Feb. 26 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1996

Statement on Tax Provisions for United States Troops in Bosnia February 26, 1996

Today, in recognition of the sacrifices mem- ployed in ‘‘combat zones.’’ However, the men bers of the U.S. Armed Forces are making in and women of today’s military confront hard- and around Bosnia, I am asking Congress to ships and risks in non-combat missions like the extend to them a series of special tax rules. one we have undertaken in Bosnia. I believe Historically, these provisions—which include the law should be extended to cover them. I extending the time to file returns and certain look forward to working with Congress to enact tax relief for those serving under hostile condi- these changes as quickly as possible. tions—have been restricted to individuals de-

Remarks Welcoming the Champion February 26, 1996

The President. Thank you very much. Senator guessing. I can identify with that. [Laughter] Nunn, Congressman Lewis, Congressman You proved your critics wrong, and you achieved Bishop, Terry McGuirk, Harvey Schiller, Bill ’s highest goal by overcoming adversity Bartholomay, , , and and criticism. to Bobby Cox and the coaches, the staff, and once said, good pitching beats of course, the Atlanta Braves, let me welcome good hitting and vice versa. [Laughter] Well, you all to the White House. We are delighted the Braves proved that last year. You had great to have you here. hitting, great fielding, and great pitching. Tom Secretary Riley is relocating from South Caro- Glavine and have won every Cy lina to Georgia as a result of the outcome of Young Award for the past 5 years. You may the World Series. [Laughter] We’re glad to see have an antitrust suit on your hands, even with you here. baseball’s exemption. [Laughter] This is a happy day for all of us. Three years We were all thrilled by Dave Justice’s play ago, shortly after I became President, I had and his solo in the final game, which occasion to meet the Canadian Prime Minister put the Braves on top. And we were—I think when he hosted a meeting in Vancouver be- all of us who grew up around baseball were tween President Yeltsin and me. And he wanted literally stunned—I think ‘‘stunned’’ is the only to have all this high-flowing policy discussion, word—by the success of your entire pitching and I said, ‘‘Now, before anything else, I want staff. We may never see a performance like that to tell you that my number one objective in again in my lifetime, and I want to compliment our relations with Canada is to win the World all of them, especially since Senator Nunn told Series back.’’ [Laughter] And I want to thank me on the way in they were all good golfers the Atlanta Braves for helping my foreign policy as well. [Laughter] with Canada to succeed. I think the Braves have shown us the best It was a great season, and it was a magnificent side of professional sports: perseverance and World Series victory. Since 1990 this team has hard work and commitment, and a commitment been the winningest team in baseball, with three that has endured over seasons. There really does National League pennants and four division ti- seem to be a spirit of teamwork that has worked tles and an absolutely extraordinary level of per- for this team. At a time when so many people formance, which for every baseball fan in Amer- wonder whether the team spirit and the ties ica has been a thrilling thing to watch. Your to community still characterize professional ath- victory is very well-deserved, not only because letics, the Braves have demonstrated beyond you have been there before but throughout the doubt that in Atlanta and with the Braves that season you were dogged by doubts and second- is still the truth, and that it has been richly

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