Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents

Monday, May 8, 2000 Volume 36—Number 18 Pages 943–1020

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Addresses and Remarks Bill Signings Council of the Americas 30th Washington Federal reporting requirements, statement on Conference—970 legislation amending certain—975 Employment report—1015 Communications to Congress Independent Insurance Agents of America’s National Legislative Conference—961 Colombia, message transmitting report on the Iowa, Central High School in Davenport—988 national emergency with respect to Kentucky, Audubon Elementary School in significant narcotics traffickers—978 Owensboro—978 Crude oil, letter—945 Michigan Communications to Federal Agencies Commencement address at Eastern Additional Guidelines for Charter Schools, Michigan University in Ypsilanti—948 memorandum—1012 NAACP Fight for Freedom Fund dinner in White House Program for the National Detroit—953 Moment of Remembrance, memorandum— Minnesota, City Academy in St. Paul—990 978 Ohio, roundtable discussion on reforming America’s schools in Columbus—1000 Executive Orders Pennsylvania, departure for Farmington— Actions To Improve Low-Performing 1015 Schools—985 Radio address—945 Establishing the Kosovo Campaign Medal— White House Conference on Raising 987 Teenagers and Resourceful Youth—967 Further Amendment to Executive Order White House Correspondents’ Association 11478, Equal Employment Opportunity in dinner—946 Federal Government—977

(Continued on the inside of the back cover.)

Editor’s Note: The President was in Farmington, PA, on May 5, 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.

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Interviews With the News Media Statements by the President Exchanges with reporters See also Bill Signings Rose Garden—1014 Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, legal South Grounds—1015 framework agreement—943 Webside Chat with Tracy Smith of Channel Caribbean Basin and Africa, legislation on One in St. Paul, MN—994 trade—1011 Death of John Cardinal O’Connor—985 Letters and Messages Employment report, Bureau of Labor Cinco de Mayo, message—1011 Statistics—1017 Global Positioning System signals, decision to Meetings With Foreign Leaders stop degrading—959 Japan, Prime Minister Mori—1014 U.S. Treasury ‘‘Debt Buybacks’’—960 World Press Freedom Day—985 Proclamations Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month—958 Supplementary Materials Jewish Heritage Week—976 Acts approved by the President—1019 Law Day, U.S.A.—944 Checklist of White House press releases— Loyalty Day—959 1019 National Charter Schools Week—943 Digest of other White House National Day of Prayer—1011 announcements—1017 Older Americans Month—975 Nominations submitted to the Senate—1018

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Statement on the Legal Framework Proclamation 7297—National Agreement for the Baku-Tbilisi- Charter Schools Week, 2000 Ceyhan Oil Pipeline April 28, 2000 April 28, 2000 By the President of the United States of America I am very pleased that today delegations from Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey A Proclamation reached agreement on the legal framework Providing our children the high-quality for the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline. Last education they need to succeed is one of the November in Istanbul, I witnessed the sign- greatest challenges we face as a Nation, and ing of initial documents for this framework. helping communities establish public charter Today’s achievement completes this work schools is one of the best ways we can meet and brings the pipeline project a critical step that challenge. closer to fruition. Charter schools—public schools that are By this action, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and started by parents, educators, and commu- Turkey have shown once again their commit- nities working in partnership—are open to ment to building regional cooperation, students of every background and ability. peaceful relations, and better lives for all They also afford greater autonomy and flexi- their people. I congratulate Presidents bility in staffing decisions, curriculum design, Aliyev, Shevardnadze, and Demirel, along and other areas than traditional public with all the negotiating teams, for their lead- schools do. In return for this flexibility, char- ership in moving this project forward. ter schools must set and meet the highest I look forward to the next phase of this standards, and they can remain open only as effort, when companies from the United long as they do so. States, Western Europe, and Russia will work These schools are helping us to meet many of our Nation’s most important education with those of Azerbaijan, Georgia, goals. They are driving change in public Kazakhstan, and Turkey to transform legal schools across America by showing the bene- frameworks into commercial reality. fits of greater parent participation, longer The United States is committed to the school years, higher academic standards, and Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline as a key part character education. Charter schools offer of our overall approach to Caspian energy reform, innovation, and increased choice in development. We want to ensure access to public education, and, by doing so, they spur world markets for the countries of the region, improvement throughout our public school while helping diversify sources of energy sup- system. ply for consumers in the United States and I am proud that my Administration has around the globe. taken a leadership role in promoting and funding public charter schools. When I took NOTE: In his statement, the President referred office almost 8 years ago, there was only one to President Heydar Aliyev of Azerbaijan; Presi- charter school in our Nation. By September dent Eduard Shevardnadze of Georgia; and Presi- of last year, that number had grown to more dent Suleyman Demirel of Turkey. This item was than 1,600 in 30 States and the District of not received in time for publication in the appro- Columbia, with more than 250,000 students priate issue. enrolled and many more on waiting lists.

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Since 1994, the Federal Government has in- NOTE: This proclamation was published in the vested almost $400 million in public charter Federal Register on May 3. This item was not re- schools. Last August, I announced the re- ceived in time for publication in the appropriate lease of almost $100 million in Department issue. of Education grants to develop, open, or ex- pand charter schools across the country. And my proposed budget for fiscal year 2001 in- Proclamation 7298—Law Day, cludes $175 million for the Department of U.S.A., 2000 Education’s Public Charter Schools Program. April 28, 2000 These grants and funds will help cover the costs of opening new schools and help exist- By the President of the United States ing charter schools hire more well-trained of America teachers, buy more books, computers, and educational software, and ensure that class- rooms are safe and accessible for all students. A Proclamation Finally, these funds will aid charter schools The freedom of America’s citizens is sus- as they develop accountability systems to tained by American law. In crafting the Con- measure whether they are meeting or ex- stitution and the Bill of Rights, our Nation’s ceeding State standards. founders wisely understood that liberty and During National Charter Schools Week, I law are equally important to ensuring human commend the many dedicated parents, edu- rights and preserving human dignity. Law cators, students, and other concerned citi- without freedom becomes tyranny; freedom zens who, working together, have started without law becomes chaos. charter schools in their communities to meet The theme of this year’s Law Day observ- the growing demand for excellence, cre- ance, ‘‘Speak up for Democracy and Diver- ativity, and choice in education. Because of sity,’’ reminds us of the vital role that the their vision and leadership, charter schools law and America’s legal community have across our Nation are helping to raise stand- played in protecting our freedoms and ex- ards, expectations, and accountability in all tending them to an ever-widening circle of of America’s public schools. By investing in Americans. Many signal victories for civil charter schools, we are investing in our Na- rights have been won in the courts by men tion’s future. and women of conscience whose commit- Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, ment to the Constitution and the rule of law President of the United States of America, compelled them to speak out against bigotry by virtue of the authority vested in me by and discrimination. Many Americans have the Constitution and laws of the United found champions among the legal profession States, do hereby proclaim May 1 through to defend their rights and to uphold our Na- May 5, 2000, as National Charter Schools tion’s promise of equality and justice for all. Week. I encourage the American people to From the War for Independence to the War mark this observance with appropriate pro- Between the States, from emancipation in grams and activities that raise awareness of the 19th century to women’s suffrage and the the many contributions that public charter civil rights movement in the 20th century, schools make to the education of our children courageous Americans have risen to the chal- and the success of our Nation. lenge of improving upon our laws and ex- In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set tending their protections to all of our citi- my hand this twenty-eighth day of April, in zens. the year of our Lord two thousand, and of Today, thanks in large measure to the ef- the Independence of the United States of forts of our Nation’s legal community, people America the two hundred and twenty-fourth. of all backgrounds, races, and religions are William J. Clinton working, living, and learning side by side. The doors of opportunity are open wider [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, than ever. But despite the advances we have 8:45 a.m., May 2, 2000] made, we still see in our society stubborn

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obstacles to true freedom and justice—obsta- [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, cles such as poverty, unemployment, and lin- 8:45 a.m., May 2, 2000] gering discrimination. That is why I have called America’s legal community to action NOTE: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on May 3. This item was not re- once again to lead the fight for equal justice ceived in time for publication in the appropriate under law. Whether promoting racial diver- issue. sity in our judicial system and the legal pro- fession, using their knowledge of the law to help underserved communities increase Letter to Congressional Leaders on homeownership and entrepreneurship, or Imports of Crude Oil providing skilled representation to low- April 28, 2000 income Americans to ensure the protection of their rights, our Nation’s lawyers can make Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:) important and lasting differences in pre- Pursuant to section 232(c) of the Trade serving justice and promoting freedom and Expansion Act of 1962, as amended (19 equality. U.S.C. 1862(c)), I am notifying you that I I encourage all Americans to observe Law concur with the findings of the Secretary of Day by reflecting on the impact that our Na- Commerce in his report, ‘‘The Effect on the tion’s laws have had upon the quality of our National Security of Imports of Crude Oil lives and the strength of our democracy. and Refined Petroleum Products,’’ which de- From the promise of a more perfect union termined that imports of crude oil threaten prescribed in the Preamble to the Constitu- to impair the national security. tion to the daily rulings of our modern-day Further, I have accepted his recommenda- justice system, our Nation’s system of laws tion that trade remedies not be imposed but has made real our founders’ vision and sus- that existing policies to enhance conservation tained their fundamental values. As we con- and limit the dependence on foreign oil be tinue to work for a more just society for all, continued. I am taking this action because let us celebrate our legal heritage and we have already proposed additional tax reaffirm our reverence for the rule of law, credits to promote renewable and efficient which has safeguarded our liberty and pre- sources of energy, new tax incentives to sup- served our democracy for more than 200 port the domestic petroleum industry, and years. further investments in energy-saving tech- Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, nologies and alternative energy sources, as President of the United States of America, the report suggested. in accordance with Public Law 87–20 of April Sincerely, 7, 1961, do hereby proclaim May 1, 2000, as Law Day, U.S.A. I urge the people of the William J. Clinton United States to consider anew how our laws protect our freedoms and contribute to our NOTE: Identical letters were sent to J. Dennis national well-being. I call upon members of Hastert, Speaker of the House of Representatives, the legal profession, civic associations, edu- and Albert Gore, Jr., President of the Senate. This cators, librarians, public officials, and the item was not received in time for publication in the appropriate issue. media to promote the observance of this day with appropriate programs and activities. I also call upon public officials to display the The President’s Radio Address flag of the United States on all government buildings throughout the day. April 29, 2000 In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set Good morning. Next week, when the full my hand this twenty-eighth day of April, in Congress returns from Easter recess, they’ll the year of our Lord two thousand, and of have less than 75 working days left to make the Independence of the United States of this year a year of real progress for the Amer- America the two hundred and twenty-fourth. ican people. There is no more important crit- William J. Clinton ical piece of unfinished business than our

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need to ensure that every American, young Seniors and people with disabilities living and old, has adequate, affordable health care. on fixed incomes simply cannot continue to Today I want to again urge the Congress cope with these kinds of price increases. to step up to this challenge by making the That’s why we must take action to help them, passage of a strong Patients’ Bill of Rights not next year or the year after that but this and the provision of a voluntary Medicare year. My budget includes a comprehensive prescription drug benefit top priorities when plan to modernize Medicare and provide for they return to Washington. a long overdue prescription drug benefit for This critical legislation is long overdue. all beneficiaries. The more than 190 million Americans who I’m pleased there’s growing bipartisan sup- use managed care or other insurance plans port for tackling this challenge. Earlier this have waited too long for a strong, enforceable month Republican leaders in the House put Patients’ Bill of Rights. They deserve the forth an outline of a plan that offers as a right to see a specialist, to emergency room stated goal access to affordable coverage for care, wherever and whenever they need it, all older Americans. Unfortunately, their and the right to hold health care plans ac- plan falls short of meeting the goal. It would countable for harmful decisions. do virtually nothing for seniors with modest Last year, in an overwhelmingly bipartisan middle class incomes between $15,000 and vote, the House passed a strong Patients’ Bill $50,000 a year. Nearly half of all Medicare of Rights that provides the right protections beneficiaries who lack prescription drug cov- all Americans need and deserve. It’s a bill erage fall into that category. I would sign. But more than 6 months later It’s not too late to give all our seniors real the bill is still languishing in Congress. De- prescription drug coverage this year. We can spite their pledge to complete a real bill, the work together on a plan that’s affordable, de- Republican majority has not only delayed ac- pendable, and available to all older Ameri- tion, it’s actually considering legislation that cans. would leave tens of millions of Americans So I say to Congress, when you come back without Federal protections. to Washington next week, let’s get back to A right that can’t be enforced isn’t a right work on a strong, enforceable Patients’ Bill at all, it’s just a request. We need a strong of Rights; let’s get back to work on voluntary bill that protects all Americans and all plans, Medicare prescription drug benefits. The not one that provides more cover for the spe- health care of Americans is too important to cial interests than real coverage for American be sidetracked by partisan politics. The need patients. is urgent, and the time to act is now. Congress also has an obligation to Thanks for listening. strengthen Medicare and modernize it, with a voluntary, affordable prescription drug NOTE: The address was recorded at 5:58 p.m. on benefit. No one creating a Medicare program April 28 in the Oval Office at the White House today would even think of excluding coverage for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on April 29. The tran- for prescription drugs. Yet more than three script was made available by the Office of the in five older Americans still lack affordable Press Secretary on April 28 but was embargoed and dependable prescription drug coverage. for release until the broadcast. Just this week we saw further evidence of the unacceptable burden the growing cost of prescription drugs places on senior Ameri- Remarks at the White House cans. According to a report by the nonprofit Correspondents’ Association Dinner group, Families USA, the price of prescrip- April 29, 2000 tion drugs most often used by seniors has risen at double the rate of inflation for 6 years The President. Good evening, ladies and running, a burden that falls hardest on sen- gentlemen, President Page, President-elect iors who lack drug coverage because they Dillon, distinguished guests. I am really simply don’t receive the price discounts most happy to be here. Happy to be reunited at insurers negotiate. long last with the White House Press Corps.

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[Laughter] If I may, let me direct your atten- Wing’’ finale party. But I’ve got to give them tion to a photograph. [Laughter] Taken just credit; their first season got a lot better rat- moments ago, it proves beyond a doubt that ings than mine did—[laughter]—not to men- I am indeed happy to be here. [Laughter] tion the reviews. The critics just hated my Now wait a minute. It seems that my hair travel office episode—[laughter]—and that in that photo—[laughter]—is a little longer David Gergen cameo fell completely flat. than it is tonight. So maybe I am happy to [Laughter] be here, and maybe I’m not. Feel free to Speaking of real-life drama, I’m so glad speculate. [Laughter] Admittedly, looks and that Senator McCain is back tonight. I wel- photos can be deceiving. Now look at this come him, especially. As you all know, he photo. It’s a recent one of the Vice President just made a difficult journey back to a place applauding one of my policy initiatives. where he endured unspeakable abuse at the [Laughter] But look a little closer. Those are hands of his oppressors, the Senate Repub- not his real hands. [Laughter] lican caucus. [Laughter] Now this photo. [Laughter] It made all the I am glad to see that Senator McCain and papers, but I have to tell you something. I Governor Bush are talking about healing am almost certain this is not the real Easter their rift. Actually, they’re thinking about, Bunny. [Laughter] The next one is my favor- talking about healing their rift. And you ite. I really like it. Let’s see the next photo. know, I would really like to help them. I [Laughter] Isn’t it grand? [Laughter] I mean, I’ve got a lot of experience repairing thought it was too good to be true. But there the breach. I’ve worked with Catholics and is one thing beyond dispute tonight. This is Protestants in Northern Ireland, I’ve worked really me. I am really here. And the record with Israelis and Palestinians, with Joe on that count is clear, in good days and bad, Lockhart and David Westin. [Laughter] But in times of great confidence or great con- the differences between Bush and McCain troversy, I have actually shown up here for may be just too vast. I mean, McCain as 8 straight years. Looking back, that was prob- Bush’s running mate? Hasn’t the man suf- ably a mistake. [Laughter] In just 8 years, fered enough? [Laughter] I’ve given you enough material for 20 years. George W. Bush has got a brand-spanking- [Laughter] new campaign strategy. He’s moving toward This is a special night for me for a lot of the political center, distancing himself from reasons. Jay Leno is here. Now, no matter his own party, stealing ideas from the other how mean he is to me, I just love this guy— party. I’m so glad Dick Morris has finally [laughter]—because, together, together, we found work again. [Laughter] give hope to grey-haired, chunky baby You know, the clock is running down on boomers everywhere. [Laughter] the Republicans in Congress, too. I feel for Tonight marks the end of an era—the them. I do. They’ve only got 7 more months after-dinner party hosted by Vanity Fair. to investigate me. [Laughter] That’s a lot of [Laughter] As you may have heard, it’s been pressure. So little time, so many unanswered canceled. Every year, for 8 years, the Vanity questions. [Laughter] For example, over the Fair party became more and more and more last few months I’ve lost 10 pounds. Where exclusive. So tonight, it has arrived at its inev- did they go? [Laughter] Why haven’t I pro- itable conclusion: This year, no one made the duced them to the Independent Counsel? guest list. [Laughter] Actually, I hear the How did some of them manage to wind up Bloomberg party will be even harder to get on Tim Russert? [Laughter] into than the Vanity Fair party was. But I’m Now, some of you might think I’ve been not worried, I’m going with Janet Reno. busy writing my memoirs. I’m not concerned [Laughter] about my memoirs, I’m concerned about my Now, the Bloomberg party is also a cast resume. Here’s what I’ve got so far. Career party for the stars of ‘‘The West Wing,’’ who objective: To stay President. [Laughter] But are celebrating the end of their first season. being realistic, I would consider an executive You’ll have to forgive me if I’m not as excited position with another country. [Laughter] Of as everyone else is at the thought of a ‘‘West course, I would prefer to stay within the G–

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8. [Laughter] I’m working hard on this power is not the most important thing in life, ´ ´ resume deal. I’ve been getting a lot of tips and it only counts for what you use it. on how to write it, mostly from my staff. They I thank you for what you do every day, really seem to be up on this stuff. [Laughter] thank you for all the fun times that Hillary And they tell me I have to use the active and I have had. Keep at it. It’s a great coun- ´ ´ voice with a the resume. You know, things try. It deserves our best. like: ‘‘Commanded U.S. Armed Forces;’’ ‘‘or- Thank you, and God bless you. dered air strikes;’’ ‘‘served three terms as President’’—everybody embellishes a little— NOTE: The President spoke at 10:06 p.m. in the [laughter]—‘‘designed, built, and painted Ballroom at the Washington Hilton. In his re- bridge to 21st Century;’’ ‘‘supervised Vice marks, he referred to Susan Page, president, and President’s invention of the Internet;’’ ‘‘gen- Arlene Dillon, president-elect, White House Cor- erated, attracted, heightened and maintained respondents’ Association; ‘‘Tonight Show’’ host Jay controversy.’’ [Laughter] Leno; Senator John McCain; David Gergen, edi- Now, I know lately I haven’t done a very tor at large, U.S. News and Weekly Report; David good job at creating controversy, and I’m Westin, president, ABC News; Dick Morris, polit- sorry for that. You all have so much less to ical consultant; and Tim Russert, moderator, report. I guess that’s why you’re covering and ‘‘Meet the Press.’’ commenting on my mood, my quiet, contem- plative moments, my feelings during these final months in office. [Laughter] In that Commencement Address at Eastern case, you might be interested to know that Michigan University in Ypsilanti, a film crew has been following me around Michigan the White House, documenting my remain- April 30, 2000 ing time there. This is a strange time in the life of any Thank you very much. I must say I was administration, but I think this short film will very moved by Secretary Slater’s remarks. show that I have come to terms with it. Can But I realize he was lifted to new heights we see the film? of eloquence by being back at his alma mater. And I also realize he was once again proving At this point, a video was shown. [ ] the adage of Clinton’s third law of politics: The President. You like me. You really Whenever possible, be introduced by some- like me. [Laughter] Now, you know, I may one you have appointed to high office. complain about coming here. But a year from [Laughter] They will praise you to the skies, now, I’ll have to watch someone else give true or false. [Laughter] this speech. And I’ll feel an onset of that rare I must say, I was afraid, though, Rodney affliction, unique to former Presidents: was about to commit—we have been friends AGDD, Attention Getting Deficit Dis- for many years—I’ve never heard him say order—[laughter]—plus—which I’ll really be anything politically incorrect. I’ve never burned up when Al Gore turns out to be fun- heard him utter a curse word. I’ve never nier than me. [Laughter] heard him betray a character flaw. But I al- But let me say to all of you, I have loved most heard an ethnic slur today when he said these 8 years. You know, I read in the history he got me because I look like President books how other Presidents say the White Shelton. [Laughter] All gray-haired, middle- House is like a penitentiary and every motive aged Scotch-Irish guys look alike, you know. they have is suspect. Even George [Laughter] Washington complained he was treated like I’m very proud of Secretary Slater, and you a common thief, and they all say they can’t should be, too. And I’m proud of General wait to get away. I don’t know what the heck Coburn and his leadership in the Army, and they’re talking about. [Laughter] I’ve had a Gene Conti, who is the Assistant Secretary wonderful time. It’s been an honor to serve for Policy at our Transportation Department and fun to laugh. I only wish that we’d even with Secretary Slater. We have been richly laughed more these last 8 years, because blessed by this university. And President

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Shelton, I am grateful for your years of serv- lution a century ago. Information technology ice here and for our friendship in our early alone now gives us about a third of our years in Arkansas, when we both had less growth, though only 8 percent of our work gray hair and didn’t look so much alike. force is directly involved in it. It is bringing I thank Mayor Archer and former Gov- growth to every sector of our economy in a ernor and Ambassador Blanchard and Rep- way we haven’t seen since Henry Ford’s first resentative Kilpatrick and the other Michi- assembly line. gan officials who are here with me today. I And I wanted to come here today to try thank my longtime friend Jim Comer. I to give you, this graduating class, some sense didn’t know he was here at EMU this year of the world into which you’re going. You until I saw him right before I came in. No understand the opportunities, doubtless, bet- American has proven so clearly as Professor ter than I. I want you to understand the chal- Comer that all children can learn if given lenges, too. For economic opportunity is not the right learning environment, and I am an end in itself; it is a means to an end, to very grateful to him. further liberty, to strengthen the bonds of I thank all the distinguished board of re- community, to enable you to build families gents and faculty and staff who are here. But and have children and enrich your lives. most of all, I want to recognize the students Before you lies a future of unparalleled and their parents of this, your first graduating possibility. But I want you to understand class of the 21st century. today that just as at the dawn of the industrial On the way in, Rodney was telling me that age 100 years ago, which was symbolized by I would identify with a lot of you. A lot of Michigan, by Mr. Ford’s assembly line, and you are first-generation college graduates. A the factories of Detroit, there are new chal- lot of you had to work your way through lenges presented by this new era to our old- school. A lot of you needed help in the form est values of freedom and opportunity and of loans and grants and work-study positions. community. And every one of you should be very proud Theodore Roosevelt came to this campus of what you have achieved. more than 100 years ago, at the beginning I also identify with your class because I of the industrial era, when new rules were may be the only President of the United required to make sure that the industrial rev- States who ever studied here. I came here olution worked for all our people. Without to prepare for my debates in 1992. And like those rules, there would have been a terrible you, I passed, and I thank you very much industrial divide between rich and poor, for the contribution you made to my edu- strong and weak. With those rules—with the cation and to my years here. wage and hour laws, the child labor laws, the You are graduating into a strong economy, antitrust laws, the Federal Reserve, and later the strongest in our Nation’s history. You are the minimum wage, workman’s compensa- also graduating into a time of immense possi- tion, unemployment insurance, Social Secu- bility, here in Michigan and throughout the rity—with those new rules, we built an op- United States and, indeed, throughout the portunity society that produced the greatest world. middle class in human history, one that be- One of my speechwriters wrote me a line came even more successful and more inclu- that said, ‘‘Our economy is soaring higher sive throughout this last century with the than Swoop, the eagle.’’ [Laughter] He said progress of civil rights, women’s rights, envi- you would know what that means. All I know ronmental and worker protection. is that I am grateful for the chance that the I want to say to you today that you are Vice President and First Lady and our ad- well-equipped for the possibilities of this new ministration and I have had to work to create era, but we also need new rules for the infor- opportunity in America and to bring us closer mation age to protect those old values, just together in one community. as we did for the industrial age. For all the I know that a great deal of this is because possibilities must be measured also against we are in the midst of a profound revolution, the challenges presented by this new era, the most sweeping since the industrial revo- challenges to our privacy as individuals, to

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our pledge of equal opportunity for every privacy for the information age and to rewrite member of our community, to our steward- the rules that go with it. ship of the environment as citizens of the There was a time when protecting your planet. financial privacy meant safeguarding your From our earliest days, part of what has passbook. Today, a financial record isn’t just made America unique has been our dedica- about what you’re worth; it can paint a pic- tion to freedom and the clear understanding ture of who you are. Every time you write that real freedom requires a certain space a check, use an ATM, make a purchase with of personal privacy. a credit or debit card, there is a record, a Today, as information technology opens record that technology can sort and track— new worlds of possibilities, it also challenges what dish you ordered at a restaurant, what privacy in ways we might never have imag- clothes you bought at the mall—that makes ined just a few years ago. For example, the it easier for others to mine all of that informa- same genetic code that offers hope for mil- tion for their own profit. lions can also be used to deny health insur- We’ve taken some historic steps to stop ance. The same technology that links distant information about your personal spending places can also be used to track our every habits from being shared without your per- move on-line. mission. But even today the law doesn’t pre- In this information age, we can’t let new vent firms within a financial conglomerate opportunities erode old fundamental rights. from sharing information with each other. In We can’t let breakthroughs in technology other words, the life insurance company break down walls of privacy. Our response could share information about your medical to this challenge will affect the lives of every history with the bank without giving you any single member of this graduating class and choice in the matter. The bank could share the lives of your children. information from your student loans and your We are working with the Internet industry credit cards with its telemarketer or its to raise privacy standards. In the last year broker, again without giving you any choice. alone, the share of commercial websites with I believe that is wrong. privacy policies has risen a lot, and we will Today I present a plan to protect the pri- do more. But as my wife has said many times, vacy of Americans’ financial records. I chal- some of these privacy issues presented by in- lenge Congress to act on it this year. Because formation technology are so sensitive they your information doesn’t belong to just any- must have the protection of law. one; every consumer and every family de- We have taken steps to protect the privacy serves choices about how their personal in- of children on-line, preventing websites from formation is shared. collecting information from children without First, before your financial information is a parent’s permission. I proposed the first shared between two affiliated companies, set of national standards to protect the pri- say, a credit card company and an insurance vacy of on-line medical records, to ensure company, you would get notice, and you that your personal health information doesn’t could say no. fall into the wrong hands. You shouldn’t have Second, for the most sensitive type of in- to worry that your employer is looking at the formation, I think there should be an extra medications you take or the ailments you level of protection. As more banks and insur- have. ance companies merge, lenders could gain Today I’d like to ask you to think about access to private medical information and the challenge to our financial privacy coming many insurance records. But no one should out of the information revolution. We are have to worry that the results of their latest moving from cash to electronic transactions. physical exam will be used to deny them a A bank is no longer just a bank; it’s often home mortgage or a credit card. Under my linked with an insurance firm, a broker, a plan, you’d get to say no. travel agency. All this helps to give us added Third, we would add that same safeguard convenience, lower prices, and more choices. to the information that makes up your per- But it’s also forcing us to redefine financial sonal spending identity, such as the list of

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every purchase you’ve ever made by check alone. Today she earns a Masters degree with or debt or credit card, everything you buy. honors in website design. She hopes to start Again, that information could be shared only her own business, and she wants to help if you say yes. teach women to use computers. She has al- And finally, to make sure you have control ready given those women a lesson for all of over the comprehensive records that finan- us about the value of making sure technology cial institutions may assemble about you, education is accessible to every American. we’ll make sure you have access to those Give her a hand. [Applause] records and the right to correct mistakes in Today I ask all of you to join me in reach- them. We must be able to enjoy the benefits ing out to all the others across America who of technology without sacrificing our privacy, need these tools to build their future. When to maximize the promise of the information Vice President Gore and I started hooking age and still protect our individual liberties. up schools to the Internet, there were only Our national character also requires new about 16 percent of our schools who had a rules for the information age that recognize connection in 1994; today, 95 percent do. But opportunity for all, now means access to I was on an Indian reservation in northern technology for all. Just as we closed the in- New Mexico the other day, introduced by dustrial divide in the 20th century, we must a brilliant young girl of 13 who had just won now close the digital divide in the 21st cen- a computer in a contest, who could not hook tury. it up to the Internet because her home did You know, if you’re educated for the infor- not have a phone. Seventy percent of the mation age, who you are and where you are homes on her Navajo reservation did not don’t matter as much anymore. I have seen have a phone. We have to bring telephone that with people in the poorest villages of service to everybody and then make the the world logging onto the Internet and get- Internet as common as telephone usage is ting an education, getting information once in every home, every business, and every available only in textbooks, learning how to school in the United States of America. We take care of their children, learning how to owe that to our future. start new businesses. But if who and where you are don’t matter so much, what you know We must create incentives for American and what you can do matter more than ever. business to invest in people and places in That’s why this degree and what you learned danger of being left behind—left behind in here is so important. That’s why technology their economies and their education of their education is so important. children, in information infrastructure and Technology in this new era will either special technologies for people with special erase lines that divide us or widen them. The needs. That’s what our efforts to build bipar- Internet and computers make it possible for tisan support for opening America’s new us to lift more people out of poverty faster markets and closing the digital divide are all than at any time in history, but it will not about. happen by accident. Many of you have The third thing I want to mention is that learned this lesson in your own lives. the revolution in technology and communica- Todd Pasquale, of the college of arts and tions means our lives are bound up more sciences, wasn’t going to let anything stop than ever with people far away from us with him from earning his degree today, not even whom we now are in instant contact. Our navigating his wheelchair through the Michi- community of values and interest spans the gan snows. Thanks to EMU Online, he took globe. Events half a world away can have an his winter courses at home. Now, he plans impact on us here, just as what we do has to give back to the community by working an impact on people who live thousands of as a counselor to people in prisons, because miles from our borders, in ways large and he could access technology. Let’s give him small. I have a cousin in Arkansas who plays a hand. [Applause] chess once a week on the Internet with a Randy Short went back to school after her man in Australia. Doubtless, there are many husband died, leaving her to raise three sons stories like that in this room today.

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We need a new level of international co- search into cars and trucks of the 21st cen- operation and new rules that deal with the tury that will get much higher mileage. And most significant challenge of our common soon, vehicles developed here, in partnership humanity, the environmental challenge with the Federal Government, will use alter- posed by global warming. Scientists tell us native and biofuels, which could get the the temperature is now rising 4 degrees a equivalent of 100 miles or more to a gallon century. To anyone who has lived through of gasoline. a Michigan winter, that might not sound so These technologies are good for the planet bad. [Laughter] But the scientists also say and good for the bottom line, but we must that a significant degree of this climate embrace them. And I say this very seriously: change is due to human activity, specifically It takes at least 50 years for greenhouse gases to putting more greenhouse gases into the emitted into the atmosphere to dissipate. The atmosphere from the burning of coal and oil. class—this class, graduating today—it is your And if it goes unchecked, the consequences children and your grandchildren that will feel will be dramatic. Rising temperatures can the harshest effects of our neglect in meeting melt polar icecaps, which lead to rising this challenge. But if you don’t do it, your oceans that could swallow thousands of miles children may not be able to do it for you of our own coastlines and bury island nations. because of the time delay. And it is no good Changing weather would devastate our farm- saying that someone else should do it. We lands. We would have both more droughts are the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse and more violent storms and floods. Hotter gases because we’re the richest country, but weather could both cause more rapid evapo- soon China and India will surpass us. We ration of inland water systems and a drought must show them that they can grow even fast- which replenishes them less. er by following a different path, but first we Think about the Great Lakes, where water must set a good example. levels are falling faster than ever recorded. They have fallen almost 3 feet in just 2 years. I have implored the Congress to adopt leg- They may fall much more in the next 30. islation to increase research and develop- That would be a disaster for industry and for ment in this area and to give significant tax all living things dependent upon the lakes. incentives for people to produce products And that is why I’ve asked Congress to fund that emit less greenhouse gases and for peo- our efforts to find out why the water is falling, ple to buy them. It is a big challenge for to restore the Great Lakes waterways, to im- you. You can have all the computers and all prove our stewardship of this vital resource. the money in the world, and if we squander Now, for most of the 20th century, eco- God’s environment, it won’t be worth very nomic growth did require burning more fos- much. I urge you to meet this challenge. sil fuels—more coal and more oil—which re- Let me say in closing, I am very optimistic leased the greenhouse gases, caused the pol- about the new century. It will bring us more lution, and heated the atmosphere. Because advances and answer more questions than of that, many people still believe that we any period in human history. We’ll be able must choose between two vital values, pre- to store all the information in the Halle serving our environment and making our Library in a device the size of a sugar cube. economy grow. Thankfully, in the digital We’ll have microchips that stimulate the economy, that is simply not true anymore. spine in such a way that people now para- It is now possible to grow an economy and lyzed will be able to stand up and walk. I improve the environment at the same time. believe we will even learn what’s in the black New technologies make it possible to reduce holes in the universe. But we must not be harmful emissions as they make the economy so dazzled by the bright promise of tech- more efficient and stronger. nology that we lose sight of the fundamental Scientists right here at EMU are making lesson. We must bring to bear our basic val- environmentally friendly paints out of soy- ues on each new development in human his- beans. Michigan, the home of the auto- tory in order to assure that it works for the mobile, is now the home of cutting-edge re- public good and maintains America’s values

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of liberty and community. That is the noble the White House that prove the truth that challenge that you face. we have given you an administration that Henry Ford once defined obstacles as looks like America. I thank all your elected those frightful things you see when you take Representatives who are here for their sup- your eyes off the goal. I hope your goal will port and solidarity with the NAACP. Thank be a 21st century American community that you, Governor Engler, Senator Levin, Sen- derives every benefit from technology while ator Abraham, Congressman Dingell, Con- holding fast to our oldest values. I hope you gresswoman Kilpatrick. Congresswoman will not take your eyes off of it. I hope you Stabenow, thank you for running and proving will embrace it and work for it. If you do, that you believe in democracy. And thank you will achieve it. And you will live in his- you, thank you, thank you, my friend John tory’s most exciting, prosperous, and humane Conyers, and thank you for giving him the era. That is what I wish for you. award that he so richly deserves. Congratulations, good luck, and God- Thank you, Mayor Dennis Archer, and speed. thank you, Trudy, for being Hillary’s friend and my friend for so many years. Long before NOTE: The President spoke at 2:15 p.m. in the Convention Center. In his remarks, he referred you were a mayor, back when you were a to William E. Shelton, president, and James judge and above such things as petty politics, Comer, professor, Eastern Michigan University; we were friends. [Laughter] I have enjoyed Mayor Dennis W. Archer of Detroit, MI; former watching the success of Detroit and enjoyed Gov. James J. Blanchard of Michigan; and Myra helping on occasion you to contribute to it. Jodie, student, Steamboat Navajo Nation. A por- I thank you all. tion of these remarks could not be verified be- I bring you—I also want to offer my con- cause the tape was incomplete. dolences to the family and many friends of Bill Beckham, who passed away last week, Remarks at the NAACP Fight for who devoted his life to improving the lives Freedom Fund Dinner in Detroit, of others in this great city. And I bring you Michigan greetings from two people who are not here: the First Lady, Hillary, who said she wished April 30, 2000 she could be here, but she is otherwise occu- Thank you. Well—I don’t know what to pied in New York tonight; and the Vice Presi- say. [Laughter] I will tell you that this mag- dent, who is otherwise occupied somewhere nificent work of African art will be up in our in America tonight, who loved being here. residence at the White House before I go Now, I am told this is the largest sit-down to bed tonight. I thank you for it. dinner anywhere in the whole world. And I Reverend Anthony, thank you for an intro- can honestly say, it’s the only one I’ve ever duction the likes I have never had and never attended that had four head tables—[laugh- will have again. [Laughter] Thank you for ter]—the only one I’ve ever attended when spreading the caring arms of this branch of I didn’t shake hands with everyone at the the NAACP from East Grand Boulevard all head tables—[laughter]—and I learned to- the way to Africa. [Laughter] And thank you night that I was the first sitting President ever for being my true friend. to attend this great banquet. I will say this: Thank you all, ladies and gentlemen, for If this encounter gets anything like the press honoring Secretary Cuomo. I am delighted coverage it deserves, I am quite certain I will that he and his wife, Kerry, are here with not be the last President to be at this banquet me, and he deserves the honor you gave him. tonight. You know, he and Secretary Slater make me More than anything else, I came tonight look good every day. [Laughter] And too to say a simple thank you. Thank you for often I get the credit when they deserve being my friends; thank you for being there more. I thank them for being here. for me in good times and bad; thank you for I thank Thurgood Marshall, Jr., for being being there in our journey to help America here; Maria Echaveste, all the people from go forward together.

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For more than 90 years now, the NAACP compared with 16 percent when the Vice has been America’s friend, the conscience of President and I set out to hook them all up a nation struggling and too often failing to 6 years ago. I’m grateful for all that. live up to its ideals, challenging always all I’m grateful that, as Wendell said so much of us to look into the mirror, to face our faults more eloquently than I could, we have ap- and right our wrongs. I have proceeded these pointed more minorities and women to more last 7 years and 3 months with a simple phi- positions in the Government and on the losophy that I believe is your philosophy: I bench than any administration in history by believe everybody counts, everybody should a good long ways. I’m grateful for that. have a chance, everybody has a role to play, I am profoundly touched by your prayers, and we all do better when we help each your friendship, and your support. I re- other. minded Secretary Slater when Reverend An- Dr. King once said our lives begin to end thony was up here preaching—[laughter]— the day we become silent about things that that I went home with him last week to a matter. The NAACP has never been silent memorial service for Daisy Bates, the great about the things that matter, and the life of Arkansas heroine of the civil rights move- this organization is just beginning. For all the ment who shepherded those nine children progress we have made together, there is still through Little Rock Central High School 43 much to do. years ago and who just died a few months I am grateful for your support and the role ago. Daisy’s minister, Reverend Rufus you and your work have played in the Young, who is a gentleman way up in his progress we have made together for America. eighties, with a frail walk, with a strong voice, I am grateful that we have the lowest unem- got up and looked up at me and he said, ployment and welfare rates in 30 years, the ‘‘Mr. President, the only reason you’ve sur- lowest poverty rates in 20 years, the lowest vived is that so many of us black folks were minority unemployment ever recorded, the praying for you so hard.’’ [Laughter] lowest female unemployment in 40 years, the What I hope now is we will turn our pray- highest homeownership in history, and the ers and energies toward tomorrow. For when longest economic expansion in history. I am people gather together, even though it’s im- grateful for that. portant to remember the past, in my wife’s I am grateful that under the Vice Presi- words, it’s even more important to imagine dent’s leadership, we’ve created empower- the future. And I guess what I would like ment zones in Detroit and many other cities to ask you is, in this millennial election sea- and set up community financial institutions son, as a citizen—forget about party, forget to loan money to people that couldn’t get about anything else—what do you as a loans otherwise, and done so many other human being believe that America should be things. I am grateful for that. I am grateful doing? that we have a healing social fabric, that the I have waited a long time for my country homicide rate is the lowest in 30 years and to be in the position to create the future of gun crime’s down 35 percent, and adoptions our dreams for our children. I watched for are up 30 percent. I am grateful for all of a long time America just being paralyzed by that. I am grateful that 21 million Americans these assumptions of what we could not do. have taken family and medical leave and that When I got elected President, I think most 5 million families have benefited from our people thought we could never get rid of the HOPE scholarship to help pay for college. deficit, much less run a surplus, but we have. I am grateful that 150,000 young Ameri- I think most people thought the crime rate cans, including at least one I saw here to- would always go up and never go down. But night, have served our country in it’s gone down for 7 years in a row now. I AmeriCorps in their communities. I am think most people thought that people on grateful that over 90 percent of our children welfare didn’t really want to work. But that are immunized for the first time from serious turned out to be wrong. Almost 7 million childhood diseases, and 95 percent of our have moved out of welfare. They were wrong schools are hooked up to the Internet, as about that.

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I think most people thought a lot of things public service. You know, I never thought couldn’t get better. And now we don’t have about this in the way—my appointment of any excuses, because we know when we get people of color and lots of women to impor- together and work together, things can get tant positions—in the way most people think better. And so what I want to ask you is, about it. I always figured we’d do a better what do you propose to do about it? job if our Government was more representa- A great country can make mistakes not tive of the rest of the people in the country. only when times are tough but when times I always thought we would make better deci- are good. I look out here in this sea of faces, sions. I always thought empowering people and I wonder how many thousand stories and communities was a positive good. I never there are here tonight—stories of triumph thought it was something I was doing for and heroism and struggle against the odds somebody else. I just thought I was trying to overcome some racial or economic or to make democracy work. other handicap—how many of you have lost And we made a lot of progress. But I want a loved one to violence or other tragedies. you to know, there’s one real problem we’ve And now, what I want to say to you is: We still got that directly affects Michigan. When know things can be better; what do you pro- it comes to appointing judges, the United pose to do about it? States Senate is not doing what it ought to We have choices to make. I believe that be doing, especially with regard to women we should keep on going with this economic and minority appointees. recovery until we have brought economic op- Hey, I need your help on this. A blue rib- portunity to all those neighborhoods, all bon study found that during the 105th Con- those little rural towns, all those Indian res- gress, women and minority judicial nominees ervations, all those people who have still been took much longer to be considered than left behind and don’t know there’s been a white males. It found that minority nomina- recovery because they haven’t felt it. And we tions failed at a much higher rate than the can do it now in a way that we’ve never been nominations of whites. Last year there was able to do before. a disgraceful rejection of an African-Amer- I believe we should keep going until all ican State supreme court judge from Mis- of our children understand how to use com- souri named Ronnie White, solely on the puters and can make the most of it. I believe basis of party politics. we should keep going until we find a way I have nominated two people from Michi- to guarantee health care rights to all Ameri- gan to the sixth circuit, and neither one of cans who are willing to work and do the right them have even gotten a hearing so far. Judge thing or who need help because they can’t. Helene White, a highly qualified Michigan I believe we should keep going until every appellate judge, has been waiting for a hear- American who wants to can go to college. ing from the Senate Judiciary Committee for Let me tell you something else a lot of 3 years, longer than any other pending nomi- people don’t know; even a lot of African- nee. Americans don’t know this. Last year, for the My other sixth circuit nominee, Kathleen first time in history, the percentage of Afri- McCree Lewis, the daughter of Wade can-Americans graduating from high school McCree, is here tonight. She would become equaled the percentage of the white majority the first African-American woman ever to children graduating from high school. Now, serve on the sixth circuit. I think the Senate we ought to keep going until the percentage ought to give Helene White and Kathleen going on to college equals that and then the McCree Lewis hearings. Vote them up or percentage graduating. But we have to open down. Tell the American people how you the doors of college to everyone. stand. Let us here from you. Don’t hide be- We’ve made a lot of progress, but we’ve hind having no hearing. got more to do. And we’ve got more to do I had to work and work and work to get in so many other areas. I just want to mention a distinguished Hispanic judge and a female two more before I leave. One is, in this whole attorney appointed out in California. They business of sharing the bounty of America’s made him wait 4 years. Now, why did they

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do that? Because they didn’t want to put him But when three-quarters of the people in on the court. They just didn’t want you to the penitentiary are people of color and know they didn’t want to put him on the they’re more likely to be in the penitentiary court. [Laughter] So if you don’t want to do than they are to go to college, there’s some- something, but you don’t want the people to thing wrong still. I don’t think we’ve done know you don’t want to do something, in- as much we can. I think we can make Amer- stead of saying no, you just never get around ica safer and have more of our kids going to it. [Laughter] to college at the same time. But we have a Now, we’re going to have a new election choice to make. in November. And we’ll have a new Presi- I think we ought to pass the hate crimes dent and a new Senate, and I hope a new legislation. There are still people in this House, with John as the Chairman of the country who are shot, who are abused, who House Judiciary Committee. But I want you are killed because of their race, their religion, to know this: I am proud of the fact that my just because they’re gay. We’ve seen it over party has never been guilty of delaying nomi- and over again—tragically. We saw it just this nees to this extent and particularly putting week: Five people in a suburb of Pittsburgh the burden on women and people of color. shot and killed for no other reason, it ap- And it’s a shame, and we ought to do some- pears, than the color of their skin or the way thing about it. And I hope you’ll help me they worship God. do something about it. Now, you will hear all kinds of arguments about this hate crime business, but I have Now, let me just mention one other thing, studied this. It is simply not true that we do because we have lots of choices this year. You not need national legislation making hate will have choices about whether to keep on crimes against people, because of race or be- changing in accord with this economic policy cause of sexual orientation or because of dis- and bringing everybody into it while we keep ability or because of religion, a Federal paying down the debt, investing in education, crime. We do. give families tax cuts we can afford, or going And I have looked into the eyes of the back to the economic policy we had before brother and the sister of that Filipino postal I came in, with even bigger tax cuts that, worker that was gunned down in California. once I get out of office, would benefit pri- I have seen one of those little Jewish children marily people like me. [Laughter] But we that was wounded, and his family, at that won’t have any money for education, and community center in Los Angeles. I have we’ll start running deficits again. talked to the widow of the African-American We’ll have choices about education policy, former basketball coach at Northwestern health policy, environmental policy, a lot of who was shot walking in his neighborhood. other things. But I want you to think about I have put my arms around the parents of the things that we choose that really define Matthew Shepard, who was stretched out on us as a community. John Conyers talked a rack in Wyoming because he was gay. And about one. I’m proud that gun crime is down I have seen the brother and sister of James 35 percent. Anybody that thinks that America Byrd, who was dragged to death in Texas be- is safe enough is free to walk out on my cause he was black. speech right now. But we know we can make Now, if we want to be one America and America safer, and we know the best way we don’t want any politics in it, the easiest to do it is by preventing crime in the first way that we can do that is to join hands and place. That’s why we want to close the gun unanimously say, ‘‘We can argue about a lot show loophole and do other things to keep of things, but one thing we’re never going guns out of the hands of children and crimi- to argue about again is our common human- nals. That’s why we want more community ity. Here is this hate crimes bill. It is who police on the street. That’s why we want we are. It is what we stand for. It is what more after-school and summer school pro- we believe.’’ grams for our kids, to give them something You know, we do have a lot of bridges to to say yes to. cross. As long as there are people without

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economic opportunity and we can give it to lic life, the purpose of citizenship, the pur- them, we ought to do it. As long as there pose of the NAACP is to give people a sense are people who don’t have access to world- of our common humanity and our common class education and we can give it to them, cause. You know, Wendell said that I learned we ought to do it. As long as there are work- that from my grandparents, and that’s true. ing families who can’t take care of their chil- But I learn it every day, from all the stories dren, we ought to do it. As long as there— of all the people I see. we ought to give them child care support and You have given me a memory tonight I access to health care they can afford. We will never forget. Your support has meant ought to do these things. more to me than I can ever say. The people There are so many challenges out there, of Detroit and the State of Michigan have but the main thing I want to tell you is this: been with me through thick and thin. But If the good Lord came to me tonight when the only thing that really matters now is, what I walked out of this room and said, ‘‘Mr. are you going to do tomorrow? What do you President, now I’m not going to let you serve propose to do with this magic moment? the end of your term. I’m taking you home Let me tell you this: The last time we had tonight, and I’m no genie. I’m not going to an economy this good was in the 1960’s. We give you three wishes, but I will give you broke the record of the 1960’s for economic one. What do you want?’’ I would wish for expansions. There are a lot of young children our country to be truly one America. here who weren’t alive back then, but I was. I would wish for us to be able—you know, And I graduated from high school in 1964 I have—you may have heard me tell this story in the middle of that great economic expan- on television, but I’m going to tell it one sion, low unemployment, low inflation, high more time. I have got, on a table in the Oval growth, everything booming. We thought the Office—when you see me there with a world civil rights problems would be handled in leader, and you see two chairs and two big Congress and the courts. We never dreamed couches and a table there—right on that we’d be caught up in Vietnam. We thought table, you look next time—standing on that we would win the cold war, no sweat. We table in a vacuum-packed glass container is thought we were on automatic, marching into a rock that Neil Armstrong took off the Moon the future. And what happened? What hap- in 1969. That rock is 3.6 billion years old. pened? And when people come in to see me, and Within 4 years, when I graduated from col- they get all riled up, and they get all mad lege, it was 2 days after Senator Kennedy at each other, and they’re thinking about lit- was killed, 2 months after Martin Luther tle things, and they’re all torn up and upset, King was killed, 9 weeks after President ever since I’ve got that, I say, ‘‘Wait a minute, Johnson, the great civil rights President, look at that rock. You see that rock? That couldn’t even run for reelection because the is 3.6 billion years old. Now chill out. We’re country was so divided over Vietnam. And all just passing through here.’’ [Laughter] within a few months, the longest economic And I say that to remind you that, whether expansion in history was itself history. you’re President of the United States or Life is fleeting. Things change. I have been somebody serving us this dinner tonight, the waiting for 35 years, not as President, as an most important things about us are not the American citizen, for my country to be in differences between me and the people serv- the position you’re in tonight, to build the ing you dinner but the things we have in future of our dreams for our children. That common. should be the mission of the NAACP in this And when life is all said and done, the sto- millennial year. ries we really will be thinking about in our Thank you, and God bless you all. last moments were who liked us and who loved us and what moved us and the NOTE: The President spoke at 7:10 p.m. in the springtimes we remember and the moments Cobo Convention Hall. In his remarks, he re- of personal drama and courage and meaning ferred to Rev. Wendell Anthony, president, that came into our lives. The purpose of pub- NAACP Detroit Branch; Gov. John Engler of

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Michigan; and Mayor Dennis W. Archer of De- landers face low-paying jobs, inadequate troit, MI, and his wife, Trudy. health care, and lack of educational oppor- tunity. Proclamation 7299—Asian/Pacific To assist this community in meeting these American Heritage Month, 2000 challenges, last June I signed an Executive April 29, 2000 order establishing the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. By the President of the United States The Initiative’s goal is to improve the quality of America of life for Asian Americans and Pacific Is- landers by increasing their participation in A Proclamation Federal programs—including health, human Over the last two centuries, Asian Ameri- services, education, housing, labor, transpor- cans and Pacific Islanders have contributed tation, economic, and community develop- immeasurably to the richness of our dynamic, ment programs—which may not have served multicultural society. Whether recent immi- them in the past. grants or descendants of families who have been here for generations, Asian Americans My Administration remains dedicated to and Pacific Islanders embody many of our building an America that celebrates and Nation’s core values, including devotion to draws strength from its diversity. Let us use family, commitment to hard work, and pride this month to reflect on the many gifts Asian in their heritage. Americans and Pacific Islanders have The people of this diverse and rapidly brought to our nation and embrace the con- growing community have contributed to tributions that Americans of all backgrounds every aspect of our national life—from engi- make to our increasingly multicultural soci- neering and computer science to govern- ety. ment, the arts, and sports. For example, To honor the accomplishments of Asian Vinod Dahm helped to revolutionize com- Americans and Pacific Islanders and to rec- puter technology through the invention of ognize their many contributions to our Na- the pentium chip. Governors Benjamin tion, the Congress, by Public Law 102–450, Cayetano of Hawaii and Gary Locke of has designated the month of May as ‘‘Asian/ Washington have devoted their lives to pub- Pacific American Heritage Month.’’ lic service. The talents of novelist Amy Tan Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, have delighted readers across our Nation, President of the United States of America, while architect and sculptor Maya Lin’s stir- do hereby proclaim May 2000 as Asian/Pa- ring memorials to the Vietnam War and the cific American Heritage Month. I call upon Civil Rights Movement have uplifted and in- the people of the United States to observe spired all who have experienced them. And this occasion with appropriate programs, diver Greg Louganis and football star Junior ceremonies, and activities. Seau have thrilled sports fans everywhere In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set with their skill and athleticism. my hand this twenty-ninth day of April, in While many Asian Americans and Pacific the year of our Lord two thousand, and of Islanders today are thriving, others are still the Independence of the United States of struggling to overcome obstacles. Because of America the two hundred and twenty-fourth. oppression in their countries of origin, some new immigrants have arrived without having completed their education; once here, some William J. Clinton have encountered language and cultural bar- riers and discrimination. Pacific Islanders, [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, too, must overcome barriers to opportunity 8:45 a.m., May 2, 2000] caused by their geographic isolation and the consequences of Western influences on their NOTE: This proclamation was released by the Of- unique culture. For these and other reasons, fice of the Press Secretary on May 1, and it was too many Asian Americans and Pacific Is- published in the Federal Register on May 3.

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Proclamation 7300—Loyalty Day, we live in a Nation that inspires such fidelity. 2000 And we should remember with pride the April 29, 2000 loyal patriots who have gone before us, whose character and efforts built America, pre- By the President of the United States served it in times of peril, and gave life to of America our founders’ dreams. Recognizing the importance of loyalty to A Proclamation the continued strength of our country and In the Declaration of Independence and success of our democracy, the Congress, by in the Constitution, our Nation’s founders Public Law 85–529, has designated May 1 first articulated the enduring ideals that have of each year as ‘‘Loyalty Day.’’ sustained our democracy—freedom, self-de- Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, termination, justice, and equality. Each year President of the United States of America, we set aside this special day to reaffirm our do hereby proclaim May 1, 2000, as Loyalty allegiance to those ideals and to our beloved Day. I urge all Americans to recall the valor country. and selflessness of all those who made this The power and promise of our country’s Nation worthy of our love and loyalty and principles moved men and women through- to express our own loyalty through appro- out the American colonies to declare their priate patriotic programs, ceremonies, and allegiance to a new country and a new form activities. I also call upon Government offi- of government that respected the rights of cials to display the flag of the United States the individual. Throughout the decades, mil- in support of this national observance. lions of immigrants drawn to America’s free- In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set dom proved their loyalty to their adopted Na- my hand this twenty-ninth day of April, in tion in the words of the oath of citizenship the year of our Lord two thousand, and of and in their daily lives—working hard, striv- the Independence of the United States of ing to build a better future for their families America the two hundred and twenty-fourth. and communities, serving in our Armed Forces, upholding our laws, and participating William J. Clinton in our democracy. [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, Other Americans have showed their loyalty 8:45 a.m., May 2, 2000] by courageously challenging our Nation to live up to its ideals. We owe a profound debt NOTE: This proclamation was released by the Of- to the heroes and visionaries who opposed fice of the Press Secretary on May 1, and it was slavery, reformed labor practices, won the published in the Federal Register on May 3. right to vote for women, marched for civil rights, and spoke out with conscience and conviction whenever we have failed to up- Statement on the Decision To Stop hold the highest standards of freedom and Degrading Global Positioning justice. System Signals We find perhaps the strongest and most May 1, 2000 moving evidence of loyalty to America in the service and sacrifice of our men and women Today I am pleased to announce that the in uniform. From the War of Independence United States will stop the intentional deg- to today’s peacekeeping missions around the radation of the Global Positioning System world, generations of Americans have shown (GPS) signals available to the public begin- their allegiance by defending our Nation ning at midnight tonight. We call this deg- against tyrants and terrorists, protecting our radation feature Selective Availability (SA). national interests wherever they are threat- This will mean that civilian users of GPS will ened, and promoting our values across the be able to pinpoint locations up to 10 times globe. more accurately than they do now. GPS is On this first Loyalty Day of the 21st cen- a dual-use, satellite-based system that pro- tury, all Americans should give thanks that vides accurate location and timing data to

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users worldwide. My March 1996 Presi- Originally developed by the Department dential Decision Directive included in the of Defense as a military system, GPS has be- goals for GPS to: ‘‘encourage acceptance and come a global utility. It benefits users around integration of GPS into peaceful civil, com- the world in many different applications, in- mercial, and scientific applications world- cluding air, road, marine, and rail navigation, wide; and to encourage private sector invest- telecommunications, emergency response, ment in and use of U.S. GPS technologies oil exploration, mining, and many more. and services.’’ To meet these goals, I com- Civilian users will realize a dramatic im- mitted the U.S. to discontinuing the use of provement in GPS accuracy with the dis- SA by 2006, with an annual assessment of continuation of SA. For example, emergency its continued use beginning this year. teams responding to a cry for help can now The decision to discontinue SA is the latest determine what side of the highway they measure in an ongoing effort to make GPS must respond to, thereby saving precious more responsive to civil and commercial minutes. This increase in accuracy will allow users worldwide. Last year Vice President new GPS applications to emerge and con- Gore announced our plans to modernize tinue to enhance the lives of people around GPS by adding two new civilian signals to the world. enhance the civil and commercial service. This initiative is on track, and the budget fur- Statement on the United States ther advances modernization by incor- porating some of the new features on up to Treasury ‘‘Debt Buybacks’’ 18 additional satellites that are already await- May 1, 2000 ing launch or are in production. We will con- Today the Department of the Treasury is tinue to provide all of these capabilities to announcing that the United States will pay worldwide users, free of charge. off $216 billion of debt this year—the largest My decision to discontinue SA was based debt paydown in American history. This will upon a recommendation by the Secretary of be the third consecutive year of debt reduc- Defense in coordination with the Depart- tion, bringing the 3-year total to $355 billion. ments of State, Transportation, Commerce, This important news offers yet more evi- the Director of Central Intelligence, and dence that our strategy of fiscal discipline, other executive branch departments and investing in people, and opening markets agencies. They realized that worldwide trans- abroad is working. The debt quadrupled in portation safety, scientific, and commercial the 12 years before I came into office and interests could best be served by discontinu- was projected to rise still further. As a result ation of SA. Along with our commitment to of the 1993 and 1997 budgets, and tough enhance GPS for peaceful applications, my choices in each and every year, the debt is administration is committed to preserving now $2.4 trillion lower than it was projected fully the military utility of GPS. The decision to be. As a result, interest rates are lower, to discontinue SA is coupled with our con- leading to stronger investment and growth tinuing efforts to upgrade the military utility while saving money for American families. of our systems that use GPS and is supported We should not jeopardize the longest eco- by threat assessments which conclude that nomic expansion in history with risky tax cuts setting SA to zero at this time would have that threaten our fiscal discipline. We should minimal impact on national security. Addi- take advantage of this historic opportunity to tionally, we have demonstrated the capability use the benefits of debt reduction to extend to selectively deny GPS signals on a regional the life of Social Security and Medicare and basis when our national security is threat- pay off the entire national debt by 2013 for ened. This regional approach to denying the first time since Andrew Jackson was navigation services is consistent with the President. Lifting the burden of debt from 1996 plan to discontinue the degradation of our children and grandchildren is one of the civil and commercial GPS service globally most important investments in the future we through the SA technique. can make.

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Remarks to Independent Insurance lies is the lowest it’s been in over 35 years. Agents of America’s National So I think that’s worth pointing out. Legislative Conference I also would say, on the education issue— I heard what he said about burden of regula- May 2, 2000 tions—the Secretary of Education, Dick Riley, who was Governor of South Carolina The President. Thank you very, very for many years, has cut two-thirds of the reg- much. Ladies and gentlemen, I am delighted ulations and paperwork burdens on local to be here. And I thank you, President school districts that existed when we became Houston, and I thank your CEO, Paul the new administration in 1993. And in fact, Equale, whom I see all the time here in our administration, even though we’ve had Washington pleading your cause. And I thank to promulgate some new regulations over the my old friend George Frazier. I heard that introduction. The truth is that only he and whole Federal Government, has gotten rid my mother thought I had a chance to be of more regulations, some 16,000 pages of elected President when I ran. [Laughter] But them, in every Federal agency than were it’s nice to have someone like that in your eliminated in the previous 12 years. And we corner. have the smallest Government since 1960. So I think the record will look pretty good on I came here today, in part, on a senti- that score. mental journey. I couldn’t hear everything George said, but the first speech I gave out- But I also want to say I appreciate the fact side Arkansas as an elected official was in that Orrin Hatch has worked with me, par- 1977, when I flew to California to speak for ticularly, to try to encourage the orderly con- George when he was president of your orga- firmation of judges, when so many people nization. So, in a real sense, my political ca- would rather not deal with that issue. I’ve reer began with George Frazier’s presidency done my best to take that out of politics, and and ended with my own. And I am delighted I think it’s important. to be here. I want to thank you for several things. If I also want to acknowledge and thank an- I could begin, I want to thank you for what other member of this group from Arkansas, you do every day when you’re not being po- my friend Lib Carlisle, who agreed to be- litically active. I want to thank you for what come chairman of the Democratic Party you do day-in and day-out to give personal when I was reelected Governor in 1982. I insurance service to people across this coun- told him that it would just be about a half- try. I want to thank you for the work you’re a-day-a-week job. The truth was he had doing to modernize insurance, to build a about a half a day a week left to devote to presence on-line and in E-commerce. And this job. And I’m surprised as a result of his I want to ask you to continue to help to pre- public service that he could afford the air- serve the privacy of your clients in the face plane ticket up here. [Laughter] But I am of this new technology. delighted that he and all of you are here. On Sunday I went to Eastern Michigan I also want to say I’m glad I got here for University in Ypsilanti, Michigan, not too far a few minutes of Senator Hatch’s speech. Be- from Detroit, to talk about the promise of lieve it or not, we’re good friends. [Laughter] the Internet age and the challenges to our And it’s nearly ruined him in the Republican privacy, including our financial privacy, that caucus. [Laughter] And so he has to give me it presents. And I think it’s very, very impor- a little grief when he shows up. I would say tant that we maximize the possibilities of in my own defense that it is true that tax technology without giving up the American receipts—I heard him talking about the tax people’s right to determine what basic infor- burden—it is true that tax receipts as a per- mation is or is not in the hands of people centage of national income are up. But the that they don’t know and whom they have reason is, unemployment is low and incomes not approved to receive the information. have grown so much. The actual percentage I also want to congratulate you for diversi- of income being paid by middle income fami- fying this organization, by reaching out to the

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National African American Insurance Orga- What will we make of them? You can prob- nization and by appointing the first woman ably recall some time in your own life or your to your board. The First Lady, particularly, own business when you’ve gotten into a little thought that was a good idea. [Laughter] bit of trouble, not because things were so And I want to thank you for the quality tough but because things seemed to be going of representation you have here in Wash- well, and therefore, there were no con- ington. We have not always agreed over the sequences to breaking your concentration or last 7 years, but I have always been impressed taking a little time to stop thinking about to- by the straight talk and the honest, open ef- morrow. fort that I have seen from your organization And I feel very strongly—and I think I can to try to work out difficulties, work out gen- say this with some credibility since I’m not uine differences. And when we have worked on the ballot, and most days I’m okay with together, we have done some very good it—[laughter]—but I think I can say, to me, things indeed. the importance of this election is that Amer- We’ve worked together to get our econ- ica now knows that we can solve problems omy moving again. When I became Presi- together. We know we can make real dent, we had a $295 billion deficit. It was progress. When I became President, if I had scheduled to be nearly $400 billion this year. said in my Inaugural Address in 1993, ‘‘You The debt of the country had quadrupled over know, if you will just stick with me folks, in the previous 12 years, and I knew there was 7 years we’ll have 3 years of surpluses, and no easy way to get rid of it. So we passed we’ll be in a position to get this country out an economic plan in 1993 that took us about of debt for the first time since 1835,’’ you 70 percent of the way there, and then we would have said, ‘‘He seems like a nice young passed a bipartisan balanced budget in 1997 man, but we have a delusional person in the that had big majorities in both parties in both White House.’’ [Laughter] If I had said, ‘‘The Houses supporting eliminating the deficit en- crime rate will come down 7 years in a row, tirely. and we’ll cut the welfare rolls in half,’’ you We’ve now run the first back-to-back sur- wouldn’t have believed that. If I had said, pluses in over 40 years, and this year we’ll ‘‘We’ll find a way to work with the private make it three in a row. The United States sector to improve the quality of our air, this year is going to pay off $216 billion of water, and land and still have the longest eco- our national debt. That is the largest debt nomic expansion in history,’’ you might not repayment in American history. This will have believed that. So we know now, because bring the 3-year total to $355 billion, and it’s of the success our country has had, that if further evidence, I believe, that the country we work together and we set common goals, ought to have a bipartisan economic strategy we can achieve them. The level of skepticism of paying off the debt and investing in our or cynicism that was present in 1992, because people, in education, in science and tech- of the difficulties that we’ve had for some nology, and in opening new markets at home years, is simply not there anymore. But the and abroad. question now is, what are we going to do Four years ago you put yourselves on the with a truly magic moment of prosperity? line for the Kennedy-Kassebaum bill. I want And I won’t repeat the whole State of the to thank you for that. Your support has made Union Address here, but I just want to men- a difference all across this country, and I am tion two issues to you. First of all, we have very grateful. Again, we had not only the to keep the economy going. It makes so Democrats, Vice President Gore, and I but much else possible. I did a police event the substantial Republican support. And we other day here in the District of Columbia, reached agreement, and it made a difference and I complimented them on having the low- for ordinary Americans. And I’m very grate- est murder rate in over 30 years and the low- ful. est crime rate in nearly 30 years, a big decline It seems to me that this year the large in gun violence, and all the things they’ve question before the American people is, what done. We’ve helped them put several hun- are we going to do with these good times? dred police on the street. And on the way

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out, this police officer said, ‘‘Well, thanks for you’ve got to have more markets all the time all the nice words, but the economy didn’t in that sort of environment. hurt.’’ It’s very important that we do that. In that regard, there are two initiatives be- We already have the longest economic ex- fore the Congress today that have bipartisan pansion in history—by far, the longest with- support, and at least one—maybe both, but out any kind of war involved, but including certainly one—that have bipartisan opposi- all the ones which mobilized the country for tion. The first is the proposal to bring China wartime. So how do we propose to keep this into the World Trade Organization. That may going? not be something that you think is of imme- I personally believe it’s very important that diate concern to insurance agents, but since we continue to pay down this debt. Why? you care so much about the economy, it’s Because Americans finance a lot of their pur- very important. chases through personal debt. We finance a China’s going to get into the World Trade lot of new equipment and business expansion Organization whether we vote to give them through business debt. The personal savings normal trading relations every year or not. rate in America is too low, and I would like And the deal we negotiated with them does to see it go up, and I would support initiatives not give them one bit of increased access to in the Congress to try to help it increase. our markets but gives us huge increased ac- But meanwhile, when we pay down the na- cess to their markets. tional debt, it increases the overall savings If you saw the deal, you would ask why rate of America; it keeps interest rates down; they signed it. The reason they signed it is, it makes money more available—the Govern- you can’t get into the World Trade Organiza- ment is putting money back into the econ- tion unless you’re willing to trade. So they omy instead of taking money out—and it have a more closed economy; they sell a lot works as an effective tax cut when you pay of stuff to us; our biggest trade deficit now the debt down. usually is with them. And they have to open The fact that we have gotten rid of the their markets. And we negotiated a very deficit and paid down the debt, according to strong deal that will mean more jobs, more the latest economic analysis I saw, saves the businesses, more investments for America. average homeowner about $2,000 a year in And from a national security point of view, lower mortgage payments and interest rates it would, in my view, be a very, very unwise being lower than they otherwise would, and and precarious move to say that the United a couple hundred dollars a year on car pay- States doesn’t care whether they’re a part of ments and a couple hundred dollars a year the world community or not. You don’t have on college loan payments. And of course, the to agree with another country on everything availability of capital for business expansion to say you prefer to trade with them than is profoundly important. So I hope in the have an arms face-off with them and constant midst of all this debate this year, you will conflict with them. try to sort through whether, when it’s all said So it’s in our national security interests, and done, whether the commitments made but it’s necessary to keep our economy going. by various people all add up and we can con- There’s 1.2 billion people over there, and in- tinue to do that. creasingly, more and more of them will be Secondly, I think it’s important, when we able to buy what Americans can sell. And ask ourselves, how are we going to keep this as people sell more over there, they’ll have economy going, that we continue to expand more to buy insurance with. It’s very impor- the base of America’s customers. A nation tant. [Laughter] in that sense is not much different than your The second thing that’s important is that enterprise. If you want to keep expanding, we should not forget that there are people you’ve got to have somebody buying what and places in this country, many of them you’re selling. We have 4 percent of the served by members of this organization, that world’s population and 22 percent of the have not fully participated in this economic world’s income. So it should be obvious. You recovery. And to some extent, there are local don’t have to be an Einstein to figure out reasons for that that have to be dealt with

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at the State and local level. But there are and coverage and care to people who don’t things we can do here nationally, and there have it. We still have over 40 million Ameri- is a substantial bipartisan effort to pass some cans without any health insurance. There are version of what I have called for 2 years my still too many children and too many working new markets initiative, to basically go to parents who don’t have any. And more and places like the Mississippi Delta or Appa- more older Americans and their families are lachia or inner cities or upstate New York overwhelmed by the costs of long-term care or the Native American reservations—to go and overwhelmed by their medical costs, es- in there and say, first, we’re going to put in pecially for prescription drugs. the infrastructure of growth. So I hope this year that in this Congress I was in rural North Carolina the other we’ll find a way to extend coverage to more day, and the Governor and I announced that Americans. I hope we can do a better job his telephone companies were going to give to make sure that every child who is eligible broadband access to every rural community for coverage receives it. Of the some 10 mil- in North Carolina, which will enable a lot lion children in America who do not have of businesses that are otherwise physically health insurance, public programs now in isolated to do Internet transactions that oth- place—the Children’s Health Insurance Pro- erwise would not be available to them. gram that’s run by the State in all your States, When I was on the Indian reservation, and the Medicaid program, which is adminis- Shiprock, in northern New Mexico the other tered by them—would cover about half those day, the Navajo reservation, I learned that kids today—today—with programs already in 70 percent of the people there did not have place. And it is very important that we con- telephones. I was introduced by a 13-year- tinue to do a better job. old girl who had won, a brilliant young girl I also believe that we should pass the ini- who had won a computer in a contest. And tiatives in Congress to provide a $3,000 a year she couldn’t logon to the Internet because tax credit for long-term care. This is some- there wasn’t a phone line in her home. thing that I think has broad bipartisan sup- We forget that a lot of our fellow citizens port. More and more families are having to have not participated in this economy. And deal with this as we live longer, and it really so we announced there that we were going is a high-class problem in that sense. But it to be able to provide basic phone service to can be a very difficult and expensive one. those folks for a dollar a month, and we will And again, I think there’s bipartisan support be able to do a lot more—even though they for this. I hope it will pass, and I ask for are long way from most urban areas, we’ll your support. be able to do a lot more business for them And finally—I’m sure that Senator Hatch because of E-commerce once we get them talked about this a little bit, because we’re all hooked up. having a dispute about what the best way to But the main thing that we have before do it is—but I think it’s important that we the Congress is some way of giving tax incen- add some prescription drug coverage to tives for people who have money to invest, Medicare this year. And I feel very strongly to invest in these poor areas in America that that we ought to offer a completely voluntary are equal to the tax incentives we now give program that’s available to any senior who people to invest in poor areas in Latin Amer- needs it, with the most being done, obviously, ica or Asia or Africa. I’m all for encouraging for people with the least money. But we’re investment in developing countries overseas, having an argument about exactly how to do but we ought to be giving the exact same it. dollar-impact investment incentives to invest I think you ought to know the facts. More in developing communities here in America. than 60 percent of the senior citizens in They’re the nearest markets we’ve got, and America today lack access to affordable pre- we ought to do it. scription drugs. If there were no Medicare And let me say, finally, on the health care program and we were all starting again to- issue, I think it’s quite important that we con- morrow, we would never design one today tinue our efforts to provide health insurance that didn’t have prescription drug coverage.

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Thirty-five years ago, when Medicare was set One of the things that I’ve been trying to up, it was for people who had acute prob- convince Congress to do is take the interest lems. It was basically a doctor care, a hospital savings off the debt, since we’re paying down care program. Today, more and more seniors the debt because not only—we’ve cut spend- face chronic problems. Anybody that lives to ing, but you’re still paying more in Social Se- 65 in this country today has a life expectancy curity taxes than we’re paying out. So I think of 82, 83 years. You know more about these we ought to take that portion of debt reduc- tables than I do. tion, so we don’t have to pay interest on the And believe me, if you just take the med- debt anymore, that’s due to Social Security ical breakthroughs that I think are likely to taxes, and put it in the Trust Fund. occur in the next 5 years—sometime in the And then we could take the Social Security next few months we’ll announce the sequenc- Trust Fund out to 2054, and then we could ing of the human genome. We’ve already decide what else to do to try to increase the identified the defective genes that cause return, because when all the baby boomers breast cancer, Parkinson’s, may lead to retire, there will be two people working for Alzheimer’s and other things. Before you only one person drawing Social Security. The know it, when young mothers come home ratio has normally been 3 or 4 to 1; it’s going with their babies from the hospital, they’ll to go down to 2 to 1. So there are a lot of have a genetic map which will say your child challenges there. has these potential problems and these po- But the point I want to make is, this whole tential strengths, and if you do the following thing is going to change, and the emphasis, 10 things, you will cut by 90 percent the more and more and more, will be on keeping chance that your child will get the following people well in the first place, letting them conditions. I mean, it’s going to be a whole manage their own care, letting people stay different world out there. And you may have at home, not overwhelming the hospital sys- life expectancy go up in the 21st century even tem and the medical care system. You would more than it went up in the 20th century. never, today, set up a Medicare program There have been a lot of studies to try to without prescription drug coverage. determine how long the human body would So basically what we’re having a debate last if nothing bad ever happened. And the about here is at what level to stop the cov- answer is, about 120 years. That is, if you erage and how best to deliver it. And the factor out environmentally caused cancer, ac- only thing I’d like to say about the level, be- cidents, and crime leading to death, and we cause I think that’s very important, is that all had perfect nutrition and took good care if you stop at 150 percent of the poverty line, of ourselves, our systems, most of us, would it sounds reasonable, but that means that still stop functioning somewhere around 120 seniors over $15,000 in income can’t buy any years. They’ve done a lot of tests with animals medical coverage. Half of the people who that show that no matter how well you take don’t have prescription drug coverage today care of them, someday they just conk out. are between the incomes of $15,0000 and [Laughter] But that means that we’ve got $50,000. And if you’re on a fixed income of quite a long way to go. I expect George $30,000, you may think you’re sitting pretty Frazier to live about 120 years. [Laughter] if you’re 75 years old. But if you get a $2,000 But the rest of us are going to need a little a month medical bill because you’ve got a help. [Laughter] chronic problem, all of a sudden you don’t And so I think that will completely change have much money left. And I’m sure you all the insurance business. You think about it. know this, so I hope we can find a way this It will totally change health and life insurance year—I think there’s a fair chance we can— if the average life expectancy goes up another to put this issue beyond partisan politics and 8 years. And it’s why we also—I agree with also to get a program that works. one thing Orrin Hatch said—I hope we can I also have to tell you that a lot of people avoid politicizing this whole Social Security in the insurance industry have been very debate. I think it ought to be discussed, and forthright in saying that they think that our policy options ought to be taken care of. proposal is probably more workable. But the

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reason that the prescription drug people I hope you’ll do what you can to make sure don’t like it—the pharmaceutical companies we deal with it in an appropriate way. don’t like it—is they think that it would cover Now, before I sit down, I want to ask your so many people that we would have too much president to join me. Bill, come up here. bargaining power, and we’d get the drugs too We’ve got a little surprise for George Frazier. cheap. And if you listen to their argument, George is thinking about retiring after 46 they think that that might mean that they years as an independent agent. I’m against wouldn’t have enough profit margin to con- that. I don’t know, you know, you’re not tinue to develop new drugs. I don’t want to term-limited, why quit? [Laughter] paint them as the bad guys here; we’re having As you heard him say, I’ve known him all a genuine argument. my life, since I was a little boy in Hope, Ar- But I think that if we are to design—if kansas. And for all those years, I have known we design a program that doesn’t work, then him as a person who always, always cared we wind up with the worst of both worlds. more about other people than himself and And the insurance industry could be left always gave more than he took, whether it holding the bag if you’re expected to offer was a Little League team that needed a spon- policies that are not practical, that won’t sell, sor or a hospital that needed a new wing or and if they do sell, won’t do what people a young man starting out in public life who want. That’s why we’ve actually had quite a needed advice and friendship. He has been lot of really good dialog with people in the there for a lifetime. insurance industry about that, and I’m very I want to say that he and his wife, Effie, grateful for it. who are here today, are literally two of the But I just want to say to you, this is a na- tional problem that deserves a national solu- finest people I have ever known in my life. tion. We should not have a program to cover And as I said, I had the honor of swearing senior citizens and disabled people’s medical him in 23 years ago as the president of your benefits that doesn’t cover prescription organization. And I think it’s quite fitting that drugs. We need to do this. This is a sort of I started my career with his presidency and measure of what we do with good times. ended it with my own. I’m more surprised There are lots of issues I could mention, about mine than his. [Laughter] And I am including the education of our children, the very grateful to him for what he has been continued work to make America a safer professionally and even more for what he has country. I don’t think we should stop on this been as a citizen, as a human being. crime deal until we have the safest big coun- So George, Hillary and I love you. And try in the world. We’ve still got a lot of work if you will come up here, I want to present to do. And there are so many other chal- to you a beautiful resolution that this organi- lenges out there. But if we could just think zation is giving you for your years of dedica- about, here, keeping the economy going, ex- tion and service. tending its benefits to people in places left behind, and continue to make progress on [At this point, the President presented the health care—those are great goals worthy of resolution to Mr. Frazier. ] a nation that is grateful for the success it has The President. Thank you very much. enjoyed. Thank you. And as I leave office, that’s all I really want. I don’t want to think that we squan- dered this enormous opportunity. For the NOTE: The President spoke at 8:55 a.m. in the Independence Ballroom at the Grand Hyatt. In last 7 years, Al Gore and I and all the people his remarks, he referred to Bill Houston, presi- that have worked with us, we’ve tried so hard dent, Paul A. Equale, chief executive officer, and just to turn this country around and get it George Frazier, former president, Independent moving in the right direction. And now, as Insurance Agents of America; Lib I leave at the end of the year, what I’m think- Carlisle, former chair, Arkansas State Democratic ing of is how will we deal with the prosperity? Party; and Myra Jodie, student, Steamboat Navajo It’s a great measure of a great nation. And Nation.

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Remarks at the White House tant to families. It helps to define the shape Conference on Raising Teenagers of family life in ways that are by and large and Resourceful Youth positive. May 2, 2000 I’ll never forget once when I was Gov- ernor, I had a panel of former welfare recipi- The President. Thank you very much. ents that were in the work force, and one Thank you, and good morning. I want to join of my colleagues asked the lady from my with Hillary in welcoming you to the White State, said, ‘‘Well, what’s the best thing about House and thanking all of you for coming. having a job.’’ And she said, ‘‘The best thing I thank the foundations that have helped us. about it is when my boy goes to school and And thank you, David Hamburg. I still re- they say, ‘What does your mama do for a member when we worked on a report about living,’ he can give an answer.’’ the developmental needs of young adoles- But by the same token, we live in a country cents back in the late eighties, in which we that’s very good at creating jobs but is not recommended, among other things, that as good at providing family supports, in there ought to be community service in all which people are busier and busier and of our schools, something that we’re finally busier, and in which virtually everybody has getting around to. some trouble balancing work and family dur- I thank all of those who are here. I see ing the period of the child’s life. Even par- so many people out here in this audience ents who are staying at home have trouble who have done so much to help our young doing it. people, our teenagers, live better lives. I see And it is a problem that is more severe one of the founders of the City Year program for single parents and people that have more in Boston. I see a man who has adopted a than one job or people that have trouble get- huge number of children, along with his wife, ting around. It’s a problem that’s more severe and personally made sure that they got for people that work for very modest in- through their teenage years. There are many, comes. But I don’t think I know any parents many stories here. I’m grateful to all of you. who are working who have not had some pe- I’m very grateful to Secretary Shalala and riods in their lives when they worried wheth- Secretary Herman and our National Service er they were letting their kids down because Chairman, Senator Harris Wofford and Dep- they weren’t spending enough time with uty Attorney General Holder and Janice them or whether there were too many forces Lachance and all the others who are here out there that were kind of undermining that. from the administration—the Deputy Direc- And one of the things that I have learned tor of our drug office, Donald Vereen. And in ways large and small over an unfortunately thank you, Representative Stephanie Tubbs increasingly elderly existence—[laughter]— Jones. I thank you all for what you are doing. is that everybody has got a story—everybody. I want to thank the panelists and those And every child has a spark inside. And I who will come on afterward. And I think we believe that everyone has a role to play and ought to give one more hand to the families ought to be given a chance. And as important that were in the film, that walked in with as work is—and I say that coming from a Hillary and me. They did a great job. [Ap- family of workaholics—the most important plause] work that society does is still to raise chil- You know, we’ve worked very hard on dren. And if that work is done well, the rest these family issues for a long time, and Hil- of it pretty well takes care of itself. lary has done so for 30 years. But the way And so we’re here, basically, to do all the I see this as President, as well as a parent, things that Hillary said. I think when a trag- looking ahead to the kind of America we’re edy befalls a child, or a child is involved in trying to build in the new century, when I a tragedy, a school shooting or this terrible became President, we had to worry about incident at the Washington zoo, it throws it whether everybody who wanted or needed up in large relief. But I think that one of a job could get one. And that was very impor- the things we ought to do in beginning this tant. And the dignity of work is very impor- conference is to take a more balanced view.

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And I want to be very brief because I want have the opportunity to guide their teenagers you to have the maximum amount of time properly. Sitting down to dinner can have an with the keynote speaker and with the panel- enormously positive impact. The report ists. But I think it’s important that we have found that teenagers who had dinner with— a balanced view of what teenage life is like listen to this: The report found that teenagers today. that had dinner with their parents 5 nights And I asked the Council of Economic Ad- a week are far more likely to avoid smoking, visers to actually get me a statistical portrait drinking, violence, suicide, and drugs. This of teenage America. And here is a brief sum- holds true for single-parent, as well as two- mary. The good news is that the teenagers parent families, across all income and racial are far healthier, more prosperous, and look groups. Now obviously, if that is not possible, forward to more promising lives than ever and sometimes it’s not possible, then it’s real- before in our history. The economic rewards ly important to find some way to fill that gap, of education are at an all-time high. Teens but it’s a stunning statistical finding. have responded by completing high school For the past 7 years, the First Lady and and enrolling college at record rates. I have worked with our administration to try Last year, for the first time in the history to support parents’ efforts to raise healthy, of the country, the high school graduation hopeful, and responsible children. I’d also of African-Americans and the white majority like to acknowledge the invaluable efforts of was almost statistically identical. The dropout Vice President and Mrs. Gore, who have rate among Hispanic young people is still too had—even before he joined me, they were high, but that’s largely explained, I think, by sponsoring a family conference every year in the fact that we have still a very large number Tennessee to deal with these issues. It’s real- of Hispanic children in our schools who are ly one of the most astonishing, consistent first-generation immigrants whose first lan- commitments, I believe, in the country. And guage is not English, and they come from they’ve done a world of good, and I’m very families that are struggling to make ends grateful to them. meet, and very often they drop out to go to work still. But we’re making progress there, I’ll always be proud that the first bill I as well. signed as President was the Family and Med- More teenagers than ever before volun- ical Leave Act, a law that now has given more teering to serve through community service; than 20 million Americans the opportunity many harmful behaviors are actually on the to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave with- decline, including youth violence, homicide, out losing their jobs. And I remember when suicide, teen pregnancy, and, in the last cou- I signed it, it had previously been vetoed on ple of years, drug use: that’s the good news. the theory that it would hurt the economic The report also highlights some significant growth of the country. If that’s what it was challenges. There are still significant oppor- designed to do, it’s been a very poor failure. tunity gaps between white students and stu- [Laughter] dents of color. Teen smoking, drug use, and What it has done is to prove that it’s good pregnancy are still far too high. And despite economics to balance work and family, that a marked decline in teen homicide over the the more parents can succeed at home, the past few years, still far too many communities more free they are, psychologically, to be are scarred by gun violence. productive at work, and we ought to do more. Interestingly enough, statistically, the I have asked the Congress to include more Council of Economic Advisers found that firms in the family and medical leave law and gun-related teen deaths from deliberate acts to expand the purposes for which people can and from accidents are highly correlated with take family leave. We have also tried to give gun ownership and possession rates. In States States the flexibility to use funds in Federal with fewer guns in fewer households, there accounts to help to finance paid leave. We’ve are fewer gun deaths. worked hard on this, and I think it’s very im- Perhaps the most empowering finding in portant that we recognize that the United the new report is the extent to which parents States has done a great job at creating jobs,

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but we still give far less support to the re- Hillary talked about the work we’re doing sponsibility of balancing work and family with the industry to give parents the tools than virtually every other industrialized to protect their children in the new media country in the world. And it is very important age. I do think we need a voluntary system to do that. that goes across TV, movies, and video We’ve also worked hard to turn teenagers games. If we can find some way to develop away from unhealthy lives toward healthy fu- that, it would make a lot of sense. There’s tures. The rate of drug use has been cut, in a lot of information coming at parents. You part, by the powerful antidrug messages that know, I try to sort it all out when I see it. have been broadcast, and some of you here And I think it would be better if there was— have helped us with that. We have done our it’s almost like you need a dictionary to ex- best to engage the tobacco industry in what plain the differences in the TV ratings and has been a fairly epic and sometimes frus- movie ratings and the video game ratings. So trating struggle to reduce teen smoking. We we have to find some way this can be made made the single largest investment in chil- more usable. dren’s health care since Medicaid was cre- And today I want to just mention two ated. And we’re working to get more of our things that we’re trying to do to help parents kids—and increasingly, I hope, this year, and their teenagers. First, I’m signing an Ex- their parents—enrolled in the Children’s ecutive order to prohibit discrimination Health Insurance Program. And we’re work- against parents in the work force of the Fed- ing to make our schools safer. eral Government. Believe it or not, there are still some employers who are reluctant to I think that we also need comprehensive hire or to promote employees who have chil- strategies to stem violence both in and out dren at home. Some of you may have experi- of schools. Our program would dramatically enced this yourselves. The goal of this order expand quality after-school programs. When simply says, no glass ceiling for parents. The I started, we had a million dollars for after- job they’re doing at home is more important, school programs; then we went to $20 mil- anyway, and if they can do your job, you lion; then we went to $200 million. This year ought not to stop them. we’ve got $400 million in after-school pro- Second, I am pleased to announce that our grams. And I’ve proposed a billion dollars, National Campaign Against Youth Violence, and if we pass it, we’ll be able to say that the National Campaign to Prevent Teen every child, at least in every troubled neigh- Pregnancy, and Tobacco-Free Kids, and the borhood in the United States of America, can National Government have teamed up to be in an after-school program. This is a big produce a comprehensive guide to help par- deal, and I hope you will support it. ents support their teenagers through this cru- I also want to say a word of thanks to all cial and often difficult developmental period. those who have supported AmeriCorps, in- Now, I want to introduce our keynote cluding City Year and its other components. speaker now and say I’m sorry that I can’t We’ve now had more than 150,000 young stay for the rest of the day, but after he people earning money for college while serv- speaks, I’ll have to leave. But let me say that ing in their communities. And we’re trying I want to thank you for coming, again. I want to get more and more people to start earlier, to thank so many of you here for a lifetime to get high school kids, junior high school of commitment. People ask me all the time, kids, involved in community service. why are we focusing on these things when Maryland has become the first State in all the indicators are good and things are America to require community service as a going better? This is the time to be thinking condition of a high school diploma. And lis- about—I will say again—how we can deal ten to this: The study found that teens who with the significant challenges of this coun- participate in service projects in their com- try. And anybody that thinks that we’ve done munities are 75 percent less likely to drop everything we need to do to help the parents out of school, because they’re connected in with teenagers hasn’t had teenagers and a way that I think is profoundly important. hasn’t been around lately.

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It seems to me that if we can’t deal with Remarks to the Council of the these big social issues now, when we’re pros- Americas 30th Washington perous, when we’re doing well, if we can’t Conference strengthen the bonds of our community now, May 2, 2000 when will we ever get around to doing it? That’s why we’re here. Thank you very much. Good afternoon, la- I want to introduce a person who em- dies and gentlemen. And thank you, Buddy bodies much of the good that’s going on to MacKay, for that fine introduction. That in- help parents through having the village do troduction was a classic example of Clinton’s its part, in the First Lady’s words, to raise third law of politics: Whenever possible, be our children. Ben Casey is the president of introduced by someone you have appointed the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas. He has to high office. [Laughter] They will always degrees in psychology and counseling from make you look good in good times and bad, UCLA and Chapman College. He currently whether you deserve it or not. I want to thank the Ambassadors of Argen- oversees programs—listen to this—145 pro- tina, Colombia, Venezuela, and Brazil, who gram centers that serve a quarter of all the are here, for their interest and their pres- families in the greater Dallas region. We’ve ence; and all the people in the State Depart- asked him to speak to us today about his ex- ment who work on the Americas. David tensive experience with teens, the wise new Rockefeller, I want to thank you for taking poll which also has some important findings the lead 35 years ago now in establishing the about the way teens and parents view their Council of the Americas. And I want to thank communication and time together. the Council for its support of our efforts, be- And let me just finally say, Mr. Casey, as ginning with NAFTA, alleviating the financial I bring you up, every minute I have ever crisis in Latin America, the free trade area spent with young people, as President and of the Americas, and the Caribbean Basin before, but especially as President, has re- Initiative, as well as our efforts with Colom- affirmed to me how special they are, what bia. enormous potential they have. Even the ones I want to thank Buddy MacKay for his that can’t make it really want to and wish work as my Special Envoy and especially for they could. And what a profound responsi- the work he’s doing now on Capitol Hill as bility we have. And I want to honor you, sir, our point person for the Caribbean Basin Ini- because you spend every day trying to make tiative. I’d also like to thank my former Chief sure we don’t lose a single one. of Staff and the first Special Envoy to Latin Thank you. America, Mack McLarty, for the work he has done. And let me say, the two of them to- gether, I hope, will convince the next Presi- NOTE: The President spoke at 10:45 a.m. in the dent and all future Presidents, without re- East Room at the White House. In his remarks, gard to party, that we have made a change he referred to children’s advocate David A. in the configuration of the White House Hamburg, president emeritus, Carnegie Corp. of which ought to continue. I think that for dec- New York. The President also referred to Execu- tive Order 13152—Further Amendment to Exec- ades to come, every President should have utive Order 11478, Equal Employment Oppor- a Special Envoy to the Americas, because we tunity in Federal Government, published in the have a special relationship with the Americas. Federal Register on May 4. The transcript released And I hope those of you in this room of both by the Office of the Press Secretary also included parties who agree with that will do what you the remarks of the First Lady. A portion of these can to see that it happens after next January. remarks could not be verified because the tape I think it’s a very, very important thing to was incomplete. do.

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Let me say to all of you, especially to you, growth because we’ve kept open markets David, and to all of you who have been in- with a responsible financial policy. volved in this endeavor for a long time, you I hear—so many times people talk about had the vision to see that North and South, trade only in terms of exports, because that in this increasingly small globe of ours, could sounds good politically, and when you say come together, and that free trade could be you’re importing a lot, that doesn’t sound a force for peace, as well as prosperity, the good politically. But our imports have helped basis of our partnership across the whole us a lot. They’ve kept inflation down. And range of other areas in this hemisphere. You they’ve made our people’s dollars go further. saw that in the middle of the cold war when And they’ve enabled us to keep growing most people only saw the world divided by without inflation. And along the way, they’ve East and West here in the United States. De- helped our trading partners to lift their own velopments have proved that you were vi- well-being. Our two top trading partners sionary, and we are grateful. today are our neighbors to the north and to We are also grateful today in the United the south. And during most of the last dec- States for the extraordinary success that our ade, our trade with Latin America grew faster economy has enjoyed and for the ability it than any other region of the world. has given us to play a positive role in the So we have been very fortunate. During world for peace and freedom and prosperity, the period since NAFTA entered into force, for democracy and open markets. our exports to Canada and Mexico have gone up almost 80 percent. Our employment has I think it is very important today that we skyrocketed. Canadian employment has ask ourselves what we propose to do with jumped by more than one million overall, this prosperity and whether we really under- and Mexico’s employment has climbed by stand the role that our engagement in the one million. NAFTA played a major role in world and our trade with other nations clear- this. ly has played in our prosperity and what re- It has set the stage for much of what has sponsibilities that imposes upon us in terms followed. During the Mexican financial crisis of our future. in 1995, we offered a loan package that We have benefited immensely from trade. wasn’t too popular at the time. I always laugh There is no question that we have the longest about it. When Bob Rubin came to see me economic expansion in history because we about it with Larry Summers, as I remember got rid of the deficits, and we’ve run 3 years there was a poll in the paper that day that of surpluses in a row and paying off $335 said by 81 to 15, the American people billion of our debt, and we’ve got low interest thought it was a bad idea for us to give finan- rates. There is no question that our invest- cial assistance to Mexico. And I thought to ment in science and technology, our reform myself, this is what’s wrong with polls. If we of our telecommunications system, and our don’t help Mexico and Mexico and Brazil and continued commitment to education is im- Argentina and the rest of Latin America and portant. But everyone should understand half the other developing economies of the that our commitment to expanding trade, in- world go in the tank and our economy nose- cluding not just NAFTA and joining the dives, it will be 100 to nothing, people think WTO but 270 other agreements, has helped it’s a bad idea that we let the world economy us not only to find new markets for our prod- go to pieces. And I am very glad that what ucts and services but, by keeping our own we did worked. I think the Mexican Govern- markets open, has kept inflation down as our ment and the Mexican people deserve a lot economy has grown. of credit for a painful recovery, in which they The two most significant things that have paid back their loans with interest and ahead allowed the longest economic expansion in of schedule. history for America to be long has been the Then, 3 years later, our hemisphere was enormous increase in productivity because of hurt by a crisis half a world away, in Asia. technology and the fact that we have per- But I’m glad that we worked to keep our mitted ourselves to have inflation-free markets open. And I still believe our choice

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for more trade, not less, contributed to mini- date should not slip, and I am confident we mizing the impact of the Asian financial crisis will do so. and enabling those countries to pull out of I think a lot of people over-read the mean- that crisis more quickly. ing of the failure of Congress to renew fast- That doesn’t mean that the size of our track authority. The truth is, there was a fight trade deficit is not a source of concern to largely along partisan lines over the content me; it is. But I’m convinced the only way of that authority and whether the President it will get smaller is when our partners, both should be given explicit authority to negotiate to the south and around the world, grow trade agreements that included environ- wealthier and stronger, so that they can con- mental and labor conditions. I thought that sume more of their own production and buy fast-track authority was a lousy vehicle on more of ours. I think the decision we made which to wage that fight, even though I was for open markets has plainly been the right sympathetic with the substance of the argu- decision, not simply for the United States ment. I still believe that. economy but for the rest of the world. And But you should not believe that because I am absolutely confident it’s the right deci- the legislation didn’t pass over philosophical sion going forward. and partisan differences on that issue, that Right now I think we’re making very good the United States is any less committed to progress in moving the Caribbean Basin ini- finishing the Free Trade Area of the Amer- tiative through Congress. It is tied, as all of icas or that, because it didn’t pass, any agree- you know, to the Africa trade bill, which is ment we make in the context of the Free also, I believe, very, very important to us in Trade Area of the Americas is less likely to terms of our long-term security interests and pass Congress. That is not true. very important in terms of our fulfilling our And you know that we’re having an elec- responsibility to Africa. I think there is every tion this year. You may have noticed that. likelihood now that that bill will be on my And there will be a lot of differences between desk for signature by the end of the month. the nominees and the parties over a lot of And I think it is high time. issues. But I am very gratified that there is I know I don’t need to plug that legislation no difference on this. You are going to have here, but the nations of the Caribbean have an American President committed to a Free suffered quite a lot economically and have Trade Area of the Americas by 2005. And come under enormous pressure to become if it doesn’t happen, it will not be the fault way-stations for narcotrafficking. And we of the executive branch of the Government need to do more for them. I believe this bill of the United States of America. We know is a good bill, much better than it was about this is the right thing to do. to be a few weeks ago. I hope you will all And I just want you to know that. And support it, and if you can help me pass it I will try to find other ways to manifest that quickly, I’d be grateful. before I leave office. And there are some, I also want to affirm that we are still deter- but the most important one, I think, would mined to meet the goal we set at the Miami be the passage of the CBI-Africa trade bill. Summit of the Americas in December of But I ask you to—you know, we’re having 1994, to achieve a free trade agreement by the same argument now with China and the 2005 that will embrace the entire Americas. WTO, where there are people who have hon- The world’s largest trade zone, 800 million est differences over the way the World Trade people investing in each other’s future, en- Organization operates. They think it’s too riching each other’s lives, advancing each closed, too undemocratic, too private, and I other’s interests. agree with them. But voting against this is Negotiators are on schedule to complete a lousy way to litigate that issue. and present a draft agreement to the trade So parliamentary processes are often un- ministers next April in Argentina. It will also even and awkward, and many times people be presented then to the heads of state at in parliaments throughout the world find the the Summit of the Americas in Quebec. We only forum they can for the fight they think must stay on track to do this by 2005. The that needs to be waged. But I think it’s very

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important that you understand that what that gagement, more support, more commitment. fast-track battle was about. It was about the I think that is very, very important. philosophical differences in our country over We’ve worked hard to uphold the rule of whether trade agreements should include law in this hemisphere. We upheld that prin- labor and environmental conditions and ciple in Haiti. Haiti is still desperately poor whether the President should be given ex- and wracked with problems and facing new plicit authority to negotiate on that basis. It elections. We will do everything we can to didn’t have anything to do with people not help them stay with their democracy. But really wanting a Free Trade Area of the eventually, real people are going to have to Americas. feel real benefit. The answer is not for the I don’t agree with the fact that it wasn’t United States, with the strongest economy, extended, and I am sympathetic, as all of you to withdraw. The answer is to deepen our know, to the idea that if the world becomes engagement. closer-knitted, we don’t live by bread alone. We acted again on the principle of the rule It’s inconceivable to me that we will have of law and democracy when we stood with a global economy without having more and the people of Paraguay to preserve democ- more of a global society. That will happen racy there when it was threatened in 1996. in some way, in some form, at some pace. We attempted to uphold that policy every But it shouldn’t turn us against trade. time it was threatened: in Ecuador, earlier Similarly, it’s inconceivable to me that the this year; last month through the Organiza- WTO, as it becomes more important, won’t tion of American States, when the countries have to become more open and more demo- of the hemisphere, thankfully, voiced strong cratic, but that’s not an excuse for sticking support for a fair and open electoral process it to China after China has made good-faith in Peru. efforts to open its economy and to give access But most important, I think, today we are to the other members of the world trading called upon to stand for democracy under community. attack in Colombia. Drug trafficking, civil So I think it’s important to understand conflict, economic stagnation, combined ev- these debates are going on, but this does not erywhere they exist and explosively in Co- mean that the United States is not committed lombia, to feed violence, undercut honest en- to a Free Trade Area of the Americas. It is terprise in favor of corruption, and under- profoundly important. It is important eco- mine public confidence in democracy. Co- nomically. It is also important politically. lombia’s drug traffickers directly threaten One of the things that I’m very concerned America’s security. But first, they threaten about in Latin America is that, with all the Colombia’s future. triumph of democracy—34 of 35 leaders In the United States, 90 percent of the democratically elected, people now expecting cocaine and two-thirds of the heroin seized to choose their leaders and chart their future on our streets comes from or through Colom- and shape their destinies—there are too bia. Fifty-two thousand Americans die every many people and too many places who have year from drugs, about as many as died in still not benefited from the global economy the wars in Vietnam and Korea. It costs us in ways that they can touch and feel. The more than $110 billion a year in crime, acci- answer is not to turn back; the answer is to dents, property damage, and lost produc- keep going forward to spread the benefits tivity. to more people. And we have to continue But the price to Colombia is even higher. to push that. Last year, drug trafficking and civil conflict I am afraid democracy, itself, could be led to more than 2,500 kidnappings, a mur- made far more fragile if more and more peo- der rate 10 times ours, which is virtually the ple grow more and more frustrated about the highest of any country in the advanced circumstances of their own lives. And it world—terrorist activity that is now probably would be a terrible mistake for the United the worst in the world; 35,000 people have States ever to send a signal that we have any been killed and one million more made policy other than full steam ahead, more en- homeless in the last decade alone. Drugs

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fund guerrillas on the left and paramilitaries to pay our fair share of this, the rest of the on the right. world will help. Honest citizens, the vast majority of the We need to help train and equip Colom- people of Colombia, are simply caught in the bia’s counterdrug battalion, enhance its inter- middle. Eight hundred to 900 passports are diction efforts, provide intelligence and logis- issued every day—every day—as engineers, tic supports to the counterdrug mission, in- architects, and doctors take their families, cluding force protection. They need this sup- their wealth, their talent out of Colombia. port. We can provide it, and we ought to pro- And yet, thousands upon thousands of coura- vide it. We must not stand by and allow a geous Colombians choose to stay and fight, democracy elected by its people, defended because they love their country, and they with great courage by people who have given want to save their freedom. their lives, be undermined and overwhelmed President Pastrana came to office with a by those who literally are willing to tear the record of risking his own life to take on drug country apart for their own agenda. And traffic. He was kidnapped by the Medellin make no mistake about it: If the oldest de- cartel. As mayor of Bogota, he saw them kill mocracy in South America can be torn down, three Presidential candidates. Then he be- so can others. came a Presidential candidate. He used to Every one of you here has a deep and abid- joke that maybe that meant he was certifiably ing interest in helping to see that the fight mentally unstable enough to serve. A very for freedom, democracy, and good govern- brave decision. ment in Colombia is successful. I urge Con- Once in office, he worked with experts in gress to pass this package now. The Colom- Colombia and elsewhere to put together Plan bians waging this campaign are fighting not Colombia. It’s a comprehensive plan to seek just for themselves; they are fighting for all peace, fight drugs, build the economy, and of us, all of us in this room and the hundreds deepen democracy. The plan costs about of millions of people we represent, and for $71⁄2 billion. It includes contributions from our children. the Government of Colombia, international As we know, the globalization of our soci- financial institutions, and other donors. And eties is presenting us a lot of new challenges. I’ve asked our Congress to give it $1.6 billion The issue in Colombia is just the beginning. over 2 years. That will be a tenfold increase You will see, more and more, drug cartels, in our U.S. assistance to promote good gov- organized criminals, gun runners, terrorists, ernment, judicial reform, human rights pro- working together. The Internet will make it tection, and economic development. It will easier for them to do so, just as it makes also enable Colombia’s counterdrug program it easier for you to work together to pursue to inflict serious damage on the rapidly ex- your legal endeavors. But we have every rea- panding drug production activity in areas son to be optimistic, if we meet our common now dominated by guerrillas or paramilitary challenges, our common security challenges, groups. our common environmental challenges, our We know this approach can succeed. Over common educational and health care chal- the last 5 years working with the Govern- lenges. ments of Peru and Bolivia, we have reduced The mission you have championed for 35 coca cultivation by more than 50 percent in years in this Council is closer than ever be- those countries, reduced overall cocaine pro- fore to being successful. We have a chance duction in the region by 18 percent. Drug to completely rewrite the future for our chil- traffickers driven from their old havens, un- dren because of the revolution in informa- fortunately, now are consolidating operations tion, because of the biomedical revolution, in Colombia. But we have an historic oppor- because of the material science revolution. tunity and an historic responsibility to do se- All these things together enable us to grow rious and lasting damage to the international an economy and improve the environment, drug trade if Congress approves our package. to expand trade and deepen democracy. I am convinced the rest of the world will But when we have an opportunity like a follow suit. If we show that we are prepared Free Trade Area of the Americas, we have

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to take it. And when we have a challenge, does not require specific case-by-case or like the challenge in Colombia, we have to order-by-order reporting, which could jeop- meet it. ardize law enforcement sources and methods The United States wants to do its part. It’s and provide clear direction to criminals seek- very much in our interest to do so. We have ing to use encryption to hide their unlawful benefited more than any other country in the conduct. world from the last decade, and we need to William J. Clinton stand up here and do our part to be good neighbors and to help other people benefit The White House, as well. May 2, 2000. But we need all your help. We have to win in Colombia. We have to win the fight NOTE: S. 1769, approved May 2, was assigned for the Free Trade Area of the Americas. We Public Law No. 106–197. have to prove that freedom and free markets go hand-in-hand. That’s what you believe, Proclamation 7301—Older and we’re going to be given a chance to prove Americans Month, 2000 it. Thank you very much. May 2, 2000 By the President of the United States NOTE: The President spoke at 1:05 p.m. in the Loy Henderson Auditorium at the State Depart- of America ment. In his remarks, he referred to Assistant to A Proclamation the President and Special Envoy to the Americas Kenneth H. (Buddy) MacKay; David Rockefeller, Older Americans are a treasured link to founder, Council of the Americas; Ambassadors our past. With courage, hard work, and un- Guillermo Gonzalez of Argentina, Luis Alberto wavering devotion to family, community, and Moreno of Colombia, Alfredo Toro of Venezuela, country, our older citizens helped to make and Rubens Antonio Barbosa of Brazil; former the 20th century the American century. They Secretary of the Treasury Robert E. Rubin; and preserved our freedom through the crucible President Andres Pastrana of Colombia. of World War II; opposed Communist ag- gression in Korea and through the long, dark Statement on Signing Legislation years of the Cold War; marched for labor Amending Certain Federal reform and civil rights; raised their families, Reporting Requirements volunteered in their communities, and often May 2, 2000 postponed their own dreams to fulfill the dreams of their children. Their character, Today I signed into law S. 1769, a bill to values, and patriotism laid the foundation for continue a number of existing Federal re- the peace and prosperity we enjoy today. ports scheduled to expire on May 15 of this Older Americans have indeed contributed year, as well as modify certain reporting re- much to the story of our past; and they have quirements related to two of these reports. much still to offer our future. Today, people New section 2519(2)(b)(iv) of title 18 of are living longer, more active, and more inde- the United States Code provides for general pendent lives than ever before, and one in reporting by the Department of Justice of four Americans between the ages of 65 and law enforcement encounters with encrypted 69 has a job, either part-time or full-time. communications in the execution of wiretap Many older Americans want to work, are able orders. In signing S. 1769, I state my under- to work, and have skills and experience that standing that the reporting required by sec- businesses need in today’s booming econ- tion 2519(2)(b)(iv) is limited to general ag- omy. gregate data concerning the total number of Recognizing the changing role of older times law enforcement encountered men and women in our society, this year the encryption and the total number of instances Congress unanimously passed, and I was in which encryption prevented access to plain pleased to sign into law, the Senior Citizens’ text. The reporting requirement of S. 1769 Freedom to Work Act of 2000, which ushers

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in a new era of opportunity for older Ameri- continue to make, to the progress and pros- cans. Before passage of this landmark legisla- perity of our Nation. tion, seniors who continued to work after age In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set 65 risked having some of their Social Security my hand this second day of May, in the year benefits withheld until they stopped working of our Lord two thousand, and of the Inde- or turned 70 years old. By eliminating this pendence of the United States of America confusing and outdated retirement earnings the two hundred and twenty-fourth. test, the new legislation will ensure that mil- William J. Clinton lions of older workers who wish to continue working will be able to keep their full Social [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, Security benefits regardless of their age or 8:45 a.m., May 3, 2000] earning level. It is appropriate that we enact this new NOTE: This proclamation was published in the law in the year when we celebrate the 65th Federal Register on May 4. anniversary of Social Security and the 35th anniversary of Medicare, Medicaid, and the Proclamation 7302—Jewish Heritage Older Americans Act. Millions of older citi- zens have been assisted by these programs, Week, 2000 and, as the baby boom generation ages, mil- May 2, 2000 lions more will be relying on them in this By the President of the United States new century. of America To recognize the profound debt our Na- tion owes its older citizens, and to prepare A Proclamation wisely for the impact that increasing For centuries, Jews from every corner of longevity will have on nearly every aspect of the globe have come to America seeking the our society in the coming years, we must re- right to worship in freedom and to pursue affirm our commitment to saving Social Se- their individual hopes and dreams in peace. curity, strengthening Medicare—including a For many, the journey was a desperate flight prescription drug benefit—and modernizing, from oppression and persecution to a new improving, and reauthorizing the Older life in a new country. Bolstered by powerful Americans Act. We must also enact my Ad- family and community ties and drawing ministration’s long-term care initiative, strength and hope from their ancient reli- which, among other important measures, gious traditions, Jews in America not only provides tax relief and support services to the survived the difficult transition, but also millions of family caregivers who devote thrived. countless hours to helping older loved ones From science and the arts to business and remain in their homes and communities. By the law; as teachers, physicians, journalists, doing so, we can both honor the immeas- judges, musicians, and policymakers; from urable contributions that older men and neighborhood stores to the corridors of Con- women bring to our national life and ensure gress; from the Armed Forces to the that they lead independent, active, fulfilling Supreme Court, generations of American lives for many years to come. Jews have succeeded in every sector of our Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, society. And the rewards of that success are President of the United States of America, shared by us all. Our Nation has benefited by virtue of the authority vested in me by immeasurably from the character, values, the Constitution and laws of the United and achievements of our Jewish citizens. States, do hereby proclaim May 2000 as Building on the Jewish tradition of hospi- Older Americans Month. I urge Government tality toward strangers and acutely aware of officials, business people, community lead- the long and tragic history of prejudice and ers, educators, volunteers, and all the people persecution against their people, Jews in of the United States to celebrate the con- America have committed themselves to toler- tributions older Americans have made, and ance, justice, human rights, and the rule of

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law. American Jews have shared their re- dered that Executive Order 11478, as sources generously with health and human amended, is further amended as follows: services programs, civil rights groups, edu- Section 1. Amend the first sentence of cational institutions, arts organizations, and section 1 by substituting ‘‘sexual orientation, so many more. In communities across our or status as a parent.’’ for ‘‘or sexual orienta- Nation, in small towns and big cities, syna- tion.’’ gogues and yeshivas have become centers of Sec. 2. Insert the following new sections community service and civic responsibility. 6 and 7 after section 5: During Jewish Heritage Week, let us ac- ‘‘Sec. 6. ‘Status as a parent’ refers to the knowledge and give thanks for the many con- status of an individual who, with respect to tributions that Jews have brought to our na- an individual who is under the age of 18 or tional life and character, and let us celebrate who is 18 or older but is incapable of self- the rich religious and ethnic threads that care because of a physical or mental dis- Jewish men and women have woven into the ability, is: tapestry that is America. (a) a biological parent; Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, (b) an adoptive parent; President of the United States of America, (c) a foster parent; by virtue of the authority vested in me by (d) a stepparent; the Constitution and laws of the United (e) a custodian of a legal ward; States, do hereby proclaim May 7 through (f) in loco parentis over such an May 14, 2000, as Jewish Heritage Week. I individual; or urge all Americans to observe this week with (g) actively seeking legal custody or adop- appropriate programs, ceremonies, and ac- tion of such an individual. tivities. ‘‘Sec. 7. The Office of Personnel Manage- In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set ment shall be authorized to develop guidance my hand this second day of May, in the year on the provisions of this order prohibiting of our Lord two thousand, and of the Inde- discrimination on the basis of an individual’s pendence of the United States of America sexual orientation or status as a parent.’’ the two hundred and twenty-fourth. Sec. 3. Amend section 4 by substituting William J. Clinton ‘‘and appropriate to carry out its responsibil- ities under this Order.’’ for ‘‘appropriate to [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, carry out this Order.’’ 8:45 a.m., May 4, 2000] Sec. 4. Renumber current sections 6, 7, and 8 as sections 8, 9, and 10, respectively. NOTE: This proclamation was published in the Sec. 5. Add a section 11 to read as follows: Federal Register on May 5. ‘‘Sec. 11. This Executive Order does not confer any right or benefit enforceable in law Executive Order 13152—Further or equity against the United States or its rep- Amendment to Executive Order resentatives.’’ 11478, Equal Employment William J. Clinton Opportunity in Federal Government May 2, 2000 The White House, May 2, 2000. By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, United States, and in order to provide for 8:45 a.m., May 3, 2000] a uniform policy for the Federal Government to prohibit discrimination based on an indi- NOTE: This Executive order was published in the vidual’s status as a parent, it is hereby or- Federal Register on May 4.

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Message to the Congress Accordingly, I hereby direct all executive Transmitting a Report on the departments and agencies, in consultation National Emergency With Respect to with the White House Program for the Na- Significant Narcotics Traffickers tional Moment of Remembrance (Program), Centered in Colombia to promote a ‘‘National Moment of Remem- brance’’ to occur at 3 p.m. (local time) on May 2, 2000 each Memorial Day. To the Congress of the United States: Recognizing that Memorial Day is a Fed- As required by section 401(c) of the Na- eral holiday, all executive departments and tional Emergencies Act, 50 U.S.C. 1641(c), agencies, in coordination with the Program and section 204(c) of the International Emer- and to the extent possible and permitted by gency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), 50 law, shall promote and provide resources to U.S.C. 1703(c), I transmit herewith a 6- support a National Moment of Remem- brance, including: month periodic report on the national emer- • gency with respect to significant narcotics Encouraging individual department and traffickers centered in Colombia that was de- agency personnel, and Americans every- clared in Executive Order 12978 of October where, to pause for one minute at 3:00 21, 1995. p.m. (local time) on Memorial Day, to remember and reflect on the sacrifices William J. Clinton made by so many to provide freedom The White House, for all. May 2, 2000. • Recognizing, in conjunction with Me- morial Day, department and agency Memorandum on the White House personnel whose family members have made the ultimate sacrifice for this Na- Program for the National Moment tion. of Remembrance • Providing such information and assist- May 2, 2000 ance as may be necessary for the Pro- Memorandum for the Heads of Executive gram to carry out its functions. Departments and Agencies I have asked the Director of the White House Millennium Council to issue addi- Subject: White House Program for the tional guidance, pursuant to this Memo- National Moment of Remembrance randum, to the heads of executive depart- As Memorial Day approaches, it is time ments and agencies regarding specific activi- to pause and consider the true meaning of ties and events to commemorate the National this holiday. Memorial Day represents one Moment of Remembrance. day of national awareness and reverence, William J. Clinton honoring those Americans who died while defending our Nation and its values. While NOTE: This memorandum was released by the Of- we should honor these heroes every day for fice of the Press Secretary on May 3. the profound contribution they have made to securing our Nation’s freedom, we should honor them especially on Memorial Day. Remarks at the Audubon Elementary In this time of unprecedented success and School in Owensboro, Kentucky prosperity throughout our land, I ask that all May 3, 2000 Americans come together to recognize how fortunate we are to live in freedom and to Thank you very much. Thank you. I am observe a universal ‘‘National Moment of Re- delighted to see you all here. I think we membrance’’ on each Memorial Day. This should give Karen Cecil another round of ap- memorial observance represents a simple plause. She did a great job, didn’t she? [Ap- and unifying way to commemorate our his- plause] Superintendent Silberman, you tory and honor the struggle to protect our might ought to just put her on the road as freedoms. an advertising for the district.

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I’m delighted to be here with all of you. the pig is not sent off to make bacon. And I want to thank Governor Patton and Judi it’s a pretty good story for real life, I think. Patton for, first of all, for many years of [Laughter] I may recommend it to the Con- friendship and support, and for, Governor, gress when I get home. [Laughter] your truly magnificent leadership in this I am told that I’m the first President to State. I have served—I was a Governor for come to Owensboro since Harry Truman. He 12 years, and I have served with over 150 always did have good judgment, Harry. But Governors. And since I’ve been President 8 I have known about Owensboro for a long years, I guess I’ve known about 100 or so time, now. The Baptist minister that married more. So I have some experience in this. He’s Wendell and Jean Ford was my next-door one of the best I’ve ever seen, and I thank neighbor in 1961. And his daughter grad- him very much. Thank you. uated from high school with me and became I thank your Lieutenant Governor, Steve one of my best friends and now is very active Henry, for being here. And my longtime in the national adult literacy movement. So friend and also fellow former colleague, John there’s something in the atmosphere around Y. Brown, thank you, Governor, for coming. I’m glad to see you. And Senator Wendell here that promotes good education. I under- Ford and Jean, I’m glad to see you. We miss stand Lieutenant Governor Henry’s mother you in Washington. I had to be funny Satur- was a 25-year veteran of the school system day night; they don’t laugh enough since you here in this county. So I’m delighted to be came home. [Laughter] And we miss you. here. I want to thank Attorney General I am on the first stop of a 2-day tour to Chandler and Treasurer Miller and Speaker highlight for the American people the good Richards for being here, and the other State things that are happening in education in legislators who are here. And, Mayor Morris, America and the challenges that are before thank you for welcoming me, along with the us. I want people all across this country to City Council. And I thank the Board of Edu- know that there are places where people, cation for their good work. I want to thank against considerable odds, are bringing edu- the AmeriCorps volunteers who are here for cational excellence to all our children. I want the work they do in the America Reads pro- people to know this because the great chal- gram. And thank you, Superintendent Silber- lenge before us is how to get the reforms man, and thank you, Diane Embry, for the that worked in Audubon Elementary School work you do. into every elementary school in America. I’ve been in so many schools over the last And the first thing that you have to do 20 years, I can be in one for 5 minutes and if you want to achieve that goal is to know know whether it’s doing well or not. And what was done and to believe it works. I came there are a lot of rules, and you heard some to Kentucky to show America how a whole of them today, but one of the things that State can identify and turn around its slow Diane Embry did not say is that you nearly performing schools with high standards and never have a good school unless you’ve got accountability, parental involvement, and in- a great principal. And it’s obvious that you’ve vestments to help the schools and the stu- got a great principal here. And I’d like to thank the bands who dents and the teachers meet the standards. played. And most of all, I’d like to thank After I leave you, I’m going on to Davenport, Crystal Davidson for letting me come into Iowa, to highlight the importance of having her class and read with her students. We read good school facilities. And this is a big issue, a chapter from ‘‘Charlotte’s Web,’’ a wonder- too. The average school building in America ful book. And Crystal said it was the students’ is over 40 years old; in many of our cities, favorite chapter. It’s called ‘‘The Miracle,’’ the average school building is over 65 years and it’s about how Charlotte the spider old. We have school buildings in some of our weaves a magic web that says, ‘‘some pig.’’ cities that can’t be wired for the Internet be- And everybody thinks that it’s the pig that’s cause the building just can’t accommodate special, not the spider, and as a consequence it. We have school buildings in New York

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City still being heated with coal-fired fur- the 1980’s, so he’s been at this a long time, naces. We have elementary schools in Amer- too. And I guess the first thing I would say ica with 12 or 13 trailers out back because to people all across America who are inter- there are so many kids in the schools. So I’m ested in this: This is not a day’s work or a going to Iowa to try to emphasize that. weekend’s work or a month’s work. You’ve And then tomorrow I’m going to St. Paul, got to make a long-term disciplined commit- Minnesota, to visit the first public charter ment to your children. And I thought one school in America, which was basically cre- of the best things about what Karen Cecil ated to give more accountability with less bu- said was how she charted the improvements reaucratic paperwork, and I’m going to talk in this school through the lives of her chil- about that. And then I’m going to Columbus, dren. It was personally very moving to me, Ohio, to talk about the importance of teach- but it also made the larger point that if you ers and results in the classrooms. really want excellence in education, you have Dick Riley and I have been working on to be prepared to pay the price of time and this for over 20 years, since we were young really work at it. Governors together in 1979. We met in late Now, here’s what Kentucky did—a lot of 1978, when we went to Atlanta—they had you know this, but I think it’s worth repeating a conference to show us how to be Gov- for the audience across the country inter- ernors. They recognized that there was a dif- ested in this. First, in 1990 you set high ference between winning the election and standards for what all Kentucky children doing the job. [Laughter] And for over 20 should know. Second, you identified the years we’ve been wrestling with the challenge schools where year after year students didn’t of how to improve our schools and how espe- learn enough to meet those standards. Third, cially to give people who live in communities you held the schools accountable for turning where there are a lot of lower income people themselves around, with real consequences the same excellence in education that every for the failure to do so, from dismissing prin- American has a right to. cipals and teachers to allowing parents to And because he’s from South Carolina and transfer children into higher-performing I’m from Arkansas, we feel a lot of affinity public schools. And fourth, you provided the with Kentucky. I have been here—I came investment and other supports necessary, to Kentucky for the first time in 1979. I which your principal and your parent have served with five Kentucky Governors, and I identified here today, to turn the schools feel like, since Paul has been so close to us around, from more teacher training to high these last 7 years, I’ve served with six. And quality pre-school, after-school, and summer I wanted to come here because I believe so school programs, to the latest educational strongly that we can have the kind of edu- technology. You have to do all of these things. cational excellence we need for every child The results have been truly extraordinary. in the country if people will take the basic You know, because we’re all here today with things you have done here and do them. our friends from the media who will put this I believe that intelligence is equally dis- story out around the country, I want every tributed throughout the human race, and I American who doubts that we can provide think educational opportunity ought to be excellence in education to listen to these also equally distributed. And I do want to Kentucky numbers. In 1996, Kentucky iden- say just one thing about Dick Riley: I don’t tified 175 schools needing major improve- think there’s any question that even my polit- ment. Two years later—in 2 years, 159 of ical opponents would admit that he is the those schools, 91 percent, had improved be- finest Secretary of Education this country has yond the goals you set for them. ever had. Audubon Elementary, where we are today, Governor Patton talked about a decade of is a particularly dramatic example. Now listen commitment to excellence since you passed to this; this is what this school did. This your landmark reform bill in 1990. But he school went from 12 percent of your students was on a committee called the Prichard meeting or exceeding the State standards on Committee for Academic Excellence back in writing tests to 57 percent, from 5 percent

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meeting or exceeding the State standards in for our vision to fade. Now, this country is reading to 70 percent—I saw that today— in the best economic shape it’s ever been from zero students meeting or exceeding the in, and all the social indicators are moving State standards in science to 64 percent. This in the right direction. And now is the time school is now the 18th-best performing ele- to ask ourselves, what’s really out there for mentary school in the State, despite the fact us to do? How are we going to meet the that two-thirds of your students qualify for challenge of the aging of America when all free and reduced-price school lunches. That the baby boomers retire? We don’t want to is truly amazing. bankrupt our kids and their ability to raise In fact—this is also very interesting—you our grandkids. Therefore, we should length- can say that—I know that people who don’t en the life of Social Security and make sure agree with what we’re trying to do will say, Medicare is all right—I think add a prescrip- ‘‘Well, so what? You know, they have tion drug benefit. Einstein for a principal there or something.’’ How are we going to continue to grow the [Laughter] And you may. But listen to this. economy at the end of the longest expansion In this entire State, 10 of the 20 best per- in history? I think we have to sell more of forming elementary schools in science—in our stuff overseas, but we also have to—as science—are schools where half the students I said in Hazard, Kentucky, last summer— are eligible for free and reduced-price we’ve got to bring economic opportunity to schools lunches. Don’t tell me all children the places that have been left behind. It’s can’t learn. They can learn if they have the inflation-free economic growth. How are we opportunity and the system and the support. going to lift our children out of poverty and Income is not destiny. You have proved give them all a world-class education? Those that all children can learn, and you have also are three of the biggest challenges this coun- proved that public schools can succeed. try has. Therefore, in my judgment, the answer to When we were worried about unemploy- excellence for all our children is not to take ment, when we were worried about crime money away from our schools through vouch- never going down, when we were worried ers but to combine money with high stand- about welfare roles exploding, it was hard to ards, accountability, and the tools teachers, think about these big long-term challenges. children, and parents need to succeed. Be- Well, things are in hand now. We’re going cause all children can learn, and because in the right direction. This is the best chance both the children and the Nation need for anybody in this gym today will ever have in all children to learn in the 21st century infor- your lifetime to deal with these big chal- mation economy, I think turning around low lenges. performance schools is one of the great chal- And so I—that’s another reason I’m here lenges this country faces in the 21st century. today. We can do this. We can give all our And I want to go off the script here for kids a world-class education. And if we’re not a couple minutes to tell you, you know, I’m going to do it now, when in the wide world not running for anything this year, so I can will we ever get around to doing it? We can- say this, I hope, with some credibility. In not afford to break our concentration. Now times of adversity, people tend to pull to- is the time to say, thank you for this good gether and do what has to be done. You had time, to be grateful to God and to our neigh- a terrible tornado here in January. I know bors and to all the good fortune we’ve had, it was awful for you. We tried to give the and then do the right thing by our kids. This support that we were supposed to give at the is the best time we’ll ever have to do this, national level. But I’m sure you were amazed and so—[applause]. Thank you. at the community response. I’m sure you I can also tell you, we don’t have unlimited were all inspired by it. At times of adversity, time to do it. We’ve got the biggest school we find the best in ourselves. population in our history. It’s finally, the last Sometimes we are most severely tested in 2 years, been bigger than the baby boom gen- good times, when it’s easy for our attention eration. It is far more diverse. The school to wander, for our concentration to break, district just across the river from Washington,

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DC, in Alexandria, has kids from 180 dif- not have an excuse any longer not to do that. ferent racial-ethnic groups, speaking 100 dif- You have to set high standards. You have to ferent first languages. And the country will have accountability. You have to train and grow more diverse. pay decent teachers and principals. You’ve Now, in a global society, that’s a good got to provide the technology, and you have thing. Just like you want to have computers to have the support staff. And you have to way out in the country, because they’re con- have the parental involvement and the com- nected to the world, right? This is a good munity support. And kids have to have the thing, not a bad thing. But only if we have extra help they need to meet the standards. universal excellence in education. You shouldn’t declare children failures when Now, the other thing I’d like to say is, the system doesn’t work. So it’s okay to hold when Dick and I started doing all this, and the kids accountable, but you’ve got to give John Waihee was elected the next year, back them the help they need to make it. in the early 1980’s and the late seventies, we Now, that works—invest more, demand were struggling to try to figure out what to more. For 7 years in our administration, the do. Even when the ‘‘Nation At Risk’’ report Vice President and I and Secretary Riley and was issued in 1983—and a lot of us re- the others, we’ve worked to give States like sponded to it; we tried basically to just do Kentucky the tools you need to do the job. what they said. We didn’t even have—many When we were cutting spending like crazy States didn’t even have basic, adequate grad- to turn deficits into surpluses, we still had uation requirements for high school. nearly doubled the national investment in But we’ve now had 20 years of serious ef- education and training. We required States fort at educational reform. So we not only to set academic standards, but Secretary have good economic times, we have the Riley got rid of nearly two-thirds of the regu- knowledge that we didn’t have even 10 years lations on States and local school districts, ago about how to replicate what you have to reduce the unnecessary paperwork and to done here. And that’s another reason we do focus on what was really critical. not have any excuse for not doing this. We know what works. And what you’ve done And we’ve also worked to help you reduce here will work in any community in the coun- class size. I was thrilled that—you know, I try. didn’t think of you as a Clinton teacher, but Will it have to be modified for the people —[laughter]—I’ll take it any day of the week. that live there and the community condi- I think it’s wonderful, and I’m honored that tions? Absolutely. But you know, I used to you’re there. frequently visit an elementary school in Chi- But when I was in Crystal’s class today, cago, when the crime rate was really high, and all those kids, every one of those children in the early nineties, in the neighborhood read to me. Every one of them. Now, some with the highest murder rate in Illinois. And of them had a little more trouble than others, the principal was an African-American partly because of the arcane nature of the woman from my home State, from the Mis- book we read and the way they were talking sissippi Delta. And all the parents were in about Desotos and Studebakers and Pack- the school. They had a school dress code. ards—[laughter]—and not Isuzus and They had no weapons in the school. They Hondas and other things. But every one of never had any violent incidents. They had those children was in to reading and obvi- a zero dropout rate, and they performed ously had received individual attention. Be- above the State average, just like you are. cause—I think there were 19 students in that So we would see this from time to time. We class today, and you can’t do that with 40 would come across these jewels in the rough. kids. So this is a big deal. But nobody could really figure out, for a long So we’re into our third year now of trying time, how to make this universal. to fund 100,000 new teachers, to help to re- We know, now, what the basic things you duce the class sizes in the early grades so have done are and how to make them avail- that the young people can learn to read. And able in every school in the country. We do I’m also glad that young people like Crystal

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Davidson want to be teachers and are dedi- dent Loan Program by $8 billion. Students cated to it, because we’re going to have a have saved $8 billion on the program and lot teachers retiring in the next few years. lower interest costs on student loans, in just We’ve also supported the America Reads 6 years. And I’m trying to get the Congress program. We have these volunteers here this year to allow the cost of college tuition from AmeriCorps. There are 1,000 colleges to be tax-deductible up to $10,000 a year. now in America where young people are And if we do that, we do that one last piece, working in the elementary schools of our we will really be able to say that we have country. In addition to that, you have RSVP opened the doors of college to every Amer- programs, Retired Senior Volunteers, which ican family, and everybody will be able to I think is a sponsor of the program here in go, and money should not be an obstacle. this county, and other groups, church groups, So we’re trying to get this done. other people all across this country helping. Okay, that’s the good news. Now, what’s And I think that’s very important. the bad news? The bad news is that you’re I said I was going to the charter school here, and we’re celebrating, but there are still in Minnesota. We had one when I became a whole lot of schools in America, hundreds President; there are 1,700 today, and we of them, that fail to give children the edu- think we’ll have 3,000 school starts next year. cation that you give the children here in We’ve really worked on this. Audubon. And in this economy, that is bad The Vice President fought very hard to get for them and bad for the rest of us, because something called the E-rate in the Tele- we live in an economy in which it’s not only communications Act of 1996, which enables what you know that counts, it’s what you’re schools like this to hook the classrooms up capable of learning. to the Internet and to get a discount to do The whole nature of work is being radically so. It’s worth about $2 billion a year, so that revolutionized by information technology. the poorest schools in the country can afford, just as the wealthiest schools can, to hook It’s accounted for 30 percent of our eco- up their classrooms to the Internet. nomic growth in the last 8 years, even though When we started in ’93, there were only people working directly in information tech- 3 percent of our classrooms with Internet nology are only 8 percent of the work force. connections. Today, nearly 75 percent have. But if you work in a bank, if you work in Only 16 percent of the schools had even one an insurance company—in my part of the connection; today, 95 percent do, including country, if you drive a tractor—your life has 90 percent in low income areas in America. been changed by the way computers work. So this is making a difference, and it’s very And this means that it’s not only necessary important. to be able to know certain things, you’ve got Now, across the country math and reading to have these learning skills that kids get in scores are rising; 67 percent of all the high grade school to keep on learning for a life- school graduates are now going to college. time. It is profoundly important. That’s 10 percent more than in 1993. Part And we do need what the Vice President of that is because we tried to open the doors has called a revolution in education. But it’s of college financially to all Americans with not a revolution to find something that the creation of the HOPE scholarship which doesn’t exist. It’s a revolution to take what is a $1,500 tax credit for the first 2 years of works here and put it everywhere. That has college, which makes community college at always been the great challenge of American least virtually free to most families, and an- education. It’s just that we weren’t sure what other tax credit for junior and senior years it was we wanted to put everywhere. Today, and for graduate school. There are 5 million we are. families taking advantage of it already—it’s And again I tell you, there will never be just been in since ’98. a better time economically to do it, and we And we’ve expanded the Pell grants; we’ve don’t have any excuse not to do it, because created education IRA’s; we’ve cut the cost we know what works. After 20 years, we of the student loans through the Direct Stu- know what works.

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Last year, Dick Riley and I sent Congress So to make this strategy work, we’ve got an educational accountability act that would to have the courage to do what Kentucky is fundamentally change the way we spend the doing, to identify the schools that aren’t per- $15 billion we give to our schools, not to take forming, not where the students are failing, it away from our commitment to helping where the schools are failing the students. lower income communities and kids but to The grown-ups have to take responsibility for say we’re going to invest in what we know this. Then we can help to turn them around. works, and we’re going to stop investing in Today I am directing—that’s a misnomer, be- what we know doesn’t work. It would essen- cause we agreed in advance, Secretary tially require States that take Federal money Riley—to begin to provide an annual report, to do what you have done in Kentucky, to national report on low performing schools, identify low performing schools, to develop to tell us for the first time how many of our a strategy for turning them around, based on Nation’s public schools are failing, where a set of standards and an accountability they’re located, what the States are doing to mechanism. turn them around. It would require the ending of so-called Second, as we press Congress to pass our social promotion but, again, not branding the accountability legislation, we must ensure children failures. It would require that only that the States do what they’re supposed to if you also had after-school, summer school, do under existing laws. Therefore, I’m direct- tutoring, the support services necessary for ing the Secretary to send teams to States to the children to succeed. And it would em- make sure they’re meeting their responsibil- power parents, by encouraging more parental ities on low performance schools, to work with States to apply the kind of successful involvement in schools and guaranteeing re- strategies that have worked here, to identify port cards to the parents on school perform- Federal resources like these after-school ance, not just the students’ performance, grants which States can use to turn the compared to other schools. schools around. It would provide funds to make sure that I never cease to be amazed when I go all teachers are trained in the subjects they places that there are people that literally teach—which is going to become a huge don’t know we have this money there for problem when all these math and science them. I’ll bet you there are people that need teachers retire in high school, getting people this teacher money that haven’t applied for who are actually certified and trained to it. And I nearly know there are people that teach the courses they’re supposed to be need this after-school money that haven’t ap- teaching—and provide more support for plied for it, because we have grown this pro- school districts for extra training. gram very fast in response to a clear national I’ve asked Congress to double our invest- need. ment in the education accountability fund to These actions will help us to spread the help people turn around low performing lesson we have learned during these last 7 schools or shut them down. And I’ve asked years. In education, investment without ac- Congress to double our investment in after- countability can be a waste of money. But school and summer school programs. accountability without investment is a waste The Federal Government, when I became of effort. Neither will work without the other. President, was spending nothing on these Ten years ago, when things looked pretty programs. Then we—I got an appropriation grim for public schools, before a lot of these for $1 million, and then $2 million, and then reforms got underway, the late head of the $40 million, and then $200 million. Then it’s American Federation of Teachers, Al $400 million this year—$450 million. And Shanker, who was a great friend of mine and I’m trying to get $1 billion. If we get $1 bil- a very vigorous advocate of high standards lion, we can provide summer school in this and accountability, said something to his fel- country to every student and every poor, low low teachers that I thought was very moving. performing school in the United States of He said, we have to be willing to tell the America. That is very, very important. American people the bad news about our

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public schools so that when the schools begin straint, and citizens have the knowledge they to turn around and we have good news to need to exercise the power of self-govern- report, they will believe us. ment. Well, today here in Kentucky and in other places across America, there is good news to report. The American people believe that. Statement on the Death of John But they expect us to keep at it until the Cardinal O’Connor good news is the real news in every single May 3, 2000 school in this country. Thank you. Thank you for what you have Hillary and I were saddened to learn of the death of Cardinal O’Connor. For more done to help make that happen. Thank you than 50 years, he reached out with uncom- very much. mon fortitude to minister the needs of Amer- NOTE: The President spoke at 12:10 p.m. in the ican Catholics. From his first Philadelphia gymnasium. In his remarks, he referred to Karen parish to soldiers on the battlefield, from the Cecil, parent, who introduced the President; carnage of Bosnia to the tragedy of AIDS, Stuart Silberman, superintendent of schools, he also sought out and served those most in Daviess County; Gov. Paul E. Patton, and his wife, need. His lifelong journey of faith was our Judi, Lt. Gov. Stephen L. Henry, and former Gov. Nation’s blessing. From his distinguished ca- John Y. Brown of Kentucky; State Attorney Gen- reer as a Navy chaplain, to his determination eral A. B. Chandler III; State Treasurer Jonathan to give voice to the poor and marginalized Miller; State Speaker of the House Jody Richards; Mayor Waymond Morris of Owensboro; Diane in New York and across America, the courage Embry, principal, and Crystal Davidson, teacher, and firm faith he showed in his final illness Audubon Elementary School; former Gov. John inspired us all. Waihee of Hawaii; and former Senator Wendell Our thoughts and prayers go out to his Ford and his wife, Jean. family and all who loved him.

Statement on World Press Executive Order 13153—Actions To Freedom Day Improve Low-Performing Schools May 3, 2000 May 3, 2000 On the occasion of World Press Freedom By the authority vested in me as President Day, I want to salute journalists in every by the Constitution and the laws of the country who dedicate their lives—and risk United States of America, including the Ele- their lives—to increase our understanding of mentary and Secondary Education Act of the world and to shine a spotlight in support 1965 (ESEA), the Department of Education of truth and accountability. Appropriations Act, 2000 (as contained in This past year around the world, from Public Law 106–113), and in order to take Colombia to Chechnya to Sierra Leone, actions to improve low-performing schools, more than 30 journalists were killed, many it is hereby ordered as follows: more were imprisoned, and more than 100 Section 1. Policy. Since 1993, this Admin- nations still exert forms of harassment that istration has sought to raise standards for stu- inhibit press freedom. Right now, Govern- dents and to increase accountability in public ments in Iran and Serbia are cracking down education while investing more resources in on journalists, closing news organizations, elementary and secondary schools. While and trying to block a public dialog that is much has been accomplished—there has so essential to human rights and freedom. been progress in math and reading achieve- As a nation long blessed with liberty, the ment, particularly for low-achieving students United States has a responsibility to stand and students in our highest poverty schools— with those who are upholding the values we much more can be done, especially for low- cherish, to speak up for press freedom, and performing schools. to speak out against repression so that jour- Sec. 2. Technical Assistance and Capacity nalists can do their jobs without risk or re- Building. (a) The Secretary of Education

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(‘‘Secretary’’) shall work with State and local tions of higher education, reform model educational agencies (‘‘LEAs’’) to develop providers, and other organizations that and implement a comprehensive strategy for can help local schools improve; providing technical assistance and other as- (5) identifying previously low-per- sistance to States and LEAs to strengthen forming schools that have made signifi- their capacity to improve the performance cant achievement gains, and States and of schools identified as low performing. This school districts that have been effective comprehensive strategy shall include a num- in improving the achievement of all stu- ber of steps, such as: dents in low-performing schools, which (1) providing States, school districts, and can serve as models and resources; schools receiving funds from the school (6) providing assistance and information improvement fund established by Public on how to effectively involve parents in Law 106–113, as well as other districts the school-improvement process, in- and schools identified for school im- cluding effectively involving and inform- provement or corrective action under ing parents at the beginning of the Title I of the ESEA, with access to the school year about improvement goals for latest research and information on best their school as well as the goals for their practices, including research on instruc- own children, and reporting on progress tion and educator professional develop- made in achieving these goals; ment, and with the opportunity to learn (7) providing States and LEAs with in- from exemplary schools and exemplary formation on effective approaches to State and local intervention strategies school accountability, including the ef- and from each other, in order to im- fectiveness of such strategies as school prove achievement for all students in reconstitution, peer review teams, and the low-performing schools; financial rewards and incentives; (2) determining effective ways of pro- (8) providing LEAs with information viding low-performing schools with ac- and assistance on the design and imple- cess to resources from other Depart- mentation of approaches to choice ment of Education programs, such as among public schools that create incen- funds from the Comprehensive School tives for improvement throughout the Reform Demonstration Program, the Reading Excellence Act, the Eisen- local educational agency, especially in hower Professional Development Pro- the lowest-performing schools, and that gram, the Class Size Reduction Pro- maximize the opportunity of students in gram, and the 21st Century Community low-performing schools to attend a high- Learning Centers Program, and to make er-performing public school; effective use of these funds and Title (9) exploring the use of well-trained tu- I funds; tors to raise student achievement (3) providing States and LEAs with in- through initiatives such as ‘‘America formation on effective strategies to im- Reads,’’ ‘‘America Counts,’’ and other prove the quality of the teaching force, work-study opportunities to help low- including strategies for recruiting and performing schools; retaining highly qualified teachers in (10) using a full range of strategies for high-poverty schools, and implementing disseminating information about effec- research-based professional develop- tive practices, including interactive elec- ment programs aligned with challenging tronic communications; standards; (11) working with the Department of (4) helping States and school districts Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), build partnerships with technical assist- to provide technical assistance to BIA- ance providers, including, but not lim- funded low-performing schools; and ited to, federally funded laboratories (12) taking other steps that can help im- and centers, foundations, businesses, prove the quality of teaching and in- community-based organizations, institu- struction in low-performing schools.

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(b) The Secretary shall, to the extent per- flect the best research available, as well as mitted by law, take whatever steps the Sec- the experience of successful schools, school retary finds necessary and appropriate to re- districts, and States as they address similar direct the resources and technical assistance objectives and challenges; and capability of the Department of Education (c) assist States, LEAs, and schools in mak- (‘‘Department’’) to assist States and localities ing the most effective use of available Fed- in improving low-performing schools, and to eral resources. ensure that the dissemination of research to Sec. 5. Consultation. The Secretary shall, help turn around low-performing schools is where appropriate, consult with executive a priority of the Department. agencies, State and local education officials, Sec. 3. School Improvement Report. To educators, community-based groups, and monitor the progress of LEAs and schools others in carrying out this Executive order. in turning around failing schools, including Sec. 6. Judicial Review. This order is in- those receiving grants from the School Im- tended only to improve the internal manage- provement Fund, the Secretary shall prepare ment of the executive branch and is not in- an annual School Improvement Report, to tended to, and does not create any right or be published in September of each year, be- benefit, substantive or procedural, enforce- ginning in 2000. The report shall: able at law or equity by a party against the (a) describe trends in the numbers of United States, its agencies or instrumental- LEAs and schools identified as needing im- ities, its officers or employees, or any other provement and subsequent changes in the person. academic performance of their students; William J. Clinton (b) identify best practices and significant research findings that can be used to help The White House, turn around low-performing LEAs and May 3, 2000. schools; and (c) document ongoing efforts as a result [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, of this order and other Federal efforts to as- 11:45 a.m., May 4, 2000] sist States and local school districts in inter- NOTE: This Executive order was published in the vening in low-performing schools, including Federal Register on May 5. improving teacher quality. This report shall be publicly accessible. Sec. 4. Compliance Monitoring System. Executive Order 13154— Consistent with the implementation of the Establishing the Kosovo School Improvement Fund, the Secretary Campaign Medal shall strengthen the Department’s moni- May 3, 2000 toring of ESEA requirements for identifying and turning around low-performing schools, By the authority vested in me as President as well as any new requirements established by the Constitution and the laws of the for the School Improvement Fund by Public United States of America, including my au- Law 106–113. The Secretary shall give pri- thority as Commander in Chief of the Armed ority to provisions that have the greatest Forces of the United States, it is hereby or- bearing on identifying and turning around dered as follows: low-performing schools, including sections Section 1. Kosovo Campaign Medal. 1116 and 1117 of the ESEA, and to devel- There is hereby established the Kosovo Cam- oping an ongoing, focused, and systematic paign Medal with suitable appurtenances. process for monitoring these provisions. This Except as limited in section 2 of this order, improved compliance monitoring shall be de- and under uniform regulations to be pre- signed to: scribed by the Secretaries of the Military De- (a) ensure that States and LEAs comply partments and approved by the Secretary of with ESEA requirements; Defense, or under regulations to be pre- (b) assist States and LEAs in implementing scribed by the Secretary of Transportation effective procedures and strategies that re- with respect to the Coast Guard when it is

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not operating as a service in the Navy, the you. I also want to thank the Jazz Band and Kosovo Campaign Medal shall be awarded the Marching Band for playing. You did a to members of the Armed Forces of the great job today. Thank you very much. United States who serve or have served in I am glad to be here. I want to say I appre- Kosovo or contiguous waters or airspace, as ciated meeting at least two of your student defined by such regulations, after March 24, leaders, Kelly Witt and Ricky Harris—thank 1999, and before a terminal date to be pre- them for—[applause]. And I want to thank scribed by the Secretary of Defense. Lieutenant Governor Sally Pederson, Attor- Sec. 2. Relationship to Other Awards. ney General Tom Miller, Secretary of Agri- Notwithstanding section 3 of Executive culture Patty Judge, and the director of edu- Order 10977 of December 4, 1961, estab- cation, Ted Stilwell for joining us today. And, lishing the Armed Forces Expeditionary Mayor Yerington, thank you for welcoming Medal and section 3 of Executive Order us back to Davenport. And the other Quad 12985 of January 11, 1996, establishing the City mayors are here: Mayor Leach of Mo- Armed Forces Service Medal, any member line; Mayor Ward of East Moline; and Mayor who qualified for those medals by reasons Mark Schwiebert of Rock Island. I think I of service in Kosovo between March 24, pronounced that properly, and if I didn’t he 1999, and May 1, 2000, shall remain qualified can reprimand me later. [Laughter] for those medals. Upon application, any such I’d like to thank your superintendent, Jim member may be awarded the Kosovo Cam- Blanche, for making us welcome here. And paign Medal in lieu of the Armed Forces Ex- since we’re here for construction purposes, peditionary Medal or the Armed Forces to talk about better school buildings, I’m glad Service Medal, but no person may be award- to be joined by the president of the Building ed more than one of these three medals by and Construction Trades Union, Mr. Ed reason of service in Kosovo, and no person Sullivan. So thank you all for making me feel shall be entitled to more than one award of welcome. the Kosovo Campaign Medal. I love this community. I came here in late Sec. 3. Posthumous Award. The Kosovo 1992 on a bus with Hillary and with Al and Campaign Medal may be awarded post- Tipper Gore right before our election. Then humously to any person covered by and I came back in 1993 after the terrible flood, under regulations prescribed in accordance and I watched you come back from that. And with the first section of this order. today I want to talk about another kind of William J. Clinton building. I’m in the process of going around the The White House, country for 2 days—we just left Owensboro, May 3, 2000. Kentucky. And I want to do two things. I want, first of all, to make this trip an oppor- [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, tunity to show America how good the young 11:45 a.m., May 4, 2000] people of our country are, and how much NOTE: This Executive order was published in the they are learning in our schools, and how Federal Register on May 5. bright their future is. But the second thing I want to do is to point out what challenges are still out there if every young person in Remarks at Central High School in America is going to have a world-class edu- Davenport, Iowa cation. May 3, 2000 And one of the things that we know is that you are not the only group of young people Hello. I think we should give Barb Hess in school facilities that are either over- another hand. She did a good job on her crowded or too old or both. And if we want speech. [Applause] And your principal, Mr. learning to occur, we have got to give all of Caudle, give him another hand. [Applause] our students the facilities they need. And your great Governor, Governor Tom Now, this is a beautiful old school. It’s Vilsack, I’m glad to be here with him. Thank even older than the high school I went to,

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which was built in 1917. I’ve been to the top panic unemployment ever recorded, so what floor. I’ve seen the physics lab. I went into are we going to do with it? a biology class. I went underneath the A lot of times, in free societies, when times bleachers here, in the locker room. I saw are good, people do nothing. They just sort where you have your meals in the cafeteria, of hang around and enjoy it. That would be which was built in the ’85 extension. And I a terrible mistake, because we still have chal- have been given a briefing by your principal lenges. And one of the challenges we have— on how you’re going to handle the mod- and everyone of you know it’s true—edu- ernization. cation is more important than ever before. But what you need to know is there are It’s more important to you, and it’s more im- people all over this country who are in situa- portant to your country. tions even more severe. In the city of Phila- We live in an information economy where delphia, the average school building is 65 what you know and what you can learn will years old. In the city of New York there are determine in large measure the shape of your still buildings heated in the winter with coal- adult lives and the kind of lives you’ll be able fired furnaces, where people literally shovel to give your own children. So one of the coal into them like they did a hundred years things that we have to do with our prosperity ago. is to ask ourselves—let’s take an inventory— We have school buildings so old they can’t where are we not giving our young people a world-class education? Why are we not be hooked up—they cannot be wired to the doing it? And what are we to do about it? Internet. The Vice President and I have Because if we can’t do this now, if we can’t worked for 6 years to connect every class- make uniform excellence in education a re- room in America to the Internet. When we ality in America now, at this time of historic started, 16 percent of the schools were con- prosperity, we will never get around to it. nected and 3 percent of the classrooms. So we have to do it now. Today, 95 percent of the schools and almost One of the things that we ought to do is 75 percent of the classrooms are connected. to make sure that we can put all our kids But believe it or not, there are some which in facilities that are modern enough that they literally can’t take a connection. And I saw can be hooked up to the Internet, that people some of your classrooms here today that have can learn, that we can do what we need to severe limits on what can be done in terms do here, not just the science classes, not just of electricity provision. the labs but all the classes. So what’s all this got to do with what we’re Let me just give you an example. I just doing now? Well, when I became President, talked to Senator Harkin about this before we could never have thought of doing any- I came in, because he got some money for thing for school construction or school mod- Iowa to do this; the first Federal money ever ernization or repairs because we had a big to help in school construction he got on the deficit. Today, we’re in the midst of our third basis of a pilot project for Iowa. And now budget surplus. By the end of this year we you heard the Governor say the State’s put- will have paid off $355 billion of our national ting money in. But 4 years ago, when we debt. And I’m proud of that. started to talk about this, the Government We are in the midst of the longest eco- said it would take $112 billion to modernize nomic expansion in history. And the big ques- schools for all of our kids. Today, they say tion before the voters this year, and all the it will take $322 billion. adult citizens of America that you young peo- The engineers of our country, the people ple can have an impact on—and some of you charged with building things, a couple of are old enough to vote now—is what are we years ago evaluated all of what we call Amer- going to do with our prosperity? So we’ve ica’s infrastructure, our roads, our bridges, got the lowest unemployment rate in 30 years our railroads, our ports, our airports, our and the lowest welfare rolls in 30 years and water systems. You know what? They said the lowest female unemployment in 40 years the worst system in the world that we had, and the lowest African-American and His- the worst one in our country, was our school

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buildings, that they are too old and not ready Remarks at the City Academy to meet the challenges of the 21st century. in St. Paul, Minnesota I have been to schools, elementary schools, May 4, 2000 in Florida—I went to a little town in Jupiter, Florida, and went to one elementary school. Thank you very much. Well, after Tom and There were 12 housetrailers out behind the Milo talked, I don’t know that I need to say school, because the kids were so numerous, much of anything. I thank you for what you the school district had grown so much, that said and for the example you have set. And they couldn’t go in there. Even in this school, I want to say a little more about Milo and where you’ve got a lot of rooms, you have this school in a moment. I’d like to thank a lot more students here than the school was my friend Bruce Vento for not only doing built for. And it’s one of the things the teach- a superb job in representing the people of ers talked to me about today. his community and, indeed, the people of So, why am I here? Because I hope that Minnesota in the United States House of America will see this problem and this oppor- Representatives but also being a wonderful tunity through you and your school, thanks friend and adviser to me these last 7 years to our friends in the media. And because I and a few months. You should be very proud have given the Congress now for one more of Bruce Vento. He’s a very, very good man. year, my proposal, which basically would say: Thank you. One of the things we ought to do with our When Lieutenant Governor Schunk told prosperity is to help build or massively over- me that she was going to visit every school haul 6,000 schools, and we ought to give the district in Minnesota, I was wishing I were States enough money to repair another 5,000 the Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota. That schools every single year for the next 5 years. sounds like a good job to me. I thank you. The students of this country and their fami- And Mr. Mayor, thank you for being here lies deserve it. today. It’s good to see you again, and it’s good Back in 1907 this high school was called, to be back in your community. I quote, ‘‘a high school for the future.’’ Back There are a number of other people I then the population of Davenport was would like to acknowledge, and doubtless I 39,000, about a third of what it is today, and will miss some, but I’d like to thank Edu- Central High had half the number of stu- cation Commissioner Jax for being here; and dents it does now. It was a high school for Superintendent Harvey; Majority Leader of the future. You have some new renovations the Senate Roger Moe. The mayor of Min- planned over the next 2 years, which I hope neapolis I think is here, Sharon Sayles will make it a high school for the future again. Belton; former Attorney General Skip But I want every single school in America Humphrey. I’d like to thank State Senator to be a school of the future. You need it. Ember Reichgott Junge, a longtime friend You deserve it. And if the Congress will pass of mine, and former State Representative my proposal, we will help you get it. Becky Kelso, who were the original cospon- Thank you, and God bless you. sors of the charter school legislation. The Charter Friends National Network director, NOTE: The President spoke at 6:27 p.m. in the Jon Schroeder, who drafted the original Fed- auditorium. In his remarks, he referred to Barbara eral charter law, which we adopted. The Hess, teacher, who introduced the President; Center for School Change director, Joe Henry L. Caudle, principal, Kelly L. Witt, student Nathan, a longtime personal friend of mine body president, and Frederick L. (Ricky) Harris with whom I worked for many years. III, senior class president, Central High School; And I’d like to acknowledge some people Gov. Tom Vilsack and Lt. Gov. Sally Pederson who came on this tour with me, some of of Iowa; Mayor Philip Yerington of Davenport, IA; Mayor Stanley F. Leach of Moline, IL; Mayor whom who have been very active in the char- Bill Ward of East Moline, IL; and Mayor Mark ter school movement for a long time: the W. Schwiebert of Rock Island, IL; and Jim president of the Progressive Policy Institute Blanche, superintendent, Davenport School Dis- in Washington, Will Marshall; the president trict. of the New Schools Venture Fund, Kim

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Smith; the policy director of the National ise. And some of the people involved in this Urban League, Bill Spriggs; and a longtime enterprise have been working with me for friend and city council member from New years on educational matters when I was the York City, Guillermo Linares. And they’re Governor of Arkansas. over here to my right. They’ve come a long I also knew that if Minnesota was doing way to be with you, to see this first charter it, there was a pretty good chance it was a school in the United States. So I hope you’ll good idea, since the State already had some make them—[applause]. of the best performing schools in the United When I was listening to Milo Cutter and States. And I think the State and this commu- Tom Gonzalez talk first about this school, nity deserve a lot of credit for the general how it got started, what its mission is, and direction of education reform and rising test then hearing Tom talk about his life and how scores. Minnesota really is about to become his then-girlfriend and present wife got him Lake Wobegon, where all the children are into this school, it reminded me of all the above average. [Laughter] And that’s good struggles that I have seen the charter school for you. Good for you. movement go through throughout the United I’m here today because I want all of Amer- States and reaffirm my conviction that every ica to know about you, and through you, to effort has been worth it. understand what might be done in other There are a lot of people here in this room communities with the charter school move- who have devoted a lot of their lives to trying ment, to give all of our children the edu- to help young people in trouble. I was de- cation they need and the education our coun- lighted to hear Milo mention Hazel try needs for them to have in a 21st century O’Leary’s support for this school. She was information economy. my first Energy Secretary. And I want to This is a good time for us to be doing this. thank, in particular, one person who’s made Our economy is in the best shape it’s ever an extraordinary commitment to helping been. We have been working for 20 years young people lead the lives of their dreams on school reform; no one can claim anymore and avoid the lives of their nightmares, my they don’t know what works. We now have good friend Supreme Court Justice Alan enough evidence that the charter school Page, who’s out here. Thank you, Alan, for movement works if it’s done right, as it has everything you have done. been done here. And we have the largest and The idea behind charter schools is that not most diverse student body in our history, all kids are the same. They have different which means there are more different kinds needs. They have different environments. of people that may learn in different ways But there is a certain common level of edu- and have different personal needs, but they cation that all kids need, no matter how dif- all need—I will say again—a certain high ferent they are. And that it would be a good level of educational attainment. thing to allow schools to be developed which The strategy that clearly works is account- had a clear mission, which could reach out ability for high standards, with a lot of per- to kids who wanted to be a part of that mis- sonal attention and clear support for the edu- sion and who could achieve educational ex- cation mission of every school. We’ve tried cellence for children who otherwise might be to support that now for 7 years. The Vice left behind or, to use Tom’s phrase, might President and I have supported everything fall through the cracks. from increasing Head Start to smaller classes It is true that when I ran for President in the early grades to funds to help all of in 1992, Minnesota had the only public char- our States and school districts set high stand- ter school in the country, this one. And so ards and systems for implementing account- when I went around the country talking ability for those standards to opening up the about charter schools, most people thought doors of college to more Americans. I had landed from another planet, because Here in St. Paul, our movement to put most people hadn’t been here. Most people 100,000 teachers on the streets—in our still haven’t been here to this school. But I schools, I mean—has led, I think, to 23 more knew it was an idea that had enormous prom- teachers being hired. And here in this city

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the average class size in the early grades is of the reasons is that you have set such a 18. If that were true in every place in Amer- good example. ica, the children would be learning and all Now, what I want to talk about today is of our third graders would be able to read, how the charter schools work a little—I want more of them would stay in school, fewer to say a little about that. And then I want of them would drop out, more of them would to answer—if you’ll forgive me for doing it, do well. So I want to congratulate you on since you don’t have this problem—I want making good use of that, as well. to answer some of the critics of the charter We’ve also tried to make sure all of our school movements who say that not all the schools were wired to the Internet. We’re schools have worked. going to do a little work on the Internet later Schools like City Academy, as I said, have this morning. When the Vice President and the flexibility to reach out to students who I started and we got the so-called E-rate may have had trouble in ordinary school ex- passed in Congress, which allows lower periences. At the same time, very often we income schools to get subsidies to be wired see charter schools provide an even greater and to use the Internet, to access it, there atmosphere of competition that induces kids were only 16 percent of the schools and 3 to work harder and harder to learn. Studies percent of the classrooms connected. Today, show that charter schools are at least as ra- 95 percent of the schools and almost 75 per- cially and economically diverse as the public cent of the classrooms are connected. And schools, generally. And here in Minnesota, I think by the end of this year, certainly some they’re more diverse than average schools. time next year, we will have every classroom Surveys show the vast majority of parents with children in our 1,700 charter schools in America, certainly every school, con- think their children are doing better aca- nected, except those that are literally too old demically in those schools than they were in and decrepit to be wired. And unfortunately, their previous schools. There are long waiting there are some, and I’ve been out on another lists to get in most charter schools all across crusade to try to build new school facilities the United States. and have the Federal Government help in Now, does that mean every charter school that regard, too. is a stunning success? No. But I don’t think But we’ve come a long way. And yet, we that anyone can cite any endeavor of life know that there are still schools which aren’t where everybody is doing a great job. The performing as they should. Even though test idea behind the charter schools was never scores are up, even though college-going is that they would all be perfect, but that be- up, we know that there are schools which cause they were unlike traditional schools aren’t performing. And I wanted to come they had to be created with a charter and here today because of what you’ve done, be- a mission that had to be fulfilled. If they were cause you’ve proved that charter schools not successful in that mission, they could be were a good idea. shut down or changed, or the children could As I said, when I started running for Presi- go somewhere else. dent, there was a grand total of one charter And so that they would be under a lot school—you. You were it. Now there are over more—pressure may be the wrong word— 1,700 in America. And we have invested al- but the environment would be very dif- most half a billion dollars since 1994 to help ferent—that if they didn’t work, the kids communities start charter schools. That’s wouldn’t be stuck there forever, that there why there are over 1,700, and I’m proud of would always be other options, and that they, that. themselves, could be dramatically trans- And this is actually National Charter formed. School Week, which is nice for me to be here Now, the one problem we have had is that by accident in this week. And I can say that— not every State has had the right kind of ac- you know, my goal was to at least fund 3,000 countability for the charter schools. Some or more by the time I left office. And I be- States have laws that are so loose that no lieve we are going to meet that goal, and one matter whether the charter schools are doing

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their jobs or not, they just get to stay open, bring to the school in the first place. That’s and they become like another bureaucracy. what this whole thing is about. Unfortunately, I think even worse, some My goal is to get more money and more States have laws that are so restrictive it’s people involved in the charter schools move- almost impossible to open a charter school ment, to break down the walls of resistance in the first place. among all the educators to it, and to get com- So the second point I want to make to the munity people all over the country more people, especially to the press folks that are aware of it. Today we are going to release traveling with us who have to report this to about $137 million in grants to support new the country, is that not only has this first and existing charter schools in 31 States, the charter school in America, City Academy, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. I am done great, but Minnesota’s law is right. You going to ask the Secretary of Education today basically have struck the right balance. You to develop guidelines for employers and have encouraged the growth of charter faith-based groups so that they will know how schools, but you do hold charter schools re- they can be actively involved in supporting sponsible for results. That’s what every State the charter school movement. in the country ought to do. While charter schools have to be non- And I think, indeed, we should build the sectarian, there is a role, a positive role, that level of accountability you find here in the faith-based groups can play. And employers, we find around America, increasingly are charter school system into all the schools in willing to provide space and other resources our system. That’s what I’m trying to get to help charter schools get started. In nearby Congress to do. Bruce and I have been work- Rockford, Minnesota, for instance, there is ing for a couple of years on an educational the Skills for Tomorrow School, sponsored accountability act, which basically would in- jointly by the Teamsters Union and the Busi- vest more money in what we know works and ness Partnership. Union, corporate, and stop investing money in what we know small business leaders have helped to de- doesn’t work, the kind of direction taken not velop the school. They also provide students only by the charter schools but by this State, with internships and take part in judging in terms of standards, accountability, not hav- whether they have met their academic grad- ing social promotion but not blaming kids for uation requirements to ensure that they have the failure of the system, permitting after- the skills they need to succeed. I think the school, summer school programs, and real guidelines I’m calling for today will get more support for people like you. businesses and more faith-based groups in- Unfortunately, this week the Congress is— volved in the charter school movement. the majority is trying to pass legislation that We have learned now for 7 years that char- neither puts more money or more account- ter schools will work if you have investment ability into the system. But I’m still hopeful and accountability, and if you make them less that we’ll be able to pass a good bill that bureaucratic and more mission oriented. I’m really works before we go home. very proud of the fact that in our administra- Let me finally say that there are some peo- tion the Secretary of Education has reduced ple who criticize charter schools by saying the regulatory burden on local schools and that even though they are public schools, States in administering Federal aid by about they amount to draining money away from two-thirds, while we have doubled the invest- other public schools. That’s just not true. You ment in education for our schools. would be in school somewhere. And if you And I’m very proud of the fact that long were, whether your school was doing an ef- ago, even though I wasn’t given the privilege fective job or not, the tax money would be of coming to this school, I heard about Milo; going there. The charter school movement, I heard about the City Academy; I heard if it works, can help to save public education about the charter schools movement. I talked in this country, by proving that excellence to Joe Nathan. I talked to Ember about it can be provided to all children from all back- and a number of other people. And I ran grounds, no matter what experiences they for President in 1992 pledging that if the

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people voted for me, we would have more All of you know that I’m speaking to you of these schools. And over 1,700 schools from the City Academy in St. Paul, Min- later, thanks to your example, my commit- nesota. It was the Nation’s first charter ment, I think, has been fulfilled and Amer- school. I believe in these schools, and I’ve ican education has been advanced. I only tried to promote them and want to do more, hope that my presence here today will help and that’s why I’m here. to get us to 3,000 and will help to get us The most important thing that we can do to the point in America where every school today is to reach out and answer questions operates like a charter school. from the students of America, so let’s begin. Thank you very much. How do you want to do it, Tracy?

NOTE: The President spoke at 9:45 a.m. in the Education and Moving Out of Poverty gymnasium. In his remarks, he referred to Tomas Gonzalez, 1994 graduate, who introduced the Ms. Smith. Well, our first question is actu- President, and Milo Cutter, founder and director, ally from Amy, who is from City Academy— City Academy; Lt. Gov. Mae Schunk of Min- we do have it in the computer here; it’s ques- nesota; Mayor Norm Coleman of St. Paul; tion number zero—which is, what more can Christine Jax, commissioner, Minnesota Depart- education do to improve people’s lives and ment of Children, Families & Learning; Patricia move them out of poverty? Harvey, superintendent, St. Paul School District The President. Well, I think the obvious No. 625; State Senate Minority Leader Roger D. answer is just to look at the difference in Moe; former Minnesota State Attorney General the job prospects and the income prospects Hubert (Skip) Humphrey III; and State Supreme Court Justice Alan Page. of people who have education and people who don’t. Education in this economy, where we have the lowest unemployment rate in Webside Chat With Tracy Smith 30 years, if you have enough education you of Channel One in St. Paul have almost 100 percent guarantee that you’ll have a good job and you can move out of May 4, 2000 poverty. But it is, by and large, necessary to do Ms. Smith. So now we’re going to go live, more than graduate from high school. Most to the live webcast. So everyone out there people, to have good job prospects, need at watching us on your computer, thank you so least 2 years of college. And I have worked much for joining us. Welcome to everybody. very hard in the last 7 years to open the doors Thank you, City Academy. And thank you, of college to everyone. We’ve increased the Mr. President. Pell grants. We’ve made student loans less The President. Thank you, Tracy. Are we expensive. And we have given a tax credit ready to start? worth $1,500 a year to virtually all Americans Ms. Smith. We are ready to start. for the first 2 years of college. So the most The President. Well, let me begin by important thing for you to know is, you’ll get thanking Channel One and the Channel One out of poverty if you have an education, but schools and all those who are taking part in you need more than high school. this Presidential Webside Chat. This has a rich history, really. Fifty years ago and more, President Roosevelt used the Technology in Education radio to bring democracy into the homes of Ms. Smith. All right, great. A tech ques- the American people, with his Fireside tion, of course, since we’re talking to a bunch Chats. Thirty years later, President Kennedy of techies out there. This is question number regularly used televised press conferences to 200: Mr. President, my math teacher uses do the same thing. And I think it’s quite ap- technology to teach us every day. Do you propriate to use this newest medium of com- think this is an important part of learning? munication to answer more questions from The President. Yes. I don’t think it’s a more students. And I think we ought to get substitute for knowing the basics, but it facili- right to it. tates learning.

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And one of the things that we know now— puters in the schools. Frankly, the big issue and I bet a lot of you here at City Academy now is making sure that the teachers are well- have learned this—one of the things we know trained to maximize the potential of the com- now is that people learn in different ways. puters and the educational software. You And sometimes, like in grade school, some know, most teachers will tell you that in every kids will be identified wrongly as being slow school, there are always a few kids that know learners or maybe not very smart when in more about all this than the teachers do. So fact they learn in different ways. We know what we’ve had to do is to go back and re- that some kids learn by repetition, doing emphasize training the teachers. basic math on a computer, better. Some kids And let me just say one other thing. I be- learn by listening better. Some learn by read- lieve that the next big move will be to try ing better. So I think that’s important. to make personal computers in the home But the main thing that technology is going available to more and more people who can’t to do for education is something entirely dif- afford them now, lower income people. ferent. Look at this. We’ve already got over When Tom was up here talking earlier, he 2,000 questions. We’re talking to people all said he was born in Mexico. I went to a over the country here. Because of tech- school district in New Jersey where most of nology, we can bring what’s in any textbook, the kids are first-generation immigrants. And anyplace in the world, not only to a place the school district, with Bell Atlantic, put like the City Academy in St. Paul; we can computers in the homes of more and more bring it to poor villages in Africa, in Latin of the parents so they could talk to the prin- America, in east Asia. Technology can enable cipals and the teachers during the day. And us to bring all the knowledge stored any- it had a dramatic impact on the learning of where to anybody who lives anywhere, if they the kids and on reducing the dropout rate. have the computer—the poorest people in And the kids, of course, could then use the the world. And so it is going to be, I think, computers at home as well. the most important fact about education for So I think that’s the next big frontier. Can the next 20 or 30 years. we make the use of the computer as universal as the use of the telephone is today? I wish Government Initiatives in Computer I were going to be around, but I think that’s Availability a big frontier the next President should try Ms. Smith. I guess the followup question to cross. to that is question number 721: Mr. Presi- Ms. Smith. This is question number 2,173. dent, how can the Federal Government help We are getting a lot of questions today. This provide enough money to have enough com- is from Lawrence, from Fayetteville, Arkan- puters in school for everyone to be able to sas. have access to a good computer? The President. I’ve been to this school. The President. Well, let me tell you what This is the town that Hillary and I were mar- we have done. In 1996 we passed something ried in. I lived there when I went home to in Congress called the Telecommunications Arkansas and taught in the university. Act. And Vice President Gore led our fight to require in that law something called the E-rate, the education rate, to guarantee that School Violence all schools and libraries could afford to logon Ms. Smith. All right. He’s in the seventh to the Internet. It’s worth over $2 billion a grade, and he wants to know what you plan year in subsidies to schools. That’s why 95 to do about making students feel safer in to- percent of our schools are hooked up now day’s classrooms. to the Internet, connected to the Internet, The President. Well, first of all, I think because they can afford it. the only way to make you feel safer is to try I have also worked very hard to try to get to make sure you are safer. But you should the Government to give all the computers know that, in spite of these horrible examples we could to schools and to go out and work of school violence we’ve seen—we just cele- with the private sector to get more com- brated the anniversary of Columbine; we had

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the terrible incident in Arkansas and Mis- old. And there are rooms in that building sissippi, Oregon, lots of other places—that, where there were no electrical outlets in the overall, school violence has gone down. And walls, and there are all kinds of problems I think the main thing you have to do is to there. It’s a magnificent building. They keep guns and weapons out of schools, to shouldn’t tear it down, but they need to mod- try to keep people off the school grounds that ernize it. don’t belong there, and to have a zero-toler- And so I do, I think it makes a big dif- ance policy for guns in the schools and for ference. That’s why for over 2 years now I’ve violence. been trying to get Congress to adopt a plan Then I think it’s also important to have to let the Federal Government help build positive ways of dealing with conflict. I think 6,000 new schools and help repair 5,000 there need to be peer mediation groups in more every year for the next 5 years, because schools. I think students need to have access it’s a terrible problem. The average school to counselors and, if they need it, to mental building in Philadelphia is 56 years old—65 health services. I think that we have to teach years old—in New Orleans, over 60 years young people that there are nonviolent ways old. In New York, there are school buildings that they can resolve their legitimate con- that are heated still by coal-fired furnaces. flicts, and there are nonviolent ways they And also, there are all these overcrowded have to get their anger and frustration out. schools. I went to a little grade school in Flor- So I think there’s partly a law enforcement ida with 12 housetrailers out behind it to strategy to keep guns and knives and other house the kids—12—not one or two. So yes, weapons out of the hands of kids at school, I think it makes a big difference. to keep people off the school grounds who shouldn’t be here. Then I think there has School Uniforms to be a positive human development effort Ms. Smith. Let’s go to—here’s one I know to get people to adopt nonviolent strategies you have an opinion about—2,987. This is for dealing with their anger, their hurt, and Brandon: What do you think about school their conflicts. uniforms? The President. I support them in the Education Infrastructure early grades. I think—and I’ll tell you why. Ms. Smith. Let’s do 201. This is from I have been a big supporter of school uni- Elena—I hope I’m saying that right: Presi- forms—well, I support them for high schools, dent Clinton, do you think that the physical too, if people want them. But let me just condition of a school building has an effect say, we have a lot of evidence that particu- on learning in the classroom? larly in elementary and junior high schools, The President. Yes, I do. If it’s bad school uniforms perform two very valuable enough—in two or three ways. First of all, functions: They promote discipline, and they I think if a school is in terrible physical condi- promote learning. Why? Because in the early tion, when children go through a school every years, school uniforms remove the economic day, if the roof is leaking and the windows distinctions between kids. are broken and it’s stiflingly hot—I mean, I went to a junior high school out in Cali- young people are not stupid; they’re smart. fornia, in the third-biggest school district in They say, ‘‘Okay, all these politicians and California, where they have a school uniform teachers say we’re the most important people policy. And I had an inner-city young boy in the world. If we’re the most important talking and a young girl who was probably people in the world and education is the most upper middle class. And both of them loved important thing in the world, why are they the uniform policy, because they said it re- letting me go to school in this wreck of a moved the distinctions between kids, and it building where I’m miserable?’’ removed the pressure to try to show where The second problem is, it’s actually harder you were in some economic or social hier- to teach in difficult physical facilities. I was archy by what you were wearing. at a school—actually, a very beautiful school But I also can tell you, there is lots and yesterday in Davenport, Iowa. It’s 93 years lots of evidence that it reduces conflict and

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violence and promotes an atmosphere of dis- I would leave it to the schools or the school cipline among younger people. So I think— districts to decide what the young people you know, I really think that having that pol- should do. But I think it does us all good icy is good. I’ve seen it all over America. I’ve to get out and deal with people who are dras- done everything I could to promote it. I’ve tically different from ourselves and who—no been ridiculed and attacked and made fun matter how bad we think our lives are, there of for promoting it, but I believe in them. is always somebody with a bigger problem I think they do good. I do. and a bigger need and a bigger challenge. Ms. Smith. We’ve done lots of stories on And I just think it’s good for people to serve that. I don’t think every kid in America other people in the community. So I would agrees with you, but—— make it a part of the curriculum. I would. The President. I know they don’t. [Laughter] You ought to see my mail about Educational Opportunities for the it. [Laughter] Disadvantaged Ms. Smith. Okay, this is 3,348, from Mis- Community Service sion Junior High, in Texas: What is being done to ensure that economically disadvan- Ms. Smith. Question number 296. This is taged students are provided the opportuni- from Melinda, from Dublin High School. We ties for higher education? don’t have where Dublin is. The President. Good question. Let me The President. Ohio, I think, isn’t it? give you all the answers. This has been a big Ms. Smith. Is it Ohio? priority of mine. Here’s what we’ve done. The President. I think so. Since I’ve been President, we have increased Ms. Smith. Very good. Do you believe that the number and the amount of the Pell students should be required to do commu- grants, which is the scholarship the Federal nity service as a part of their core cur- Government gives to the poorest students. riculum? We have also changed the student loan pro- The President. Yes. That’s the short an- gram, so that it’s now cheaper to take out swer. I do. Maryland is the only State now a loan if you get one of the so-called direct that requires community service as a require- loans, issued directly from the Federal Gov- ment. To get a high school diploma in Mary- ernment. The interest rate is lower. And then land, at some point you have to do some com- when you get out of school, if you take a munity service. job that has a modest salary, you can limit You know, I’ve been a big supporter of your repayments to a certain percentage of community service. I founded the your income. It’s saved, in 5 years, $8 billion AmeriCorps program, and now 150,000 in student loan costs for America’s students. young people have served their communities We’ve raised the number of work-study and earned some money to go to college positions from 700,000 to a million. And we through various AmeriCorps projects. We passed the HOPE scholarship. That’s the big- started a program called America Reads. gest deal. It’s a $1,500 tax credit for the first There are now people from 1,000 different 2 years of college, and then also for the junior colleges going into the grade schools of and senior year and for graduate schools you America, helping make sure all of our third get a tax break. And I’m now trying to get graders can read—and a lot of retired groups, Congress to adopt a law which allows people too. to deduct up to $10,000 in college tuition I believe community service is one of the from any tax burdens they have. So I think most important things that happens in Amer- that will help. ica to bind us together across the lines that If that passes, I think we can honestly say divide us. And in 1987, 13 years ago, I was that income is not a barrier to going to col- on a commission on middle schools which lege. Between the scholarships, the loans, the recommended that community service be work-study programs, and the HOPE schol- made a part of the curriculum. So I’ve been arship tax credit, which 5 million families a believer of this for a long time. have already used, that’s why college-going—

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67 percent of the high school graduates in this much knocked off, because I have found America are now going on to college. And that there is a great desire, again, for commu- I want to get it up as close to 100 as we nity service. And there is a lot of interest in can get it. So if you have any other ideas doing this if we can make it reasonably attrac- in Mission, Texas, let me know. But we’ve tive. done a lot on this, and I think it’s very impor- tant. Home Schooling Quality Teachers Ms. Smith. This is Brenna, from Lamar: Ms. Smith. Question 4,641, this is Mike President Clinton, what are your views on from Buffalo: What do you think the Federal parents home schooling their children? Government can do to attract quality teach- The President. I believe two or three ers to inner-city public schools? things about home schooling. I’ve had a lot The President. Well, we’ve got a little of experience with this, because I was a Gov- program we started a couple of years ago— ernor at a time when this was being debated this is a really good question—where based around America. I think that States should on the old health service corps idea, where explicitly acknowledge the option of home we would pay off people’s loans to medical schooling, because it’s going to be done any- schools if they’d go practice medicine in iso- way. lated, rural areas or inner city areas. It is done in every State in the country, So we have a small program now to say and therefore, the best thing to do is to get to young people, if you’ll go back and teach the home schoolers organized, if they’re not in an inner-city school where there is a teach- organized in your State, deal with them in er shortage, we’ll pay off your college loans. a respectful way and say, ‘‘Look, there is a And I think that will help. I would like to good way to do this and a not so good way see that program dramatically expanded. to do this, but if you’re going to do this your I think the other thing is, though, we’re children have to prove that they’re learning going to have to pay these young people on a regular basis. And if they don’t prove more if we want them to do that. In the next that they’re learning, then they have to go few years we could have a real problem with into a school, either into a parochial or pri- teacher shortage, because we’ve got the larg- vate school or a public school. But if you’re est student body in American history. You going to home school your kids, the children finally—all of you are bigger than the baby have to learn. That’s the public interest boom generation I was a part of, for the last there.’’ 2 years. We have about 2 million teachers And that’s what we did in Arkansas. The slated to retire over the coming 5 to 8 years. Home School Association strongly supported And we have a greater need for teachers than it, accountability for what their children were ever before because our student bodies are learning. There will always be, in any given more diverse, in terms of language and back- State, a certain percentage of people, nor- ground and culture. mally a small percentage, for reasons of per- So I think the States and the Federal Gov- sonal values or educational philosophy will ernment are going to have to look at this. want to do that. And most of the time they’re I’m trying to put 100,000 more teachers out very dedicated parents, deeply committed to there now in the early grades. I know the what they’re doing. And I can tell you this: Vice President has said that he believes we It’s going to happen regardless, so it’s better ought to have—the Federal Government to have laws which have standards on it. should help the States and school districts From my personal point of view, I never— hire 600,000 more over the next 4 years after it wasn’t an option in our family, but if it that. But this is going to be a big issue. had been I wouldn’t have done it because My own view is, the best way to get young I wanted my daughter to go to school where people to go into the inner cities, though, she would be exposed to all different kinds is to defray the cost of their own education— of people and see how the larger society say, if you teach for 2, 3, 4 years, you get worked and be a part of it. But I think that

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we should explicitly make that option avail- the system more than in the teachers? I guess able; we should respect the people who they’re talking about high-stakes standards choose it, but we ought to say, ‘‘If you do testing. it, your children have to demonstrate that The President. Yes, well, here’s the prob- they know what they’re supposed to know lem. First of all, I think that it is almost un- when they’re supposed to know it.’’ avoidable, if you believe as I do, that there Ms. Smith. Just an update, we’ve received has to be some measure at some point along more than 10,000 questions so far. Pretty the way in school of whether young people good. have actually learned what their diplomas say The President. I need to give shorter an- they have learned. And what I think is impor- swers. [Laughter] tant—the way—I can tell you how it can be changed so that the teachers aren’t pressured Goals of Education to cheat. You can have one or more second Ms. Smith. Question 4,154, this is Howard chances. from Providence: Do you consider the goal Ms. Smith. So if you fail a test—— of public education to be to make someone The President. Yes, yes. Let me give you ready for employment, practical, or to make an example. In Chicago, for example, which someone a well-rounded, enlightened indi- most people believed a few years ago had vidual? the most troubled big-city school system in The President. Both. That is, I think— the country, they adopted a no-social-pro- when I say ready for employment, if you’re motion strategy. And if you didn’t pass the talking about getting through high school, exams and make appropriate grades, you I’ve already said I don’t think that will make couldn’t go on. But they gave 100 percent most people ready for employment. of the people a chance to go to summer We live in a world in which what you know school and do well. As a result of that, today, is important, but what you’re capable of the Chicago summer school is—listen to learning is even more important, because the this—it’s the sixth-largest school district in stock of knowledge is doubling once every America, just the kids going to summer 5 years, more or less. So I think that being school. But as a result of that, there aren’t able to be a useful member of society is im- very many people who are held back, and portant. But I also think being able to be that dramatically reduces the tension to a good citizen and having a liberal arts back- cheat. ground is important. So I think we should I think an even better system is to make pursue both. sure that all the kids who are having trouble, I’ve never thought of education as purely and particularly all the schools that are low a utilitarian thing, just something that is a performing, have really rich and substantive meal ticket. It also makes life more inter- after-school programs, weekend programs, as esting. All these young people here—you well as summer school programs, so that the know, if you develop the ability to read and tests measure whether the children are learn- to think and to feel comfortable with ideas ing. and emotions and concepts, it makes life Look, we know nearly—literally right at more interesting. It makes your own life 100 percent of the people can learn what more fulfilling. So I think education should they need to know to go from grade to grade. both prepare you for the world of work and You know, this whole business that all chil- help you live a more fulfilling life and be dren can learn is not just a slogan. So I think a better citizen. it’s very important not to blame the children when the system fails them. Standards Tests So the answer is—to reduce the tension Ms. Smith. Okay, this question 5,492. This to cheat, is to have a lot of second chances is Eliza from New York: How can the testing but to make sure that when a young person system be changed so that teachers are not is told you get to go on because you learned pressured to the point that they are cheating something, that the stuff has really been for the kids? Don’t you see it as a flaw in learned.

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Education Then and Now perfect and without challenges. But we’re Ms. Smith. We want to squeeze in just better off being integrated than segregated. one more question, question 249, from Leah We’re better off with the new technology. in Cybervillage: Mr. President, how would We’re better off with the assumption that we you compare your education in grade school ought to try to prepare every kid and give to public education today? every child the chance to go to college. That’s The President. Well, first of all, in many my view. ways, it’s better today, although one of the Ms. Smith. As you see from the number things I will say is I was very blessed; I had of questions, we could do this all day, but great teachers. I had—my sixth grade teach- we’re out of time. ers, Kathleen Scher, was typical of the teach- The President. These are great ques- ers of the early—the first 50, 60 years in this tions—I mean, great. country. She was a lady who—she never mar- Ms. Smith. Aren’t they great? There are ried; she lived with her cousin. They were so many, one after the other. both teachers, and they lived to be 90 years The President. I wish that they all had old. And I corresponded with her until she yes/no answers; I’d just run down. [Laughter] died. She came to see me once a year. We Ms. Smith. You know what, they can all were friends, and she was a great, devoted E-mail you, right? [Laughter] Just kidding. teacher. Well, I want to thank you so much for The discrimination against women in the being here, Mr. President. This was a treat. workplace in the first part of this century I want to also thank the distinguished guests worked to drive the smartest and most gifted that were here, thank City Academy, thank and most dedicated of public servants among Yahoo! for providing this chat auditorium, women into the classroom. They were teach- and of course, all of the students across the ers and nurses—women—because that’s country who logged in and participated in what they could do. And the end of discrimi- this. Sorry we couldn’t get to all of you. Great nation among women, which has been a great questions. thing for women, has given women lots of The President. Thank you. Great job. other options. Thank you. But I had good teachers. So that’s the good NOTE: The interview was taped at 10:13 a.m. in thing I will say about that. I was very fortu- gymnasium at the City Academy and was broad- nate and blessed. But I went to segregated cast online via the Internet. In his remarks, the schools, which I resented at the time. I knew President referred to Tomas Gonzalez, 1994 City it was wrong, before the civil rights move- Academy graduate. A tape was not available for ment. And it’s better today that we have a verification of the content of these remarks. diverse student body, and we’re all learning to live together and work together in school. Remarks in a Roundtable Discussion There were no computers, although we read a lot. And at the time, it was assumed on Reforming America’s Schools in that most people would not go to college, Columbus, Ohio instead of that most people would. So in that May 4, 2000 sense, I think things are better today. [Barbara Blake, principal, Eastgate Elemen- Now, violence was having a fist-fight on tary School, welcomed participants and out- the playground. Nobody had a gun. So there lined improvements in student performance was less fear. The only thing you ever had at her school. She then introduced the Presi- to fear was whether somebody that hated you dent, noting that she had requested informa- was going to beat you up. You never had the tion on educational reform from him while fear that somebody would pull a knife or a he was Governor of Arkansas.] gun. So I’d say those were the differences. But if you look, on balance, we’re better The President. Thank you very much, Ms. off today than we were when I was in grade Blake. I guess I should begin by saying I’m school. We just have to deal with today’s certainly glad I answered that letter—[laugh- challenges. There will never be a time that’s ter]—so many years ago. I want to thank you

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for welcoming me here. And thank you, dents who were not succeeding in other pub- Mayor Coleman, for your leadership and for lic schools. That was the first charter school welcoming me also. Thank you, Super- in the country, established in 1992. They intendent Rosa Smith; Representative were basically schools within the public Beatty; City Council President Habash; school system set up by teachers and parents House Minority Leader Ford. I’d like to and citizens with a specific, definite mission, thank the leaders of the Columbus and Ohio and schools that can be shut down if they Education Association, John Grossman and fail in that mission. Gary Allen, who are here. And I’d like to There was one in the whole country, that thank all of our panelists who are here. one I visited today, in ’72. We’ve invested I have been on a tour these last 2 days $500 million since then, and there are now to highlight the good things that are hap- 1,700, providing excellence in education to pening in education in America, to highlight special needs of the people and their com- the reforms that make these good things pos- munities. And while I was there, I actually sible, and most important, to highlight the had a Webside Chat on the Internet with great challenge before the United States students all across America about the chal- today to turn around all low performing lenges in education. And in a matter of about schools and give all of our children a world- 20 minutes, they sent me over 10,000 ques- class education. tions. [Laughter] So don’t let anybody say the Yesterday morning I was in western Ken- young people of America are not curious. tucky in the little town of Owensboro, which They could ask faster than I could answer. has had extraordinary success in turning I really can think of no better place to wrap around its lowest performing schools. In up my tour than here in Columbus, which 1996, the State identified 175 of them. Just has had a long history of educational inter- 2 years later, 159—over 90 percent—had im- vention and innovation and excellence. In proved beyond the goals the State set for them. In the little school I visited, where 1909, Columbus opened the Nation’s very two-thirds of the children were eligible for first junior high school. And now, again, free and reduced lunches, in 4 years they you’re on the cutting edge of reform and im- had recorded the same sort of improvements provement. that you mentioned here, on a trend line, I’m here today primarily not to talk but which proves that income and station in life to listen to the panelists here about what are not destiny, that all of our children can you’re doing right. But I want to say, for the learn, that intelligence is equally distributed. benefit of the country and through the press And that means the grownups among us have who are here, that this community has imple- a big responsibility to give every single one mented high academic standards and assess- of these kids, like those beautiful, bright- ments to see if the students and the schools eyed kids that I saw in this school—and I are meeting those standards. They’ve given just shook hands with every one of them— students help to meet those standards, from have a chance to live up to their dreams. after-school programs to smaller classes. Then after I left Kentucky yesterday, I Their strategy, which is our strategy in the went to Davenport, Iowa, and I visited a 93- Clinton-Gore administration, of investing year-old high school finally beginning to get more and demanding more, is working. the renovations it needs so that students have Now, you heard our principal talk about the learning environment they need. Some the advances. Just in the last 3 years, the test of those school rooms didn’t even have elec- scores have skyrocketed, and the test scores trical outlets in the wall. And believe it or themselves have gone up more than 200 per- not, it was even hotter in the gym there than cent. But I don’t know if you listened to it is here today. [Laughter] So I’m just as that—the percentage of students doing an cool as a cucumber now. acceptable job—listen to this—in one year— This morning I was in the Nation’s first she talked about 2 years ago and last year, charter school in St. Paul, Minnesota, which not this year—in one year went up almost is providing an excellent education to stu- 500 percent in reading, over 300 percent in

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math, and 300 percent in science—in one We have doubled our investment in edu- year. All children can learn. cation and training. And I think that’s very I want to say a special word of appreciation important. to the teachers who I also met outside and But we also said to people that got Federal to those of you who work to improve the aid to education, ‘‘If you want this Federal quality of the teacher corps. Listen to this: aid, you have to have high standards for what More than a third of these teachers have a your children should know.’’ We’ve given the master’s degree and over 10 years’ experi- States the resources they need to help ence teaching. I understand your peer assist- schools implement those standards. We’ve ance and review program is helping both new required States to identify their low per- and veteran teachers to do better by learning forming schools and come up with strategies from each other, something I very much be- to turn them around. lieve in. We’ve helped to reduce class size in the And this is very important: You have cut early grades with our program, now in its the attrition rate of first-year teachers by 40 third year, to provide 100,000 new, highly percent. This is terrifically important because trained teachers in the first 3 grades. I’m we have so many teachers who will be retir- happy to say that 55 of those teachers are ing in America in the next few years, and now in Columbus, 2 here at Eastgate. And we have the largest number of students in this community has taken the average class our schools in history. So reducing the attri- size in grades one through 3 from nearly 25 tion rate is a big deal and something you down to 15. That is, doubtless, one reason should be very proud of. you’re seeing these big improvements in stu- While there is still more work to be done dents’ performance, and again I applaud you here and, indeed, in every school in the coun- for that. try, you have proved that with the right ideas and the right tools, you can do what needs When I became President, there was no to be done. Federal support for summer school pro- Since 1993, our administration has worked grams. All these studies would show the kids hard to make education our number one pri- that were having trouble learning forgot a lot ority, not just in a speech but in reality. And of what they did learn over the summer. And I must say, I don’t know that I have ever then the teachers would have to spend 4, 6, been more touched by anything I have ever sometimes as many as 8 weeks reviewing seen in any school in my life as I was when what was done the year before, before they I looked up—hanging from the ceiling on the could even start on what they were being corridor when I came down here—and you held responsible to teach in the new year. had put up a history of what our administra- We went from a $1 million program in tion had done since January of ’93 in edu- 1997 to $20 million in ’98, to $200 million cation. I was completely blown away. I dare in ’99, to $450 million this year. And my say that outside of Hillary, the Vice Presi- budget asks for a billion dollars. If the Con- dent, and Secretary Riley, you now know gress will give it to me, we will be able to more about what we have done than anybody guarantee summer school opportunities to else in America. [Laughter] every student in every low performing school But let me just briefly review a couple of in the entire United States of America. It the things that I think are important. When is terribly important that we pass this. I came in office, we had a $295 billion deficit. What you have done here—I know that Interest rates were high. Unemployment was 30 fourth graders in this school participate high. We had to get rid of the deficit. We in such programs. I said summer school; I had to keep doing things. We got rid of hun- meant after-school, although the funds can dreds of programs. And as we turned a deficit also be used for summer school. I just came into 3 years of surpluses, now this year we from Minneapolis, where a third of all their will have paid off $355 billion of the national students are now in summer school pro- debt, well on our way to getting America out grams, in the entire school district. Why? Be- of debt entirely, for the first time since 1835. cause they have so many people who are

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coming from other countries whose first lan- The second thing I’d like to say is, with guage is not English. They would never even the strongest economy in our history, the have a chance to not only master the lan- great test the American people face this year guage but learn what they need to learn if in the elections—and those of us who are summer school weren’t made available to elected officials—and as citizens is, what is them. So the after-school and the summer it that we mean to do with this prosperity? school programs are important. If we’re not going to do this now, when in We’re trying to build or radically overhaul the wide world will we ever get around to 6,000 schools and to modernize another doing it? We’re in the best shape economi- 5,000 over the next 5 years—5,000 a year. cally we’ve ever been in. We can afford to We now—when I became President, we had do it, no matter what anybody says. And I only 3 percent of our classrooms and 16 per- think we ought to get about the business of cent of our schools connected to the Inter- doing it. net. Today, we have nearly 75 percent of the So that’s why I came here, why I wanted classrooms and 95 percent of the schools with to hear from all of you. And what the purpose at least one Internet connection with the E- of this panel is, is to sort of fill in the blanks rate, which the Vice President pioneered, of my remarks here so that we will have a that gives a $2 billion subsidy so that poorer clear sense of how far you’ve come, how you schools and poorer communities can afford did it, and what we need to do from here to have their schools log on to the Internet. on out. So we’re working on it. I have sent Con- Thank you very much. gress an education accountability act that ba- Now, I would like to begin by asking your sically seeks to ratify what you’re doing. It superintendent to speak a little, maybe in a says: Set high standards; enforce them. End little greater detail than I did in my remarks the practice of social promotion, but don’t or even than Principal Blake did in hers, and punish the kids for the failures of the system. talk about how did you decide to do what Give after-school programs; give summer you’re doing and what exactly are you doing school programs. The kids can learn. We see to turn around low-performing schools? it here. Have a system that works. And I hope That’s the big issue in the whole country. that this will pass this year. And let me just make one other comment. And let me just make two final points. As I’ve been in hundreds of schools in so many your principal said, I’ve been working at this States. Nearly every problem you could ever a long time. I’ve been in a lot of schools, dream of in American education has been and I never get tired of going into them. I’ve solved by somebody somewhere. The real shaken hands with a lot of kids, and I’ll never problem with American education is we get tired of shaking hands with them. They never get our solutions to scale; that is, we make us all perpetually young. don’t take what we’re doing really right for But I can tell you this: There is a world some people and keep on at it until it’s being of difference between what we know now done for everybody, for all the kids. and what we knew in 1979, when Secretary And there seems to me to be a real system- Riley and I started in education reform. And atic effort here. So that’s what I would like there is a world of difference between what for you to talk about, Dr. Smith, in whatever we know now and what we knew in 1983, way you want. when the ‘‘Nation At Risk’’ report was issued and when Hillary and I passed our first [Rosa A. Smith, superintendent, Columbus sweeping reforms at home in Arkansas. Public Schools, described the district’s strat- egy to improve its schools.] We know what works. You’re seeing what works in this school. What does that mean? The President. Yes, give her a hand. [Ap- It means again that the adults among us no plause] That’s great. Let me just emphasize longer have an excuse not to give these op- one thing she said because, unless you’ve portunities to every child in America, be- heard people say these things a lot, it would cause now we know what works. be easy to miss. She said that there were

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three clearly defined goals, and then the sec- that, at the rate you started. So I think this ond point she made I think is very important. is very important. I think the smaller classes She said, ‘‘We are using a research-based ap- really do amount to something. proach.’’ That means—that’s a nice way of I’d like to ask Heather Knapp to speak saying what I said in more crude language, next. She is a teacher at East Linden Ele- that you don’t have to sort of fire a shotgun mentary, and she was hired with the help at this problem anymore. It’s not like we of our class size reduction funds as a first don’t know what works. There is lots and lots grade teacher. And she teaches a class of 18 of research available today as a result of the first graders, along with a 25-year veteran of serious efforts of the last 20 years. the Columbus Public Schools, Karen John- And one of the reasons that we have not son. And you, too, have, I understand, a large had the kind of systematic results that we’re immigrant population in your school. So I’d seeing here around the country is that people like for you to talk a little about what the don’t take the research and really act on it. impact of children whose first language is not And it’s interesting, because there is hardly English is and the educational process and any other endeavor of your life that you what you’re doing. would ignore that in. If you were starting a business and 15 people had succeeded doing [Heather Knapp said that reduced class size a certain thing and 3 people had failed doing enabled teachers to work with students in the reverse, you wouldn’t say, ‘‘Well, I think small groups and on a one-to-one basis and I’ll see if I can’t make money doing what spend time helping them to assimilate.] the three did. I think I can do it a little bet- The President. My notes—and they’re ter.’’ not always right, but they usually are—my So I think that Columbus deserves a lot notes say that if you didn’t have these class of credit. I’d like to follow up by asking your size reduction funds to hire more teachers, principal, Barbara Blake—you’ve been a that you and your team teacher, Ms. Johnson, principal for a good while. As you pointed out, you wrote me when I was Governor and would be each teaching, separately, first asked me about some of the things we were grade classes with more than 30 students in doing. Why do you think what you’re doing them. And if that’s true, there would be no now is working so much better? way in the world you could deal with all these children whose first language is not English. [Ms. Blake attributed the improvement to Ms. Knapp. No. smaller class size and mentor support for The President. Yes, that’s pretty straight- teachers.] forward. [Laughter] The President. Just to give you some idea Ms. Knapp. As a first-year teacher, I be- of what she said, I went through those num- lieve, no. [Laughter] bers a minute ago, but I can’t think of how The President. I think many Americans you could possibly explain a 500-percent in- have no idea just how diverse these student crease in the percentage of kids reading at bodies are now. Like I said, I just came from the appropriate level in a year other than Minneapolis/St. Paul. We think about that as more individual attention by someone who sort of the capital of Norwegian America. is a good teacher and knows how to do it. And it still is. But there are children in the And let me say, in this little class I visited Minneapolis/St. Paul school district, com- in Kentucky yesterday, this elementary bined, with native languages in excess of 100, school class, all the kids and I took turns counting all the people who come from the reading a chapter from the wonderful book different African and Southeast Asian peo- ‘‘Charlotte’s Web.’’ And I made every child ples who are there. And the same thing is read a couple paragraphs. And some of those happening all over America. paragraphs are pretty tough for kids in the Now, a lot of these kids, once they’re here third grade, you know, and they all got for about 18 months, if they good basic through it. In 4 years, they had almost a ten- grounding, start to do very well indeed. And fold increase. And you’ll do even better than since we’re living in a global economy in an

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increasingly global society, this is a great ad- like ‘‘Clinton Robs a Liquor Store!’’ or some- vantage for the United States. We should be thing. [Laughter] thrilled by this. This is going to put us in As a result of that, we often overlook what a very good position to do very well when matters most. But let me just tell you this. all these children get out of school. Ten We forget how much our teachers need sup- years, 20 years, 30 years from now, our coun- port and training and the time and resources try will be the best positioned country in the to do that. I think a lot of times we just as- entire global society if, but only if, we take sume that, well, if you went through school care of these kids now. and you got good grades in math and you Sometimes people back in Washington ask went to an education college and you took me why I spend so much time on this. You those courses, well, obviously you can teach know, when Barbara introduced me, she said, math. We forget, unless we’ve actually seen ‘‘the Commander in Chief of the Armed how hard they work, how much time it takes Forces’’ and all that. I think this is a national for these teachers just to get through the day, security issue for America. I think it’s an im- to deal with the children, give them as much portant part of our long-term security. So I individual attention as possible, give the tests, want you to keep plugging. grade the tests, deal with all the other stuff I’d like to ask the president of the Colum- they have to deal with. bus Education Association now to talk a little I can only tell you, most people believe bit about your teacher development strate- the United States military is a pretty efficient gies. Everybody who becomes a teacher operation, and we fought an air war in knows that he or she is not going to become Kosovo and didn’t lose a single pilot. But let wealthy, but it’s important to pay them me tell you, we did lose pilots. They didn’t enough so that they can afford to stay. But die in that war; they were pilots that die every it’s more than pay. People also want to feel year in the military training of the country. that they’re doing their job well. Most people And we spend a lot of your tax money just training people relentlessly, over and over like to get up in the morning and look for- and over again. We don’t assume that some ward to going to work and believe that what people are smart and some people are dumb they do is important and know they’re doing and some people can do it and some people it well. And that feeling is more important can’t. We assume in the military that the peo- for teachers probably than any other single ple we accept and the people we train are group in our society. capable of doing the mission that they are So I’d like to ask Mr. Grossman to talk assigned. We don’t even assume that you’re a little bit about how this peer assistance re- either a born leader or not, and if you’re not view program works and how it contributes born one, you can’t lead. We train people to teacher quality. to lead, too, in the military, and they lead. [John Grossman described how the peer as- And a lot of people who would never be sistance review program provided mentors picked as leaders, the whole time they’re for support, training, and evaluation of first- born until the time they join the military, year teachers, in partnership with the union, wind up performing superbly. administrators, and Ohio State University.] If you look at the best run companies, they invest huge amounts of time and money in The President. Let me just follow up on developing the capacities of their people. that a little bit. Again, this is one of those And we have never done this for our teachers issues—it’s very hard—for example, we’ve in the sort of systematic way that we should, got all these folks here who are reporting on setting aside the time we should, investing this today, and it’s very hard to have a blaring the money in it we should. And again, it’s headline across the Columbus paper tomor- a very hard thing for—the mayor can run row, with an exclamation point, ‘‘Columbus for election, somebody can run for the school Committed Only To Use Research-Based board, or somebody can run for President, Strategies!’’ or ‘‘Peer Review and Assistance and it’s the last thing you’ll ever see them the Main Thing!’’ It doesn’t have the edge, say, because you can’t turn it into a headline

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with an exclamation or a 30-second television And I’ll do what I can to help you. But ad. But it matters. I think you deserve it. I think you’ve made That’s why I wanted John to talk about the right decision about what’s best for you. it. It is so important. And it means something Mayor Coleman. Thank you very much. to the teachers. It’s a way of reaffirming their The President. I would like to call on a significance and their capacity to grow in sat- parent now, a stakeholder in this enterprise. isfying their own intellectual hunger. Any Linda Hoetger—is that right? I studied Ger- time you think training doesn’t matter for man in college. [Laughter] Linda and her education—suppose I would say to you, I’ve husband, Ray, have four sons, all in the Co- got a way to give you a bigger tax cut; we’ll lumbus public school system. Both of them cease all training operations in the military, volunteer to work in the school system. And and we’ll just take smart people and see how their 9-year-old son at East Columbus Ele- they do? [Laughter] So this is very, very im- mentary School got a Federal 21st Century portant. And I thank you for that. Community Learning Center grant to start Mr. Mayor, tell me, what has the mayor an after-school program. So I’d just like for got to do with the schools here? [Laughter] her to talk to us about her work in the after- What is it you’re trying to do? school program at her son’s school. How does Mayor Michael B. Coleman of Colum- it work; how did it start; what does she do; bus. I’m asked that question often, Mr. what is your view of the role of parents in President. [Laughter] this? The President. They ask me, too, all the But I would really like to begin just by time. [Laughter] thanking you and your husband for your sup- port for the schools and for your willingness [Mayor Coleman discussed the city’s efforts to give your time. I’d like for you to talk about to create and fund quality after-school pro- what you do. grams.] Linda Hoetger described her experiences as The President. Let me just say, I think [ a volunteer for the after-school programs, of- that—first, I think you’re to be commended, fering students tutoring and standardized test and I assure you that I will be fighting as preparation services. hard as I can to get the appropriation dou- ] bled again. But as I said, in 1997, I got a The President. Is all the after-school work million dollars out of the Congress to plan at the school where you work designed to- for a Federal after-school program. And then ward helping prepare them for the test or we went from $20 million to $200 million giving them homework assistance? Are there to $450 million in 3 years. And we estimate any other kind of things—— that if we can get up to a billion dollars a Ms. Hoetger said the program also offered year in Federal support for after-school, at [ violence prevention classes. least we’ll be able to give cities like Colum- ] bus enough money to target all the schools The President. I think this is really impor- where either the performance is the most tant. If I might just say, again, I’ve talked disappointing or you have the highest per- to a lot of young people in a lot of schools centage of low income kids. about violence, obviously because of all the But I think you will want to do more than very high profile tragedies we’ve had in our that, and you’ll probably have to make a case schools. to the business community and others that But I think it’s worth pointing out that in it’s a good economic investment for the city. spite of those high profile tragedies, gun vio- But again I’ll say, particularly if you have a lence in America is down 35 percent since lot of immigrant children, it’s really impor- 1993. And violence in the schools has de- tant. These kids need as much time as they clined. And I think one of the principle rea- can to master the language so they can begin sons is involving more young people in peer to learn all the other things they need to programs and training more young people— learn. And they just cannot do it in the reg- young people, like the rest of us—people ular day, in the regular school year. model the behavior they see, either at home

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or they learn on television or in some other the Peace Corps. And it’s just been an amaz- way. People are not born knowing how to ing thing. resolve their anger, their frustration, their So I’d like for you, Laura, to talk about conflicts in a non-violent way. And if they why did you decide to become a volunteer don’t have models, if they have either de- in the City Year program, and how do you structive models or no models at all, you run feel about the mentoring you’re doing and the risk of having a higher incidence of vio- the relationships you’re building with the stu- lence. So I wanted you to talk about this be- dents? And do you think it’s improving their cause I also think this is very important. learning? Again, the more diverse the student body becomes, the more likely there are to be mo- [Laura Avalos-Arguedas described her expe- ments when people who won’t understand rience with the City Year program and com- each other because their backgrounds will be mented on how popular the after-school pro- so different, their experiences will be so dif- gram was with students.] ferent. And when those moments come it’s The President. Mr. Mayor, I think if she very, very important that young people at had 140 kids show up with 7 corps members, least have been given a chance to know that she just made the strongest case for your there’s some other way to resolve their dif- after-school initiative. [Laughter] ferences—also that they don’t have to bury Mayor Coleman. I think she has. them, because that also becomes a big prob- The President. I think you need to make lem. I mean, a lot of these kids that do really her witness A in your—— bad things are too far gone when the times Ms. Avalos-Arguedas. We have to cut they do it, but it’s only after years and years down. and years and years of internalizing things that had they not been buried, the children [Mayor Coleman pointed out the growing might have been saved. need for more after-school programs.] So I think that you deserve a lot of credit for that, too, and I think that should be a The President. I want to go now to a part of every school’s effort, and I thank you product of another program I’m very proud for it. of that I did not start. It existed in the Gov- I want to now talk to Laura Avalos- ernment when I became President, but we Arguedas, who is an AmeriCorps volunteer have dramatically expanded it. It’s called the with the City Year program in Columbus. Troops to Teachers program, where people She was born in Costa Rica and moved to who have served in the military, when they the United States when she was 6 years old. retire or when they leave the military, then She graduated from Grandview Heights move into teaching. And in an environment High School in 1998 and began a 2 year vol- in which a lot of our kids come from difficult unteer program in City Year, where she tu- home situations, I think that the Troop to tors four first grade students in reading at Teachers program has made a big impact in the Second Avenue Elementary School. So a lot of places. I’d like for her to talk about that. Eastgate Elementary has a teacher who And I just want to say, I don’t know that came out of 20 years in the Air Force, Darrell I have done anything as President that I’m Bryon. He’s here with us today. And I’d like any more proud of than establish the for him to talk a little bit about what made AmeriCorps program. We’ve now had over him decide to switch careers. He doesn’t look 150,000 young people like Laura spend 1 or old enough to have been in the Air Force 2 years in this program, working in commu- 20 years. I don’t know if he was honest about nities—sometimes in their home commu- his age when he joined. [Laughter] And he nities, sometimes half a nation away—and at teaches a fourth-fifth grade split class. I’d like the process, earning money for college. In for him to talk a little bit about how his pre- the first 4 years of AmeriCorps, we had more vious experience helps him in the classroom. people than we had in the first 20 years of Mr. Bryon.

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[Darrell Bryon explained how his military ex- defense, because they had a lot of gangs. So perience helped to prepare him for the de- they picked colors to dress in that would pro- mands of teaching.] tect the kids. All the gangs wore red and blue, The President. When you told that story so all the uniforms were something other about your student sort of talking back to than red and blue. And then all the schools you, I thought to myself, his training in the got to pick their own colors and do whatever military has qualified him to be a teacher; they wanted. his experience as a teacher may have quali- But I had two children talking to me about fied him to be President. [Laughter] So I can it, one young man who came from a difficult really identify with that. circumstance who told me it was the first Harry Truman once said that being Presi- time he felt safe walking to school in 2 years, dent was a job in which you spent most of and one young woman who was in a much your time trying to talk people into doing better situation economically, where she said things they should do without your having she felt like she had been liberated, that nei- to ask them in the first place. [Laughter] But ther she nor her classmates could look down I thank you for your dedication. on or feel looked down on as a result of the Let me now call on Shirley Goins, who clothes they wore. They were no longer dis- is a teacher in the Monroe Middle School, tracted, and they felt good. They were look- a sixth-grade teacher. And she has worked ing forward to going to high school where as a teacher for 30 years. She’s taught at they wouldn’t have to do it anymore, but they Monroe the last 18. And Monroe recently thought it had really calmed the atmosphere instituted a school uniform policy which re- in the school and that learning had increased quired the children to wear white shirts and and discipline problems had decreased. I blue bottoms, and the parents of the students thought it was a very interesting. supported it. Between Hillary and those kids, I’ve been When I started supporting these several pretty well sold on it ever since. [Applause] years ago, some people derided me as being Yes, one person agrees with me in the crowd. for a little idea that a President shouldn’t be [Laughter] Is this a school-by-school option paying attention to, but I was inclined to dis- in the Columbus school district? agree. And I would like for Shirley to talk Ms. Goins. Yes, Mr. President, it is not a little bit about why her school adopted this required. It is a school community decision policy, and what its effect on discipline and with parents. academic achievement and the way the stu- The President. Now, how many schools dents relate to each other has been. have uniform policies in this—— Ms. Goins. Mr. President, I cannot answer [Shirley Goins described how the uniform that question. [Laughter] policy helped students to focus on their work, The President. Does anybody know? Are rather than being distracted by frivolous there others? But there is more than one? clothing styles.] Ms. Goins. There are others. There are The President. That’s great. You know, several—many, I would say. when I started—my wife is the first person The President. I think, by the way, that’s who ever talked to me about school uniforms. a good decision. I think if you have it district- She’s always been for them. She’s a fanatic wide, then you’ve got to—there you go, good supporter of—now, I guess now that she’s for you, looks great. That looks great. I think a candidate for office, I shouldn’t use the you either have to—if it’s going to be a dis- word ‘‘fanatic.’’ [Laughter] Subject to being trict-wide decision, it’s got to be handled just used against her, I suppose. But we talked the way it would be school by school. It’s about it a lot for young kids. a very delicate thing. It only works if the par- And the first place I went to explore this ents are for it—and if the kids buy into it. was Newport Beach, California, which is the Even if they have reservations, they’ve got third biggest school district in California. And to buy into it. So it’s better not something when the junior high schools adopted it out that somebody like me decides is the right there, the middle schools, they did it in self- thing to do.

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What we tried to do is to show people how age of this surplus and just dedicate it to to do it, including how districts have dealt helping the communities hire teachers.’’ with the families who couldn’t afford to buy Once we get the 100,000 in there, so we the uniforms, where they got the money, how know we can get an average class size of 20 they did all that sort of stuff. But I do think in the early grades, the rest—we’re just going it has some merit. to be killing ourselves to get properly quali- [Ms. Goins concurred that parents and stu- fied teachers in the classroom because peo- dents needed to agree on the policy.] ple retire. And so I think you could feel every con- The President. Now, what school do you fidence that he would support the things that represent in your uniform? have been done, but that he would build on Student. I represent Columbus—— them and do better. That’s what I think will The President. Good for you. That’s a happen. great looking uniform. Thank you. I have been hissed and cheered by students talking [A participant said a student had commented about this. [Laughter] that the President would be a tough act to Mayor Coleman. You’re only going to be follow.] cheered here in Columbus, Mr. President. The President. Well, I appreciated his [Laughter] saying that. But the truth is that the country The President. Is there anything else any- is changing a lot economically, and let me body would like to say? Is there anybody in try to put this education issue that we’ve been the audience wants to ask anybody on the talking about here into the larger context. panel a question? Yes, sir? Q. Mr. President, I was wondering if Al When I became President in 1992—and Gore, if he becomes the next President, will the people of Ohio were good enough to vote be continuing your policies and ideals, be- for me and the Vice President—the big issue cause they are excellent. was how could we turn the country around. The President. Yes, he actually—he’s The economy was in a shambles. The crime been outlining his education program, and was exploding. The welfare rates were ex- I would say that there are a couple of areas, ploding. Things didn’t seem to be working. obviously, because he can look ahead 4 years And so in the last 7 years, I’ve tried to look beyond what I can argue for. One of the to the long-term challenges of the future, but things that he believes, in addition—he has first we had to get the ship of state righted. supported our educational accountability Things had to be working. fund that I just explained and all these things Now, you’re not very cynical anymore I talked about. And he’s going to have—he’s about whether you can actually make things actually giving a whole speech tomorrow on better. I mean, if you look at—you know, teacher quality, which I hope you will follow. we’ve gone from a big deficit to a big surplus. He’s been working very hard on it and talking We’re paying down the debt. We’ve got the to people around the country, educators and lowest unemployment rate in 30 years. The others. welfare rolls have been cut in half. Crime In addition to that, in the primary, he came is down to a 25-year low. Poverty is at a 20- out for a program to add another several hun- year low; African-American, Hispanic unem- dred thousand teachers, federally funded, to ployment the lowest ever recorded; female the 100,000 that we’ve already provided. unemployment the lowest in 40 years. We’re very concerned that over the next dec- I say that to say, nobody questions whether ade another 2 million teachers will retire as we have the capacity as a people to improve. the number of students continues to swell. Nationwide, reading and math scores are up And so we think it—you know, I agree—but about a grade level. But in places where he came and talked to me about this. He there’s been a sharp focus on results and on didn’t—it was entirely his idea, not mine. But turning around low performing schools like he said, ‘‘I think I’m going to go out there Columbus, the results are much more dra- and advocate that we take a certain percent- matic, but they’re up. We have—90 percent

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of our kids are immunized against serious dis- nated within through the tax system and eases for the first time. We’ve—all the envi- other supports; that every working family ronmental indicators are better. ought to be able to at least have access to So the question that the country faces now affordable health insurance; that we will deal is a very different question than it faced in with the challenges that the aging of Amer- 1992. The question we face now is, what is ica—when the baby boomers retire and it that we propose to do with this moment there’s only two people working for every one of unprecedented prosperity? The question, person drawing Social Security—we will act by the way, also is not whether you’re going now, not then, to save Social Security and to change. The world is changing so fast, Medicare and add a prescription drug benefit America will change. It will change just as that’s voluntary for the seniors—big chal- much in the next 4 years as it has in the lenges. previous 4 and the 4 before that. So the ques- On the environmental front, we have to tion is not whether you’re going to change. tackle this whole issue of global warming. The question is how you’re going to change. You’re all in here fanning yourselves; the You know, if the Vice President were run- truth is that the climate of this Earth is going ning for President and he said, ‘‘Vote for me; up at a very difficult rate. Now that may seem I’ll do everything Bill Clinton did,’’ I like an obscure issue, because Columbus is wouldn’t vote for him, because the world’s way inland, but it’s not going to be very funny going to be different. That’s not—his mes- if the polar icecaps keep melting and the sage is that, ‘‘Look, this approach works, so oceans rise and the sugarcane fields in Lou- we ought to change by building on it. And isiana and the Florida Everglades were bur- here’s how I’ll build on it. I don’t think we ied and the agricultural production of Amer- ought to abandon the approach in economics ica starts to go north and the whole frame- and education and health care and welfare work of life here is changed—and people in reform and all these issues, but we’re going Africa start getting even more cases of ma- to have to change.’’ And my take on this as laria and children dying from dehydration. a citizen, as well as somebody with some ex- This is a big issue. perience now in these affairs, is that the way So that’s what I gave my State of the Union to decide what direction you want to take about. But I think what all you need to de- is to first ask yourself, where would you like cide as citizens is, what do you want for your to go? kids? What do you want for your families? I remember one of the funniest things What do you want for your future? Where Yogi Berra used to say is that we may be do you want to go? Then you have to say— lost, but we’re making good time. [Laughter] 8 years ago, I wouldn’t have believed that I mean, you’ve got to ask yourself, where we could write the future of our dreams. But would you like to go? Now, my opinion is— now I know America can work. and again, it’s not going to be on my watch, So again, it’s kind of like school reform. but my opinion is that for the first time in We don’t have an excuse anymore for not at least 35 years, since we had this kind of saying what would we like America to be like economy again—which basically came apart when our children are our age. Because we in the Vietnam war and the civil rights crisis know we can make America better now. We and a lot of other problems we had in the don’t have an excuse; we know that. So every country in the 1960’s—this is the first time one of you—I wish you’d go home and take we’ve had since then to say, okay, here’s a piece of paper and say, what would I like where we want to go, and here’s what we’re America to look like in 10 years? And then, going to do to get there. how does America have to change—not So my view is, one of our goals ought to whether, but how—to get there? be to guarantee that every child in this coun- That’s how you’ll know who to vote for. try will have access to a world-class edu- That’s how you know what ideas you think cation; that everybody will be able to afford work. To ask yourself, where do you want to go to college if they’re otherwise qualified; to go? And my earnest plea to the American that poverty among children can be elimi- people this year is to do that, so we can take

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on these big challenges, because that’s what tions have worked hard to cultivate this in- I’ve been working for. I’ve been working for creasingly close partnership. From the arts the day that when I left office, this country to business to education to the environment, would have both the self-confidence and the citizens of the United States and Mexico are capacity to build the future of our dreams gaining a greater understanding and a new for our children. And we can do it now. appreciation of each other, increasing our That’s what I think we ought to be doing. prospects for a future of peace and pros- [Dr. Smith and Mayor Coleman thanked the perity. President for his participation.] We must continue working to open new bridges of friendship and cooperation. This The President. Thank you all. is a promising time for the Americas, and we have an historic opportunity to build our NOTE: The roundtable began at 4:40 p.m. in the collective economic strength, improve the East Room at Eastgate Elementary School. In his remarks, the President referred to State Rep- well-being of our people, and advance the resentative Joyce Beatty; City Council President movement toward democracy of all the na- Matthew D. Habash; State House Minority Lead- tions in our hemisphere. As we celebrate ers Jack Ford; and Gary Allen, vice president Ohio Mexico’s valiant fight for independence, let Education Association. A tape was not available us rededicate ourselves to the principles that for verification of the content of these remarks. inspired the Mexican patriots who fought at Puebla and strive together to forge a brighter Statement on Legislation on Trade future for all our citizens. Best wishes to all for a wonderful celebra- With the Caribbean Basin and Africa tion. May 4, 2000 Bill Clinton Today’s vote is a key milestone toward en- actment of legislation that will launch a new Proclamation 7303—National era of cooperation between the United States and our partners in Africa and the Caribbean Day of Prayer, 2000 Basin. This important measure will strength- May 4, 2000 en our economic partnership with these na- By the President of the United States tions, lower trade barriers, help developing of America nations to lift their people out of poverty, and create a more secure world. I congratu- A Proclamation late those Members of Congress who have Throughout our Nation’s history, Ameri- worked hard to reach agreement on this bill. cans have come before God with humble I look forward to signing this historic legisla- hearts to ask forgiveness, to seek wisdom, and tion into law upon final passage. to offer thanksgiving and praise. The framers of our democracy, on a quest for freedom Message on the Observance and equality, were fueled by an abiding faith of Cinco de Mayo, 2000 in a just and loving God, to whom they May 4, 2000 turned often for guidance and strength. Succeeding generations of Americans, Warm greetings to everyone celebrating striving to preserve that freedom in the face Cinco de Mayo. of challenges posed by enemies abroad or This annual celebration of the Mexican conflict at home, also turned their hearts and Army’s triumph at the Battle of Puebla re- minds to God in prayer. Today, whether cele- minds us all of Mexico’s long-standing com- brating the special moments in our lives, mitment to the ideals of freedom and self- searching for strength and meaning in the determination. United by our common con- face of problems or grief, or simply giving victions, the United States and Mexico have thanks for the blessing of a new day, Ameri- long enjoyed warm ties of friendship and mu- cans continue to use the powerful medium tual respect, and in recent years, our two na- of prayer.

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Now more than ever, Americans treasure [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, our religious freedom, which embraces the 8:45 a.m., May 5, 2000] many diverse communities of faith that have NOTE: This proclamation was published in the infused our society and our cultural heritage Federal Register on May 8. through more than two centuries. Millions of Americans gratefully sustain the tradition of prayer in churches, synagogues, temples, Memorandum on Additional mosques, and other houses of worship across Guidelines for Charter Schools our country. May 4, 2000 And we continue to rely on our faith as a pillar of strength, even in this era of unprec- Memorandum for the Secretary of Education edented peace and prosperity. We pray for Subject: Additional Guidelines for Charter the spirit of reconciliation, so that we may Schools overcome the divisions of race, religion, cul- My Administration has taken landmark ture, and background that have scarred our steps to help State and localities improve society in recent years. We pray for the spirit educational opportunities for students by of compassion so that we will reach out to providing much needed resources to reduce others who have not shared equally in this class size, improve teacher quality, and ex- world’s bounteous blessings—those here at pand summer school and after-school pro- home who struggle for economic and edu- grams. Last year, for the first time ever, the cational opportunity and those around the Federal Government provided funds to globe whose lives have been darkened by the States and localities specifically to intervene shadows of poverty, oppression, natural dis- and assist low-performing schools. This year, aster, or disease. And we must always pray our School Improvement Fund will provide for wisdom—the wisdom to raise children $134 million to States and localities to help with strong values and loving hearts; the wis- them turn around low-performing schools. In dom to live in harmony with our environment addition, through the 1994 reauthorization of and to preserve its health and beauty for the the Elementary and Secondary Education benefit of future generations; and the wis- Act and Goals 2000, States have developed dom to keep America the world’s greatest standards and accountability systems to iden- hope for freedom, peace, and human dignity tify schools that are low performing. Already, in the 21st century. we are seeing results from this focus on The Congress, by Public Law 100–307, has standards-based reform and greater invest- called on our citizens to reaffirm the role of ment, including a rise in test scores among prayer in our society and to honor the reli- our most disadvantaged students. Nonethe- gious diversity our freedom permits by recog- less, much work remains to be done. In too nizing annually a ‘‘National Day of Prayer.’’ many communities, predominately low-in- Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, come communities, there is still a shortage President of the United States of America, of high-quality educational opportunities do hereby proclaim May 4, 2000, as a Na- available to students. tional Day of Prayer. I encourage the citizens One of the most heartening educational of this great Nation to pray, each in his or developments during my Administration is her own manner, seeking strength from God the extraordinary growth of public charter to face today’s challenges, seeking guidance schools. In 1992, just before I took office, for tomorrow’s uncertainties, and giving there was only one charter school in the thanks for the rich blessings that our country country, City Academy in St. Paul, Min- has enjoyed throughout its history. nesota. Since then, because of strong leader- In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set ship at the local, State, and Federal level, my hand this fourth day of May, in the year the number of charter schools has exploded of our Lord two thousand, and of the Inde- and it is now estimated that there are more pendence of the United States of America than 1,700 charter schools nationwide. The the two hundred and twenty-fourth. Federal Government has invested almost William J. Clinton $400 million in charter schools since 1994,

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and advocates of charter schools credit this with the constitutional line between church investment for the remarkable growth of and state. For example, States can use their charter schools. The Budget that I sent to welfare reform funds to contract with faith- the Congress this year will provide $175 mil- based organizations on the same basis as lion for charter schools in FY 2001. By next other nongovernment providers to provide year, the charter school program will have services such as job preparation, mentoring, helped nearly 2,400 charter schools since its childcare, and other services to help families inception, supporting my Administration’s moving from welfare to work. The 1998 goal of creating 3,000 public charter schools Human Services reauthorization similarly al- by 2002. lows faith-based organizations to provide Charter schools are a vital engine of school services under the Community Services reform because they promote accountability Block Grant to reduce poverty, revitalize for results, competition, and choice within low-income communities, and help low-in- the public school system. Unlike vouchers, come families become self-sufficient. which do nothing to increase the number of Vice President Gore and I support such high-quality educational options for students efforts and believe we can do even more to in a community, charter schools allow local increase the valuable partnership role reli- community groups, teachers, or parents to giously affiliated and community-based orga- open public schools that meet their needs. nizations can play in addressing some of the And, unlike vouchers, charter schools do not most important issues facing our families and drain taxpayer dollars from the public school communities. My Administration has pro- system and are accountable to the public for posed to increase the involvement of such results. Because charter schools are truly organizations in education, housing, commu- community-based schools created by local nity-development, criminal and juvenile-jus- communities to address their own particular tice programs, in breaking the cycle of teen needs, it is essential that all institutions in pregnancy, promoting responsible father- a community understand how they can play hood, and helping families move from wel- a role with regard to charter schools. Every fare to work. To help support these worthy entity that can play a positive role in school causes, my Budget will provide tax breaks to reform needs to be engaged in ensuring that encourage all Americans to give to charity. children and parents have high-quality public Schools and faith communities should be schools and choices among those public reaching out to each other, in ways consistent schools. with the Constitution, to support their com- Among the community institutions that mon goals for children and families. There can provide important support for the goals are successful partnerships between public of charter schools are local faith-based and schools and faith communities across the Na- business institutions. Both have resources tion in after-school programs, school safety, that can support the efforts of charter schools discipline, and student literacy. These range to create high-quality, innovative learning en- from mentoring programs jointly run by vironments that serve all children and help schools and interfaith groups to statewide them to meet high standards. summits on the role of faith-based groups Faith-based and community-based organi- in college preparation. In 1995, we sent every zations play an important role in feeding the school district in the country the guidebook hungry, caring for the sick, and educating our Religion in the Public Schools: A Statement children in communities around this Nation. of Principles. Last December, building on Already many faith- and community-based those principles, I announced a comprehen- organizations partner with government at the sive set of guidelines to be mailed to every Federal, State, and local level to help our public school in the Nation and to leading Nation’s families. Under my Administration, religious organizations encouraging greater faith-based organizations have also become cooperation, within constitutional limits, be- eligible to receive Federal funds in an array tween public schools and community groups, of social programs on the same basis as other including faith-based organizations. The community-based organizations, consistent guidelines emphasized both the protection of

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private religious expression in schools and offer a new range of possibilities for those the prohibitions against coerced student par- students who are not finding success in our ticipation in religious expression. These more traditional public schools. guidelines were the culmination of my Ad- Accordingly, because there is still a great ministration’s 4-year effort to forge con- deal of confusion about how different entities sensus on the role of religion in the schools. can be involved in the charter movement, I Likewise, business institutions have proven direct you to work together with the Depart- themselves to be valuable partners in helping ment of Justice to develop guidelines to be schools and school districts better prepare released prior to the 2000–2001 school year students to develop the skills and knowledge to help faith-based and other community- they need to be part of the 21st century based and business institutions understand workforce. Over the last 2 decades, busi- the role they can play in the charter school nesses have played a leadership role at the movement. Public charter schools must be local, State, and national levels in supporting nonsectarian and nondiscriminatory in their the need for school reform and advancing admissions and practices. In addition, as with the standards-based movement. Although other public schools, a charter school should school-business partnership can be little not offer opportunities for the commercial more than a donation, there are many exam- exploitation of its students and/or its mission. ples across the country of businesses that are However, there are numerous ways that working actively with schools to help improve faith-based groups and employers can play the quality of public education. In these part- a positive role in creating and supporting nerships, businesses are working to help bol- public charter schools, just as other commu- ster school curricula, train teachers, imple- nity organizations do. These guidelines would ment technology effectively, offer mentors augment the existing guidelines for public and tutors to students, and provide lessons charter schools and the guidelines for reli- in management and leadership. If this Na- gious expression in public schools that I re- tion’s public schools are to offer the kind of leased in December. high-quality education that prepares students Increasing the quality of education in this for the world of work and active citizenship, country for disadvantaged students is a na- then businesses must play a key role in this tional priority but requires the active involve- process. ment of every affected community. In eco- Businesses have much to offer the charter nomically distressed communities, faith- movement. Because charter schools are ex- based organizations and business partners empt from many regulations governing tradi- can play critically important roles in pro- tional public schools, they have more free- viding needed support services and job-fo- dom to develop innovative educational pro- cused experiences for students who too often grams and to partner with business institu- lack either. Ensuring that faith-based and tions in creative ways. Currently, there are business institutions can play a vigorous role over 100 employer-linked charter schools in in expanding educational opportunities while operation across the country. These schools respecting the separation of church and state vary from those offering very focused career and the limitations on commercial involve- preparation, to those that incorporate modest ment in schools is an important step to pro- exposure to jobs, careers, and employers. viding high-quality educational experiences What they share in common are innovative for all children. environments that offer work-based and ca- William J. Clinton reer-focused educational experiences for stu- dents from a wide variety of backgrounds. But I believe that businesses can do more Exchange With Reporters Prior to to work with charter schools to develop stim- Discussions With Prime Minister ulating educational environments that pre- Yoshiro Mori of Japan pare our students for the challenges of the May 5, 2000 workforce in the 21st century. I especially believe that employer-linked charter schools The President. Good morning.

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Visit of Prime Minister Mori The President. I hope I’ll have a chance Q. What are you going to talk about? to speak with them, and I want to talk to The President. Well, we’re going to talk the Prime Minister about how we should do about our relationship, which is very, very that. But we tried to be sensitive to the con- important to both of us. I’m delighted to have cerns of the people and to be highly respect- Prime Minister Mori here and anxious to ful. And where mistakes have been made, have this chance to visit, and I’m also very we’ve tried to correct them, and we will con- much looking forward to going to Okinawa tinue to do that. to the G–8 meeting this year. So we have NOTE: The exchange began at 9:57 a.m. in the a lot to visit about. Rose Garden at the White House. A tape was not Q. Is this your first meeting? available for verification of the content of this ex- The President. Yes. It’s our first official change. meeting, yes. We met briefly once before. Q. Mr. President, do you intend to talk about trade and especially the telecommuni- Remarks on Departure for cation dispute? Farmington, Pennsylvania and an The President. We’re going to talk about Exchange With Reporters everything, I hope—everything we have time May 5, 2000 to talk about. Employment Report Japanese Economy The President. Good afternoon. In a few Q. What’s your view of the Japanese econ- moments I will depart for a meeting with omy? the Senate Democrats in Pennsylvania, The President. I think it’s getting better, where we will discuss ways to keep our econ- and we’re going to talk about what the future omy strong and our Nation moving in the is. We support a strong Japanese economy. right direction. I think there are a lot of inherent strengths Before I leave, I’d like to share the latest in the economy, most of all in the people good news about our economy. This morn- and the level of skill and education and ca- ing, we received the news that we have pacity to grow. I believe that they will return achieved 3.9 percent unemployment. That is to big growth, I hope sooner rather than the lowest peacetime unemployment since later. 1957. That was the year the Dodgers last Q. Mr. President, what’s your message to played ball in Brooklyn. the people of Okinawa? Most Americans have never lived in a peacetime economy with unemployment as National Economy low as it is today. Indeed, its lowest rate over- Q. Mr. President, the American economy, all in over 30 years. Over the last 7 years, is it overheating? our Nation has created 21 million new jobs, The President. Well, the inflation report cut the unemployment rate almost in half. yesterday was quite good. And as you know, I just want to make the point again that this morning the unemployment report is this is clear evidence that our economic strat- wonderful news for the American people, the egy works, fiscal discipline, more investment lowest in over 30 years now. So I’m hopeful, in education, technology and training, the ex- because combined with yesterday’s inflation pansion of markets for American products report, the news is good, and we just have and services. It’s given us the lowest unem- to keep on a steady course, keep working. ployment rate for African-Americans and Hispanic ever recorded, the lowest unem- Okinawa ployment rate for women in more than 40 Q. Mr. President, what’s your message to years, strong wage growth among all income the people of Okinawa when you go there groups. in July? Are you willing to talk with them The American people deserve the lion’s and explain to them why we need to maintain share of the credit for this historic achieve- all those U.S. bases in Okinawa? ment. But we have a responsibility to stay

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on the path that got us here, the path of fiscal But I think one of the reasons I’m glad discipline, debt reduction, expanded trade the Million Mom March is occurring is that and increased investments in our future. I it at least raises the possibility that Americans hope we will do that. This is a happy day who disagree, who believe that we can have for the people of the United States. Thank commonsense gun safety measures to keep you. guns out of the hands of criminals and chil- dren, without having something that they be- National Rifle Association lieve is destructive gun control, those people Q. Mr. President, what did you think of may vote on these issues this year. the video done by the NRA sometime ago? But the American people need to under- The President. The NRA video? I haven’t stand, this is one of the four or five big seen it. I thought you were great in mine. choices before them, and they’ll just have to Q. Put that in writing. [Laughter] decide and that all the NRA did was to com- Q. Mr. President, we don’t know if mit the truth. I mean, they told the truth, your—— and what they said was right. The President. No, I really haven’t seen it. I’ll be glad to comment on it once I see ‘‘I Love You’’ Computer Virus it or know what’s in it. But I haven’t seen Q. Mr. President, I don’t know if your of- it. fice has been affected or infected in any way, Q. You haven’t read about it? but what does this ‘‘I love you’’ computer The President. I heard about it, but I virus say about the world, our society, et haven’t—the one where they’re—oh, do you cetera, and how maybe even one person can mean the film where they say they’re going affect it and create chaos? to have an office in the White House? Did The President. Well, it says that—first of they make that video, or was it just video all, we’ve been very fortunate—the Govern- by someone else? I thought they were trying ment has fared well, here. But it says that to keep that a secret until after the election. we’ve got a lot more work to do to protect What I think about it—I don’t know that all these systems in the private sector, and they think that Mr. LaPierre will literally the Government has to keep working, too. have an office here if President Bush—Gov- It says that as we become more inter- ernor Bush gets elected President. But I do connected, in an open way, that we be- believe that it’s clear, from the record of come—as we reap the benefits of greater Governor Bush in Texas and from the state- inter-connectivity, we become more vulner- ments and from the increased visibility of the able to the disruptive forces that would seek role of the NRA in the Republican National to—either for bad design or just to provoke committee, that whatever is done on this chaos—to take advantage of it, and we just issue will only be done with their approval. have to keep working on this. But I’m very They will have unprecedented influence here gratified that the fundamental governmental if the American people should decide that systems seemed to have been unaffected that’s what they want. here, and we just have to keep working on But you know, that’s what you have elec- it. tions for. You can—I can believe that without thinking anything bad about Mr. LaPierre or about Governor Bush. I think they may just Osama bin Ladin really agree that we shouldn’t close the gun Q. Mr. President, the State Department, show loophole or ban the importation of the other day, issued an international report large-scale ammunition clips. on terrorism. And also, this was the last of Q. Do you think it’s going to be a—— your administration, sir, and as Osama bin The President. Let me just say—let me Ladin is still at-large, so what do you have remind you, the previous Republican admin- to say about international terrorism and all istration was not for the Brady bill and they the—— weren’t for the legislation banning cop-killer The President. You mean about bin Ladin bullets. That’s just the way they think. still being at large? Well, we’re doing our

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part to change it. And I hope we’ll be suc- stone in the longest and strongest economic cessful. expansion in history. It shows that our strat- egy of fiscal discipline is working for all Interest Rates Americans. We have the lowest unemploy- Q. Mr. President, on the economy, are you ment for African-Americans and Hispanics afraid the Fed’s going to raise the rate in on record, the lowest unemployment for response to the numbers? women in more than 40 years, and strong The President. Well, I think that these wage growth among all income groups. numbers have to be seen in terms of yester- The American people deserve credit for day’s numbers. Yesterday’s inflation figures this historic achievement. And they have were quite encouraging, and I think they made it clear that we should stay on the path show that—core inflation at something like of fiscal discipline, debt reduction, and tar- 2.4 percent, and I think the overall inflation geted investments in our people. We should rate will come back toward that, now that not adopt risky tax cuts that would derail our the oil prices are moderating. So I think that hard won prosperity. We have a responsi- should be quite encouraging, not just to the bility to maintain the fiscal discipline that got Fed but to all Americans and to American us here. business—that basically the productivity of the work force, continuing to be fueled by information technology, has enabled us to have an amazing amount of growth and low unemployment, at quite modest levels of in- Digest of Other flation, and so that’s encouraging to me, and White House Announcements I think the facts speak for themselves on that. Thank you. The following list includes the President’s public Vieques Operation schedule and other items of general interest an- nounced by the Office of the Press Secretary and Q. What did you think of the Vieques op- not included elsewhere in this issue. eration? The President. Well, it went pretty well, I think. They did a good job. April 30 Thank you. In the morning, the President traveled to Detroit, MI, and in the evening, he returned NOTE: The President spoke at 1:12 p.m. on the to Washington, DC. South Grounds at the White House. In his re- marks, he referred to Wayne LaPierre, executive May 1 vice president, National Rifle Association; and Osama bin Ladin, who allegedly sponsored bomb- The President announced his intention to ing attacks on the U.S. Embassies in Kenya and nominate Katherine Milner Anderson to be Tanzania on August 7, 1998. a member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The President announced his intention to Statement on the Bureau of Labor nominate Mark S. Wrighton to be a member Statistics Employment Report of the National Science Board. May 5, 2000 The President announced his intention to appoint Walter Kaye and Tazewell T. Today we have further proof of the contin- Shepard III to the President’s Advisory Com- ued strength of our economy. With the an- mittee on the Arts of the John F. Kennedy nouncement of 3.9 percent unemployment, Center for the Performing Arts. we have broken the 4 percent barrier for the The President announced his intention to first time in three decades. Over the last 7 appoint Rear Adm. Raymond A. Archer III, years, our Nation has created 21 million new SC, USN as a member of the Committee jobs and cut the unemployment rate nearly For Purchase From People Who Are Blind in half. This is more than a symbolic mile- or Severely Disabled.

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May 2 Folasa Titialii, and Lee Pao Xiong to serve In the evening, the President met with on the Advisory Commission on Asian Ameri- Hong Kong Democratic Party Chairman cans and Pacific Islanders. Martin Lee in the Oval Office. The President announced his intention to May 5 nominate Barbara J. Sapin to be Vice Chair- In the afternoon, the President traveled to man of the Merit Systems Protection Board. Farmington, PA, and later he traveled to The President announced his intention to Lancaster, VA. In in the evening, the Presi- appoint Clayton M. Jones to the President’s dent returned to Washington, DC. National Security Telecommunications Advi- The President announced his intention to sory Committee. nominate James O. Armitage to be a member of the National Cancer Advisory Board. May 3 The President announced his intention to In the morning, the President traveled to appoint Nicholas C. Burckel as a member Owensboro, KY, and in the afternoon, he of the National Historical Publications and traveled to Davenport, IA. In the evening, Records Commission. the President traveled to St. Paul, MN. The President announced his intention to appoint Fran C. Eizenstat as a member of the Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad. Nominations The President announced his intention to Submitted to the Senate designate Greg Farmer, Lawrence Parks, and Madeline McCullough Petty to the National The following list does not include promotions of Capital Revitalization Corporation Authority. members of the Uniformed Services, nominations The President declared a major disaster in to the Service Academies, or nominations of For- Kansas and ordered Federal aid to supple- eign Service officers. ment State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms and tornadoes Submitted May 1 on April 19–20. The White House announced that the John Ramsey Johnson, President will meet with President Miguel of the District of Columbia, to be an Asso- Angel Rodriguez of Costa Rica in the Oval ciate Judge of the Superior Court of the Dis- Office on May 9. trict of Columbia for the term of 15 years, May 4 vice Ellen Segal Huvelle, elevated. In the afternoon, the President traveled to Submitted May 2 Columbus, OH, and in the evening, he re- turned to Washington, DC. James Edgar Baker, The President announced his intention to of Virginia, to be a Judge of the U.S. Court nominate Owen James Sheaks to be Assistant of Appeals for the Armed Forces for the term Secretary of State for Verification and Com- of 15 years to expire on the date prescribed pliance. by law, vice Walter T. Cox III, term expired. The President announced the nomination of Gen. John A. Gordon, USAF, to be Under Submitted May 3 Secretary for Nuclear Security and Adminis- Katherine Milner Anderson, trator of the National Security Administra- of Virginia, to be a member of the Board tion at the Department of Energy. of Directors of the Corporation for Public The President announced his intention to Broadcasting for a term expiring January 31, appoint Norman Y. Mineta, Haunani 2006 (reappointment). Apoliona, Gloria Caoile, Martha Choe, Susan Soon-Keum Cox, Vinod Dham, Wilfred P. Dennis M. Cavanaugh, Leon Guerrero, Tessie Guillermo, Dennis of New Jersey, to be U.S. District Judge for Hayashi, David D. Ho, Ngoan Le, Jonathon the District of New Jersey, vice Alfred M. R. Leong, Mukesh (Mike) Patel, Jacinta Wolin, retiring.

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Gen. John A. Gordon, Announcement of nomination for U.S. Court U.S. Air Force, to be Under Secretary for of Appeals Judge for the Armed Forces Nuclear Security, Department of Energy Advance text of remarks by National Security (new position). Adviser Samuel Berger on China at the East Marc B. Nathanson, Asian Institute of California, to be a member of the Broad- Transcript of a press briefing by Assistant to casting Board of Governors for a term expir- the President for Domestic Policy Planning ing August 13, 2001 (reappointment). Bruce Reed and the First Lady’s Deputy Chief of Staff Shirley Sagawa on the White Marc B. Nathanson, House Conference on Teenagers and Re- of California, to be Chairman of the Broad- sourceful Youth casting Board of Governors (new position). Released May 3 Barbara J. Sapin, of Maryland, to be a member of the Merit Transcript of a press briefing by Assistant to Systems Protection Board for the term of 7 the President for Domestic Policy Bruce years expiring March 1, 2007, vice Benjamin Reed on the President’s education tour Leader Erdreich, resigned. Statement by the Press Secretary: Visit by Costa Rican President Miguel Angel Rodriguez Announcement of nomination for U.S. Dis- Checklist trict Judge for the District of New Jersey of White House Press Releases Released May 4 Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- The following list contains releases of the Office retary Joe Lockhart of the Press Secretary that are neither printed as items nor covered by entries in the Digest of Other White House Announcements.

Released May 1 Acts Approved by the President Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- retary Joe Lockhart Transcript of a press briefing by Director of Approved May 2 the Office of Science and Technology Neal Lane, Assistant Secretary of Defense for H.R. 1231 / Public Law 106–187 Command, Control, Communications and To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to con- Intelligence Arthur L. Money, National Oce- vey certain National Forest lands to Elko anic and Atmospheric Administration Ad- County, Nevada, for continued use as a cem- ministrator James Baker, and Assistant Sec- etery retary for Transportation Policy Gene Conti on the improvements in the Global Posi- H.R. 2368 / Public Law 106–188 tioning System Bikini Resettlement and Relocation Act of 2000 Transcript of a press briefing by Treasury Secretary Larry Summers on progress in pay- H.R. 2862 / Public Law 106–189 ing down the national debt To direct the Secretary of the Interior to re- lease reversionary interests held by the Released May 2 United States in certain parcels of land in Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- Washington County, Utah, to facilitate an an- retary Joe Lockhart ticipated land exchange

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H.R. 2863 / Public Law 106–190 H.R. 3090 / Public Law 106–194 To clarify the legal effect on the United To amend the Alaska Native Claims Settle- States of the acquisition of a parcel of land ment Act to restore certain lands to the Elim in the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve in the State Native Corporation, and for other purposes. of Utah H.J. Res. 86 / Public Law 106–195 H.R. 3063 / Public Law 106–191 Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Ko- To amend the Mineral Leasing Act to in- rean War and the service by members of the crease the maximum acreage of Federal Armed Forces during such war, and for other leases for sodium that may be held by an purposes entity in any one State, and for other pur- poses S. 1567 / Public Law 106–196 To designate the United States courthouse Approved May 4 located at 223 Broad Avenue in Albany, Georgia, as the ‘‘C.B. King United States H.R. 1615 / Public Law 106–192 Courthouse’’ Lamprey Wild and Scenic River Extension Act S. 1769 / Public Law 106–197 To exempt certain reports from automatic H.R. 1753 / Public Law 106–193 elimination and sunset pursuant to the Fed- Methane Hydrate Research and Develop- eral Reports Elimination and Sunset Act of ment Act of 2000 1995, and for other purposes

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