Presidential Documents

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents

Monday, October 11, 1993 Volume 29—Number 40 Pages 1951–2040

VerDate 01-JUN-98 12:50 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 1249 Sfmt 1249 W:\DISC\P40OC4.000 INET01 PsN: INET01 Contents

Addresses to the Nation Bill Signings Somalia—2022 See also Statements by the President Hatch Act Reform Amendments of 1993 Addresses and Remarks Remarks—2012 See also Bill Signings Statement—2014 Arts and humanities awards Dinner—2025 Communications to Congress Presentation ceremony—2018 National Corporation for Housing California Partnerships report, message transmitting— AARP in Culver City—2002 2017 AFL–CIO in San Francisco—1982 National Institute of Building Sciences report, Arrival in Sacramento—1960 message transmitting—2016 Community in San Francisco—1993 Naval petroleum reserves, message—2025 Town meeting in Sacramento—1965 Strengthening America’s shipyards, message— Democratic National Committee breakfast— 1958 2026 Whaling activities of Norway, message—2000 Middle East peace process—1952 Radio address—1958 Communications to Federal Agencies Russia—1960 Freedom of Information Act, memorandum— White House fellows—2015 1999 Refugee admissions, memorandum—1957 Appointments and Nominations See also Statements by the President Executive Orders Agriculture Department, Assistant Secretary— Labor-Management Partnerships—1955 2038 Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee— Defense Department, Assistant Secretaries— 1951 2001 Justice Department, Special Counsel—2018 Interviews With the News Media Navy Department, Under Secretary—2001 Exchanges with reporters U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, San Francisco, CA—1992, 1993 Director—2017 South Lawn—1952, 1960, 2036

(Continued on the inside of the back cover.)

Editor’s Note: The President traveled to New Brunswick, NJ, on October 8, the closing date of this issue. Releases and announcements issued by the Office of the Press Secretary but not received in time for inclusion in this issue will be printed next week.

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

VerDate 01-JUN-98 12:50 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 1249 Sfmt 1249 W:\DISC\P40OC4.000 INET01 PsN: INET01 Contents—Continued

Meetings With Foreign Leaders Statements by the President—Continued See also Statements Other Than Presidential Rebuilding the Cypress Freeway in Israel, Foreign Minister Peres—1952 California—1998 Jordan, Crown Prince Hasan—1952 Retirement of basketball player Michael Proclamations Jordan—2017 Child Health Day—1999 Statements Other Than Presidential Columbus Day—2037 Nuclear testing by China—2012 Country Music Month—2026 President’s meeting with Foreign Minister German-American Day—2010 Shara of Syria—2025 Leif Erikson Day—2036 Mental Illness Awareness Week—2009 President’s meeting with NATO Secretary National Disability Employment Awareness General Woerner—2017 Month—2015 President’s telephone conversation with President Yeltsin of Russia—2011 Statements by the President See also Appointments and Nominations; Bill Supplementary Materials Signings Acts approved by the President—2040 Arts and humanities awards recipients—2011 Checklist of White House press releases— Assistance to earthquake victims in India— 2039 1958 Digest of other White House NATO Supreme Allied Commander, announcements—2038 Europe—2001 Nominations submitted to the Senate—2039

VerDate 01-JUN-98 12:50 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 1249 Sfmt 1249 W:\DISC\P40OC4.000 INET01 PsN: INET01 Week Ending Friday, October 8, 1993

Executive Order 12870—Trade designated alternatives, shall be individuals Promotion Coordinating Committee who exercise significant decision-making au- September 30, 1993 thority in their respective departments or agencies. By the authority vested in me as President Sec. 2. Chairperson. The Secretary of by the Constitution and the laws of the Commerce shall be the chairperson of the United States of America, including the Ex- TPCC. port Enhancement Act of 1992 (Public Law Sec. 3. Purpose. The purpose of the TPCC 102–429, 106 Stat. 2186), and section 301 of shall be to provide a unifying framework to title 3, United States Code, it is hereby or- coordinate the export promotion and export dered as follows: financing activities of the United States Gov- Section 1. Establishment. There is estab- ernment and to develop a governmentwide lished the ‘‘Trade Promotion Coordinating strategic plan for carrying out such programs. Committee’’ (‘‘TPCC’’). The Committee Sec. 4. Duties. The TPCC shall: shall comprise representatives of each of the (a) coordinate the development of the following: trade promotion policies and programs (a) Department of Commerce; of the United States Government; (b) Department of State; (b) provide a central source of information (c) Department of the Treasury; for the business community on Federal (d) Department of Agriculture; export promotion and export financing (e) Department of Energy; programs; (f) Department of Transportation; (c) coordinate official trade promotion ef- (g) Department of Defense; forts to ensure better delivery of services (h) Department of Labor; to U.S. businesses, including: (i) Department of the Interior; (1) information and counseling on U.S. (j) Agency for International Development; export promotion and export financ- (k) Trade and Development Agency; ing programs and opportunities in (l) Environmental Protection Agency; foreign markets; (m) United States Information Agency; (n) Small Business Administration; (2) representation of U.S. business in- (o) Overseas Private Investment Corpora- terests abroad; and tion; (3) assistance with foreign business con- (p) Export-Import Bank of the United tacts and projects; States; (d) prevent unnecessary duplication in (q) Office of the United States Trade Rep- Federal export promotion and export fi- resentative; nancing activities; (r) Council of Economic Advisers; (e) assess the appropriate levels and alloca- (s) Office of Management and Budget; tion of resources among agencies in sup- (t) National Economic Council; port of export promotion and export fi- (u) National Security Council; and nancing and provide recommendations, (v) at the discretion of the President, such through the Director of the Office of other departments or agencies as may Management and Budget to the Presi- be necessary. dent, based on its assessment; and Members of the TPCC shall be appointed (f) carry out such other duties as are by the heads of their respective departments deemed to be appropriate, consistent or agencies. Such members, as well as their with the purpose of the TPCC. 1951

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.004 INET01 PsN: INET01 1952 Sept. 30 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

Sec. 5. Strategic Plan. To carry out section NOTE: This Executive order was published in the 4 of this order, the TPCC shall develop and Federal Register on October 4. This item was not implement a governmentwide strategic plan received in time for publication in the appropriate for Federal trade promotion efforts. Such issue. plan shall: (a) establish a set of priorities for Federal activities in support of U.S. exports and Remarks on the Middle East Peace explain the rationale for the priorities; Process and an Exchange With (b) review current Federal programs de- Reporters signed to promote the sale of U.S. exports in light of the priorities established October 1, 1993 under paragraph (a) of this section and develop a plan to bring such activities The President. Good afternoon, ladies into line with those priorities and to im- and gentlemen. I have a brief statement and prove coordination of such activities; then I want to give the Crown Prince and (c) identify areas of overlap and duplica- the Foreign Minister an opportunity to make tion among Federal export promotion a few remarks. activities and propose means of elimi- I have just had the privilege of hosting nating them; what to date has been an unprecedented (d) propose, through the Director of the meeting in the Oval Office between His Office of Management and Budget, to Royal Highness Crown Prince Hassan of Jor- the President an annual unified Federal dan and Foreign Minister Shimon Peres of trade promotion budget that supports Israel. This meeting is another important the plan for priority activities and im- step on the road toward a comprehensive proved coordination established under peace in the Middle East. paragraph (b) of this section and elimi- With me in the Oval Office were Shimon nates funding for the areas of overlap Peres, a principal architect of the pathbreak- and duplication identified under para- ing Israel-PLO agreement, and Crown graph (c) of this section; and Prince Hassan, a leader who has literally de- (e) review efforts by the States to promote voted his life to the promotion of peace and U.S. exports and propose means of de- a better future for his entire region. I am veloping cooperation between State and grateful to both of them for accepting my Federal efforts, including co-location, invitation to further the cause of peace. cost-sharing between Federal and State export promotion programs, and sharing On September 13th we bore witness to an of market research data. event that should serve as a turning point Sec. 6. Report. The chairperson of the in the history of the Middle East. Then I TPCC, with the approval of the President, spoke of my commitment to help build a new shall prepare and submit to the Committee future for the Middle East and all its people. on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of Today we have taken two additional steps to the Senate, and the Committee on Foreign turn that hope into reality. Affairs of the House of Representatives, not This morning at the State Department, in later than September 30, 1993, and annually an extraordinary demonstration of inter- thereafter, a report describing the strategic national support for peace, 43 nations from plan developed by the TPCC pursuant to every region of the world helped to usher section 5 of this order, the implementation in this new era by providing their political of such a plan, and any revisions to the plan. and financial backing to those who would William J. Clinton make peace in the Middle East. They pledged more than $600 million in imme- The White House, diate needs of the Palestinians and over $2 September 30, 1993. billion over the next 5 years to help establish [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, Palestinian self-government. 1:15 p.m., October 1, 1993]

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.004 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 1 1953

And now this meeting has just taken place process goes forward. In this way, we can in the Oval Office, coming as it does some all act as partners with the Palestinians and 2 weeks after Jordan and Israel signed their work toward our common goals. agreement on a common agenda to guide Let me say personally that I enjoyed this their negotiations. This symbolizes a new re- meeting very much. I applaud the Crown lationship between Jordan and Israel, marked Prince. I applaud the Foreign Minister for by dialog and acceptance rather than con- coming here, for being a part of it. We be- frontation and rejection. lieve that together we can work toward a The special relationship between the peace that benefits everyone. And we believe United States and Israel is central to the pur- there are things we can be doing now to ben- suit of peace, and I want to emphasize the efit the countries and the peoples economi- great importance the United States attaches cally in ways that strengthen their inner sense to Jordan’s critical role in achieving lasting of security and commitment to this remark- peace in the region. able process. In our meeting, both the Crown Prince I’d like now to offer the microphone first and the Foreign Minister spoke of their to the Crown Prince and then to the Foreign hopes for the future of peace and prosperity Minister. for Israelis, Palestinians, Syrians, Lebanese, and Jordanians all alike, indeed, for the en- [At this point, Prince Hassan of Jordan and tire region. To help to work toward this goal Foreign Minister Peres of Israel made brief they discussed ways to give more energy and statements.] force to their bilateral negotiations to resolve The President. Let me say first of all, to all outstanding issues. reiterate one of the things that the Crown They also agreed today that Israel and Jor- Prince has said, this working group that we dan should establish a joint economic com- have agreed to set up will clearly operate mittee, much like the one agreed to in the within the framework and the context of the Israel-PLO agreement of 21⁄2 weeks ago. And peace process and not independent of it but we all agreed that Israel, Jordan, and the will focus on the economic and the environ- United States should establish a working mental issues I have mentioned. group to be convened by the United States Second, I appreciate what the Foreign with two representatives from each country Minister said about the Secretary of State. so that Israel and Jordan can agree, together In the privacy of our meeting, he said that with this Nation acting as facilitator, on the today’s speech by the Secretary of State was next steps in economic development in their outrageous because it was the most expensive two nations. They share so much in common, in memory. He raised more than a million as they both pointed out. Now they want a dollars for every minute he talked today, common economic agenda. which I appreciated. They also agreed to work through this And finally, let me say, this is somewhat working group on common steps to reduce to my chagrin, but one of the many matters the certification in the area. We want to re- that the Crown Prince and the Foreign Min- duce the problems of the environment and ister agreed on in the meeting is that they especially the problems the desert presents would not take any questions today, but I as a part of the long-term economic growth could. So here I am. of the Middle East, and especially of Israel and Jordan. And finally, they both agreed that we Arab Boycott should all get to work as soon as possible. Q. Mr. President, what about the Arab That’s the kind of action and the kind of atti- boycott? Can you tell us your feelings about tude that I hope we can keep alive, coming whether the continued Arab boycott is an ob- as it does on the heels of so many other en- stacle to the kind of economic cooperation couraging signs in the Middle East. that you gentlemen are trying to forge here Finally, let me say that they spoke of their today? common commitment to work in close co- The President. Well, I think, first of all, ordination with the Palestinians as this peace they have agreed to find common economic

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.004 INET01 PsN: INET01 1954 Oct. 1 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

objectives which they can pursue and seek agreed to and what is being done. The Crown investment for from all around the world, Prince made a very important point that I and they’ve asked us to help them do that. think needs to be reiterated. And so we intend to. Obviously, the region We are trying to make our statements brief can grow more rapidly when all its partners and our actions and commitments long. And can trade with one another and invest in one that is what we have to do. And so, I under- another. stand that this whole thing has to be finished. I think the statement, though, of the coun- But to finish it, to get to the end, we have tries in continuing their position was not alto- to absorb the full implications of the enor- gether discouraging. Obviously, as you know, mity of the things which have been done and the United States wanted the boycott lifted implement them in a way that keeps the sup- now, but basically they were saying we have port for the process going. And I am commit- to finish the peace process. Well, we all agree ted to finishing it with all parties, more so with that. Israel agrees with that. No one dis- than when we began. putes that. And so I don’t want us to be de- terred. Economic Agenda This is a really historic day. We have this meeting and the agreement coming out of Q. Mr. President, how much of the money it. We have the remarkable donors con- that was given today at the donors conference ference today and the results coming out of will or should go to Jordan? Or will all of this. We are moving this process very quickly, this go exclusively to the Palestinians? And and I am confident that in the course of time if so, what will Israel and Jordan be cooperat- we’ll get the boycott lifted. ing about? The President. Well, what we are going Peace Process to do, this committee is going to come up Q. Mr. President, now that you’ve brought with a whole different economic agenda for Israel and the PLO together here on the Israel and for Jordan and for how to deal White House lawn, and Israel and Jordan with the overlapping Palestinian issues. And today, what are the prospects of bringing there are some overlapping ones which might Israel and Syria together here at the White lead to some different decisions down the House? road about what we do with commitments The President. I thought you were going that have already been made. But I think that to ask me if I could get both parties together we need a whole different economic agenda in the Congress on a health care plan. there. Well, I’m hopeful. We have to take these I think, as you know, I’m extraordinarily things as we can, but I’m quite hopeful. I excited about this group of American Jewish will say again, I am committed to finishing and Arab American business people we got the peace process. I have told President Asad together who want to see an enormous pri- that. I have made it clear to Prime Minister vate sector commitment in the Middle East. Hariri, and we met at the United Nations They are particularly interested in what can and discussed Lebanon. Nothing that Prime be agreed upon between Israel and Jordan Minister Rabin or Foreign Minister Peres and whether they could play a role in that. has said to me leads me to believe that they So I wouldn’t rule out anything. have a different position. But the purpose of the donors conference But I will say again, the most important today was to give life and meaning and reality thing we can do at each step along the way to the agreement we saw between Israel and is to build the support among the ordinary the PLO. There will have to be other invest- people of Israel, among the Palestinians, ments, other commitments that will help to among the Jordanians for the agreements deal with the problems of Jordan, including that have been made, for the processes that the enormous problem Jordan has of accu- are underway, so that people all over the mulated debt. There needs to be some debt Middle East have a greater sense of con- relief for Jordan, and the United States will fidence and security about what has been support that. And there are a whole lot of

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.004 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 1 1955

other things that we need to be doing on Section 1. The National Partnership that. Council. (a) Establishment and Membership. Yes? There is established the National Partnership Council (‘‘Council’’). The Council shall com- Confederation prise the following members appointed by Q. Do you think that this is leading to a the President: confederation between Jordan, Israel, and (1) Director of the Office of Personnel the Palestinians? Is this the beginning? Is this Management (‘‘OPM’’); the basis to something like that? (2) Deputy Secretary of Labor; The President. That’s a question that I (3) Deputy Director for Management, Of- haven’t answered and shouldn’t answer. Any- fice of Management and Budget; thing regarding the political organization of (4) Chair, Federal Labor Relations Au- the Middle East, that’s a decision that will thority; have to be made by the parties themselves. (5) Federal Mediation and Conciliation The United States will support the process Director; and will support the decision of the people (6) President, American Federation of there. Government Employees, AFL–CIO; Thank you. (7) President, National Federation of Fed- eral Employees; NOTE: The President spoke at 3:29 p.m. on the (8) President, National Treasury Employ- South Lawn at the White House. This item was ees Union; not received in time for publication in the appro- (9) Secretary-Treasurer of the Public Em- priate issue. ployees Department, AFL–CIO; and (10) a deputy Secretary or other officer with department- or agency-wide au- Executive Order 12871—Labor- thority from two executive departments Management Partnerships or agencies (hereafter collectively October 1, 1993 ‘‘agency’’), not otherwise represented on the Council. The involvement of Federal Government Members shall have 2-year terms on the employees and their union representatives is Council, which may be extended by the essential to achieving the National Perform- President. ance Review’s Government reform objec- (b) Responsibilities and Functions. The tives. Only by changing the nature of Federal Council shall advise the President on matters labor-management relations so that man- involving labor-management relations in the agers, employees, and employees’ elected executive branch. Its activities shall include: union representatives serve as partners will (1) supporting the creation of labor-man- it be possible to design and implement com- agement partnerships and promoting part- prehensive changes necessary to reform Gov- nership efforts in the executive branch, to ernment. Labor-management partnerships the extent permitted by law; will champion change in Federal Govern- (2) proposing to the President by January ment agencies to transform them into organi- 1994 statutory changes necessary to achieve zations capable of delivering the highest the objectives of this order, including legisla- quality services to the American people. tion consistent with the National Perform- By the authority vested in me as President ance Review’s recommendations for the cre- by the Constitution and the laws of the ation of a flexible and responsive hiring sys- United States, including section 301 of title tem and the reform of the General Schedule 3, United States Code, and in order to estab- classification system; lish a new form of labor-management rela- (3) Collecting and disseminating informa- tions throughout the executive branch to pro- tion about, and providing guidance on, part- mote the principles and recommendations nership efforts in the executive branch, in- adopted as a result of the National Perform- cluding results achieved, to the extent per- ance Review, it is hereby ordered: mitted by law;

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.004 INET01 PsN: INET01 1956 Oct. 1 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

(4) utilizing the expertise of individuals (3) The Council shall exist for a period of both within and outside the Federal Govern- 2 years from the date of this order, unless ment to foster partnership arrangements; and extended. (5) working with the President’s Manage- (4) Members of the Council who are not ment Council toward reform consistent with otherwise officers or employees of the Fed- the National Performance Review’s rec- eral Government shall serve in a representa- ommendations throughout the executive tive capacity and shall not be considered spe- branch. cial Government employees for any purpose. (c) Administration. (1) The President shall Sec. 2. Implementation of Labor-Manage- designate a member of the Council who is ment Partnerships Throughout the Executive a full-time Federal employee to serve as Branch. The head of each agency subject to Chairperson. The responsibilities of the the provisions of chapter 71 of title 5, United Chairperson shall include scheduling meet- States Code shall: ings of the Council. (a) create labor-management partnerships (2) The Council shall seek input from non- by forming labor-management committees or member Federal agencies, particularly small- councils at appropriate levels, or adapting ex- er agencies. It also may, from time to time, isting councils or committees if such groups invite experts from the private and public exist, to help reform Government; sectors to submit information. The Council (b) involve employees and their union rep- shall also seek input from companies, non- resentatives as full partners with manage- profit organizations, State and local government representatives to identify problems ments, Federal Government employees, and and craft solutions to better serve the agen- customers of Federal Government services, cy’s customers and mission; as needed. (c) provide systematic training of appro- (3) To the extent permitted by law and priate agency employees (including line man- subject to the availability of appropriations, agers, first line supervisors, and union rep- OPM shall provide such facilities, support, resentatives who are Federal employees) in and administrative services to the Council as consensual methods of dispute resolution, the Director of OPM deems appropriate. such as alternative dispute resolution tech- (4) Members of the Council shall serve niques and interest-based bargaining ap- without compensation for their work on the proaches; Council, but shall be allowed travel expenses, (d) negotiate over the subjects set forth including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as in 5 U.S.C. 7106(b)(1), and instruct subordi- authorized by law, for persons serving inter- nate officials to do the same; and mittently in Government service. (e) evaluate progress and improvements in (5) All agencies shall, to the extent per- organizational performance resulting from mitted by law, provide to the Council such the labor-management partnerships. assistance, information, and advice as the Sec. 3. No Administrative or Judicial Re- Council may request. view. This order is intended only to improve (d) General. (1) I have determined that the the internal management of the executive Council shall be established in compliance branch and is not intended to, and does not, with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, create any right to administrative or judicial as amended (5 U.S.C. App. 2). review, or any other right, substantive or pro- (2) Notwithstanding any other executive cedural, enforceable by a party against the order, the functions of the President under United States, its agencies or instrumental- the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as ities, its officers or employees, or any other amended, except that of reporting to the person. Congress, that are applicable to the Council, shall be performed by the Director of OPM, William J. Clinton in accordance with guidelines and procedures issued by the Administrator of General The White House, Services. October 1, 1993.

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.004 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 1 1957

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, Programs Appropriations Act of 1988, as con- 5 p.m., October 4, 1993] tained in Section 101(e) of Public Law 100– 202 (Amerasian immigrants and their family NOTE: This Executive order was published in the members); provided further that the number Federal Register on October 6. This item was not allocated to the former Soviet Union shall received in time for publication in the appropriate include persons admitted who were nationals issue. of the former Soviet Union, or in the case of persons having no nationality, who were Memorandum on Refugee habitual residents of the former Soviet Admissions Union, prior to September 2, 1991: October 1, 1993 Africa ...... 7,000 East Asia ...... 45,000 Presidential Determination No. 94–1 Former Soviet Union/Eastern Europe ...... 55,000 Near East/South Asia ...... 6,000 Latin America/Caribbean ...... 4,000 Memorandum for the Secretary of State Unallocated (funded) ...... 3,000 Subject: Determination of FY 1994 Refugee The 3,000 unallocated federally funded Admissions Numbers and Authorizations of numbers shall be allocated as needed. Un- In-Country Refugee Status Pursuant to used admissions numbers allocated to a par- Section 207 and 101(a)(42), Respectively, of ticular region within the 120,000 federally the Immigration and Nationality Act, and funded ceiling may be transferred to one or Determination Pursuant to Section 2(b)(2) of more other regions if there is an overriding the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act, need for greater numbers for the region or as Amended regions to which the numbers are being In accordance with Section 207 of the Im- transferred. You are hereby authorized and migration and Nationality Act (‘‘the Act’’) (8 directed to consult with the judiciary com- U.S.C. 1157), and after appropriate consulta- mittees of the Congress prior to any such tion with the Congress, I hereby make the use of the unallocated numbers or realloca- following determinations and authorize the tion of numbers from one region to another. following actions: Pursuant to Section 2(b)(2) of the Migra- The admission of up to 121,000 refugees tion and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962, as to the United States during FY 1994 is justi- amended, 22 U.S.C. 2601(b)(2), I hereby de- fied by humanitarian concerns or is otherwise termine that assistance to or on behalf of per- in the national interest; provided, however, sons applying for admission to the United that this number shall be understood as in- States as part of the overseas refugee admis- cluding persons admitted to the United sions program will contribute to the foreign States during FY 1994 with Federal refugee policy interests of the United States and des- resettlement assistance under the Amerasian ignate such persons for this purpose. immigrant admissions program, as provided The 1,000 privately funded admissions are below. not designated for any country or region and The 120,000 funded admissions shall be may be used for refugees of special humani- allocated among refugees of special humanitarian concern to the United States from any tarian concern to the United States as de- region provided that private resources are scribed in the documentation presented to available to fund the reasonable cost of their the Congress during the consultations that admission and resettlement. preceded this determination and in accord- An additional 10,000 refugee admissions ance with the following regional allocations; numbers shall be made available during FY provided, however, that the number allo- 1994 for the adjustment to permanent resi- cated to the East Asia region shall include dent status under Section 209(b) of the Act persons admitted to the United States during (8 U.S.C. 1159(b)) of aliens who have been FY 1994 with Federal refugee resettlement granted asylum in the United States under assistance under Section 584 of the Foreign Section 208 of the Act (8 U.S.C. 1158), as Operations, Export Financing, and Related

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.004 INET01 PsN: INET01 1958 Oct. 1 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

this is justified by humanitarian concerns or steps that the Government is taking and will is otherwise in the national interest. An esti- take to assist their efforts. I look forward to mated 7,000 aliens were granted asylum dur- working with the Congress and the industry ing FY 1993 under Section 208 of the Act. to ensure a successful transition to a competi- In accordance with Section 101(a)(42) of tive industry in a truly competitive market- the Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(42)) and after ap- place. propriate consultation with the Congress, I also specify that, for FY 1994, the following William J. Clinton persons may, if otherwise qualified, be con- The White House, sidered refugees for the purpose of admis- October 1, 1993. sion to the United States within their countries of nationality or habitual residence: a. Persons in Vietnam. NOTE: This item was not received in time for pub- b. Persons in Cuba. lication in the appropriate issue. c. Persons in Haiti. d. Persons in the former Soviet Union. You are authorized and directed to report Statement on Emergency Assistance this Determination to the Congress imme- to Earthquake Victims in India diately and to publish it in the Federal Reg- October 1, 1993 ister. William J. Clinton The people of the United States are shocked and saddened by the devastating [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, earthquake that has taken thousands of lives 1:51 p.m., October 5, 1993] and left thousands more homeless. I have directed our Government to take immediate NOTE: This memorandum was published in the action to help ease the suffering. I have also Federal Register on October 7. This item was not asked Ambassador Ray Flynn to accompany received in time for publication in the appropriate the supplies, to assess the situation, and re- issue. port back to me.

Message to the Congress NOTE: The President’s statement was included in Transmitting a Report on a White House statement announcing that the Strengthening America’s Shipyards President had directed the Defense Department and U.S. Agency for International Development October 1, 1993 to provide humanitarian assistance to earthquake victims in India. This item was not received in To the Congress of the United States: time for publication in the appropriate issue. In accordance with the requirements of section 1031 of the National Defense Au- thorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993 (Public The President’s Radio Address Law 102–484), I transmit herewith a report October 2, 1993 entitled ‘‘Strengthening America’s Shipyards: A Plan for Competing in the International Good morning. This week the good will Market.’’ and hopefulness that surrounded the an- The U.S. shipbuilding industry is unsur- nouncement of our health security plan con- passed in building the finest and most com- tinued to grow. A consensus is developing plex naval vessels in the world. Now that the that our central goal, comprehensive health Cold War has ended, these shipyards, like benefits for you and your family that can many other defense firms, face a new chal- never be taken away, is now within reach and lenge—translating their skills from the mili- must be achieved. For the first time in our tary to the commercial market. Individual lifetimes, the question before Congress is no shipyards already have begun to meet this longer whether to provide health security but challenge. The enclosed report describes how.

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.004 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 2 1959

Something unique is happening here in we know that. But we have to find them, Washington: A coalition is taking shape and we do have a plan. across political boundaries, a coalition con- I believe this plan will work. It will guaran- cerned more with passing health care than tee comprehensive health benefits to every with scoring political points. And when the one of you. It’s based on the notion of pre- Congress passes health care reform, it won’t serving and protecting what is best about have a label that says Democrat or Repub- American health care and fixing what has lican, it will be delivered to you with a label gone wrong. that says made in America. My goal is to make the world’s finest pri- This week as Congress began its delibera- vate health care system work better and work tions, health care reform and the American for everyone. We’ve rejected a big Govern- people have had an extraordinary advocate ment solution. We’ve rejected broad-based on their side, the First Lady. Before, in our taxes. We’ve insisted that small business be history, only Eleanor Roosevelt and Rosalynn protected. And I embrace the compassionate Carter have testified before Congress. I’m American view that no one should go without proud of the intellect and compassion and health care. the leadership Hillary is bringing to this issue This plan will drastically cut the paperwork and to our country. Her commitment to that now clogs the American health care sys- health care is a human issue. She says to find tem. It will maintain the highest quality a solution, it must pass the ‘‘mom test,’’ health care, and it will retain your right to something that she could explain to her choose your doctors. In fact, for most of you, mother and her mother would support. That your choices in health care will increase, not certainly has cut through the heart of a very decrease, if this plan passes. complex health care debate. The plan will keep health care costs down During her testimony before the Senate by controlling spending, by providing free Finance Committee this week, something ex- preventive care that keeps us healthy and traordinary happened: Republican Senator saves money in the long run. It also asks all James Jeffords of Vermont, a leading expert of us to take more responsibility for paying on health care, stepped forward and en- for a health care system that all of us use dorsed our plan. I’m sure that after the acri- but only some of us pay for. mony of the budget debate, this cooperative We also ask everyone, every American, to spirit comes as welcome news to all of you take more responsibility for personal behav- as it does to me. Solving health care must ior. Just as insurance companies and doctors remain above politics. Indeed, I hope every and lawyers and the Government must take one of our legislative efforts in the months more responsibility upon themselves to make ahead is done in the same bipartisan spirit. the system work better, so must each individ- I’ve said since the beginning of this debate, ual. It is the common sense and shared values I welcome—I need—good ideas and options of our health security plan that are bringing from everyone. No party, no person, no seg- people of all political persuasions to the ment of the health care community owns all cause. the good ideas. After all, it was a Republican I watched some of Hillary’s testimony. I President, Richard Nixon, who first rec- wish I could have seen more. We spent a ommended over 20 years ago extending lot of time talking together about what she health coverage by asking every employer to learned from the Congress and how we can take responsibility for paying some of his em- make health care a reality for each of you. ployees’ health care costs. A current Repub- I think we’ve done the responsible thing by lican Senator, Bob Packwood of Oregon, accepting this challenge, a challenge too long sponsored that bill 20 years ago. delayed, and by beginning a truly construc- Already the fruits of bipartisan cooperation tive bipartisan debate on what many have are visible. In just a few months, we’ve characterized as the most important piece of moved from deep alarm over health care to domestic legislation in a generation. designing a proposal, to crafting a solution. And I believe that once we succeed in pro- As I said, we don’t have all the answers, and viding health security to each of you, every

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.004 INET01 PsN: INET01 1960 Oct. 2 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

family will have a chance to prosper and Q. Do you think that Yeltsin can survive, dream again, freed from today’s fears: freed Mr. President, and will you cut off aid if he from the fear that if you lose your job, you’ll is deposed? lose your health care; if your business goes The President. Well, I don’t expect him down, you’ll never have health care coverage; to be deposed. I wouldn’t overreact to this, if you get sick and you really need it, you now. I think the people clearly stand far more won’t have health care. Those fears have to supportive of him than the Rutskoy- be done away with. Khasbulatov and they seem—they don’t have As we move forward we’ll continue to carry any organized military support that we’re with us the indelible memory of the thou- aware of. So we’ll just have to wait for devel- sands of people we’ve talked to who have tan- opments, but I have no reason to believe that gled with the health care system and lost, he would be deposed. of the thousands who live in fear of losing Q. Mr. President, have you spoken to their health care, and to the plight of so many President Yeltsin? of you who have played by the rules and lost The President. No. I’m sure he’s got more to a system that often doesn’t follow them. important things to do right now than to talk Once heard, no one forgets those voices. to me, and I don’t think the United States Thank you for making this a great begin- should be involved in the moment-to-mo- ning, and thanks for listening. ment management of this crisis, but I do want him to know of my continued support and the support of the United States. NOTE: The President spoke at 10:06 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White House. Q. What can the U.S. Government do right now? The President. Well first of all, we can Remarks and an Exchange With get as much intelligence, as quickly as possible, about what’s going on, and we can do Reporters on Russia our best to look after the safety of the Ameri- October 3, 1993 cans who are there and the security of the Embassy, which has received some attention The President. Ladies and gentlemen, I from our folks, and so far the reports on that have received a rather extended briefing on are good. what we know about what is going on in Rus- Q. Do you have any plans to cancel your sia, and I want to make a couple of comments trip or postpone your trip in any way? about it. First of all, it is clear that the vio- The President. No. lence was perpetrated by the Rutskoy- Khasbulatov forces, that there has been significant violence today in Moscow. It is also NOTE: The President spoke at 12:09 p.m. on the clear that President Yeltsin bent over back- South Lawn at the White House. A tape was not wards to avoid the use of force, to avoid ex- available for verification of the content of these remarks. cessive force from the beginning of this, and I still am convinced that the United States must support President Yeltsin and the process of bringing about free and fair elections. Remarks to the Community in We cannot afford to be in the position of Sacramento, California wavering at this moment or of backing off October 3, 1993 or giving any encouragement to people who clearly want to derail the election process and Thank you very much. Thank you for com- are not committed to reform in Russia. So ing. Thank you for being here. Thank you we are following events moment by moment. for doing what you have done for the United As you know, we have access to television States. It’s wonderful to be here. It’s wonder- coverage there so you are also pretty current ful to be in Sacramento, and it’s great to be on it. But that is the most I know now, and at McClellan, and I thank you for all being that is our position. here with me today.

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.004 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 3 1961

I’d like to say a special word of thanks to One of the hardest things we have had to General Phillips and the people at this base learn as a people, in the last few years, is for the work they have done and the work that there is now no longer an easy division they did with your Mayor and others to keep between our national security at the end of this base alive. You are a good testimony to the cold war abroad and our economic and the wisdom of that decision, and I thank you social security here at home. There’s no for that. longer an easy division between foreign pol- I also want to thank General Yates, the icy and domestic policy, and it is perfectly Commander of the Air Force Materiel Divi- clear to everyone now that if we are not sion, for flying all the way across the country strong at home, we cannot continue to lead to be with us today. And I want to tell you the world. And so I have done what I could one thing, he made a real sacrifice because to help us to become stronger at home. this is his birthday, and I thank him for That means, as much as anything else, as spending it with us today. we attempt to revive this economy, we have I want to say, also, a special word of thanks got to focus on the economy of California, to Congressman Hamburg, Congressman the State which has 12 percent of our Na- Matsui, and Congressman Fazio—— tion’s people but 25 percent of our Nation’s unemployed. It is clear to me that we must [At this point, audience members interrupted take this problem which has developed for the President’s remarks.] you over a period of years and go after it You all ignore them. They don’t want you with a vengeance, step by step, with dis- to hear, but you want to hear it. Just come cipline and concentration. on. Most people in this country still believe This last week, in Washington, we made in free speech. That’s one of the things worth several announcements which mean more fighting for. I also want to say a very special jobs and a brighter future for California. Last word of thanks to these Members of Con- week, the Vice President and I announced gress who have supported our efforts to deal that the United States, in recognition of the with the problems of America. end of the cold war, would remove export I got interested in making that long and controls on 70 percent of the computers and challenging race for President because I was supercomputers made in the United States. worried about three things: I thought this That will increase exports by billions and tens country was coming apart when it ought to of billions of dollars. It means more jobs for be coming together; I thought we were going California. In this State, that order frees up in the wrong direction economically and we $30 billion of exports in computers, $2 billion risked losing the American dream for mil- in telecommunications, and $5 billion in lions of young people; and I thought that pol- supercomputers. In a State where one in 10 itics had become a sideshow of shouting jobs depends on exports, that is very good words, instead of an instrument by which the news, indeed. American people could forthrightly face their Last week, I also announced a plan to help problems and do something about it. our shipbuilders to be more competitive in I am reminded, too, on this day, because the global economy. There are 124,000 of the events in Moscow and in Somalia, that Americans employed in shipbuilding, many we still live in a dangerous world. And I ask of them in California, in places like the Nasco you to take just a few moments, once again, plant in San Diego. This plan will help them to quietly express your support for the people get access to foreign markets which they de- who are fighting for freedom in Russia and serve and which they have been denied for for the brave men and women in our Armed too long. Forces, including those in Somalia today who And last week, with so many people in this lost their lives in a very successful mission country desperate for work and knowing we against brutality and anarchy. My deepest have to find a way to help create jobs through condolences go to the families and the supporting the environment, something friends of those brave young Americans, and you’ve done here, we announced a ground- I know that all of you support them, as well. breaking research plan involving our defense

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.004 INET01 PsN: INET01 1962 Oct. 3 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

labs, our military facilities, and the Big Three can take one of two courses. We can hunker automakers to triple the fuel efficiency of our down, turn away, and pretend it’s not there, automobiles within a decade, creating tens and that works about one time in 100. Most of thousands of new jobs for Americans. of the time, you know as well as I do, when Earlier this year we announced a project you see profound change and you want to very important to the future of this area, a preserve what is most important in your val- technology reinvestment program to convert ues, your family, your community, you have defense technology either to dual uses, de- to find a way to make that change your fense and commercial, or purely commercial friend. That is what this administration is uses, something you are doing here. We have dedicated to doing, both in trying to change received, in return for what will soon be the rules of the economic game and in trying about $1 billion in Federal matching money, to open up a new era of time when Ameri- over 2,800 proposals. And guess what? Twen- cans who work hard and play by the rules ty-five percent of them came from the State have a certain basic security. of California. That means more jobs for Cali- Yes, I think we ought to change our eco- fornia. nomic policies. We are giving this country Tomorrow I know that Congressman Fazio the toughest trade policy it’s had in years and and others will release the details of a new years, demanding access to our markets. Yes, joint partnership between the Government we cannot continue to have massive trade and automakers to develop and produce elec- deficits with the Far East, where 40 percent tric cars, taking advantage of dual-use tech- of our exports are going. And yes, I favor nology right here at McClellan. That means opening up trade to Mexico and ultimately more jobs for California and a brighter future to Latin America because we have a trade for America. surplus there and its means more jobs for And let me thank you, especially here at Americans. I do favor it. McClellan, for the partnership you have formed with the Environmental Protection But let me say something. If you listen to Agency and the California EPA. By stream- the people who are opposed to the trade lining Government and working together, agreement, they have some very good argu- you have performed a cleanup that, under ments, but they’re arguing against things that the old rules, would have taken 6 years and happened for the last 12 years. They’re argu- $10 million. You did it in 8 weeks at a fifth ing against the insecurity of the times our of the cost. And we intend to do that all over people have faced and the fact that our Gov- America, copying your leadership. ernment has not responded to them. And so Let me say to you, my fellow Americans, we have sought to give the American people my biggest task as your President is to try more security by bringing this deficit down, to clearly define the time in which we live, which threatens our children and grand- point the way to positive change, and give children; by changing the tax laws so that the American people the security they need working families with children in the home, to make those changes. We cannot, any of without regard to their incomes, will be lifted us in our personal lives, in our family lives, above poverty so there will never be an ex- and in our communities, make changes we cuse to stay on welfare because work will be need to make unless we are personally secure rewarded for people; but by reforming the enough to make them. But we cannot deny student loan program so that we lower the the changes that are abroad in the world and interest rates and string out the repayment pretend that they’re not there. terms and make college available to every When I leave you and walk back into this American for the first time; by giving tens hangar, I will see some of the work that is of thousands of our young people the chance being done here in McClellan to develop to serve their country in their community dual-use technologies. That means that the through a program of national service that people here have decided that change will will also enable them to earn credit against be our friend and not our enemy. When a college education or other education and faced with a time of profound change, we training.

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.004 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 3 1963

Yes, security is important, and we have their insurance. That only happens in this other challenges before us, as well. If you country. look at the number of people who have been Only in America are the doctors who hired killed in this country just in the last month out to keep people well and help people who in drive-by shootings and mindless acts of vi- are sick spending more and more countless olence, and you consider the fact that this hours, some of them as much as 25 hours is the only advanced country in the world a week now, filling out forms and paperwork. where children can be in cities with no super- Only in America has that happened. Only in vision, no support, roaming the streets, better America have, in the last 10 years, we seen armed than the police because we refuse to the work of clerical workers in the hospitals take automatic weapons out of their hands grow at 4 times the rate of new doctors and or pass the Brady bill, or check on it, that health care providers. That is not happening is wrong, and we must change that. We must anywhere else. change that. Why? Because while we have the finest But, my fellow Americans, at the root of doctors and nurses and technology and re- so much of our security is the fact that we search in the world, we have a system of fi- are living in a changing economy where the nancing and delivering health care that is a average young worker will change jobs eight nightmare. It is a nightmare for people who times in a lifetime; where more and more, have lost their health insurance. It is a night- when people lose their jobs and they go on mare for people who don’t get it. It’s a night- unemployment—it’s not the way it was when mare for people who have to depend on the I was young, where people would go on un- Government to get theirs, when not all the employment for 4 weeks or 8 weeks and then providers will cover Medicaid. It has been they’d get their old job back. Now most peo- bad. And guess what? It is the primary cause ple get another job, but it’s a different job. of the exploding Federal deficit. It is the pri- So we don’t need an unemployment system mary cause of many of our biggest compa- anymore, we need a reemployment system nies’ inability to compete more overseas. It to retrain our workers for the jobs that are is the primary cause that millions of Amer- there and for the future. ican workers will not get a raise between now More than anything else, if you look to the and the end of the decade because all the heart now of our Federal budget deficit, if new profits of the companies that are trying you look to the heart now of the economic to cover their health care will go into the problems of many of our leading exporters, exploding cost of premiums. And only in and if you look to the heart of the gnawing America do we spend 10 cents on the dollar insecurity that grips hardworking American in a $900 billion health care bill on paper- families, you will find lurking behind it all work that no other country has. the most expensive, least efficient health care I say to you, my fellow Americans, it’s time system in the entire Western world. to give the American people health care that Only in America—only in America do we is always there, health care that can never spend over 14 percent of our income on be taken away, health care that is simpler health care—Canada’s at 10, Germany and and better. Japan below 9—going up more rapidly than Now, you know, since we’re here at this any other country; going up twice as fast as magnificent air base, let me just ask you inflation. And we still leave 35 million peo- something: Can you think of a single institu- ple, 35 million permanently without health tion in this country in the last 10 years, in insurance, 2 million more every month, an- the midst of all the chaos and social break- other 100,000 every month permanently los- down and violence and family troubles in ing their health insurance. America, is there any institution that has Only in America do we have 1,500 separate worked better than the United States military insurance companies writing thousands of to train and educate people to perform mis- different policies, creating mountains of dif- sions, to continually give people new skills, ferent paperwork and always, always looking and to provide the coherence that we need? for ways not to cover the people who bought And is there any institution that’s done a bet-

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.004 INET01 PsN: INET01 1964 Oct. 3 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

ter job of opening opportunities to people for AIDS patients. Look at that. Under this without regard to race or gender? No. Why? system, when everybody gets covered and all One reason is, there is order, security, and people are in big pools so that one high-risk support. Could the military have done its patient’s cost is spread across a lot of folks, mission if they had the same health care sys- we will have coverage in the regular system tem the rest of the American people have and you will not have particular States going and half the people in the service could lose broke because they have disproportionate their health care on a given day by some acci- burdens of immigrants, of AIDS patients, or dent or because a wife or a husband or a anything else. This is another important fea- child turned out to have an illness that wasn’t ture of this. covered in the fine print of some policy? You But finally, let me say two other things. know it couldn’t have happened. We owe the Under this system the American people will rest of the American people that security in have more choice than most Americans do the face of the changing times in which we now. If you have a health care plan that’s live. better than the one we’re writing into law, Let me say, people say to me, oh, you can’t your company can keep giving it to you, and slow the growth of health care costs. I say the cost of it won’t go up as rapidly. But to them, look at California. I want to thank there’s a limit for the first time to what can your insurance commissioner for the work be taken away. If you don’t have one, you he’s done with my wife’s Health Care Task will get one. And you’ll have more choices Force to develop a health care system. You today. Only one in three workers in a plant look at the California experience. Look at with a health insurance plan has any choice what happened to the health care costs of in the way they get their health care. Every the people who had the benefit of being in American worker will be guaranteed at least the California public employee system, when three different options in the health care the people who were providing it knew that plan. And that’s a plus for America, to give the State was broke and didn’t have a lot of the consumers of this country more choices. money and when there were enough people And finally, I want to say a special word there that they had bargaining power to get of thanks to the thousands of Americans from high-quality health care at an affordable all across this country who helped us to put price. What happened? The inflation rate this plan together and especially to the lit- and the premiums was less than one-third erally hundreds and hundreds of doctors and the national inflation rate in health care. nurses and others who told us their stories, And let me say some other things about so that we found, unbelievably, we had doc- this health care system, because there’s been tors who were miserable, nurses who were a lot of misinformation put out there. I see unhappy, and the people who lost their insur- all these children here. One of the things that ance in the 11th hour when they didn’t know is killing this health care system of ours is what was going to hit them. So for the first that so many people have no coverage, that time in the history, we are going to have a when they get health care, it’s when they’re health care plan that has significant input on real sick, and it’s real expensive, and they the front end from the people who provide show up at the emergency room. Under this the health care because they know, the ones plan, for the first time in history, there will who’ve been involved in this process, that we be a comprehensive package of benefits cannot go on. which will guarantee preventive and primary And finally, let me just make this point: health care services to pregnant mothers, to At some point in life when you have a prob- little children, to women who need mammo- lem, whatever it is, you have to ask yourself grams, to men who need cholesterol tests. a pretty simple question, because every Those are the things that will lower the cost change involves taking a chance, you have of health care and strengthen the fabric of to ask yourself which is greater: the cost of our economy. change or the cost of staying the same? It Look at the burden that California alone is clear that the greater cost is to keep on pays because of the uninsured cost of caring doing what we’re doing and letting America

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.004 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 3 1965

go bankrupt and breaking the hearts of mil- There are a lot of things I hope we get lions of American families. to talk about, including the California econ- And so I say to you, we’ve got a lot of omy tonight, which I spent countless hours work to do to turn the California economy on since I’ve been President. But I want to around. But we’ve taken important steps that talk a minute just about the health care issue, were not taken before, and there’s more to because it relates to so much else. come. We’ve got a lot of work to do to work We are in a time of great change. You through all the complexities of the health know that out here. You’ve benefited from care issue. We’ve got a lot of work to do to some of these changes in the last 10 years. convince Americans to have the courage and Now you’ve suffered for the last 3 years from to give Americans the security they need to a lot of those economic changes. In order change. But I am telling you, folks, if we do what we ought to do, California and this for America to make change our friend in- country will walk into the 21st century with stead of our enemy, we have to have a certain their heads held high, with the American base level of personal security and family se- dream still alive for our children, with our curity in this country. In order for us to do diversity a strength, not a weakness, in a na- that, we have to be competitive with other tion that is still leading the world, if we have nations, too. And both of those things bring the courage to change and the will to give us always back to health care, where we our people the security they deserve. spend more money and have less to show That is what I’m dedicated to. And I thank for it and where we’re the only advanced you for being here today to support that. God country that doesn’t provide health security bless you all. Thank you. for all our people. So the thrust of this health care effort is, NOTE: The President spoke at 5:04 p.m. at first of all, to guarantee Americans security— McClellan Air Force Base. health care that’s always there, health care that can never be taken away—and to do it Remarks in a Town Meeting in in a way that is fair to the American people Sacramento and that lowers, not cuts health care costs October 3, 1993 but lowers the rate at which it is increasing, so that it helps the economy as well as helps The President. First of all, let me thank the health security of American families. And all of you for being here tonight, and also it is the key to dealing with so many of our thank all those I can’t see yet who are at other problems and to giving the American the other stations, and all the people of Cali- people the security they need to face the fu- fornia who are watching. ture. I hope we get to talk more about it. I want to talk about whatever you want Thank you. to talk about tonight, but just by way of introduction, let me say that when I ran for Presi- dent, I ran basically because I thought our Russia country was headed in the wrong direction Stan Atkinson. Mr. President, while we economically, because I thought our people are here tonight to address the matters of were coming apart instead of coming to- health care, the economy, and other domes- gether as a country, and because I thought tic issues, we certainly can’t ignore the events our Government wasn’t facing up to our talking place today and tonight in Russia. It problems. And since taking office, I’ve tried has been a bloody day there, with anti-Yeltsin to address those things by changing our eco- forces fighting police and military units in nomic focus, by trying to bring people to- the streets. Well-armed protestors won most gether across regional and racial and other of the battles, ramming trucks into govern- lines, and by trying to just take the tough ment buildings, even launching rocket-pro- problems of the country, one after the other, pelled grenades. Russian President Yeltsin starting with the deficit, trying to make some has issued a state of emergency, and military progress on it.

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.004 INET01 PsN: INET01 1966 Oct. 3 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

reinforcements in the form of his crack best Sacramento and KCRA, I’m Stan Atkinson. troops are en route to Moscow. Mr. President, my partner, Carol Bland. Carol Bland. And before we begin tonight, Mr. President, we’re wondering Health Care Reform whether or not you could update us on the Ms. Bland. Thank you, Stan. Mr. Presi- situation in Russia, in particular this Govern- dent, I’d like you to meet Shelly Chase. Her ment’s response to it. son had leukemia, and he died 4 weeks ago. The President. Well, first of all, let me They wanted to have a bone marrow trans- say what happened is that the opponents of plant for him, but their insurance company reform, the people who don’t want a new denied coverage. They raised the money any- constitution, the people that don’t want an way by borrowing it and now may need to election, basically in the person of Mr. sell their home. We’re not sure about that Rutskoy and Mr. Khasbulatov, their support- yet. But Shelly has a question for you regard- ers who basically started all this disorder and ing experimental treatments. violence today—President Yeltsin has bent over backwards not to have the soldiers fire [Ms. Chase asked if the new health care plan on anybody, not to promote any violence. will cover experimental procedures.] And he may be thinking today he went too The President. The answer to the ques- far in that, because they basically got up a tion is that in most cases the answer would head of steam, and the situation got out of be yes. And the reason I say most cases is control. that under our plan people will have coverage I believe that he will be successful in the as they do in insurance today for certain con- end because the people support him. And ditions like leukemia. And when there is evi- I think the United States should support dence that that is the best available treatment Yeltsin as long as he is the person who em- and a doctor for the child, in this case, for bodies a commitment to democracy and to a child, or for an adult who wants to pursue letting the Russian people chart their own that treatment, then the insurer will not take course. And he does. The people who have that option away. But there has to be—I started this opposition are people who rep- don’t want to mislead you, there has to be resent the old Communist system that Russia at least a doctor, there has to be some sub- is trying so hard to move away from. stantial evidence that the treatment might So I wish him success. I thank him for not work—you never know if it will in experi- trying to promote any unnecessary violence. mental treatment—but that it might work. And I hope that this will be as peaceful a So in the case of a bone marrow transplant resolution as possible, but it’s going to be where there is evidence that it often has been pretty tough for them for the next few days. effective, it should cover that. And that’s the Mr. Atkinson. Thank you, Mr. President. way we tried to set it up. In other words, Now on to our program. In addition to the to be less restrictive than most insurance audience here with you at KCRA in Sac- policies are today but still leave doctors with ramento, we’re also going to hear from a lot their considered medical judgment, some of other people all over California, up and ground not to do things that don’t make any down the State, in fact. They’re in cities to- sense at all. night waiting to listen to you. For instance, Mr. Atkinson. Mr. President, if we could may I do some introductions? Joining us by step back just a moment, let me call your satellite from KRON television in San Fran- attention to our screen, and we’re going to cisco, reporter and news anchor Pete Wilson, see—that’s a fellow whose name is Pete Wil- along with a live studio audience. Moving son. Now, he’s not the Governor Pete Wil- south to Los Angeles, Paul Moyer is there son, he’s the news anchor Pete Wilson from with a group assembled at KNBC television. KRON television in San Francisco. Welcome to all of you. And also, from south- Pete. ern California, Marty Levine. Marty and our Pete Wilson. Stan, the President and I fourth studio audience join us live from have been over this a couple of times just KNSD television in San Diego. And from in recent weeks, as a matter of fact.

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.005 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 3 1967

The President. He always gives me that them. Well over half of our students don’t disclaimer. But I talk to Governor Wilson all graduate from 4-year colleges, but 100 per- the time. [Laughter] cent of our students need both a high school diploma and at least 2 years of post-high Public School System school education. So we’re setting up a sys- [Mr. Wilson introduced a participant who tem now which will integrate the public asked what the administration plans to do schools and the 2-year institutions, the com- to improve the public school system.] munity colleges, the vocational institutions, The President. Good question. Before I and others, starting in high school, to let peo- answer that, I want to thank that lady who ple meld work and learning and begin to do just asked that question. It must take an that for a lifetime. awful lot of courage for her to come here And the final thing that we’ve tried to do within a month of losing her child, and I that I think is perhaps going to have the most thank you. profound effect over the long run is to be Let’s talk about the public schools. I have able to tell our young people while they’re been working since I first became President in junior high and high school that they won’t to pass a new bill called Goals 2000, which have to worry about paying for a college edu- will enable us to change the way we evaluate cation, because we’ve reformed the student our schools and will give the schools the in- loan system to lower the interest rates for centives and resources they need to perform the loans, to string out the repayment terms, at a much higher level. to make college affordable to everyone, and Essentially, what we want to do is to set to allow, starting next year 25,000, going up some national standards, not by Government to hundreds of thousands of students to repay employees but by educational experts, some their loan through community service at the national standards that, then, we can meas- local level. ure every school against every year so that So, start with standards instead of inputs. parents and other interested people can tell I spent 12 years working on the public how well the schools are doing. We want to emphasize the things that we know are im- schools, and I can tell you, we need national portant for the future, especially science, standards, and then we need to focus how mathematics, creative thinking skills, the we can give resources to the schools to meet ability to use the language to reason through those standards instead of telling them how new problems, and to provide special re- to run every minute of every day in the class- sources for that. room. Take account of these other things, The Secretary of Education has worked and I think you’ll see some substantial im- with the Governors of the country and edu- provements. cators all over the country. They’re very ex- I also will tell you that our bill provides cited about having the Government, instead for, I think, a better option than the option of telling educators what kind of specific in- that’s on the ballot out here for choice. We puts they have, set some national standards, give States incentives to allow more choice give the schools more flexibility over how of schools within the public school system, they do it, and go forward. and we give incentives for school systems to The second thing we’ve done is to try to empower people to set up schools, license change the way we distribute Federal aid to them, and run them according to high stand- education, which will be of immense benefit ards as a part of the public school system, to California. A lot of the poorer school dis- like you could give a group of teachers per- tricts, or districts with a lot of poor kids, don’t mission to start their own school, but it would get their fair share of aid. The bill that we be part of a school system, and it would have have in the legislature now, and the Congress to meet, then, the standards of that school passes, will be a big boon to California. system and give the students and their par- The third thing we’ve tried to do is to deal ents the choice to go there. I think that’s a with the problem of the kids who don’t go better way to go than the initiative that’s on to 4-year colleges or don’t graduate from the ballot out here.

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.005 INET01 PsN: INET01 1968 Oct. 3 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

Mr. Atkinson. Mr. President, we’re going which we regulate gun sellers. We’ve got to to switch southward now to Los Angeles. And get the guns out of the hands of the children. at the studios of KNBC, there’s Paul Moyer. It is imperative. Violence in Schools Now, in addition to that, I do have a part of this education bill that I just spoke to, safe Paul Moyer. Stan, thank you. We’re going schools initiative, which would give schools to continue on the vein of education and the ability to have more security forces. And schools, but this is a different aspect Mr. in the crime bill, which includes the Brady President. I would like to introduce you to bill, the waiting period, there are funds which a very, very brave young man. His name is would help people all over the country, cities Dion Brown, he’s 15 years old, and he has all over the country, hire another 50,000 po- seen, experienced something that hopefully lice officers which would allow hard-strapped none of us ever will. About 3 weeks ago he cities to deploy these police officers around was in line at Dorsey High School here in schools and at the places of greatest need. Los Angeles with his brother, simply trying It makes a 50 percent downpayment on my to register for class. And his brother was shot desire and commitment from the campaign in the stomach, caught in gang cross-fire. His to put another 100,000 police officers on the brother was supposed to be here. He’s so street over the next 4 years. afraid of retaliation, we couldn’t find him. Now, let me just say one final thing. I also We’re not going to show you Dion’s face be- think—make them safe first. Make the cause he, too, is afraid. But Mr. President, schools safe, get the guns out of the hands he has a question for you. He’s a little nerv- of the kids, put more police on the beat. Start ous, so bear with us. there. Then you have to take these young [Mr. Brown explained how his brother was people who haven’t had the family supports, shot and asked what the President is planning the neighborhood supports, the community to do to prevent violence in schools.] supports that a lot of us have had, that we’ve The President. Thank you for coming to- taken for granted, and realize they are the night. And thank you for saying that. Let me tip end of a generation of change. This has say, first of all, the story you just heard unfor- been going on for 30 years, getting worse tunately is becoming all too common, and every year. And we have got to find ways not just in California and not just in big cities. to give these kids a structure, an order, a And we ought to start with first things first. hope to their lives. This is the only country, the only advanced We have 10 closed military bases today country in the world, the only country I know around the country where we’ve got an ex- of where we would permit children access perimental program going with the National to weapons that make them better armed Guard, teaching high school dropouts to go than police forces. So I’ll tell you what we back and go to school and going through boot ought to do. I’ve asked the Congress to pass camp-like exercises. These are kids that the Brady bill, which would give us a national didn’t commit crimes. And we’ve been flood- system, a waiting period to check the back- ed with kids who want it, because they have grounds of people for age, criminal records, no structure in their lives. and mental health history before we sell We also have more boot camps in the weapons. crime bill for first-time offenders. You’ve got There are several bills before the Congress to give these kids something to say ‘‘yes’’ to which would ban assault weapons, which instead of telling them ‘‘no’’ all the time. But have no purpose other than to kill. We ought first, there has to be a reestablishment of to pass one. We ought to do it this year. order and safety in the schools and on the States all over the country are looking at own- streets. And I hope if you care about this— ership laws which make it illegal for minors I know I’m going on a little long, but this to have guns unless they’re in the presence is a big deal—the Congress should not drag of their parents, either hunting or on a target its feet. They have been debating this for 2 range. And we ought to do that in every years. It is time to pass a crime bill, it is State. And we ought to look at the laws by time to pass the Brady bill, it is time to ban

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.005 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 3 1969

assault weapons, get them out of the hands up in Mexico, that will dramatically reduce of kids so the police can do their jobs, and the pressure felt by Mexican working people put more police on the street. to come here for jobs. Most immigrants, keep Mr. Atkinson. President Clinton, we’re in mind, come here illegally not for the social going to move even farther south. We’re into services, most of them come here for the San Diego now. Your audience awaits you jobs. If they have jobs in Mexico and they at the studios of KNSD. pay decent wages, which this agreement will provide for, then they’ll be more likely to stay Immigration there, and the immigrants who come here Marty Levine. Stan, thank you. Mr. Presi- will be more likely to be a manageable num- dent, our first question comes from Roberto ber and legal in nature. Martinez, who is a migrant rights activist, and advocate, I should say as well, that deals with Health Care Reform questions of policy and also questions of Mr. Atkinson. We have a health care interchange between the Border Patrol and question for you now, President Clinton. And individual migrants over what Mr. Martinez back in KCRA, Carol Bland. sees as abuses by the Border Patrol. [Ms. Bland introduced a participant who [Mr. Martinez asked if the President supports asked if she will be able to choose her doctor blockades to control illegal immigration from under the new health care plan.] Mexico.] The President. Yes The President. Well, I think we should Q. And will I have easy access to the spe- have more Border Patrol guards, and I think cialists? we should do more to restrict illegal immi- The President. Yes. The answer to your gration, I certainly do. I think the fact that questions are, yes, you’ll have freedom of we have so much illegal immigration and that choice; yes, you’ll have easy access to special- half of all of the illegal immigrants in America ists. And most Americans will have more are in California, a State with an unemploy- choice than they have now. You heard what ment rate 3 percentage points above the na- she said. She’s on Medicare, and she’s en- tional average, is endangering the historic rolled in PPO. That’s a group of doctors who attitude of America that has been provide health care together so that you can proimmigration. I mean, Los Angeles County get a general practitioner or a specialist. They has people from 150 different racial and eth- work together. nic groups alone. Immigrants made this Q. And I can go anyplace I want? country. But they did it, by and large, by op- The President. And she can go anywhere erating within our laws. If we permit our laws she wants with any doctor who is enrolled to be regularly violated and flagrantly vio- in the PPO. And if she has an emergency, lated and impose those costs on a State that they can refer her out to a doctor. has the biggest economic problems, I think I was just talking with a doctor in Las we run the risk of undermining support for Vegas who helped to organize a PPO with immigration, which I think is a very impor- 700 doctors now. Under our plan, first of all tant American value. So yes, I believe we if you’re on Medicare, nothing will change. should stiffen our efforts to control the bor- Secondly, every State in the country will have der. the power to approve every existing HMO I don’t think it undermines the NAFTA or PPO they want to, so that the people that negotiations, that the President of Mexico are already enrolled in these kinds of plans has never asked me to do anything illegal, and have high consumer satisfaction will basi- to continue what is the policy that is incon- cally not see a change in their health care. sistent with our law. And as a matter of fact, However, you should know that for people I hope we get a chance to talk about this who are working for a living and who are later tonight. One of the reasons that I so insured through their place of work, today strongly support this North American Free only one-third of them have any choice at Trade Agreement is if you have more jobs all. Most of them have no choice, they’re just on both sides of the border and incomes go told, here’s your plan, and here it is. We will

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.005 INET01 PsN: INET01 1970 Oct. 3 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

propose to give them at least two other being appealed up anyway by people who lost choices so that everybody will have three them. choices. If they choose a more expensive one And so, it would only change the law, in than their employer has chosen, they might other words if we changed it. It would only have to pay a little more, but at least they’ll change the law for that circuit, that one Fed- have some choice. You won’t be affected. eral district. And if the court of appeals over- And I think what you’ll see is more and more turned it, it would only change the law for doctors putting together these PPO’s so the that one court of appeals district, and the doctors, rather than insurance companies, act that Congress has enacted would still con- will be deciding the quality of health care trol it for everybody else. We have no reason in America. to believe that the Supreme Court will up- Q. Thank you. hold the ruling. If it does, of course, then Mr. Atkinson. President Clinton, we’re the whole issue will be moot. I think going back to San Francisco now. KRON, everybody’s better off in trying to get a legal Pete Wilson. Pete. resolution of it. And if we just stopped it, it would die right there with that one court. Gays in the Military It would be nice for everybody there, but Mr. Wilson. Yes, Stan. Mr. President, we it wouldn’t have national impact. have with us now a lieutenant in the Naval Mr. Atkinson. From Los Angeles again, Reserve, and her life has been thrown into Paul Moyer has another question. considerable turmoil in the last few months because she simply declared who she is. And Health Care Reform she has a question for you. Mr. Moyer. Okay, Stan, thank you again. [The lieutenant asked why the President is We’re here with people from the West Valley not allowing the courts to make a decision area of Los Angeles. And allow me to kneel on gays serving in the military.] down just a little bit. They are with their twins who are 6 weeks old, very, very healthy. The President. Well, the courts will de- Everything’s fine now, Mr. President, but it cide the issue. And as you know, I don’t agree didn’t start out that way. And they have a with the policy of the ban, and I attempted health question for you. to change it. And I did get some change, but not the change that I wanted. And there was [The couple explained their twins were born a vote in the Senate last week, which I hope prematurely and had to stay in the hospital you noticed, which showed that only one- for several weeks. They asked if the new third of the Senate basically supported my health care program will cover families who position. And the reason we had to have a have very expensive medical costs.] compromise is we didn’t have the votes to The President. I want to answer your get more done. question, but first I want to make sure that Part of getting the agreement to stop the all the people that are watching this under- investigations, to not automatically throw stand exactly what question he asked. You people out who said they were gay and at know, some health insurance policies have least give them a chance to demonstrate that very good coverage, but they have a limit to they were complying with the code of mili- how much you can draw against the cov- tary conduct, and not using people’s associa- erage. They have a lifetime cap, which, if you tions against them to investigate them, in get a really serious illness, you could use up other words, creating a big zone of privacy in one time. And your lifetime cap’s gone, for gays and lesbians in the military service, so even though you had a real good policy, was the agreement to go forward with the you could never use it again. That’s the ques- lawsuit. The courts know what the arguments tion he was asking. are. The Justice Department can’t just drop The answer is under this plan there would it because there are too many other cases. be no lifetime caps. You would pay whatever In other words, there are other cases at the you would be required to pay. If you were same level of court, and they’ve all gone self-employed, you’d pay what your premium against the service personnel. So they’re is. If you were working in a business, you

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.005 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 3 1971

would pay, if you don’t have any coverage, so-called maquilladora area. If an American up to 20 percent. If you have better coverage company puts up a plant down there, they than that right now, if your employer pays can produce products in Mexico and import everything, your employer can continue to them back into the United States duty free. pay everything, but there’s a limit as to how So people think, well, that happened in the much can be taken away from you under our 1980’s, so if this agreement breaks down bar- plan. riers, maybe more of that will happen. Actu- The reason there’s no need for a lifetime ally, less of that will happen. Here’s why. cap under our plan is that people will be in- Under the NAFTA agreement, the cost of sured in huge pools, community rating pools. labor and the cost of environmental invest- You know, this is an expensive thing, but ments in Mexico will go up. Under the aren’t you glad that they got it? They have NAFTA agreement, Mexico agrees to stop these two beautiful children now. And so, requiring so many products sold in Mexico sure, they put an extra cost on it, but instead to be made in Mexico. So, for example, we’ll of that cost being for, say, 200 or 300 or 400 go from selling 1,000 American cars to people insured, there might be 200,000 or 60,000 American cars in Mexico the first 300,000 people insured in the same pool, so year, according to the auto companies. And that cost spread across a big group won’t be also under the NAFTA agreement, Mexican that much. And there will be no caps. Our tariff barriers are further lowered and so are plan abolishes the lifetime caps to keep peo- Americas. The problem is theirs are 21⁄2 ple from being financially destroyed. times as much as ours. So as they lower bar- Mr. Atkinson. We’re going back to San riers, we’ll get a bigger benefit out of it than Diego now. Marty Levine has someone with if we lower barriers. another question for you. And finally, let me say this. Five years ago we had a $5.5 billion trade deficit with Mex- NAFTA ico. Now we have a $5.7 billion trade surplus. Mr. Levine. Mr. President, this is a small Compare that with an $18 billion trade defi- business man here in San Diego, but also cit with China, a $44 billion trade deficit with is serving on a committee with the chamber Japan. We will gain jobs out of this. We will of commerce, trying to see that the North gain incomes out of this. And finally, if we American Free Trade Agreement will, in do this with Mexico, then you’ve got Chile, fact, be passed into law. Argentina, and other countries who want the [The participant asked if the President could same deal. We’ll make a lot of money out address the concern that NAFTA will cause of it over the next 20 years if we do it. unemployment in California.] I hope I can help you persuade the people in San Diego to support it. We’re also going The President. Let me talk just a little to get some more money for that terrible en- about that because it is the big issue. First vironmental problem you’ve got along the of all, let me tell you I was the Governor border there in San Diego to try to clean of a State that had plants shut down and jobs that up. And there will be less environmental moved to Mexico, where people lost their problems and more investment of the kind jobs and their livelihoods whom I knew. And you needed years ago there if we pass this I worked very hard on stopping that and even agreement. wound up bringing one of those plants back. Mr. Atkinson. President Clinton, back So I would never knowingly do anything that here at KCRA, a good-looking young fellow would put the American people’s economic has something he wants to ask you. welfare at risk. I believe NAFTA will create The President. Boy, he does look good. jobs, not lose jobs. And I believe that the jobs we’ll create will be better paying jobs. And let me explain why. Youth Employment Opportunities Most people who worry about NAFTA los- Ms. Bland. Mr. President, he’s only 13, ing jobs know that there are a lot of plants if you can believe it, although he looks like that American companies own along the he’s nearing 20. Anyway, he’s growing up on Mexican border with the United States in the some pretty tough streets in Sacramento.

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.005 INET01 PsN: INET01 1972 Oct. 3 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

He’s wondering about job opportunities for showed me two of the electric cars that kids like him, kids who are really trying to they’re working with people in the area to find a way out. do and some of the environmental work [The participant asked what can be done to they’ve done. One of the things we’re really prevent kids from selling drugs to make trying to do to help California deal with all money.] the military cuts is to emphasize the ability of the defense system, especially these bases, The President. Give him a hand. [Ap- plause] That took a lot of guts. to develop dual-use technologies. And they Let me say, we’re working on a couple of showed me a lot—that is, things that can be things. First of all, this last summer we were used for defense and domestic purposes. At able to have a couple hundred thousand McClellan, they developed an electric car more jobs in the country for young people that goes from zero to 60 in 12 seconds, gets in the summertime. I wanted a much bigger 80 miles per gallon at 55 miles an hour, and program that I tried to pass in the Congress, has a maximum speed of 100 miles an hour. but I couldn’t. What I think we need to do And now all we’ve got to do is figure out is two things, one I mentioned earlier. I want how to make it economical for people to buy. to try in every community in the country to [Laughter] But I think we’ll be able to do bring school and work closer together, so that it. people can learn while they’re working and The Big Three automakers this week an- so that young people who need to work can nounced a pathbreaking research project work and get an educational experience at with all of our Government and defense labs, the same time. In other countries, this is and we’re going to try to triple the mileage much more frequent, Germany, for example. on cars by the end of the decade. And the We’re trying to build up those kind of pro- auto companies have made a commitment; grams in this country. The second thing I they’re going to invest money. We’re going want to try to do is to provide opportunities to invest money. And it means a lot more for young people who need it to work part- jobs for Americans if we can do it. time, but year round. And we’re working on Mr. Atkinson. Pretty slick. that. I tried, as I said, I tried to pass a bill Pete Wilson is standing by with your audi- through the Congress earlier this year to get ence at KRON in San Francisco. more summer jobs. I couldn’t pass it. But I think there is a lot of support in the country Job Training for the idea that young people who live in economically difficult circumstances, want to Mr. Wilson. Mr. President, you know— work, have the chance to do it. We want to you’ve already touched on it several times make it easier for the employers to hire them. tonight yourself—that one of the things both- So we’re working on that, and you’ve given ering California virtually more than anything us a little encouragement to do it. else is this third or fourth year of a recession, [At this point, the television stations took a a very deep recession, unprecedented in this commercial break.] State. Among other things, it’s cost an enormous number of Californians their jobs. And Defense Conversion one of those is with us tonight. He has been Mr. Atkinson. You’ve had a lively after- out of work—high-tech Californian who has noon. That was quite a crowd that greeted a question for you. you at McClellan, a couple of thousand peo- [The participant asked if there will be any ple. They got you going, didn’t they? programs to retrain older professionals.] The President. They did, and I love seeing them. The President. You know, you’re about Mr. Atkinson. It was a hard time stopping. the third person in the last 10 days that’s Just barely made it in time to get on the air asked me that question, and I have to tell here. you that we have not done anything or The President. Well, they’ve done so thought of what to do exactly that would em- much wonderful work at McClellan. They phasize only people above a certain age. I

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.005 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 3 1973

will tell you what we have done. Did you the employer wants to keep the person and work in a high-tech company before? try to train them for something new. Or we Q. I did, sir, yes. show people, here’s where the jobs are grow- The President. What kind of company did ing in number, here are your training op- you work in? tions, and you start right then. Instead of Q. It was a nuclear weapons, actually. waiting for their unemployment to run out The President. Yes, I think even you hope and then starting it, it should start imme- we don’t have to do that anymore. But let diately at the time a person knows they’re me say what we are—first thing we’ve got going to be unemployed and hopefully even to try to do is create some more jobs in the before. high-tech area, so let me emphasize that. Just When we were in Sunnyvale, California, this week we announced, with a lot of people the other day, not too far from here, they from California there in Washington, that we had already started such a system, and it had were removing from any export limitations resulted in a dramatic shortening of the time 70 percent of the computers made in this people were unemployed. And so that is what country, in recognition of the fact that the I think we should do. cold war is over. We still have to worry about It may be that we should give employers proliferation of weapons, but we freed up some extra incentive to retrain older workers. $30 billion worth of computer exports and I’ll be honest with you, until people like you $7 billion worth of supercomputers and tele- started asking me, I had never given it much communications exports. That will create a thought. If you have any specific ideas, I lot more jobs in California, and a lot of the hope you’ll write me and give them to me companies in California have already issued because, believe it or not, I normally get statements saying it will create more jobs. So them. Uncle Sam’s doing a pretty good job I hope there will be more jobs for you to of getting your mail to me. take. Mr. Atkinson. We’re going back to Los Now, let me tell you what we are trying Angeles. to do which will benefit older people, be- The President. Let me—one last thing. cause very often companies don’t themselves He is really the typical American of the fu- retrain them. What we’re trying to do is to ture. The average person will change work set up a partnership with the private sector seven times in a lifetime now, sometimes for in which we change the unemployment sys- the same employer, sometimes for a different tem to a reemployment system. That is, employer. So we simply have to establish a you’re a good example of—now, unfortu- lifetime learning system so that people feel nately, you’re more usual than unusual. It the same obligation to retrain the 55-year- used to be when people lost their jobs, there old worker that they do the 25-year-old work- was a temporary downturn in the economy, er. If we don’t do it, we’ll never get our econ- and a few months later they get the same omy straightened out, because you can’t keep job back when their old company got new the same kind of work; the nature of work business, when the economy picked up. is changing too fast. Now, when people lose their jobs, most Mr. Atkinson. Back to Los Angeles now. often because of what we call structural Mr. Moyer. Mr. President, I think we’re changes in the economy. That is, the jobs on the right topic for southern California, are lost to automation, or the demand for and I’ll tell you why. Because I talked to a the jobs are no longer there, or some other lot of people about this program tonight, country’s kicked us out of the market, or we about what they wanted to ask you, and most kick some other country out of the market. of them said, ‘‘Ask him about the economy.’’ So the unemployment system needs to be We are hurting here in southern California. totally changed to a reemployment system so The American dream, we’ve awakened from that the minute someone is notified that it; it wasn’t what it was before. Ten percent they’re going to lose their job, the Govern- unemployment in Los Angeles County, and ment kicks in with training funds, which can we’re really, really concerned about that. And be used in partnership with the employer if one of the people that is, is Joe Hernandez,

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.005 INET01 PsN: INET01 1974 Oct. 3 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

who is with the Mexican American Grocers not only provide more money but it will be Association, Mr. President, and he has a with fewer strings attached, so the commu- question for you. nities can direct it to people like you who [Mr. Hernandez asked if the administration are making things happen. could help the association expand their train- It’s real impressive, 400 jobs, isn’t it? It’s ing program, which has 400 people on its good. waiting list.] Mr. Atkinson. We’re back to San Diego again. The President. Let me tell you what I want to do. Keep in mind, there are people Violence and Drugs like you all over America who may be doing Mr. Levine. Mr. President, I’d like you different things. And the needs of every to meet Stan Hay. He is a church-based com- economy are different. I want to try to do munity organizer, works out on the street two things. First of all, I think we need more with two things that seem to constitute one funds for job training, so that the States can very large problem, crime and drugs. direct those funds in the way that they’re best needed. [Mr. Hay asked what the administration So in the case of California, most of the plans to do about the problems of violence unemployed people are in the south, al- and crime.] though the whole State has problems, but The President. Let me tell you, first of most of the unemployment is in southern all, I’d like for you to have a chance to say California. And the people at the local level maybe to me and to all these people what are best able to judge what programs are you think ought to be done. But let me begin working. So you’ve got a wildly successful by responding to your specific question. He program; if your State had more job training is coming to see—Dr. Brown is, Lee Brown, funds, they could direct them to you. And who is the Director of Drug Policy for our that’s part of what we’re trying to get done country, the drug czar. He was formerly the in this whole reemployment system that I just police chief in New York, in Atlanta, and in described to you. And we’ll be going up to Houston. He started a community policing Congress soon with a bill that tries to do that, program in New York. And believe it or not, to get more funds, with fewer strings at- New York City now, for 2 years in a row, tached, given to local communities for the according to the FBI statistics has had a de- programs that work. cline in their crime rate in all seven major The second thing that we need to do is areas of crime. to vigorously attempt to get more private in- So the first thing we’ve got to try to do vestment into distressed inner-city areas. If is to make the police and the community you think about it, it is not rational for there work together better, with the proper alloca- not to be more locally owned businesses and tion of resources with a view toward prevent- more people working in these distressed ing crime from occurring as well as catching inner-city areas, because most of the people criminals quicker. That’s why we need more who live there have jobs, make money, have police officers so cities can afford to deploy checks, could spend it there, but there’s no the resources that way. The second thing investment going into those areas. So we we’ve got to do, I’ll say again, is to try to passed a bill earlier this year, which we’re take the guns out of the hands of people who in the process of implementing, that will give shouldn’t have them. The third thing we’re big incentives for people to invest private trying to do, as Dr. Brown will tell you, is dollars to create more jobs so that your train- we want to change the emphasis of the Fed- ing programs will be able to find work for eral Government’s drug control efforts. And people after they’re trained. Those are the with regard to enforcement, we want to con- two things we’re trying to do. centrate more on kingpins, really big dealers, But when you see this training bill come to try to break the financial back of a lot of up before the Congress in the next several these networks, not just on how many arrests weeks, I think you’ll like it because it will we can make of people in the middle but

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.005 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 3 1975

really go after big people and money net- ference in the crime rate, no difference in works. the drug abuse rate as the communities Then, with people who are actual users today. But they had locally owned businesses, and who may commit crimes in the course coherent community organizations, and in- of that, we’re trying to have much more com- tact families, all of which you have going prehensive alcohol and drug abuse treat- away today. ment. One of the really important things So if you want to do something fundamen- about our health care plan that I would think tal, we have to give these kids people like you would support is that it includes sub- him to relate to—like you, sir—people who stance abuse treatment for people who now can be almost the kind of role models you don’t have any insurance. So that will stop used to take it for granted that the parents a lot of these long, long delays for adequate would be, who can create their own kind of treatment. Drug treatment works in an ex- gang in a community organization. We all traordinary percentage of the cases, not in want to be in a gang, don’t we? I mean, your all the cases but in a lot of the cases, if it church is a gang. Your basketball team is a is there. gang. In other words, we have a need to be So those are that things that we’re working with people who are like us, who share our on. But the other thing we want to do is to values, who make us feel important, who re- listen to people like you who have actually inforce us. And there is no simple answer done things that work. We have not only Lee to this, but you’ve got to start with these chil- Brown. Janet Reno, the Attorney General, dren when they’re very young, and you have was a prosecutor in Miami, one of the tough- to give them a way of belonging and a way est towns in America for drug problems. And of learning and a way of growing that is posi- Louis Freeh, the Director of the FBI, was tive. a U.S. attorney, a Federal judge, and an FBI Let me say, I agree with you about the agent, working principally in drug cases. He jails. You can build more jails and not make broke big international drug cases as well as society safer. And we need to distinguish be- dealing with drugs on the street. So we’ve tween people who need to be kept out of got these three crimefighters who basically society for a very long time and others that came up from the grassroots. And it’s the we may be jailing we could do something first time we ever had a team of grassroots else with. crimefighters dealing with the drug issue. There’s a difference in police. More police They want to hear from you and people like won’t necessarily make you safer, but if they you all over the country about what would relate well to the community, if their neigh- work for you. bors trust them, if they like them, if they’re Mr. Atkinson. Mr. President, while we on the street, they can lower the crime rate have you and since you’ve asked, Mr. Hay by keeping crime from occurring, by deter- does have a couple of suggestions. ring the thing from occurring. If you have The President. I want to know. the right kind of relationships, they can be [Mr. Hay explained that he felt education and an enormous weapon. treatment programs were more effective than But I want you to talk to Dr. Brown. And increasing law enforcement.] you’re absolutely right, and I thank you for giving your life to this. There is not any more The President. Let me say just, if you important work in America today than what think what he said, plus what the young man you are trying to do. said here who wanted the job for his friends, plus what the young man said whose brother got shot in school—it goes back to the bigger Health Care Reform point: The problems you see that you’re all Mr. Atkinson. I think we’re going to horrified about today have been festering and switch gears. This is a Sacramento physician. developing over a generation in America. Ms. Bland. Exactly. He’s our first doctor There were poor communities in this of the evening, as a matter of fact—— country 30, 40, 50 years ago that had no dif- The President. Good for you.

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.005 INET01 PsN: INET01 1976 Oct. 3 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

Ms. Bland. He is a primary care internist, just from their point of view of their own and he’s concerned about the formation of practice. I figure they’d tell me the truth. physician groups, or alliances, I believe, as They don’t mind disagreeing with me or tell- your health plan refers to them. ing me I’m crazy or telling me I need to lose Doctor? 10 pounds or whatever they say. [Laughter] [Ms. Bland introduced a doctor who asked So we used a lot of doctors in different spe- if the new health care plan would help strug- cialties and family doctors, GP’s, too. And gling physicians groups so they are able to we also have asked Dr. Koop, who was the provide the best care for their patients. He Surgeon General, as you remember, a few then asked if independent doctors would re- years ago under President Reagan and did ceive assistance under the new plan.] a marvelous job, to sort of be our moderator, if you will, with the physician community all The President. Yes. First of all, let me over America, to try to get as much feedback say that there are things in this plan which as we can, so as we move forward with this will give much better access to data of all plan in Congress, we address concerns just kinds to physicians, both business manage- like yours and we make sure that the doctors ment data, health outcomes data, a whole lot feel very good about this when it’s over. of things you don’t get now, particularly if Let me just say, as you pointed out, the you’re in individual practice, and to help peo- independent practice is becoming rarer and ple to set up and operate things without los- rarer anyway because of the economic pres- ing money, without making business mis- takes. sures. One of the reasons for that and one of the reasons a lot of doctors have urged Also the plan would significantly simplify a lot of the money management and paper us to do something, is that in 1980—just lis- management problems you have today. For ten to this, you want to know what they’re example, a community this size, I would up against—in 1980, the average doctor took imagine the average multidoctor practice home about 75 percent of the money that would be just like a hospital, you have to deal came into a clinic. By 1992, that figure has with maybe 300 different insurance compa- dropped from 75 percent to 52 percent be- nies. And we’re trying to simplify that. That cause of increased bureaucracy and paper- will reduce the possibility of error. work and all the people they had to hire to Secondly, keep in mind, every person keep up with all the things that are balloon- under our proposal who’s not covered now ing the cost of this system. So we’re trying would be offered the option of three dif- to simplify that and leave you the option to ferent kinds of coverage, and one of which stay in independent practice and leave your would be to keep choosing individual doctors patients the options to be covered by you. on an individual basis. That, in the beginning, Now, keep in mind, most of the patients would be more expensive for the employee. you have today probably have their own But at least they’d have the choice. Today health insurance. Those that are in plans now only one-third of the workers who are in- that do that, we’re not going to change that. sured at work have multiple choices in their What we’re trying to do is to help those who health plan. And what we think will happen, don’t have coverage get some kind of cov- sir, is that a lot of independent doctors will erage. But they would also be able to choose be able to organize, but not in a HMO type you in either a physician group or as an inde- thing, maybe even in a PPO thing, but at pendent practitioner. Another thing that they least to all say, we will serve our patients as can do is to enter a PPO, and you stay out they need it, but we’ll be able to save a lot of the PPO, but when they need to see you, of money doing it because the administrative they see you. And then the only thing they costs will be lower. have to pay is the difference between the Let me say, in an attempt to satisfy just reimbursement schedule in the PPO and your concern, we did involve hundreds of what you would charge, which in your line doctors in this, including people that we of work would probably not be dramatically trusted. I asked my own doctors to help us, different.

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.005 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 3 1977

So there are going to be all kinds of op- The President. The answer to your questions. It should lead to a bigger patient pool, tion is no, it hasn’t changed. And in fact, if not a smaller one, and it shouldn’t radically you’ve been following any of my rallies, all force you to change your practice, but it the people that protested against me in the would give you the opportunity to do it. And campaign are still protesting against me. So if you do it, you will get the information you they don’t think I’ve changed my position. need to avoid losing money, and you’ll have But let me say this. When I took office a simpler system to deal with. I abolished the gag rule. I abolished the ban Mr. Atkinson. Four out of every five peo- on fetal tissue research. I appointed Ruth ple in the Sacramento metro area are in a Bader Ginsburg to the Supreme Court, who managed health care system. We understand has made a career of fighting for the rights that Sacramento was used as something of of women and believes in the constitutional a model for you and the First Lady. Is that right to choose. I have gotten the United true? States back into the effort to control world- The President. It was. We looked at the wide population growth, which is an impor- Sacramento area because of the high per- tant human issue, not through abortion but centage of people in some sort of managed through basic contraceptives, something that care and the relatively high level of satisfac- the United States had walked away from be- tion among consumers with it. And we fore. So I think that my record on that is looked at the California public employees clear and unblemished. system because they’ve done such a good job The issue that you raise is this: Federal of not lowering their rates but lowering the district court judges are appointed by the rate of increase. President but recommended to the President We also looked at a number of other by Senators, if they are Senators of the Presi- things. The Mayo Clinic system, for example, dent’s own party, in the States. I didn’t know most of the people would concede that the anything about the issue you raised until I Mayo Clinic has pretty high quality health also read it in the press. Apparently some care. Their inflation in cost this year was 3.9 of the Senators, two of them, I think, rec- percent, about a third of what the medical ommended judges to me to be appointed inflation rate was nationwide. who have questionable positions on that So there are ways to lower cost without issue. But they are lower court judges; they sacrificing quality. To be fair, though, there have to follow the law. So before I appoint are a lot of other things. Doctors do need them I will have to be satisfied that they in- a lot of information that they don’t have now tend to faithfully carry out the law of the to deal with the system they’ve got. And if United States as it now exists, or I won’t do you give it to them and we provide it, that it if I think they’re going to do that. So you will also enable them to do a better job. don’t have to worry about that. But I don’t [At this point, the television stations took a think I should have the same standard, if you commercial break.] will, or have just sort of a litmus test for every judge on every last detailed issue that might Abortion come before the court under the abortion area. I mean, there are a thousand different Mr. Wilson. Once again this week, Mr. questions. President, the abortion issue is coming to the I think that if this is a good judge, I ought headlines because of the Hyde amendment to consider appointing the judge. But I being turned down once again by the Senate, wouldn’t appoint someone that I thought which means that Federal funding for abor- would just flagrantly walk away from what tion will stay where it is. That means that is clearly the law of the land, which is that it does not exist in this country for abortion. a woman, within the first two trimesters of And I want you to meet someone who has pregnancy anyway, has a constitutional right a question on that subject. to choose. That’s what the law is. That’s what [A participant asked if the President had I believe in. I don’t think it should be changed his position on abortion.] changed. And the judges that I appoint will

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.005 INET01 PsN: INET01 1978 Oct. 3 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

have to be willing to uphold the law of the Mr. Atkinson. Mr. President, I hope I’m land if they want the job. not breaking the rules here, but a quick fol- Mr. Atkinson. We’re going to go back to lowup to that. You know that the Border Pa- Los Angeles, to our sister station, KNBC, and trol says they don’t have enough people. Paul Moyer. The President. They don’t. Mr. Atkinson. They say that their equip- Immigration and Border Control ment is falling apart. Senator Dianne Fein- Mr. Moyer. Stan, thank you. stein’s proposed what she calls, I believe, a Mr. President, I don’t have to tell you, I crossing fee of about a dollar a car to raise know you know that one of the very, very $400 million for more agents and better big issues here in southern California is that equipment. Your INS nominee testified last of undocumented workers, undocumented week that she is not philosophically opposed people. That comes under the purview of to that. Can we assume then that that’s the your INS. This person is from the Asian administration’s stand on that issue? Legal Center, Mr. President, and she has a The President. Well, let me give you two question for you. answers. First of all, I have not endorsed the Feinstein proposal, but I am not philosophi- [The participant asked if the Immigration cally opposed to it either. It’s just we’ve got and Naturalization Service would be reorga- to think through what it means and what oth- nized.] ers might do for our crossing and whether The President. Well, let me say this, the it has any implications that we don’t under- Vice President, in his reinventing Govern- stand. ment report, had recommended that we look The main point is that Senator Feinstein at whether the border functions of Customs and Senator Boxer and others in the Califor- and the border functions of Immigration nia delegation want us to hire 600 more Bor- should be integrated. That was the issue. And der Patrol agents, and want us to update and that is something, I think, that is worth debat- modernize their equipment, and they’re right ing. We’ve had some instances in which— about that. We’ve got a bill in the Congress we got reports when we began to look in how which will go a long way towards doing that, the Federal Government operated, that the and I hope we can pass it and pass it soon. Immigration people and the Customs people There are simply not enough Border Patrol were actually not only not cooperating but agents, and the equipment that they’ve got almost getting in each other’s way at some is simply inadequate. And we must do better. border crossings in the United States. In terms of the fee, I wouldn’t rule it out, So that’s all we looked at. We would not but I just hate to embrace something before diminish the other part of Immigration’s con- I understand all of the implications of it. But trol—function, excuse me—or defund it or I agree with the INS Commissioner, Doris underfund it or any of the things that you Meissner. Neither one of us are philosophi- might be concerned about. And in fact, no cally opposed to it, we just have to know what decision has been made yet about the organi- the implications of it are before we can em- zational issues. It’s just that we have been brace it. concerned, given the kind of immigration But the bottom line is, what the California problems we have when we want to reduce Senators want is results. They want more the chance that, for example, terrorists could Border Patrol agents, they want modern get into this country, we want to deal with equipment, they want them to be able to do some of the problems we had where people their job, and they’re right. And we’re going were almost sold into bondage to come to to do our best to see that they can. this country. And we don’t want any kind of Mr. Atkinson. Appropriately enough, unnecessary overlap or conflict between Cus- we’re going to switch closer to the border toms and Immigration. So that’s what we’re now, to San Diego and to KNSD. trying to work out, not to diminish the other Mr. Levine. Mr. President, here is the re- functions of the Immigration and Naturaliza- gional director of the National Conference tion Service, which are very important. of Christians and Jews.

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.005 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 3 1979

[The participant asked what steps would be for the appropriate health professionals. But taken to ensure that the proposed national I don’t think that there’s going to be a lot health security card would not infringe on of information just floating out there. an individual’s privacy.] In fact, people will not have access to in- The President. Well, it’ll work just like formation that they don’t need or that they a Social Security card does. It’ll look some- don’t have a right to know. I mean, you can’t thing like this. This is our little mock-up that just go in and plunder somebody’s files. I I held up on television. And you would have think the protections for the people will be this, which would entitle you to health care quite adequate, just as they are today again wherever you got sick and whatever hap- with Social Security and with Medicare. pened to you. And we have to have some Let me just say this. If you have a list of sort of card like this so people can be identi- specific questions, if you will get them to me, fied. And so if, for example, if there is an I will get you a list of very specific answers. emergency, their health information can be Because I realize that, on this question like secured quickly if they’re in an approved that, the devil is always in the details. So I health facility or dealing with a doctor. But know that I haven’t fully satisfied you, so you it will have the same sorts of protections that send me the specific questions, and I’ll send a Social Security card would, for example. you the specific answers. And then you can And if you’ll remember, there was an at- decide whether you agree or not. Mr. Atkinson. tempt a couple of years ago to try to broaden Be assured that she will. the use of Social Security identification We only have 15 minutes left. It’s amazing. which was repelled, because the American Time has gone very quickly. We’re back in people were worried about their Social Secu- Sacramento, and Carol has a guest. Ms. Bland. rity card being used for anything other than Certainly has gone by quickly. to validate the fact that they were entitled So we’re going to try to get as many questions to Social Security. So this is purely for the in as we can. purposes of establishing that you belong to Teacher Shortage the health care system, that you are duly enrolled, you’re properly a member, and it [At this point, a participant asked if the Presi- would function in much the same way as a dent will have a program to help deal with Medicare card or a Social Security card. the shortage of teachers.] If you have any specific suggestions, I’d The President. Yes. Two things I might be glad to have them. But I can tell you no mention. One is that you’ve probably noticed one has ever anticipated that this would be recently that the Congress passed and I used to sort of plunder the privacy rights of signed the national service bill, which will, Americans, but to just increase their personal within 3 years, enable us to offer 100,000 security. young Americans a year the opportunity to Q. The concern that, as expressed, has to serve their communities and either earn do with the type of information that might credit toward a college degree or, if they are be magnetically made available as part of the teachers coming out of college, to go into information that that card contains and who teaching and teach off a significant portion will have access to the information that that of their college costs, so that the National magnetic strip would contain with regard to Service Corps will have a teacher corps com- the individual’s background. ponent. The President. But the individual will We work with a program called Teach For have—the only thing you have to do is—so America that you’re probably familiar with. that the person is eligible, the person will And a young woman named Wendy Kopp be enrolled in a health alliance, and the alli- organized it to try to make sure we integrated ance will know whether the person is eligible that into the National Service Corps pro- because he or she is self-employed, small posal. So young people in college today, for business employee, a big business employee, example, could take out loans under the Na- or somebody on Medicaid. And then there tional Service Corps concept and say, I’m will have to be some access to health data going to be a teacher, in certain areas where

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.005 INET01 PsN: INET01 1980 Oct. 3 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

there’s a shortage of teachers, for a couple already talked about tonight. But he has a of years, and they can wipe off a big portion question for you I think on a slightly different of their loans. tack. In addition to that, we’re making a real [The participant asked what could be done effort to try to encourage a lot of these won- to deter violent criminals who apparently do derful people who are coming out of the mili- not fear punishment.] tary, as we downsize the military, to go into teaching, to try to encourage them to do it. The President. Well, a lot of the younger And we need, I might say, more cooperation ones, unfortunately, aren’t afraid of anything from a lot of the States in passing easier ways because they have no sense of the future. for them to become certified to go into the They’re not invested in their own lives. classroom. But if you think about it, the mili- They’re not invested in what they might be tary has had a stunning amount of success doing 2 or 3 or 5 years from now. We’re rais- in educating and training people on a con- ing a generation of young people for whom tinuing basis. If you go back to what the gen- the future is what happens 30 minutes from tleman said, he was an older high-tech work- now or what happens tomorrow. And that’s er that lost his job, and that’s the kind of a terrible problem. thing that we need in a lot of our schools Now, I believe we should have stronger today. gun control measures than the Brady bill. For So a lot of these military people are being example, let me say again what I think we encouraged to go into teaching and being should do. I think we should pass one of a given, through a special program passed by number of good bills which are in the Con- Congress, some incentives to do that. And gress which would ban assault weapons. I hope we can expand that program, because There are a lot of them out there for the I’d really like to see it. A lot of those folks sole purpose of killing people, and they are still young, they’ve got the best years of should be banned, either at the national level their lives ahead of them, and they could or in every State. We should follow the lead make a major contribution to the classroom. of the 17 States which have now made it ille- And a lot of them come from previously dis- gal for young people to possess handguns, advantaged backgrounds and from all dif- unless they are, I’ll say again, with their par- ferent races and ethnic makeups. So they can ents, hunting or at some target range, some make a major contribution to what we need approved place. We should have much stiffer to do in our schools and our cities. Thank penalties against possessing these weapons il- you. legally. Then every community in the country Let me just say this, you didn’t ask that, could then start doing major weapon sweeps but since we’ve got a lot of doctors here, and then destroying the weapons, not selling there is also the National Health Service them. Corps, which helped a lot of doctors to get Another thing you ought to look into in through med school but has been shrunk in your area: If the murder weapon is ever re- the last 10 years, will be dramatically ex- covered, which it may not be, it would be panded if the health care program passes. So interesting to know where it comes from and you have a lot of doctors in urban and rural what tracking is on it. Because one of the underserved areas, too, with the same plan. things that I learned when I got into this is Mr. Atkinson. Okay, we’re going to switch that every State of any size has hundreds of back to KRON in San Francisco. Pete. gun dealers that may be licensed only by the Federal Government for a $10 fee a year. Gun Control And there are cities and States which may Mr. Wilson. Mr. President, I want you to have other laws, but you can still be a gun meet this gentleman. About a month ago, in dealer if you’ve got this little piddly Federal a story that became headlines here and has permit. remained headlines here in the month fol- So another thing that ought to be done lowing, his brother was murdered, a random is that the price of getting into the business shooting, typical of the kind of thing you’ve ought to be raised, and people ought to have

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.005 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 3 1981

to comply with the local laws and not just fast now, we need those older workers. And the Federal permitting laws. All these things so, what I believe we should do is to raise would help us to deal with the sheer volume the earning limit. We are negotiating now; of weapons that are out there in the hands we’re talking about how much it can be of people that are totally disconnected from raised, what we can pass through Congress, our society, while we try to deal with these and what the costs will be. deeper problems that we talked about ear- One of the things that we’ve done is, in lier. getting serious about the deficit, is to make I feel terrible about what happened to you. sure before we pass anything, we have to We have to face the fact that this is the only know as precisely as we can exactly what the advanced country in the world where any- costs will be. I personally believe, as I told body that wants to can get any kind of gun you and I said during the campaign, that it they want to, to do anything that they want wouldn’t cost much, if anything, to raise the to with it. It’s crazy. It doesn’t happen in earnings limit because the people who go to other countries, and we better make up our work will earn more money and pay more minds to change it if we want to save more taxes. lives and not have to see more people like But I still strongly support it. I think it this person on television 5 years from now. should be raised, and I think it will be raised. Thank you, sir. It’s just a question of how much and how quick I can get it passed in Congress. I am Social Security still committed to it, and I would like to urge Mr. Moyer. Mr. President, say hello to you and anybody else watching this program this person. She’s 66; she’s from Irvine. She who is in your situation to urge the Members is on Social Security, and a short time ago of Congress from this State to vote to do that. she had a financial setback, and she was This is one of those issues that there aren’t forced to go back to work. Because of that, a lot of people against; it’s just hard to raise her Social Security now has been cut, and it on the radar screen of the Congress. And I think she has a question for you. to be fair to them—it’s easy to bash Con- Q. Good evening, Mr. President. You gress—they’re working 40 percent more this promised to eliminate the Social Security year than last year. I’m proud of that, 40 per- earnings limit. And I’d like to know, why cent more. I’ve put all this stuff there, and hasn’t anything been done about it? they’re working hard now because of all the The President. Because I haven’t been things we’ve put before them. But this has able to pass it yet. Specifically, what I prom- not been addressed, and you’re right to bring ised to do was to raise it and not to totally it up. I haven’t forgotten it, but I need your eliminate it. I think that—do you know what help in building the kind of public support she’s talking about? Do you all know what we need to change it. she’s talking—once you start drawing Social Mr. Atkinson. Mr. President, unfortu- Security, you can only earn so much money nately we have to give way, I think, for a before they start to lower your Social Security dolphin and ‘‘SeaQuest’’ here in a moment, check, even if you’re totally vested and you’re but we wanted to save a little time for you. entitled to the whole thing. And a lot of older I think you have about a minute. people are finding it necessary to go back The President. Well, I wish I could take to work today, or they want to go back to another question or two. Let me first of all work. I mean, people are standing vigorous thank all of you for coming. And thank you for much longer periods of time. for your interest. Thank you for the very good And in the campaign for President, I said questions you asked; I wish we could have that I thought the earnings limit was way too done more. And let me urge you to keep low and should be substantially raised, and up this level of involvement. We can get I do. And I don’t even think it would cost these changes made if the American people a lot of money because the people who earn demand them. And you don’t have to agree money pay taxes on the money they earn. with every detail of my health care program, And also with the population not growing as just demand that we pass one that has secu-

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.005 INET01 PsN: INET01 1982 Oct. 3 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

rity and savings and simplicity, that preserves people freely to join their own unions, and the kind of choice and quality these doctors to work for freedom within their own coun- talked about tonight, and that asks all of us tries. In that context most of you, I know, to be more responsible. have strongly supported and looked with We can do this and we can also turn the great favor on the movement toward democ- California economy around if we’ll take it one racy in Russia. day at a time, one project at a time, and keep The United States continues to stand firm at these things until they’re done. We can in its support of President Yeltsin because do it. Thank you very much. he is Russia’s democratically elected leader. NOTE: The town meeting began at 6:33 p.m. at We very much regret the loss of life in Mos- KCRA television studio. A tape was not available cow, but it is clear that the opposition forces for verification of the content of these remarks. started the conflict and that President Yeltsin had no other alternative than to try to restore Remarks to the AFL–CIO order. It appears as of this moment that that Convention in San Francisco, has been done. I have as of this moment absolutely no reason to doubt the personal California commitment that Boris Yeltsin made to let October 4, 1993 the Russian people decide their own future, Thank you very much. President Kirkland, to secure a new Constitution with democratic distinguished platform guests, and to the values and democratic processes, to have a men and women of the American labor new legislative branch elected with demo- movement, let me tell you first I am glad cratic elections, and to subject himself, yet to be here. I feel like I’m home, and I hope again, to a democratic vote of the people. you feel like you have a home in Washington. That is all that we can ask. For most of the 20th century the union I think also, most of you know that in a movement in America has represented the military action yesterday, the United States effort to make sure that people who worked sustained the loss of some young American hard and played by the rules were treated soldiers in Somalia. I deeply regret the loss fairly, had a chance to become middle class of their lives. They are working to ensure that citizens, raise middle class kids, and give anarchy and starvation do not return to a na- their children a chance to have a better life tion in which over 300,000 people have lost than they did. You have worked for that. You their lives, many of them children, before the have done that. United States led the U.N. mission there, For too long, in the face of deep and pro- starting late last year. I want to offer my profound problems engulfing all the world’s ad- found condolences to the families of the vanced nations, you have been subjected to United States Army personnel who died a political climate in which you were asked there. They were acting in the best spirit of to bear the blame for forces you did not cre- America. ate, many times when you were trying to As you know, the United States has long make the situation better. I became Presi- had plans to withdraw from Somalia and dent in part because I wanted a new partner- leave it to others in the United Nations to ship for the labor movement in America. Before I get into the remarks that I came pursue the common objectives. I urged the here to make about all of our challenges at United Nations and the Secretary-General in home and the economic challenges facing us, my speech at the United Nations a few days I have to make a few remarks this morning ago to start a political process so that the about developments in the world in the last country could be turned back over to Somalis 48 hours. who would not permit the kind of horrible The labor movement has been active, par- bloodshed and devastation to reoccur. And ticularly in the last few years with the end I hope and pray that that will happen. In of the cold war, in the effort to promote de- the meanwhile, you may be sure that we will mocracy abroad, to guarantee the right of do whatever is necessary to protect our own

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.005 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 4 1983

forces in Somalia and to complete our mis- positions on them, that we agree and that sion there. we disagree in the spirit of honest searching From the struggle against communism in for what the real nature of this world is we’re Eastern Europe to the struggle against apart- living in and where we are going. heid in South Africa, the union movement The most important thing to me today is in America has always answered the chal- that you know that this administration shares lenges of our time. It must be a source of your values and your hopes and your dreams great pride to you to see these elections un- and the interest of your children, and that fold, to see the remarkable movement toward together—[applause]—and that I believe to- a genuine multiracial society within a demo- gether we can work our way through this very cratic framework in South Africa. It must, difficult and challenging time, recognizing likewise, be a source of continuing frustration that no one fully understands the dimensions to you to see that even as the ideas and the of the age in which we live and exactly how values that you have espoused now for dec- we are going to recreate opportunity for all ades are being embraced around the world, Americans who are willing to do what it takes here in our country and in virtually every to be worthy of it. other wealthy country in the world, middle The labor movement, historically, has al- class workers are under assault from global ways been on the cutting edge of change and economic forces that seem beyond the reach the drive to empower workers and give them of virtually any government policy. more dignity on the job and in their lives. We now know that every wealthy country Almost a half a century ago, at the end of in the world is having trouble creating jobs. World War II, labor helped to change Amer- We now know that in the last several years, ica and the world. At home and abroad, labor inequality of income got worse in every major helped to create a generation of prosperity country. We know that we had more growing and to create the broad middle class that we inequality in America than anyplace else be- all cherish so much today. cause we actually embraced it. I mean, the Now we have to do it again. We’re at a whole idea of trickle-down economics was to time of change that I am convinced is as dra- cut taxes on the wealthiest Americans, raise matic as the dawning of the Industrial Age. taxes on the middle class, let the deficit bal- We can no longer tell our sons and daugh- loon, and hope that the investment from the ters—we know this now—that they will enter wealthy would somehow expand opportunity a job at the age of 18 or 21, enjoy secure to everybody else. paychecks and health benefits and retire- We know that didn’t work, and it made ment benefits for the rest of their working the situation worse. It left us with a $4 trillion lives and retire from the same job with the debt. It left us with a deficit of over $300 same company at the age of 65 or 62. billion a year. It left us with a legacy of weak- Our changing economy tells us now that ened opportunities for workers in the work- the average 18-year-old will change work place, too little investment, a paralyzed budg- seven times in a lifetime even if they stay et, and no strategy to compete and win in with the same company and certainly if they the global economy, and more inequality in change; that when people lose their jobs now, America than any of the other wealthy coun- they really aren’t on unemployment, they’re tries. But we also know that the same prob- looking for reemployment; that most unem- lems we have are now being found in Ger- ployment today is not like it used to be: many, in Japan, in all of Europe, in the other When people got unemployed for decades, advanced nations. it was because there was a temporary down- So we have to face the honest fact that turn in the economy, and when the economy we are facing unprecedented challenges in turned up again, most people who were un- our own midst to the very way of life that employed were hired back by their old em- the labor movement has fought so hard to ployer. Today, most people who are unem- guarantee for others around the world for ployed eventually get hired back usually by decades. And therefore, it is important that a different employer for a different job and we think through these issues, that we take unless we are very good at what we do for

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.005 INET01 PsN: INET01 1984 Oct. 4 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

them, often at lower wages and less benefits. ple secure enough to make the changes? One So it is clear that what we need is not an of the things that has really bothered me in unemployment system but a reemployment the late, latter stages of this era that we’re system in recognition of the way the world moving out of is that so few people have been works today. so little concerned about rampant insecurity We know, too, that most American work- among ordinary American middle class citi- ing people are working harder than they ever zens. It is impossible for people in their per- have in their lives; that the average work sonal lives to make necessary changes if they week is longer today than it was 20 years ago; are wildly insecure. that real hourly wages adjusted for inflation You think about that in your own life. You peaked in 1973, and so most people are think about a personal challenge you faced, working harder for the same or lower real a challenge your family has faced. The same wages than they were making 20 years ago. thing is true in the workplace. The same We know that in the eighties there was thing is true of a community. The same thing a dramatic restructuring of manufacturing; is true of a team. The same thing is true of that being followed in the nineties with a dra- our country. We have to struggle to redefine matic restructuring of the service industries. a new balance between security and change We know that for the last 12 years, in every in this country because if we’re not secure, single year, the Fortune 500 companies low- we won’t change, and if we don’t change, ered employment in the United States in six we’ll get more insecure, because the cir- figures, and that in the years where we have cumstances of the world will continue to gained jobs, they’ve come primarily from grind us down. starting new businesses and from companies And that’s what makes this such a difficult with between, say, 500 and 1,000 workers ex- time, because we have to rethink so many panding, as the whole nature of this economy things at once. I ran for President because changes. I was tired of 20 years of declining living We know that the cost of health care has standards, of 12 years of trickle-down eco- increased so much that millions of American nomics and antiworker policies, and rhetoric workers who kept their jobs never got a pay that blamed people who are working harder raise because all the increased money went for the problems that others did not respond to pay more for the same health care. We to, and because I believe that we needed a know that some of our most powerful indus- new partnership in America, a new sense of trial engines, especially in industries like community, not just business and labor and autos and steel have shown breathtaking in- government but also people without regard creases in productivity with deep changes in to their color or their region or anything else. the work force supported by the labor move- I thought we didn’t have anybody to waste, ment, and still are having trouble competing and it looks to me like we were wasting a in the world, in part, because their health lot of people and that we needed to put to- costs may be as much as a dime on the dollar gether. I thought the country was going in more than all of their competitors. the wrong direction, and we should turn it We know, as I said at the beginning, that around. But I was then and am now under all the wealthy countries in the world are now no illusions that we could do it overnight or having trouble creating jobs. If you look at that I could do it, unless we did it together. France, for example, in the late 1980’s, they The beginning of the security necessary to actually had an economy that grew more rap- change, I think, is in having a Government idly than Germany’s, and yet their unemploy- that is plainly on the side of working Ameri- ment rate never went below 9.5 percent. cans. I believe that any of your leaders who So what are we to do? It seems to me that work with this administration will tell you we clearly have to make some changes in the that we are replacing a Government that for way we look at the world and the way we years worked labor over, with a Government approach the world. And in order to make that works with labor. We have a Secretary those changes, we have to ask ourselves, what of Labor in Bob Reich who understands that, do we have to do to make the American peo- at a time when money and management can

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.005 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 4 1985

travel across the globe in a microsecond, our around to go off, the father grabbed me by prosperity depends more than anything else the arm and he said, he said, ‘‘Let me tell on the skills and the strengths of our working you something. If you ever get to wondering people. No one can take that away from us. whether it makes a difference who’s the And our people are still our most important President,’’ he said, ‘‘look at my child. She’s asset, even more than they were 20 years ago. probably not going to make it, and the weeks We have nominated a Chair of the Na- I’ve spent with her have been the most pre- tional Labor Relations Board in Bill Gould, cious time of my life. And if you hadn’t been and a new member, Peggy Browning, who elected, we wouldn’t have had a family and believe in collective bargaining. We have a medical leave law that made it possible for Director of the Occupational Safety and me to be with my child in this time.’’ Health Administration in Joseph Dear who Now, I believe, in short, that it ought to comes from the labor movement and believes be possible to be a good parent and a good that workers should be protected in the worker. I believe that it ought to be possible workplace. We have two people in executive for people to make their own judgments positions in the Labor Department in Joyce about whether they want to be organized at Miller and Jack Otero who were on your ex- work or not and how they’re going to be— ecutive council. We have two people in the [applause]. And I believe if we’re really going SEIU in executive positions in Karen Nuss- to preserve the American workplace as a baum and Jerry Polas who are leading us to model of global productivity, we have to let make progress. people who know how to do their jobs better This administration rescinded President than other people do have more empower- Reagan’s order banning all reemployment of ment to do those jobs and to make those PATCO workers forever. And we rescinded changes in the workplace. President Bush’s orders with regard to Gov- ernment-funded contracting and one-sided That’s why, as we work on the Vice Presi- information given to workers in the work- dent’s reinventing Government initiative, we place. And this week I will sign the Hatch work so closely with Federal employees and Act Reform Act to give Government employ- their unions. When the Vice President spoke ees political rights they have been denied for with business leaders and workers who had too long. changed their companies, they all said the One week ago yesterday, on a Sunday same thing: You’ve got to have the workers; morning, I came in from my early morning you have to have them do it, tell you how run, and I turned to my right as I walked to do it, tell you how to make the companies into the White House, and I saw a family more productive. standing there, a father, a mother, and three Now, that’s why yesterday I signed an Ex- daughters, one of whom was in a wheelchair. ecutive order—on Friday—creating a Na- And the person who was with them who tional Partnership Council. For the next sev- worked for me said, ‘‘Mr. President, this little eral months the leaders of Federal employee girl has got terminal cancer, and she was unions, including John Sturdivant, the presi- asked by the Make A Wish Foundation what dent of the American Federation of Govern- she wanted to do, and she said she wanted ment Employees, who is here today, will to come to the White House and visit you. work with the leaders of our administration So we’re giving her a special tour.’’ to make our Government more effective, cost So I went over, and I shook hands with less, and more importantly, to make the jobs them and apologized for my condition and of the rank and file Federal employees more told them I’d get cleaned up and come back, interesting, more stimulating, more cus- and we’d take a picture. And a few minutes tomer-oriented, by doing things that they later I showed up, looking more like my job. have been telling us they should be able to And I visited with this wonderful child, des- do, but that the system has not permitted perately ill, for a while. And then I talked them to do in the past. I applaud John and to her sisters, and then I talked to her moth- the other people in the unions representing er. And I talked to her father. And as I turned Federal employees for what they have done.

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.005 INET01 PsN: INET01 1986 Oct. 4 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

This is an unprecedented partnership that I prowork, profamily policy this country ought think will benefit every American. to have. We want to make worker empowerment Something else that was in that bill that and labor-management cooperation a way of most Americans don’t even know about yet life in this country, from the factory floor to that will benefit many, many of you in this the board room. We’ve created a commission room and the people you represent is a dra- on the future of labor and management rela- matic reform of the student loan system that tions, with leaders from labor, business, and will eliminate waste, lower the interest rates the academy, chaired by former Labor Sec- on student loans, make the repayment terms retary John Dunlap. And I’ve asked Secretary easier so that young people can repay their Reich to create a commission to study and loans no matter how much they borrow as improve relationships in government work- a percentage of their income, limited so they places at every level, at the State and county can repay it. Even though we’ll have tougher and local level, as well as at the Federal level. repayment terms, they’ll be able to do it. I believe this is something that a person We’ll collect the money, but people will be like Bob Reich is uniquely situated to do. able to borrow money and pay it back at And it’s the kind of thing that we ought to lower interest rates, at better repayment be promoting because we have to use this terms. And therefore, no one will ever be opportunity we have to try to take what has denied access to a college education because worked for workers and their businesses and of the cost. spread it around the country. When you put that with our Goals 2000 For the last 12 years we’ve had a lot of program, the education reform program for finger-pointing and blame-placing, and we’ve the public schools, and the work that the got these stirring examples of success that Education Secretary Dick Riley is doing with we could be trying to replicate. That’s what Secretary Reich to redo the worker training we ought to be doing, taking what works. And programs in the country, you have a commit- it always is a workplace in which workers ment to raise standards in education and have more say. And we’re going to do what open opportunities to our young people. we can to get that done. We need higher standards in our public Now, on the security issue, let me just schools. Al Shanker has long been a voice mention some other things. In addition to for that. He now has allies in the NEA and the family leave act, the budget bill which other places in the country who are saying, passed by such a landslide in the Congress ‘‘Let’s have national standards and evaluate contained what may well be the most impor- what our kids are learning and how our tant piece of economic reform for working schools are doing.’’ people in 20 years, by expanding the earned- I believe we need to give our young people income tax credit so that you can say to peo- more choices within the public school sys- ple, if you work 40 hours a week and you tem, and I have advocated letting States try have children in your home, you will not be a lot of things within districts. Let kids choose poor. We are bringing new hope and new which schools they attend. Let school dis- dignity into the lives of 15 million working tricts decide how they want to set up and families that make $27,000 a year or less. organize schools. I think that a lot of changes They’ll no longer be taxed into poverty. need to be made in a lot of school districts. There won’t be a Government program to But let me say that we don’t want to throw try to lift them out of poverty. Their own out the baby with the bath water. There are efforts will lift them out of poverty because also a lot of school districts that are doing the tax system will be changed to reward a great job under difficult circumstances. them. And there will never again be an incen- There are a lot of schools within school dis- tive for people to be on welfare instead of tricts that are performing well under difficult work because the tax system will say, if you’re circumstances. willing to go to work and work 40 hours a And if we’ve learned anything, we’ve week, no matter how tough it is, we will lift learned that the best way to increase the you out of poverty. That is the kind of quality of education is to find better prin-

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.005 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 4 1987

cipals, get better leaders among the teachers, part of our business, we’re going to make the let them have more say over how school is other part worse. run, and evaluate them based on their results And finally, let me just say, I have always rather than telling them how to do every last supported the notion that American schools jot and tiddle of their job every day. ought to have competition and the fact that We have learned these things—and if I we have a vibrant tradition of pluralistic edu- might, since we’re in California, say a special cation and private schools and religious pri- word—therefore, I believe that having vate schools was a good thing, not a bad thing worked for 12 years for higher standards, for America. But all the years when I grew more choices and greater changes in public up, and all the times I saw that, and for a education, I’m in a little bit of a position to couple years of my life when I was a little say that if I were a citizen of the State of boy, when I went to a Catholic school, when California, I would not vote for Proposition my folks moved from one place to another, 174, The Private Voucher Initiative. and we lived way out in the country and Now, and let me tell you why. Let me tell didn’t know much about the schools in the you why. First of all, keep in mind a lot of new area where we were, no one ever the schools out here are doing a good job. thought that the church would want any I can say this, you know, I never was part money from the taxpayers to run their of the California education system. I have schools. In fact, they said just the opposite, studied this system out here for more than ‘‘We don’t want to be involved in that.’’ a decade. They have undertaken a lot of very That’s what the First Amendment is all impressive reforms and many of their schools about. are doing a good job. I was interviewed last So I think we have to really think night by two people from a newspaper in Sac- through—I have spent 12 years before I be- ramento, and one of them just volunteered came President overwhelmingly obsessed that he had two children in the public schools with reform of the public school system, there, and they were getting a terrific edu- wanting more choices in the system, wanting cation. more accountability, wanting more flexibility This bill would start by taking $1.3 billion about how schools were organized and estab- right off the top to send a check to people lished and operated. But I can tell you that who already have their kids in private this is not the way to get it done, and the schools, and who didn’t need any Govern- people will regret this if they pass it. I hope ment money to do it, and taking it right off the people of California don’t do that. the top away from a school system that Now, you can educate people all you doesn’t have enough money to educate the want—and I wanted to say a little more about kids it’s got in it in the first place. that. The Labor Secretary and I are working Second thing it would do is to impose no on trying to take all these 150 different Gov- real standards on the quality of the programs ernment training programs and give local which could be funded: who could set up communities and States the power to consoli- a school; what standards they’d have to meet; date them, working with you, and just fund what tests the kids would have to pass. Just the things that work on a State-by-State basis, take your voucher, and who cares whether and to set up a system of lifetime education a private school is a legitimate school or not. and training. That is a significant issue. And all you have I don’t know how many of you saw the to do is to work in this field for a few years television program I did last night in Califor- to understand that that is a significant issue. nia, but one man, looked to be in his early Wouldn’t it be ironic that at the very mo- fifties, saying, ‘‘We need a training program ment we’re finally trying to find a way to that gives my company some incentives to measure the performance and raise the retrain me, not just people who are 25, but standards of the public schools, we turn people who are 55.’’ And we are trying to around and start sending tax money to pri- do that. We’re trying to set up a lifetime edu- vate schools that didn’t have to meet any cation and training program that starts when standards at all. When we’re trying to get one young people are in high school, so if they

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.005 INET01 PsN: INET01 1988 Oct. 4 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

want to work and learn in high school they They have developed a prototype car that can work and learn in high school, so that gets 80 miles per gallon at 55 miles per hour we can have the kind of school-to-work tran- on the highway, goes to 60 miles per hour sition that many of our competitors have for in 12 seconds, has a maximum speed of 100 all those kids that won’t go to college and miles an hour. That’s not bad. If we can just won’t get 4-year educations. We’ve got to do figure out how people can afford it, we can that. put people to work making them. But it’s a But if you do all that, you still have to have good beginning. someplace for people to work. We can edu- We announced last week that ground- cate and train people all we want, but we breaking project with the UAW and Ford, have to be able to create more jobs. How Chrysler, and General Motors are working are we going to do that at a time when the with the defense labs and all the Government Government is not directly funding the de- labs on a project to triple the average mileage fense jobs that have kept America’s job base of American autos within the next 10 years. up for so long? If they do that, that will create untold num- Well, the first thing we’ve got to do is make bers of new jobs here, and we’ll be selling up our mind we’re going to be serious about cars to people overseas who want that instead defense conversion. Last year when I was a of the reverse. candidate for President—[applause]—last And by the way, I want to compliment the year when I was a candidate for President, UAW. You know, this year we have regained I went all over the country—and I wasn’t in a lot of our market share in America. People the Congress and didn’t have a vote—plead- are buying more American cars in America, ing with the Congress to pass the defense and we should compliment them for it. conversion bill. They did it, and the previous administration absolutely refused to spend So we have to find ways to create these $500 million to help convert from a defense new jobs. Now, I want to talk a little about to a high-tech domestic economy. So we have health care, but before I do, I want to men- released the money. And we’re going to try tion something we disagree on in the context to get up to $20 billion spent on defense con- of the trade issue. And listen to this. Since version and reinvestment in the jobs of to- 1986, a significant portion of America’s net morrow over the next 5 years. It is very im- new jobs have come from trade growth. portant. That’s something we can all find from the We have got over 2,800 proposals in this figures. In California, where we now are, a country for technology-reinvestment initia- lot of that has come from Asia, which is the tives, to match with what will soon be about fastest growing part of the world. Asia’s grow- a billion dollars in Government money that ing faster than any other part of the world; can create hundreds of thousands of jobs in Latin America the second fastest growing America. People are brimming with ideas out part of the world. Everybody knows that is there to create new jobs. true. I was at McClellan Air Force Base yester- Now, that’s why, when I went to Tokyo day, and the airbase is working with people and met with the leaders of the G–7, the in the local community and the local univer- seven big industrial countries, we made an sities and with the Federal defense labs. agreement that we should dramatically re- They have made new electric cars. They have duce tariffs on manufactured products made new manufacturing component parts around the world in ways that all analysts to try to come up with economical ways to agree would generate a lot of new manufac- do it and allow those parts to be made in turing jobs here in America. There was vir- America. And they are targeting things that tually no dispute about that, because we were are now made overseas and imported here. largely in competition with other countries That’s the sort of thing that we can use our that were paying the same or higher wages high-tech defense base to do, and we should with the same or better benefits, with high- be doing it. It’s going to make for more jobs tech and other manufacturing products that for America. we wanted to sell everywhere. And we’re

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.005 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 4 1989

working like crazy to get that done between tem. The real issue: Will the trade agreement now and the end of the year. make it worse or better? You think it will What is the difference between that and make it worse. I think it will make it better. the trade agreement with Mexico? And let’s And I’ll tell you, I think you’re entitled to talk about that just a minute, because it’s very know why I think that. Because there is no important, not so you’ll agree with me but question that, no matter what you think so you will know what I want you to know, about the adequacy of the side agreements, which is that I would never knowingly do they will raise the cost of labor and environ- anything to cost an American a job. That’s mental investments above the point where not the business I’m in. they are now. There is no question that the I was a Governor during the last 12 years, agreement lowers domestic content require- when the maquilladora system was in place. ments in Mexico, so that we’ll go from selling What did it do? It created a border zone on say 1,000 to 50,000 or 60,000 American cars the other side of the border in Mexico in down there next year. There’s no question which people were free to set up plants, op- that their tariffs are 21⁄2 times higher than erate them by the standards that were en- ours. And there’s no question that we have forced there—or not enforced, as the case a trade surplus there, as compared with a may be—on labor and environmental issues, $49 billion trade deficit with Japan, an $18 and then send their products back into this billion trade deficit with China, a $9 billion country, produced at much lower labor costs trade deficit with Taiwan. with no tariffs. That was the system set up We’ve got a trade problem, all right. It is to try to foster growth there. that the Asian economies are not as open to But in the 1980’s, because of all the eco- us as we are to them. That’s our huge trade nomic problems we had, and because of the problem. And we’re going to have to do bet- climate that was promoted in this country ter there, because that’s where a lot of the that the most important thing you could do money is. So my reasoning is that if their was slash your labor costs and who cared tariffs are higher than ours and their costs about your working people anyway, you had go up faster than they’re otherwise going to the movement of hundreds of plants down go up, and they’re already buying $350-a-per- there. And you didn’t like it worth a flip. And son worth of American goods, second only you were right to be upset about what hap- to Canada—replaced Japan as the number pened. two purchaser of manufacturing products Now, I was a Governor of a State that lost this year—and we got a $5.8 billion trade plants to Mexico. And my State was so small surplus, it will get better, not worse. that when people lost their jobs I was likely Is it a perfect agreement? No. But I don’t to know who they were. This was a big deal want to make the perfect the enemy of the to me. I’m also proud of the fact we got one better. I think it is better than the present. of them to come back before I left office. There are two other points I want to make. I’m proud of that, too. But I understand this. If the deal is not made with the United Now, that is the system we have. You also States, and instead it’s made with Germany saw this system, ironically, accelerating illegal or Japan, we could lose access to an 80-mil- immigration. Why? For the same reason that lion person market and cost ourselves more a lot of the Chinese boat people were coming jobs. And if the deal is made, it could lead over here after they moved to the coastal to further similar agreements with the towns in China, got a job where they made emerging market economies of Latin Amer- a little more money than they did before, ica. And no one believes that anybody’s going but didn’t much like their life, but they got to invest in Argentina, for example, to export enough money to try to come here. That’s back to the American market. So all barrier what was happening along the maquilladora dropping the further you get away from here area. A lot of people would come up there, because of transportation costs will lead to work for a while, then come on up here. more jobs in America through greater trade. So I understand what the American work- So that’s why I think it makes it better, ing people don’t like about the present sys- not worse. You’re entitled to know that. I

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.005 INET01 PsN: INET01 1990 Oct. 4 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

don’t ask you to agree, but I ask you to make room who could be selling more everywhere the same arguments inside your own mind, across the board, more abroad and more at because I would never knowingly do any- home, if their health care costs were no thing to cost America jobs. I’m trying to cre- greater than their competitors around the ate jobs in this country. world? Now, I’ll tell you what I really think. What Let’s face it folks, we’re spending over 14 I really believe is that this is become the sym- percent of our income on health care. Can- bol of the legitimate grievances of the Amer- ada’s at 10. Germany and Japan are under ican working people about the way they’ve nine. The Germans went up toward 9 per- been worked over the last 12 years. That’s cent of their income on health care, they had what I think. And I think those grievances a national outbreak of hysteria about how are legitimate. And I think that people are they were losing control of their health care so insecure in their jobs, they’re so uncertain system. And yet they all cover everybody and that the people they work for really care no one loses their health insurance. And about them, they’re so uncertain about what when I say we can do that and we can do their kids are looking at in the future, that it without a broad-based tax increase, people people are reluctant to take any risks for look at me like I have slipped a gear. [Laugh- change. ter] And so let me close with what I started But I have spent over 3 years studying this with. I have got to lay a foundation of per- system. And the First Lady and her task force sonal security for the working people of this have mobilized thousands of experts in the country and their families in order to succeed most intense effort to examine social reform as your President, and you have to help me in my lifetime. And they have recommended do it. We have got to reform the job training that we adopt a system which, first of all, system of this country, to make it a reemploy- builds on the system that you enjoy: an em- ment system, not an unemployment system, ployer-based system where the employer and to give it to kids starting when they’re contributes and, in some cases, the employee in high school. does and some not; a system that is focused We have got to have an investment strat- on keeping what is good about American egy that will create jobs here. And that’s why health care—doctors, and nurses, and medi- we removed all those export controls that cal research and technology—and fixing what were cold war relics on computers and super- is wrong—not covering everybody, kicking computers and telecommunications equip- them off after they have a serious illness, not ment, opening just this month $37 billion letting people move their jobs, having some worth of American products to exports. That people in such tiny groups of insurance that is important. 40 percent of their premium goes to profit That’s why I want to pass a crime bill to and administrative costs, and spending a put 50,000 more police officers on the street, dime on the dollar, a dime on every dollar pass the Brady bill and take those automatic in a $90 billion system goes to paperwork weapons out of the hands of the teenagers that wouldn’t go in any other system in the that are vandalizing and brutalizing our chil- world—$90 billion a year on that alone. dren in this country. And, my fellow Ameri- Never mind the fraud and the abuse, and cans, that is why we have got to pass a com- the incentives in this system to churn it, to prehensive health care bill to provide secu- perform unnecessary procedures just be- rity to all Americans. And we’ve got to do cause the more you do the more you earn. it now. We can do better than that. So I want to How many Americans do you know who just say, this system will be a good one. Ev- lost their health insurance because they lost erybody will get a health care security card their jobs? Who never got a pay increase be- like this. I feel like that guy in the ad. I’m cause of the rising cost of their health care? supposed to say, ‘‘Don’t leave home without Who can never change jobs because they it,’’ when I pull it out. [Laughter] But I want have a sick child? Millions of them. How everybody to have a health care security card many companies are represented in this like this. Just like a Social Security card. And

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.005 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 4 1991

I want people to have their health care access new businesses, and to smaller established whether they’re working or unemployed, businesses with lower wage employees that whether they work for a little business or a are operating on narrow margins. big one. How are we going to pay for this? Two- Under the system we have proposed, if thirds of it will be paid for by employers and you’ve got a better deal now, you can keep employees contributing into the system that it. If your employer pays 100 percent of ben- they get a free ride in now. One-sixth of it efits now, you can keep it. And we don’t pro- will be paid for with a cigarette tax and with pose to tax any benefits that are above the a fee on very large companies who opt out minimum package. We told those who want- of the system so they can pay for the cost ed that to give us 10 years before we put of insuring the poor and the discounts to that provision in because within 10 years small business, and most important, for the we’ll have the minimum benefit package we health education and research that makes us start with, plus full dental benefits and full all richer because we are going to pay for mental-health benefits and full preventive- that and for expanded public health clinics. care benefits, so it will be as good or better And one-sixth of it will come from slowing than any package now offered by any em- the rate of growth. When you hear people ployer in America. Then, if somebody wants say, ‘‘Oh, Clinton wants to cut Medicare and to buy something over and above that, we Medicaid, let me tell you something folks, can talk about it. But we are not going to we’re cutting defense. We’ve held all domes- take anything away from you, you have. tic investment that’s discretionary flat, which What we are going to do is two things for means if I want to spend more money on you if you have a good policy. We’re going job training, on defense conversion, or on to make it easier for your employer to keep Head Start, I have to go cut something else these benefits you have now by slowing the dollar for dollar for the next 5 years. That’s rate of health care cost inflation, not by cut- what we’ve done. We’ve cut defense as much ting health care spending, by slowing the rate as we possibly can right at the edge, held of inflation in health care cost, and by removing the enormous burden of retiree benefits everything else flat. from our most productive companies. That You know what Medicare and Medicaid will stabilize the health care benefits of work- are doing? They’re going up at 3 times the ing people and good plans. rate of inflation. What have I proposed to The other thing we’re going to do for you do? Let them go up at twice the rate of infla- is to limit what can be taken away from you tion. They say in Washington I can’t do it. which is worth something. So by saying that I don’t talk to a single doctor who under- for people who don’t have any insurance stands what we’re going to do who doesn’t now, their employer will pay 80 percent and think we can achieve those savings without the employees will pay 20, we are saying that hurting the quality of health care. If we can’t no matter what happens to you, there’s a get down to twice the rate of inflation from limit to what can be taken away from you. 3 times the rate of inflation, there’s some- So it will be easy for you to keep, easier for thing wrong somewhere. your employer to keep what you’ve got, and Now, that’s how we propose to finance for you, and there will be a limit to what this. And I am pleading with you to help me can be taken away. pass this bill. No matter how good your Is it fair to ask all those employers and health care plan is now, don’t you believe employees who don’t have any coverage now for a minute you could never lose it, or at to contribute something? You bet it is. Why? least get locked into your present job. And Because your premium’s higher than it oth- I am pleading with you to do it so that we erwise would be because you’re paying for can give to the rest of America, as well as them now. to you and your families, the kind of personal Can we do that without bankrupting small security we have got to have to face the be- business? Of course, we can. We have a plan wildering array of challenges that are out that gives a significant discount to smaller there before us.

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.005 INET01 PsN: INET01 1992 Oct. 4 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

You know as well as I do that we are hur- mitment is clear, to get a new constitution, tling toward the 21st century into a world to have new legislative elections, and have that none of us can fully perceive. But we a new election for the Presidency, so he puts have to imagine what we want it to be like. himself on the election block again, I don’t We want it to be a world in which the old think it does taint it. rules that you grew up believing in apply in a new and more exciting age, in which, if Somalia you don’t have job security, you at least have employment security; in which the Govern- Q. [Inaudible] ment puts the people first, and in which peo- The President. The only thing that I have ple have security in their homes, on their authorized so far—and I want to say I’ll be streets, in their education benefits, in their doing a lot more work on this today, later health care benefits so that they are capable today, when I’ve got some time set aside to of seizing these changes and making life rich- go back to work on it—the only thing I have er and more different and more exciting than done so far is to authorize the rangers that it has ever been. are there who are wounded or exhausted or That is the great challenge before us. And done more than their fair share to be re- if we don’t adopt the health care reform, we placed, to roll over that group and then to won’t get there. If we do, it will open the send some more people there with some ar- way to the most incredible unleashing of mored support so that we can have some American energy that we have seen in more more protection on the ground for our peo- than a generation. Together we can do it, ple. None of this happened when we had and I need your help. 28,000 people there. And even though there Thank you very much, and God bless you. are lots of U.N. forces there, not all of them are able to do what our forces did before. NOTE: The President spoke at 11:30 a.m. in the Grand Ballroom of the San Francisco Hilton So I’m just not satisfied that the folks that Hotel. In his remarks, he referred to Albert are there now have the protection they need. Shanker, president, American Federation of So all I’ve authorized is a modest increase Teachers. to provide armored support, to provide greater protection for the people over there trying Exchange With Reporters in to do their job. San Francisco This is not to signify some huge new commitment or offensive at this time, but I’m October 4, 1993 just not satisfied that the American soldiers Russia that are there have the protection they need Q. Did Yeltsin have a choice in using force under present circumstances. So I’ve author- in Moscow? ized, after consultation with the Secretary of The President. I doubt it. Once they were Defense, a modest increase to get some more armed, they were using their arms, they were armored protection for them. hurting people. I just don’t see that they had Q. Were any American soldiers taken hos- anyplace—he had those police officers in- tage or taken captive by Aideed’s forces? structed not to use force, and in fact, de- The President. It is possible, and if it hap- ployed in such a way that they couldn’t effec- pened, we want there to be a very clear warn- tively use force, and they were routed. I don’t ing that those young soldiers who are there see that he had any choice at all. legally under international law, on behalf of Q. Does this taint the move toward de- the United Nations, and they are to be treat- mocracy in Russia? ed according to the rules of international law, The President. No. I think, first of all, which means not only no torture and no beat- as I said today in my remarks, clearly, he ing, but they’re to have food and shelter and bent over backwards to avoid doing this. And medical attention. They’re to be treated in I think he may even wonder whether he let a proper way. And the United States will take it go too far. But I think as long as his com- a very firm view of anything that happens

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.005 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 4 1993

to the contrary. It is a very big issue. We’ll along with the Secretary of Energy, the Sec- probably have more to say about that later retary of Labor, Bob Reich, is also here. in the day. We have tried to work together in what has been an unprecedented effort, coordi- NOTE: The exchange began at approximately 12:34 p.m. at the San Francisco Hilton. A tape nated by the Secretary of Commerce, Ron was not available for verification of the content Brown, to develop a strategy to revitalize the of this exchange. California economy. We have tried to continue to study what the problems are and what the opportunities are, given the difficul- Remarks to the Community and ties of the Federal budget. We can’t under- an Exchange With Reporters in estimate the problems of this State. Its un- San Francisco employment rate is about 3 percent above October 4, 1993 the national average. About 25 percent of the total unemployed people in America are in The President. Thank you very much, la- this State, even though the State only has dies and gentlemen. It’s wonderful to see all 12 percent of the Nation’s population. of you here. I thank you for coming. I want to apologize for our lateness, but I have, as Many of the people who are out of work you might imagine, had to spend a little extra in California are people who helped to build time this morning on events around the the economic engine of America, people who world which have required me to be on the worked in high-tech industries, people who phone, and it pushed our schedule back a worked in defense industries, people with little bit. I thank you all for waiting. very high levels of skills and major contribu- I’d like to particularly acknowledge in the tions to make to our future. crowd today, once again, at the beginning, It is clear to me that the economy of this the Secretary of Energy, Hazel O’Leary, who Nation cannot recover unless the economy has done a lot of work on the project that of this State recovers. And it is also clear to we’re here to announce. I see Congress- me that if what we are doing here works, woman Pelosi, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, it will really change the nature of what a Congressman Tom Lantos here. The Mayor President’s job is, because it is perfectly clear of Oakland, Elihu Harris, and I know Speak- that as we move into the 21st century, the er Brown was here. He may have had to sweeping global economic changes which leave. Is he still here? will affect our country will over time affect I want to thank, too, some Members of one area more than another, inevitably. That Congress who are not here who worked very has clearly been the case for the last 15 years. hard on this issue: Senator Boxer and Senator So that what we try to do today for California Feinstein and Congressman Dellums and is what me may be doing tomorrow for the Congressman Stark. The president of Stan- New England region, or for the South where ford is here, Gerhard Caspar; the slide direc- I grew up, or for the Midwest. We are going tor, Burt Richter; and the Stanford chairman to have to focus on the fact that not every of the board of trustees, John Freidenrich. set of economic changes will affect every part And the Cypress Freeway area council mem- of this country equally. ber, Natalie Baten, is here. And there are others here, but I wanted to acknowledge And that is what we have tried to do. Just them because they will be affected by some in the last 7 months, we’ve worked on getting or all of what I have to say today. more infrastructure money to southern Cali- I spent a lot of time in California during fornia. The biggest infrastructure announce- the Presidential campaign, and I said, if ment that has been made so far in this admin- elected, I would come back and that I would istration was around $1 billion for a project remember what I saw and what I learned. in the Los Angeles area. This is my sixth trip to California as Presi- We have worked very hard on trying to dent, and around those visits many members change the tax laws in the way that will bene- of my administration have come here. Today, fit all of America but will especially benefit

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.005 INET01 PsN: INET01 1994 Oct. 4 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

the high-tech industry here: increasing of re- 1992 with my strong support as a Presidential search and development tax credit; having a candidate to allocate $500 million, finally, 5 capital gains tax for people who invest their years too late, but finally, to defense conver- money in new businesses, especially in high- sion. Not a penny of it had been spent be- tech areas; changing some of the real estate cause of the ideological opposition of the pre- tax rules in ways that will revitalize the in- vious administration. We are releasing the credible depression that California, as well money for defense conversion. That’s impor- as south Florida and New England have had tant; it has to be done. We have to find ways in their real estate industry. A lot of these for all the people who won the cold war to things have been targeted to have a signifi- help to win the aftermath. And we have wait- cant long-term impact on this State. ed too long to begin. I have to say that as hard as we are work- There is a lot of that genius in California ing, I think that all of you know that these that is being inadequately used today. If nur- problems did not occur overnight, and they tured, it will help to bring about not only cannot be turned around overnight. And an economic turnaround for California but there is no way that there is going to be a for the entire Nation. single Government spending program that Now, that is the background to what leads will do it. We should have strategies that tar- to the first announcement. Today the Sec- get the investment of our Government in retary of Energy, Hazel O’Leary, who is here, ways that are likely to produce other invest- and my Science Adviser, Jack Gibbons, have ments and create other jobs and other oppor- given me their recommendation for the site tunities. of a major science project known by the de- That’s why I am particularly hopeful that ceptively simple name of the B-Factory. It the empowerment zone legislation that was doesn’t have anything to do with honey. adopted by the Congress in the economic Laughter program will lead to the selection of one or [ ] The importance of the B-Factory, more sites in California that will prove that however, is literally universal. It may give us we can get private investment capital back critical answers on how the stars, the planets, into distressed areas in this country, both and the heavens came to be. After much urban and rural. There is not enough Gov- study and serious comparison of all the pro- ernment money, with the kind of debt we’ve posals, the Secretary and Mr. Gibbons have run up in the last 12 years, to solve all these recommended that the B-Factory go to the problems, but they cannot be solved without Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. Government initiative and new and different There was strong competition for this kinds of partnerships like the ones we’re here project by scientists who have worked in this to announce today. We can’t be, in other area for literally years, people whose con- words, hands off, and we can’t do it all on tributions have, and will continue to be, out- our own. standing. The B-Factory is a $240 million Let me tell you the things I want to focus international project to create an electron/ on today. And I want to tie them to some positron collider. Can you say that? [Laugh- things that we’ve announced in the last week ter] Sounds good—for studying the under- or so that will affect this economy. It’s been pinning of all science, the relationship of said that you can’t create genius, all you can matter and antimatter. It will involve hun- do is nurture it. Among the many blessings dreds of scientists and build on decades of this State has is a scientific and engineering previous research at the Stanford facility. genius and a high-tech infrastructure to sup- In that same spirit of encouraging innova- port it. Instead of nurturing it for the last tion as a path to prosperity, we are also mov- several years, we have been denurturing it ing forward with the administration’s tech- because you’ve seen all these defense cuts nology reinvestment project. This is a part since 1987 with no offsetting conversion of our general effort to convert from a de- strategy. fense to a domestic economy. The program When I became President, I found a law is designed to support defense conversion by on the books that the Congress passed in taking proposals and providing matching

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.005 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 4 1995

public funds to private funds from all over trying to find some solutions to the very com- America. plex problem of homelessness, and we are When we put out the proposals we had also trying to use our Nation’s Capital to an overwhelming response, over 2,800 prove that we can not only find ways to move projects with about $8 billion worth of pro- people off the streets but to move them from posed investments. One-quarter of them the permanent population of the homeless came from the State of California, the State that has grown at such an alarming rate in with one-quarter of the unemployed people our Nation over the last few years. in America. An interesting parallel. The severity of the economic problems Soon we will be announcing the winners here is very significant, but I hope all of you of the first round of technology reinvestment still believe that it’s not as significant as the proposals for about $500 million. I’m happy potential for renewed greatness. We have to to say that not long ago we reached agree- help California rebuild in ways that are men- ment with the Congress to add to next year’s tal and ways that are physical. Today I’ve projects another $300 million, which will asked Congress, in addition to the things I mean that next year we’ll have even more mentioned above, to provide an additional money for these projects than this year. $315 million to the Department of Transpor- The Silicon Valley has been like a cradle tation to complete repairs to the Cypress for dual-use technology. For example, the Freeway which was destroyed by the earth- Trimble Navigation Company developed a quake in 1989. This request clears the way technology used to navigate our tanks in the for Congress to allocate money California Gulf war, and now it’s adapted to navigate needs and, in my view, is entitled to, to re- ambulances. This month when we announce store this vital link to the east bay. And it the matching grants, you will see that many is the kind of thing that we need to be focus- of the leading contenders are in California, ing on. You can’t rebuild unless you have the on the merits, companies that need to have materials to rebuild. the opportunity to move from where we were Finally, let me say that in trying to help as an economy to where we have to go . the California economy we’ve also targeted I’m also pleased to be able to announce increasing trade opportunities. When we can today some help for California on another no longer count on the cold war to increase front, an area we must target for further ac- high-wage jobs, we know that we can count tion, urban development. The Department on increased trade to do it. A significant per- of Housing and Urban Development today centage of the net new jobs coming into the is announcing the awarding of grants totaling American economy in the last 5 years have more than $100 million to California, here come from increasing trade, increasing trade in the bay area and in southern California. to the Pacific region, increasing trade in About a fifth of the money is aimed for Los Latin America, increasing trade in other parts Angeles County. These funds will go towards of the world. That’s why I believe we should housing subsidies for the working poor, hous- have a new General Agreement on Tariffs ing for the elderly, the disabled, and for pub- and Trade, which lowers the tariffs especially lic housing. that all the advanced countries apply on man- This country has not had a housing policy ufacturing products and why I have fought in a dozen years, and that’s one reason in so hard to persuade the Congress to adopt the last dozen years we have seen an explo- the North America Free Trade Agreement. sion of homelessness. So this is part of our I just had an interesting encounter with effort not only to encourage more investment my friends at the AFL–CIO, who, as you but also to restore the fabric of community know, have an opposite position, in which I in every city in this country. It is part of eco- made the following argument, which I will nomic recovery. It’s also a part of redefining make again. The objections to NAFTA are who we are as a people. basically objections to the system that has ex- I want to pay a special word of compliment isted for the last 12 years, of being able to to the HUD Secretary, Henry Cisneros, in go down just across the border, set up a plant, his absence here today. We are desperately have lower wages, lower environmental costs,

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.005 INET01 PsN: INET01 1996 Oct. 4 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

export back into America with no tariffs. The from your State, including people in this question the American people should be ask- room today, and every one of them believes ing is, if we adopt this trade agreement, will this means a huge economic boost for this it make it better or worse? It will plainly State, a huge economic boost for our country, make it better. and more jobs, the kind of good jobs that We will raise environmental and labor we desperately need. Companies like Hew- costs across the border. We will lower re- lett-Packard and Sun Microsystems and Sili- quirements to produce things sold in Mexico con Graphics have all said, explicitly, this pol- in Mexico. We will lower their tariffs, which icy means more jobs for California and, are 21⁄2 times as high as ours. They are al- therefore, a better American economy. ready the second biggest purchasers of So this summarizes where we are. Are we American goods. And California will be the done? No. Have miracles occurred? No. Are biggest beneficiary of increased trade both we making progress? You bet we are. Is there to the Pacific and to Mexico and to the rest any precedent for this kind of effort directed of Latin America, with the possible exception toward a single State or a single region? No, of Texas to the Mexican case. You must be but I want this to set a precedent for my first or second in any economic scenario. Presidency and other Presidents to do the So my argument is we ought to adopt this same thing when other regions are troubled. deal because it will make the problems better We have got to bring this national economy than they are, and it will create vast new op- back. Bringing down the deficit, keeping in- portunities. And it also opens the door to ex- terest rates low, adopting sensible policies panded trade on similar terms with the whole that help everybody, that’s important. But we rest of Latin America, the second fastest also have to focus on the real problems. growing part of the world, where no one ex- Whether they’re in California or Florida or pects investment will lead, to renewed trade New England or the Midwest or the South, back to America and the loss of American we have to do it. And that is what today is jobs. This is a job winner and an economic all about. opportunity for America. I wish you well with the B–Factory. I want But there are other things we can do as you to fix the roads, but most important, I well, and I want to emphasize them if I want you to create new jobs with the eco- might. Last week I announced two projects nomic opportunities we are committed to which I think could really help this State. providing. Thank you. Good luck. And let’s The first is an effort by the automakers and keep working. the UAW and all the Government labs to Thank you. Thank you. You all wait for triple the fuel efficiency of American cars by me, okay? I want to come out and shake the end of the decade. That could create hands and meet the children. You all stand hundreds of thousands of new environ- right there. But I have to take a couple of mentally based jobs. questions from the press because of all the The second is the most sweeping revision events that are unfolding today. So just—you of our export control laws in my lifetime. We all will get to watch a mini press conference have swept away limitations on the export of here. We’ll do it. Go ahead. American computers, supercomputers, and telecommunications equipment, comprising 70 percent of all that equipment produced Somalia in America, a potential of $37 billion worth Q. Mr. President, What more have you of production now eligible for export all over learned about American GI’s who may have the world, without increasing the dangers of been taken captive in Somalia? Has there proliferation. This will have an incredible im- been any contact at all with their captors? pact in the State of California. It needed to Are you ensured of their safety? And do the be done before, but we finally got it done. incidents over the past couple of days give Every single high-tech executive with just still more ammunition to those in Con- whom I have talked, and we developed this gress who want to pull U.S. troops out of policy in cooperation with a lot of people Somalia?

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.005 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 4 1997

The President. Well, you asked me about country revert to the system of anarchy and four questions. Let me try to answer them. chaos that existed before we got there. First, we do have some troops who are I have no reason to believe that a majority missing, a small number. One or more may of the Somalis really want to go back to the have been captured. We have issued the way it was. In fact, all the evidence we have sternest possible warning that American is just to the contrary. So I can’t give you troops captured in the course of doing their any other answer than that today. I do not duty under international law for the United want to do anything which would imperil the Nations are entitled to be treated with all fundamental success of one of the most suc- the respect accorded to such troops under cessful humanitarian missions we’ve seen in international law, which means not only no a long time. physical abuse but adequate medicine, food, All I have done today is to, first of all, au- housing, and access to personal contact by thorize the replacement of those people who international inspectors. We are pursuing all are entitled to come home, who have done of that even as I speak. more than their fair share of the Somali We have also issued the sternest warning peacekeeping, and to authorize a few more that if anything happens to them inconsistent troops with armored capacity so that we can with that, the United States, not the United do a better job of protecting the people who Nations, the United States, will view this are there while they’re there as long as they matter very gravely and take appropriate ac- are there. That is very important to me. I tion. am not satisfied that we are doing everything Now, let me go on to the second question. we can to protect the young Americans that I think it has become clear that our forces are putting their lives on the line so that hun- have been subject to greater risk in the last dreds of thousands, literally hundreds of several weeks by the coincidence of two de- thousands Somalis can stay alive who would velopments. One is the drawdown of Amer- not otherwise be alive, as part of the U.N. ican forces. We used to have nearly 30,000 mission. troops in Somalia. We’re now down to 4,000 I will have more to say about this in the in part of the agreement we made with the next few days. I am going, as soon as I leave United Nations to terminate our involve- here, immediately to Los Angeles, where I ment. We have been replaced by the forces will spend a few more hours working on this of other countries who are, I think, doing during the day. And then tomorrow when I their best under the circumstances to man get back to Washington, we’re going to spend their various positions but are not as able to several more hours on it. So I will have more be part of a coordinated effort to protect our to say about this in the next 48 hours, but forces that are still the front line of defense I think that’s all I should say at this time. of the policy of the United Nations. The second is I think, ironically, the fact Russia that the U.N. mission largely succeeded in Q. Mr. President, on Russia, can you tell stopping the hunger and the starvation and us, given that fact the President Yeltsin had the death from disease and the total chaos, to use force to put this down, are you con- so that the hospitals and the schools were cerned that you may have embraced him a open and people could sleep in peace at little more tightly than you wished? night. And that created a circumstance in The President. Absolutely not. Absolutely which people, forgetting how bad it was be- not. What choice did he have? The truth is fore, could be stirred up for some political he bent over backwards to avoid using force, activity, at least in one part of Mogadishu. and as a result, as the only person who has So those two things have happened. ever been elected to anything by all the peo- What we have done our best to do is to ple of Russia, he and his forces were abused actually enforce the law against people who very badly. And if you look at what happened, committed murder and try to continue our they broke through a police line that was not timetable to withdraw and get other forces as well armed as the opponents and not as in without doing anything that would let the willing to use force as the opponents, and

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.005 INET01 PsN: INET01 1998 Oct. 4 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

things got out of hand. And I don’t see that ployment in Russia, not increase it, and that he had any choice once the circumstances will give us the opportunity to help them de- deteriorated to the point that they did. velop their resources in ways that will put The government did not start the rioting people to work. or the shooting or the violence. If such a But what Senator Nunn said about the thing happened in the United States, you IMF is no more than I have said on several would expect me to take tough action against occasions. We don’t tell these people exactly it, as the only person who has been elected what they should do or how they should do by the people of this country. And he did it. And we don’t think the IMF is always right that. As long as he goes forward with a new in trying to apply very strict standards to constitution, genuinely democratic elections them that they may make their economic for the Parliament, genuinely democratic problems worse. elections for the President, then he is doing But, after all, there is no real precedent what he said he would do. I am still con- for this. We’ve got all these ex-Communist vinced the United States did the right thing. Q. Well, if you dismissed the Congress, countries that are doing their best trying to as Yeltsin did, I think it would be a quite make it as democracies and trying to develop different situation in the United States, even some sort of modified market economy, and though it’s a different kind of Congress and we’re going to do our best to help them. And a different kind of law. The question I have, I think it’s still a whole lot better and the Mr. President, is Senator Sam Nunn yester- world’s a whole lot better off today that we’re day on television said that the United States worrying about this problem instead of and the IMF may have been partly respon- whether the Soviet Union will drop a nuclear sible for the economic situation developing weapon somewhere or cause some inter- in Russia, that is, the privatization may create national crisis somewhere. unemployment 20 to 30 percent if the shock After all, there are always problems in the treatment of the—[inaudible]—government world and there will be as long as we are is opposed by the Russian people. And what on this planet. I’d rather have this set of I wanted to know from you is what is the problems than the problems we might have economic solution which is driving people in had if the Berlin Wall hadn’t fallen. Russia to feel that their problems are not Thank you very much. being resolved by the introduction of the market economy? The President. Well, the United States— NOTE: The President spoke at 1:55 p.m. at the all Sam Nunn said was what we’ve said sev- San Francisco Hilton. eral times, which is we don’t always agree that the IMF’s policies are good for a country like Russia. That’s been the United States po- Statement on Rebuilding the Cypress sition. We pushed IMF quite vigorously Freeway in California about it. October 4, 1993 But all of these old command and control economies are having trouble making the Most Americans will never forget the pic- transition. Even East Germany, that had the ture of the Cypress Freeway collapsed upon phenomenal good fortune to be integrated itself after the Loma Prieta earthquake. As with the German economy and to get literally repairs continue, I want the people of Cali- untold billions of dollars not available to Rus- fornia to know that we will be there to get sia, not available to Poland, not available to the job done. Communities around our Na- Hungary, not available to any of these coun- tion have always been able to count on the tries, is having difficulty. And they’re going Federal Government to assume the cost of to have to sort through exactly how they want repairing Federal-aid highways hit by natural to do it and what they want to do. Mean- disasters. That is a commitment that we are while, we’re doing what we can to support helping to fulfill today. programs and policies that will reduce unem-

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.005 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 4 1999

NOTE: The President’s statement was included in selves. Many of the behaviors that will affect a White House statement announcing the Presi- their health—choices about what to eat; the dent’s request to Congress for funds to rebuild dangers of smoking, drinking, using illegal the Cypress Freeway. drugs, or irresponsible sexual behavior; how to handle their feelings and the pressure of Proclamation 6602—Child Health their peers—will be learned from the models Day, 1993 they see around them. We have an opportunity, as well as a responsibility, to shape October 4, 1993 the future for our children. In our personal lives, that responsibility extends to those By the President of the United States whose lives we touch in our families and in of America our communities. The Congress, by joint resolution ap- A Proclamation proved May 18, 1928, as amended (36 U.S.C. Our children are our future. Therefore, 143), has called for the designation of the making sure that our children are healthy first Monday in October as ‘‘Child Health must be a national concern. For 65 years, Day’’ and has requested the President to Presidents of the United States have pro- issue a proclamation in observance of this claimed one day every year as ‘‘Child Health day. Day,’’ a time to focus on the health and well- Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, being of our Nation’s children. President of the United States of America, Over the years, we have recognized again do hereby proclaim Monday, October 4, and again that it is better to try to guarantee 1993, as Child Health Day. On that day and the health of our children than to attempt every day throughout the year, I urge all to restore their health once it has been jeop- Americans to renew their commitment to ardized. A healthy childhood charts a path protecting and developing our most valuable for a healthy adult life. Prevention is, there- asset—our children. fore, primary. Through preventive measures, In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set we help children avoid the pain and suffering my hand this fourth day of October, in the of disease and disability; we stop unnecessary year of our Lord nineteen hundred and nine- spending; and we decrease the number of ty-three, and of the Independence of the childhood deaths. United States of America the two hundred We possess the ability to prevent many and eighteenth. childhood diseases and injuries, and we must William J. Clinton use this ability. Every child needs access to primary health care. The necessary immuni- [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, zations against nine different contagious dis- 10:44 a.m., October 5, 1993] eases must be given to children at the recommended ages. Injuries, the greatest threat NOTE: This proclamation was published in the to our children’s well-being, can be reduced Federal Register on October 7. by introducing into our daily routines various safety measures. For example, the use of car Memorandum on the Freedom of seats, seat belts, and bicycle helmets helps to guard against hazards to which children Information Act are especially vulnerable. There are dangers October 4, 1993 in the home, as well, such as careless storage of poisons and unlocked staircase gates. Pay- Memorandum for Heads of Departments and ing attention to our children and to potential Agencies risks to their safety can help to safeguard them in our homes. Subject: The Freedom of Information Act We can prevent our children from making I am writing to call your attention to a sub- unhealthy choices, both by the rules we set ject that is of great importance to the Amer- for them and by the rules we follow our- ican public and to all Federal departments

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.005 INET01 PsN: INET01 2000 Oct. 4 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

and agencies—the administration of the steps will ensure compliance with both the Freedom of Information Act, as amended letter and spirit of the Act. (the ‘‘Act’’). The Act is a vital part of the participatory system of government. I am William J. Clinton committed to enhancing its effectiveness in my Administration. For more than a quarter century now, the Message to the Congress on Whaling Freedom of Information Act has played a Activities of Norway unique role in strengthening our democratic October 4, 1993 form of government. The statute was enacted based upon the fundamental principle that an informed citizenry is essential to the To the Congress of the United States: On August 5, 1993, the Secretary of Com- democratic process and that the more the merce certified that Norway’s resumption of American people know about their govern- commercial harvesting of minke whales has ment the better they will be governed. Open- diminished the effectiveness of the Inter- ness in government is essential to account- national Whaling Commission (IWC). The ability and the Act has become an integral IWC acted to continue the moratorium on part of that process. all commercial whaling at its most recent The Freedom of Information Act, more- meeting last spring. Despite this action, Nor- over, has been one of the primary means by way has recommenced commercial whaling which members of the public inform them- of the Northeastern Atlantic minke, noting selves about their government. As Vice Presi- that it has lodged an objection to the morato- dent Gore made clear in the National Per- rium. This letter constitutes my report to the formance Review, the American people are Congress pursuant to section 8(b) of the the Federal Government’s customers. Fed- Fishermen’s Protective Act of 1967, as eral departments and agencies should handle amended (Pelly Amendment) (22 U.S.C. requests for information in a customer- 1978(a)). friendly manner. The use of the Act by ordi- The United States is deeply opposed to nary citizens is not complicated, nor should commercial whaling: the United States does it be. The existence of unnecessary bureau- not engage in commercial whaling, and the cratic hurdles has no place in its implementa- United States does not allow the import of tion. whale meat or whale products. While some I therefore call upon all Federal depart- native Alaskans engage in narrowly cir- ments and agencies to renew their commit- cumscribed subsistence whaling, this is ap- ment to the Freedom of Information Act, to proved by the IWC through a quota for ‘‘ab- its underlying principles of government original whaling.’’ The United States also openness, and to its sound administration. firmly supports the proposed whale sanctuary This is an appropriate time for all agencies in the Antarctic. The United States has an equally strong to take a fresh look at their administration commitment to science-based international of the Act, to reduce backlogs of Freedom solutions to global conservation problems. of Information Act requests, and to conform The United States recognizes that not every agency practice to the new litigation guid- country agrees with our position against com- ance issued by the Attorney General, which mercial whaling. The issue at hand is the ab- is attached. sence of a credible, agreed management and Further, I remind agencies that our com- monitoring regime that would ensure that mitment to openness requires more than commercial whaling is kept within a science- merely responding to requests from the pub- based limit. lic. Each agency has a responsibility to dis- I believe that Norway’s action is serious tribute information on its own initiative, and enough to justify sanctions as authorized by to enhance public access through the use of the Pelly Amendment. Therefore, I have di- electronic information systems. Taking these rected that a list of potential sanctions, in-

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.005 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 4 2001

cluding a list of Norwegian seafood products the outstanding work of General Shalikashvili that could be the subject of import prohibi- as SACEUR faces up to the challenge of tions, be developed. Because the primary in- helping guide NATO through this important terest of the United States in this matter is period of transition. I have the utmost trust protecting the integrity of the IWC and its and confidence in his ability to do so. conservation regime, I believe our objectives can best be achieved by delaying the implementation of sanctions until we have exhausted all good faith efforts to persuade Nomination of Three Defense Norway to follow agreed conservation meas- Department Officials ures. It is my sincere hope that Norway will October 4, 1993 agree to and comply with such measures so that sanctions become unnecessary. The President announced his intention today to nominate public health expert Ste- William J. Clinton phen C. Joseph to be Assistant Secretary of The White House, Defense for Health Affairs; former Pentagon October 4, 1993. official Richard Danzig to be Under Sec- retary of the Navy; and economic policy specialist Joshua Gotbaum to be Assistant Sec- Statement Announcing the Supreme retary of Defense for Economic Security. Allied Commander, Europe ‘‘The people who we are adding to our October 4, 1993 Pentagon team today are recognized experts I am pleased to announce that I have nom- in their fields and dedicated public servants,’’ inated and NATO has appointed Gen. said President Clinton. ‘‘I welcome their George A. Joulwan, U.S. Army, to succeed service at the Department of Defense.’’ Gen. John Shalikashvili as Supreme Allied Commander, Europe. I also intend to send NOTE: The President also announced the appoint- forward to Congress General Joulwan’s nom- ment of 18 people to senior Defense Department ination to serve as commander in chief, U.S. posts not requiring confirmation by the Senate. European Command. They are: General Joulwan has had a long and highly Cliff Bernath, Deputy Assistant to the Assistant distinguished career spanning more than Secretary for Operations; three decades, with Europe as the center- Joel Resnick, Deputy Assistant Secretary for piece of his service. He has served for 14 Reserve Affairs/Strategic Plans and Analysis; years in Europe, beginning as a platoon com- Helen Forbeck, Senior Professional, Defense mander and rising to Commanding General Reinvestment Assistance Task Force; of the V Corps, U.S. Army Europe and 7th Army. In these postings, as well as in his cur- John Rogers, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs/Plans & Operations; rent role as commander in chief of the U.S. Southern Command, Panama, he has dem- Mark Wagner, Special Assistant to the Assistant onstrated both the military expertise and po- Secretary for Economic Security; litical acumen needed to fill one of our most John Goodman, Special Adviser for Defense sensitive security postings. He has also dis- Conversion and Technology; played superb talents as a manager of re- Sheila Cheston, Deputy General Counsel of the sources and personnel and is known through- Air Force; out the military as a ‘‘soldier’s soldier.’’ Dr. Larry Caviaiola, Deputy Under Secretary/ General Joulwan assumes the post of Su- Acquisition Operations; preme Allied Commander at an important time of change for Europe and for NATO Audrey Sheppard, Chief of Protocol; as we seek to adapt the role of NATO to Steven Preston, Deputy General Counsel; the needs of post-cold-war mutual security. Sheila Helm, Special Assistant to the Secretary/ I will look to General Joulwan to continue Personnel;

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.005 INET01 PsN: INET01 2002 Oct. 4 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

Dr. Kenneth Flamm, Principal Deputy Assist- There are some people here from Con- ant Secretary for Acquisition (Dual Use Tech- gressman Waxman’s district. I told him yes- nology and International Programs); terday that since he had a longtime standing Joseph Berger, Director, Peacekeeping/Peace interest in health care I would mention today Enforcement/Office of the Assistant Secretary for that the reason he’s not here is that he’s back Policy (Democracy and Peacekeeping); in Washington having the next hearing on Robert Bayer, Deputy Assistant Secretary/Eco- health care. So he took a redeye back last nomic Reinvestment and Base Realignment and night to do the work that we have to do. Closure; Ladies and gentlemen, as all of you know Carolyn Becraft, Deputy Assistant Secretary/ by now, we have launched a major national Personnel & Readiness (Personnel Support, Fam- debate on health care, with a proposal de- ilies & Education); signed to achieve a disarmingly simple but Mary Ellen Harvey, Assistant Deputy Under exceedingly complicated task: to provide Secretary/Logistics Systems Development; health security for all Americans, health care Roy Willis, Principal Assistant Deputy Under that can never be taken away, that’s always Secretary/Logistics; there, for the first time in our history and Amy Hickox, Director of Outreach America/Of- to do it by trying to fix what is wrong with fice of the Assistant Secretary (Reserve Affairs); our system while keeping and indeed enhancing what is right with our system. Biographies of the nominees were made available by the Office of the Press Secretary. The first and foremost thing is we have to have more health care security. There is an article today on the front page of many of the papers of the United States saying that Remarks and a Question-and-Answer last year there were more Americans living Session With the AARP on Health in poverty than at any time since 1962; that Care in Culver City, California 37.4 million Americans have no heath insur- October 5, 1993 ance; about 2 million Americans a month lose it, about 100,000 of them permanently be- The President. Good morning, ladies and cause the system we have is coming unrav- gentlemen. Thank you all for coming today. eled. It is the most expensive system in the I want to thank Judy Brown and the other world and yet the only advanced nation board members of the AARP up here and which doesn’t provide basic coverage to all the AARP nationwide for their wonderful co- Americans. operation and work with the First Lady and We have gotten 700,000 letters to date, our health care effort over the last several and we’re getting about 10,000 more every months. week at the White House from people de- There is no organization in America that scribing their personal experience and frus- better represents the needs and desires of trations in problems with America’s health older Americans than the AARP. I’ve been care system, not only American health care working with them for nearly 20 years now, consumers from parents with sick children and it won’t be long until I’ll be old enough to senior citizens who can’t afford their medi- to be a member. [Laughter] So I have a vest- cine but also from doctors and nurses who ed interest in your lobbying on the health can’t do what they hired out to do, keep peo- care plan. ple well and treat them when they’re sick, I want to thank especially Mayor Mike from all the bureaucracy and paperwork Balkman and the people here in Culver City that’s in our system. for their warm welcome to all of us today. I have personally met many older Ameri- I thank the Mayor. I’d also like to say a spe- cans who are literally choosing every month cial word of thanks to your Representative between buying food and buying medicine. in the United States Congress who’s here And I know that many of these people are with me, and a great Congressman, and a actually, in the end, adding to the cost of great ally in this fight for health care security, the health care system because eventually Congressman Julian Dixon. Congressman. they wind up having to get expensive hospital

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.005 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 5 2003

care for lack of proper medication in manag- of problems with Medicare in terms of how ing whatever health condition they have. doctors and hospitals and others have to deal We received a letter and then I had a with it, in light of the complexities of the chance to meet a man named Jim Heffernan health care system as a whole. But I think, from Venice, Florida, who came to the Rose on balance, the plan works well. Garden a couple of weeks ago. He volunteers However, if you don’t like some parts of at a local hospice trying to help people un- your Medicare program today, I can say this: derstand the tangle of forms they have to fill This plan will increase your options. It will out just in order to get the health care they’re give you a chance to pick from any of the entitled to. And he wrote the following thing health plans offered where you live, some of to me: ‘‘I can recall one patient who was in which may offer plans that are more com- tears and shaking because the hospital in her prehensive and less expensive than what you hometown had placed the balance of her receive today. medical charges in the hands of a collection Second, this health care security plan will agency and wrote that she might be sent to give you the help you deserve in paying for jail for failure to pay her hospital bill. This prescription drugs. This plan, for the first kind of senseless action on an elderly, termi- time, will make people, on Medicare who are nal widow is unforgivable.’’ not poor enough to be on Medicaid, eligible Stories like this need to be told over and for help with their prescription drugs. It also over again in the halls of the Nation’s Capitol will cover prescription drug benefits for until, finally, we get action. Our plan will im- working families. We believe this is impor- prove what is great about our health care sys- tant, and if coupled with a reasonable effort tem: the quality of our doctors and nurses; to hold prices down and to stop practices that the depth of our research and our techno- we have in America today, where some, not logical advance. Those things will not be in- experimental drugs, but well-established terrupted. We will strengthen them. This drugs made in America cost 3 times as much plan has a lot of aspects which actually in America as they do in Europe, that needs strengthen the quality of the American health to be changed. If we can change that we can care system, strengthen the stream of funds afford this benefit and still do what needs going to medical research to deal with the to be done. whole range of problems that now confront The third thing that I want to emphasize us, everything from AIDS to Alzheimer’s to is that this plan greatly expands your options various kinds of cancer. for finding long-term care services in the We are committed to keeping what is best home, in the community, in the hospital, not about this system. Indeed, more and more simply in a nursing home. We’re not going doctors and nurses who have had a chance to be able to do all of this at once. We have to study this system say that we’ll have more to work in the system and make sure we have quality, because they’ll have more time to the funding before we undertake programs practice their professions, they’ll be able to we can’t pay for. And so we phase in the spend less time filling out forms and hassling long-term care benefit between 1996 and the insurance companies. year 2000, and we start the drug benefit right I also want to say one thing—[applause]— away. there’s one frustrated doctor starting the ap- But in the end, we have to have a com- plause out there. [Laughter] There’s also one prehensive set of long-term care services. thing I want to say over and over again to And again I will say, if we do it right it will the AARP membership of this Nation, and save money. It is ridiculous for the only kind that is that our plan maintains the Medicare of long-term care to be reimbursed by the program. It will protect your freedom to Government, that which is most expensive choose your doctors. and which pushes people toward institutional Let’s face it, Medicare is one thing the care at a time when the fastest growing group Government has gotten right, it has worked. of Americans are people over 80 and more And its own administrative costs for the Gov- and more people are more active longer. I ernment are pretty modest. There are a lot think here in California there’s probably as

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.006 INET01 PsN: INET01 2004 Oct. 5 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

much support for an active independent ap- I have addressed that. We will have to ask proach to long-term care as anywhere in the every American to be more responsible. And United States. And I want you to stay after those that have no health insurance today, it, and make sure we maintain the commit- who aren’t paying anything into the system, ment to long-term care and to choice in long- but who can afford to pay, should be asked term care. to pay because the rest of you are paying Let me make one last comment that I for those. think is very important. This program also There are people who say—and I want to provides for coverage for early retirees. A lot emphasize this—people say, this will be ter- of AARP members are people between the rible for small business. Folks, most small ages of 55 and 65 who have retired early and business people have health insurance. And who don’t have access to adequate health I met a small business man yesterday in San care now. Under our program, those people Francisco with 12 employees whose pre- with incomes will have to pay up to 20 per- miums went up 40 percent this year, and he cent of their coverage, just like they would had no claims. Now, I’m worried about those if they were in the workplace and uncovered, small business people. They’re going to go but at least they will have access to com- broke or have to dump their employees and prehensive services, with 80 percent con- make the situation worse. Those people are tributions by the Federal Government. I trying to do their part by asking everyone hope that you will all support that. to do something in giving discounts to small Let me say, finally, that we are interested businesses with low-wage workers, we stop in passing a program that meets the basic the sort of irresponsible shifting of costs onto criteria that I laid down in my address to the rest of you. We also stop the practice Congress. I have searched this country, and of people getting health care when it’s too the hundreds of people working with us who late, too expensive, and when things don’t searched this country for better ideas: How work right and shift back to preventive and can we continue to simplify this plan? How primary care services so people can stay well, can we make it even easier to administer? instead of just being cared for when they get But we must meet certain basic principles. sick. The first one is security. We owe it to the Finally, let me say this: We have to achieve American people, finally, to say that America some savings, and that’s been one of the most will join the ranks of the other advanced na- controversial parts of this proposal. People tions and give every American health care say, ‘‘Oh, you can’t get any savings out of that’s always there, that can’t be taken away. Medicare and Medicaid.’’ I hope we can talk We have to simplify this system in order more about this, but let me just tell you how to pay for it. You live in the only country this program is paid for. Two-thirds of the in the world that’s spending at least 10 cents cost of this program will be paid for by con- on the dollar—now that’s a dime on a $900 tributions from employers and employees billion health care bill—on every dollar, who pay nothing to this system today but still that’s $90 billion a year being spent on paper- get to use it when they get sick, two-thirds work that no other country finds it necessary of it. One-sixth of the money will come from to have: Hospitals hiring clerical workers at a tax on tobacco and from asking big compa- 4 times the rate of direct health care provid- nies that will still have the right to self-insure, ers; doctors seeing their income from the because many of them have their costs under money that comes into the clinic go from 75 control and have adequate benefits, they’ll percent of what comes in down to 52 percent be able to continue to do that, but they will in 10 years, the rest of it being taken away be asked, since their costs will go down, too, in a vast wash of paperwork and unnecessary to pay a modest fee to pay for medical re- bureaucracy. I tell you we can do better than search and technology and to keep the public that. And we have to do it. health clinics of this country open to do the We have to maintain quality. I’ve already work that they will have to do. And then one- addressed that. We have to maintain choice sixth of it will come from what we call sav- of physicians and other health care providers. ings.

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.006 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 5 2005

But I want you to understand what’s hap- mestic discretionary spending. That is, if I pening. Today, Medicaid and Medicare are want to put more money into defense conver- going up at 3 times the rate of inflation. We sion in California, or Head Start, or public propose to let it go up at 2 times the rate health clinics, the Congress and the Mem- of inflation. That is not a Medicare or Medic- bers here will tell you, they have to find for aid cut. And we have kept private sector in- the next 5 years a dollar in cuts somewhere creases so that they won’t go up as much. else for every dollar we want to spend in So only in Washington do people believe that some new program. no one can get by on twice the rate of infla- The only thing we’re increasing, except for tion. So when you hear all this business about the cost of living in retirement programs, is cuts, let me caution you that that is not what Medicare and Medicaid. Everything else is is going on. We are going to have increases declining or frozen. And Medicare and Med- in Medicare and Medicaid, and a reduction icaid, under this budget that they just adopt- in the rate of growth will be more than over- ed, with an inflation rate of under 4 percent, taken by the new investments we’re going Medicaid is projected to grow at between 16 to make in drugs and long-term care. We think it’s a good system. We hope you’ll sup- percent and 11 percent a year, and Medicare port it. at between 11 percent and 9 percent a year. Let me just acknowledge two other people In other words, over the next 5 year period, I just saw in the audience I didn’t know were both will grow at more than 3 times the rate here. First, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal- of inflation. What we propose to do is to let Allard. Thank you for being here. Are there them grow at twice the rate of inflation, too. any other Members of the California Con- I think we can live with twice the rate of gressional Delegation here? Congressman inflation. Yes, I do. Why? Because the rate Martinez, stand up there. It’s good to see of reimbursement increases to doctors and you. I’m sorry. And I want to thank your in- hospitals need not go up so fast in Medicare, surance commissioner, John Garamendi, for because we’re going to close the gap between all of the work he did to try to show us what’s Medicare in the private sector and what doc- been done in California that we put into our tors and hospitals get. And they will actually plan. save money because we’re going to dramati- Thank you very much. cally cut their administrative costs. So they [At this point, Ms. Brown thanked the Presi- will be getting a raise through reduced ad- dent and introduced the chair of the Health ministrative expenses that they won’t have to Care Committee of AARP’s National Legisla- get through greater outlays of taxpayer tive Council, Anne Jackson. Ms. Jackson then money. And we’re going to turn right around discussed the health care proposal that AARP and invest that money and more into the submitted to the President for review and in- drug benefit in the long-term care. vited participants to ask questions.] I don’t know anybody who has really looked at this thing closely who doesn’t think Q. [Inaudible] we can get it. Now, there may be people who The President. He said much of the pro- try to stop us from getting it, but if we can’t gram is funded with cuts in Medicare; do I really think it won’t affect the recipients? get a Government health care program down Absolutely. to the point where it can run on twice the Let me just tell you. We just adopted a rate of inflation, we’re in deep trouble. I be- budget in Washington which cuts defense lieve we can, and the program explicitly pro- deeply, just as much as we can, and we vides that none of the benefits can be cut. shouldn’t do a dollar more. But we have cut Ms. Brown. The issue of prescription it dramatically. And that’s one of the reasons drugs will be led by Jo Barbano, who is the the California unemployment rate is up, national chair of the AARP Legislative Coun- right, because defense has been cut since cil. 1987. But there’s a limit to how much it can be cut. It’s cut, absolutely. It freezes all do-

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.006 INET01 PsN: INET01 2006 Oct. 5 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

[Ms. Barbano asked what the rate of inflation about Germany, and they only spend 8.8 per- on prescription drug prices would be without cent of their income on health care, and we health care reform.] spend 14.5 percent, but they rely so much The President. Without it? more on medicine.’’ Yes, they do, as a result Ms. Barbano. Without it. Are there any of which they don’t have to go to the hospital questions out in the audience? as much. The President. On the drug issue. We So the way our system will work, let me want specifically questions on—— just briefly say, is that the drug benefit itself Ms. Barbano. On prescription drugs. for elderly people will have a $250 deductible [A participant asked if the new health care and a co-pay, but no matter how serious the plan would control the rising cost of prescrip- drug needs are, no one can be required to tion drugs.] pay more than $1,000 a year. And obviously, income needs will be taken into account. But The President. Yes. We have sought and we will also have the same benefit for people received assurances from many of the drug under 65 as for people over 65. To get the companies that for nonexperimental or non- drug benefit, the Part B premium will go up newly developed drugs, which do—it costs modestly, but it will really help to provide a fortune to develop a new drug and bring that service to people. it to market. And we all know they have to I think it’s going to make a huge difference be priced at very high levels early on. in the quality of life to millions of elderly The thing that has bothered me is that people. And I think it’s going to reduce their other countries have cost controls on their need for more extensive care by giving them drugs, and so we have companies from Amer- a maintenance schedule with the most mod- ica selling drugs made in America in other ern medicines. And it will be good for the countries with incomes as high as our elderly drug company. It will be a good swap for people have, for prices one-third of what they’re charging Americans. It’s just not them to let their regular prices go up less right. So we’re trying to work through that. but to be able to sell more. But a number of the drug companies, to be Q. You were asking for information and fair to them, have come forward and said, those 25,000 older Americans that I just vis- while you’re implementing this program, ited and were asking me these questions gave we’ll keep our cost increases to inflation. me a report to give to you today. Could I Then, when we get into the program, the give that to your staff? drug services, like every other part of it, will The President. Absolutely. be subject to significant pressures to stay Q. Thank you. within the rate of inflation or pretty close Ms. Brown. Thank you very much. Now to it. But what the drug companies will get we’re going to talk about long-term care, out of this program, they’ll win big, because which is something that is near and dear to they will have people able to purchase drugs our heart, Mr. President. We’ve asked Mil- who never were able to do it before. dred McCauley, a member of our national So what they give up on the rate of in- board of directors, to discuss that with you. crease they will make back in the volume of [Ms. McCauley discussed the high cost of sales, if you see what I mean. So they’re not care in nursing homes. A participant then going to lose on this deal, they’re just going asked the President about his commitment to to have to stop increasing the same drugs increase funding for the prevention and treat- more and stop charging people so much ment of Alzheimer’s disease and if home and more for the same health care, but they’ll community-based long-term care will be cov- be able to increase their volume. ered in the new plan.] I saw one person being critical of our health care program the other night on one The President. Yes. Let me first say what of these C–SPAN forums that I watched. was said here is absolutely right. As all of And he said, ‘‘Well,’’ he said, ‘‘you know in you know who have ever had a family mem- Germany, the President’s always talking ber affected by this, if you’re older and you

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.006 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 5 2007

go to a hospital, you can get care covered growing group of our population. Most peo- by your policies or by Medicare. If you go ple will prefer not to be in an institutional to a nursing home, you basically have to setting if they can be cared for at home or spend yourself into abject poverty to get any in a community setting. benefits. And as a result of that, we’ve got And again, I will say to you, this is another a lot of folks in this country who are in trou- example where sometimes we strain at a gnat ble. and swallow a camel. Yes, it will cost more Also, the least expensive and best way to money to start this program, but over the care for people might be in some commu- long run, 20 years from now our health care nity-based setting or at home, and there are system in the aggregate will be cheaper be- relatively limited coverages available for cause we provide a wider range of care op- long-term care services. And Alzheimer’s is tions and we don’t shove everybody into the a particular example of this because a lot of most expensive option to get any help at all. people want to care for their loved ones at So that’s how that will work. home, or want them to be able to stay at Now, on the Alzheimer’s question in par- home for as long as possible, but can’t get ticular, the way this system of funding works, any help in that regard. I’ll come back to we are going to develop a stream of funding the research issue in a moment. that will increase our investment in medical The way this program will work, the long- research of all kinds, including research in term care program, is that we will permit the care and treatment of Alzheimer’s. So home and community-based care to be reim- you’ll get more medical research. I will say bursed just like nursing home care number again, we have been driven here not to mess one. Number two, the programs will not be up what is right with American medicine and means-tested. That is, if people have the abil- American health care, we want to enhance ity to pay something, they’ll be asked to pay, what is right and only focus on what is wrong but they won’t be cut out of the program in trying to deal with it. because their income is above a certain Q. Thank you for that response, Mr. Presi- amount. So that solves the whole Medicare- dent. I’m sure that you recognize that the Medicaid differential issue. Number three, issue of long-term care is one that is so very, in order to be eligible for Medicaid nursing very important to us and that we will be re- home care today you have to have—there’s minding you about it. You can be sure of a spend down limit of $2,000. You can only that. have $2,000 in assets to be eligible for 100 The President. You don’t have to remind percent coverage under Medicaid. We’re me, you’ve got to remind Congress. Because going to raise that to $12,000. And people there will be people who say, well, now, wait who are in Medicaid funding in nursing a minute. And that’s why I really thank the homes—funded nursing homes—only get three Members from California who are here $30 a month in spending money, $30 a today. They’re going to have some tough de- month. In 1977, when I entered public life cisions to make. You know, there will be a and because an advocate for people in nurs- lot of people who won’t want to go through ing homes, they got $25 a month. You can some of these changes that we’re rec- imagine—so in other words, in effect, people ommending, and there will be a lot of people are getting less than half as much as they who say, well, let’s just play it safe and take did per month in 1977. We propose to raise the—we know the least expensive course. that to $100 which will take it back about There will be those who say, let’s take these to its 1972 levels. reductions in Medicare and Medicaid in- So I think these things will work if we also creases, these savings from projected in- provide better regulation and some tax pref- creases, and put them into paying for the reg- erence for private long-term care insurance ular package that the President has proposed, to supplement whatever people want or get and think about long-term care and medicine from our Government program. But this some other day. long-term care issue is a very big issue. Keep So we need you guys to show up and be in mind, again, elderly people are the fastest heard in the Capitol to support the Members

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.006 INET01 PsN: INET01 2008 Oct. 5 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

of Congress who want to see this as a critical raises the price. So through simple adminis- element of the ultimate resolution of our trative simplification and stopping cost shift- health care crisis. ing, you’re going to have some savings. Ms. Brown. You can be sure that we will Number three, as a backup, we also pro- do that, every opportunity we get. pose a cap, a limit on how much the cost I’ve now asked Marie Smith, who is the of the system can increase in any given year, chair of the economics committee of the na- moving down towards inflation plus popu- tional legislative council to lead the discus- lation growth over a period of years. But still, sion on cost containment. I will tell you, that we still believe—this [Ms. Smith addressed the issue of cost con- budget is very modest. We still project over tainment. A participant then asked the Presi- the next 5—between now and the year 2000, dent which provisions were being put into the American health care system will go from the health care plan to prevent the cost of spending 14.5 percent of our income on health care from rising.] health care to about 18 percent, picking up the drugs and the long-term care. If we don’t The President. Thank you. First of all, as do anything, we’ll have no drugs, no long- all of you know, we have runaway costs now, term care, and be spending over 19 percent both in the system as a whole and for individ- of our income on health care. uals who are paying into it. To keep down But those are very modest. Now, that individual cost increases as well as systematic cost increases, we seek to do three things means that we are calculating no savings that we’ve factored in. There are a lot of from putting all the people in the country things we are doing, I want to try to empha- in these large buyer groups so that they can size this; we think we’ll get more cost con- compete for lower prices. Look what hap- tainment than we have budgeted for, and I pened to the California public employees want to explain why. plan. Look how little their inflation was this Number one, if you simplify the system year. The Mayo Clinic managed care plan— so that essentially every patient, every doctor, most people believe Mayo Clinic provides every insurer is dealing with a single uniform pretty good health care—you know what form, one for each category of people in the their inflation was this year? 3.9 percent, and system, you will drastically cut the adminis- their prices before they started were lower trative cost of this health care system. We than the national average. were at the Children’s Hospital in Washing- We don’t calculate any of those savings in ton the other day; one hospital in one city our budget, the things that will come from in America estimates that they spend $2 mil- better organizing and delivering health care lion a year and enough time for their doctors and giving consumer groups the right to bar- to see another 10,000 children a year on pa- gain to keep their prices lower. We have an perwork that has nothing to do with the care initiative to eliminate fraud and abuse, which of the kids or keeping up with their records is significant in this system. We calculate necessary to monitor the care of the kids. none of those savings into our budget. That’s the first thing. So we believe we will easily make the Number two, if you cover everybody and budget because a lot of the things we’re going require everybody to make some contribu- to do that will save money we don’t even tion to the system, that will stop a lot of the try to claim credit for to try to bend over cost shifting. Keep in mind, a lot of your costs backward to be realistic. So I think we’ll get keep going up every year more and more and there. But you’re right, you’ve got to have more because you are paying into the system, cost control. either through Medicare or through private Let me just say one other thing. There’s insurance, and you pay for everybody else one other thing we need to help the AARP because the hospitals shift their uncompen- on. There are a lot of people in the Congress sated care bills to you or to insurance compa- who say that limitations on the rate of in- nies who turn around and raise the price or creases amount to some sort of price con- the Government who comes around and trols, and we shouldn’t have them. But look

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00058 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.006 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 5 2009

what we’ve had so far. If you have a third- The point I want to make, the two of you party pay system, where the people who are have already made out here in these ques- working the system can get a check every tions, is if we do nothing, it will be more time they send a bill, there are no normal costly and less satisfactory than if we take market forces. You have to have some sort steps. And finally, let me say, we have to of discipline on the system. Now, I know the overcome the disbelief in America. A lot of AARP favors that. And again, I want you to folks don’t think we can do this, but that’s help us get that when this bill goes to the what they said when Social Security came in. Congress. We believe we will more than People said we couldn’t do it, but we did meet the cap that we’ve set. We don’t think it. we can ever necessarily even meet that cap, I hold this health security card up all the but we better have it in the law so people time, but you just think, if everybody had will have to know they’re going to have to a Social Security card and a health security manage their business better, they can’t keep card, what a better country this would be and breaking the bank. how much better life would be for all the Ms. Brown. Well, Mr. President, the time American people. has passed so quickly. I believe it’s now time, Thank you very much. if you have some closing remarks. The President. Let me say, first of all, I NOTE: The President spoke at 8:50 a.m. at Dr. think when I leave, Mr. Magaziner is going Paul Carlson Memorial Park. A tape was not avail- to come up here. Ira Magaziner who has able for verification of the content of these re- been the sort of leading light of our health marks. care efforts in the First Lady’s group on health care and who knows the answers to questions you haven’t even thought of yet— Proclamation 6603—Mental Illness at least questions I haven’t thought of yet— Awareness Week, 1993 is going to come up here and spend up to October 5, 1993 another hour answering any questions you have about the specifics of our plan. So I hope that those of you here who are inter- By the President of the United States ested will stay and continue to ask questions. of America He and some others who have come all the way to California with me, who are working A Proclamation in our health care effort, are going to stay. Almost 50 million Americans have serious So we want to encourage all Americans to emotional disorders or illnesses. The eco- ask questions and to give us our ideas—their nomic and human costs of these disorders ideas. We don’t pretend to have all the an- are staggering. Treatment expenses and lost swers. productivity cost the United States over one I just want to make two points in closing. hundred billion dollars a year. The pain and Number one, I am not interested in having suffering caused by mental illness are im- this become a partisan, political issue. I am measurable for the individuals afflicted and profoundly grateful to the distinguished Re- their families. publican Senator from Vermont, Jim Jef- The consequences of untreated mental ill- fords, for announcing that he intends to be nesses and emotional disturbances are clear. a cosponsor of our initiative. That’s the kind Suicide is 30 times more common among of thing we need more of, working together. people who are clinically depressed than Number two, we’ve got to keep working among the general population. Persons with on making this better, the evidence of other mental illness often live in poverty and are countries is, but you have to keep working at risk for homelessness and disease. The every year. But that’s why we’ve built this mentally ill may find themselves in jail or in a phased-in fashion, so that the more we prison, not for any criminal act, but rather learn, the more we can make adjustments because no other facilities are available to re- and the more we can make improvements. spond to psychiatric emergencies.

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.006 INET01 PsN: INET01 2010 Oct. 5 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

Research has led to major advances, not do hereby proclaim the week beginning Oc- only in the development of treatments for tober 3, 1993, as Mental Illness Awareness mental illnesses, but also in the understand- Week. I call upon all citizens of the United ing of the needs of the individuals who live States to observe this week with ceremonies with mental illnesses. With appropriate care and activities to increase the Nation’s under- and support, many people who have these standing and acceptance of people with men- disorders can live productive and fulfilling tal illness and to encourage recognition of lives. Unfortunately, less than one-third of all their need for a broad array of treatment individuals in need of mental health services services. actually receive appropriate care. Children, In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set probably the most vulnerable among the my hand this fifth day of October, in the year mentally ill population, are the least likely of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety- to receive care, with less than one-fifth of three, and of the Independence of the those in need of services receiving them. The United States of America the two hundred barriers to effective treatment are numerous. and eighteenth. Individuals may be unaware that treatment William J. Clinton can help them or may be hesitant to seek help for fear of discrimination or ridicule. In [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, many instances, individuals actually lack ac- 10:31 a.m., October 6, 1993] cess to appropriate services. We must work to remove the stigma of mental illness and NOTE: This proclamation was published in the to educate the public about the availability Federal Register on October 7. and effectiveness of mental health treatment. The Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), a component of the Substance Proclamation 6604—German- Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis- American Day, 1993 tration in the Department of Health and October 5, 1993 Human Services, was created in 1992 to provide vigorous Federal leadership in the development and delivery of mental health By the President of the United States services. CMHS plays a unique role in work- of America ing with other Federal agencies and departments whose programs and policies affect the A Proclamation lives of the mentally ill, their families, and The makeup of the United States of Amer- their communities. CMHS also works closely ica is a diverse one, a rich tapestry of dif- with State and local governments and the pri- ferent cultures and ethnic origins, stronger vate sector to guarantee continuity, integra- and more vibrant because of its variety. The tion of services, and access to comprehensive German culture contributes a substantial systems of care. CMHS supports policy stud- piece to the American mosaic, and German- ies, evaluations, and assessments on service Americans have given much to our Nation delivery issues that are critical for Federal, in the arts, the sciences, the business world, State, and local policymakers as they organize academia, and government. It is fitting that and finance systems of care. we celebrate these innumerable contribu- In recognition of the importance of im- tions to our great Nation by marking October proving the delivery of mental health services 6 as ‘‘German-American Day.’’ and of educating the American public about The first German settlers arrived in Amer- the needs of individuals with mental illness, ica 310 years ago—harbingers of the more the Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 61, than seven million to follow. German immi- has designated the week of October 3 grants have thrived in America, finding our through October 9, 1993, as Mental Illness Nation’s political and economic culture fer- Awareness Week. tile ground for securing the inalienable rights Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness President of the United States of America, for themselves and for their children. Today,

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00060 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.006 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 5 2011

citizens of German ancestry comprise the Statement on the Arts and largest ethnic group in the United States. Humanities Awards Recipients German-Americans today look with pride October 5, 1993 to a free and unified Germany as the living symbol of the best in their heritage. Ameri- These extraordinary individuals have made cans look with satisfaction at the enduring a gift to American cultural life that is beyond friendship between the Federal Republic of measure. Through these awards we celebrate Germany and the United States of America. their impressive achievements and extend This friendship is rooted in a long line of our deepest thanks for efforts that nourish immigrants and was replanted in the ashes our creative and intellectual spirit. of the Second World War and nurtured through the storms of national division and Cold War confrontation. Warmed by the NOTE: The President’s statement was included in a White House statement announcing the Na- benefits of peaceful commerce and strength- tional Medal of Arts and the Charles Frankel Prize ened by the myriad personal relationships awards ceremony scheduled for October 7. The between the German and American peoples, President’s remarks at the ceremony are also pub- the friendship has flourished. lished in this issue. The United States and the Federal Repub- lic of Germany face formidable challenges in the post-Cold War era, challenges that we Statement by the Press Secretary on approach with greater confidence because the President’s Telephone we stand together, united in common demo- Conversation With President Boris cratic values. The Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution Yeltsin of Russia 121, has designated October 6, 1993, as October 5, 1993 ‘‘German-American Day’’ and has authorized and requested the President to issue a procla- The President called President Yeltsin mation in observance of that day. today from Air Force One to discuss the situ- Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, ation in Moscow. The two leaders spoke for President of the United States of America, 20 minutes. The President’s purpose in call- do hereby proclaim October 6, 1993, as Ger- ing was to express the continued, strong sup- man-American Day. I urge all Americans to port of the United States for President learn more about the contributions of Ger- Yeltsin and the Russian Government in the man immigrants to the United States in all wake of the political crisis in Russia. fields of human endeavor and to observe this President Yeltsin thanked the President day with appropriate ceremonies and activi- for his support during the crisis and de- ties. scribed the events of the last few days. He In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set reported that order had been restored to my hand this fifth day of October, in the year Moscow. In response to a question from the of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety- President, he also reaffirmed his intention to three, and of the Independence of the hold free and fair elections on December 12 United States of America the two hundred and to proceed resolutely on political and and eighteenth. economic reform in general. The two leaders pledged to work together William J. Clinton to continue to build close relations between the United States and Russia. The President noted in this respect his intention to imple- [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, ment rapidly the $2.5 billion in economic as- 10:57 a.m., October 6, 1993] sistance funds approved by the Congress last week for Russia and the other new states. NOTE: This proclamation was published in the The President added that the visits to Russia Federal Register on October 7. this autumn of several American Cabinet of-

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00061 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.006 INET01 PsN: INET01 2012 Oct. 5 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

ficers, including Secretary of State Chris- Remarks on Signing the Hatch Act topher later this month, will help to move Reform Amendments of 1993 the relationship forward. October 6, 1993 Thank you. Thank you very much, ladies Statement by the Press Secretary on and gentlemen. This is a very happy day for Nuclear Testing by China me. I’ve had lots of discussions with Senator Glenn about this bill. Bill Clay is happy as October 5, 1993 a lark. This has put 30 years on his life today. Last night, China conducted an under- And the Vice President and I had occasion ground nuclear test at the Lop Nur test site to talk about this quite a lot during the rein- in northwest China, despite the urging of venting Government effort. I have some remarks I want to make, but I hope you will more than 20 nations, including the United forgive me if, just for a moment, since this States, not to do so. is my opportunity to speak to the national The United States deeply regrets this ac- press and to the American people as well as tion. We urge China to refrain from further to speak to you, I make a brief statement nuclear tests and to join the other nuclear about Somalia. powers in a global moratorium. Such a mora- Today I have had two serious meetings torium will contribute to the achievement of with my national security advisers, along with the administration’s goal of completing a the meeting we had last night, to discuss the Comprehensive Test Ban by 1996, to which future course of the United States in Somalia. the administration is committed. Our forces went there last year under the The President has today directed the De- previous administration on an extraordinary partment of Energy to take such actions as human mission: 350,000 Somalis had starved are needed to put the U.S. in a position to because anarchy and famine and disease had be able to conduct nuclear tests next year, prevailed. Today we are completing the job provided the notification and review condi- of establishing security in Somalia that will tions of the Hatfield-Exon-Mitchell amend- not only permit those who are now living to ment are met in the spring of 1994. enjoy the immediate fruits of our common The President’s ultimate decision on efforts with our allies in the United Nations whether to test will be based on fundamental but also to prevent that terrible crisis from U.S. national security interests, taking into occurring as soon as we are gone. It is essen- account: tial that we conclude our mission in Somalia —the contribution further tests would but that we do it with firmness and steadiness make to improving the safety and reli- of purpose. ability of the U.S. arsenal in preparation I want to emphasize that tomorrow I will be consulting with congressional leaders in for a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty both parties and with others, and then I will (CTB); report to you and to the American people. —the extent to which China and others But this much I want to say today. Our men have responded to the U.S. appeal for and women in Somalia, including any held a global moratorium on testing; captive, deserve our full support. They went —progress in the CTB negotiations; there to do something almost unique in —the implications of further U.S. nuclear human history. We are anxious to conclude tests on our broader nonproliferation our role there honorably, but we do not want objectives. to see a reversion to the absolute chaos and Administration officials will begin con- the terrible misery which existed before. sultations at once with Congress and our al- I think the American people, and I hope lies on these issues. the Congress will be satisfied that we have assessed our position accurately and that we have a good policy to pursue. I will discuss that with them tomorrow, as I said, and then

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00062 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.006 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 6 2013

I will be back to the American people and are no longer present, and they cannot justify to the press as soon as that is done. the continued muzzling of millions of Amer- Let me say this is something of special im- ican citizens. portance to me today. When I was a 32-year- The Federal Employees Political Activities old freshman Governor, in my first year, one Act, which I’m about to sign, will permit Fed- of the first bills I sponsored in my legislature eral employees and postal workers on their was a bill repealing restrictions on political own time to manage campaigns, raise funds, activities by State employees in my State. A to hold positions within political parties. Still, bill that, very much like the Hatch Act, had there will be some reasonable restrictions. stayed on in its present form because it was They wouldn’t be able to run for partisan po- needed in a former time when, I’m a little litical office themselves, for example, and embarrassed to say, State employees decades there will be some new responsibilities, ago would mysteriously turn up with in- which I applaud the Federal employees’ creases in welfare checks right before the unions for embracing and supporting. election. Well, that hasn’t happened in a long While we restore political rights to these time in my State, or in any other. And so millions of citizens, we also hold them to high we changed the law. And I can honestly say standards. The Federal workplace, where the in all the years since, not a single solitary business of our Nation is done will still be soul ever lodged a single solitary complaint strictly off limits to partisan political activity. against any of our public employees for being Workers on the job won’t even be allowed good citizens. to wear political campaign buttons. At the Today, we put an end to a vexing con- same time, the reforms will maintain restric- tradiction in America’s public life with a solutions on the activities of workers in the most tion, I hasten to add, looking at the Members sensitive positions, in law enforcement and of Congress who are here, that is neither national security. Democratic nor Republican but American in Because we regard good ethics as the basis nature. And I thank the members of both of good government, this reform strengthens parties who supported this important reform. criminal penalties for anyone convicted of We’ve been supporting democracy abusing his or her position. And because we throughout the world. We’ve been standing want our Federal workers to be responsible, up for Boris Yeltsin in the tight he’s been to display an integrity worthy of the public in and cheering when he prevailed and service they perform, this reform includes a cheering when he reaffirmed his determina- provision that allows the garnishment of Fed- tion to have elections. But here in our own eral pay to repay private debt. That’s been country, millions of our own citizens have done in the private sector for many years. been denied one of the most basic demo- And just as we now treat Federal employees cratic rights, the right to participate in the like private citizens in their political activi- political process, because of conditions that ties, there’s no reason Federal workers haven’t existed for a very long time. should get special protection for privately un- The original purpose of the Hatch Act was paid bills and obligations. to protect Federal employees and other citi- Ultimately, I believe, as Senator Glenn zens from coming under improper political said, that this reform of the Hatch Act will pressure. But now our Federal work force mean more responsible, more satisfied, is the product of merit system, not patronage. happier, and more productive Federal work- We have laws to protect our citizens against ers. When we extend the political rights of coercion and intimidation. We have guaran- any group of Americans, we extend the politi- tees that the administration of Federal laws cal rights of all Americans. And we deepen must be fair and impartial. We have an ex- the meaning of our own democracy. ceedingly vigilant press and people more Congress has done a lot of work on that than eager to talk to them whenever they just in the last 8 months since I’ve been have been abused or think they have. The President. We’ve passed the motor voter bill, conditions which once gave rise to the Hatch which expands the franchise to people who Act as it was before this reform bill passed have difficulty registering to vote. Thanks to

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00063 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.007 INET01 PsN: INET01 2014 Oct. 6 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

the Vice President, we have a plan that will postal employees the opportunity to exercise radically change the way Government oper- their citizenship more fully and freely for the ates. It will give rank-and-file Federal em- first time in over 50 years. ployees more meaningful jobs, more say over At the same time, this Act spells out the their work, and enable us to do more with rights and responsibilities of Federal and less and increase the confidence taxpayers postal workers. While employees will now be have in the work we do around here. allowed to volunteer on their own time for Serious proposals on campaign finance re- the candidate of their choice, all political ac- form and on lobbying reform have already tivity in the Federal workplace will be pro- passed the United States Senate and are now hibited, including the wearing of campaign being acted on in the House of Representa- buttons. tives. There is a serious commitment in this Further, not only does H.R. 20 continue Congress to try to deal with the continuing prohibitions against soliciting political con- imperfections in our democracy. And I ap- tributions from the general public and subor- plaud them for it. dinate employees, but it also strengthens the Aristotle once said that, ‘‘liberty and equal- criminal penalties for those convicted of ity are best attained when all persons alike abusing their official position. This balanced share in the Government to the utmost.’’ measure will ensure Americans fair and im- Working together, we’re closing in on that partial administration of Federal laws, while goal. And now, when I sign this bill, 3 million providing Federal and postal employees the more Americans will have a chance to share rights that are essential to their independent in their beloved Government to the utmost. exercise of personal choice. Thank you very much. H.R. 20 also includes a likewise overdue NOTE: The President spoke at 3 p.m. in the East provision for the garnishment of Federal pay Room at the White House. In his remarks, he to repay private debt. We already have the referred to Missouri Representative William Clay. authority to offset the salaries of Federal em- H.R. 20, approved October 6, was assigned Public ployees for Federal debt, and we use it. In Law No. 103–94. presenting his National Performance Review report, Vice President Gore expressed his Statement on Signing the Hatch Act faith in the quality and integrity of Govern- Reform Amendments of 1993 ment employees. He and I share that faith. October 6, 1993 This new provision of law will ensure that those few Federal workers who fail to pay Today I am pleased to sign into law H.R. their private debts will no longer be able to 20, the ‘‘Hatch Act Reform Amendments of hide behind their Federal employment to es- 1993.’’ cape their personnel financial responsibil- For too long, the rights of Federal and ities. postal workers to express themselves and As a candidate, I strongly supported the fully participate in our political process have much needed reforms contained in H.R. 20. been curtailed. Federal law currently penal- It gives me great pleasure to sign this bill izes public servants by limiting their political into law. I look forward to the infusion of participation outside the Federal workplace. Federal and postal employee energy, exper- People who devote their lives to public serv- tise, and dedication into our political system ice should not be denied the right to partici- that this bill makes possible. pate more fully in the democratic process. This law moves us in a more sensible direc- William J. Clinton tion. The passage of H.R. 20 is primarily due The White House, to the steadfast efforts of many Members of October 6, 1993. Congress and the Federal and postal employees and their representatives. The Hatch Act NOTE: H.R. 20, approved October 6, was assigned reforms in this bill will provide Federal and Public Law No. 103–94.

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.007 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 6 2015

Remarks Honoring White House portunity to serve. And I will certainly be Fellows a better President because you gave them October 6, 1993 an opportunity to serve. This has been a truly astonishing month. Thank you very much. Mr. Vice President A lot of incredible things have happened in and my longtime friend Nancy Bekavac, la- the world and in our country. And all these dies and gentlemen. I want to welcome the people have been a part of that remarkable White House fellows, their families and change. We’re committed to continuing to friends and the White House Fellowship do that. Commission here. I told a dinner last night there’s something This program has been largely a secret to to be said just for showing up for work every the American people for a long time, and day. Sooner or later you can make some good yet it has been one of the most important things happen. But it’s a lot easier when things that has been done to enrich and di- you’ve got people with the richness, the di- versify the work of administrations for dec- versity, the gifts and the commitment of the ades now. White House fellows. We have a remarkable array of White So to all of you, I say thank you, and I House fellows this year. We have an Amer- give you my renewed commitment to this ican Indian poet and legal scholar working program and to honoring your service and at the Interior Department, a basketball star your efforts. and a tax expert at State, an AIDS specialist Thank you very much. at Commerce, two doctors at the Pentagon. Several fellows work here at the White NOTE: The President spoke at 5:57 p.m. in the House, including an astronomer tackling en- East Room at the White House. In his remarks, vironmental issues at the National Security he referred to Nancy Bekavac, president, Scripps Council, a Bronx preacher reviewing domes- College, Claremont, CA. tic policy—sometimes I think we do better praying over these problems than what we do anyway—an author and an illustrator Proclamation 6605—National helping to build our national service corps, Disability Employment Awareness and we have two heroes of the Persian Gulf Month, 1993 war, one working for the Vice President and October 6, 1993 one for Mack McLarty, my Chief of Staff. I am very grateful to all the people here behind me and all those who have served By the President of the United States on the Fellowship Commission, including of America our birthday girl, Pauline Gore. With all of your responsibilities, it’s a cred- A Proclamation it to you that you understand the importance The United States has long been a cham- of this program, that you’ve been willing to pion of the civil rights of individuals, and it give your time, your attention, your energies is only natural that we now serve in the fore- to it. I hope that you will always be very, front of efforts to ensure equal opportunity very proud of this. for persons with disabilities. Inspired by the You know, Colin Powell was a White enactment of the Americans with Disabilities House fellow. Henry Cisneros was a White Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990, other nations House fellow. Tim Wirth, our Under Sec- have begun to reexamine the challenges retary of State for Global Affairs, was a White faced by their citizens with disabilities. The House fellow. We don’t have any idea what ADA, which prohibits discrimination in em- these young people here behind me will be ployment, public accommodations, govern- doing in 5 or 10 or 15 years. But one thing ment services, transportation, and commu- is for sure, whatever it is they wind up doing, nications, provides a practical model for peo- they’ll do a better job of it because those ple everywhere to ensure that individuals of you on this Commission gave them an op- with disabilities will not be excluded from

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.007 INET01 PsN: INET01 2016 Oct. 6 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

the social, cultural, and economic main- tests to the fundamental vitality and open- stream. ness of our free enterprise system and to our Together we have begun shifting disability abiding commitment to civil rights for all. policy in America from exclusion to inclusion; Every American needs a chance to contrib- from dependence to independence; from pa- ute. Our work is far from finished. America ternalism to empowerment. And we have needs the continued leadership of every citi- made a firm commitment—a national pledge zen to fulfill the promise of the Americans of civil rights for people with disabilities— with Disabilities Act and related laws. to enforce the Americans with Disabilities The Congress, by joint resolution ap- Act. We cannot be satisfied until all citizens proved August 11, 1945, as amended (36 with disabilities receive equal treatment U.S.C. 155) has called for the designation of under the law, whether in the workplace, in October of each year as ‘‘National Disability schools, in government, or in the courts. We Employment Awareness Month.’’ This will not be satisfied as a Nation until we have month is a special time for all Americans to fully implemented the laws that offer equal recognize the tremendous potential of citi- opportunity for Americans with disabilities, zens with disabilities and to renew our com- including the ADA and the Rehabilitation mitment to full inclusion and equal oppor- Act of 1973. tunity for them, as for every citizen. We do not have a single person to waste. Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, Citizens with disabilities want to lead full, President of the United States of America, independent, and productive lives. They do hereby proclaim October 1993 as National want to work; they want to pay their fair Disability Employment Awareness Month. I share of taxes; they want to be self-support- call on all Americans to observe this month ing citizens. America must enable the 43 mil- with appropriate programs and activities that lion talented Americans with disabilities to affirm our determination to fulfill both the contribute by offering them the individual- letter and the spirit of the Americans with ized training and education we offer every- Disabilities Act. one else. In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set Our Nation can ill afford to waste this vast my hand this sixth day of October, in the and only partially tapped source of knowl- year of our Lord nineteen hundred and nine- edge, skills, and talent. In addition to being ty-three, and of the Independence of the costly—over $300 billion is expended annu- United States of America the two hundred ally at the Federal, State, and local levels to and eighteenth. financially support potentially independent William J. Clinton individuals—this waste of human ability cannot be reconciled with our tradition of [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, individual dignity, self-reliance, and em- 4:29 p.m., October 6, 1993] powerment. As we work to achieve thorough and harmonious implementation of the NOTE: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register Americans with Disabilities Act, we will open on October 8. the doors of opportunity for millions of people, thereby expanding, not only the ranks Message to the Congress of the employed, but also the ranks of con- Transmitting the Report of the sumers. These individuals and their families National Institute of Building will thus be able to pursue the real American Sciences Dream. I congratulate the small business and in- October 6, 1993 dustry leaders, labor leaders, and community leaders from all walks of life who are working To the Congress of the United States: together to implement the ADA and the Re- In accordance with the requirements of habilitation Act, and I commit the resources section 809 of the Housing and Community and cooperation of the Federal Government Development Act of 1974, as amended (12 toward that effort. Our ongoing progress at- U.S.C. 1701j–2(j)), I transmit herewith the

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.007 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 6 2017

16th annual report of the National Institute I want to wish Michael and his family the of Building Sciences for fiscal year 1992. very best. I know that the past several months have been difficult ones, and I hope that he William J. Clinton can enjoy the peace of mind that he richly The White House, deserves. October 6, 1993.

Message to the Congress Statement by the Press Secretary on Transmitting the Report of the the President’s Meeting With NATO National Corporation for Housing Secretary General Manfred Woerner Partnerships October 6, 1993 October 6, 1993 The President met today with NATO Sec- retary General Manfred Woerner in the Oval To the Congress of the United States: Office. The President and Secretary Woerner I transmit herewith the twenty-fourth an- discussed developments in Bosnia and ex- nual report of the National Corporation for changed ideas about preparations for the Jan- Housing Partnerships and the National uary 1994 NATO summit. They expressed Housing Partnership for the fiscal year end- their common commitment to taking advan- ing December 31, 1992, as required by sec- tage of this historic opportunity to chart tion 3938(a)(1) of title 42 of the United States NATO’s course in the post-cold-war Europe. Code. The President and the Secretary General William J. Clinton agreed that the NATO summit should reaf- firm the strength of the transatlantic security The White House, partnership and advance the process of October 6, 1993. adapting NATO to Europe’s new security environment. They discussed how to deepen Statement on the Retirement of NATO’s engagement in Europe’s east and Michael Jordan From the Chicago further the development of a ‘‘European pil- Bulls lar’’ within the alliance. October 6, 1993 As a sports fan who has had the great Nomination for the Director of the pleasure of watching Michael Jordan play United States Arms Control and basketball since the early 1980’s, I was sad- Disarmament Agency dened to hear his announcement today that October 6, 1993 he was retiring from the game. But, I think we can all understand his wish to take his The President announced today that he in- leave and devote himself to more private tends to nominate John D. Holum to be the concerns. Director of the United States Arms Control We will miss him, here and all around and Disarmament Agency. America, in every small-town backyard and ‘‘My administration has placed the highest paved city lot where kids play one-on-one importance on arms control and combating and dream of being like Mike. the proliferation of weapons of mass destruc- His gift to us all has been in giving every- tion,’’ said the President. ‘‘A revitalized Arms thing he had game after game, year in and Control and Disarmament Agency will play year out. It has been our privilege for the last decade to see him gracing the hardwood, an important role in achieving new arms con- lighting up our TV screens, and brightening trol agreements and fighting weapons pro- the lives of the young at heart all around the liferation. I can think of no finer and more world.

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00067 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.007 INET01 PsN: INET01 2018 Oct. 6 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

dedicated person to lead ACDA than John [Laughter] And I have a wife who swept the Holum, whom I have known for 20 years and television ratings last week talking about the who has close working relationships with arcana of health care with a passion and an many senior officials at the State and De- eloquence. As if that weren’t bad enough, fense Departments, the NSC, and through- USA Today had the bad grace to go out and out my administration. John will be a strong poll the American people, and 40 percent of voice for arms control and nonproliferation them said she was smarter than I am. policies within the councils of Government.’’ [Laughter] To which I reply, ‘‘Of course, what kind of dummy do you think I am. How NOTE: A biography of the nominee was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary. else would I have gotten elected President.’’ And just to drive this humility home—this is the actual true part of this wonderful Nomination for a Special Counsel at story—I went to southern California last the Justice Department week, or the first of this week, and I was October 6, 1993 looking forward to staying in the Beverly Hil- ton. It seemed like an exotic sort of place. The President announced today that he And I showed up, and Merv Griffin, who has nominated Gerald Stern, an experienced owns it, shook hands with me and took me corporate attorney and former Justice De- up to the floor where I was staying. There partment civil rights attorney, to be the Spe- is only one person who is a permanent resi- cial Counsel for Financial Institutions Fraud dent of the floor where I stayed in the Bev- at the Department of Justice. erly Hilton, Rodney Dangerfield, who said ‘‘To preserve our people’s trust in their fi- they had put me there because we seem to nancial institutions, it is imperative that we belong together—[laughter]—and gave me aggressively enforce the laws governing 12 roses with ‘‘a little respect’’ on a gift card. them,’’ said the President. ‘‘Gerald Stern has I am delighted to be here to honor this the business experience and prosecutorial year’s winners of the National Medal of the skill to make sure that we do just that.’’ Arts and the Charles Frankel Prize, men and NOTE: A biography of the nominee was made women whose achievements represent the available by the Office of the Press Secretary. enduring power of the arts and humanities and, in a larger sense, of the creative spirit in all of our lives. Remarks on Presenting Arts and Throughout history, the arts and human- Humanities Awards ities have been the cultural signature of this October 7, 1993 great Nation. They have enabled Americans of all backgrounds and walks of life to gain Thank you very much. To our distin- a deeper appreciation of who they are as indi- guished honorees and all of you in the audi- viduals and who we all are as a society, stir- ence. I want to say a special word of thanks ring our minds and our senses, stimulating to Jane Alexander and to Dr. Sheldon Hack- learning and collective discourse, the arts and ney for their leadership of our administration’s efforts in the arts and humanities. humanities teach us in ways that nothing else As a person who at various times in his can about the vastness and the depth of life has been a frustrated writer and a frus- human experience. They are our great equal- trated musician, this is an extremely hum- izers. We inherit them, and we can all partici- bling event for me today. [Laughter] But I’ve pate in them. been getting a lot of training in humility late- Whether or not one plays an instrument, ly. I have a Vice President who humbles me reads poetry, learns to pirouette, or spends all the time by all the things he teaches me hours alone in a local art gallery, we all have about things great and insignificant and who the capacity to be moved by a song, a poem, unlike me actually got to go on David a story, a dance, a painting. We can feel our Letterman to prove how funny he was.

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00068 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.007 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 7 2019

spirit soar when we see an intriguing film us your ideas, your suggestions, and your en- or the sudden illumination of a new idea or ergy as we try to move forward together. an old idea put in a new way. Now it is a privilege to call forward the fol- At a time when our society faces new and lowing recipients of the National Medal of profound challenges, at a time when we are Arts. losing so many of our children, at a time First, the contributions of Walter and when so many of our people feel insecure Leonore Annenberg to American culture can in the face of change, the arts and humanities literally not be overstated. The Annenbergs must remain a vital part of our lives as indi- have enriched our appreciation of the arts viduals and as a Nation. through public service, publishing, and as For 200 years, the freedom of our artistic board members of major arts institutions. and intellectual imagination has contributed They have given generously of their time and to the quality of our civic life. It has helped their money. And they provided among other to shape American ideas of democracy, of things the magnificent portrait of Benjamin pluralism, of tolerance. Three decades ago, Franklin, which hangs in the Green Room President Kennedy said this: There’s a con- at the White House, one of the most prized nection, hard to explain logically but easy to possessions of this, your American home. feel, between achievement in public life and [At this point, the President congratulated progress in the arts. The Jeffersonian era Mr. and Mrs. Annenberg, and Hillary Clin- gave birth not only to the Declaration of ton presented the medal.] Independence but also to beautiful Monti- The legendary vocalist and bandleader, cello. The age of Lincoln produced the Cab Calloway, has had indeed a remarkable Emancipation Proclamation, along with the career, one of the originators of American Hudson River school of painting and the jazz. An enduring figure in popular music, writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry Cab Calloway added ‘‘Hi-dee-ho’’ and the David Thoreau, and Harriet Beecher Stowe. ‘‘scat’’ sound to our musical vocabulary. And The first half of this century gave us universal for those of us who have lived a while, we suffrage and the empowerment of American can enjoy seeing the brightness of his smile workers, as well as Charlie Chaplin, Frank in our memories going back for decades. He Lloyd Wright, William Faulkner, Marian An- is an American original, and I am deeply hon- derson, and Duke Ellington. The same un- ored that he’s here with us today. bridled energy and potent imagination that took Americans to the moon inspired rock [The President congratulated Mr. Calloway. and roll, Motown, modern dance, and a new Hillary Clinton presented the medal, and Mr. emphasis on civil and human rights. Calloway made brief remarks.] Those of you gathered with us today are Literally for decades, Ray Charles has reminders that the human imagination is still been one of America’s favorite singers. From the most powerful tool we have in moving his roots in Georgia, he became one of the forward as a civilization. You provoke our first great truly American singers, one of the minds, you enliven our senses, endow our first to combine the dynamic energy of gos- souls, help us to give our lives meaning. pel music with rhythm and blues. His songs That’s why public support for the arts and are indelibly etched in the hearts of millions humanities remains essential today and for of Americans. the generations to come. I can tell you that it’s a particular honor Today, we are indeed fortunate to have in- for me to give him this award today, because spiring new leaders working in Government I suppose no singer ever had a bigger impact to expand our artistic and humanistic endeav- on my musical life than Ray Charles. I still ors, to carry on our heritage to future genera- remember over there in Constitution Hall a tions. I’m very proud of the work and the concert I attended on June the 24th, 1967. life that Sheldon Hackney and that Jane Alex- I was notable for being one of a few members ander have lived before they came to this of my race in the audience. And Ray Charles work. I thank them for their work here. And electrified that crowd so much that that I tell you that we welcome all of you to give night, I literally could not go to sleep until

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.008 INET01 PsN: INET01 2020 Oct. 7 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

5 a.m. in the morning. I went out and ran [The President congratulated Mr. Merrill, 3 miles to get the energy out. And I still re- and Hillary Clinton presented the medal.] member to this day the date of the concert. Arthur Miller has given our Nation some That is testament to the enduring impact of of the finest plays of this century. His char- this phenomenal American original. acter, Willy Loman in ‘‘Death of a Sales- [The President congratulated Ray Charles, man,’’ caught the public’s imagination by and Hillary Clinton presented the medal.] conveying the tension and drama of a com- Our next honoree, I believe, is part of the mon man’s life. In ‘‘The Crucible,’’ he fo- only brother-sister team ever to receive this cused on issues of conscience by probing the great award. Bess Lomax Hawes has played Salem witch trials of the late 17th century. a major role in the American folk movement He won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1949. since the 1940’s as a singer, a teacher, a com- The thing that has always impressed me poser, an author of articles and books that about him was the continuing energy he has help bring the folk arts into the lives of count- brought to his work over such a long period less Americans. At a time when our native of time, seeming forever young with some- folk arts are largely lost to millions of our thing always new to say. Please welcome Ar- younger people, she has performed an in- thur Miller. valuable service to our Nation in helping us [The President congratulated Mr. Miller, and to remember who we are and how we got Hillary Clinton presented the medal.] here. Robert Rauschenberg is one of America’s [The President congratulated Ms. Lomax most innovative artists whose remarkable Hawes, and Hillary Clinton presented the works have been displayed in museums and medal.] galleries around the world, and who has real- You know what she said? She said, ‘‘I wish ly helped to transform our notions of contem- all the beautiful artists I’ve recorded and porary art. Modern art is often inaccessible seen across the years in this country were to a lot of people who don’t go to art galleries here to receive this award for me. They were and often don’t understand it. I have person- the inspiration for what I did.’’ Thank you. ally been impressed by how many people I Poet and educator, Stanley Kunitz has know who don’t count themselves as con- spent a life opening America’s eyes and ears noisseurs, who have seen and been moved to poetry. He makes the ordinary become by the works of our next honoree, Robert extraordinary, the everyday become timeless Rauschenberg. and significant. He was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1959, and his works grace [The President congratulated Mr. Rausch- us still. enberg, and Hillary Clinton presented the Welcome, Stanley Kunitz. medal.] [The President congratulated Mr. Kunitz, He’s also a pretty good comic. I said, ‘‘It’s and Hillary Clinton presented the medal.] great to see you here today.’’ He said, ‘‘Oh, I’ll show up for this anytime.’’ [Laughter] Robert Merrill has been acclaimed by crit- Lloyd Richards has devoted his career to ics as one of the great natural baritones of promoting theater in America. As dean of the the century. He’s appeared in 787 perform- Yale school of drama and artistic director of ances at the Metropolitan Opera over a 31- the Yale Repertory Theater, he has trained year operatic career. He’s also sung on some our Nation’s finest young talents, many Broadway and many solo recitals and on tele- of whom have turned into our finest, not so vision. And all of us who have ever heard young talents, helping to make for him a re- him sing wish, as I tried to persuade him markable legacy for which we are all grateful. to do today, that this would be the 787th Lloyd Richards. performance. He turned me down, but I still think we should give him the medal. Mr. [The President congratulated Mr. Richards, Robert Merrill. and Hillary Clinton presented the medal.]

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00070 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.008 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 7 2021

Well, I got another little lesson in humility [The President congratulated Mr. Wilder, back there. He said, ‘‘You both have said and Hillary Clinton presented the medal.] some nice things today.’’ And then he looked Now, it is my great honor to introduce the at me and he said, ‘‘And you did something winners of the Charles Frankel Prize. Ri- for stand-up comedy also.’’ And then he said, cardo E. Alegria is an historian and anthro- ‘‘Well, at least you didn’t set it back.’’ [Laugh- pologist who has dedicated his career to the ter] study and public appreciation of Caribbean William Styron’s haunting works, including culture. I’m glad to see so many of his sup- ‘‘Lie Down in Darkness,’’ ‘‘The Confessions porters from his native Puerto Rico today, of Nat Turner,’’ and ‘‘Sophie’s Choice’’ cap- and I thank him for coming this long way ture our history and character with a passion to be with us. Mr. Alegria. and insight few others have ever achieved. His compelling prose as a fiction writer and [The President congratulated Mr. Alegria, essayist has won him readers around the and Hillary Clinton presented the award.] world, those of us who anxiously await each In a 50-year career as a writer and a teach- new word. er, historian John Hope Franklin has been I can tell you that as a young southerner, a leading scholar of African-American studies the impact of ‘‘The Confessions of Nat Turn- and an active voice in the social trans- er’’ on me was truly stunning. And I can say formation of America. He’s won nearly 100 that for a whole generation of us who had honorary degrees. He’s served on the Na- never quite found words to give expression tional Council of Humanities. His writings to many of the things we had imagined until have illuminated his subject for a whole gen- we read the works of William Styron. eration after generation of young readers. I [The President congratulated Mr. Styron, was once one of them—a reader, and and Hillary Clinton presented the medal.] young—reading John Hope Franklin. And I’d like to say that one of the great moments Paul Taylor has been one of our Nation’s of our 1992 campaign was when John Hope preeminent dancers and choreographers for Franklin came on one of our bus trips with more than three decades. And I might say, us; and Al Gore and Tipper and Hillary and he looks as if he could outdance most of us I sat and had a chance to visit with him and in this country still today. His more than 80 really learn something from a man who has works explore the richness, the complexity mastered the mystery of America. John Hope of the American character, and graphically Franklin. demonstrate the deep undercurrents of human relations in a way few other [The President congratulated Mr. Franklin, choreographers have ever been able to do. and Hillary Clinton presented the award.] Please join me in welcoming Paul Taylor. Hanna Holborn Gray has had a truly re- tape was not available for verification of the markable career. She served for 15 years as content of these remarks. president of the University of Chicago, where [The President congratulated Mr. Taylor, and she became a highly visible and widely ac- Hillary Clinton presented the medal.] claimed advocate for higher education. She has been honored for her scholarship, her Since coming to this country in the 1930’s, words, and her work in many ways, especially Billy Wilder has helped to transform the in receiving the Presidential Medal of Free- American motion picture industry. As a writ- dom, our country’s highest civilian award. er, director, and producer, his name attached She deserves greatly the award she receives to many classics of American film. He’s won today. Hanna Gray. six Academy Awards and millions of fans. And perhaps most important, he’s given us [The President congratulated Ms. Gray, and a lot of moving movie moments. If you’ve Hillary Clinton presented the award.] never laughed at a funny Billy Wilder pic- After a distinguished career as chairman ture, you have never laughed. Mr. Billy Wild- and chief executive officer of Time Incor- er. porated, Andrew Heiskell was appointed

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00071 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.008 INET01 PsN: INET01 2022 Oct. 7 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

founding chairman of the President’s Com- Before we go, I just can’t resist saying this. mittee on Arts and Humanities in 1982. As Just before I came out here, I learned today a leader in promoting the arts and human- that a great American writer and a friend of ities, he energetically, and I echo ener- Hillary’s and mine, Toni Morrison, was getically, persuaded cultural leaders and awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature business executives to support cultural activi- today. I hope that in the years and struggles ties and institutions. He filled a void in Amer- ahead we will work hard together to keep ican life at a time when we needed him. And the arts and humanities alive and flourishing, today we thank him for that. Andrew not just here in the Nation’s Capital or in Heiskell. the cultural capitals of this great land but in every community and in every neighborhood. [The President congratulated Mr. Heiskell, Remember, all the people we honor today and Hillary Clinton presented the award.] were once in an ordinary community in an There are a lot of funny people. He said ordinary neighborhood living only with the ‘‘All this and dinner, too?’’ [Laughter] imagination they had that brought them to Historian Laurel T. Ulrich has introduced this day and this honor. We have to find that both scholarly and public audiences to the imagination and fire it in the children all over lives of ordinary people in New England’s America. past. Her recent book ‘‘A Midwife’s Tale: Thank you all, and God bless you. The Life of Martha Ballard, based on her diary,’’ won the 1991 Pulitzer Prize for His- NOTE: The President spoke at 2:46 p.m. on the tory, among other honors. South Lawn at the White House. In his remarks, Now that I have become President, per- he referred to Merv Griffin, former talk show haps I can say this with greater authority than host, and comedian Rodney Dangerfield. A tape would otherwise be the case: We oftentimes was not available for verification of the content tend to see our history too much through the of these remarks. lives and works of the famous and not enough through the remarkable lives of the people who are not famous. She has made a truly Address to the Nation on Somalia significant contribution to our understanding October 7, 1993 of our roots. And for that we thank her. Today I want to talk with you about our [The President congratulated Ms. Ulrich, and Nation’s military involvement in Somalia. A Hillary Clinton presented the award.] year ago, we all watched with horror as So- And now I have one last special honor, and mali children and their families lay dying by that is to present to Congressman Sidney the tens of thousands, dying the slow, agoniz- Yates the Presidential Citizens Medal for his ing death of starvation, a starvation brought exemplary deeds of service in the area of arts on not only by drought, but also by the anar- and humanities. The last time Congressman chy that then prevailed in that country. Yates was here for an occasion at the White This past weekend we all reacted with House, it happened to be on the day he and anger and horror as an armed Somali gang his wife were celebrating their 58th wedding desecrated the bodies of our American sol- anniversary. And today, we honor him for diers and displayed a captured American that many years and more of dedication to pilot, all of them soldiers who were taking our common cause. Congressman Yates, part in an international effort to end the star- please come forward. vation of the Somali people themselves. These tragic events raise hard questions [The President congratulated Mr. Yates, and about our effort in Somalia. Why are we still Hillary Clinton presented the medal.] there? What are we trying to accomplish? Again, let me thank the honorees for being How did a humanitarian mission turn vio- here today, thank all of you in the audience lent? And when will our people come home? who have come to support them and to sup- These questions deserve straight answers. port the arts. Let’s start by remembering why our troops

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00072 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.008 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 7 2023

went into Somalia in the first place. We went whether we will give them enough time to because only the United States could help have a reasonable chance to succeed. stop one of the great human tragedies of this We started this mission for the right rea- time. A third of a million people had died sons, and we’re going to finish it in the right of starvation and disease. Twice that many way. In a sense, we came to Somalia to rescue more were at risk of dying. Meanwhile, tons innocent people in a burning house. We’ve of relief supplies piled up in the capital of nearly put the fire out, but some smoldering Mogadishu because a small number of Soma- embers remain. If we leave them now, those lis stopped food from reaching their own embers will reignite into flames, and people countrymen. will die again. If we stay a short while longer Our consciences said, enough. In our Na- and do the right things, we’ve got a reason- tion’s best tradition, we took action with bi- able chance of cooling off the embers and partisan support. President Bush sent in getting other firefighters to take our place. 28,000 American troops as part of a United We also have to recognize that we cannot Nations humanitarian mission. Our troops leave now and still have all our troops present created a secure environment so that food and accounted for. And I want you to know and medicine could get through. We saved that I am determined to work for the security close to one million lives. And throughout of those Americans missing or held captive. most of Somalia, everywhere but in Anyone holding an American right now Mogadishu, life began returning to normal. should understand, above all else, that we Crops are growing. Markets are reopening. will hold them strictly responsible for our sol- So are schools and hospitals. diers’ well-being. We expected them to be Nearly a million Somalis still depend com- well-treated, and we expect them to be re- pletely on relief supplies, but at least the star- leased. vation is gone. And none of this would have happened without American leadership and So now we face a choice. Do we leave America’s troops. when the job gets tough, or when the job Until June, things went well, with little vio- is well done? Do we invite a return of mass lence. The United States reduced our troop suffering, or do we leave in a way that gives presence from 28,000 down to less than the Somalis a decent chance to survive? 5,000, with other nations picking up where Recently, General Colin Powell said this we left off. But then in June, the people who about our choices in Somalia. ‘‘Because caused much of the problem in the beginning things get difficult, you don’t cut and run. started attacking American, Pakistani, and You work the problem and try to find a cor- other troops who were there just to keep the rect solution.’’ I want to bring our troops peace. home from Somalia. Before the events of this Rather than participate in building the week, as I said, we had already reduced the peace with others, these people sought to number of our troops there from 28,000 to fight and to disrupt, even if it means return- less than 5,000. We must complete that with- ing Somalia to anarchy and mass famine. And drawal soon, and I will. But we must also make no mistake about it, if we were to leave leave on our terms. We must do it right. And Somalia tomorrow, other nations would here is what I intend to do. leave, too. Chaos would resume. The relief This past week’s events make it clear that effort would stop, and starvation soon would even as we prepare to withdraw from Soma- return. lia, we need more strength there. We need That knowledge has led us to continue our more armor, more air power, to ensure that mission. It is not our job to rebuild Somalia’s our people are safe and that we can do our society or even to create a political process job. Today, I have ordered 1,700 additional that can allow Somalia’s clans to live and Army troops and 104 additional armored ve- work in peace. The Somalis must do that for hicles to Somalia to protect our troops and themselves. The United Nations and many to complete our mission. I’ve also ordered African states are more than willing to help. an aircraft carrier and two amphibious But we, we in the United States must decide groups with 3,600 combat Marines to be sta-

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00073 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.008 INET01 PsN: INET01 2024 Oct. 7 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

tioned offshore. These forces will be under deploy more troops to Somalia to assure that American command. security will remain when we’re gone. Their mission, what I am asking these And we’ll complete the replacement of young Americans to do, is the following: U.S. military logistics personnel with civilian First, they are there to protect our troops contractors who can provide the same sup- and our bases. We did not go to Somalia with port to the United Nations. While we’re tak- a military purpose. We never wanted to kill ing military steps to protect our own people anyone. But those who attack our soldiers and to help the U.N. maintain a secure envi- must know they will pay a very heavy price. ronment, we must pursue new diplomatic ef- Second, they are there to keep open and forts to help the Somalis find a political solu- secure the roads, the port, and the lines of tion to their problems. That is the only kind communication that are essential for the of outcome that can endure. United Nations and the relief workers to For fundamentally, the solution to Soma- keep the flow of food and supplies and peo- lia’s problems is not a military one, it is politi- ple moving freely throughout the country so cal. Leaders of the neighboring African that starvation and anarchy do not return. states, such as Ethiopia and Eritrea, have of- Third, they are there to keep the pressure fered to take the lead in efforts to build a on those who cut off relief supplies and at- settlement among the Somali people that can tacked our people, not to personalize the preserve order and security. I have directed conflict but to prevent a return to anarchy. my representatives to pursue such efforts vig- Fourth, through their pressure and their orously. And I’ve asked Ambassador Bob presence, our troops will help to make it pos- Oakley, who served effectively in two admin- sible for the Somali people, working with istrations as our representative in Somalia, others, to reach agreements among them- to travel again to the region immediately to selves so that they can solve their problems advance this process. and survive when we leave. That is our mis- Obviously, even then there is no guarantee sion. that Somalia will rid itself of violence and I am proposing this plan because it will suffering. But at least we will have given So- let us finish leaving Somalia on our own malia a reasonable chance. This week some terms and without destroying all that two ad- 15,000 Somalis took to the streets to express ministrations have accomplished there. For, sympathy for our losses, to thank us for our if we were to leave today, we know what effort. Most Somalis are not hostile to us but would happen. Within months, Somali chil- grateful. And they want to use this oppor- dren again would be dying in the streets. Our tunity to rebuild their country. own credibility with friends and allies would It is my judgment and that of my military be severely damaged. Our leadership in advisers that we may need up to 6 months world affairs would be undermined at the to complete these steps and to conduct an very time when people are looking to Amer- orderly withdrawal. We’ll do what we can to ica to help promote peace and freedom in complete the mission before then. All Amer- the post-cold-war world. And all around the ican troops will be out of Somalia no later world, aggressors, thugs, and terrorists will than March the 31st, except for a few hun- conclude that the best way to get us to dred support personnel in noncombat roles. change our policies is to kill our people. It If we take these steps, if we take the time would be open season on Americans. to do the job right, I am convinced we will That is why I am committed to getting this have lived up to the responsibilities of Amer- job done in Somalia, not only quickly but also ican leadership in the world. And we will effectively. To do that, I am taking steps to have proved that we are committed to ad- ensure troops from other nations are ready dressing the new problems of a new era. to take the place of our own soldiers. We’ve When out troops in Somalia came under already withdrawn some 20,000 troops, and fire this last weekend, we witnessed a dra- more than that number have replaced them matic example of the heroic ethic of our from over two dozen other nations. Now we American military. When the first Black will intensify efforts to have other countries Hawk helicopter was downed this weekend,

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00074 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.008 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 8 2025

the other American troops didn’t retreat al- in toast to the artists, the writers, the humani- though they could have. Some 90 of them tarians who have made America the place it formed a perimeter around the helicopter, is today. and they held that ground under intensely heavy fire. They stayed with their comrades. NOTE: The President spoke at approximately 8:30 That’s the kind of soldiers they are. That’s p.m. in the State Dining Room at the White the kind of people we are. House. So let us finish the work we set out to do. Let us demonstrate to the world, as generations of Americans have done before us, that when Americans take on a challenge, they Message to the Congress on Naval do the job right. Petroleum Reserves Let me express my thanks and my grati- October 7, 1993 tude and my profound sympathy to the families of the young Americans who were killed in Somalia. My message to you is, your coun- To the Congress of the United States: try is grateful, and so is the rest of the world, In accordance with section 201(3) of the and so are the vast majority of the Somali Naval Petroleum Reserves Production Act of people. Our mission from this day forward 1976 (10 U.S.C. 7422(c)(2)), I am informing is to increase our strength, do our job, bring you of my decision to extend the period of our soldiers out, and bring them home. maximum efficient rate production of the Thank you, and God bless America. naval petroleum reserves for 3 years from NOTE: The President spoke at 5:02 p.m. from the April 5, 1994, the expiration date of the cur- Oval Office at the White House. rently authorized production period. The report investigating the necessity of continued production of the reserves as re- Remarks at a White House Dinner quired by section 201(3)(c)(2)(B) of the Honoring Arts and Humanities Naval Petroleum Reserves Production Act of Award Recipients 1976 is attached. Based on the report’s find- October 7, 1993 ings, I hereby certify that continued production from the naval petroleum reserves is in Ladies and gentlemen, let me welcome the national interest. you all to the White House and thank you for coming and for each of your contributions William J. Clinton to the rich cultural life of our great Nation. I want to say a special word of appreciation The White House, again to the honorees from this afternoon. October 7, 1993. I had a wonderful time with all of you this afternoon. So many of you have forgiven my ad-lib jokes, I might ask you back again next Statement by the Press Secretary on week. [Laughter] I may have you tell my the President’s Meeting With Syrian daughter I’m funny after all. I want you to know, that to all of you who Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara have been honored and to all of the distin- October 7, 1993 guished artists who are here as our guests tonight who didn’t join us this afternoon, we The President met with Syrian Foreign are all very much in your debt. You have, Minister Farouk al-Shara this afternoon. each in your own way, enriched our lives and They had a constructive discussion about re- helped us to learn more and feel more deeply cent developments in the Middle East peace and to become more of the people God process and next steps in that process. meant for us to be. We applaud your work. President Clinton expressed his commit- We honor your contributions, and I ask you ment to achieving a comprehensive peace now that all of us together raise our glasses between Israel and all its Arab neighbors. He

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00075 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.008 INET01 PsN: INET01 2026 Oct. 8 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

reiterated his belief that the recent agree- hearts. In its rhythms and words, we can hear ment between Israel and the Palestinians the lonesome sound, as well as the festive could serve as a catalyst for process on the spirit, of our beloved land. other tracks. The Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution The Syrian Foreign Minister expressed 102, has designated the month of October President Assad’s commitment to the peace as ‘‘Country Music Month.’’ I urge all Ameri- progress and Syria’s desire to make progress cans to join me in recognizing the role that toward a comprehensive settlement with country music has played in shaping our cul- Israel. tural heritage. The meeting lasted about 20 minutes. Country Music Month is a time to recognize the contributions of singers, songwriters, musicians, and all in the industry who work Proclamation 6606—Country Music to bring us the very best of country music Month, 1993 and dance. Throughout the month of Octo- October 7, 1993 ber, let us celebrate country music in our homes and towns across the United States. By the President of the United States Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, of America President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 1993 as Country A Proclamation Music Month. Country music is one of America’s unique In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set musical forms. Our immigrant ancestors my hand this seventh day of October, in the from Great Britain and Ireland brought their year of our Lord nineteen hundred and nine- tunes and melodies with them, and those ty-three, and of the Independence of the songs were reshaped by life and landscape United States of America the two hundred in our new Nation. In Appalachia, the Pied- and eighteenth. monts, the Ozarks, the Mississippi Delta, and the Pine Barrens, those songs and ballads William J. Clinton were forged from the spirit of working men and women, farmers and field laborers, min- [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, ers and railroad workers, and pioneers cross- 2:54 p.m., October 8, 1993] ing the Great Plains. They blended with songs of African Ameri- NOTE: This proclamation was released by the Of- cans, Mexican Americans, and Cajuns. Out fice of the Press Secretary on October 8, and it of this wellspring came Western swing, will be published in the Federal Register on Octo- honky-tonk, blues, gospel, and shape note ber 13. music, creating a family of many musical cousins. Country music is not one voice, but many, irresistible to the ear and to any heart Remarks at a Democratic National that likes to sing. The instruments that ac- Committee Breakfast company the songs are also from our ances- October 8, 1993 tors of many lands—the dulcimer from Ger- many, the fiddle from all of Europe, the Thank you. Thank you very much for that banjo from Africa. wonderful welcome. This is the first time Country music is about the American we’ve all been together since the day after story. It fuses the traditions of many cultures the Inauguration at the White House. What and celebrates what makes us Americans. a happy day that was. But this is a happy Country lyrics tell tales of life and love, joy day, too. And in some ways a more meaning- and heartbreak, toil and celebration. From ful one because, thanks to you and with your early folk singers like Woody Guthrie to such help, we have begun to fulfill the promise legends as Roy Acuff, Hank Williams, and of the long campaign of 1992 and the com- Patsy Cline to today’s bright stars—the sing- mitment of our party to change America for ers all let loose the soulful music inside their the better.

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00076 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.008 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 8 2027

I want to say a special word of thanks to I thank Martha Love and I thank Debra my longtime friend David Wilhelm for all the DeLee, Bob Reich’s favorite DNC officer. work that he has done, even if he didn’t have That was really funny what she said. You a top 10 list for me. After Al Gore went on know, if you stay in this job long enough you David Letterman I had a top 10 list for him. get to appreciate every little bit of humor I said, ‘‘The top 10 reasons I’m glad Al Gore you can squeeze out of the day. is Vice President: No. 10 is that he has edu- Yesterday we had a group of people in who cated me in enormous detail on matters of won arts and humanities award, and I told great importance and matters entirely triv- them a story that they thought was apoc- ial.’’ [Laughter] ‘‘And reasons nine through ryphal, but it was actually true. After I was one are that he has a vote in the United sort of humbled anyway last week by first States Senate.’’ I told the Vice President that of all having Al Gore go on at David without blinking an eye, and he looked at Letterman and become sort of, you know, me and he said, ‘‘Yeah, and every time I vote a slick magazine model again. And then Hil- I’m on the winning side.’’ [Laughter] lary became, you know, justifiably the rage I want to—just think about that for a of the country with her wonderful perform- while—I want to thank Lottie Shackelford ance on health care before all those commit- who has been my friend, as all of you know, tees. Then USA Today had the bad taste to for many years; your Vice Chair, Jim Brady, do a poll and ask people whether they who when I was running for President was thought she was smarter than me, and 40 head of the State Chair’s Association; my percent said yes. [Laughter] And of course, neighbor and friend, Kathy Vick, also from they were right, which is what made it really Louisiana. There is probably some monopoly hurt. So I went to California, as I always do rule they’re violating, but they voted right when I need a real boost, because California in 1992. I want to thank my friend Roy has been so wonderful to me, and they’ve Furman for agreeing to become the national got so many problems now, and they’re strug- finance chair of this party. He is doing a won- gling so bravely to overcome them, and we’re derful job, and he is wearing me out, which working very hard to help them. And so I I guess is the test of a good job. Congressman thought, this is going to be great. So I get Bob Matsui, our treasurer, is not here today, there, I went to Sacramento and San Fran- but I do want to mention him because he’s cisco and had a wonderful time with the been such a good friend to me and is such AFL–CIO there, and then I came down to a good man. L.A. And I stayed at the Beverly Hilton be- And I also want to thank my good friend, cause we were going to have a couple of Congressman Bill Richardson, who helped events there. And I thought this is an exciting me to carry New Mexico and organized His- hotel. It’s got a little, you know, glamour to panic voters all across America and now is it, and Merv Griffin owns it, and I used to one of the great leaders in the United States watch him on TV when I was a boy. And House. And I want to say this, people always when I walked into the hotel and there was talk about all these tough fights we’re in, well, Merv Griffin to welcome me, and I was be- I didn’t get hired to do easy things. And so ginning to feel like a President again, you if you do hard things, they’re going to be know. [Laughter] I was getting over the fact tough. But the National Journal, or one of that Gore was on television and Hillary was these Washington periodicals, did a survey smarter than me, and I was just about to get a couple of weeks ago which said that so far over it. And then they took me up to the our first year success rate in Congress was floor, and I noticed it was a high floor, which second in the last 40 years only to the first made me feel more important. We were year of Dwight Eisenhower’s Presidency, and going up, and they said, ‘‘You know, we put we’ve got a chance to top it if we can pass you on this floor because there is one person the crime bill and campaign reform before in California who is a permanent resident of the end of the year, thanks to Bill Richardson that floor, and we thought this is the floor and others like him. And I thank him. you ought to be on.’’ So I get off the elevator

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00077 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.008 INET01 PsN: INET01 2028 Oct. 8 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

and standing there to greet me is Rodney ideas to convert defense technologies to do- Dangerfield who had given me a dozen jun- mestic uses, to build the economy of the 21st gle roses and written ‘‘a little respect’’ on it. century. We announced last week that we ‘‘A little respect.’’ were removing $37 billion worth of high-tech So, let me say to all of you, this has been computer, supercomputer, and tele- a remarkable time. If you look at what has communications equipment from cold war been accomplished just in the last few trade restrictions, which will create many, months, we passed the largest deficit-reduc- many new jobs in our country. tion program in history, and long-term inter- We announced a proposal with the UAW est rates are still below 6 percent. Today’s and the auto companies and all the defense economic report indicates that this economy, labs and all the other research labs of the even though it has been slower than we Federal Government to try to triple the car thought it would be, has been creating new mileage that our automobiles get by the end jobs at a rate of about 152,000 jobs a month, of the decade. If we do that we’ll have sweep- which means that as of last month, there has ing gains in international markets for Amer- now been more private sector job creation ican produced automobiles. in the first portion of this year, the first 9 We have reversed the environmental poli- months, than in the previous 4 years. cies of the previous 12 years in ways that The budget package also contained a will be good for the economy, as well as good sweeping reform of college loans, which low- for the environment. We have appointed un- ered the interest rates for college loans and precedented numbers of women and mem- let people pay them back on easier terms of bers of different racial minorities to high po- a percentage of their income, as well as stiff- sitions in the National Government. This ad- ening measures for collection, something that ministration is in the process of changing this will open the doors of college education to country, and you have made a profound dif- all Americans. There will never be an incen- ference. tive not to borrow money for college now, You know, I’ve been a Democratic Party because you can get it if you need it at a activist for a long time now, and I know that lower interest rate, and you can pay it back one of the things that gets us all into this as a percentage of your income no matter is that we like elections, and we want to win. how much you borrow. It’s a dramatic And one of the things that burns a lot of change. us out of it is that we sometimes think it’s That budget reconciliation package had only about elections. And you can’t keep the most significant piece of reform in 20 doing elections after so many years unless years for lower income working families. you really believe there are some con- Families with incomes of under $27,000 with sequences to it. children in the home will get tax relief from So I wanted to say this to you today, to that bill. And we will now be able to say be- remind you that there are consequences to cause of the way the earned-income tax cred- all the work you did and to the election that it was expanded in this bill, that if you work we won. And in addition to that litany I just 40 hours a week in America and you have gave you, maybe I could just tell you one a child in the home, you will no longer be story that would illustrate it better. in poverty. It is a dramatic advance to the A couple of Sundays ago I came in from values that the Democratic Party holds dear: my morning run. I was on the ground floor work and family. at the White House, and I looked over down We passed the family leave bill, the motor the hall, and there was a family there taking voter bill. We’ve got a major initiative for re- a tour of the White House, which is quite form in defense conversion. We’re about to unusual on Sunday morning. But I noticed announce the first winners of our technology one of my staff members there had this fam- reinvestment project, where we put up $500 ily, and I went over to shake hands with million this year, and we’ll put up a little them. It was a father and a mother and three more than that next year. We’ve already got- daughters. The middle daughter was in a ten 2,800 proposals from people who have wheelchair. And my staff member said, ‘‘Mr.

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00078 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.008 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 8 2029

President, this is one of those Make-A-Wish people move every year or so now, from one families, and this little girl is desperately ill. place to another, extraordinary mobility— And her wish was to come to the White dramatic changes in the family unit, alarming House, take a tour, and meet the President.’’ pockets of profound depression where in- So I went over and shook hands with the vestment is not made, huge increases in the little girl and her family, and we talked a number of children born to one parent only, while. And I apologized for being in my run- often to children themselves, a dramatic, ning clothes. I went upstairs to change, came breathtaking increase in arbitrary violence back down, and—looking more like my job— among young people, when you put that to- I then had a proper picture with them. And gether with these internationally compelling again, a nice visit with the wonderful child. economic changes, you see that if we just And as I was walking off, her father keep on doing what we’re doing, we’re in grabbed me by the arm, and I turned around for deep trouble. Then if you look outside and he said, ‘‘You know, my daughter is prob- our borders you see also sweeping changes, ably not going to make it. And because of many good, some troubling: the end of the that these last weeks I’ve spent with her are cold war; the emergence of new great eco- the most important times of my whole life. nomic powers—China now growing at 10 to And because of that family leave bill I didn’t 14 percent per year; the emergence of a have to lose my job to spend that time. But whole range of new democracies, and most if you hadn’t passed that law and signed it, of them hoping that they can have better re- I literally would have had to choose between lationships with us and trade with us and do losing my job and spending this time, or sup- business with us; the continuing difficulty of porting my family and giving up what was other rich countries, not just the United the most important time of my life. Don’t States, in creating jobs—Europe doing not you ever think it doesn’t make a difference as well as we are in creating new jobs; Japan who wins elections and what they do.’’ now having trouble, even with its closed As you know, I believe, have believed and economy, creating new jobs. preached throughout the campaign of 1992 And then we now know at the end of the that most of the problems of America are cold war it certainly didn’t mean the end of rooted in our inability to adjust to the sweep- troubles and misery in the world. We’ve done ing changes of this age. We now know that our best to support democracy in Russia and this is the 20th year—1993—since real hour- to stick by President Yeltsin. Because I be- ly wages peaked for wage earners and that lieve it’s important that we have freedom and for 20 years most Americans have been work- democracy in Russia, that we continue to ing harder for less money to pay more for denuclearize the world, and work hard on health care, education, housing, the basics of helping Russia to do what they’re trying to life. We know that that has been true through do and the other republics of the former So- times when the economy was growing and viet Union. times when it was in recession. We see that there is still an enormous But there have been profound structural amount of chaos. And once the cold war was changes at work in this economy which have over and the communist empire collapsed, put enormous pressures on the great Amer- it sort of stripped the veneer off long-sim- ican middle class which was built in the 20th mering ethnic and religious hatreds and ten- century and which exploded at the end of sions in Bosnia and Georgia and lots of other World War II and which helped to keep the places in the world. We know that there are American dream, that each generation could countries in Africa which are not only em- do better than their parents if they work hard broiled in war but which are suffering mass and played by the rules, alive. famine, in Somalia where we are trying to When you put that with the fact that we conclude our mission and leave those people have also seen great internal changes in the a fighting chance not to go back to times structure of our society, enormous move- when hundreds of thousands of children died ments from one place to another—the aver- like flies in the streets. But we know that age in America is about 20 percent of our there are also troubles in other nations there.

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00079 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.008 INET01 PsN: INET01 2030 Oct. 8 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

In Angola there have been as many children can watch in individual lives how difficult it have their legs blown off by land mines arbi- is for people to change their habits, even trarily planted as in any war in history that when they know they should, if they are inse- we know of. cure personally. So this is both a troubled and hopeful The same is true of a family or a commu- world. And the old rules we had for looking nity or a nation. If you spend all your time at the world beyond our borders were pretty waiting for the other shoe to drop, expecting simple. There was a cold war, our policy was something bad to happen, not expecting to contain communism, our policy was to something good to happen, feeling that what promote countries within our sphere of influ- you now have can be taken away from you ence. We preferred democracy, but as long by some arbitrary force, it is very difficult as they were anti-Communist, we’d normally to have the space, the mental space and the stick with somebody anyway. And even if emotional space, to think about the changes they were pro-Communist and democratic, that are bearing in and what initiatives you we’d normally shy away from them. The ne- should take. cessity of surviving in a bipolar world gave And so an enormous part of my job as your an organizing principle to what we did and President is not only to keep pushing this didn’t do. To be sure, we had troubles and agenda of change—and getting you to help difficulties, but we knew how to do that. Now me do it, as you have so well—but to be able we’re having to define our purposes in the to explain to the American people what it world and our leadership in the world in is we have to change and why and then to terms of more partnership with other nations be able to advocate those things that will give in promoting democracy and freedom and people more personal and family and com- market opportunities for people that we have munity and national security so that we can here, we want elsewhere. It’s not easy there. have the courage and the space to change. But the thing I have tried to say, with all And if we don’t do that, even our incre- the time that I have spent on foreign policy mental progress will not satisfy people be- and military policy and trade policy, that I cause they will be disoriented. I’m really must say it’s an absolutely fascinating time proud of the fact that we’ve been creating to be President, and a great honor, actually, more than 150,000 jobs a month in a tough to be President in this difficult time, to try time and that there are more new jobs now, to construct the framework for the post-cold- since January, than there were in the pre- war world. vious 4 years. And when I say ‘‘we’’ I don’t I spend an enormous amount of time on mean the Government. I mean ‘‘we’’ the that, but I usually talk about what we’re American people working together, although doing in this country because I believe you we have played a role in it in drastically cannot be strong abroad unless you are bringing the deficit down and keeping the strong at home. It is difficult to promote a interest rates down and targeting some in- concept of national security that has nothing vestment. I’m proud of the fact that cars are to do with the economic strength of our Na- selling at their highest rates since ’89, and tion. That is what permits us to pay for not business investment is expanding at its fastest only defense but the other things which make rate since ’84, and all of those things. I’m us more secure. proud of that. And when we think of all these changes But unless people understand this in a big- we need to cope with, the first thing I think ger framework, there will always be places we have to say, that I’ve been trying to ham- that are behind and places that are ahead. mer home and in clear, explicit terms ever Ten years ago, my part of the country was since the health care speech, is that there behind, and we had an unemployment rate has to be a level of security accorded to 3 points higher than the national average. Americans if they’re going to be able to Today California is behind. They have 3 change. If you think about your own life, points higher than the national average, the those of you who have the privilege of raising center of a lot of our high-tech base, 12 per- children—on most days it’s a privilege—you cent of our population, 25 percent of our un-

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00080 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.008 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 8 2031

employed people. This is a big problem for investment theory, because there will never the rest of us. be enough Government money to get this So we have to understand these things. country going again alone. How does it all fit together? What kind of Secondly, we need to recognize that there changes do we have to make? What kind of are some places in this country that are pro- security do we have to have? How does the foundly depressed, and we have to do more change in the student loan program or pass- there. So we passed some empowerment ing national service and giving all these kids zone legislation to see whether or not with a chance to earn money for college by re- extreme incentives we could revitalize some building this country at the grassroots level, of the really distressed areas of the country. or going to Tokyo and working with the Japa- We have a community development bank bill nese and the Europeans and the Canadians moving through the Congress which will set to open markets, how does that all fit to- up banks that are designed to loan money gether? What difference will it make if we to people to start self-employed businesses reform the welfare system early next year? or very small businesses, loan money to peo- How does this work? ple who live in places who ordinarily My goal is to make individuals in this coun- wouldn’t be able to get it. We know from try and families in this country secure enough our experience at home, and from the South and strong enough to be able to face and Shore Bank in Chicago, that banks can make make the changes that we must make in money loaning to poor folks if they know order to do what David Wilhelm said I talked what they’re doing. And they can make to him about so long ago: give every Amer- money loaning in low income areas if they ican a chance to live up to his or her God- know what they’re doing. given capacity. These are structural changes we have to To do it we simply have to be able to re- make. We have to change the entire unem- build the great middle class in this country. ployment system. You know, when I was a We can’t continue to have a few people doing kid and somebody lost their job, they lost very well, and the bottom dropping out not their job for 4 weeks, 5 weeks, 6 weeks, in just from people who are unemployed but an economic downturn. They would get from people who are employed. There are hired back at the same job. That’s the system a lot of changes we have to make. We’ve that the unemployment system was designed begun to make some, and some I’ve talked to support, what are so-called cyclical unem- about. ployment. So you’ve got unemployment pay- First of all, we’ve got to make a lot of eco- ments for a period of months and then you nomic changes. We have got to face the fact got your job back. Today most unemploy- that the basis of our prosperity can no longer ment is structural. For example, we continue be an insular economy, where we don’t have to lose manufacturing jobs when the econ- foreign competition, and can no longer be omy is growing like crazy. Why? Because at least buoyed by very high levels of defense manufacturing productivity is going up so spending in high-tech because of the end of fast, and because we haven’t gotten into the cold war. enough new manufacturing areas. So we have So what do we have to do? First of all, either one of two things we have to do. We we have to have an investment strategy. either have to train people that are manufac- That’s why when we changed the Tax Code turing workers to do nonmanufacturing work, this year we provided for a new venture cap- or we’ve got to make a whole lot of different ital gains tax, which will give people a 50- things if we want to keep the employment percent break if they invest for 5 years, not up, because there will be an almost unlimited a year but 5 years, in new businesses or small- trend to be able to produce more with fewer er businesses that are growing jobs. We pro- people of whatever particular product you’re vided more incentives for research and de- talking about. velopment. We provided more incentives to What does that mean? That means that lift off the depressed real estate market in instead of an unemployment system we now the country. We had a theory about that, an need a reemployment system, because peo-

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00081 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.008 INET01 PsN: INET01 2032 Oct. 8 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

ple need different jobs because they’re not nology workers, who had lost their jobs had going to get the old job back, by and large. to wait another year just to get these pro- It means that the day somebody goes on un- grams started. employment, and even before if they know We have got to do better on that. We have they’re going to go, they should know what all these defense labs. We have all this re- jobs will be available within driving distance search. We have all these resources. I was of their home. They should be able to match at McClellan Air Force Base, and at McClel- their skills for those jobs and where the defi- lan Air Force Base in California they have ciencies are they should be able to choose worked with private sector people there to a training program that goes right along with produce an electric car that gets 80 miles to that unemployment check. And it should the gallon at 55 miles an hour. It operates commence immediately, so that you shorten alternatively on electricity and gasoline and the time in which people are unemployed. can go from zero to 60 in 12 seconds and We have to look more to a lot of other has a maximum speed of 100 miles an hour. problems in our economy. We cannot avoid If we can just figure out how to produce it the responsibility to be responsible stewards at an affordable price, we’ll be in great shape. of this country and this planet; so we’re going But that’s the way these things are done. to have to become more environmentally So I could keep you here until tomorrow sensitive. But we have to do it in a way that morning at this time talking about the creates jobs and doesn’t just cost jobs. We changes we need to make. But let’s first talk can do that, but we have to be very creative. about what the security is. What’s the deal That requires change. We have to change the we have to make with the American working way we operate the Government. If we invest people in order to make these changes, to too much money in doing things in the same get them to the point where they will have old way in the Government, then we don’t to make the changes? You think about every- have the money left to invest in education thing I just said requires the concurrence of and training and the future. That’s why the millions and tens of millions of people. You Vice President’s report on reinventing Gov- change a country—now, you can’t just pass ernment is so important. a law and change it. You can’t just write a And Democrats have to prove they can do bill and change it. You have to change the that. You know, if we don’t hate Government, behavior of the whole country. People have we ought to have the courage to change it. to change their lives. If we think Government has a critical role So, we can’t do that unless people feel a as partners for the private sector as we move high level of security. I think that’s self-evi- toward the 21st century, then we have to dent. The first kind of security people need have the courage to change it. That’s really is to know that in an America where the important. We can do more with less in a economy is tough and where most people whole range of areas. And that’s very, very have to work for a living, you can work and important. still be a good parent. That’s what the So all these changes need to be made. I earned-income tax credit was all about, to cannot tell you how important I think it is give working people with kids a break. That’s for us to continue to push on defense conver- what the Family and Medical Leave Act was sion and invest massive amounts of money all about. We’ve still got work to do to make in the civilian technology possibilities of the adequate childcare supports available to peo- future. We have been cutting defense since ple around the country. We have got to say 1987, but we did not seriously begin to invest that there has got to be a way where every in defense conversion until 1993. The Con- American can be a good mother, a good fa- gress last year passed a $500 million bill for ther, and a good worker. That’s the first defense conversion, as Congressman Rich- thing. ardson will tell you, and there was an ideo- The second thing we have to do, I would logical opposition in the previous administra- argue to you, is to give people basic security. tion to spending the money. So all the peo- I mean more freedom from fear. When I did ple, the scientists, the engineers, the tech- my town meeting in California, there was a

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00082 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.008 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 8 2033

fine looking young Korean man who told me they have a criminal record? Do they have about how his brother had been shot and a mental health history? It’s a big deal. killed, an arbitrary shooting. And he asked The States can do something. Seventeen me about it, told me the circumstances. Then States have said kids can’t own handguns un- there was a fine young junior high school stu- less they’re out with their parents on a hunt- dent, a young African-American man. He ing trip or a target practice. A lot of States told me that he and his brother just wanted have tried to set up laws licensing gun deal- to go to school. They said, ‘‘We don’t want ers, but the Federal law will give you a li- to be in a gang. We don’t want a knife. We cense for 10 bucks, and the States can’t over- don’t want a gun. We want to study. That’s turn it yet. what we want to do, and we changed schools You got hundreds of gun dealers out there, because we didn’t think our old school was and there’s no system about it. And maybe safe. So we showed up at our new school the most important thing of all is, you’ve got on the first day and were standing in line a lot of these people, most of them very to register and my brother gets shot, standing young, a lot of them with drug problems, in front of me, because he’s in a crossfire.’’ nearly all of them with no real connection And this is not just California and New York to the rest of society, who have easy access and big cities, folks. This is my State and to rapid-fire assault weapons, the sole pur- yours. pose of which is to kill people quicker, in Now, look, I live in a State where half the greater numbers. And we have lots of bills people got a hunting or fishing license or in Congress to do something about it, and both. And where we have to close down we ought to do something about it. We ought whole towns on the opening day of deer sea- to pass one of them and do something about it and take a stand. We have a crime bill son, because nobody shows up at school, no- which would put 50,000 more police officers body shows up at the factory. But I think on the street. It matters how many police that even in my State people think it’s nuts officers are on the street, and I say to you, that there are places in this country where not so much for catching criminals quickly, teenagers are better armed than police, and although that is a big deal, but for preventing people are scared to walk down the street crime. to go to school. And so we just have to de- I’ll just give you—first of all, look at New cide, you know, are we going to let all this York. One of the few big cities in the country, rhetoric—you know, this country we get all— where for 2 years running, there’s been a de- there’s a lot of great things about America, cline in the crime rate in all seven major FBI but we’re bad to say one thing and do an- categories because they went to a community other. We’re pretty bad about that. policing system. Look at Houston, where the We all deplore violence, and we say punish mayor there, Bob Lanier, got elected on a people who do it. We are punishing people commitment to put the equivalent of 655 who do it. Our jails are full. We have a higher more police officers on the street and to con- percentage of people behind bars than any centrate them in areas of high crime, and country in the world today. But we won’t pass they had a 17 percent drop in the crime rate the Brady bill. Now, let me say why that mat- the first year they did it. You can do this. ters. That sounds like sort of a tepid bill now, And we ought to be about the business of given what else is being called for. But let helping our places become more safe. This me tell you why that matters. is a huge deal. And the Democratic Party In New York City last year, they con- ought to do it. If we were the party of Social fiscated something like 19,000 guns, what- Security, why can’t we be the party of health ever the figure is; 85 percent of them were security and personal security and freedom from other States. So a State waiting period from fear? doesn’t amount to a hill of beans when you’ve And finally let me say about the health care got the constitutional right to travel. issue, I feel very strongly that this issue will We’ve got to know, how old are these peo- define us not only as a party but as a people. ple buying these guns? Who are they? Do Every day—and I don’t mind a lot of this—

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00083 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.008 INET01 PsN: INET01 2034 Oct. 8 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

but every day I read something about some- as medical personnel in the last decade. We body saying why can’t we do this, that, or know that the average doctor, in 1980, the other thing? Again, we have to look at brought home 75 percent of the money that what we are doing. What we are doing, we came into his or her clinic. And by 1990, it are spending 141⁄2 percent of our income on had dropped to 52 cents because of the ex- health care. It’ll be about $900 billion this plosion of bureaucracy and paperwork. year. Canada spends a dime, or 10 percent We know we have more fraud and abuse of its income on health care, 10 percent of in this system, and a system that actually en- every dollar. Germany and Japan spend courages the performance of unnecessary about 8.8 percent of every dollar. Nearly all procedure, and a system so complicated, it’s of our major competitors are below that. easier to game and to milk. We know that. Now, there are some things that make the We know that we don’t cover primary and American health care system more costly that preventive care like we ought to. We don’t we wouldn’t want to do anything about, and cover mammograms and x-rays and choles- some things that we can’t do anything about terol tests and prenatal care and well-baby right now, at least in health care reform. visits, and so we spend more money in the What we don’t want to do anything about long run because we won’t spend a little is we have wonderful medical research and money now to keep people well. We spend technology. We invest more in research, and lots of money to take care of them once they we use more technology. And we don’t want get sick. to change that. These are things we know. This is not What we can’t do much about right now some idle theory. We know that a country in the health care bill is that we have a higher like Germany, for example, relies more on percentage of poor people, a higher percent- medicine than we do, because we cover med- age of people with AIDS, a higher percentage of teenage births and low birth weight icine for Medicaid patients, but if you’re a babies, and a much higher percentage of vio- senior citizen on Medicare—just a little bit lence than any of our competitors. And that’s too much income to be on Medicaid, you all a health care issue. You pay for it when can’t get any help with your medicine. And those folks show up every weekend all shot we know it costs a lot of money to cover med- up and cut, and they don’t have any health icine in a health care bill, as we propose to insurance. They pass it on to you. So, you do. But we also know there’s a whole lot of pay for that. That’s another big cost of vio- people, especially older people, who choose lence. But that makes our system more ex- every week between food and medicine. And pensive. if they choose food and not medicine, even- But then there’s a whole lot of things that tually they get sick and wind up in the hos- we can do something about, that it’s uncon- pital. And they can spend more in a hospital scionable that we don’t. I mean, we spend in one week than they’ll spend in a year on more than anybody else, and yet, we’re the medicine. So, these are things we know. only major country that can’t figure out how These are not sort of idle speculations. to give everybody basic health care, 37.4 mil- So, when people say to me, ‘‘Well, you lion people, according to the last census, know, this is a big risk, this might be expen- without health insurance. Two million people sive.’’ I say, ‘‘It’s not going to be as expensive a month lose their health insurance, 100,000 as what will happen.’’ We’re now spending of them lose it permanently. We are adding 141⁄2 percent of our income on health care. 100,000 people a month to the rolls of people If we do nothing, if we stay with this system, without health insurance. It is hemorrhaging by the end of the decade we’ll probably have the system we have. 40 million or more uninsured, and we’ll be We know we spend a dime on the dollar spending 19 or 20 percent of our money on more on paperwork and mindless administra- health care. You’ll have doctor and hospital tion than any other nation. We know that fees going through the roof, and miserable from studies. We know we hired 4 times as doctors and hospital administrators because many clerical workers to work in hospitals more and more of the money they’re charg-

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00084 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.008 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 8 2035

ing you will go to pay for clerical work to Where I come from, most of us would give hassle people to pay on insurance policies. anything to have an income increase at twice The time has come to put aside all the the rate of inflation, wouldn’t we? rhetoric and the reservations and realize we So I ask you to think about these things. can’t make this system any more complicated The time has come to give the American peo- than it is. We’d have to work from now to ple security, health care that’s always there, kingdom come to make it any more expensive health care that can never be taken away. than it is on wasted things. And we can no The time has come to simplify the system. longer afford the sheer insecurity that is grip- The time has come to prove that we can ping millions of Americans, not just those make savings. These are unconscionable without health care but those who can never areas of waste. And we can do it and preserve change their jobs because they’ve had some- quality. We can do it and actually increase body in their family get sick, those who are the choices most Americans have. We can waiting for their business to fail, and they do it and let about two-thirds of the people know they’ll never get health care again, who have insurance get the same or better those who are just wrenching with the moral insurance for the same or less cost. But it dilemmas of whether they need to cut their is going to require some change in the sys- employees off health care because they can tem. no longer afford it. I talked to a small busi- But this is a security issue. Unless we can ness man in California this week, 12 employ- be secure in our work and families, unless ees, didn’t have a single claim on his health we can be secure on our streets, unless we insurance last year except for regular trips can be secure in our health care, I’m not to the doctor. His premiums went up 40 per- sure the American people will ever be able cent. He said, ‘‘What am I going to do? I’ve to recover the personal optimism and cour- got to choose between staying in business age to open up to the rest of the world, to and doing right by these people who made continue to lead the world, to continue to me the money that I have today.’’ reach out and break down the barriers of So, I say to you, my friends, the plan we trade because we know a rich country can have offered is a fair plan. We ask people only create jobs through increasing the vol- who don’t contribute to the system, but who ume of trade, to make these internal edu- work, to make a contribution, because now cational and investment changes without we’re paying for them, the rest of you are. which we cannot move toward the 21st cen- For small businesses with low wage workers, tury. So I ask you to keep doing what you’re we offer a discount. So, we’ll pay a little bit, doing. Help us pass these bills. Get us a but they ought to pay something. Everybody crime bill. Get us a health care bill. Get us who can pay, ought to pay something into the economic bills that we’ve got up there. this system. It is not fair for the rest of you Pass the Education 2000 bill, all of our edu- to pay for it. That’s where two-thirds of this cation bills. plan gets paid for. We asked for an increase But remember what the big picture is. The in the cigarette tax. We asked for big compa- big picture is the world is trending in direc- nies that are going to self-insure to make tions we cannot fully understand, but we some contribution to medical research and pretty nearly can imagine. And we have got to public health facilities, like all the rest of to get to the 21st century with America still us do. And we asked for credit for savings the strongest country in the world and with that will surely come in the Medicare and the American dream alive again and with a Medicaid program. strong middle class again. That means we’ve When you hear that I have proposed to got to change. And to change we have to give cut Medicare and Medicaid, don’t you be- our people security again. We can do it. To- lieve it. Medicare and Medicaid are pro- gether, we can do it. jected to go up at 3 times the rate of inflation. Thank you and God bless you all. What we say is, ‘‘Adopt our plan, and they’ll only go up at twice the rate of inflation.’’ NOTE: The President spoke at 10:11 a.m. at the Now, in Washington, they think that’s a cut. Washington Sheraton Hotel. In his remarks, he

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00085 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.008 INET01 PsN: INET01 2036 Oct. 8 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

referred to David Wilhelm, chairman, Kathleen there a danger in giving them a deadline Vick, secretary, Lottie Shackelford, Martha Love, when we’re going to get out? and Debra DeLee, vice chairs, Democratic Na- The President. Well, it might happen. But tional Committee. keep in mind, we’re going to wind up—by then there should be an even larger U.N. Exchange With Reporters on force there. And that’s our objective. In 6 Departure for New Brunswick, New months, we will have been there well over Jersey a year longer than we ever committed to stay. So we will have given them well over a October 8, 1993 year longer, more personnel, and more efforts in this endeavor. We have obligations Secretary of Defense Les Aspin elsewhere, including this very important ef- Q. Are you going to support Les Aspin? fort that we’ve invested a lot in in Haiti, to The President. Well, yes. I mean, what try to support that. So, I just don’t believe is the question in reference to? I’m sorry. that we can be in a position of staying longer Q. In reference to all the complaints on than that. Capitol Hill about his performance. I also think once we send a signal to them The President. Well, I will say again, I that we’re not going to tolerate people mess- asked Secretary Aspin why the extra— ing with us or trying to hurt our people or weren’t sent to Somalia. He said to me that trying to interrupt the U.N. mission, that we when they were asked for, there was no con- have no interest in denying anybody access sensus among the Joint Chiefs that it should to playing a role in Somalia’s political future. be done. And he normally relied on their I think a mixed message has been sent out reaching a consensus recommendation on an there in the last couple of months by people issue like that, a military—[inaudible]. And who are doing the right thing. Our people secondly that it was never suggested to him are doing the right thing. They’re trying to that they were needed for the kind of defen- keep our folks alive, trying to keep the peace- sive purposes that it’s been speculated that keeping mission going, trying to get the food they’re useful for during this last raid, that out there. But we need to clearly state, unit was only for offensive purposes, and that ambiguously, that our job is not to decide it was his best judgment that we were trying who gets to play a role in post-war Somalia, to get the political track going again, and we that we want the political process to work. didn’t want to send a signal that we were So let’s give it a chance to work and see if trying to conduct more offense in Somalia. it does. He also said if anybody had made the defen- Thank you. sive argument, that would have been an entirely different thing. And obviously if he had NOTE: The exchange began at 12:20 p.m. on the known then what he knows now, he would South Lawn at the White House. have made a different decision. Q. Mr. President, did you know about the request in advance, sir? Proclamation 6607—Leif Erikson The President. Did I know? No. Q. Were you told—[inaudible]—and also Day, 1993 do you think—— October 8, 1993 The President. No. And I was talking to General Powell on a very regular basis about By the President of the United States this whole thing. This was not something that of America anybody brought to me directly. Somalia A Proclamation Q. Why won’t the Somali warlords just go At this time every year, Americans cele- underground for 6 months and wait for us brate Leif Erikson Day. In so doing, we com- to get out and then declare victory? Isn’t memorate the voyages of the great Norse ex-

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00086 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.008 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Oct. 8 2037

plorer who first set foot on North America In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set nearly a thousand years ago. At the same my hand this eighth day of October, in the time, we also celebrate the enduring ties be- year of our Lord nineteen hundred and nine- tween America and the Nordic countries and ty-three, and of the Independence of the take note of the outstanding contributions United States of America the two hundred that Nordic Americans have made to the and eighteenth. United States. In a sense, the bonds that Leif William J. Clinton Erikson—son of Iceland, grandson of Nor- way—forged continue unbroken today. We [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, maintain an impressive exchange of people 3:35 p.m., October 12, 1993] and ideas with the Nordic countries. The early settlers inherited an adventurous NOTE: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on October 14. spirit that had led their ancestors from Scan- dinavia to much of Europe and into the At- lantic. In addition, these adventurers started Proclamation 6608—Columbus Day, from lands that were already halfway points 1993 between the Old World and the New. Even October 8, 1993 today, the Nordic countries, which possess a commitment to open, democratic societies and to peaceful relations among nations, By the President of the United States serve as links between Europe and the rest of America of the world. A Proclamation At a time when the relations between Eu- During 1993 the world has embarked on rope and America are being redefined, the new trails to expand humanity’s horizons and Nordic countries retain their important role to promote the betterment of the human in fostering democracy, transatlantic co- condition. As we look with hope to the fu- operation, and an open trading system. Their ture, we also pay homage to our past and many contributions to international diplo- to those who have helped shape our Nation macy, humanitarian assistance, and peace- and continent. It is therefore fitting that the keeping in the world’s trouble spots set a high voyages of Christopher Columbus be re- standard that the rest of the world greatly membered. I welcome this opportunity to sa- admires. Americans who trace their roots to lute this man of great courage, who, in defi- the Nordic countries—Denmark, Finland, ance of popular myth and hardship, had the Iceland, Norway, and Sweden—not only con- vision to explore the unknown. tinue to enrich their new homeland, but also Even though the Quincentennial celebra- play a key part in providing a link across the tions of Columbus’ landfall are past, it is still Atlantic, just as their ancestors did a thou- our duty to promote understanding between sand years ago. the old and new worlds. It is important to In honor of Leif Erikson and of our Nor- commemorate the mutual discovery of Euro- dic-American heritage, the Congress, by joint peans and Native Americans and the trans- resolution approved on September 2, 1964 formations, through toil and pain, that gave (Public Law 88–566), has authorized and re- birth to brave new hopes for a better future. quested the President to proclaim October For the United States, it is especially sig- 9 of each year as ‘‘Leif Erikson Day.’’ nificant that we recognize the daring voyages Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, of Christopher Columbus. As a people whose President of the United States of America, land was founded on dreams, we proceed do hereby proclaim October 9, 1993, as Leif today, just as Columbus did, with courage Erikson Day. I also encourage the people of to overcome obstacles and search for new the United States to observe this occasion paths to lead us into an unknown, but prom- by learning more about our rich Nordic- ising, future. American heritage and the early history of Many people in the United States have our continent. special reason to remember and celebrate

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00087 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.008 INET01 PsN: INET01 2038 Oct. 8 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

the histories of the old and new worlds. fairly in Washington, with this administration America, a Nation of diverse peoples, has and with Congress,’’ the President said. been enriched by the blending of many herit- ages. Americans of international descent, NOTE: A biography of the nominee was made along with Native Americans, have contrib- available by the Office of the Press Secretary. uted mightily to molding the framework of our great land, united by our allegiance to the principles of equality, democracy, and freedom. We all take justifiable pride in our accomplishments and dedicate ourselves to Digest of Other the pursuit of our dreams. White House Announcements In tribute to Columbus’ achievement, the Congress of the United States by joint resolution of April 30, 1934 (48 Stat. 657), and an The following list includes the President’s public Act of June 28, 1968 (82 Stat. 250), has re- schedule and other items of general interest an- quested the President to proclaim the second nounced by the Office of the Press Secretary and Monday in October of each year as ‘‘Colum- not included elsewhere in this issue. bus Day.’’ Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, President of the United States of America, October 3 do hereby proclaim October 11, 1993, as Co- In the morning, the President and Hillary lumbus Day. I call upon the people of the Clinton attended the 41st annual Red Mass United States to observe this day with appro- at St. Matthew’s Cathedral with members of priate ceremonies and activities. I also direct the Supreme Court. In the afternoon, the that the flag of the United States be displayed President traveled to Sacramento, CA. Later on all public buildings on the appointed day that evening, he went to San Francisco, CA, in honor of Christopher Columbus. where he remained overnight. In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this eighth day of October, in the October 4 year of our Lord nineteen hundred and nine- In the afternoon, the President went to ty-three, and of the Independence of the Los Angeles, CA. Later in the evening, he United States of America the two hundred attended the Democratic Congressional and eighteenth. Campaign Committee dinner at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. William J. Clinton The White House announced the Presi- dent appointed two officials to the Depart- [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, ment of Commerce: Michael J. Copps as 3:36 p.m., October 12, 1993] Deputy Assistant Secretary for Basic Indus- tries and Rolland Schmitten as Assistant Ad- NOTE: This proclamation will be published in the ministrator of the National Marine Fisheries Federal Register on October 14. Service in the National Oceanic and Atmos- pheric Administration. Nomination for an Assistant Secretary of Agriculture October 5 October 8, 1993 In the evening, following his return from Los Angeles, CA, to Washington, DC, the The President today announced his inten- President attended the Democratic Senato- tion to nominate Fred Slabach as Assistant rial Campaign Committee dinner at the Secretary of Congressional Relations at the Washington Hilton Hotel. U.S. Department of Agriculture. ‘‘Fred Slabach knows how important the October 6 Agriculture Department is to rural Ameri- In the morning, the President met with cans. I know he will represent their concerns Members of Congress on NAFTA.

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00088 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.008 INET01 PsN: INET01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 2039

October 7 Checklist In the morning, the President met with of White House Press Releases Members of Congress on the situation in So- malia. Later in the morning, he met with Members of Congress on NAFTA. Following The following list contains releases of the Office the meetings, the President had lunch with of the Press Secretary that are neither printed as the Vice President. items nor covered by entries in the Digest of Other White House Announcements. October 8

In the early afternoon, the President trav- 1 eled to New Brunswick, NJ, where he partici- Released October 1 pated in discussions and spoke on health care White House statement on emergency assist- and violence at the Robert Wood Johnson ance to earthquake victims in India Hospital. He then returned to Washington, Released October 4 DC, in the evening. Announcement of the President’s plan to honor 18 artists and scholars Fact sheet on announcement of the preferred site for the B-Factory Nominations White House statement announcing the Submitted to the Senate President’s request to Congress for funds to rebuild the Cypress Freeway Submitted October 5 Released October 5 Robert S. Gelbard, Remarks by Press Secretary Dee Dee Myers of Washington, a career member of the Sen- in Culver City, CA ior Foreign Service, class of Minister-Coun- Released October 6 selor, to be Assistant Secretary of State for Transcript of a press briefing by Assistant to International Narcotics Matters, vice Melvyn the President for Economic Policy Bob Levitsky, resigned. Rubin, Council of Economic Advisers Chair Laura D’Andrea Tyson, Treasury Secretary Submitted October 7 Lloyd Bentsen, Labor Secretary Bob Reich, and Small Business Administrator Erskine Nicholas Andrew Rey, Bowles of New York, to be Ambassador Extraor- dinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Listing of Members of Congress meeting States of America to the Republic of Poland. with the President on the North American Free Trade Agreement David W. Hagen, of Nevada, to be U.S. district judge for the Released October 7 District of Nevada, vice Edward C. Reed, Jr., Listing of Members of Congress meeting retired. with the President on Somalia Transcript of a press briefing by Secretary Claudia Wilken, of State Warren Christopher, Secretary of of California, to be U.S. district judge for the Defense Les Aspin, and Admiral David Jere- Northern District of California, vice a new miah position created by Public Law 101–650, approved December 1, 1990. Released October 8 Transcript of a press briefing by the Presi- Mary Dolores Nichols, dent’s Senior Adviser for Policy Develop- of California, to be an Assistant Adminis- trator of the Environmental Protection Agen- 1 This statement was not received in time for cy, vice William G. Rosenberg, resigned. publication in the appropriate issue.

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00089 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.008 INET01 PsN: INET01 2040 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993

ment Ira Magaziner on cost estimates in the S. 779 / Public Law 103–98 President’s health care reform proposal To continue the authorization of appropria- White House statement containing excerpts tions for the East Court of the National Mu- of letters from business leaders supporting seum of Natural History, and for other pur- the President’s health care reform plan poses S.J. Res. 61 / Public Law 103–99 To designate the week of October 3, 1993, through October 9, 1993, as ‘‘Mental Illness Acts Approved Awareness Week’’ by the President S.J. Res. 121 / Public Law 103–100 To designate October 6, 1993 and 1994, as Approved October 6 ‘‘German-American Day’’ H.R. 20 / Public Law 103–94 Approved October 8 Hatch Act Reform Amendments of 1993 H.R. 1513 / Public Law 103–95 H.R. 2074 / Public Law 103–101 To designate the United States courthouse To authorize appropriations for the American located at 10th and Main Streets in Rich- Folklife Center for fiscal years 1994 and 1995 mond, Virginia, as the ‘‘Lewis F. Powell, Jr. H.R. 3051 / Public Law 103–102 United States Courthouse’’ To provide that certain property located in H.R. 2431 / Public Law 103–96 the State of Oklahoma owned by an Indian To designate the Federal building in Jackson- housing authority for the purpose of provid- ville, Florida, as the ‘‘Charles E. Bennett ing low-income housing shall be treated as Federal Building’’ Federal property under the Act of Septem- ber 30, 1950 (Public Law 874, 81st Congress) S. 464 / Public Law 103–97 To redesignate the Pulaski Post Office lo- S. 1130 / Public Law 103–103 cated at 111 West College Street in Pulaski, Federal Employees Leave Sharing Amend- Tennessee, as the ‘‘Ross Bass Post Office’’ ments Act of 1993

VerDate 01-JUN-98 13:19 Jun 02, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00090 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P40OC4.008 INET01 PsN: INET01