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mean a very major turning point for -U.S. discovery of the Ebola virus in Texas? And what security, and I wonder if you have any com- can the Federal Government do, I guess, via ments to share with us. the CDC to make sure that no kind of scare President Clinton. My view is that it will rein- develops from this? force our community—excuse me—our security President Clinton. Yes, I have been briefed relationship, not represent a turning point but on it this morning. The CDC is on top of it. a maturing of it. For example, when the Prime We are working with the Texas health officials. Minister asked us to consider the concerns of We believe, based on what we now know, that the people of Okinawa and I became acquainted there is no substantial threat to the general pop- with them as a result of some of the unfortunate ulation of the people there or the people of incidents that you know well about, it bothered the United States generally. me that these matters had not been resolved So I can say that I would urge people not before now, before this time. And again, I want to overreact to this. It’s a serious matter; we to publicly say what I said to the Prime Minister are on top of it. If the facts change and we last night: I want to thank him for giving the think there is something more to be concerned United States the opportunity to respond in an about, you may be sure we will inform the appropriate manner to try to resolve these mat- American people as soon as we can. But for ters. But we did it in a way that did not in now, I am confident that the Federal Govern- any way undermine our own security or defense ment is taking appropriate action, and that we’re capabilities and, therefore, permits us to cooper- on top of it, and there’s nothing for the people ate with Japan in whatever way may be nec- to overreact to at this moment. essary as challenges come along in the future Prime Minister Hashimoto. President Clinton, and as Japan defines its own security agenda. thank you very much. And with this, we con- So I don’t see this as a dramatic departure. clude the press conference. Thank you very I see this as the relationship between two old much for coming. friends maturing, dealing with things that need- ed to be dealt with, and adjusting to the chal- lenges of the world that we now face. NOTE: The President’s 119th news conference Ebola Virus began at 1:45 p.m. at the Akasaka Palace. Prime Q. Brian Williams, with NBC News. Mr. Minister Hashimoto spoke in Japanese, and his President, are you up to date on the apparent remarks were translated by an interpreter.

Remarks to the 7th Fleet Aboard the U.S.S. Independence in Yokosuka, Japan April 17, 1996

The President. Thank you. Thank you very er, and the other schools that are here, I want much. to thank you for this wonderful welcome. Audience member. We love you, Mr. Presi- The First Lady and I are delighted to be dent! here, along with the Secretary of State, Ambas- The President. Thank you. Thank you, Admi- sador and Mrs. Mondale, my Chief of Staff, ral Ellis, General Myers, Admiral Clemins, Gen- Mr. Panetta, and Mr. Lake, the National Secu- eral Freeman, Admiral Tobin. Captain Polatty, rity Adviser. I should tell you that this is a I’m delighted to be here with you. Master Chief particularly emotional moment for the Secretary Dwiggins; to the members of the Japanese Self- of State because 51 years ago this September Defense Forces; and to the sailors and families he came here to this very harbor as a 19-year- of the U.S.S. Independence and the 7th Fleet; old ensign. So think what you might have ahead to the children from the Sullivan School back of you, all of you in the Navy. You may be there and their proud parents over here, I gath- Secretary of State some day.

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I’m glad to be here on the U.S.S. Independ- wrong idea. A changing region could become ence and with the 7th Fleet. I know there are unstable. But with you here, Asia is more se- others represented here, I hope, from the Mo- cure, and so is America. Halfway around the bile Bay and the Bunker Hill, from the Blue world, your loved ones are safer because you Ridge and the McCluskey, the O’Brien and the are here at your stations, keeping the peace Hewitt, the Asheville and the Curtz—one enthu- in a time of change and challenge. siastic sailor here—[laughter]—the I–5 Team. I applaud the job you have done in building You know, for almost as long as there has an alliance with the Japanese Self-Defense been a United States there has been a ship Forces. And I salute the officers and crew of called Independence. To you, the latest in the the Myoko who honor us with their presence line of America’s finest sailors, to all the United here today. States Armed Forces in Japan, I bring a heartfelt Fifty years ago no one would have believed message from every American back home: that an American carrier and a Japanese Thank you for your skill, your sacrifice, and your could be berthed side by side, that our forces service. Thank you, and God bless you all. would work shoulder to shoulder day-in and Way back in 1959 when the Indy slipped day-out. But today Prime Minister Hashimoto down the ways, President Eisenhower was in and I have signed a Joint Security Declaration office, the cold war was at its peak, and most to strengthen our alliance and prepare it for of you weren’t even born yet. But because the the challenges of the 21st century together. We Indy was there, along with millions of brave can do this because you are here, backing our men and women, we won that long cold war struggle. commitments with your power. Time after time, the sailors of the Independ- America won the cold war, but now we are ence stood up for freedom and stood down free- about the business of securing the peace, thanks dom’s enemies. In the , Indy to your dedication and your excellence. Let me was there. In and and Gre- say that I am well aware that we see that excel- nada, Indy was there. When invaded Ku- lence every day in so many ways, here, from wait, you were the first carrier on the scene. the pilots and everyone on the to You delivered our answer up close and personal. the boiler technicians, from the mess cooks to In peacetime and war, this great ship and its the storekeepers, to the officers on the bridge. battle group have been there as America’s shield It takes every single one of you, working to- and America’s sword. gether as a team, to keep this ship on the flight Your last deployment off helped to line, to land some of the best aircraft in the calm a rising storm. Without firing a single shot, world on what looks to their pilots like a postage you reassured nations all around the Pacific. stamp in the sea. Your teamwork has notched With the quiet power of your example, you gave record after record, including the mark among the world another example of America’s power active ships for arrested landings, 343,000 of and America’s character. And I thank you espe- them. Congratulations. As someone said to me cially for that. as the helicopter was setting down, that’s a lot Through you, the United States is in the of nonskid. [Laughter] Western Pacific. We fought three wars in Asia As the oldest ship in the Navy, you do fly in this century and sacrificed some of our finest this remarkable ensign behind me that says, Americans in every single one. With your strong ‘‘Don’t Tread On Me.’’ And as was said earlier presence here, we are preventing war’s return in the introduction by the admiral, this week, and preserving stability for a remarkable region this very week is the 221st anniversary of the that is growing so fast it buys enough American Revolutionary War battles of Lexington and products and services to support the jobs of Concord, the first in America’s long struggle 3 million of your countrymen and women back for independence. I hope you will think about home in the United States. that, each and every one of you, this week. Make no mistake, there is still a threat that I hope you will imagine what it might have war could return. Without you, the stability and been like so many years ago, over 200 years prosperity of Asia could be in danger, and, ago, for those young people embarking on their therefore, so could America’s. Old rivalries could struggle, risking their lives for what was then break out again. A rogue state could get the nothing more than a dream.

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Now, more than 200 years later, you represent To the men and women of the 7th Fleet, in your uniforms the oldest democracy in human you must know that you represent the very best history. Thanks to you and those who came be- of America. Over and over again, you have fore you, your skill and professionalism, not only proved your excellence. Thanks to you, the does the oldest fighting ship in the fleet inspire world knows now that the United States will the same respect as we have for our early patri- stand firm in Asia. Thanks to you, we can make ots but thanks to you and the people who came this new Security Declaration with Japan, and before you, we are still here. everybody knows that we mean it and that we As you keep it that way, on freedom’s flag- can mean it. We can stand firm for peace and ship, remember that 221 years of people like security, for democracy and freedom, for a good you have made America what it is today and and decent future for the children of this region and the children of the United States, thanks make possible this remarkable partnership we to you. celebrate with the Japanese and make possible Our Nation is in your debt now and forever. the guarantee of freedom for your children and God bless you, and God bless America. your grandchildren and people throughout the world. I thank you for that. NOTE: The President spoke at 3:35 p.m. In his I also want to say a special word of thanks remarks, he referred to Rear Adm. James Ellis, to the families of the 7th Fleet for their support. USN, Commander, Carrier Group 5; Lt. Gen. Our military families bear such a heavy burden Richard Myers, USAF, Commander, U.S. Forces of America’s leadership, especially those sta- Japan; Vice Adm. Archie Clemins, USN, Com- tioned at Yokosuka and other bases so far from mander, U.S. 7th Fleet; Maj. Gen. Waldo Free- home; those who have to cope with the extra man, USA, Commanding General, U.S. Army strain of long periods when ships are at sea, Japan; Rear Adm. Byron Tobin, USN, Com- when one parent has to carry the full load to mander, U.S. Naval Forces Japan; Capt. David run a household and raise the children. We ask Polatty, Commanding Officer, and MMCM Ash- so much of our families, but again and again ley Dwiggins, Command Master Chief, U.S.S. they deliver. Our Nation is grateful to you as Independence; and Joan Mondale, wife of Ambas- well, for our security depends upon you as well. sador Walter Mondale.

Message to the Congress Transmitting the Report of the National Endowment for the Humanities April 17, 1996

To the Congress of the United States: in the Water, to preservation projects that will I am pleased to present to you the 1995 An- rescue 750,000 important books from obscurity nual Report of the National Endowment for the and archive small community newspapers from Humanities (NEH). For 30 years, this Federal every State in the Union. Pandora’s Box, a trav- agency has given Americans great opportunities eling museum exhibit of women and myth in to explore and share with each other our coun- classical Greece, drew thousands of people. try’s vibrant and diverse cultural heritage. Its The humanities have long helped Americans work supports an impressive array of humanities bridge differences, learn to appreciate one an- projects. other, shore up the foundations of our democ- These projects have mined every corner of racy, and build strong and vital institutions our tradition, unearthing all the distinct and dif- across our country. At a time when our society ferent voices, emotions, and ideas that together faces new and profound challenges, when so make up what is a uniquely American culture. many Americans feel insecure in the face of In 1995, they ranged from an award-winning change, the presence and accessibility of the television documentary on President Franklin humanities in all our lives can be a powerful Delano Roosevelt, the radio production Wade

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