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Home , Daisy Bates (activist), Ernest Green, Little Rock Nine, Terrence Roberts

Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 / Nov. 6

Remarks on Signing Legislation To Establish the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site November 6, 1998

Thank you very much. You know, when Ernie rorist attack. No nation should live under the was up here introducing me, I remembered that threat of violence and terror that they live under he was the only senior among the Little Rock every day. Nine. He graduated in the spring in 1958, and When Prime Minister Netanyahu and Chair- when they called him up to receive his diploma, man Arafat signed the Wye River agreement, the whole auditorium was quiet, not a single they knew they would face this moment. They person clapped. But we’re all clapping for you knew when they went home both of them would today, buddy. be under more danger and the terrorists would I would like to thank all the members of target innocent civilians. They knew they would the who are here, including have to muster a lot of courage in their people , Carlotta LaNier, Jefferson to stick to the path of peace in the face of Thomas, Minnijean Trickey, . repeated acts of provocation. is not here. Gloria Ray There are some people, you know, who have Karlmark is not here. Thelma Mothershed-Wair a big stake in the continuing misery and hatred is not here. I think we should give all of them in the Middle East, and indeed everywhere else another hand. [Applause] in this whole world, just like some people had I would like to thank Congressman Elijah a big stake in continuing it in Little Rock over Cummings, Congressman Gregory Meeks for 40 years ago. coming; Mayor Woodrow Stanley of Flint, I ask for your prayers and support today for Michigan; Commissioner Edna Bell, the presi- the Israelis and the Palestinians who believe in dent of the National Association of Black County this agreement and who are determined to carry Officials, from Wayne County, Michigan. I’d like out their responsibilities and who understand to thank and welcome the mayor-elect of Wash- that the agreement is the best way to protect ington, DC, Anthony Williams. I told him I’d the safety of the Israeli people. It was tena- be for more Federal aid if he’d teach me how ciously negotiated, hard fought, but it is the to tie a bow tie. I never learned how to do best way to safety for the Israelis, the best way that. to achieve the aspirations of the Palestinians, I would like to thank Secretary of Transpor- and in the end, the only answer to today’s act tation Rodney Slater and the Secretary of the of criminal terror. I hope you will all feel that Interior Bruce Babbitt for their presence and in your heart. leadership. And I would like to say a special Let me say, this is a very, very happy day word of welcome, and profound appreciation for for the people who were part of the Little Rock his historic role in Tuesday’s historic turnout Nine experience, for the people of Little Rock, of voters, to Reverend . Welcome, all the Arkansans who are here, African-Ameri- sir, we’re delighted to have you here. cans from throughout our country. There was I thank the Marine Band, as an earlier reference made by Congressman always, for their great performance, on the occa- Bennie Thompson—and I thank him for his out- sion of John Philip Sousa’s birth anniversary. standing leadership in this endeavor and for his And let me say a special word of welcome again fine remarks today—about the election. to the White House to the magnificent young Now, most of the publicity about the election people of the Eastern High School Choir from has been the enormous turnout of African- Washington, DC. Thank you. American citizens in a midterm election that Let me say, since we are here to talk about resulted in the victories that have been well our reconciliation, I hope you will forgive me publicized for non-African-American elected of- for taking just a moment—and I know I speak ficials. And having been one of those on several for all who are here—to express my occasions, I am immensely grateful. [Laughter] sympathy to the people of Israel, who this morn- But what has received less publicity that I ing were once again the target of a vicious ter- would like to point out, because this too was

1993 Nov. 6 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 a part of the road that the Little Rock Nine We owe him an enormous debt of gratitude began to walk for us, is that on Tuesday in for his nearly five decades of caring, often cou- the State of Georgia, an African-American was rageous public service, and I cannot thank him elected the attorney general of the State, an enough. African-American was elected the labor commis- The bill that Senator Bumpers and Congress- sioner of the State. And in the South on Tues- man Thompson have presented to me for signa- day, African-American Congressmen were re- ture today recognizes the courage of the Little elected in majority white districts, with large Rock Nine and that of their parents, their lead- majority—large majority. That is a part of the ers, their community leaders, especially our road we have walked together, a part of what great friend , who could not be here we celebrate today. today. There are so many here who played a role Because of all of them, Central High has be- in it. One more person I would be remiss if come a hallowed place, a place every bit as I did not recognize, that Hillary and I love so sacred as Gettysburg and Independence Hall. much and are so grateful to, is the wonderful Interestingly enough, back in the 1920’s, it was Dr. , chairman of the National voted the most beautiful school in America. It Commission of Negro Women. Thank you for is still a functioning school, very much so. There being here, Dorothy. Let’s give her a big hand. are some years when its students comprise 25 percent of our State’s entire roster of National [Applause] Thank you, and bless you. Merit Scholars. It’s a place where children can Ladies and gentlemen, there is only one bit- still go and study Greek and Latin, something tersweet element in this magnificent moment that’s rare in all school districts throughout for Hillary and for me, and that is that we America. It is, I believe, about to become the are celebrating the last piece of legislation only open, fully operating school that is a Na- passed by our good friend Dale Bumpers. We tional Historic Site. have walked a lot of steps together since I first As Ernie said, Hillary and I welcomed the met Dale Bumpers about 25 years ago when Little Rock Nine back to Little Rock on the he was Governor. And we’ve had a lot of laughs 30th anniversary of the integration of Little at each other’s expense. After I became Presi- Rock Central High School. Then I was pro- dent, just to make sure that I didn’t get the foundly honored to hold open the door of the big head, he went around Washington intro- school so they could walk through on the 40th ducing me to people as the second-best Gov- anniversary. Today I was able to welcome them ernor ever had. [Laughter] Today I all to the White House to the Oval Office and told him that I hadn’t had much time to review now on the South Lawn. my remarks and, therefore, hadn’t had the op- On the fateful day they slipped into Central portunity to delete all the nice things that had High School and were removed by the police, been written for me to say about him. [Laugh- President Eisenhower was on vacation in New- ter] port. When he learned what had happened to But I do want to tell you that this is a truly them, and that Governor Faubus had turned astonishing public servant. Hillary and I admire over the streets to the mob, he realized that— him, admire his wife Betty, admire the things even as a conservative—the Federal Govern- that he’s stood for and she’s stood for, and we ment had to act. The next day he flew back will miss them. Last month, in a final and, as to the White House. His helicopter landed just always, brilliant speech on the Senate floor, Dale a few steps from here. He had just ordered mentioned an inspiring teacher who once General Maxwell Taylor to put the might of stopped him when he was reading out loud and the behind their right- said to the whole class, ‘‘Doesn’t he have a eous through the doors of Central High. nice voice? Wouldn’t it be tragic if he didn’t Now, thanks to Senators Bumpers and Con- use that talent?’’ I think it’s fair to say that gressman Thompson, and many others, as they Dale Bumpers has done his teacher proud, be- said, our Nation has found two very fitting ways cause he used that eloquent, impassioned voice to honor that march to ensure that the memory to make sure that all the children of his State of the Little Rock Nine and all they represent and our Nation could make use of their God- remains alive long after those of us with living given talents. memories are gone.

1994 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998 / Nov. 6

As part of the budget I signed 2 weeks ago, cation, and criminal justice. Still too many break I was authorized to confer Congressional Gold down along what W.E.B. Du Bois first called Medals, the highest civilian honor the Congress the color line. And while the Little Rock Nine can bestow, on each and every member of the have enjoyed great success in business, in the Little Rock Nine. It was only a few months media, in education, they can tell you that in ago that we presented President Nelson spite of what we celebrated on Tuesday, there Mandela with that same award, and he spoke is still discrimination and hatred in the hearts so movingly of his long struggle to tear down of some Americans. the walls of apartheid. The Little Rock Nine All of that we found in our Presidential initia- broke through the doors of apartheid. I can’t tive on race. And we must never forget that wait until the artists finish creating your medals it is our continuing obligation to the Little Rock and we can bestow them upon you, an honor Nine and all others who brought us to this point you richly deserve. to fight this battle. And then, of course, the main reason we’re The last point I want to make to you is that here today is to make a living monument forever the face of America is changing and changing out of the setting of your struggle. Again, I fast. I went to an elementary school last Satur- thank Senator Bumpers and all the others. The day to talk about the need to build and mod- bill will allow the to work ernize our schools. There were children from with the community to maintain and protect 24 nations there. The principal said, ‘‘Mr. Presi- Central High’s magnificent building. It will also dent, we’re so glad to have you here, and we’ve allow the Park Service to start acquiring land got all the parents here. I only wish that we in the surrounding neighborhood to create new could have translated your talk into Spanish and facilities where people can learn about the ori- Arabic.’’ gins and the aftermath of the 1957 crisis, topics America is changing, and it is a good thing, that simply can’t be fully explored in the existing if we remember to live by the ideals on which visitor center’s limited space. this country was founded, if we remember the Children will never fully understand what you sacrifices of the Little Rock Nine, if we listen experienced in 1957. Maybe that’s not such a to our teachers, like Dr. Franklin. bad thing. But they need to know. And now, We, in other words, have a whole new chapter for all time to come, children will have an op- in the Nation’s march to equality to write. portunity to walk the stairs you walked, to see Remember what Senator Bumpers’ teacher the angry faces you braved, to learn of your said, ‘‘Wouldn’t it be tragic if he didn’t use sacrifice, and about what, as a result of your that talent?’’ That’s exactly what the struggle sacrifice, you, your fellow Arkansans, and your for one America is all about, because that is Nation have become. Perhaps they will even a question that should be asked of every single see what it was about the Little Rock confronta- child in our country. tion that made racial equality a driving obsession When we ask that question with the Little for so many of us who were young at the time Rock Nine in mind, it helps us to keep our and seared by it. , the prize of true equality Again, I want to thank you for staying to- and true freedom, that ever elusive, always gether over these 40-plus years now, for being worth seeking, more perfect Union. willing to show up and be counted and to re- These people that we honor today, in the mind us, for showing us the shining example school we save today for all time, have given of your lives so that we could never forget all us all a great and treasured gift. May God bless those who went before you who never had the them and the United States. chance that you gave to all who came after. Thank you very much. Monuments and medals are important re- minders of how far we have come, but it is NOTE: The President spoke at 11:43 a.m. in the not enough. The doors of our schools are open, South Lawn at the White House. In his remarks, but some of them are falling off their rusty he referred to , one of the Little hinges. And many of them are failing the stu- Rock Nine; civil rights activists Rev. Jesse Jackson dents inside. The economy has never been and Daisy Bates; Prime Minister Binyamin stronger, but there are still striking disparities Netanyahu of Israel; and Chairman Yasser Arafat in jobs, in investments in neighborhoods, in edu- of the Palestinian Authority. S. 2232, approved

1995 Nov. 6 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998

November 6, was assigned Public Law No. 105– 356.

Remarks at the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport Dedication Ceremony in Highfill, Arkansas November 6, 1998

Thank you so much, Secretary Slater, for your to be an airport here. I know how long Con- support of this project and your terrific work. gressman Hammerschmidt has worked on this. Thank you, Administrator Garvey, Senator This project started in the planning stage under Hutchinson, Congressman Hutchinson, Senator- the Bush administration, and we completed it. elect Blanche Lambert Lincoln. Now, up here We had bipartisan support, and as Senator in northwest Arkansas, from my point of view, Hutchinson said, invoking our friend Senator she’s got the best of all worlds; she’s a Democrat McCain, we had bipartisan opposition to it as with a Republican last name. [Laughter] I want well. [Laughter] you to get to know her; you’ll like her a lot. And I have found that there is in any project Congressman Dickey, Congressman Hammer- like this a certain squeaky wheel factor; there schmidt, Mr. Green, thank you for your mar- are people that just bother you so much that velous work here. Mr. Bowler, thank you for even if you didn’t want to do it, you’d go on bringing American Eagle here. I want to thank and do it anyway. And I would like to pay a the Springdale Band and the Fayetteville Choir. certain special tribute to the people who were I thought they both did a superb job. particular squeaky wheels to me, starting with You know—I’ve got all these notes, but I , who wore me out—[laughter]— don’t really want to use them today. I was flying Uvalde and Carol Lindsey, who guilt-peddled home today, and I have to begin by bringing me about every campaign they’d ever worked you greetings from two people who were with for me in; and Dale Bumpers, who made me me this morning who, for different reasons, relive every favor he’d ever done for me for wanted to come and couldn’t. One is the First 20 years. [Laughter] Now, there were others Lady, Hillary, who wanted me to tell her friends as well, but I want to especially thank them. in northwest Arkansas hello and to say she I want to say to all of you, I’m delighted wished she could be here. And the other is to see Helen Walton here and members of the Senator Bumpers, who has a sinus condition and Walton family. I, too, wish Sam were here to was told by his doctor not to get on the airplane, see this day. I thank J.B. Hunt, who talked although I told him I thought it was a pretty to me about this airport. George Billingsly once nice plane I was trying to bring him down here said, ‘‘You remember, I gave you the first con- in—[laughter]—and that we were trying to dem- tribution you ever got in Benton County; now onstrate that northwest Arkansas had a world- build that airport.’’ [Laughter] I have a lot of class airport. But he asked to be remembered stories about this airport. I want you to under- to you. stand how high public policy is made in Wash- I want to thank my good friend, former Chief ington. [Laughter] And we’re all laughing about of Staff, and our Envoy to Latin America, Mack this, but the truth is, this is a good thing, and McLarty, for being here. And all of you all out it needed to be done. here—I’ve been looking out in this crowd at You know, when I was a boy growing up so many people I’ve known for 25 years, many in Arkansas—Tim talked about how we were more—I’ve been sort of reliving the last 25 all raised to believe you could build a wall years. I think I should begin by saying that around Arkansas—we thought in the beginning, in every project like this, there are always a for a long time, that roads would be our salva- lot of people who work on it. Rodney mentioned tion. Forty-two years ago President Eisenhower that many years ago, Senator Fulbright, who signed the Federal Aid Highway Act into law, was my mentor, had the idea of there ought a bill sponsored by the Vice President’s father,

1996