request addition, the PIC Steering Board called on July 28, 1998 the High Representative to submit a report on the progress made in meeting these goals To the Congress of the United States: by mid-September, which will be considered In accordance with section 202(c) of the in the NATO 6-month review process. District of Columbia Financial Responsibility 1532 July 29 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 and Management Assistance Act of 1995, I teachers whose dedication to their students am transmitting the District of Columbia’s is nothing short of heroic, men and women Fiscal Year 1999 Budget Request Act. for whom kindling the spark of possibility in This proposed Fiscal Year 1999 Budget every child, from that once-in-a-lifetime represents the major programmatic objec- mathematics prodigy to a young girl who tives of the Mayor, the Council of the District dreams of being the very first in her family of Columbia, and the District of Columbia just to finish school and go on to college. Financial Responsibility and Management For those people, teaching is not a job, Assistance Authority. It also meets the finan- but a mission. I know that, for you, it is such cial stability and management improvement a mission. So let me thank you and your 23 objectives of the National Capital Revitaliza- million colleagues across the world for mak- tion and Self-Government Improvement Act ing the education of our world’s children of 1997. For Fiscal Year 1999, the District your life’s work. estimates revenues of $5.230 billion and total We are living in an era of unprecedented expenditures of $5.189 billion resulting in a hope and possibility but profound challenge. $41 million budget surplus. A technological revolution is sweeping across My transmittal of the District of Colum- the globe. It is changing the way we live and bia’s budget, as required by law, does not work and relate to each other. It is binding represent an endorsement of its contents. our economies closer together, whether we William J. Clinton like it or not. It is making our world smaller. Today, 100 million people are logging onto The White House, the Internet. In just 3 years, that number July 28, 1998. will be about 700 million. With all these changes come new chal- NOTE: This message was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on July 29. lenges. We know that new democracies must be very carefully tended if they are to take root and thrive. We know that with tech- Remarks to the Education nology advancing at rapid speed, the best International World Congress jobs and the best opportunities will be avail- July 29, 1998 able only to those with the knowledge to take advantage of them. We know that if we do Thank you. First of all, let me thank my not take action, dangerous opportunity gaps longtime friend Mary Hatwood Futrell for between those people and those nations who that wonderful introduction. And thank you have these skills and those who do not have for your warm welcome. I thank the leaders them will grow and deepen. of our education organizations, Bob Chase The best way, therefore, to strengthen de- and Sandy Feldman, for their work, and wel- mocracy, to strengthen our Nation, to make come all of the members of EI here to the the most of the possibilities, and to do the United States. I am delighted to join in your best job of meeting the challenges of the 21st Second Congress on your final day in Wash- century is to guarantee universal, excellent ington. I hope you’ve had a successful meet- education for every child on our planet. ing; even more, I hope you will be going Where once we focused our development home with new energy for your lifetime com- efforts on the construction of factories and mitment to your children and the future of powerplants, today we must invest more in your nations. the power of the human mind, in the poten- It is always an honor for me to meet with tial of every single one of our children. A educators. As President, I have had the privi- world-class education for all children is es- lege of visiting schools around our Nation sential to combating the fear, the ignorance, and around the world. And wherever I have the prejudice that undermine freedom all been, whether in a small village in Uganda across the globe today in the form of ethnic, or a poor neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro, religious, and racial hatreds. It is essential a town in California or an inner-city school to creating a worldwide middle class. It is in Chicago or Philadelphia, I always meet essential to global prosperity. It is essential Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 / July 29 1533 to fulfilling the most basic needs of the I still visit countries where basic primary edu- human body and the human spirit. That is cation for girls is still a dream in some places. why the 21st century must be the century That must not be. If we want to see these of education and the century of the teacher. societies elevated, if we want to see the As Mary said, throughout my career, first economies grow, if we want to see families as the Governor of one of our States and now made whole and able to plan their futures, as President, I have worked to make edu- we must educate all our children, the boys cation my top priority. Today I want to share and the girls alike. with you what we are doing to provide every Here in America, we have recognized the American at every stage in life a world-class increasing importance of a college education education. And I want to recommit the to our position in the global economy. In our United States to working with other nations last census, it became clear that young people to advance education as our common cause. who had less than 2 years of post-high school We are working very hard with nations all education were likely to get jobs where their across the world through our AID programs, incomes never grew and were far more likely our Agency for International Development, and in other ways. At the recent Summit of to become unemployed. the Americas in Santiago, Chile, we re- And so we have done everything we can affirmed the commitment of the Americas to open the doors of college to all Americans to work in common on the training of teach- who will work for it. We have made the first ers and the development and dissemination 2 years of college virtually free, with a tax of not only technology but educational soft- credit we call the HOPE scholarship. ware, so that we could learn more every- Through expanded, low-cost student loans where we live, so that children in small vil- and more student work positions, through tax lages in South America could have access to credit and deductions for all college post- things which today are only dreams. graduate and continuing education work by When I was in Africa, I reaffirmed the older workers, through giving our young peo- focus of many of our AID programs to be ple the opportunity to earn scholarship on education. We announced in South Africa money by doing community service, we are a project with our Discovery Channel to try making all forms of higher education more to bring technology and the benefits of it to affordable to all kinds of Americans. small African villages. We are working in Second, we are working to establish high Bosnia and Croatia to help the students there national standards to ensure that our chil- learn about democracy so that they can pre- dren, from the earliest years, master the ba- serve what so many have given so much to sics. Many of your countries already have na- create, a real sustainable peace in a multi- tional standards. Because in America we have ethnic democracy. a history of education being the responsibility All across the world America has an inter- of state governments and being within the est in seeing education improve. One-third span of control of local school boards, we of the adults in the world are illiterate today; don’t have such national standards. two-thirds of them live in the poorest coun- tries. We are doing better. The literacy rate I believe, in a global economy, every na- was only 43 percent in 1970. The percentage tion should have national standards that meet of our children going to school in 1970 across international norms. I believe that so many the world was only 48 percent. Today, it’s students from around the world did better 77 percent, at least in the primary school than their American counterparts in the years. Third International Math and Science Study And something that’s very important to my because their country had set high standards, wife and to me, in 1970, only 38 percent of challenged their students to master rigorous all schoolchildren were girls. Today the per- and advanced material, and used national centage is 68 percent—all girls in school. But tests to make sure that they did. I want to think about it, that means 32 percent of the do the same in America, beginning with high girls who should be in school are not. And standards in fourth grade reading and eighth 1534 July 29 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 grade mathematics, to give teachers and par- you succeed.’’ I think that is profoundly im- ents the tools they need to secure our chil- portant. dren’s future. Finally, we are working to establish men- Third, we know that good teachers are the toring programs for children in our poorest key to good school. We are working to reward and most underserved areas, along with guar- the most innovative and successful teachers antees of access to college that they get in in our classrooms, to help those who fail to their middle school years if they continue to perform to move on or improve, and to re- learn and perform, so that when these chil- cruit more of our best and brightest to enter dren are 11 or 12 or 13 they can be told, the teaching profession, especially in areas ‘‘If you stay in school and learn and you want where there are a lot of poor children in des- to go on to a college or university, we can perate need of more help. tell you right now you will have the help you Fourth, we are working to create better need to do it.’’ I think it is a powerful incen- learning environments by modernizing our tive, and in areas where children have been schools and reducing class size, especially in so used to being ignored for so long and feel the early grades, where research has shown that they will always be trapped in poverty, it makes a positive and permanent difference I think it is profoundly important. in learning in our country. Today, there is a vigorous debate going on Fifth, we are working hard to prepare our in our Congress over the nature and extent children for the demands of the information of our responsibilities as a nation to our chil- age by connecting every classroom and li- dren’s education. There are some in the brary to the Internet by the year 2000 and other party who don’t see eye-to-eye with me by training teachers in these new tech- on what we should be doing for our public nologies. schools. Even as we recognize the impor- Sixth, we are working to deal with one of America’s most painful problems: the pres- tance of raising academics, challenge stand- ence of violence in our schools. We have a ards, and challenging our students to meet zero-tolerance policy for guns in our schools. them, there are those who would actually Later this year, we will be having our first- prohibit the development of national tests for ever conference—White House conference our schools, even if it’s voluntary to partici- in Washington on school safety. I hope and pate. pray this is not a problem in any of the coun- Even as more studies confirm what we tries here represented, but if it is, we would have already suspected about the importance be glad to have your ideas and to share ours of early childhood development, some would with you. Teaching cannot succeed and deny Head Start opportunities to as many learning cannot occur unless classrooms are as 25,000 of our disadvantaged children. safe, disciplined, and drug-free. And we are Even as the greatest number of children working are on it, and we welcome your sup- since the baby boom are enrolling in our port and help. schools, some would weaken our efforts to Next, we are working to end one of the recruit new, highly qualified teachers. Even most harmful practices of a public school sys- as hundreds of thousands of high-paying, tem that is too often overwhelmed by the high-tech jobs all across America go begging challenges it faces and the lack of resources for workers, some would cut our investments to meet them, the so-called practice of social in education technology and technology promotion, where children are passed from training for teachers. Even as the evidence grade to grade, even when they don’t learn is overwhelming that smaller classes, espe- the material first. But we believe that along cially in areas where children have difficulties with ending the practice we must follow the learning, can make a permanent, positive dif- examples set in our city of Chicago, where ference in what children learn and what they there is extra help for the children after continue to learn throughout their lifetime school and in the summer, so that we don’t in the early grades, there are those who say just identify children as failures, but instead we have no business investing national tax say, ‘‘We’re going to give you more help until dollars in such endeavors. Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 / July 29 1535

Believe it or not, there are even some who plosion of technology and because of the are trying to kill one of our most successful dedication of teachers, will have the skills, efforts to provide on-the-job training to our the opportunity, the education to fulfill his young people and to give them something or her God-given potential. positive to do and ensure that they stay out I know this will happen if teachers lead of trouble in their free time. For a generation the way. I know that there will be political in our country, legislators from both our fights to be fought and won. I know one of major political parties have supported the your honorees at this conference is being summer jobs program that has helped mil- honored for taking huge numbers of children lions of our most disadvantaged young people out of bondage and putting them back in appreciate the responsibility of a regular job school. Some people still view children as lit- and the reward of a regular paycheck. tle more than a material asset. They are us Eliminating summer jobs would mock the as children, and they are our future and the very values we Americans cherish most, hard future of the world. work, responsibility, opportunity. If we truly When he came to the White House to be believe in these things, then we should help honored as our National Teacher of the Year, to expose all our young people, especially Philip Bigler said, ‘‘To be a teacher is to be those who need it, to the world of work. If forever an optimist.’’ I thank you for your we insist upon responsibility from all our unshakeable optimism. I ask you not only to people, then those of us in power must take be vigorous in the classroom but vigorous as responsibility for giving our teenagers the citizens. You must not stop until every politi- jobs that will help them succeed in the future cal leader with any political influence, in any and keep them on a good path today. political party, in any nation knows that this If we believe in opportunity for all, then is something that has to be lifted above politi- we must not deny our young people this vital cal partisanship. This is something that ought springboard to opportunity. I say this to point to be beyond all debate. out to all of you that if you don’t get your If you understand how the world is going way on education every day in your own to work tomorrow and you have any concern countries, don’t be surprised if we don’t get about the integrity and the richness of the to do everything we want to do, either. What human spirit in every child, then all of us seems so self-evident to you and me is still must join hands to help you succeed in giving not entirely clear to all decisionmakers. But all those children the tomorrows they de- I want to encourage you to keep up the fight. serve. In all my visits at home and abroad, I have Thank you, and God bless you. found out that you can learn a lot about a country’s future by visiting its public schools. NOTE: The President spoke at 11:31 a.m. at the Does every child—boy and girl, rich and Washington Hilton. In his remarks, he referred to Mary Hatwood Futrell, president, Education poor—have the same opportunity to learn? International; Robert Chase, president, National Are they engaged by patient, well-trained Education Association; and Sandra Feldman, and inspiring teachers? Do they have access president, American Federation of Teachers. to the materials they need to learn? Are they learning what they need to know to succeed in the country they will live in and in the Statement on Signing the National future that they will create? Do they have Science Foundation Authorization opportunities to go on to university if they Act of 1998 do well and deserve the chance to do so? July 29, 1998 Are the schools themselves safe, positive, good places to learn? Today I am pleased to sign into law H.R. We have to build a future together where 1273, the ‘‘National Science Foundation Au- the answer to all these questions is ‘‘yes’’ in thorization Act of 1998.’’ every community, in every nation. I believe Science, engineering, and technology are we can build a future where every child in potent forces for progress and achievement. every corner of the world, because of the ex- Over the past century, advances in science 1536 July 29 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 and technology have driven much of our eco- families across this country. This Act is just nomic growth and shaped the lives of every one piece of his legacy and demonstrates how generation of Americans in previously un- the Congress and the Administration can imaginable ways. As we approach the 21st work together to help continue U.S. leader- Century, many of our society’s expectations ship in science and technology. I am pleased for a better future are dependent upon ad- to sign it into law. vances in science and technology. William J. Clinton The science and engineering investments made by the National Science Foundation The White House, (NSF) will create new knowledge, spur inno- July 29, 1998. vations, foster future breakthroughs, and pro- vide cutting-edge research facilities to help NOTE: H.R. 1273, approved July 29, was assigned power our Nation in the next century. These Public Law No. 105–207. investments will help secure the continued prosperity of our economy, improvements in Statement on Signing the health care and our standards of living, and Homeowners Protection Act of 1998 better education and training for America’s students and workers. July 29, 1998 This Act will enable the NSF to continue Today I am pleased to sign into law S. 318, to play an important leadership role in sus- the Homeowners Protection Act, which will taining scientific and technological progress. save many American families thousands of I am pleased to note that the appropriation dollars over the lifetime of their home mort- authorization levels in H.R. 1273 are the gages. This bill will enable homeowners to same as proposed in my FY 1999 Budget, cancel private mortgage insurance (‘‘PMI’’) and I urge that these amounts be appro- that they no longer need and make sure they priated. The proposed funding for the NSF receive full disclosure of their right to cancel. is part of my Administration’s broader, ag- Mortgage insurance has helped expand gressive agenda for science and technology homeownership by allowing homeowners to investments throughout the Federal Govern- make lower downpayments. But far too many ment, which includes the NSF’s participation homeowners continue to pay for mortgage in the Global Observations to Benefit the En- insurance long after they have built enough vironment Initiative, the Partnership for a equity so that the lender has little risk of loss. New Generation of Vehicles Program, and This bill would address that problem by mak- the Education and Training Technology Ini- ing sure that homeowners have the right to tiative. I especially commend the Congress cancel PMI, or by making that cancellation for authorizing the NSF’s participation in the automatic, when homeowners build up Next Generation Internet Program. This enough equity in their homes. For a family multi-agency program will push the frontiers that buys a $160,000 home, this bill would of computation and communications and ensure savings of $1,600 if they do not move help fuel the revolution in information tech- or refinance for 15 years. nology. Since I took office, homeownership has I want to acknowledge the bipartisan ef- climbed to its highest rate in American his- forts in the House and the Senate that pro- tory. But now is not a time to rest. I have duced this important legislation and, in par- set a national goal of helping 8 million new ticular, remember the contributions of the families move into homes of their own by late Steve Schiff of New Mexico, Chairman the year 2000. Lowering the cost of home- of the House Basic Research Subcommittee. ownership is one more way we are helping Throughout his life and career, Steve Schiff America’s working families. That is why I am dedicated his time and talents to make life pleased to sign this homeowner- and con- better for the people of New Mexico and for sumer-friendly legislation. this fellow Americans. Even as he waged his final courageous battle against cancer, he NOTE: S. 318, approved July 29, was assigned continued his efforts to make life better for Public Law No. 105–216. Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 / July 29 1537

Statement on the Death of adults with disabilities into line with that of Jerome Robbins the general population. The Task Force al- July 29, 1998 ready has identified important ways to re- duce barriers to work for people with disabil- Hillary and I are deeply saddened to learn ities, and I hereby direct you to act on these of the death of Jerome Robbins. Like so findings. many Americans, our lives were enriched im- First, although awareness of the ADA is measurably by his artistic genius. Through increasing among persons with disabilities, his brilliant choreography, he brought the joy employers, and the general public, too many and passion of the human experience to mil- people still are not aware of their rights and lions, lifting American theater and dance to responsibilities under the ADA. There is a new heights. And in the treasury of timeless particular need to educate the small business masterpieces he leaves behind—from ‘‘Fancy community, which employs most of the pri- Free’’ and ‘‘On the Town’’ to ‘‘West Side vate work force and includes the vast major- Story’’ and ‘‘Fiddler on the Roof ’’—his cre- ity of employers. ative spirit will live forever. I therefore direct the Attorney General, the Chair of the Equal Employment Oppor- Memorandum on Outreach Actions tunity Commission, and the Administrator of to Increase Employment of Adults the Small Business Administration to expand with Disabilities public education regarding the requirements July 29, 1998 of the ADA to employers, employees, and others whose rights may be affected, with Memorandum for the Attorney General, the special attention to small businesses and un- Secretary of Health and Human Services, the derserved communities, such as racial and Chair of the Equal Opportunity Commission, language minorities that may not have ready the Administrator of the Small Business access to information that is already available. Administration Second, lack of adequate private health in- surance options is a disincentive to leave So- Subject: Outreach Actions to Increase cial Security programs for work. Few private Employment of Adults with Disabilities health plans cover the personal assistance As we commemorate the eighth anniver- and other types of services that make work sary of the Americans with Disabilities Act possible for many people with disabilities. of 1990 (ADA), we have much to celebrate. Recognizing this problem, I proposed and This landmark civil rights law is making it the Congress passed a new Medicaid option possible for millions of Americans to partici- last year that allows people with disabilities pate more fully in society—through employ- to buy into Medicaid without having to re- ment, access to public facilities, and partici- ceive cash assistance. A number of States pation in community and leisure activities— have expressed an interest in offering this and to do their part to make us a stronger new option and the Secretary of Health and and better country. At the same time, we are Human Services has been working with them reminded that significant challenges remain. Far too many of the 30 million working-age to do so. Much more, however, needs to be adults with disabilities are still unemployed, done to increase the public outreach and especially those with significant disabilities. education activities about these important To address employment barriers for peo- laws and options. ple with disabilities, I issued Executive Order I therefore direct the Secretary of Health 13078 on March 13, 1998, establishing the and Human Services to continue to take all National Task Force on Employment of necessary actions to inform Governors, State Adults with Disabilities. The Task Force will legislators, State Medicaid directors, con- issue in November the first in a series of re- sumer organizations, employers, providers, ports on what the Federal Government can and other interested parties about section do to help bring the employment rate of 4733 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. 1538 July 29 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998

Section 4733 allows States to provide Medic- Remarks at the American Heritage aid coverage for working individuals with dis- Rivers Designation Ceremony in abilities who, because of their earnings, Ashe County, North Carolina would not qualify for Medicaid under current law. Additional guidance, letters, technical July 30, 1998 assistance, and other efforts by the Depart- ment of Health and Human Services about The President. Thank you. Thank you so the enormous benefits of this option can go much. Thank you for the warm welcome. a long way in encouraging States to adopt Thank you for being here. Thank you, Sheila and use this Medicaid buy-in. Morgan. Didn’t she do a good job? [Ap- This memorandum is for the internal man- plause] agement of the executive branch and does I want to—— not create any right or benefit, substantive Audience member. We love you, Mr. or procedural, enforceable by a party against President! the United States, its agencies or instrumen- The President. Thank you, ma’am. talities, its officers or employees, or any other [Laughter] person. I want to thank all of you. I want to espe- cially thank my good friend Governor Hunt, William J. Clinton America’s premier and senior Governor on so many issues and especially the education Message to the Congress of our children. He’s done a wonderful job Transmitting the Report of the for you. Corporation for Public Broadcasting I want to thank Congressman Burr for his statement, his commitment, his support of July 29, 1998 this project, and proving once again that at To the Congress of the United States: its best, America’s commitment to our natu- In accordance with the Public Broadcast- ral environment and our children’s future is ing Act of 1967, as amended (47 U.S.C. a bipartisan effort. 396(i)), I transmit herewith the Annual Re- I want to thank Congressman Rahall, my port of the Corporation for Public Broadcast- good friend from West Virginia, for remind- ing (CPB) for Fiscal Year 1997 and the In- ing us that Virginia and West Virginia are ventory of the Federal Funds Distributed to also a part of the New River designation and Public Telecommunications Entities by Fed- very proud of it. eral Departments and Agencies: Fiscal Year I thank Chair of the Federal Advisory 1997. Commission, Dayton Duncan, and the other Thirty years following the establishment of members who are here today; the chair of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the the American Heritage River Alliance, Peter Congress can take great pride in its creation. Stroh. I think the North Carolina poet laure- During these 30 years, the American public ate, Fred Chappell, is here, and I thank him has been educated, inspired, and enriched for coming. I hope he’ll write a poem about by the programs and services made possible this. by this investment. I want to say to Chairman Yeats and May- The need for and the accomplishments of ors Baldwin, Brown, and Hightower, we’re this national network of knowledge have glad to be here in your neighborhood. never been more apparent, and as the at- I would like to say a special word of thanks tached 1997 annual CPB report indicates, by to the Vice President for the magnificent ‘‘Going Digital,’’ public broadcasting will record he has established in protecting our have an ever greater capacity for fulfilling its environment and in so many other areas of mission. our national life. And to my great, good friend Erskine Bowles, perhaps the most ef- William J. Clinton fective Chief of Staff any President ever had, The White House, and a relentless promoter of North Carolina July 29, 1998. and the New River. Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 / July 30 1539

I think the Vice President would agree the millennium, starting a new century and with me when I say on October 1st we will a new thousand years. And she came up with close our books on the old budget year and this theme that we should honor the past and open our books on the new one, and for the imagine the future. You may have seen a few first time in 29 long years America is going days ago she went out to Fort McHenry, to have a balanced budget and a surplus, where the Star-Spangled Banner flew, to cel- thanks in no small measure to Erskine ebrate the restoration of the Star-Spangled Bowles’ leadership. Banner; then on to the home of Thomas Edi- I want to thank all the people who made son, Harriet Tubman, and then to George this day possible, the young people, the River Washington’s Revolutionary War head- Builders; I thank the young AmeriCorps vol- quarters—the thing that got North Carolina unteers who are here. I thank all the older into this country in the first place and put people who also worked hard. I don’t know it in a position to give up Tennessee. [Laugh- how in the world you all got this place outfit- ter] ted for this many people in no more time So I think—— than you had to work on it, but I hope we could all join one more time in thanking Bill [At this point, the President looked at Vice and Lula Severt and their family. The Severts President Gore.] have been great to make us at home in their The President. He’s laughing. [Laughter] home. Thank you, bless you. I’ll hear about that later. Can you imagine how he felt—they said, ‘‘How would you like to just take out a What we do today is an important part of minute or two in a couple of weeks, Bill, to honoring our past, and it’s far more distant, entertain the President, the Vice President, and it also will stretch far, far into the future. the Governor, two Congressmen, and 6,500 Like the ring of a stately old oak, the currents of their closest friends.’’ [Laughter] Just an- of our rivers carry remarkable stories. other day on the farm. [Laughter] The New River tells stories of a region, In just a few moments I will sign a procla- the southern Appalachian region, where mation making all this official, awarding our tight-knit communities remain true to tradi- Nation’s first American Heritage Rivers des- tion, where neighbors share a vision of wise ignations to the New River, the Blackstone stewardship of water and land. It tells the and Woonasquatucket, the Connecticut, the stories of our emerging Nation, for Colonel Cuyahoga, the Detroit, the Hanalei, the Peter Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson’s father, Hudson, the Upper and Lower Mississippi, surveyed this river, and Daniel Boone the Potomac, the Rio Grande, the St. Johns, trapped here for beaver and bear. the Upper Susquehanna and Lackawanna, It tells stories of earlier settlements and the Willamette. Those places tell you an through tools left by the Canaway, Cherokee, awful lot about America. They span our his- and Creek. It tells the story of our planet, tory. They span our country. They capture for scientists can tell by the river’s location our imagination. and direction of flow that it is not only the I want to congratulate the communities oldest river in North America but the second that participated in all these—all these—des- oldest river on the face of the Earth. ignations, and also those who worked so hard The other American Heritage Rivers all who didn’t quite make it this time. It was have compelling stories of their own, but an amazing process. there is one story all these rivers share, the You know, for 51⁄2 years the Vice President story of communities rallying around their and I have worked hard to honor one of our rivers the way neighbors rally around each Nation’s oldest, most enduring values, to pre- other in time of need or to get something serve for future generations the Earth God done in the community. gave us. That’s really what this river initiative Sheila talked about what you did here. In is all about. each and every community that won this des- The First Lady has headed up our coming ignation—and, I add, those who came close, celebration moving toward the year 2000 of and there were dozens of them—we were 1540 July 30 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 simply overwhelmed by the cooperation be- to bipartisan progress on the environment. tween interests who often disagree and by They really do see, I believe honestly, pol- the creative but practical plans forged by luted streams and fields or noxious air as communities for protecting natural re- overstated problems that can be put off for sources, spurring revitalization of the econ- another day. omy, and preserving cultural heritage. We can only deal with this if we have Now we intend to work with you to realize progress, not partisanship, because here are our plans. This is the beginning, not the end, the facts: Today, 40 percent of our waters of this celebration. First, let me say, there are still too polluted for fishing and swim- will be no Federal mandates, no restrictions ming. That’s why I launched the Clean Water on property holders’ rights. Our goal instead Action Plan to help communities finish the is to help local groups enhance historic rivers job that the Vice President mentioned. So and make them attractive and commercially far, Congress has refused to fully fund this vibrant even as we preserve their environ- initiative. I ask them to reconsider. I think mental characteristics. every child in America ought to have the Here, for example, we’ll start working with same chance your children do to fish or swim the New River Heritage Task Force to help or float on a river that’s clean and pure. family farmers increase their incomes with We need progress, not partisanship, to alternative crops and innovative techniques, protect our land. Last February, several while cutting the flow of pollutants into the months ago, I submitted a list of 100 new river. On the Detroit River we’ll help to revi- sites we can add to our Nation’s endowment talize an urban waterfront to bring new op- of protected lands, including a beautiful site portunity to downtown Detroit. On the St. here in the southern Appalachians along the Johns River we will help to control future trout-rich Thompson River. While Congress floods and enhance environmental protection has appropriated the money to preserve for rare species like the manatee. On each these natural and historic treasures, under and every one of these rivers, we will help the law the leadership must approve the re- to unite our communities to further our lease of the funds. And so far they haven’t country’s river renaissance. done it. So today I ask again, let’s work to- For nearly three decades now, as the Con- gether to protect these wonders. The money gressman said earlier and as the Vice Presi- is in the bank. The sites have been identified. dent echoed, our Nation has made strong, They’re not going anywhere, but we need to visible, bipartisan progress in cleaning up our preserve them for everyone for all time. environment, while enhancing our economy We also need to work together to meet at the same time. Today, our economy is the the challenge of climate change, which has strongest in a generation, but we also have already been mentioned by the Governor and cleaner air, cleaner water, fewer toxic waste others. Let me tell you, folks, the first time dumps, safer food, the cleanest environment I had a long talk with Al Gore, he showed in a generation. And we should be proud of me this book he wrote, ‘‘Earth in the Bal- that. The two go hand in hand. ance,’’ which I had already read and under- I want to talk a little politics, but not par- stood about half of. [Laughter] And he tisan politics, with you. Jim Hunt and I were whipped out this chart showing how much riding out here, and I looked at all those folks more elements we were putting in the air waving to me with their American flags. And in the form of greenhouse gases that were I said, ‘‘Jim, is this a Democrat area or a heating the planet. Republican area?’’ [Laughter] He said, ‘‘It’s And I listened, and it made a lot of sense about 50–50.’’ He said, ‘‘It comes and goes.’’ to me, but I didn’t know anybody who be- [Laughter] I said, ‘‘Kind of like America.’’ lieved it or at least not enough to actually Well, I want to ask you to manifest the come up with a plan. Well, now we know bipartisan or nonpartisan commitment I see that the 9 hottest years in history have oc- in this crowd today to the environment in curred in the last 11 years, that the 5 hottest your voices in Washington, because some years in history have occurred in the 1990’s, folks in Congress are no longer committed that 1997 was the hottest year ever recorded Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 / July 30 1541 on Earth, and every month of 1998 has bro- changing fast, that there are many challenges ken the 1997 record in America. And I’m out there that we’re trying to meet right glad the clouds came up and made me cool now—the challenge of the problems that our while I’m saying that. friends in Asia have which could affect the But there is a way, just like there has al- whole world economy, just for example. ways been a way. Since we started doing this We’re trying to deal with wars of racial and in 1970, there has always been a way for us religious and ethnic hatred that could spill to preserve the environment and grow the into other countries and engage our young economy. There is a way for us to meet the people again. challenge of climate change and global We know that we will have future chal- warming and continue to grow the economy. lenges because in the nature of things, once We just have to be innovative, and we have you solve one set of problems there’s always to be willing to change. a new set of challenges coming along. That’s And again, I have not proposed a lot of one of the gifts that God has given us. So big, burdensome new regulations; I have pro- we’ll always have new challenges, but you’ll posed tax incentives and investments in new always have the New River, too. technologies and partnerships so we can re- For those of us who are old enough to be duce the harmful fumes we put into the at- parents or grandparents, we know when our mosphere from transportation, from con- children and grandchildren are our age the struction, from utilities, from all the work we facts of their lives might be a little different. do. We can do this. This is not going to be It’s kind of heartening to know, isn’t it, that that hard once we make up our mind. the New River will be the same because of But I can tell you, we can never do it un- what you are doing here today. less there are Democrats and Republicans This ancient river has flowed through the for it. We never make any real progress on heart of this land for millions of years—hun- any great challenge unless we go forward to- dreds of millions of years longer than blood gether. And I ask you to ask our country to has flowed through any human heart. The go forward as you have gone forward to- Cherokee even say that this was the very first gether here. We need these programs for en- river created by the Great Spirit’s hand. Who ergy efficiency, renewable energy, and tax in- centives. They’ve long enjoyed the support are we, such brief visitors on this Earth, to of business and environmentalists; they disturb it? But when we cherish it and save should enjoy the support of Congress. it and hand it on to our children, we have And we also need to stop using legislative done what we were charged to do, not only gimmicks in Washington to weaken environ- in our own Constitution and history but by mental protection. In the Senate, for exam- our Maker. ple, lawmakers have attached to bills that are You should be very, very proud of your- totally unrelated devices called riders that selves today. I thank you for what you have would cripple our wildlife protection efforts, done. God bless you. deny taxpayers a fair return on oil leasing on public lands, allow a $30 million road through a wildlife refuge in Alaska, the first road ever through a Federal wilderness. We NOTE: The President spoke at 1:08 p.m. at the don’t need to do this. We need to keep going Severt family farm. In his remarks, he referred forward. to Sheila Morgan, co-owner of the Todd General Look out at that river and just imagine, Store on the New River, who introduced the just try to imagine what it would be like to President; Gov. James B. Hunt of North Carolina; George Yeats, chairman, Ashe County Commis- be 300 million years old. I’m grateful for our sion; Mayor Dale Baldwin of West Jefferson, NC; economic prosperity. I’m grateful for the fact Mayor Dayna Brown of Lansing, NC; Mayor D.E. that the crime rate is down, and we have the Hightower, Jefferson, NC; and Bill and Lula smallest percentage of our people on welfare Severt, who hosted the event. A tape was not avail- in 29 years. I’m grateful for these things. But able for verification of the content of these re- you know and I know that the world is still marks. 1542 July 30 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998

Proclamation 7112—Designation of ∑ The New River, in the States of North American Heritage Rivers Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia; ∑ The Rio Grande, in the State of Texas; July 30, 1998 ∑ The Potomac River, in the District of By the President of the United States Columbia and the States of Maryland, of America Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Vir- ginia; ∑ The St. Johns River, in the State of Flor- A Proclamation ida; In celebration of America’s rivers, and to ∑ The Upper Susquehanna and Lacka- recognize and reward grassroots efforts to re- wanna Rivers, in the State of Pennsyl- store them, last year I announced the Amer- vania; ican Heritage Rivers initiative. My goal was ∑ The Willamette River, in the State of to help communities realize their visions for Oregon. their rivers by making it easier for them to In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set tap existing programs and resources of the my hand this thirtieth day of July, in the year Federal Government. From across the coun- of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety- try, hundreds of communities answered my eight, and the Independence of the United call for nominations, asking that their rivers States of America the two hundred and twen- be designated American Heritage Rivers. I ty-third. applaud all of the communities that have drawn together and dedicated themselves to William J. Clinton the goal of healthy rivers, now and forever. [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, Having reviewed the recommendations of 8:45 a.m., August 4, 1998] the American Heritage Rivers Initiative Ad- visory Committee, I am pleased to be able NOTE: This proclamation will be published in the to recognize a select group of rivers and com- Federal Register on August 5. munities that reflect the true diversity and splendor of America’s natural endowment, and the tremendous energy and commitment Letter to Congressional Leaders of its citizenry. Transmitting a Report on Cyprus Pursuant to Executive Orders 13061, July 30, 1998 13080, and 13093, I hereby designate the fol- lowing American Heritage Rivers: Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. Chairman:) ∑ The Blackstone and Woonasquatucket In accordance with Public Law 95–384 (22 Rivers, in the States of Massachusetts U.S.C. 2373(c)), I submit to you this report and Rhode Island; on progress toward a negotiated settlement ∑ The Connecticut River, in the States of of the Cyprus question covering the period Connecticut, Massachusetts, New April 1 to May 31, 1998. The previous sub- Hampshire, and Vermont; mission covered events during February and ∑ The Cuyahoga River, in the State of March 1998. Ohio; My Special Presidential Emissary for Cy- ∑ The Detroit River, in the State of prus, Ambassador Richard C. Holbrooke, ac- Michigan; companied by Special Cyprus Coordinator ∑ The Hanalei River, in the State of Ha- Ambassador Thomas J. Miller, traveled to waii; Cyprus in early April and held a series of ∑ The Hudson River, in the State of New intensive talks with the leaders of both com- York; munities. In early May, they returned to the ∑ The Upper Mississippi River, in the island at the request of both leaders and en- States of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Mis- couraged them to begin serious negotiations souri, and Wisconsin; toward a bizonal, bicommunal federation. ∑ The Lower Mississippi River, in the Unfortunately, the Turkish side took the po- States of Louisiana and Tennessee; sition that talks could not begin unless certain Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 / July 30 1543 preconditions were satisfied, including rec- been out here working to try to improve edu- ognition of the ‘‘Turkish Republic of North- cation and move our country forward, move ern Cyprus’’ and the withdrawal of Cyprus’ our States forward. application to the European Union. I want to thank Margaret Rose Sanford, Although progress was not possible during Mrs. Terry Sanford, for being here tonight. Ambassador Holbrooke’s May visit, he as- Thank you for coming. But most of all, I want sured both parties that the United States to thank John Edwards and his wife and his would remain engaged in the search for a children for this race for the Senate. solution. You know, it’s just a common place today Sincerely, that you can’t beat a Republican incumbent William J. Clinton running for the Senate because they have all the money, and that’s why campaign finance NOTE: Identical letters were sent to Newt Ging- reform never passes, I might add. [Laughter] rich, Speaker of the House of Representatives, And so times are good; people are happy; and Jesse Helms, chairman, Senate Committee on your opponent has money, he’s already in; Foreign Relations. therefore, you can’t win. And John Edwards said, ‘‘I don’t think so. Remarks at a Reception for I think we can do better.’’ And I appreciate Senatorial Candidate John Edwards and respect that. I also want to thank them in Raleigh, North Carolina for giving up their anniversary dinner to come here and be with us. [Laughter] I’m July 30, 1998 not going to talk that long. It will still be Thank you very much. Thank you for being open when we finish tonight. [Laughter] here. Thank you for waiting. Thank you for I want to make a couple of brief points. enduring the heat. I’ll tell the Vice President It’s hot, and you’ve heard it all. I feel like 100 percent of the people in this crowd be- the guy that got up to the banquet and said, lieve there is global warming now. [Laughter] ‘‘Everything that needs to be said has already Thank you so much. been said, but not everyone has said it yet I’d like to thank all the young people who so you all sit tight.’’ [Laughter] I’ll be very provided our music over there. [Inaudible]— brief. thank you very much. I’d like to thank the First, I bring you greetings from the Vice Lt. Governor, your Education Commis- President and the First Lady, who wish they sioner, and the other officials who are here; could be here tonight. We want to thank the my old friend, Dan Blue; my former Ambas- people in North Carolina who have been our sador Jennette Hyde, and Wallace are here. friends since 1992, who stayed with us every Barbara Allen, your State chair, thank you step of the way, who believed in us when very much. I saw Sheriff Baker here. I thank we were often under attack. him for being here. I think every county Here are the points I want to make, and ought to have a sheriff that’s 9 feet tall. I they all bear on this race for the Senate. wish I could find one everywhere. Number one: We came to office in 1992 car- I want to thank my good friend, Erskine ried by people who believed our country Bowles, for coming home to North Carolina could do better if we had not only new lead- with me. You should know that on October ership but new ideas. We not only had the 1st, when we have that balanced budget and right people, I believe we did the right surplus for the first time in so many years, things. We said, ‘‘We want a Democratic there is no single person in America more Party based on the old virtues of opportunity, responsible for the first balanced budget in responsibility, and community, but with new a generation than Erskine Bowles, and it’s ideas for the 21st century.’’ a good thing for this country. And I appre- Five and a half years later, we have the ciate it. lowest unemployment rate in 28 years, the I thank my great friend, Jim Hunt. We’ve lowest crime rate in 25 years, the lowest wel- been friends for 20 years now, a long time fare rolls in 29 years, the first balanced budg- before some of you were born. And we’ve et in 29 years, the lowest inflation in 32 years, 1544 July 30 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 the highest homeownership in American his- And pretty soon the word got around. This tory with the smallest Federal Government is a little State, keep in mind. So I went to in 35 years, since John Kennedy was the a place, and they said, ‘‘Bill, if you get 50 President of the United States. people it’s an acceptable crowd. If you get There were fights over these ideas. When 150 people, it’s a huge crowd.’’ There were we passed the budget in 1993 that reduced 400 people who showed up. Why? Because the deficit by over 90 percent, not a single they wanted to participate in their democ- member of the other party was with us. racy. John Edwards is trying to give this Sen- When we passed the crime bill to put ate race and this Senate seat back to you, 100,000 police officers on the street, which and I hope that his opponent will accept his officers had been begging for. I just left Bris- offer. tol, Tennessee, the airport, all these law en- Here’s the second point I want to make. forcement officers standing there in east Here’s why you ought to be for him: Most Tennessee, saying, ‘‘Thank you very much for people, when times are good, especially if still helping us to keep our community safe.’’ times have been bad, want to take a breather. Very few members of the other party were They want to say, ‘‘Oh, everything is fine in there. America today’’—it’s in my self-interest to When we passed the family and medical say that. So people say, ‘‘Oh, everything is leave bill that’s allowed 121⁄2 million people fine. Let’s just relax and kick back and kick to get a little time off from work when off our shoes,’’ and ‘‘It’s a hot summer. We’ll they’ve got a new baby or a sick parent, most drink lemonade and leave them all in.’’ of the people in the other party opposed us. But let me tell you, those of you who study It was the Democratic Party that said, what’s going on know that the world is chang- ‘‘Yes, balance the budget, but give 5 million ing very fast still every day. The way we work, poor children health insurance. Give a the way we live, the way we learn, the way HOPE scholarship to make the first 2 years we relate to the rest of the world, it’s chang- of college free for virtually all Americans. In- ing. We cannot afford to sit back. We have crease those Pell grants. Increase those work- to bear down. Pretty soon us baby boomers study funds. Give tax deductibility for the in- will retire, and we don’t want to bankrupt terest rates on student loans. Let’s make col- our kids and our grandkids. That’s why I lege universal for everybody who is willing say—and John Edwards says—don’t you dare to work for it.’’ That was our party’s legacy. spend that surplus until we save the Social It was the Democratic Party that said, ‘‘We Security system for the next generation. can grow the economy and improve the envi- We have already 160 million Americans in ronment; we can’t afford to do the reverse.’’ HMO’s and other managed care plans. We And against often relentless odds, I can tell say, ‘‘Okay, manage the care. Save the you today, compared to 6 years ago, we not money, but don’t turn people away from an only have more new jobs, we have cleaner emergency room. Don’t turn people away air, cleaner water, safer food, fewer toxic from a specialist. Don’t have an accountant waste dumps, the most land set aside for making a decision a doctor should make with eternal preservation since the administration a patient to save lives and guarantee quality of Franklin Roosevelt. We are moving this health care.’’ That’s what the Patients’ Bill country in the right direction. of Rights is all about. I love John Edwards’ idea for the way to We say America has the finest system of conduct a Senate campaign. I’m convinced college education in the world, and most of that one of the few reasons that I am Presi- our public schools are doing a good job. But dent today is that when I went to New nobody believes every American child has Hampshire in 1992, a State with fewer than the finest elementary and secondary edu- a million people, with the first election, I just cation in the world. So let’s keep working started having open town hall meetings— until they do; with smaller classes in the early said, ‘‘Folks, come on in here. We’re going grades; hooking up all the schools, even the to talk.’’ And I’d talk 5 or 6 minutes, and poorest, to the Internet; giving kids the they would ask questions for an hour or two. chance to have opportunities in the summer Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 / July 30 1545 and after school if they need it to learn more. and the First Lady and the Vice President In other words, let’s make a commitment that over the last 51⁄2 years, for the support that our elementary and high school education I’ve gotten from people from North Carolina, will be world-class for everybody just like col- especially from my number one North Caro- lege education is. That’s my commitment, linian, Erskine Bowles, who has been a won- and that’s his. derful Chief of Staff. And so, I have never given a speech in I want to thank you for your commitment a cool room in North Carolina. [Laughter] to John Edwards. And I want to ask you— And I tell you, you got my blood running you know, you heard us talking in the speech- strong. You make me feel good. I can’t wait es about his proposal today to Senator Fair- to go home and tell about it. But don’t you cloth that they give up the ads and just spend forget, this good man and his family, here all their money paying for honest conversa- before you on their 21st anniversary, defied tions with the people of North Carolina. I all the conventional wisdom along with the think that’s a good idea. good people that ran in the primary with him, You just think about how it would change and they said, ‘‘We can do better. Just be- politics in America forever if North Carolina cause America’s doing well, just because had an election in which there were no 30- North Carolina’s doing well, we have to think second attack ads and the two candidates sat about the long-term challenges.’’ down around a table or maybe had 20 or 30 Folks, when times are good, that’s the time or 50 citizens sitting with them, and honestly to repair the house; that’s the time to prepare discussed the issues on television where ev- for the future; that’s the time to build on erybody could be a part of it, write them, the confidence you have. You stay with him tell them what they thought, decide what and bring him home to the United States they agree with, what they disagree with. Senate, and we’ll build a stronger America Think about it. It would recreate old-fash- together for the 21st century. ioned citizenship again. Thank you, and God bless you. Now, if you like that, don’t let it be one letter in one statement in one day. Go out NOTE: The President spoke at 7:35 p.m. in the tomorrow and talk about it and the next day Governor W. Kerr Scott Building at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds. In his remarks, he re- and talk to your friends and neighbors about ferred to Lt. Gov. Dennis Wicker of North Caro- it and get a little ground swell built up about lina; Lynda McCulloch, Education Commissioner; it, because I can tell you that I think that State Representative Dan Blue; Jennette Hyde, this candidate will be much more eager to former Ambassador to Barbados, and her husband do this than his opponent. But it’s the right Wallace; Barbara Allen, chair, State Democratic thing to do for the folks. Party; Sheriff John Baker of Wake County; Gov. So stay with us; keep working. We’re going James B. Hunt of North Carolina; Margaret Rose to keep moving this country forward. Re- Sanford, wife of former Gov. Terry Sanford; and member the last thing I said in there—times Elizabeth Edwards, wife of candidate John Ed- are good now, and I’m grateful for that. But wards. that’s not a time to sit on your laurels and sit back and congratulate yourself. When Remarks to an Overflow Crowd America is going into a new century and in Raleigh things are changing as they are, we should July 30, 1998 use the confidence of these good times to take on those big long-term challenges. And Thank you. We wanted to come by and that’s what you have to think about with these thank you. I know that you had to come here; elections coming up. you didn’t get in the other room; you had Who do you really want to be dealing with to listen; you couldn’t see. But if it’s any con- the challenges of saving Social Security and solation, you are much, much cooler than Medicare for the 21st century? Who do you anybody in that other room is right now. really trust to do more to build the best pub- And I just want to thank you all from the lic schools in America for all of our children, bottom of my heart for being so good to me without regard to their income, their race, 1546 July 30 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 or their region of the country? Who do you Five and a half years ago, we set a new believe is more likely to get quality, afford- strategy for the new economy, founded on able health care for all Americans, and say fiscal discipline, expanded trade, and invest- to the HMO’s and to the managed care peo- ment in our people. Today our economy is ple, ‘‘We want managed care, but we don’t the strongest in a generation. While the latest want accountants making decisions doctors economic report shows that growth in the should make. We want people to get in the second quarter of 1998 was more moderate emergency room, to see the specialists, to than the truly remarkable first quarter, it have quality health care when they need it.’’ shows that our economy continues to enjoy The answer is John Edwards. And I’m hon- steady growth. So far this year, economic ored to be in North Carolina with him to- growth has averaged 3.5 percent. This is night. growth the right way, led by business invest- Thank you, and God bless you all. Thank ment and built on a firm foundation of fiscal you. discipline. We’ve also learned today that since I took NOTE: The President spoke at 8:15 p.m. in the office the private sector of our economy has Governor W. Kerr Scott Building at the North grown by nearly 4 percent, while we have Carolina State Fairgrounds. reduced the Federal Government to its smallest size in 35 years. Wages are rising. Message to the Congress Investment and consumer confidence remain Transmitting a Report on the Arab high. Unemployment and inflation remain League Boycott of Israel low. Prosperity and opportunity abound for July 30, 1998 the American people. In the long run, we can keep our economy To the Congress of the United States: on its strong and prosperous course. Our eco- In accordance with the request contained nomic foundation is solid. Our strategy is in section 540 of Public Law 105–118, For- sound. Still, we know from events that, more eign Operations, Export Financing, and Re- than ever, the challenges of the global mar- lated Programs Appropriations Act, 1998, I ketplace demand that we press forward with submit to you the attached report providing the comprehensive strategy we began 6 years information on steps taken by the United ago. States Government to bring about an end to First, we have to maintain our fiscal dis- the Arab League boycott of Israel and to ex- cipline. This week marks the fifth anniversary pand the process of normalizing ties between of the 1993 economic plan that charted our Israel and the Arab League countries. course to a balanced budget and reduced the William J. Clinton deficit by over 90 percent by the time we signed the Balanced Budget Act in 1997. The White House, This fiscal discipline has had a powerful, July 30, 1998. positive impact, driving interest rates down, pushing investment to historic levels, creat- NOTE: This message was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on July 31. ing a virtuous cycle of economic activity that has helped cut the deficit even further. We must hold a steady course, and we should Remarks on the National Economy not spend a penny of the surplus until we and an Exchange With Reporters have saved Social Security first. Fiscal dis- July 31, 1998 cipline helped to build this strong economy; fiscal recklessness could undermine it dra- The President. Good morning. I want to matically. We must use these good times to thank the Vice President, Mr. Bowles, and honor our parents and the next generation our economic team for joining us today to by saving Social Security first. talk about the continuing strength of our Second, we must continue to invest in the economy and what we have to do to make American people. Five years ago I said we it stronger as we move toward a new century. had to close two gaps, one in the budget and Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 / July 31 1547 the other in the skills of our people. Now, going to be very, very difficult for Asia to as we hear of a shortage of highly skilled recover unless its leading economy, Japan, workers all across our country, we have more leads the way. I welcome the election of the confirmation that America simply must do new Prime Minister, as well as a former more in education and training. To fill those Prime Minister with whom I have worked, high-wage jobs, we must have a training sys- Mr. Miyazawa, as the new Finance Minister. tem that works. I am looking forward to talking with the new In 1995 I put forward a comprehensive Prime Minister tomorrow. proposal to modernize, overhaul, and stream- And again, I remind the American people line our job training programs. I called it a of our long friendship and partnership in so ‘‘GI bill’’ for America’s workers. With biparti- many ways—political, security, and econom- san support, Congress is now poised to finish ics—with Japan. We want to work with them, the job. I was so pleased by the bipartisan and we hope that this new government can overwhelming vote in the Senate last night find the keys to restore to the Japanese peo- for the ‘‘GI bill.’’ And I look forward to ple, who have a great economy and a great prompt House action and to signing the bill society, the growth that they deserve. into law soon. Congress must continue this Finally, let me say, we must do our part. path to progress without partisanship. They That is why a commitment to the Inter- should abandon plans to make drastic cuts national Monetary Fund is an investment not in our Nation’s education budget. An invest- simply in other countries, in their reform but ment in education is clearly the most impor- in our own economy. We have to grow this tant long-term economic investment we can economy by selling things to other people. make in our future. They need the money to buy our products. The third thing we have to do is to lead That is why Congress should step up to its the world in this age of economic inter- responsibility, put, again, progress ahead of dependence, and we have to do more there. partisanship, and renew our commitment More than a quarter of our economic growth and pay our fair share to the IMF. I urge during the past 5 years has come from ex- Congress to do this quickly and not to put ports. One of the reasons that growth mod- at risk our prosperity. erated in the second quarter is because we Open and fair trade, a balanced budget, are feeling the direct, discernible effects of saving Social Security, better education, and the Asian economic downturn. Simply put, higher skills—the strategy that has boosted the health of the Asian economy affects the our economy for 51⁄2 years will boost it fur- health of our own. Just with our grain crops, ther as we boldly move into a new century. about half of that crop is exported, and about I will continue to do everything in my power 40 percent of the exports go to Asia. and to work as hard as I can with Congress We have seen, therefore, this impact al- to strengthen an economy that offers oppor- ready in our rural communities. And I’ve tunity to all, a society rooted in responsibility, talked about that quite a bit in the last couple and a nation that lives as a community with of weeks. The Asian financial crisis has lit- each other and with the rest of the world. erally led to a 30 percent decline in farm Again, I want to say to all the economic exports to Asia. team how much I appreciate the special and The International Monetary Fund is de- the difficult work we have done these last signed to support necessary reforms in those 3 months as our country has coped with the economies, to help them help themselves, General Motors strike, which, thank good- and to restore growth and confidence in their ness, has now concluded on successful terms, economies. and with the problems in Asia and elsewhere. Now, I also want to say something that you Thank you very much. all know. It is especially important for Asia and for our economy that the new Japanese Government move forward quickly and ef- President’s Testimony fectively to strengthen its financial system Q. Mr. President—— and stimulate and open its economy. It is Q. Mr. President—— 1548 July 31 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998

The President. Wait, wait, wait. Every- rehabilitation program by streamlining eligi- body has got a question. Let me give you bility determination, improving State plan- the answer to all of them. ning, and strengthening program account- Q. You didn’t hear—— ability. And it includes the youth opportunity The President. I know—yes, I did. I areas initiative—which was funded in last heard all of you shouting about it. year’s appropriations process—that will cre- No one wants to get this matter behind ate jobs and opportunity for out-of-school us more than I do—except maybe all the rest youth in high-poverty areas. of the American people. I am looking for- ward to the opportunity in the next few days of testifying. I will do so completely and Proclamation 7113—To Implement truthfully. I am anxious to do it. But I hope an Accelerated Schedule of Duty you can understand why, in the interim, I Elimination Under the North can and should have no further comment on these matters. American Free Trade Agreement Thank you very much. July 31, 1998

NOTE: The President spoke at 11:57 a.m. in the By the President of the United States Rose Garden at the White House. In his remarks, he referred to Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi and of America Finance Minister Kiichi Miyazawa of Japan. A Proclamation Statement on Senate Action on Job 1. On December 17, 1992, the Govern- Training Reform Legislation ments of Canada, Mexico, and the United July 31, 1998 States of America entered into the North American Free Trade Agreement (‘‘the For years now, I have been fighting for NAFTA’’). The NAFTA was approved by the a ‘‘GI bill’’ for America’s workers to modern- Congress in section 101(a) of the North ize job training for the economy of the next American Free Trade Agreement Implemen- century. I appreciate the bipartisan effort in tation Act (‘‘the NAFTA Implementation the Senate that led to passage of legislation Act’’) (19 U.S.C. 3311(a)) and was imple- to do just that last night. This bill will make mented with respect to the United States by sure that job training in America helps our Presidential Proclamation 6641 of December people meet the demands of a rapidly chang- 15, 1993. ing economy. I hope the House will continue 2. Section 201(b) of the NAFTA Imple- this bipartisan effort to give Americans new mentation Act (19 U.S.C. 3331(b)) authorizes training opportunities designed for the cut- the President, subject to the consultation and ting-edge jobs of the future. layover requirements of section 103(a) of the This legislation will fundamentally reform NAFTA Implementation Act (19 U.S.C. job training by empowering individuals to 3313(a)), to proclaim accelerated schedules learn new skills with a simple skill grant. It for duty elimination that the United States also consolidates the tangle of training pro- may agree to with Mexico or Canada. Con- grams; creates a network of One-Stop Career sistent with Article 302(3) of the NAFTA, I, Centers; increases accountability to ensure through my duly empowered representative, results; allows States and communities to tai- entered into an agreement with the Govern- lor programs to locally determined needs; ment of Mexico and the Government of Can- and ensures that business, labor, and com- ada, dated July 27, 1998, providing for an munity organizations are full partners in sys- accelerated schedule of duty elimination for tem design and quality assurance. It targets specific goods of Mexico. The consultation vocational and adult education funds to edu- and layover requirements of section 103(a) cational agencies and institutions with the of the NAFTA Implementation Act with re- greatest need, and to activities that promote spect to such schedule of duty elimination program quality. It improves the vocational have been satisfied. Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 1549

3. Pursuant to section 201(b) of the [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, NAFTA Implementation Act, I have deter- 8:45 a.m., August 4, 1998] mined that the modifications hereinafter pro- NOTE: This proclamation will be published in the claimed of duties on goods originating in the Federal Register on August 5. territory of a NAFTA party are necessary or appropriate to (i) maintain the general level of reciprocal and mutually advantageous con- cessions with respect to Canada and Mexico provided for by the NAFTA and (ii) to carry Digest of Other out the agreement with Canada and Mexico White House Announcements providing an accelerated schedule of duty elimination for specific goods. 4. Section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, The following list includes the President’s public as amended (19 U.S.C. 2483) (‘‘the Trade schedule and other items of general interest an- Act’’), authorizes the President to embody in nounced by the Office of the Press Secretary and the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the not included elsewhere in this issue. United States (‘‘the HTS’’) the substance of the relevant provisions of acts affecting im- July 25 port treatment, and actions thereunder, in- In the morning, the President traveled to cluding the removal, modification, continu- Norfolk, VA. In the afternoon, he traveled ance, or imposition of any rate of duty or to Aspen, CO. other import restriction. Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, July 26 President of the United States of America, In the evening, the President traveled to acting under the authority vested in me by Albuquerque, NM. the Constitution and the laws of the United States, including but not limited to section July 27 201(b) of the NAFTA Implementation Act In the afternoon, the President departed and section 604 of the Trade Act, do pro- for Washington, DC, arriving in the evening. claim that: The President announced his intention to (1) In order to provide for an accelerated nominate Norine E. Noonan to serve as As- schedule of duty elimination for specific sistant Administrator for Research and De- goods, the tariff treatment set forth in the velopment at the Environmental Protection HTS for certain NAFTA originating goods Agency. is modified as provided in the Annex to this July 29 proclamation. The President announced his intention to (2) Any provisions of previous proclama- nominate James Bodner to be Principal Dep- tions and Executive orders that are inconsist- uty Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. ent with the actions taken in this proclama- The President announced his intention to tion are superseded to the extent of such in- nominate Gregory H. Friedman to be In- consistency. (3) The amendments made to the HTS by spector General of the Department of En- the Annex to this proclamation shall be effec- ergy. tive with respect to goods entered, or with- The White House announced that the drawn from warehouse for consumption, on President will meet with Minister President or after August 1, 1998. Gerhard Schroeder of the German State of In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set Lower Saxony at the White House on August my hand this thirty-first day of July, in the 5. year of our Lord nineteen hundred and nine- July 30 ty-eight, and of the Independence of the In the morning, the President traveled to United States of America the two hundred Ashe County, NC. In the afternoon, he trav- and twenty-third. eled to Raleigh, NC, and in the evening, he William J. Clinton returned to Washington, DC. 1550 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998

The President announced his intention to Nominations nominate Montie R. Deer to be Chair of the Submitted to the Senate National Indian Gaming Commission. The President announced his intention to nominate Charles G. Groat to be Director The following list does not include promotions of of the Geological Survey. members of the Uniformed Services, nominations to the Service Academies, or nominations of For- July 31 eign Service officers. In the afternoon, the President and Hillary Clinton traveled to East Hampton, NY. Submitted July 29 The President announced the nomination of Harold Lucas to be Assistant Secretary for James M. Bodner, Public and Indian Housing at the Depart- of Virginia, to be Deputy Under Secretary ment of Housing and Urban Development. of Defense for Policy, vice Jan Lodal. The President announced the nomination Eugene A. Conti, Jr., of Cardell Cooper to be Assistant Secretary of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary of for Community Planning and Development Transportation, vice Frank Eugene Kruesi, at the Department of Housing and Urban resigned. Development. The President announced his intention to Gregory H. Friedman, nominate Peter J. Basso, Jr., to be Assistant of Colorado, to be Inspector General of the Secretary for Budget and Programs at the Department of Energy, vice John C. Layton, Department of Transportation. resigned. The President announced his intention to appoint Mitchell Berger as Chair of the Harry Litman, Board of Directors of the Student Loan Mar- of Pennsylvania, to be U.S. Attorney for the keting Association (Sallie Mae). Western District of Pennsylvania, vice Fred- The President announced his intention to erick W. Thieman, resigned. nominate Terrence L. Bracy to be a trustee of the Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Ex- Paul M. Warner, cellence in National Environmental Policy of Utah, to be U.S. Attorney for the District Foundation. of Utah, vice Scott M. Matheson, resigned. The President announced the nomination Patricia T. Montoya, of John U. Sepulveda to be Deputy Director of New Mexico, to be Commissioner on Chil- of the Office of Personnel Management. dren, Youth, and Families, Department of The President announced the nomination Health and Human Services, vice Olivia A. of Stephen W. Preston to be General Coun- Golden, resigned. sel of the Department of the Navy. The President announced the nomination Norine E. Noonan, of David C. Williams to be Inspector General of Florida, to be an Assistant Administrator at the Department of the Treasury. of the Environmental Protection Agency, The President announced the nomination vice Robert James Huggett, resigned. of Claiborne Pell to be an Alternate Rep- resentative of the United States of America Submitted July 30 to the 53d Session of the General Assembly Francis M. Allegra, of the United Nations. of Virginia, to be a Judge of the U.S. Court The President announced the nomination of Federal Claims for a term of 15 years, of Michael M. Reyna to be a member of the vice Lawrence S. Margolis, term expired. Farm Credit Administration Board. The President announced the nomination Legrome D. Davis, of Joseph E. Stevens, Jr., to the Board of of Pennsylvania, to be U.S. District Judge for Trustees of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, vice Foundation. Edmund V. Ludwig, retired. Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 1551

Harold Lucas, ship Foundation for a term expiring Decem- of New Jersey, to be an Assistant Secretary ber 10, 2003 (reappointment). of Housing and Urban Development, vice Kevin Emanuel Marchman. David C. Williams, of Maryland, to be Inspector General, De- Stephen W. Preston, partment of the Treasury, vice Valerie Lau, of the District of Columbia, to be General resigned. Counsel of the Department of the Navy, vice Steven S. Honigman. Withdrawn July 30

Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Daryl L. Jones, of Delaware, to be a Representative of the of Florida, to be Secretary of the Air Force, United States of America to the 53d Session vice Sheila Widnall, resigned, which was sent of the General Assembly of the United Na- to the Senate on October 22, 1997. tions. Tadd Johnson, Cardell Cooper, of Minnesota, to be Chair of the National of New Jersey, to be an Assistant Secretary Indian Gaming Commission for the term of of Housing and Urban Development, vice 3 years, vice Harold A. Monteau, resigned, Saul N. Ramirez, Jr. which was sent to the Senate on July 31, Montie R. Deer, 1997, and September 2, 1997. of Kansas, to be Chairman of the National Cardell Cooper, Indian Gaming Commission for the term of of New Jersey, to be Assistant Administrator, 3 years, vice Tadd Johnson. Office of Solid Waste, Environmental Pro- Rod Grams, tection Agency, vice Elliott Pearson Laws, re- of Minnesota, to be a Representative of the signed, which was sent to the Senate on Sep- United States of America to the 53d Session tember 2, 1997. of the General Assembly of the United Na- tions. Submitted July 31 Charles G. Groat, Terrence L. Bracy, of Texas, to be Director of the U.S. Geologi- of Virginia, to be a member of the Board cal Survey, vice Gordon P. Eaton, resigned. of Trustees of the Morris K. Udall Scholar- ship and Excellence in National Environ- Claiborne deB. Pell, mental Policy Foundation for a term expiring of Rhode Island, to be an Alternate Rep- October 6, 2004 (reappointment). resentative of the United States of America to the 53d Session of the General Assembly Withdrawn July 31 of the United Nations. Michael D. Schattman, Michael M. Reyna, of Texas, to be U.S. District Judge for the of California, to be a member of the Farm Northern District of Texas, vice Harold Bare- Credit Administration Board, Farm Credit foot Sanders, Jr., retired, which was sent to Administration, for a term expiring May 21, the Senate on March 21, 1997. 2004, vice Doyle Cook, term expired. John U. Sepulveda, of New York to be Deputy Director of the Office of Personnel Management, vice Janice Checklist R. Lachance. of White House Press Releases Joseph E. Stevens, Jr., of Missouri, to be a member of the Board The following list contains releases of the Office of Trustees of the Harry S. Truman Scholar- of the Press Secretary that are neither printed as 1552 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 items nor covered by entries in the Digest of Other White House Announcements. Acts Approved by the President

Released July 241 Approved July 29 Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- H.R. 1273 / Public Law 105–207 retary Mike McCurry National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1998 Released July 27 Transcript of a press briefing by Deputy H.R. 1439 / Public Law 105–208 Press Secretary Barry Toiv To facilitate the sale of certain land in Tahoe National Forest in the State of California to Placer County, California Released July 28 Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- H.R. 1460 / Public Law 105–209 retary Mike McCurry To allow for election of the Delegate from Guam by other than separate ballot, and for other purposes Released July 29 Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- H.R. 1779 / Public Law 105–210 retary Mike McCurry To make a minor adjustment in the exterior boundary of the Devils Backbone Wilderness Statement by the Press Secretary: President in the Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri, To Meet With Gerhard Schroeder to exclude a small parcel of land containing Announcement of nomination for U.S. Dis- improvements trict Judge for the District of Utah H.R. 2165 / Public Law 105–211 Announcement of nomination for U.S. Attor- To extend the deadline under the Federal ney for the Western District of Pennsylvania Power Act applicable to the construction of FERC Project Number 3862 in the State of Released July 30 Iowa, and for other purposes Transcript of a press briefing by Dayton H.R. 2217 / Public Law 105–212 Duncan, Chairman of the American Heritage To extend the deadline under the Federal Rivers Initiative Advisory Committee, and Power Act applicable to the construction of Elliot Diringer, Assistant Director of Com- FERC Project Number 9248 in the State of munications for the President’s Council on Colorado, and for other purposes Environmental Quality, on the designation of American Heritage Rivers H.R. 2841 / Public Law 105–213 Statement by the Press Secretary: National To extend the time required for the construc- Security Council Staff Realignment tion of a hydroelectric project Announcement of nomination for U.S. Court H.R. 2870 / Public Law 105–214 of Federal Claims Judge and U.S. District To amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsyl- to facilitate protection of tropical forests vania through debt reduction with developing countries with tropical forests Released July 31 H.R. 3156 / Public Law 105–215 Statement by the Press Secretary: Agreement To present a congressional gold medal to to Protect New Mexico’s Scenic Boca Ranch Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela

1 This release was not received in time for inclu- S. 318 / Public Law 105–216 sion in the appropriate issue. Homeowners Protection Act of 1998