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

I’m pleased that Governors and mayors from pendent body. Some say the test will be mis- all over the country, business leaders, and edu- used, even though participation is voluntary and cators from States and cities, big and small, peo- is clearly designed to show how students and ple of both parties, are joining in this effort. schools are doing and to show the way toward We’re working to make sure this doesn’t become improving them. Some say it’s unfair to poor a partisan issue. kids and kids of immigrant parents, even though Some people worry that the Federal Govern- many big-city school districts, including those ment would play too large a role in developing in six of seven of our largest cities, say they the test. To meet that concern, I have instructed want to be a part of the test and the national my staff to rewrite our proposal to make sure standards movement even if their States don’t. these tests are developed not by the Department The fact is high standards are essential to of Education but by an independent bipartisan providing our children the best education in the board created by Congress many years ago. This world, and I intend to do whatever is necessary will make sure these tests measure what they to make sure we move forward. should, nothing more, nothing less. The 21st century will be a time of remarkable Still, there are some in Congress who, even opportunity. With high national education stand- as our children are heading back to school, are ards, we can make sure all our children have working to undermine the very progress in edu- the education they need to seize these opportu- cation our children are counting on. They have nities. Without them, our children will continue proposed an amendment that would prevent us to pay for our own low expectations and our from developing a common test for math and own limited vision for them. Our children, our reading and, therefore, would prevent your schools, our future are far too important to be school district or your State or your child from anything less than world class. Let us move for- choosing to take the test. That means you won’t ward into the 21st century with high standards be able to find out if your child’s school is and make sure we meet them. meeting world-class standards. The arguments they’re using are the very same ones we’ve heard for years now. They NOTE: The address was recorded at 6:04 p.m. on amount to a determination to avoid account- August 29 at a private residence in Martha’s Vine- ability. Some say we shouldn’t pay for test devel- yard, MA, for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on August opment even though it’s being done by an inde- 30.

Remarks in a Telephone Conversation From Martha’s Vineyard With the WNBA Champion August 30, 1997

Coach . Mr. President? in the league when I went running with the The President. Coach, congratulations. women’s Olympic team a couple of years ago, Coach Chancellor. Well, thank you very and I think it’s just been a great thing. I hope much. You know, we’re from neighboring States. it’ll be a success and go forward. And you had I’m a Mississippi boy. a great season and a great team, and you had The President. You are? a good game tonight. Coach Chancellor. Yes, I am. Coach Chancellor. Well, thank you very The President. Well, double congratulations. much. I do appreciate you taking the time to Coach Chancellor. Well, thank you very call our locker room. That means a lot to the much. women of this team and to this coaching staff. The President. I’ll tell you what, I’ve followed The President. Can you hear me? the season this year. I’ve watched several games Coach Chancellor. Yes, I can hear you. on television. I’ve really enjoyed it, and I had a chance to get to know some of the players

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The President. We’re on a cell phone, but play for us. Cynthia’s had some great games. I think we’re doing all right. I can hear you This has just been a total team effort for us. fine. The President. Yes. Well, give them my best, Coach Chancellor. Yes. I do appreciate your and I hope to see you up here someday pretty support of women’s athletics in general. soon. The President. Well, I’m strongly supportive Coach Chancellor. Okay. I would love to of it, and I hope that—like I said, I want you come up there. to stay with it, and I’ll be supporting you all The President. Thank you, Van. the way, and congratulate the players for me. Coach Chancellor. And thank you very much Coach Chancellor. I will. They’re all in the for calling us. I’m very honored. dressing room, and they will be honored that The President. Bye-bye. you have called us. The President. Cynthia had a great game, and any of us who has ever been through a child- NOTE: The President spoke at 6:50 p.m. from a birth were awful impressed when Sheryl private residence to the game site at The Summit Swoopes came back to play so quickly. in Houston, TX. In his remarks, he referred to Coach Chancellor. Yes. I’m amazed that she Houston Comets players Cynthia Cooper and was able to have a child and come back and .

Remarks in a Telephone Conversation From Martha’s Vineyard With the WNBA Second Place August 30, 1997

The President. Hello? Coach Darsch. Well, thank you very much. Maureen Coyle. We have a couple of people We’re very happy that you’ve followed us and here who want to say hi to you. very pleased that you have been able to reach The President. Oh, great. Congratulations on us here tonight. your season. The President. What are you doing? Are you Team members. Thank you! having a party somewhere? The President. I can’t believe you’re all there. Team members. Yes! Ms. Coyle. Our head coach, , Coach Darsch. We are having a celebration wanted to say hey to you. of our season. We’re very proud of the way The President. Great. that we’ve played this season and of the WNBA Coach Nancy Darsch. Hey, Mr. President, inaugural season and also the fact that we all how are you? kind of separate here in the near future. So The President. I’m fine, Coach. Congratula- we’re having a little get-together, and probably tions on your season. someone here that you are very well familiar Coach Darsch. Well, thank you. We met this with, Teresa Weatherspoon, as well as Rebecca past fall at Ohio State, and I’m glad to say Lobo, would like to say hello to you. that I’ve moved on, taken this team to the The President. Yes, I know them both. WNBA championships, and I’m jealous of you [Laughter] being on Martha’s Vineyard, my home State. The President. Well, it’s beautiful up here, Teresa Weatherspoon. What’s happening, Mr. and I tell you, I was really pleased with the President? [Laughter] way your first season worked out. I saw a lot The President. Well, I wish—— of the games on television and tried to keep Ms. Weatherspoon. This is Teresa up with you, and I hope that there’s a bright Weatherspoon talking to you. future ahead for it. I’m really enthusiastic about The President. I wish I were there with you. it, and I’m very pleased about all that you and How are you doing? all your players have done to keep it going.

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