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and David Pryor as the second-best Gov- milestone on America’s long march towards ernors Arkansas ever had. [Laughter] And I justice and equality and reconciliation. forgive him because it’s probably true. At this time, when the world needs so He was an inspiration to David and me, much from the Middle East to Northern Ire- as David said. And as I look back on his long land to the Balkans to central Africa to our public career, including his service as Gov- own meanest streets, a remembrance of what ernor and the 9,447 votes he cast in the is basic and good and fundamental about our United States Senate, votes for energy con- national life, when we need so badly to be servation, votes to preserve the ozone layer— reconciled one to another and to reach out people used to make fun of Dale Bumpers to those around the world, the enduring leg- about the ozone layer, the way they used to acy of Betty Bumpers and Peace Links, and make fun of Betty about Peace Links. Two Dale Bumpers’ entire career as a public offi- days ago I got a report on the hole in the cial, to me was somehow crystallized on that ozone over the South Pole; it’s the biggest magic day when we celebrated a seminal it has ever been, and its duration is longer event in all of our lives, and his commemorat- than any we’ve ever measured. And we have ing it for all time to come. at least made some progress on it because We will remember them for all of our days he started griping about it so long ago. with gratitude, thanks, and laughter. God He stood up for reform of our laws on nat- bless you both, and congratulations on your ural resources, and he got some things done, award. Please come on up. and we didn’t get everything we wanted to This magnificent and beautiful award is do done because there were too many people richly deserved. It’s also very heavy. [Laugh- like Simpson stopping us, but—[laughter]— ter] But, what the heck. If John Glenn can eventually we’ll get it done. go into space, they can hold this award. He stood up for the Constitution of the God bless you. Congratulations. United States, for the welfare of our children, for the future of America. In his own way, NOTE: The President spoke at 8:36 p.m. in the just as Betty did in Peace Links, he was al- ballroom at the Capitol Hilton Hotel. In his re- ways trying to build bridges to tomorrow over marks, he referred to Joan Baker, chair, and the fears and ignorance and conflicts of Elisabeth (Deba) Leach, vice chair, Peace Links; today, always trying to bring out the best. Rev. J. Phillip Wogaman, who delivered the invo- cation; Peter Duchin, orchestra leader; Ann And I was sitting here looking at David Bingaman, national link and wife of Senator Jeff and Barbara and Betty and Dale, and I was Bingaman; former Senator Alan Simpson, master thinking, it does not take long to live a life. of ceremonies; and former Senator David Pryor Time passes quickly. And all we can do is and his wife, Barbara. Peace Links, founded by make the most of every day God gives us. Mrs. Bumpers in 1982 to help educate women I think that my days have been richer, and on nuclear arms issues, presented Senator and I know that Hillary’s have, and I believe our Mrs. Bumpers with the ‘‘Eleanor Roosevelt Living public service has been better because very World Award’’ at the 12th annual ‘‘Peace on early on we met, came to know, love, admire, Earth’’ gala for their combined years of public service. and learn from Dale and Betty Bumpers. We will love them always. On Dale Bumpers’ last official visit to the Remarks on Receiving the W. Averell White House, not very long ago, a couple Harriman Democracy Award of weeks ago, we had this huge gathering December 8, 1998 under a tent of every soul we could find in Washington connected to Arkansas. And I Thank you for the wonderful welcome. My signed legislation making Little Rock Central good and longtime friend Paul Kirk, thank High School an historic site, a companion to you for your wise words and your kindness a bill that will award Congressional Gold and for the award. Generally, I don’t think Medals to all the Little Rock Nine who inte- Presidents should get awards. But I like this grated that high school so long ago, a real one awful well. [Laughter]

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I am honored to be here with the NDI. three decades, but the arguments went back I thank Ken Wollack, Jean Dunn, and all the for hundreds of years. others here who worked to make your work Fortunately, the people of Northern Ire- a success. I thank you for establishing a fel- land today are looking forward to a shared lowship in Cecile Ledsky’s name. I thank you 21st century in freedom, democracy, and for honoring our other honorees who richly peace. So many people are making progress deserve to be recognized. around the world, but we all know it’s hard. I thank the members of our Government It’s hard right now in . It’s who have helped me to become involved in hard right now in the Middle East. Hillary Ireland. I thank the Members of Congress and I and members of our administration are who are here whose support and interest and going to Israel and Gaza at the end of this consistent commitment has been absolutely week to do what we can to keep the process indispensable for the work that we have done agreed to at Wye on track. in these last few years. It’s hard in Kosovo, where American diplo- I thank our Ambassadors—Phil Lader, our macy under Dick Holbrooke’s leadership and Ambassador to Great Britain; and our new NATO’s threat of military force averted a cri- Ambassador to Ireland, my longtime friend sis but where we still must have a political Governor Mike Sullivan. I welcome him. Jim settlement and political reform in Serbia to Lyons, thank you; Brian Atwood; all of our have a lasting peace. It is hard. special guests from Northern Ireland and One of the things that makes it so hard, Ireland; my fellow Irish-Americans; and a and one of the things that makes democracy special thanks to George Mitchell. I thank so essential, is that people have to be both you all. free to be the best they can be, free to live Let me also say I’m delighted to have an their dreams and lift people according to award named for Averell Harriman. Hillary their aspirations. They have to know that they and I had the great honor and real joy of count just as much as anyone else. But one getting to know Governor Harriman in his of the things that makes democracy so essen- later years. We spent the night with him a tial is they have to know that there is some time or two. We once stayed up half the night restraint, on themselves and on others, be- listening to him talk to us about how he was yond which they cannot go. Roosevelt’s envoy with Churchill and Stalin. For how many times have I seen, these It is a pretty hard act to follow. last 6 years, leaders of opposition factions, But I think—I believe Governor Harriman in talks or at the edge of conflict, or trying and the men and women of his generation to get out of conflict, desperately, desperately would be proud of America, as it stands on want to reach across the lines that divide the eve of a new century and a new millen- them to advance the cause of peace, but so nium. We can look ahead to the last year frightened that, instead, they had to rub salt of this, the ‘‘American Century,’’ with con- in their adversary’s wounds, so as not to lose fidence that we have never been a stronger the political support of their own folks at force for peace and for democracy. home. It is imperative that we push peace Some of the most entrenched conflicts the and democracy at the same time. world has known have given ground in the One thing I would like to say to the Irish last few years to a new spirit of cooperation. here—both the Irish—Irish from the North Countries dominated for centuries by strife, and from the Republic, the American Irish— speaking a new language, talking about a is that it is impossible for you to understand, shared future: in the Middle East, where reli- perhaps, that even though all these issues gious hatred seemed as old as the region may seem unrelated, a breakthrough in one itself; in the Balkans, where I heard propa- area can dramatically increase the confidence gandists blame tensions on the battle of and the passion of other peacemakers. Kosovo in 1389; in Peru and Ecuador, where The and its over- a border war had roots that went back cen- whelming ratification by voters sent a strong turies; and, of course, in Northern Ireland, signal around the world. It put a lot of extra where dragged on for nearly pressure on me. Just a few days ago, I had

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a meeting with a group of Greek-Americans, of you, too, the world will also celebrate the and if I heard it once, I heard it 10 times, 50th anniversary of one of the greatest docu- ‘‘Now, you did all that work in Ireland, and ments of the 20th century: the Universal you sat there for 9 days and got that Wye Declaration of Human Rights. The timing agreement, and I do not understand why the could not be better because, like democracy, Cyprus problem is beyond reach. I know that the cause of human rights and peace are part you can make some progress there.’’ and parcel of the same idea: the common That’s good. Headache for me, probably, claim to dignity of all humanity; the idea that but it’s good. It’s good that when people do self-respect and mutual respect are not ex- things in one part of the world, it makes other clusive, but two sides of the coin of peace people believe that they’re not stuck in this and harmony. mindless rut of conflict. In his Nobel speech a few years ago, So I thank you for this award. I’m very Seamus Heaney said of Northern Ireland, proud of my Irish heritage. I’m proud that ‘‘No place in the world prides itself more on I could play a role in the process so far. I’m its vigilance and realism. No place considers proud of what the First Lady has done with itself more qualified to censure any flourish the Vital Voices movement and other ways— of rhetoric or excess of aspiration.’’ I think for what she has done. that is a dignified, Seamus-way of saying, we As I can’t say too many times, I’m grateful don’t like long speeches telling us what we to Senator Mitchell, to the Congressmen and have to do. So I will give you a short speech women in this room and beyond who have telling you what I think we have to do. reached across party lines in America to work [Laughter] for peace across religious lines in Ireland. I hope I can strike the right note between And I’m very proud of the Irish-American a celebration of how far we’ve come with a community. plea to keep the work going. I hope the par- But the people on the other side of the ties will move quickly to resolve the remain- Atlantic still deserve the lion’s share of the ing differences, keeping an open mind, act- credit. Many of them are here—Gerry ing in good faith, remembering how much Adams, Lord John Alderdice, , all have gained by the hard work that has Monica McWilliams, Gary McMichael, already been done. Not only the letter but Malachi Curran—there are others. I thank the spirit of the Good Friday accord must Tony Blair, Bertie Ahern, their predecessors prevail. John Bruton, Albert Reynolds, John Major, I have closely followed recent efforts to —one of a kind. hammer out agreements for the new execu- I’m sorry I didn’t get here in time to see tive political structures, and the bodies to and John Hume off to get deal with cross-border issues. Bringing these the Peace Prize. But I’ve had some good and institutions to life is absolutely essential to good-natured talks with them both. I told keep up the momentum for peace, and we David Trimble—I know you noticed this to- urge a speedy resolution. I also applaud the night—ever since he won the Nobel Prize, tireless work of John de Chastelain toward he’s dressing a lot better. [Laughter] Now, achieving the vital goal of disposing of weap- that’s a very good sign for peace, you know. ons now that the war is over. [Laughter] And my only complaint with the Hillary just came back—[applause]— Nobel committee is that they should have thank you—Hillary just came back from a given it to more people involved in this proc- profoundly moving trip to Central America, ess as well. And we’d have had even a bigger, where our friends and neighbors are strug- broader—[inaudible]—of enthusiasm. I gling in the aftermath of Hurricane Mitch, thank you all. the worst hurricane in 200 years. So devastat- I want you to think about this, because ing that we are concerned that, if we don’t we’re at a little bit of a tough spot in the do all we can to help them rebuild, that they road in Ireland right now. On the day that could lose the democracy, the freedom, the David and John get the Nobel Peace Prize, peace for which they have fought so long and for their own work and as stand-ins for many hard. But one reason, we think, that it will

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hold on in Guatemala and El Salvador is be- keeping our democratic aspirations in sharp cause, as a part of their peace process, they focus. I salute the honorees tonight, those were vigorous in decommissioning, in giving of you whose names were called earlier. You up arms and moving toward peace. really deserve these awards. I ask you to con- Somehow or another, sooner or later, we tinue your efforts, to keep your spirits up, all have to decide we can’t shoot our way to keep your vision high, to remember how out of our differences and our difficulties. we felt when the Good Friday accord was We know the real prize still lies ahead, that ratified, to remember how you feel on the day in the not-too-distant future when men, best days when the worst days come around, women, and children can walk all the streets and to remember, no matter how tough it of , Derry, Omagh without fear; when gets, it is always better for our children to respect and trust has replaced suspicion; reach across the lines that divide and build when machine guns and explosives are as ir- a future that they’re all a part of together. relevant as suits of armor; when investors Thank you, and God bless you. pour money into new ventures that spread opportunity to all; when the people of Ulster NOTE: The President spoke at 9:48 p.m. at a Na- are known far and wide as the people who tional Democratic Institute dinner in the ballroom at the Shoreham Hotel. In his remarks, he re- rose to this great challenge, proved they were ferred to Paul G. Kirk, Jr., chairman, Kenneth D. bigger than their differences, and were able Wollack, president, and Jean Dunn, vice president to go across the world, as I said the last time for administration and development, National I was in Northern Ireland. Democratic Institute; former Senator George J. And look at the people on Cyprus. Look Mitchell, who chaired the multiparty talks in at the people in the Balkans. Look at the Northern Ireland; Special Envoy Richard C. people in Central Africa, and say, we did this, Holbrooke; Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams; Alli- and we had troubles centuries old, not just ance Party leader Lord John Alderdice; Progres- 30 years. We did it. And you can, too. sive Unionist Party spokesman David Ervine; We cannot afford to be complacent or Monica McWilliams of the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition; lead- frustrated or angry. We always knew there er Gary McMichael; Northern Ireland Labour would be bumps in the road and that no mat- Party leader Malachi Curran; Prime Minister ter what the referendum vote was, after the Tony Blair and former Prime Minister John Major Good Friday agreement, there would be dif- of the United Kingdom; Prime Minister Bertie ficulties. The United States pledges again to Ahern and former Prime Ministers John Bruton be with you every step of the way, because and Albert Reynolds of Ireland; United Kingdom all of us know that the Irish in America for Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Marjorie more than 200 years have brought us to this Mowlam; and John de Chastelain, member and day, as much as any group of people. chair, Independent International Commission on We all know, too, as I will say again, that Decommissioning. The President also mentioned former program officer and technical writer at the we must have democracy and human rights State Department, Cecile W. Ledsky, who died in the end to have peace. As long as I am December 2. President, I will do everything I can to ad- vance the cause of peace, democracy, and human rights; to do everything I can to an- Remarks Honoring General ticipate conflicts before they occur; to listen Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., of the to both sides when they do occur; to do my Tuskegee Airmen best to persuade parties that benefits lie just December 9, 1998 ahead if they stop living in the past and begin to imagine the future. Yes, in Northern Ire- Thank you. Well, Colonel McGee, I think land, in the Middle East, in Cambodia, Nige- this is one of those days where I’m supposed ria, Congo, Cyprus, the Balkans, everyplace to take orders. [Laughter] I am delighted to where there are children who deserve a bet- see you. I thank you and Colonel Crockett ter future waiting to be born. for the jacket. I can’t help saying as a point America will always stand with those who of personal pride that Colonel Crockett is a take risks for peace. I salute the NDI for citizen of my home State, Arkansas. And we

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