Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents

Monday, April 28, 1997 Volume 33—Number 17 Pages 551–585

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Addresses and Remarks Interviews With the News Media—Continued Chemical Weapons Convention—575, 578 Oval Office—580 Earth Day and community right-to-know Roosevelt Room—575 law—566 South Lawn—566 NetDay, teleconference with students—553 Letters and Messages North Dakota Departure—566 Oklahoma City Memorial Foundation, letter— Grand Forks 551 Community—572 Passover, message—566 Flood damage, roundtable discussion— Take Our Daughters to Work Day, message— 569 577 Radio address—552 Meetings With Foreign Leaders United Auto Workers spring conference—558 Japan, Prime Minister Hashimoto—580 Communications to Congress Proclamations Chemical Weapons Convention, messages— 582 Law Day, U.S.A.—574 National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Communications to Federal Agencies Week—555 Delegation of responsibilities to the Secretary National Park Week—557 of State, memorandum—579 National Wildlife Week—556 Expanding access to Internet-based Statements by the President educational resources for children, teachers, and parents, memorandum—551 Burma, investment sanctions—573 ‘‘Employment Non-Discrimination Act,’’ Executive Orders proposed legislation—577 Amending Executive Order 12752, Line item veto, decision to expedite review— Implementation of the Agricultural Trade 577 Development and Assistance Act of 1954, Tobacco regulations, appeal of the District as Amended, and the Food for Progress Act Court decision—581 of 1985, as Amended—563 Supplementary Materials Protection of Children From Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks—563 Acts approved by the President—585 Checklist of White House press releases—585 Interviews With the News Media Digest of other White House Exchanges with reporters announcements—584 Briefing Room—578 Nominations submitted to the Senate—585

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.

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Letter to the Oklahoma City Memorandum on Expanding Access Memorial Foundation to Internet-based Educational Resources for Children, Teachers, April 14, 1997 and Parents Dear Friends: April 18, 1997 Our nation will never forget that tragic Memorandum for the Heads of Executive day, almost two years ago, when we first Departments and Agencies learned of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Subject: Expanding Access to Internet-based and we will always remember the courage Educational Resources for Children, shown by the citizens of your strong and unit- Teachers, and Parents ed city during that dark time. All Americans My number one priority for the next 4 continue to support your recovery efforts, years is to make sure that all Americans have and our prayers are with you. the best education in the world. With the destruction of the Murrah Fed- One of the goals of my Call to Action for eral Building, we learned once again that American Education is to bring the power America is a family, and that such a brutal of the Information Age into all of our schools. attack on any American is an attack on us This will require connecting every classroom all. In uniting around the citizens of Okla- and library to the Internet by the year 2000; homa City, our nation proved once again that making sure that every child has access to no force of hatred or terrorism can ever de- modern, multimedia computers; giving feat the American spirit. teachers the training they need to be as com- I want to express my support for your ef- fortable with the computer as they are with forts to establish a memorial on the site of the chalkboard; and increasing the availabil- the bombing. This memorial will be a fitting ity of high-quality educational content. When tribute not only to those who died, but also America meets the challenge of making every to those whose lives were changed forever child technologically literate, children in on April 19, 1995. I know that, by honoring rural towns, the suburbs, and inner city our fellow Americans in this way, we can help schools will have the same access to the same universe of knowledge. to further the healing and restore hope for I believe that Federal agencies can make a brighter, more secure future. a significant contribution to expanding this Hillary and I will always remember the universe of knowledge. Some agencies have time we spent with the families and survivors. already launched a number of exciting Please know that we are keeping them, and projects in this area. The White House has all the people of Oklahoma City, in our a special ‘‘White House for Kids’’ home page thoughts and prayers. with information on the history of the White Sincerely, House. NASA’s K–12 initiative allows stu- dents to interact with astronauts and to share William J. Clinton in the excitement of scientific pursuits such as the exploration of Mars and Jupiter and NOTE: This letter was released by the Office of with experiments conducted on the Space the Press Secretary on April 19. An original was Shuttle. The AskERIC service (Education not available for verification of the content of this Resources Information Center), supported letter. by the Department of Education, has a vir-

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tual library of more than 900 lesson plans ∑ Focus on the identification and devel- for K–12 teachers, and provides answers to opment of high-quality educational re- questions from educators within 48 hours— sources that promote high standards of using a nationwide network of experts and teaching and learning in core subjects. databases of the latest research. Students Of particular importance are resources participating in the Vice President’s GLOBE that will help students read well and project (Global Learning and Observation for independently by 4th grade, and master a Better Environment) collect actual atmos- challenging mathematics, including al- pheric, aquatic, and biological data and use gebra and geometry, by 8th grade. the Internet to share, analyze, and discuss ∑ Make sure the material you develop is the data with scientists and students all over accessible to people with disabilities. the world. With support from the National Earlier this month, I announced my Science Foundation, the Department of En- support for the Web Accessibility Initia- tive, a public-private partnership that ergy, and the Department of Defense’s will make it easier for people with dis- CAETI program (Computer-Aided Edu- abilities to use the World Wide Web. cation and Training Initiative), the Lawrence I am also directing the Department of Berkeley Laboratory has developed a pro- Education to develop a ‘‘Parents Guide to gram that allows high school students to re- the Internet,’’ that will explain the edu- quest and download their own observations cational benefits of this exciting resource, as of the universe from professional telescopes. well as steps that parents can take to mini- We can and should do more, however. mize the risks associated with the Internet, Over the next 3 months, you should deter- such as access to material that is inappropri- mine what resources you can make available ate for children. that would enrich the Internet as a tool for The Department of Education will also be teaching and learning, and produce and responsible for chairing an interagency work- make available a new or expanded version ing group to coordinate this initiative to en- of your service within 6 months. sure that the agency-created material is of You should use the following guidelines to high quality, is easily accessible, and pro- support this initiative: motes awareness of Internet-based edu- ∑ Consider a broad range of educational cational resources among teachers, parents, resources, including multimedia publi- and students. cations, archives of primary documents, William J. Clinton networked scientific instruments such as telescopes and supercomputers, and NOTE: This memorandum was released by the Of- employees willing to serve as tele-men- fice of the Press Secretary on April 19. tors or answer student and teacher questions. ∑ Expand access not only to the informa- The President’s Radio Address tion and other resources generated in- April 19, 1997 ternally, but by the broader community of people and institutions that your The President. Good morning. Vice Presi- agency works with and supports. For ex- dent Gore and I are here in the Oval Office ample, science agencies should pursue on the second national NetDay, when citi- partnerships with professional societies, zens and communities all across America universities, and researchers to expand come together to help us meet the goal of K–12 access to scientific resources. connecting every classroom and library in the ∑ Update and improve your services in re- United States to the Internet by the year sponse to comments from teachers and 2000. With us today are three AmeriCorps students, and encourage educators to members, two local high school students, and submit curricula and lesson plans that two Communication Workers of America vol- they have developed using agency mate- unteers, all of whom are contributing to this rial. effort.

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NetDay is a great example of how America when they log on they have access to the works best when we all work together. It’s information that will prepare them for the like an old-fashioned barnraising, neighbor world of the future. And Government has a joins with neighbor to do something for the vital role to play in all this. For instance, good of the entire community; students, NASA lets students talk to astronauts on the teachers, parents, community groups, gov- Internet. And Vice President Gore’s GLOBE ernment, business, unions, all pulling to- project gives tomorrow’s environmental sci- gether to pull cable, hook up our schools, entists a chance to interact with the scientists and put the future at the fingertips of all our of today. Today I am directing every depart- young people. ment and agency in our National Govern- Once we reach our goal of linking our ment to develop educational Internet serv- schools to the Internet, for the first time in ices targeted to our young people. With this history, children in the most isolated rural action, we are one step closer to giving young schools, the most comfortable suburbs, the people the tools they need to be the best poorest inner-city schools, all of them will they can be in the 21st century. have the same access to the same universe We owe much of our progress thus far to of knowledge. That means a boy in Lake the efforts of the Vice President. He has led Charles, Louisiana can visit a museum half- our national campaign for technology lit- way around the world, a girl in Juneau, Alaska eracy, and I’d like him to say a few words can visit the Library of Congress on-line. now. Since the first NetDay just over a year ago, Mr. Vice President. nearly a quarter million volunteers have wired 50,000 classrooms around our country. [At this point, the Vice President made brief Today NetDay activities are occurring in remarks.] more than 40 States. In a few minutes, Vice The President. Thank you, Mr. Vice President Gore and I will have a chance to President. use a new video and computer technology Both of us encourage all of you to visit set up for the first time right in the Oval the White House home page. And once Office to meet with volunteers in south again, let me thank all the NetDay volun- central Los Angeles and children in Hartford, teers. We are going to meet our goal. We’re Connecticut. I want to thank them and all going to get every classroom and every library the NetDay volunteers for their service to in this country hooked up by the year 2000. our country. Have a great day, and thanks for listening. We have to do everything we can to make technology literacy a reality for every child NOTE: The President spoke at 10:06 a.m. from in America. That’s why I asked the Federal the Oval Office at the White House. Communications Commission to give our schools and libraries a discount, a special ‘‘E- rate,’’ or education rate, to help them con- nect classrooms to the Internet and to stay Teleconference Remarks to Students on-line. On May 6th, the FCC will vote on on NetDay a plan to provide more than $2 billion in April 19, 1997 yearly E-rate discounts for schools and librar- ies. This can make all the difference for com- The President. Hi, students! munities struggling to make sure their stu- Students. Hi, Mr. President! dents are ready for the 21st century. So The President. Now, is that Mr. today, again, I call on the FCC to approve Contreras with you? this plan and give our children access to this Precious Robinson. Yes, this is Mr. new world of knowledge. Contreras. Now, more than ever, we can’t afford for The President. Hello, Miguel, how are our children to be priced out of cyberspace. you? But connecting young people to the Internet Miguel Contreras. Buenos dias, Mr. is not enough. We have to make sure that President.

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The President. Buenos dias. Now, why Students. Thank you, Mr. President. don’t you tell us why you’re volunteering this The President. Now we want to go to weekend? Hartford. There’s Hartford. Good morning! Mr. Contreras. Well, we’ve got quite a Students. Good morning! number of union members here in Los Ange- The President. I want to thank all the les as part of the national AFL–CIO NetDay, young people who are there participating in that are coming together here to help wire the Youth Tech Corps. The Vice President 38 schools and empowerment zones in Los and I just announced that Connecticut will Angeles. And we’re going to kick it off today. be getting some more funds from the De- We think that educational opportunities is partment of Education to make sure that equivalent to civil rights here, and we want every child in Connecticut will have access to make sure that all our students have the to educational technology. So I want you to necessary tools to bring them into the 21st tell me about what the Youth Tech Corps century. is doing and how that relates to getting tech- So we’re glad that you’re supporting this nology out to everybody. effort. And the unions here—in particular, Student. The Youth Tech Corps, first of the International Brotherhood of Electrical all, is a program that is designed to match Workers, Local 11; we have the CWA, Com- students who have strong interests with tech- munication Workers of America, and the nology with other students and use busi- United Teachers of LA all have turned out nesses to enhance this program. today to ensure that the wiring is a success. The President. So those of you who have So we’re going to move forward today. good skills are helping those who need it, The President. Thank you. right? And Ms. Robinson, what benefits do you Student. All who are interested. expect to flow from this to the students at The President. Yes, well, maybe you your school? could send me a volunteer. I need some help Ms. Robinson. Well, we want to be pre- down here. [Laughter] pared for the 21st century, and we want our Student. No problem. children to be familiar and to be competent The President. I see a couple of volun- and to be ready to use the Internet. So we teers in the back of the room there. They’re expect a great deal—great many benefits laughing. [Laughter] from this. We want the Super Information What have you done on NetDay? What Highway—we know that is the way of the does it mean for Connecticut and for you? future, and we want all of our students to Student. Well, basically the Youth Tech be prepared for that. Corps is—basically, we’re trying to continue We have a lot of our staff members here on the process of Connect ’96 and just take also, my teachers, my parents, my super- it the next step to getting the schools—all intendent. And so we’re all very excited about the schools connected and make sure that the work that’s going to take place today. they can use the computers once they have The President. Well, thank you. computers and they’re connected to the How many of the young people behind us Internet. know how to use a computer? Raise your The President. Do you find that in your hand if you can use a computer. own experience that once the computers are Mr. Contreras. Quite a number of them. there and they’re hooked up to the Internet The President. Good for you. Well, good that they are widely used? luck. Student. I think they’re widely used if the Mr. Contreras. Don’t ask the adults. people using them know how to. I know, like, [Laughter] a lot of students—there are some that prob- The President. Well, don’t ask the adults ably don’t know how to. But I think—I feel on this side of the screen, either. [Laughter] that they’re widely used. The Vice President can raise his hand; I’m The President. What about the teachers? not so sure about me. [Laughter] Do all the teachers know how to make maxi- Have a good day. Thank you. mum use of it?

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Student. No. [Laughter] The President. Bye-bye. Have a good day. The President. Some yes and some no, right? [Laughter] NOTE: The President spoke by satellite at 10:40 Student. Yes. Some do and some don’t, a.m. from the Oval Office at the White House you know, because some teachers actually to students in Los Angeles, CA, and Hartford, CT. In his remarks, the President referred to Precious put their grades on computer, not for—[in- Robinson, principal, Barrett Elementary School in audible]—but those who calculate it. Los Angeles. The President. So it’s important that we don’t let the connecting of the schools and the classrooms get ahead of training the Proclamation 6992—National Organ teachers and the students about how to use and Tissue Donor Awareness Week, the computers. 1997 Student. Right. April 19, 1997 Student. Exactly. The President. Because otherwise they’re By the President of the United States useless just sitting there, right? of America Student. Right. The President. Now, is everybody in the A Proclamation room a member of the tech corps? Giving life to another through an organ Student. This is the corps; this is the be- or tissue transplant is one of the most selfless ginning of it. Hopefully, they will continue human acts. The person choosing to become to be a part of the Youth Tech Corps. a donor usually receives no tangible thanks The President. Good for you. and gains no fame or glory from the gesture. Do you want to say anything, Al? And yet the decision to sign a donor card The Vice President. Well, I just want to does give the donor a quiet, inner fulfillment congratulate all of you. It’s an exciting day. in the knowledge that he or she may one It makes you feel good to be a part of this, day help save a life, bringing new joy to an- doesn’t it? other person and their family. Often, for Student. Yes. many Americans, this sense of fulfillment is The Vice President. Well, congratula- sufficient thanks. tions, and keep up the wonderful work. Today, more than 50,000 Americans are Student. Thank you. on the national transplant waiting list and The President. You’ve reminded us of about 2,000 more people need transplants something very important today about what every month. Unfortunately, even though you’re doing, too, because we sometimes get this country has an adequate supply of indi- so focused on making sure all the classrooms viduals who qualify as organ donors, many in the country are hooked up that we forget people have still not chosen to become one. that the hookup is worthless unless the teach- Patients in truly desperate circumstances are ers and the students are trained to use it—— depending on their fellow Americans to Student. That’s right. choose to become organ and tissue donors. The President. ——and have the time Stunning advances in transplant research and ability to use it. and technology have made miracles possible, So I thank all of you for what you’re doing, but we must do our part to make the dreams and I hope that this conversation we’re hav- of people awaiting transplants become re- ing today will lead to some greater publicity ality. Many Americans are unaware of the na- for your Tech Corps so that maybe every tional shortage of organ donors, and all of community in the country will have one to us must work together to spread the word. make sure that the students and the teachers Let us take advantage of our enormous can use the computers and the hookups that power to save a life or to enrich the quality we’re providing. of life for those who otherwise face endless Thank you, God bless you, and good luck. pain, torment, or death. I urge every Amer- Hang in there. ican to respond to the urgent call for organ Students. Thank you. and tissue donors by signing a donor card

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immediately. Let us also reach out to educate Proclamation 6993—National our fellow Americans about the importance Wildlife Week, 1997 of organ and tissue donations. We must work April 19, 1997 with our religious communities and commu- nity organizations to spread this important By the President of the United States message. The Federal Government has al- of America ready established partnerships with the A Proclamation Union of Hebrew Congregations and the Congress of National Black Churches in an Our Nation is blessed with a wealth of effort to educate congregations and clergy wildlife, wild places, and natural resources across our Nation through sermons, Sunday that enrich the lives of all Americans. Con- school programs, and community events. We serving our wildlife—whether antelope or should do more. grizzly bear, salmon or serpent, or plumed bird—is of urgent importance. Our vast sys- We should recognize that our greatest am- tem of wildlife refuges has played a vital role bassadors for organ and tissue donation are in this endeavor. Helping to ensure greater donors, donor families and recipients. Their harmony between people and nature, more personal stories have motivated and inspired than 92 million acres of land and waters are others, and we should take better advantage dedicated to wildlife conservation, encom- of these great resources. Taken together, passing 500 refuges, with at least one in every these and other efforts will save the lives of State and within a short drive of most major countless loved ones. And we should take the cities. These wonderful resources provide opportunity to recognize and celebrate opportunities for people of all ages and from Americans who donate these gifts of life. all walks of life, and from cities, suburbs, and Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, the rural heartland, to learn about and par- President of the United States of America, ticipate in the effort to preserve the places by virtue of the authority vested in me by and wildlife that contribute so much to our the Constitution and laws of the United Nation’s heritage and natural wealth. States, do hereby proclaim April 20 through The appreciation and protection of wild- April 26, 1997, as National Organ and Tissue life, particularly of endangered or threatened Donor Awareness Week. I call upon health species, is both the right and responsibility care professionals, educators, the media, of all Americans. Indeed, countless individ- public and private organizations concerned uals and private volunteer organizations with organ donation and transplantation, and across the United States have already made all the people of the United States to observe a significant contribution to wildlife protec- this week with appropriate activities and pro- tion. Only by engaging communities in con- grams that promote organ donation and in- servation, by taking note of and rewarding vite new donors to become involved. community service efforts, and by maintain- In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set ing diverse approaches to wildlife protection, my hand this nineteenth day of April, in the can we preserve our wildlife today and for year of our Lord nineteen hundred and nine- future generations. ty-seven, and of the Independence of the We set aside this week to celebrate the United States of America the two hundred role that citizens and private volunteer orga- nizations play in engaging in service activi- and twenty-first. ties, and in advancing the knowledge, appre- ciation, and protection of wildlife and the en- William J. Clinton vironment. Let us also work to spread this message to broader audiences and encourage [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, all individuals and groups to contribute to 10:58 a.m., April 22, 1997] this national goal. I urge all Americans, pri- vate organizations, businesses, community NOTE: This proclamation was published in the leaders, elected officials and governmental Federal Register on April 23. agencies to do all they can to preserve and

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value the role of wildlife resources in our serving for future generations the rich natu- lives. This tradition of nature education will ral and cultural legacy of our world. continue to teach our children how to be life- Today, our 374 national parks protect long stewards of the environment and help America’s unparalleled wonders and the his- to build the knowledge and understanding tory of those who have helped shape our essential to the protection of nature’s abun- land. Our national parks preserve both where dant gifts. we live and who we are. In America’s national Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, parks, we see Americans through their expe- President of the United States of America, riences—war and peace, tragedy and tri- by virtue of the authority vested in me by umph, struggle and liberty. Our national park the Constitution and laws of the United sites invite us not only to marvel at the grand States, do hereby proclaim April 20 through geography of Yellowstone or the Great April 26, 1997, as National Wildlife Week. Smokies, but also to explore the innovative I ask all Americans to find ways to promote genius of Thomas Edison at the Edison Na- the conservation and protection of our wild- tional Historic Site in New Jersey, to visit life and wild places. the remains of an ancient civilization at Mesa In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set Verde in Colorado, or to walk the hallways my hand this nineteenth day of April, in the of the Kansas school where the struggle for year of our Lord nineteen hundred and nine- civil rights ultimately led to the landmark ty-seven, and of the Independence of the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court United States of America the two hundred decision. and twenty-first. In addition to the parks themselves, the national park spirit thrives in thousands of William J. Clinton communities across the country where the National Park Service provides support and [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 10:59 a.m., April 22, 1997] technical advice to create close-to-home rec- reational opportunities and to honor local NOTE: This proclamation was published in the history through programs such as Rivers, Federal Register on April 23. Trails, and Conservation Assistance, the Na- tional Register of Historic Places, and Na- tional Historic Landmarks. The National Proclamation 6994—National Park Park Service, in partnership with organiza- Week, 1997 tions and individuals dedicated to conserva- April 19, 1997 tion and historic preservation, is ensuring that our national parks touch the lives of as By the President of the United States many people as possible, while sparking an of America interest among our Nation’s children in ar- chaeology, ethnography, history, historic A Proclamation landscapes, and historic structures. One hundred and twenty-five years ago, Indeed, the national parks remain a mag- America made a momentous decision: to set net for the American public. Every year mil- aside and protect in perpetuity an extraor- lions of visitors flock to them—270 million dinary part of our young Nation. With the in 1996. Surveying our history and heritage, signing of the Yellowstone National Park Act our national parks let us reach out and touch on March 1, 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant the past. created the world’s first national park, and As we observe this week, let us remember the succeeding years have proved beyond all with gratitude all those who are and have doubt the wisdom and foresight of that deci- been entrusted with the stewardship of these sion. Known throughout the world for its treasured places. As the parks and the man- beauty and the natural wonders that lie with- date of the National Park Service have in its boundaries, Yellowstone has inspired evolved, the demands on those who manage the creation of a multitude of other national these resources have become more complex parks, both here and in other countries, pre- and the skills required of the National Park

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Service work force have become more so- the biggest economic change to occur in the phisticated. These men and women are the United States and in the world since the guardians of our cultural and natural treas- global Depression of the 1920’s and the ures, and, on behalf of all Americans, I ex- 1930’s. And this one, thank goodness, has not press my deepest thanks. led to global depression, but you know how This year, National Park Week celebrates much things are changing. the strength of our unique and diverse sys- And when I became President, there were tem of national parks, and I urge all Ameri- a lot of assumptions here in Washington that cans to share in the wonderful experiences had come to dominate our country’s thinking these places offer all of us. and politics, during the years when the Presi- Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, dents of the other party dominated the White President of the United States of America, House. People believed that you could talk by virtue of the authority vested in me by about the deficit, but you didn’t really have the Constitution and laws of the United to do anything about it, that if there was any- States, do hereby proclaim April 21 through thing done to help labor it was, by definition, April 27, 1997, as National Park Week. bad for business. People believed that Gov- In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set ernment was always the enemy. And they be- my hand this nineteenth day of April, in the lieved that the only kind of tax cuts that were year of our Lord nineteen hundred and nine- any good were ones that cut taxes on the very ty-seven, and of the Independence of the wealthiest Americans because they would United States of America the two hundred somehow benefit everyone else by trickling and twenty-first. down. William J. Clinton I came here believing we could balance the budget in a way that was fair to all Ameri- [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, cans, get interest rates down, and help grow 11 a.m., April 22, 1997] the economy, which would help people who have capital and invest it, but it would also NOTE: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on April 23. help to lower car payments and home mort- gages and college loan payments and make this country strong in the world again. I came Remarks to the United Auto Workers here believing that the only long-term way April 20, 1997 to strengthen the American economy was to build the middle class, and that meant we The President. Thank you. had to be pro-worker and pro-business and Audience member. We love you, man! we could do both. The President. Thank you. I love you, too. I came here believing that in a country And I appreciate you. that now has only about 4 percent of the President Yokich, Secretary Treasurer world’s population, if we want to continue Wyse, to the officers and the ladies and gen- to enjoy about 20 percent of the world’s tlemen of the United Auto Workers. I came wealth, we’re going to have to get some other here, more than anything else, to say two people to buy our goods but we could only things. Number one, thank you very much have free trade if it was also fair trade. And for helping me and the Vice President be- we have 200 separate trade agreements to come the first Democratic ticket to be re- show for our efforts in that in the last 4 years. elected in 60 years. Thank you very much. All of these things you helped to make pos- [Applause] Thank you. The second thing I sible. came here to say is that if we do the right And if you think about the debates going things, we can build that bridge to the 21st on in Washington today—if you think about century together. the fights we had in ’95 and ’96, which the You know, we’ve had a lot of monumental American people were heard loud and clear fights in Washington in the last 4 years. on—they said, ‘‘We don’t believe the Gov- That’s not all bad, and it was to be expected. ernment is always the enemy.’’ They said, You have lived through, in the last few years, ‘‘We do think we have a responsibility to pro-

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tect education and the environment and the ican because you’re putting out the finest integrity of our health care programs.’’ They cars in the world today. said, ‘‘You can balance the budget without Auto parts sales went up 20 percent last hurting ordinary Americans or trampling on year. They’re now double what they were in the poor.’’ 1992 in Japan. We have a long way to go, And I think that message is out there. I and we made that clear yesterday, and we agree with President Yokich; you came about intend to keep working. But it makes the 10,000 votes short of having our party win point I want to make: If we can open these the House of Representatives again because markets to American products—the Amer- they outspent us 4, 5, or 6 to 1 the last 10 ican people paid the price and you paid the days. But we did a pretty good job. And by price in the tough and difficult years of the the way, I’m proud of the fact that you in- 1980’s and the early 1990’s to dramatically vested in our campaigns and helped us and increase quality and productivity. And you fought for us and stood up for us and stood deserve the chance to sell your products any- with us. where in the world, and if you can, you’re You hear all this talking today. You know, going to do very well. people forgot what was at stake there. In Over 4 million more Americans own their 1993 when we passed that economic plan, own home. More than 10 million Americans our opponents said it was the end of civiliza- have refinanced their homes with lower in- tion as we know it. Remember all the things terest rates. The welfare rolls in 4 years they said? ‘‘Unemployment will go up. The dropped a record 2.8 million. We moved deficit will go up. The world’s going to just more people from welfare to work in the last go to pieces in America because of the Presi- 4 years than went on welfare in the first 25 dent’s economic plan.’’ years of the program. Don’t tell me we can’t Well, in 4 years this country produced over reform the welfare system; we can—we can 111⁄2 million new jobs for the first time in move people from welfare to work if we do any Presidential term. They were wrong, and it right. you were right. You were right—107,000 of And that is just the beginning. We have them were in the auto industry. Unemploy- got to do more. And as I said, I never be- ment now is down to 5.2 percent, a 9-year lieved that being pro-growth, pro-private sec- low. In 1995, average wages started to rise tor and pro-business meant being anything again for the first time in 20 years. And last other than pro-worker, pro-union and pro- year, over half of the new jobs were in higher family. I believe they are consistent, and I wage categories, in dramatic contrast to most believe that the record proves that when we of the new jobs we got in the years before work together and when we’re fair to every- we took office. We are moving in the right body, we produce more, people feel better, direction. You have supported the right poli- and they’re more productive. And I think it’s cies. You should be proud of it, and you time that everybody understood that we should make sure the American people know don’t want to be a hard-work, low-wage econ- it. omy, we want to be a hard-work, smart-work, In 1992, the year before I took office, high-wage economy in which we all work to- Japan produced 28 percent more autos than gether. American workers. By 1994, America had That’s why I worked with you to defeat passed Japan for the first time since 1979, attempts to repeal the prevailing wage laws, and you’re still ahead of them. And I’m proud to bring back company unions, to weaken of you. In 1995, we finally got an auto agree- work place health and safety laws. That’s why ment. And I’m proud to report that last year, I fought for a tax cut that used to be sup- in the first full year of that agreement, Amer- ported also by members of the other party, ican auto sales went up by 34 percent in the earned-income tax credit. Since 1993, Japan, European sales went up by 10 per- we’ve ratcheted it up now so that the average cent, overall car sales only went up by 3 per- family of four with an income of $30,000 or cent. If you give people the chance to buy less and two kids in the home has $1,000 American, even in Japan, they will buy Amer- lower tax bill than they did 4 years ago. Now

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they can go out and buy cars again. I think she’s qualified. We all voted for her in com- that’s the right sort of tax cut to have in mittee. You won the election. You have the America to reward working people, and I power to do this. But if you do it, we might think we’re stronger because of it. not ever give you a Secretary of Labor.’’ And I thank you for your support for the Now, I don’t think that’s a very good way minimum wage increase. No person who to run a railroad. You know, I don’t refuse works 40 hours a week in a country that to work with them because they won the preaches that people who are on welfare election. I know they wouldn’t have voted ought to go to work, should live in poverty for me, and that goes two ways. The Amer- when they’re working full-time and trying to ican people made this decision. They put us support their children. And we don’t have both in the boat, and they told us to row. to tolerate it. And we’ve got to figure out how to get the On July 1st, the historic legislation you oars going in the same direction. That’s what helped to enact to make sure workers don’t we’ve got to do. lose their health insurance if they lose their And we’re working hard to do that. We’re jobs, takes effect. We’ve made pensions more working hard on this chemical weapons trea- affordable, and we’ve cracked down on pen- ty to try to reduce the dangers of chemical sion fraud and abuse. Today, the fund that warfare to our soldiers. Every Chairman of guarantees 42 million private sector pensions the Joint Chiefs of Staff in our major military has saved the pensions of 81⁄2 million Ameri- organizations have endorsed this—every cans that were in danger when I took office Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff since and now has a surplus for the first time in President Carter’s administration. And we’re its over 20-year history. We are moving to going to have to do it together. We’ll never make work rewarded in this country and get get a balanced budget unless we do it to- the kind of security and support it deserves. gether. As Steve said, since I took office I have Now, this is something we have to do to- vetoed every piece of antiworker legislation gether. And I’d like to say to them and to that has landed on my desk. And I will con- say to you: If they think I’m wrong about tinue to do just that. [Applause] Thank you. something I’ve done, we ought to sit down Now, I want to ask you for help on some and talk about it. But we’ve got a qualified other things as well. First of all, I want you person, and Labor has been out a Secretary to help me get Alexis Herman confirmed as too long. Let’s have a Secretary of Labor and Secretary of Labor. Now, listen to this: She confirm Alexis Herman. And I ask for your was voted out of the committee unanimously. help to do it. Every Republican in the committee voted for Twelve million people have taken advan- her. She gets to the floor, we’re assured she’s tage of the family and medical leave law since going to be brought to a vote, and all of the I signed it in 1993, the first bill I signed. sudden they decide that maybe they can get Many people who have good jobs have family me to change some of the executive actions and medical leave through their contracts. I have taken to try to prevent anti-union ac- But a lot of people don’t. And we’ve proved tivities when it comes to Government con- now that if you help people succeed at home, tracts by saying, ‘‘We just won’t give you a so they’re not worried sick at work about Secretary of Labor. We’ll show you we don’t their children or their parents, you let them agree with what you’re doing. You got elect- take a little time off for that, actually work- ed. You have the power to do it. The people place performance goes up. We haven’t lost voted for you. We voted your nominee out jobs or lost small businesses since the family of committee unanimously.’’ Some of her and medical leave law came into effect. In strongest support came from Republicans fact, we’ve had a record number of new busi- who knew her well and knew that she was nesses started in every single year I’ve been a good and able woman and tried to be fair President. to business as well as labor. They knew she That’s why I want to expand the family had a history in the Labor Department, a and medical leave law, to give people a little history of experience, and they said, ‘‘Okay, time off every year to go to regular doctor’s

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appointments with their children and with we in the National Government have a re- their parents if they’re sick or to go to regular sponsibility as well. parent-teachers conferences at the school. My budget makes an unprecedented com- We’ve got to have the parents if we’re going mitment of $51 billion to make sure that by to improve the quality of education, and I the year 2000, every 8-year-old will be able think it will be a good thing to do. to read on his or her own, every 12-year- I also would like to say to you that we have old can log on to the Internet, every 18-year- more work to do on this budget. Now, in old can go on to college, and every adult can the last 4 years—when I came here, people continue to learn for a lifetime and get the laughed at me when I said we could reduce skills necessary to get good jobs. the deficit and increase our investment in I’ve laid out a 10-point plan for education; education, in medical research, in tech- I just want to mention 3 to you. Number nology, in fighting crime, and in our future. one, we have got to quit hiding behind the Well, now we’ve got 4 years of declining wel- idea that we have local control of our schools fare rolls, 4 years of declining crime rates. and using that for an excuse not to have na- Every expert in America now admits we were tional standards in education. All of our com- right when they fought us in trying to put petitors have national standards in education. 100,000 more police on the street. We know And I am not talking about Federal Govern- we can do this. ment standards; I’m talking about national But we also see that people are saying, standards. But I have challenged all the States to meet them and to give all of our ‘‘Well, maybe this recovery can’t go on. children a test in reading at the fourth grade Maybe interest rates are going up. Maybe level and a test in math at the eighth grade if they don’t, inflation will come back.’’ level by 1999. And I hope you will support You’ve seen all this. We need to go on and me in that wherever you come from in every balance this budget to keep this recovery State in America. It is the right and moral going. That will remove any question about thing to do for our country. inflation coming back in the economy and We ought to open the doors of college to will keep interest rates down. It will make everybody who’s prepared to work for it. I cars more affordable here and abroad. It will want to give a $1,500 tax credit, modeled on keep UAW members working. It will keep the HOPE scholarship in Georgia, America’s America strong. But we have got to do it in HOPE scholarship. That’s about what it costs a way that protects the integrity of the things at any community college in the country. I we fought 2 long years for in 1995 and 1996, want to give it for 2 years to open the doors for education, for the environment, for the of college for at least 2 more years to make integrity of these health programs. We have them just as universal as a high school di- got to do that. ploma is today by the year 2000. And we can This balanced budget of mine does exactly do that. I think we ought to give people a that. It provides tax cuts for education and $10,000 tax deduction for the cost of any col- health care, to help raise a child and buy and lege tuition after high school, any higher edu- sell a home. It protects Medicare and Medic- cation. It will help a lot of people in this aid but adds a lot of years to the Medicare room, I would imagine. Trust Fund. It is something that I’m very And because we can never forget the peo- proud of in terms of what it does for medical ple who don’t make enough money to take research and for protecting the environment. tax deductions, I’ve also proposed the biggest And it is also very, very good for education. increase in the Pell grant scholarships for If you look at the future, we know that we needy students in 20 years, so we can all have have got to improve the performance of our the chance to go on. The average age of peo- schools if we want all of our children to have ple in college is going up steadily every year. good jobs with growing incomes. We know It will continue to go up. You probably all that. We know that most of this has to be know friends of yours in their thirties, in their done at the local level with support from the forties, maybe in their fifties, who had to go States, but we know the national level and back and get retrained. And we ought to have

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a system that makes it possible for every tomies, where women with breast cancer are American who wants to work, who’s willing basically operated on and put out of the hos- to work, who needs an education, to get it pital in a matter of a few hours. We are mov- for a lifetime. It is simple, and it is good for ing to cover respite care for Alzheimer’s vic- the American economy. We ought to do it. tims, because there are so many families who The last thing I want to say about that is, care for a family member with Alzheimer’s. I’ve been trying for 4 years through Demo- And having lost an aunt and an uncle to Alz- cratic and Republican Congresses to get the heimer’s, I know it’s a 7-day a week, 24-hour Congress to adopt my ‘‘GI bill’’ for America’s a day job. We can actually save a lot of money workers. And I know there have been a lot over the long run if we help give those fami- of questions about it. Essentially, what I want lies a little help for respite care if they’re to do is take 70 separate training programs, willing to take care of those folks in their put them in a grant, and just give a chit, give homes. It’s so much less expensive, and if a skills grant to people who are unemployed families want to do it, we ought to help cut or underemployed and say, ‘‘You take it to them a little slack, I think. the place nearest you which will be most like- We also want to give people access to ly to get you a job.’’ Almost every American health insurance when they temporarily are is within driving distance of a community col- between jobs or lose their jobs. We want to lege. This would include union-sponsored make it easier for them, affordable for them training programs, anything else, just what- to keep their health insurance. Nearly half ever is necessary and whatever is most handy of the children who lose their insurance do to get a job. The ‘‘GI bill’’ for America’s so because their parents lose or change a job. workers. And my budget would provide coverage for I think we’ve wasted a lot of money on up to half of the 10 million children today intermediaries and Government employees. who do not have health insurance. I think We’ve got all this money here; give it to the it’s very important to do more to try to cover people who are unemployed and you can go children and to cover people who are be- after them, everybody else can who wants tween jobs. to train them. But I believe a ‘‘GI bill’’ for Well, these are just a few of the things people—I think most people have enough that I could be talking to you about tonight. sense to figure out on their own, in their own They are big things. This will affect the way communities, what would be most likely to people live for generations to come. And put them back in the work force at a higher while you’re here, I want to ask you to think wage. And I hope you’ll help me pass the about that. We’ve had a lot of fun tonight. ‘‘GI bill’’ for America’s workers. We’ve cheered, and we’re glad we won the And just because we got beat on our at- election—sorry we lost a few Congress seats. tempt to say that everybody in America who We’re proud of the fights we fought, and works for a living and all their children ought we’re awfully glad America is in better shape to have access to health care, I hope you than it was 4 years ago. But what I want you won’t quit trying to expand health care access to think about is what kind of America have to the American people who need it. [Ap- you worked all your life for? What do you plause] Thank you. want this country to look like in 20 years, I have proposed new legislation to crack 25 years, when your children are your age, down on Medicare fraud. I’ve appointed a when your grandchildren are your age? I new commission on health care quality to think about it every day. Every day. make sure that the lower costs of today’s When I look at these kids out in this audi- managed plans doesn’t dilute the quality of ence, I know if we do the right things, they them. We’ve moved to help fight breast can- will have more chances to live out their cer by making women 40 and over eligible dreams than any generation of Americans. for mammograms who are covered by Fed- That’s the first thing I want. The second eral programs, which I think is important. thing I want is for America to be the world’s In my balanced budget plan, we are mov- leading force for peace and freedom and ing to try to stop the sort of drive-by mastec- prosperity a generation from now, just like

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it is today, because I know the whole world (7 U.S.C. 1691 et seq.), it is hereby ordered will be better off if that is the case. And the that: third thing I want, that I see as I look at (1) The first sentence of section 1(a) of all of you from your different backgrounds, Executive Order 12752 be amended is I want us to be one America. by deleting the words ‘‘developing We’re going to become more and more countries’’ and inserting the words diverse, racially, ethnically, religiously. If we ‘‘developing countries and private en- can keep the Democratic culture the values tities’’ in lieu thereof; of America, if we can overcome our own prej- (2) Sections 4(a) and (c) be deleted; and udices and fears, if we can learn to respect (3) Sections 4(b), (d), (e), (f), and (g) be each other’s differences and enjoy our own renumbered as sections 4(a), (b), (c), difference but be bound together by what (d), and (e), respectively. unites us, then in a world that is every day William J. Clinton consumed by the problems of the Middle East or Africa or Northern Ireland or Bosnia, The White House, America will surely be the light of the world. April 18, 1997. And the labor movement has always stood [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, for the proposition that anybody that was 11:17 a.m., April 21, 1997] willing to work hard for a living ought to be given a fair chance to make it in the United NOTE: This Executive order was released by the States of America, always. Office of the Press Secretary on April 21, and it was published in the Federal Register on April I love being with you. I’m very grateful. 22. I’m glad you reelected me. I’m having a good time, limp and all. [Laughter] But remem- ber, you can’t stop thinking about what you Executive Order 13045—Protection want it to be like in a generation, because of Children From Environmental the world is changing in profound and fast Health Risks and Safety Risks ways. And we have to do a good job now April 21, 1997 and a good job for all these children who are here. I think we’re going to do it together. By the authority vested in me as President Thank you. God bless you. by the Constitution and the laws of the Unit- ed States of America, it is hereby ordered NOTE: The President spoke at 6:05 p.m. at the as follows: Sheraton Washington Hotel. In his remarks, he Section 1. Policy. referred to Stephen P. Yokich, president, and Roy 1–101. A growing body of scientific knowl- Wyse, secretary treasurer, United Auto Workers. edge demonstrates that children may suffer disproportionately from environmental Executive Order 13044—Amending health risks and safety risks. These risks arise because: children’s neurological immuno- Executive Order 12752, logical, digestive, and other bodily systems Implementation of the Agricultural are still developing; children eat more food, Trade Development and Assistance drink more fluids, and breathe more air in Act of 1954, as Amended, and the proportion to their body weight than adults; Food for Progress Act of 1985, as children’s size and weight may diminish their Amended protection from standard safety features; and April 18, 1997 children’s behavior patterns may make them more susceptible to accidents because they By the authority vested in me as President are less able to protect themselves. There- by the Constitution and the laws of the Unit- fore, to the extent permitted by law and ap- ed States of America, and in order to provide propriate, and consistent with the agency’s for carrying out the provisions of the Agricul- mission, each Federal agency: tural Trade Development and Assistance Act (a) shall make it a high priority to identify of 1954, as amended by Public Law 101–624 and assess environmental health risks

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and safety risks that may dispropor- 3–301. There is hereby established the tionately affect children; and Task Force on Environmental Health Risks (b) shall ensure that its policies, pro- and Safety Risks to Children (‘‘Task Force’’). grams, activities, and standards ad- 3–302. The Task Force will report to the dress disproportionate risks to chil- President in consultation with the Domestic dren that result from environmental Policy Council, the National Science and health risks or safety risks. Technology Council, the Council on Envi- 1–102. Each independent regulatory agen- ronmental Quality, and the Office of Man- cy is encouraged to participate in the imple- agement and Budget (OMB). mentation of this order and comply with its 3–303. Membership. The Task Force shall provisions. be composed of the: Sec. 2. Definitions. The following defini- (a) Secretary of Health and Human Serv- tions shall apply to this order. ices, who shall serve as a Co-Chair 2–201. ‘‘Federal agency’’ means any au- of the Council; thority of the United States that is an agency (b) Administrator of the Environmental under 44 U.S.C. 3502(1) other than those Protection Agency, who shall serve as a Co-Chair of the Council; considered to be independent regulatory (c) Secretary of Education; agencies under 44 U.S.C. 3502(5). For pur- (d) Secretary of Labor; poses of this order, ‘‘military departments,’’ (e) Attorney General; as defined in 5 U.S.C. 102, are covered under (f) Secretary of Energy; the auspices of the Department of Defense. (g) Secretary of Housing and Urban De- 2–202. ‘‘Covered regulatory action’’ means velopment; any substantive action in a rulemaking, initi- (h) Secretary of Agriculture; ated after the date of this order or for which (i) Secretary of Transportation; a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is pub- (j) Director of the Office of Manage- lished 1 year after the date of this order, that ment and Budget; is likely to result in a rule that may: (k) Chair of the Council on Environ- (a) be ‘‘economically significant’’ under mental Quality; Executive Order 12866 (a rulemaking (l) Chair of the Consumer Product Safe- that has an annual effect on the econ- ty Commission; omy of $100 million or more or would (m) Assistant to the President for Eco- adversely affect in a material way the nomic Policy; economy, a sector of the economy, (n) Assistant to the President for Domes- productivity, competition, jobs, the tic Policy; environment, public health or safety, (o) Assistant to the President and Direc- or State, local, or tribal governments tor of the Office of Science and Tech- or communities); and nology Policy; (b) concern an environmental health risk (p) Chair of the Council of Economic Ad- or safety risk that an agency has rea- visers; and son to believe may disproportionately (q) Such other officials of executive de- affect children. partments and agencies as the Presi- 2–203. ‘‘Environmental health risks and dent may, from time to time, des- safety risks’’ mean risks to health or to safety ignate. that are attributable to products or sub- Members of the Task Force may delegate stances that the child is likely to come in con- their responsibilities under this order to sub- tact with or ingest (such as the air we ordinates. breathe, the food we eat, the water we drink 3–304. Functions. The Task Force shall or use for recreation, the soil we live on, and recommend to the President Federal strate- the products we use or are exposed to). gies for children’s environmental health and Sec. 3. Task Force on Environmental safety, within the limits of the Administra- Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children. tion’s budget, to include the following ele- ments:

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(a) statements of principles, general pol- Sec. 4. Research Coordination and Inte- icy, and targeted annual priorities to gration. guide the Federal approach to achiev- 4–401. Within 6 months of the date of this ing the goals of this order; order, the Task Force shall develop or direct (b) a coordinated research agenda for the to be developed a review of existing and Federal Government, including steps planned data resources and a proposed plan to implement the review of research for ensuring that researchers and Federal re- databases described in section 4 of search agencies have access to information this order; on all research conducted or funded by the (c) recommendations for appropriate Federal Government that is related to ad- partnerships among Federal, State, verse health risks in children resulting from local, and tribal governments and the exposure to environmental health risks or private, academic, and nonprofit sec- safety risks. The National Science and Tech- tors; nology Council shall review the plan. (d) proposals to enhance public outreach 4–402. The plan shall promote the sharing and communication to assist families of information on academic and private re- in evaluating risks to children and in search. It shall include recommendations to making informed consumer choices; encourage that such data, to the extent per- (e) an identification of high-priority ini- mitted by law, is available to the public, the tiatives that the Federal Government scientific and academic communities, and all has undertaken or will undertake in Federal agencies. advancing protection of children’s en- Sec. 5. Agency Environmental Health Risk vironmental health and safety; and or Safety Risk Regulations. (f) a statement regarding the desirability 5–501. For each covered regulatory action of new legislation to fulfill or promote submitted to OMB’s Office of Information the purposes of this order. and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) for review 3–305. The Task Force shall prepare a bi- pursuant to Executive Order 12866, the issu- ennial report on research, data, or other in- ing agency shall provide to OIRA the follow- formation that would enhance our ability to ing information developed as part of the understand, analyze, and respond to environ- agency’s decisionmaking process, unless pro- mental health risks and safety risks to chil- hibited by law: dren. For purposes of this report, cabinet (a) an evaluation of the environmental agencies and other agencies identified by the health or safety effects of the planned Task Force shall identify and specifically de- regulation on children; and scribe for the Task Force key data needs re- (b) an explanation of why the planned lated to environmental health risks and safety regulation is preferable to other po- risks to children that have arisen in the tentially effective and reasonably fea- course of the agency’s programs and activi- sible alternatives considered by the ties. The Task Force shall incorporate agency agency. submissions into its report and ensure that 5–502. In emergency situations, or when this report is publicly available and widely an agency is obligated by law to act more disseminated. The Office of Science and quickly than normal review procedures allow, Technology Policy and the National Science the agency shall comply with the provisions and Technology Council shall ensure that of this section to the extent practicable. For this report is fully considered in establishing those covered regulatory actions that are gov- research priorities. erned by a court-imposed or statutory dead- 3–306. The Task Force shall exist for a pe- line, the agency shall, to the extent prac- riod of 4 years from the first meeting. At least ticable, schedule any rulemaking proceedings 6 months prior to the expiration of that pe- so as to permit sufficient time for completing riod, the member agencies shall assess the the analysis required by this section. need for continuation of the Task Force or 5–503. The analysis required by this sec- its functions, and make appropriate rec- tion may be included as part of any other ommendations to the President. required analysis, and shall be made part of

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the administrative record for the covered NOTE: This Executive order was published in the regulatory action or otherwise made available Federal Register on April 23. to the public, to the extent permitted by law. Sec. 6. Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics. Message on the Observance of 6–601. The Director of the OMB (‘‘Direc- Passover, 1997 tor’’) shall convene an Interagency Forum on April 21, 1997 Child and Family Statistics (‘‘Forum’’), which will include representatives from the appro- Warm greetings to everyone observing priate Federal statistics and research agen- Passover. cies. The Forum shall produce an annual Commemorating God’s liberation of the compendium (‘‘Report’’) of the most impor- Israelites from Egyptian slavery, Passover is tant indicators of the well-being of the Na- the story of a people who, sustained by their tion’s children. faith in God and strengthened by their own 6–602. The Forum shall determine the in- courage and determination, broke free from dicators to be included in each Report and oppression to seek a new life in a new land. identify the sources of data to be used for Their journey was long and full of peril, and each indicator. The Forum shall provide an their resolve sometimes shaken by doubt; but ongoing review of Federal collection and dis- ultimately the Jewish people reached the semination of data on children and families, Promised Land, where they could live and and shall make recommendations to improve worship and raise their children in the sweet the coverage and coordination of data collec- air of freedom. tion and to reduce duplication and overlap. The ageless festival of Passover holds pro- 6–603. The Report shall be published by found meaning for Americans. We began our the Forum in collaboration with the National nation’s journey to freedom more than two Institute of Child Health and Human Devel- hundred years ago, a journey that is still not opment. The Forum shall present the first complete. Now we look forward to a new annual Report to the President, through the century and a new millennium, strengthened Director, by July 31, 1997. The Report shall by the knowledge that we, too, have been be submitted annually thereafter, using the blessed by God with the vision of a land of most recently available data. great promise set aside for those who cherish Sec. 7. General Provisions. freedom. 7–701. This order is intended only for in- As we mark the observance of another ternal management of the executive branch. Passover, let us renew our commitment to This order is not intended, and should not America’s promise. Let us continue our jour- be construed to create, any right, benefit, or ney to a land where all our people are free trust responsibility, substantive or proce- to pursue our common dreams—to live in dural, enforceable at law or equity by a party peace, to provide for our families, and to give against the United States, its agencies, its of- our children the opportunity for a better life. ficers, or its employees. This order shall not Hillary joins me in extending best wishes be construed to create any right to judicial for a joyous Passover celebration. review involving the compliance or non- Bill Clinton compliance with this order by the United States, its agencies, its officers, or any other person. Remarks on Departure for North 7–702. Executive Order 12606 of Septem- Dakota and an Exchange With ber 2, 1987 is revoked. Reporters William J. Clinton April 22, 1997 The White House, Earth Day and Community Right-To- April 21, 1997. Know Law [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, The President. Thank you very much, Mr. 8:49 a.m., April 22, 1997] Vice President. Good morning, ladies and

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gentlemen. As all of you know I am about toxic chemicals by 43 percent. Under our ad- to leave for North Dakota, where the people ministration, we strengthened right-to-know, are quite literally in the fight of their lives. nearly doubling the number of chemicals that What they have endured is enormous; how must be reported, making it easier for Ameri- they are enduring it is remarkable. I am cans to find out what toxics, if any, are being going to view the flood damage to pledge sent into the world around them. our Nation’s support to see that we are doing In 1995, I directed EPA Administrator everything we can do to help them. Carol Browner to find ways to expand com- You know, Americans have a habit of join- munity right-to-know even further. Today we ing together at times like this, and I think are making good on that pledge. Today we all Americans have been very deeply moved increased by 6,100—30 percent—the num- by the pictures we have seen of a town being ber of facilities that need to tell the public flooded and burning at the same time, the what they are releasing into our environment. people in North Dakota losing everything Today seven new industries, including min- they have. I personally can’t remember a ing, electric utilities, and hazardous waste time when a community that large was en- treatment centers that use substances like tirely evacuated. And we have to stay to- mercury, lead, and arsenic, will now be sub- gether. ject to the community right-to-know law. I think it is appropriate, for the reasons Today more information will be required the Vice President said, that coincidentally from 700 1 companies already providing in- this trip is occurring on Earth Day, because formation under the law. It will be more ac- since 1970, the first Earth Day, Americans cessible to Americans. And today we set in have stood side by side against a rising tide motion a process that will guarantee that all of pollution and for the proposition that we the stakeholders, including citizens, commu- have to find a way to live in harmony with nity groups, environmental groups, and busi- and grow our economy in a way that is con- nesses, will have opportunities to work to- sistent with preserving our environment. gether from now on to continue to improve Earth Day started at the grassroots. Soon this law. the force of neighbor joining with neighbor By expanding community right-to-know, grew into a national movement to safeguard we’re giving Americans a powerful, very pow- our air, our land, and our water. The move- erful early warning system to keep their chil- ment led national leaders of both parties to dren safe from toxic pollution. We’re giving put in place the environmental safeguards them the most powerful tool in a democracy: that protect us today: the Clean Air Act, the knowledge. We are truly living up to the Clean Water Act, the Environmental Protec- promise of Earth Day. tion Act. In 1995, an attempt to reverse this I also want to say a special word of thanks consensus and to radically weaken our envi- to Katie McGinty for the work that she has ronmental laws was strongly rebuffed here done on this, and the White House. And I in Washington and, even more importantly, want to thank the Vice President for taking all across America. And in 1996, that consen- my place at the Earth Day celebration at sus began to be restored again. Anacostia today to talk about community These environmental protections have right-to-know and for all of his work on the done an awful lot of good. But one of the environment. best things we can do in Washington to pro- And just let me say in closing, with regard tect the environment is to give people in to the comments he made about climate communities all across our country the power change and the possible impact it may have to protect themselves from pollution. That had on the enormous number of highly dis- is the mission of the community right-to- ruptive weather events that have occurred know law. This law tells citizens exactly what just since we’ve been here in the last 4 years substances are being released into their and a few months, I think it is very important neighborhoods. In the decade it’s been on that we continue to intensify our Govern- the books, citizens have joined with govern- ment and industry to reduce the release of 1 White House correction.

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ment’s research efforts in this regard and that Q. Any idea, Mr. President, on how much we take the very best knowledge we have money it might take, and will it be there and bring it to bear on a lot of the decisions when you need it? we’ll be having to make together as a country The President. I think, as I said, my expe- over the next 4 years. rience in dealing with the flood in the Middle We do not know, as the Vice President West and all the disasters in California, the said, for sure that the warming of the Earth Pacific Northwest, the floods in the South- is responsible for what seems to be a substan- east, is that Congress finds a way. And I think tial increase in highly disruptive weather everybody in America has been totally over- events, but many people believe that it is, whelmed by what we have seen on television and we have to keep looking into it. We have and seen in the news reports—these pictures to find the best scientific evidence we have, of buildings completely surrounded by water, and we have to keep searching for the an- burning down. You know, I think it’s been swers to this. I think every American has no- an overwhelming experience. I think the ticed a substantial increase in the last few American people are with the people of years of the kind of thing we’re going to see North Dakota, and I think we’ll do what we in North Dakota today. And if there is a larg- have to do. er cause which can be eased into the future, we ought to go after that solution as well. Chemical Weapons Convention Thank you very much. Q. Mr. President, are you making any tan- gible headway on the chemical weapons trea- North Dakota Floods ty, on getting the votes for the chemical Q. Is a ‘‘Marshall plan’’ appropriate? Your weapons treaty? Chief of Staff suggested yesterday it may take The President. Well, I hope so. We’re a ‘‘Marshall plan’’ to help North Dakota. working hard on it. We are working very, very The President. You know, we’ve had— hard on it. I am; the Vice President is; every- I suppose because North Dakota is not highly one in our administration is. I worked over populated we may—we’ve had disasters the weekend some on it. We’re doing the which have affected more people. But I be- best we can to put together a strong case. lieve that probably this is the highest per- I think the fact that we have come up with centage of people in any State or community a package of 28 clarifying amendments that that I have seen affected by this. And you respond to 90 percent of the objections, even know, if you look at Grand Forks, you see of the strongest opponents of the treaty, I a place that literally has to be completely re- think shows the good faith in which we have built or people have to reconstitute their lives proceeded. And we’ve worked very hard on elsewhere. So I do believe that we’re going this, and I’m actually quite optimistic. to have to be prepared to be very creative here. Iraq The Congress has shown in the past, even Q. Do you have a message for Saddam when it was quite costly, after the earthquake Hussein and honoring the no-fly zone? in California, for example, that we can unite The President. Well, my message is that across party lines to do what has to be done. we support people in exercising their reli- We need to take a hard look at this. This gious liberties and in living out their religious situation in North Dakota is virtually unprec- convictions everywhere in the world. And we edented in many, many ways, and I want to certainly support that in the Muslim world. go out there, make sure that I have read all But we don’t want to see religion, in effect, the information available, talk to the people used and distorted in a way to try to avoid there, see for myself. And then I’ll come back the international obligations that are im- and, along with the congressional delegation posed. And we intend to continue to observe with Senator Dorgan and Senator Conrad the no-fly zone and continue to support the and Congressman Pomeroy, we’ll put our embargo until he lives up to the conditions heads together and see where we go from of the United Nations resolutions. here. Thank you.

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NOTE: The President spoke at 9:05 a.m. on the I want to say before we start this round- South Lawn at the White House. In his remarks, table discussion that we are going to do ev- he referred to President Saddam Hussein of Iraq. erything we can to move as quickly as pos- sible to do as much as can be done to help. Remarks in a Roundtable Discussion I want to be briefed by everyone here at the on Flood Damage in Grand Forks, table. And James Lee Witt has already talked North Dakota to me quite extensively about this over, as you might imagine, a long period of time April 22, 1997 now. But I wanted to say that there are three The President. Well, first of all, let me things I’d like to announce first. say to all of you that I’m honored to be here First of all, before I left the White House with the people from our administration. this morning, I authorized FEMA to provide Thank you, Mayor Owens and Mayor Stauss, 100 percent of the direct Federal assistance the other mayors that are here. I thank Sen- for all of the emergency work undertaken by ator Conrad and Senator Dorgan, Senator Federal agencies in the 149 counties where Daschle, Senator Johnson who came in with disasters have been declared. We will do this me, and Senator Wellstone and Senator retroactively from the moment that the coun- Grams who met us, and Congressman ties were recognized as disaster areas, which Pomeroy and—and Congressman Peterson I hope will relieve the State and local govern- who met us here; Governor Schafer, Gov- ments from the worry of whether or not ernor Carlson. I also want to thank all the they’ll be able to actually afford to help citi- people who came with me from my adminis- zens and the communities through the clean- tration: the Secretary of Agriculture, Dan up. We do this only in the most difficult of Glickman; the Secretary of Health and circumstances. Normally, the reimbursement Human Services, Donna Shalala; the Sec- rate is 75 percent. But anyone who has been retary of Housing and Urban Development, here and seen the destruction, as I have, Andrew Cuomo; the Secretary of Transpor- knows that this is not an ordinary disaster, tation, Rodney Slater; Aida Alvarez, our if there is such a thing. The people here are Small Business Administration; and Togo giving 100 percent, and we should, too. West, the Secretary of the Army. I want to Second, we are dramatically expanding thank the Air Force, the National Guard, the FEMA’s public assistance grant program. Red Cross, the Corps of Engineers, the Coast We’ll add 18 counties in Minnesota and 53 Guard, the Salvation Army, and all the peo- ple at the State and local government and counties in South Dakota today. And these the community groups that have worked so counties also will be eligible for funds for hard on this endeavor. repair and restoration of their communities Today we saw, obviously, these two com- after the waters subside. Let me also say that munities that have been so devastated, but we expect to make additional counties in we know that there is a lot of other loss in North Dakota and Minnesota eligible for this North and South Dakota and Minnesota. assistance as soon as we can fully assess the We’re going to meet with people now, and damage that they have sustained. I’m going to get a briefing from people who The third thing I’d like to say is that today have, unbelievably, dealt with blizzards, I’m asking Congress to approve an additional floods, and fires, all at the same time. I have $200 million of contingency emergency never seen that before. And when I saw pic- funds for North and South Dakota and for tures of some of you stacking sandbags in Minnesota. I’ve asked that these funds be a blizzard, I thought that I had bad reception made available both for short-term emer- on my television at first. It was an amazing gency response activities and for long-term thing. I don’t recall ever in my life seeing efforts to help the region to rebuild in the anything like this. And I’ve been very im- aftermath of the flood. If approved, this ac- pressed by the courage and the faith that all tion will bring to $488 million the total of you have shown in the face of what has amount of disaster assistance we’ve re- been a terrible, terrible dilemma. quested for the people of these States.

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Finally, I’m directing our FEMA Director, rest of us that you’re speaking for all the peo- James Lee Witt, to lead an interagency task ple in these communities. And I thank you force to develop and direct a long-term re- for that. covery plan for North Dakota, South Dakota, I wonder if, Mr. Witt, if you could com- and Minnesota. We know that this is going ment, or any of the people that we brought to be a long-term effort. with us can comment on the question of the And when we were coming in today, one immediate needs—the immediate need for of the things that I was just noting based on housing, even for basic toilet facilities, for my now 20-plus years of experience in deal- these things—these basic immediate needs. ing with things like this—although I have How are we going to deal with that? never seen a community this inundated by flood, this large a community—we have to [The roundtable discussion continued.] deal with the long-term problems. And you The President. We’ve got the entire con- have to know that we can be relied on to gressional delegation from North Dakota and be there in all these communities over the from South Dakota, and they came to see long run. me as one a couple of weeks ago. And I really The only other thing I’d like to say, Madam appreciated it. I don’t think even they were Mayor, to you and the other officials—you prepared for what’s happened since then know this already, but a lot of people are here, but they did come and made me aware still almost in shock, I’m sure, and have not of what was going on. had time to focus on some of the things which will make the losses most painful, the And of course, we have Senator Wellstone, things that have been lost in these homes, Senator Grams, and your Congressman, the records of family occasions, the letters Collin Peterson here from Minnesota. And from World War II, the letters from the kids I wonder if any of them, or Governor Schafer that go off to college, all the things that peo- or Governor Carlson, would like to either ple will have to come to grips with in the make a comment or ask a question. days ahead. And I know that $488 million Senator Dorgan, Senator Conrad, either or $4 billion wouldn’t make that go away. one of you have anything you want to say? But at least we want you to know that we [The roundtable discussion continued.] are going to be there over the long run. And the rest of America has, I think, The President. Well, let me just say this. looked with great compassion and pain, but I think one of the things that we need your also enormous admiration at the heroic con- input in, to go back to this sort of ‘‘Marshall duct of the people of this community and plan’’ characterization that Senator Conrad of all these States in the last several days and Senator Dorgan used and that my Chief when they’ve gone through things that most of Staff Erskine Bowles used yesterday, we of the rest of us can’t imagine. We could need to try to design this aid package so that never imagine facing a flood and a fire and it gives maximum flexibility to people at the a blizzard all at the same time. And we ad- grassroots level to do what needs to be done mire you greatly, and we’re going to do what in these communities. This is an unprece- we can to be there with you over the long dented thing, and I will work with you on haul. it. Thank you. As I said, my sense is that the rest of the Mr. Witt. country has been profoundly moved by this. And if your colleagues in the Congress, in [At this point, the roundtable discussion both parties, will really help us with this— began.] we just need to—we need your guidance. The President. First of all, Mayor, and You’ve been out here since Thursday; you to all of you who’ve spoken, I thank you for know a lot more about it than we do. We what you said and for how you said it and need to try to structure what we’re going to for what you’ve done. And the pain with do in the Congress in the next few days in which you spoke, I think, only showed the a way that deals with it.

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I think that’s why Senator Daschle men- around—you can order, make, and deliver tioned the community development block up here probably within less than 2 weeks. grant program or some other programs that They can make a large number on order at gives the maximum flexibility to the people any of these sophisticated manufacturing at the community level. places in 10 days. Governors, would you like to say anything? So I think we can do our part of that, but [The roundtable discussion continued.] it depends on what kind of other arrange- ments you can make for water and sewer and The President. After years and years of when you tell us. Isn’t that about right? dealing with things of this kind, my instinct is that what Governor Carlson said is right, [Director James Lee Witt of the Federal that what Minnesota learned and what we Emergency Management Agency responded learned in all the Midwestern States that affirmatively to the President’s question.] were engulfed in the flood of ’93 will give The President. Yes, but we’ve also got to us some very valuable lessons about what to have the inventory ready simultaneously. We do in the rebuilding in all the communities affected here, with the exception of these two could be—we can order these things before where you’ve had the total destruction of the water and sewer is back on so that they communities of this size. In my experience, happen together. That’s the point I’m trying we’ve not gone through anything like this. to make. You can—and that can save people So I do think we’re going to have to be cre- at least a couple of weeks. And I know right ative and flexible. now, any day, people say, means something I just want to make two brief points, but to them. I want to—before I do, we have some other The second point I want to make is to mayors here, and I know we can’t hear from my—basically a request to the Members of everybody, but Mayor Stauss, would you like Congress who are here and for help from to say anything? the Governors. Believe me, everybody in Congress—I think virtually everybody will be [The roundtable discussion continued.] sympathetic to this request. On the other The President. Before we break this up, hand, the thing that bothers me that could I just want to make two points. The first thing delay this some, and I don’t want to see it I wanted to ask is a question. Is there an happen, is sometimes in Congress, when estimated time for when the water and sewer something that is so important, so popular will be hooked up again? Do we even know? like this comes along, other people, for per- Do we have any way of—anyone know? fectly legitimate reasons, think, ‘‘Well I’ve got something I care about; maybe I can tack [A participant responded that it would be at that on there, too.’’ And there may be some least a month before the normal water supply other agendas that get caught up in this. was restored.] So I would just ask, on a completely bipar- The President. Well, one of you—I think tisan, or, if we will, nonpartisan basis—this maybe it was Curt said you were worried it is an American issue—if we can get this sup- might take 3 or 4 weeks before people could plemental request through the Congress on be back on their homesites. its own terms or, at most, only with other Let me say—Mr. Witt said something emergency-related expenditures in other about the trailers, on-site trailers, which we parts of the country, so that none of us— have found work best. As soon as we know and the administration included—we all re- how many people want to go back there and sist whatever temptation we might have to live under those circumstances and how get something else done. I think that is the many people—the quicker we can do that moral and the right thing to do. These people inventory, the better because even if we have deserve help now, and that’s the only way to have these made, which typically we do to make sure we won’t have any extraneous in numbers this large, you can get incredibly debates and won’t fool around and waste a rapid turnaround. You can turn one lot of time.

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And I will do whatever I can. But we have all come, first of all, to see firsthand need—and again, believe me, I don’t know what it is you’ve been going through; sec- anybody who is going to do this, I’ve just seen ondly, to pledge to do our part to help make it happen over and over and over again where you whole; and thirdly, to tell you that we’re it seems like it’s just an irresistible temptation for you. We have hardly ever seen such a when you think some interest you represent remarkable demonstration of courage and can ride along on the train that deserves to commitment and cooperation and basic go out of the station in a hurry. We all need human strength, and we are very impressed to resist that and do what’s right by these and proud to be Americans when we see folks and get it done now. And if we can what you have done in the face of this terrible do that, I think that, from what I’ve seen disaster. here today, they’ll take care of the rest. We know that this rebuilding is going to Thank you. be a long-term prospect, and we also know NOTE: The President spoke at 1:58 p.m. in the that there are some very immediate and Enlisted Club at Grand Forks Air Force Base. In pressing human needs that many people his remarks, he referred to Mayor Patricia Owens have. Before I left this morning, I took some of Grand Forks, ND; Mayor Lynn Stauss of East steps I wanted to tell you about. First, I au- Grand Forks, MN; Gov. Edward T. Schafer of thorized James Lee Witt and the Federal North Dakota; and Gov. Arne H. Carlson of Min- Emergency Management Agency to provide nesota. 100 percent of the direct Federal assistance for all the emergency—[inaudible]—work Remarks to the Community in Grand going to be undertaken here. Forks The second thing we did was to add to April 22, 1997 the counties already covered another 18 counties in Minnesota and 53 in South Da- Thank you. Wait a minute, folks, I’ve got kota who need help. to get these crutches right here. [Laughter] The third thing I did was to ask Congress Thank you, General Hess. Let me begin by to approve another $200 million in emer- thanking everyone who is a part of the Grand gency funds for North Dakota, South Da- Forks Air Force Base for what you do for kota, and Minnesota. These funds will be our national security and especially for what available for both short-term emergency re- you have done to support the people of the sponse activities and for long-term efforts to Grand Forks communities in these last few help you rebuild. If approved, this action will days. I’m very proud of you. Thank you. bring to $488 million the total amount of dis- As I think all of you know, I have just come aster assistance that I have requested for the from touring the devastation of the floods as people of these three States. well as a very moving community meeting, Now, let me say there are—I say again, presided over by Mayor Owens, attended by I know there are short-term, immediate con- Mayor Stauss and other mayors, the entire cerns, people who need a place to sleep, peo- congressional delegation from North Dakota and from South Dakota, Senator Grams and ple who don’t know where their next check Senator Wellstone from Minnesota, Con- is coming from, even people who don’t have gressman Collin Peterson from Minnesota, access to basic sanitary facilities except here and the Governors from North Dakota and on the air base. We are working to restore Minnesota. those things with your local community folks. It has been a very moving experience for And we had some specific talks about what all of us. Five members of my Cabinet are we could do to get proper housing available here, the Secretaries of Agriculture, Health while you’re rebuilding your communities. and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, and the Ad- [At this point, there was a disturbance in the ministrator of the Small Business Administra- building.] tion. The Secretary of the Army is here. We That’s up there. Anybody hurt?

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Well, we’ve had a fire, a flood, a blizzard— for you is beyond me. And you ought to be [laughter]—I guess we can take a—[ap- very proud of them for doing that. I read plause]. this morning that there’s a message board So anyway, we’ll have our folks here, and right here that’s covered with offers for free there will be lots of them. And let me just housing all around. And that’s the kind of say, this is going to be—these next few spirit that will get everyone through this. days—our FEMA Director, James Lee Witt, With all the losses, I hope when this is and I have been working on these things a bearing down on you in the next few days, long time. He was my emergency director you will remember the enormous courage when I was Governor of Arkansas. I know and shared pride and values and support that what’s going to happen. I’ve been through all of you have given each other. You have floods and tornadoes and terrible losses. The shown that when we think of our duties to next few days are going to be very, very hard one another, our own lives are better, that on a lot of people. A lot of you who have we’re all stronger when we try to make sure been very, very brave and courageous, our friends and neighbors are safe and strong helped your friends and neighbors, are going as well. And no matter what you have lost to—it’s going to sink in on you what you have in this terrible flood, what you have saved been through and what has been lost. And and strengthened and sharpened and shown I want to encourage all of you to really look to the world is infinitely better. And you out for each other in the next few days and should be very, very proud of that. be sensitive to the enormous emotional pres- I saw something your mayor said the other sures that some of you will feel and also kind day that struck me in particular. She said, of be good to yourselves. Understand you ‘‘What makes a community a place to live don’t have to be ashamed if you’re heart- in is not the buildings. It’s the people, the broken. But it’s going to be tough in the next spirit, and faith that are in those people. few days. Water cannot wash that away, and fire cannot But I also want you to feel very resolute burn that away, and a blizzard cannot freeze about the long run. I have asked Director that away.’’ And if you don’t give it away, Witt to head an interagency task force to de- it will bring you back better than ever. And velop a long-term plan for what our respon- we’ll be there with you every step of the way. sibilities are to help you rebuild and be Thank you, and God bless you. stronger and better than ever. And believe me, it may be hard to believe now, but you NOTE: The President spoke at 2:50 p.m. in Hangar can rebuild stronger and better than ever. Two at Grand Forks Air Force Base. In his re- marks, he referred to Brig. Gen. Kenneth Hess, And we’re going to help you do that. And USAF, Base Commander, Grand Forks Air Force we want you to keep your eyes on that future. Base. Let me also say, as I go back to Washing- ton to ask the Congress to approve this emer- gency package, I will never forget what I Statement on Investment Sanctions have seen and heard here. Four of your com- Against Burma munity leaders who played various roles in April 22, 1997 the last several weeks, Ken Vein, Jim Shothorse, Randy Johnson, and Curt Kruen, Today I am announcing my decision to im- talked to me and to others in the meeting pose a ban on new U.S. investment in Burma. a few moments ago. I have seen the pictures I have taken this step in response to a con- of people battling the flames of the fire in stant and continuing pattern of severe re- the rising floods. I have seen rescue workers pression by the State Law and Order Res- working around the clock even as they lost toration Council (SLORC) in Burma. During their own homes. I have seen people pitching the past 7 months, the SLORC has arrested in to rescue books from the University of and detained large numbers of students and North Dakota library. I have read the last opposition supporters, sentenced dozens to 3 days editions of this newspaper. How in long-term imprisonment, and prevented the the world they kept producing the newspaper expression of political views by the demo-

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cratic opposition, including Aung San Suu and association, and undertake a dialog on Kyi and the National League for Democracy Burma’s political future that includes leaders (NLD). of the NLD and the ethnic minorities. I have therefore imposed sanctions under the terms of the ‘‘Cohen-Feinstein’’ Amend- ment, a bipartisan measure that I fully sup- Proclamation 6995—Law Day, port. As contained in the Burma policy provi- U.S.A., 1997 sion of the Consolidated Appropriations Act April 22, 1997 for Fiscal Year 1997 (Public Law 104–208), By the President of the United States this amendment calls for investment sanc- of America tions if the Government of Burma has phys- ically harmed, rearrested for political acts, or A Proclamation exiled Aung San Suu Kyi, or has committed This is the 40th year that Americans have large-scale repression of, or violence against, celebrated the first day of May as Law Day, the democratic opposition. It is my judgment a special time to reflect on our legal heritage. that recent actions by the regime in Rangoon It is an opportunity for all Americans to constitute such repression. pause and consider how the rule of law has Beyond its pattern of repressive human contributed to the freedoms we enjoy, and rights practices, the Burmese authorities also to our greatness as a Nation. have committed serious abuses in their re- The theme of this year’s Law Day com- cent military campaign against Burma’s memoration, ‘‘Celebrate Your Freedom,’’ fo- Karen minority, forcibly conscripting civil- cuses on the one concept that most defines ians and compelling thousands to flee into us as a Nation. It was freedom that we fought Thailand. The SLORC regime has over- for when we created this country. It is free- turned the Burmese people’s democratically dom that still sets us apart from many of the elected leadership. Under this brutal military world’s nations. And it is freedom’s lamp that regime, Burma remains the world’s leading still beckons the oppressed to America from producer of opium and heroin, and tolerates all parts of the globe. drug trafficking and traffickers in defiance of The quest to ensure our freedom is the the views of the international community. essence of what it means to be an American, The regime has shown little political will to and the bulwark of our freedom is the law stop the narcotics exports from Burma and and the legal system. James Madison once prevent illicit drug money from enriching observed that if men were angels, govern- those who would flaunt international rules ments would not be necessary. Laws are the and profit by destroying the lives of millions. instruments by which the people, through The United States and other members of their government, protect themselves from, the international community have firmly and and regulate their relations with, each other. repeatedly taken steps to encourage democ- At the same time, laws also serve to restrain ratization and human rights in Burma. the power of that government. Finding the Through our action today, we seek to keep proper balance between the conflicting inter- faith with the people of Burma, who made ests and rights of individuals, corporations, clear their support for human rights and de- and government has never been easy. But mocracy in 1990 elections which the regime we rely on the rule of law itself to protect chose to disregard. We join with many others all that is most precious to us. Without it, in the international community calling for re- other nations have descended into a state form in Burma, and we emphasize that the where force alone prevails and justice is a U.S.-Burma relationship will improve only as mere hope. there is progress on democratization and re- Thanks to the genius of our Founders and spect for human rights. the Constitutional system they created, In particular, we once again urge the au- Americans have witnessed the steady march thorities in Burma to lift restrictions on Aung of progress toward an open, inclusive society. San Suu Kyi and the political opposition, re- We vote in free, fair elections. We worship spect the rights of free expression, assembly, according to our own faith. We associate

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freely with whomever we choose. And we are Admiral Zumwalt, for being here and for able to express our disagreements with our being on this issue for so long. General Jones, government freely and openly. These rights, Admiral Arthur, to all the distinguished vet- routinely accepted today, have been main- erans and veterans groups who are with us tained only through years of testing and rein- today and to the men and women in uniform forcement in our Federal and State courts, who are here today. And I’d like to say a which have continued to extend freedom and special word of thanks to General Powell and liberty across the land. to Senator Dole for being here. So when we celebrate our freedom, we You have witnessed today, I believe, an ex- also celebrate a system of law that makes ample of America at its best, working as it freedom possible. For more than two cen- should, putting the interests of the American turies, we have prospered and endured be- people and the interests of the men and cause we have relied on that system of law. women of America in uniform first. And it We must keep that system strong and vibrant is something for which I am very grateful. in our national life. This treaty will make our troops safer. It Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, will make our Nation more secure. It will President of the United States of America, at least reduce the likelihood that innocent in accordance with Public Law 87–20 of April civilians here and around the world will be 7, 1961, do hereby proclaim May 1, 1997, exposed in the future to horrible chemical as Law Day. I urge the people of the United weapons. That is why every Chairman of the States to use this occasion to consider anew Joint Chiefs for the last 20 years and all the how our laws protect our freedoms and con- military leaders and political leaders and vet- tribute to our national well-being. I call upon erans you have heard today have supported members of the legal profession, civic asso- it. ciations, educators, librarians, public officials, All the arguments have been made, so I and the media to promote the observance would like to tell you a story. We now know of this day with appropriate programs and that chemical weapons have bedeviled Amer- activities. I also call upon public officials to icans in uniform from Belleau Wood in display the flag of the United States on all World War I to Baghdad in the Gulf war. government buildings throughout the day. We know that thousands were injured or In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set killed by chemical warfare in World War I. my hand this twenty-second day of April, in And I thought it would be a wonderful thing the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and today to show what this treaty is all about, ninety-seven, and of the Independence of the to have one remarkable American veteran of United States of America the two hundred World War I who survived such an attack. and twenty-first. And he is here with us today, Mr. George William J. Clinton Clark. Thank you for coming, sir. God bless you. [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, Mr. Clark was just in the Oval Office with 8:45 a.m., April 23, 1997] all of us. And Senator Dole apparently asked him if he was a contemporary of Senator NOTE: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on April 24. Thurmond, and he said he thought Senator Thurmond was a little young for the heavy responsibilities that he has enjoyed. [Laugh- Remarks on the Chemical Weapons ter] Convention As a 16-year-old marine, almost 80 years April 23, 1997 ago, George Clark fought in the Battle of Soissons in July of 1918. Taking cover in a The President. Thank you. Thank you ditch during fierce fighting, his squad came very much. Thank you, Mr. Wallace, for your under artillery attack by mustard gas. Every remarks and for your service; Mr. Vice Presi- man except him was either killed or wounded dent, General Shalikashvili. Thank you, Gen- as the poisonous fog settled on the ground. eral Scowcroft, for being here. Thank you, But Corporal Clark, who received the Purple

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Heart for what he endured that day—and us make America’s men and women in uni- he’s wearing it here today, 80 years later— form and American citizens safer. refused medical treatment even though, as During the last 2 months, as Senator Dole he said, ‘‘It hurt my lungs bad.’’ This man said so clearly, we have worked hard with went on to serve our country in World War Senate Majority Leader Lott, Senator Helms, II and the Korean war in the Army and in Senator Lugar, Senator Biden, and others. the Air Force, retiring after 32 years of active We’ve resolved virtually all the concerns that duty. some Senators have raised, and those resolu- Sir, I thank you for your extraordinary tions will be embodied tomorrow in an record of service and sacrifice to our Nation. amendment with the 28 understandings to I thank you for caring about all the young which Senator Dole referred. people who will follow in your footsteps and Now, we can’t let the minor and relatively for taking the effort and the trouble to be small number of disagreements that remain here today to support the ratification of the blind us to the overwhelming fact, to use the Chemical Weapons Convention. God bless words of Admiral Zumwalt, that at the bot- you, sir, and thank you. tom line our failure to ratify will substantially All the arguments have been made, and increase the risk of a chemical attack against the vote is about to come in. But let me just American service personnel. None of us restate a couple of points I think are very should be willing to take that. As Com- important that the opponents of this treaty mander in Chief, I cannot in good conscience cannot effectively rebut. We have decided— take that risk. I’m very proud of the work as General Powell said, we have decided to that’s been done under the two predecessor give up our chemical weapons. We decided administrations to mine of the opposite party. to do that a long time ago. And I’m very proud that we’re all standing Now, as more and more nations eliminate here together today as Americans in support their arsenals and they give up not only their of a good and noble and tremendously sig- arsenals, but they give up developing, pro- nificant endeavor. And all working together, ducing, and acquiring such weapons, our maybe tomorrow it will come out all right. troops will be less likely to face attack. But Thank you, and God bless you. also as stockpiles are eliminated and as the Q. Mr. President, at his briefing today, transfer of dangerous chemicals—including Senator Lott appeared to be leaning toward chemicals which can be put together to form supporting this treaty—that’s sort of my anal- chemical weapons for that purpose—as that ysis—because of the so-called 28 is controlled, it will be more difficult for ter- conditionalities, as he says. If there are so rorists and for rogue states to get or make many provisos—if this passes with so many poison gas. provisos, what is the rest of the world going That is why it is not a good argument that to think of this treaty? And can we just— we don’t have some countries involved in this the United States say, because we’re putting treaty. That’s not an argument against ratifi- so much in the bill—can we just say, ‘‘You cation. This commits everybody else not to accept it the way we like it?’’ give them anything that they can use to make The President. If you read the provisos chemical weapons to use against our forces tomorrow, every one of them is consistent or innocent civilians. with the overall treaty and would clearly be We also have now tough new tools on short a clarification of it. I think the rest of the notice, on-site inspections; we create a world- world will applaud what we have done. And wide intelligence and information sharing I believe that in very important respects they network; we strengthen the authority of our will say, ‘‘That’s the way we read the treaty own law enforcement officials. That is also all along.’’ So I believe it will be reinforcing very important. That’s one of the reasons the it. And I think you’ll see the differences over Japanese were so supportive of this, because the debate tomorrow, where the line falls. of what they have endured in their country. I think it will be clear that this will strengthen All these things together are going to help and enhance the meaning of the treaty, not

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only for ourselves but for others all around As parents, family members, mentors, and the world. teachers, we also have an obligation to intro- Thank you. duce our children to new experiences and to extend their education beyond the bound- NOTE: The President spoke at 11:25 a.m. in the aries of the classroom. If we are to fulfill the Roosevelt Room at the White House. In his re- exciting promise of the twenty-first century, marks, he referred to Robert Wallace, executive we must instill in our girls and boys a deep director, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Gen. Brent appreciation for lifelong learning and the Scowcroft, USAF (Ret.), former National Security Advisor; Adm. Elmo Zumwalt, USN (Ret.), confidence and self-esteem to live out their former Chief of Naval Operations; and Gen. Colin dreams. L. Powell, USA (Ret.), former Chairman, Joint I commend the thousands of families, Chiefs of Staff; and former Senator Bob Dole. businesses, schools, and communities partici- pating in ‘‘Take Our Daughters to Work Day’’ for showing America’s young women Statement on the Supreme Court that we believe in them and in their ability Decision To Expedite Review of the to lead us in the years to come. You are mak- Line Item Veto ing a lasting investment in America’s future. April 23, 1997 Hillary joins me in extending best wishes for a memorable observance. I am pleased that the Supreme Court has Bill Clinton granted the Solicitor General’s request to provide an expedited review of a lower court NOTE: This message was made available by the ruling on the line item veto. The line item Office of the Press Secretary on April 24 but was veto provides a critical tool for the President not issued as a White House press release. to strike wasteful spending and tax items from legislation. Congress took the correct step giving the President this authority, and Statement on the Proposed I was pleased to sign the line item veto into ‘‘Employment Non-Discrimination law. It is my hope that this expedited ruling Act’’ will clear up any confusion on this matter. April 24, 1997 Today Vice President Gore and I met with Message on the Observance of Take a bipartisan delegation from Congress, rep- Our Daughters to Work Day resenting the lead House and Senate spon- April 23, 1997 sors of the ‘‘Employment Non-Discrimina- tion Act’’ (‘‘ENDA’’)—an important piece of Warm greetings to everyone participating civil rights legislation which would extend in ‘‘Take Our Daughters to Work Day.’’ We basic employment discrimination protections dedicate this special day each year to empow- to gay and lesbian Americans. At our meet- ering girls with the encouragement and prac- ing, I underscored my strong support of the tical work experiences that will enable them bill, which will soon be reintroduced in Con- to become leaders in the workplace of the gress, and our intention to work hard for its future. passage. Young girls must never believe that there As I said in my State of the Union Address are limitations on what they can do or be- this January, we must never, ever believe that come in this country. That’s why all of us our diversity is a weakness, for it is our great- have a responsibility to renew our commit- est strength. People on every continent can ment to gender equality not only at work, look to us and see the reflection of their own but also in our homes, schools, and commu- great potential, and they always will, as long nities. It is time to treat our children the as we strive to give all of our citizens an op- same, to embrace their unique gifts, and to portunity to achieve their own greatness. allow them to utilize their God-given talents We’re not there yet, and that is why ENDA as they choose. is so important. It is about the right of each

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individual in America to be judged on their answer all the legitimate objections pre- merits and abilities and to be allowed to con- viously raised against it, while ensuring that tribute to society without facing unfair dis- Americans, regardless of their sexual orienta- crimination on account of sexual orientation. tion, can find and keep their jobs based on It is about our ongoing fight against bigotry their ability and the quality of their work. and intolerance, in our country and in our It is designed to protect the rights of all hearts. Americans to participate in the job market I applaud the bipartisan efforts of Senators without fear of unfair discrimination. I sup- Jeffords, Kennedy, and Lieberman and Con- port it, and I urge all Americans to do so. gressmen Shays and Frank to make the ‘‘Em- And I urge Congress to pass it expeditiously. ployment Non-Discrimination Act’’ the law. I also thank the members of the Human Rights Campaign and the Leadership Con- Remarks on Senate Ratification of ference on Civil Rights, whose executive di- the Chemical Weapons Convention rectors joined in our meeting, for their early and an Exchange With Reporters support and hard work on behalf of this bill. April 24, 1997 It failed to win passage by only one vote in the Senate last year. My administration The President. Ladies and gentlemen, the worked hard for its passage then, and we will United States Senate has served America continue our efforts until it becomes law. well tonight. Because they have ratified the Discrimination in employment on the Chemical Weapons Convention, our troops basis of sexual orientation is currently legal will be less likely to face poison gas on the in 41 States. Most Americans don’t know that battlefield, our hand will be strengthened in men and women in those States may be fired the fight against terrorists and rogue states. from their jobs solely because of their sexual We will end a century that began with the orientation, even when it is has no bearing horror of chemical weapons in World War on their job performance. Those who face I much closer to the elimination of those this kind of job discrimination have no legal kinds of weapons. And once again, America recourse in either our State or Federal has displayed the leadership that we must courts. This is wrong. demonstrate as we build a safer world for Individuals should not be denied a job on the 21st century. the basis of something that has no relation- Two and a half months ago, Majority Lead- ship to their ability to perform their work. er Lott and I put together a process to work Sadly, as the Senate Labor and Human Re- through the concerns that some Senators had sources Committee has documented during about the treaty. Our negotiating teams held hearings held in the last Congress, this kind 30 hours of meetings; so did groups led by of job discrimination is not rare. Senator Biden and Senator Helms. At the The ‘‘Employment Non-Discrimination end of the day, because we went the extra Act’’ is careful to apply certain exemptions. mile, we resolved the problems that had been It provides an exemption for small busi- raised by the vast majority of the Senators. nesses, the Armed Forces, and religious orga- I thank the Majority Leader for guiding nizations, including schools and other edu- these efforts so successfully. I applaud the cational institutions that are substantially efforts of Senators on both sides of the aisle, controlled or supported by religious organi- including Minority Leader Daschle, Senator zations. This later provision respects the Biden, Senator Lugar, and Senator McCain. deeply held religious beliefs of many Ameri- And I’ve been so gratified that in these past cans. The bill specifically prohibits pref- few weeks, so many have put politics aside erential treatment on the basis of sexual ori- to join together behind this treaty, as we saw entation, including quotas. It does not re- yesterday when Senator Dole and General quire employers to provide special benefits. Powell, Brent Scowcroft, and other Repub- As I indicated when I originally announced licans joined me, as they had previously. my support of this legislation in October of I thank the Vice President, the Chairman 1995, the bill in its current form appears to of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and so many of

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our military leaders, past and present, who and the Democrats in Congress in achieving also came out strongly in support of this trea- a balanced budget agreement? ty. The President. I don’t want to character- This vote is an example of America work- ize it. They’re working hard, and they’re ing as it should, Democrats and Republicans working in good faith. And I want to leave together, putting our country first, reaching it like that. across party lines, reaching for the common I’m going to—we’re going to talk tomor- good. This vote is vivid proof that we are row. It’s late. Let’s go to bed. stronger as a nation when we work together. It’s true when it comes to our leadership in Missing Military Trucks in Texas the world; it’s also true when it comes to Q. Mr. President, we’re told that two mili- dealing with our challenges here at home: tary trucks are missing tonight, one carrying strengthening our education system, finish- four unarmed Air Force missiles, the other ing the job of reforming welfare, fighting said to be carrying machine guns and mortar. crime, defending the environment, and fin- Mr. President, we’re told that they are over- ishing the job of balancing the budget. due 3 to 4 days. What’s being done to find The Chemical Weapons Convention truly these trucks, and is foul play suspected? was made in America, under two of my pred- The President. I’ve just been briefed on ecessors. It is right for America. Now it has it. The FBI is working on it—working hard been ratified in America, and it will make on it. It’s my understanding that one of the our future more secure. For that, on behalf trucks has been recovered, and that the other of the American people, I am profoundly one has weapons that are inert and cannot grateful to the United States Senate. cause any harm. But we’re working on it. We’ll have more reports tomorrow. Budget Agreement Q. Mr. President, Senator Lott said today NOTE: The President spoke at 10:51 p.m. in the Briefing Room at the White House. that, in light of his support of this treaty, that you should show, quote, ‘‘similar courage against your base and make budget conces- Memorandum on Delegation of sions that might upset Democrats.’’ Are you Responsibilities to the Secretary of willing to anger Democrats to balance the State budget, if that’s what it takes? The President. Well, first of all, a majority April 24, 1997 of Republicans supported this treaty and all Memorandum for the Secretary of State the Democrats. And I think we can get a balanced budget supported by a majority of Subject: Delegation to the Secretary of State Republicans and a majority of Democrats in of the Responsibilities Vested in the both Houses if we work together in good President by Section 564 of the Foreign faith. This was not some unilateral move. Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years This was an honest, good-faith negotiation. 1994 and 1995 (Public Law 103–236), as We put 28 clarifying conditions on to the Amended treaty that we worked very hard with Senator By the authority vested in me by the Con- Lott and others with. stitution and laws of the United States of I am—what I am willing to do, I’m willing America, including section 301 of title 3 of to work through this process on the budget the United States Code, I hereby delegate just the way we worked through this. I’m very to you the functions vested in the President encouraged by it, and I think that America by section 564 of the Anti-Economic Dis- should be encouraged by it. If we work to- crimination Act of 1994 (AEDA) (title V of gether in a very practical way to do what’s the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fis- in the national interest, I think we can get cal Years 1994 and 1995, Public Law 103– there. 236, as amended). Q. Mr. President, how far apart are you Any reference in this memorandum to sec- right now with the Republican leadership tion 564 of the AEDA shall be deemed to

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include references to any hereafter-enacted kindness of Bill because he got Mickey provision of law that is the same or substan- Kantor on the phone without any fighting be- tially the same as such section. tween us. [Laughter] The functions delegated by this memoran- The President. He tried to get him to dum may be redelegated as appropriate. switch sides, but he didn’t do it. [Laughter] You are authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register. China-Russia Relations William J. Clinton Q. Mr. President, does the U.S. or Japan have any reason to be concerned about the NOTE: This memorandum was released by the Of- treaty between China and Russia? fice of the Press Secretary on April 25. The President. Well, my view is that the United States should have a partnership over Remarks Prior to Discussions With the long run for stability in the Asia-Pacific Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto region that includes our longstanding alliance of Japan and an Exchange With with Japan and a positive relationship with Reporters both Russia and with China. And as long as any agreement they make is consistent with April 25, 1997 that kind of positive partnership and is not The President. Everybody in? Let me say directed in any negative way toward their it’s a great honor for me to host my friend neighbors, I think that we don’t have any- Prime Minister Hashimoto here at the White thing to worry about. House. We had a nice visit last night, and Mr. Prime Minister? Prime Minister Hashimoto. he was here at the time the Chemical Weap- I wonder if ons Convention passed, so we shared a mo- there’s anything I could add to that wonder- ment of celebration. And we have a busy ful statement. That was a splendid answer agenda today, and of course we’ll have a press to the question, I believe. If I may add, I conference later and we’ll do our best to an- think that the summit between the President swer your questions. and President Yeltsin in Helsinki was a great But I think it’s important to reaffirm that contributor not just to the stability in Europe the relationship the United States has with but also the stability for the entire world. Japan is unique and comprehensive and pro- I think the President gave a succinct an- foundly important to our future and to the swer describing the situation of the moment. stability and prosperity and peace of the It’s very important that Russia and the Euro- world. And we intend to keep working on pean countries have a stable relationship. We it and make it better. are in the transitional period of great change. Mr. Prime Minister. We are trying to engage, for example, China Prime Minister Hashimoto. I find myself as a constructive partner in international so- being a very lucky man. I was lucky enough ciety, and we’re transforming the G–7 sum- to be invited by Bill last night, after arriving mit to the Summit of Eight. So in that con- here in the evening, and I could share the text, I think the President gave an excellent greatest moment with Bill for the wonderful answer to your question. Q. passage of the splendid Convention in the Thank you, Mr. President. The President. Senate. The fact that I was able to share that We’ll answer the others wonderful moment together with the Presi- later. We’re going to have a press conference dent, itself, makes my trip to Washington later. Q. worthwhile. ——Governor Weld as Ambassador to I see all the familiar and very inquisitive Mexico? The President. faces in this room, so there will be many We’re going to have a questions asked of me, but even with that press conference later, and I’ll answer all the fact, I’m very happy that I was able to share questions. We have to work. the moment with the President last night. [At this point, one group of reporters left the And last night I was very appreciative of the room, and another group entered.]

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Prime Minister Hashimoto. I guess we available for verification of the content of these have to shake hands again. [Laughter] remarks. The President. Yes. Let me say very brief- ly, it’s a great honor for me to have my friend Prime Minister Hashimoto here in the Oval Statement Announcing an Appeal of Office. He made Hillary and me feel very the District Court Decision on welcome in Japan not so very long ago, and Tobacco Regulations we’re glad to have him back here. We just had his daughter and son-in-law April 25, 1997 and grandchild in here. We were playing with the baby, so we’re a little late in getting our This is a historic and landmark day for the work started. And we had—but we had a very Nation’s health and children. With this rul- good visit last night, and he was here at the ing, we can regulate tobacco products and moment that the Chemical Weapons Con- protect our children from a lifetime of addic- vention passed the Senate, which was a tion and the prospect of having their lives happy coincidence for me and, I think, for cut short by the diseases that come with that him. And we have a lot of business to transact addiction. This is a monumental first step in today, and I’m looking forward to this meet- what we always knew would be a long, tough ing and also to the press conference that we road, and we are ready to keep pushing on. will have together after our meeting. This is a fight for the health and lives of Mr. Prime Minister. our children. Each day, 3,000 children and Prime Minister Hashimoto. [Inaudi- young people become regular smokers, and ble]—when the Senate was just passing the 1,000 of them will have their lives cut short Chemical Weapons Convention. We were as a result of smoking. This is a fight we can- able to share that joy. It was all the more not afford to lose. It is a fight we cannot af- pleasing for me to share that great moment ford to stop waging. The Vice President and with the President. I are committed to protecting our children. I expressed my sympathies for the damage Our commonsense approach is aimed at caused by the flooding in the State of North Dakota and Minnesota. Also, I expressed my limiting the appeal of these products and gratitude to the—cooperation by the United making it harder for children to buy them. States up to the solution of this incident in Retailers have the responsibility to make cer- Peru. It was a wonderful moment between tain that they are not selling tobacco products the two of us. And I’m sure that we will have to anyone under 18. Asking them for a photo very meaningful discussions in our meeting. ID is just plain common sense. Keeping to- bacco billboards away from schools and play- Trade with Japan grounds is just plain common sense. Q. Mr. President, do you think Japan Senior attorneys from the Department of should go ahead with the additional food aid, Justice, the Department of Health and putting aside—— Human Services, and the Food and Drug Ad- The President. We need to discuss that. ministration have carefully reviewed the Dis- Q. ——Prime Minister on trade and par- trict Court’s opinion. On the basis of that re- ticularly the current account, trade surplus, view, the Solicitor General has informed me sir? that an appeal would be appropriate for that The President. Obviously, we don’t want part of the rule not upheld, and I have di- it to go back up. We’ve made some real rected that an appeal be filed. progress. But we’ll discuss that. We’ll have We will continue to work to protect our a press conference later. children and our children’s children. We will NOTE: The President spoke at 11:10 a.m. in the not stop until we succeed. Where our chil- Oval Office at the White House. Prime Minister dren’s health and safety are concerned, we Hashimoto spoke in Japanese, and his remarks cannot, and we will not, rest. were translated by an interpreter. A tape was not

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Message to the Senate on the United States, allied, and international secu- Chemical Weapons Convention rity. April 25, 1997 William J. Clinton The White House, To the Senate of the United States: April 25, 1997. I am gratified that the United States Sen- ate has given its advice and consent to the Message to the Congress on the ratification of the Convention on the Prohibi- tion of the Development, Production, Stock- Chemical Weapons Convention piling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on April 25, 1997 their Destruction (the ‘‘Convention’’). To the Congress of the United States: During the past several months, the Sen- In accordance with the resolution of advice ate and the Administration, working to- and consent to ratification of the Convention gether, have prepared a resolution of advice on the Prohibition of the Development, Pro- and consent to ratification of unusual breadth duction, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical and scope. The resolution that has now been Weapons and on Their Destruction, adopted approved by the Senate by a strong, biparti- by the Senate of the United States on April san vote of 74–26 contains 28 different Con- 24, 1997, I hereby certify that: ditions covering virtually every issue of inter- In connection with Condition (1), Ef- est and concern. I will implement these pro- fect of Article XXII, the United States visions. I will, of course, do so without preju- has informed all other States Parties to dice to my Constitutional authorities, includ- the Convention that the Senate reserves ing for the conduct of diplomatic exchanges the right, pursuant to the Constitution and the implementation of treaties. A Condi- of the United States, to give its advice tion in a resolution of ratification cannot alter and consent to ratification of the Con- the allocation of authority and responsibility vention subject to reservations, notwith- under the Constitution. standing Article XXII of the Conven- I note that Condition (2) on Financial tion. Contributions states that no funds may be In connection with Condition (7), drawn from the Treasury for payments or as- Continuing Vitality of the Australia sistance under the Convention without statu- Group and National Export Controls: (i) tory authorization and appropriation. I will nothing in the Convention obligates the interpret this Condition in light of the past United States to accept any modifica- practice of the Congress as not precluding tion, change in scope, or weakening of the utilization of such alternatives as appro- its national export controls; (ii) the Unit- ed States understands that the mainte- priations provisions that serve as a statutory nance of national restrictions on trade authorization. in chemicals and chemical production I am grateful to Majority Leader Lott, Mi- technology is fully compatible with the nority Leader Daschle, and Senators Helms, provisions of the Convention, including Biden, Lugar, Levin, McCain and the many Article XI(2), and solely within the sov- others who have devoted so much time and ereign jurisdiction of the United States; effort to this important ratification effort. It (iii) the Convention preserves the right is clear that the practical result of our work of State Parties, unilaterally or collec- together on the Convention will well serve tively, to maintain or impose export con- the common interest of advancing the na- trols on chemicals and related chemical tional security of the United States. In this production technology for foreign policy spirit, I look forward to the entry into force or national security reasons, notwith- of the treaty and express my hope that it will standing Article XI(2); and (iv) each lead to even more important advances in Australia Group member, at the highest

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diplomatic levels, has officially commu- States is not a party to the conflict (such nicated to the United States Govern- as recent use of the United States ment its understanding and agreement Armed Forces in Somalia, Bosnia, and that export control and nonproliferation Rwanda); (ii) consensual peacekeeping measures which the Australia Group has operations when the use of force is au- undertaken are fully compatible with thorized by the receiving state, includ- the provisions of the Convention, in- ing operations pursuant to Chapter VI cluding Article XI(2), and its commit- of the United Nations Charter; and (iii) ment to maintain in the future such ex- peacekeeping operations when force is port controls and nonproliferation meas- authorized by the Security Council ures against non-Australia Group mem- under Chapter VII of the United Na- bers. tions Charter. In connection with Condition (9), In connection with Condition (27), Protection of Advanced Biotechnology, Chemical Weapons Destruction, all the the legitimate commercial activities and following conditions are satisfied: (A) I interests of chemical, biotechnology, have agreed to explore alternative tech- and pharmaceutical firms in the United nologies for the destruction of the Unit- States are not being significantly ed States stockpile of chemical weapons harmed by the limitations of the Con- in order to ensure that the United States vention on access to, and production of, has the safest, most effective and envi- those chemicals and toxins listed in ronmentally sound plans and programs Schedule 1 of the Annex on chemicals. for meeting its obligations under the In connection with Condition (15), convention for the destruction of chemi- Assistance Under Article X, the United cal weapons; (B) the requirement in sec- States shall not provide assistance under tion 1412 of Public Law 99–145 (50 paragraph 7(a) of Article X, and, for any U.S.C. 1521) for completion of the de- State Party the government of which is struction of the United States stockpile not eligible for assistance under chapter of chemical weapons by December 31, 2 of part II (relating to military assist- 2004, will be superseded upon the date ance) or chapter 4 of part II (relating the Convention enters into force with to economic support assistance) of the respect to the United States by the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961: (i) no deadline required by the Convention of assistance under paragraph 7(b) of Arti- April 29, 2007; (C) the requirement in cle X will be provided to the State Party; Article III(1)(a)(v) of the Convention for and (ii) no assistance under paragraph a declaration by each State Party not 7(c) of Article X other than medical anti- later than 30 days after the date the dotes and treatment will be provided to Convention enters into force with re- the State Party. spect to that Party, on general plans of In connection with Condition (18), the State Party for destruction of this Laboratory Sample Analysis, no sample chemical weapons does not preclude in collected in the United States pursuant any way the United States from deciding to the Convention will be transferred for in the future to employ a technology for analysis to any laboratory outside the the destruction of chemical weapons dif- territory of the United States. ferent than that declared under that Ar- In connection with Condition (26), ticle; and (D) I will consult with the Riot Control Agents, the United States Congress on whether to submit a re- is not restricted by the Convention in quest to the Executive Council of the its use of riot control agents, including Organization for an extension of the the use against combatants who are par- deadline for the destruction of chemical ties to a conflict, in any of the following weapons under the Convention, as pro- cases: (i) the conduct of peacetime mili- vided under Part IV(A) of the Annex on tary operations within an area of ongo- Implementation and Verification to the ing armed conflict when the United Convention, if, as a result of the pro-

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gram of alternative technologies for the develop such arrangements with it and will destruction of chemical munitions car- provide additional information to the Con- ried out under section 8065 of the De- gress in the annual reports contemplated by partment of Defense Appropriations Act this Condition. of 1997 (as contained in Public Law 104–208), I determine that alternatives William J. Clinton to the incineration of chemical weapons are available that are safer and more en- The White House, vironmentally sound but whose use April 25, 1997. would preclude the United States from meeting the deadlines of the Conven- tion. In connection with Condition (28), Constitutional Protection Against Un- Digest of Other reasonable Search and Seizure: (i) for White House Announcements any challenge inspection conducted on the territory of the United States pursu- ant to Article IX, where consent has The following list includes the President’s public been withheld, the United States Na- schedule and other items of general interest an- tional Authority will first obtain a crimi- nounced by the Office of the Press Secretary and nal search warrant based upon probable not included elsewhere in this issue. cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and describing with particularity the place to be searched and the persons April 22 or things to be seized; and (ii) for any In the morning, the President traveled to routine inspection of a declared facility Grand Forks, ND. Following his arrival, he under the Convention that is conducted took a helicopter tour of areas damaged by on an involuntary basis on the territory severe flooding in North Dakota and Min- of the United States, the United States nesota. National Authority first will obtain an In the evening, the President returned to administrative search warrant from a Washington, DC. United States magistrate judge. The President amended the major disaster In accordance with Condition (26) on Riot declarations for the flood-ravaged upper Control Agents, I have certified that the Midwest by authorizing direct Federal fund- United States is not restricted by the Con- ing for emergency work performed in re- vention in its use of riot control agents in sponse to the flooding in Minnesota, North various peacetime and peacekeeping oper- Dakota, and South Dakota. ations. These are situations in which the United States is not engaged in a use of force April 23 of a scope, duration and intensity that would In the afternoon, the President briefly at- trigger the laws of war with respect to U.S. tended the Vice President’s meeting with His forces. Holiness the Dalai Lama. In connection with Condition (4)(A), Cost The President announced his intention to Sharing Arrangements, which calls for a re- nominate W. Scott Gould for the position of port identifying all cost-sharing arrangements Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Sec- with the Organization, I hereby report that retary for Administration at the Department because the Organization is not yet estab- of Commerce. lished and will not be until after entry into The White House announced the Presi- force of the Convention, as of this date there dent’s intention to send legislation to Con- are no cost-sharing arrangements between gress to modify the Franklin D. Roosevelt the United States and the Organization to Memorial, to be dedicated on May 2 in order identify. However, we will be working with to provide a permanent depiction of Presi- the Organization upon its establishment to dent Roosevelt’s disability at the memorial.

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April 24 items nor covered by entries in the Digest of The President announced his intention to Other White House Announcements. appoint James D. Cunningham, Sr., to serve as a member of the Federal Salary Council. Released April 21 April 25 Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- The President announced his intention to retary Mike McCurry nominate Michael J. Armstrong as Associate Director of Mitigation at the Federal Emer- Released April 22 gency Management Agency. Transcript of remarks by Vice President Al Gore on departure for North Dakota Released April 23 Nominations Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- Submitted to the Senate retary Mike McCurry Statement by Press Secretary Mike McCurry The following list does not include promotions of on proposed legislation to modify the Frank- members of the Uniformed Services, nominations lin D. Roosevelt Memorial to the Service Academies, or nominations of For- eign Service officers. Statement by Press Secretary Mike McCurry on the President’s meeting with His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama Submitted April 18 Released April 24 George John Tenet, of Maryland, to be Director of Central Intel- Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- ligence, vice John M. Deutch, resigned. retary Mike McCurry Withdrawn April 18 Released April 25 Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- Anthony Lake, retary Mike McCurry of Massachusetts, to be Director of Central Intelligence, vice John M. Deutch, resigned, Transcript of a press briefing by Domestic which was sent to the Senate on January 9, Policy Council Director Bruce Reed on the 1997. President’s upcoming summit on national service Submitted April 22 Elizabeth Anne Moler, Acts Approved of Virginia, to be Deputy Secretary of En- by the President ergy, vice Charles B. Curtis, resigned.

Submitted April 25 Approved April 24 Andrew J. Pincus, of New York, to be General Counsel of the H.R. 785 / Public Law 105–10 Department of Commerce, vice Ginger Ehn To designate the J. Phil Campbell, Senior, Lew. Natural Resource Conservation Center Approved April 25 Checklist of White House Press Releases H.R. 1225 / Public Law 105–11 To make a technical correction to title 28, The following list contains releases of the Office United States Code, relating to jurisdiction of the Press Secretary that are neither printed as for lawsuits against terrorist states.

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