2440 Nov. 22 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1999

American University in . They were resent all regions of the country; public and from Bulgaria and from other countries private schools; rural, urban, and suburban throughout this region. And they were pro- districts; and every grade from kindergarten foundly impressive to me in their intel- through high school. Teachers who pursue ligence, in their compassion, in their deter- these standards set a sterling example—for mination to build a brighter future. their students and for our country. So I would like to close my remarks tonight We all know that one of the most impor- with a word to the young people here. In tant factors behind a child’s educational suc- America, Thomas Jefferson was only 32 years cess is having a caring, competent, and com- old when he wrote the Declaration of Inde- mitted teacher. That’s why my administration pendence, and Martin Luther King was only has strongly supported the work of the Na- 26 years old when he led our crusade for tional Board for Professional Teaching civil rights for African-Americans. As I look Standards, which has now certified nearly out among you, I see a generation of Bul- 5,000 of our most talented teachers. With to- garians who have come of age knowing not day’s announcement, we are on the way to the unchanging conformity of communism meeting the challenge I have set: making but the constantly changing challenges of a sure we have a Board-certified teacher in democratic society. every school in the Nation by 2006. I know that it may seem hard now. But some day you will look back on this time and say, ‘‘When we were young, we brought Bul- Remarks at a State Dinner Hosted garia back to freedom. We brought Bulgaria by President Stoyanov in forward to prosperity, security, and unity in November 22, 1999 Europe.’’ And I am determined that you will also be able to say, ‘‘When we marched into President Stoyanov, Mrs. Stoyanov; Prime the new millennium, America stood with us, Minister and Mrs. Kostov; distinguished gov- and we changed the world.’’ ernment leaders; citizens of Bulgaria; our Thank you, and God bless you. American friends. Mr. President, let me begin by thanking you for your warm wel- NOTE: The President spoke at approximately 5:50 come. This is a day that I will remember for p.m. in Nevsky Square. In his remarks he referred the rest of my life. You gave my wife a memo- to President and Prime Minister rable day here not so long ago, and our of Bulgaria; Mayor Stefan Sofianski of Sofia; and President Slobodan Milosevic of the daughter and I had a wonderful time today Federal Republic of (Serbia and Mon- in so many ways, a few of which I would tenegro). The transcript released by the Office of like to mention. the Press Secretary also included the remarks of But first let me begin with the time Presi- President Stoyanov. dent Stoyanov came to the White House. Hillary and I welcomed him there a couple of years ago, and I was very interested in Statement on the National Board for this young , so I read Professional Teaching Standards up on him. Announcement of New Board- He was only a little younger than me. He Certified Teachers looks much younger, but he’s only a little. November 22, 1999 [Laughter] He studied the law. His wife stud- ied law. He’s a father who likes to jog. He Today the National Board for Professional likes to read. He grew up listening to rock Teaching Standards announced that 2,965 and roll, just like me. [Laughter] The only more teachers met the teaching profession’s difference I could find from our biographies highest standards and achieved National is that he liked John Lennon, and I liked Board certification. I want to congratulate Elvis. [Laughter] them and commend all who applied for cer- Earlier today on Nevsky Square I had the tification, for their personal commitment to opportunity to speak to a vast and immensely high-quality education. These teachers rep- impressive throng of Bulgarians about the Administration of William J. Clinton, 1999 / Nov. 23 2441 new partnership we are forging for democ- of the pain of transition, for standing strongly racy, peace, and prosperity. with humanity in reversing ethnic cleansing, Mr. President, as you pointed out in your in spite of the sacrifices imposed, and having remarks, the relationships between our two the courage to follow your dreams and the countries and our mutual admiration goes vision to achieve them. May Americans and back quite a long while. Perhaps the best Bulgarians always be friends and partners. symbol of this is the American college here, Thank you. which I learned, as I prepared to come, was actually first opened in the year Abraham NOTE: The President spoke at 9:10 p.m. in the Lincoln was elected President of the United Ballroom at the Kempinski Hotel. In his remarks, States, 1860. he referred to President Stoyanov’s wife, Antonina; Prime Minister Ivan Kostov and his During the dark days after World War II, wife, Helena; and former U.S. Ambassador to Bul- the college was closed. The war first brought garia Avis T. Bohlen. The transcript released by its closure and then afterward, in the com- the Office of the Press Secretary also included munist era, its grounds were turned over to the remarks of President Stoyanov. the secret police. But Americans and Bul- garians never lost faith that it would open again one day, because we never lost faith Remarks at Ganimet Terbeshi that Bulgaria would be free again one day. Elementary School in Ferizaj, A few years after the school reopened, our Kosovo Ambassador at the time, Ambassador November 23, 1999 Bohlen, took a trip to the famous Rila Mon- astery, and right before she left, the abbot The President. Thank you. I want to came up to her and said, ‘‘I have a secret begin by thanking you for your wonderful to show you.’’ They walked to a basement, welcome. I thank Ramadan for his introduc- and there in a hidden place was the entire tion. I think maybe some day he will be an library of the American college, preserved for elected official if he speaks so well from now 50 years by the same monastery that helped on. I thank Luljeta for her equally fine intro- to preserve and culture duction of Secretary Albright. And I thank for 500 years. your principal, Shafije Hajdari, for wel- Just as those books were hidden deep in coming us here. We are honored to be here the heart of Bulgaria for half a century, there with all of you today, especially with the was an energy and creativity hidden deep in schoolchildren. the heart of Bulgarians through all those When I was introduced, Ramadan said— same years. More than 100 years before the he thanked me for making it possible for you Renaissance began, Bulgarian thinkers and to come home. There are some other people artists were already shaping the world. who were largely responsible, and I would Now the energies and creativities of the like to introduce them, as well. We have four Bulgarian people have been liberated again, Members of the Congress: and from now on, you will always be masters Representative Peter Deutsch of Florida; of your destiny, neither vassals nor victims Representative Eliot Engel of New York; to anyone. Now you’re on a road that is often Representative Jack Kingston of Georgia; hard but with a very happy destination. I be- Representative Carolyn Maloney of New lieve it will lead you to prosperity, to peace, York. They voted for the funds that enabled to security, to being part of a Europe that our military to come here and end this ter- is whole and free. rible ethnic cleansing. I’d like to ask them Tonight I come here again to reaffirm the to stand up. Please stand. Thank you. friendship and the partnership of the United In addition to Secretary Albright, whom States, our gratitude to you for being a sym- I know you know because you gave her such bol of freedom and determination. I come a wonderful reception, was the strongest ad- to offer a toast of respect and thanks. vocate of the stand we took in Kosovo; I want I toast Bulgaria, its President, and its lead- to thank Sandy Berger, my National Security ers for casting your lot with freedom in spite Adviser, and Larry Rossin, who is the Chief