Sept. 30 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1997

[Chairman Franklin commented that board Chairman Franklin. I think that our Executive members had found an enormous number of ex- Director already has some plans in that regard. periments already going on in various parts of Judy Winston is planning some how-to kits and the country that might be helpful.] various things like that. The President. Judy will get them well-pub- The President. One of the things that I believe lished. [Laughter] this group should strongly consider doing is ac- tually publishing a kind of a compendium of [Executive Director Winston discussed plans to those local efforts with a brief description of provide information on promising practices re- how they work, who the leader is, and how garding interracial dialogs to the public, not just you can contact those people and let—one of in published form at the end of the board’s the things we’re trying to do is to replicate what year of study but on a website for immediate access and response. The Vice President then works around the country. And I think that it’s asked for examples of unique and particularly obvious that when people have challenges and promising approaches to dialog or promoting di- problems, they’re not going to sit around waiting versity. Board members described various pro- for some—for the President or a national body grams operating in California, Mississippi, North or anybody else to start talking about it. Carolina, New York, and New Jersey, and en- So what I would recommend is that one of couraged further efforts by individuals, busi- the things we consider doing is trying to, with- nesses, and labor organizations. Chairman out pretending to be exhaustive, take—I don’t Franklin then thanked the President and the know—20, 50, 100 of the things that you believe Vice President for their support and their par- work the best, get a brief description of them, ticipation in the discussion.] have a person who can be contacted, ask them The President. Thank you. if they would mind our promoting them, and The Vice President. Thank you very much. find a way to publish it and widely disseminate The President. Thank you, ladies and gentle- this around the Nation so that we can generate men. more interest among more people in, if not copying, at least adapting what has worked to NOTE: The President spoke at 10:16 a.m. in the places where there aren’t such efforts going on. East Room at the Mayflower Hotel.

Remarks on the Retirement of General John M. Shalikashvili in Arlington, Virginia September 30, 1997

Mr. Vice President, Secretary Cohen, Sec- wisdom, his counsel, his leadership. He has be- retary Albright, Secretary Gober, National Secu- come an exceptional adviser and a good friend, rity Adviser Berger, Director Tenet, General someone I knew I could always depend upon McCaffrey; to the Service Secretaries, the Joint when the lives of our troops or the interests Chiefs, the Unified Commanders in Chief, of America were on the line. And I will miss Members of Congress, members of our Armed him very much. Forces; to all the friends of General Shalikashvili General Shali is a great American with a great who are here today, including former Secretary American story. A childhood seared by war, he Perry, former Chairmen and members of the has given his life to the cause of peace. From Joint Chiefs, former officials of the Department an immigrant learning English, he has become of Defense. We all come together in grateful the shining symbol of what America is all about. tribute to John and Joan Shalikashvili. He’s never forgotten what his country gave him, This is, frankly, a bittersweet day for me. I nor has he ever stopped giving back to it. His am full of pride but also some regret. For the service to our Nation, spanning 39 years, rises last 4 years, I have counted on Shali for his

1274

VerDate 11-MAY-2000 09:40 Oct 19, 2001 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00380 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 C:\PUBPAPER\PUB_TEXT txed01 PsN: txed01 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1997 / Sept. 30

from the ranks of Army private to the highest Our troops know that he never expects their military office in the land. gratitude or applause, but he does want to Of course, the road even for him has not sharpen their capabilities, improve their welfare, always been smooth. I am told that after a gruel- and lift their morale, and in his most important ing first day at officer candidate school, Private duty, to make sure that whenever they go into John Shali sneaked out of his barracks looking danger, the planning is superb, the risks are for a place to resign. Our Nation can be very minimized, and every reasonable measure is grateful that, probably for the only time in his taken to ensure their success and safe return. entire career, he failed in his mission. For Shali, caring transcends our obligations I am convinced that when future students even to one another. He believes in America’s look upon this time, they will rank John unique ability to help others around the world, Shalikashvili as among the greatest Chairmen sheltering freedom, defending democracy, re- of the Joint Chiefs of Staff America ever had. lieving fear and despair. He knows that what Greatness is something that cannot be be- sets our troops apart is not just their courage, stowed like a medal, a ribbon, a star. It cannot strength, and skills, but also the ideals they be taught or bought. It comes in the end only serve, the hope they inspire, the spirit they rep- from within. General Shali has said that the resent. three indispensable traits of a great leader are As some may recall, during the crisis in Haiti, competence, care, and character. He ought to Shali visited with refugees in the camps, observ- know; he embodies them. ing and listening with quiet understanding, the His competence shines in the sterling record quiet understanding of one who had also been of innovation and achievement, managing the in that position. And he ordered improvements downsizing of our forces while upgrading their to make those camps as comfortable as possible, capability and readiness; upholding the most rig- to alleviate boredom and brighten hopes and orous standards for the use of those forces in bring toys to the children at Christmas. That the world, where threats to our survival have story also revealed something about his char- faded but threats to our interests and values acter, a clear sense of what is right and wrong, have not; dramatically improving joint doctrine a man whose conscience is always his guide. and training and taking joint planning far into I’ll miss a lot of things about Shali, but per- the future for the very first time; and of course, haps most of all I’ll miss the integrity he always helping bring Europe together at last in liberty, displayed in being my closest military adviser. democracy, and peace. In every conversation we ever had, he never One of the proudest moments of my Presi- minced words; he never postured or pulled dency was standing with Shali in Warsaw as punches; he never shied away from tough issues we celebrated NATO’s enlargement and wel- or tough calls; and most important, he never comed the people of his original homeland back shied away from doing what he believed was home to the family of freedom. the right thing. On more than one occasion— And if the baseline measure of a Chairman’s many more than one occasion—he looked at competence is successful military operations, me, and I could see the pain in his eyes that Shali has filled a re´sume´ that would turn others he couldn’t tell me what I wanted to hear and olive drab with envy. In the last 4 years, our what he wished he could say, but with a clear troops have been tested in more than 40 oper- and firm voice and a direct, piercing gaze, he ations. From Bosnia to Haiti, the Taiwan Straits, always told me exactly what he thought the truth Iraq, Rwanda, Liberia, and more, our Armed was. No President could ever ask for more. Forces have performed superbly with Shali at Shali has had the support of a proud and the helm. Our troops trust him because they dedicated family: his son, Brant; his brother, know how much he cares for them. They have himself a distinguished Green Beret veteran; his seen that caring in his constant contact with sister; and of course, there are his dogs. I under- our service men and women, in the way he stand they are the only living creatures who warms their hearts with his pride in them, in have never obeyed his orders. [Laughter] the humility, the honesty, the graciousness, the And most importantly, there is Joan. Joan, respect he always shows to others, in the won- you have been a terrific support for our men derful way he listens, even to bearers of bad and women in uniform. They know you are al- news. ways looking out for them and their families.

1275

VerDate 11-MAY-2000 09:40 Oct 19, 2001 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00381 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 C:\PUBPAPER\PUB_TEXT txed01 PsN: txed01 Sept. 30 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1997

From around the corner to around the world, about. I don’t know if you know the first thing you were the Chairman’s personal inspector gen- about power tools and mixing paint, but the eral when it came to how families are cared brand you have to offer is the top of the line. for. No one had more commitment, a better Our Nation is safer, our Armed Forces are eye, or a bigger heart. And we thank you. stronger, and our world is a better place because General, very soon now you and Joan will of your service. Thank you for all you have be settling into your new home in Washington done. God bless you, and Godspeed. State. You can tuck your uniform into a drawer. You can carry an umbrella. [Laughter] You can even grow a beard. Maybe you’ll actually even NOTE: The President spoke at 12:06 p.m. at Fort open that hardware store you have been talking Myer.

Citation on the Presidential Medal of Freedom for General John M. Shalikashvili September 30, 1997

Throughout a remarkable 39-year military ca- and thoughtful leader, his sound judgment and reer, General Shalikashvili has worked tirelessly strategic vision have been instrumental in pre- to improve our Nation’s security and promote paring our Armed Forces for the challenges of world peace. A steward of freedom, his land- today and the 21st century. For a lifetime of mark endeavors include Joint Vision 2010; initi- dedicated service, our Nation gratefully honors ation of NATO’s Partnership for Peace; NATO General John Shalikashvili. enlargement—which includes his native Poland; WILLIAM J. CLINTON ratification of the Chemical Weapons Conven- tion; and successful military operations in Bos- NOTE: An original was not available for nia, Haiti, and elsewhere in the world. A strong verification of this citation.

Statement on the Death of Roy Lichtenstein September 30, 1997

Hillary and I were deeply saddened to learn presenting to Roy the National Medal of Arts of the death of Roy Lichtenstein. He will long Award in recognition of his contribution to be remembered as a defining force in the pop American art. In addition, he was especially val- art movement. ued and treasured by us here in the White We grew to love his trademark Benday dots House because of his generous support for our and striking primary colors, which distinguished Arts in Embassies program. his unique art form and altered the landscape Hillary and I will miss him. Our thoughts of American art. He had a talent for presenting and prayers are with his friends and family in everyday cultural symbols in ways that attracted this sad time. our attention and gave these images a new meaning. Two years ago, I had the honor of

1276

VerDate 11-MAY-2000 09:40 Oct 19, 2001 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00382 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 C:\PUBPAPER\PUB_TEXT txed01 PsN: txed01