Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents

Monday, June 19, 2000 Volume 36—Number 24 Pages 1331–1383

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Addresses and Remarks Addresses and Remarks—Continued See also Meetings With Foreign Leaders Senator Christopher J. Dodd, remarks Death of President Hafiz al-Asad of Syria— honoring—1352 13371 U.S. Dream Academy participants—1369 Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, White House Strategy Session on Improving reception—1360 Hispanic Student Achievement—1366 Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Hispanic Caucus reception— Communications to Congress 1358 Bankruptcy reform legislation, letter—1332 Gun laws, funding for enforcement—1362 Export Administration Act of 1979, message Mayor Anthony A. Williams of the District of transmitting report on national emergency Columbia, reception—1371 with respect to the lapse—1366 Medicare prescription drug coverage—1354, Weapons of mass destruction, message 1362 transmitting report on proliferation—1366 Middle East peace process—1366 Wekiva River and tributaries in Florida, Millennium Matinee at the White House— message transmitting report—1357 1347 Minnesota Communications to Federal Agencies Arrival in Minneapolis—1337 Actions To Further Improve the Management Carleton College, commencement in of Federal Human Resources, Northfield—1334 memorandum—1346 Democratic National Committee luncheon New Era of Ocean Exploration, in Minneapolis—1338 memorandum—1350 New Leadership Network reception in Minneapolis—1343 Interviews With the News Media New York City Exchanges with reporters Abigail Adams Elementary School—1378 Minneapolis, MN—1337 ‘‘VH1 Save The Music Today’’ campaign— Oval Office—1366 1376 Roosevelt Room—1362 Patients’ Bill of Rights—1354 Interview with Matt Lauer of NBC’s ‘‘Today Radio address—1333 Show’’ in New York City—1373

(Continued on the inside of the back cover.)

Editor’s Note: The President was in New York City on June 16, the closing date of this issue. Releases and announcements issued by the Office of the Press Secretary but not received in time for inclusion in this issue will be printed next week.

WEEKLY COMPILATION OF regulations prescribed by the Administrative Committee of the Federal Register, approved by the President (37 FR 23607; 1 CFR Part 10). PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS Distribution is made only by the Superintendent of Docu- ments, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. Published every Monday by the Office of the Federal Reg- The Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents will be ister, National Archives and Records Administration, Washing- furnished by mail to domestic subscribers for $80.00 per year ton, DC 20408, the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Docu- ($137.00 for mailing first class) and to foreign subscribers for ments contains statements, messages, and other Presidential $93.75 per year, payable to the Superintendent of Documents, materials released by the White House during the preceding Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. The week. charge for a single copy is $3.00 ($3.75 for foreign mailing). The Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents is pub- There are no restrictions on the republication of material lished pursuant to the authority contained in the Federal Reg- appearing in the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Docu- ister Act (49 Stat. 500, as amended; 44 U.S.C. Ch. 15), under ments.

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Meetings With Foreign Leaders Statements by the President—Continued Palestinian Authority, Chairman Arafat—1366 Korean summit—1369 Nazi slave and forced labor, agreement for Proclamations redress to victims—1352 Father’s Day—1380 Senate action Flag Day and National Flag Week—1331 Electronic signatures legislation—1380 225th Anniversary of the United States National blood alcohol content standard to Army—1357 combat drunk driving—1356, 1369

Statements by the President Supplementary Materials Deaths Acts approved by the President—1383 Frank Patterson—1351 President Hafiz al-Asad of Syria—1338 Checklist of White House press releases— 1383 House of Representatives action Electronic signatures legislation—1365 Digest of other White House Estate tax legislation—1331 announcements—1381 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Nominations submitted to the Senate—1382 Education appropriations legislation— 1365

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Statement on House of Proclamation 7321—Flag Day and Representatives Action on National Flag Week, 2000 the Estate Tax Legislation June 9, 2000 June 9, 2000 By the President of the United States The House has jeopardized our fiscal dis- of America cipline by passing a costly, irresponsible, and regressive plan to eliminate the estate tax. A Proclamation If this bill were presented to me in its current Our long national journey has brought the form, I would veto it without hesitation. United States safely to a new century and Repealing the estate tax would undermine to a position of unprecedented leadership in our record of fiscal discipline as well as the the world. Throughout that journey, one progressivity, fairness, and integrity of the tax symbol has endured as a badge of honor for system. The cost of this bill explodes from every American and a beacon of hope for $100 billion this decade to over $750 billion the oppressed: the flag of the United States. in the following decade, just as the baby For more than two centuries, ‘‘Old Glory’’ boom generation is retiring and Medicare has challenged us to make real the highest and Social Security are coming under strain. ideals of the patriots and visionaries who This bill gives the largest estates a windfall chose it as our national symbol in the early while steering only a tiny fraction of the ben- days of our Republic. The flag of the United efits to small businesses and family farms. By States has inspired us in battle, reassured us the end of the decade, the bill would provide in times of peace, and comforted us at mo- a $50 billion tax break that would provide ments of great national grief. In its white only 54,000 estates—about 2 percent of all stripes, we recognize the sanctity of the decedents—with an average tax cut of American ideals on which our Republic was $800,000. Furthermore, studies by econo- founded: liberty, justice, equality, and the mists have found that repealing the estate guarantee of individual rights. In its red tax would reduce charitable donations by $5 stripes, we salute the generations of Amer- billion to $6 billion per year. ican patriots who have shed their blood to I am supportive of targeted, fiscally re- keep our flag flying over a free Nation. And sponsible legislation, such as the Democratic in the cluster of white stars on an unchanging alternative, to make the estate tax fairer, sim- blue field, we read the story of America’s re- markable evolution from 13 small colonies pler, and more efficient. I urge the congres- to 50 great States, with millions of citizens sional leadership to work with me to relieve from every race, creed, and country united the burden of estate taxes for small busi- by the hopes and history we share as Ameri- nesses and family farms in a fiscally respon- cans. sible manner this year. We can do this while To commemorate the adoption of our flag, strengthening Social Security and Medicare, the Congress, by joint resolution approved investing in key priorities, and paying down August 3, 1949 (63 Stat. 492), designated the debt by 2013. June 14 of each year as ‘‘Flag Day’’ and re- quested the President to issue an annual proclamation calling for a national observ- NOTE: This item was not received in time for pub- ance and for the display of the flag of the lication in the appropriate issue. United States on all Federal Government 1331

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buildings. In a second joint resolution ap- the part of debtors and creditors alike. We proved June 9, 1966 (80 Stat. 194), the Con- also must ensure that a reasonable fresh start gress requested the President also to issue is available for those who turn to bankruptcy annually a proclamation designating the week as a last resort when facing divorce, unem- during which June 14 falls as ‘‘National Flag ployment, illness, and uninsured medical ex- Week’’ and calling upon all citizens of the penses. Bankruptcy reform legislation should United States to display the flag during that strike the right balance. week. The House-passed bill was so one-sided Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, that I would have vetoed it. The Senate- President of the United States of America, passed bill’s bankruptcy provisions rep- do hereby proclaim June 14, 2000, as Flag resented a better attempt to balance legiti- Day and the week beginning June 11, 2000, mate debtor and creditor interests, although as National Flag Week. I direct the appro- I had serious concerns about some aspects. priate officials to display the flag on all Fed- My Administration has watched carefully as eral Government buildings during that week, the staff and informal conferees have sought and I urge all Americans to observe Flag Day to reconcile these two bills. While there ap- and National Flag Week by flying the Stars pears to be some informal progress on some and Stripes from their homes and other suit- outstanding issues, it is very important that able places. the resolution of these issues be fair and that I also call upon the people of the United we ensure that we do not erode protections States to observe with pride and all due cere- for all debtors—when targeting the few who mony those days from Flag Day through abuse the system. The outcome will help de- Independence Day, also set aside by the termine whether the final bill tips the scales. Congress (89 Stat. 211), as a time to honor I am concerned, for example, that the final our Nation, to celebrate our heritage in pub- bill: lic gatherings and activities, and to recite • may not adequately address the prob- publicly the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag lem of wealthy debtors who use overly of the United States of America. broad homestead exemptions to shield In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set assets from their creditors; my hand this ninth day of June, in the year • may weaken important credit card dis- of our Lord two thousand, and of the Inde- closure provisions that will help ensure pendence of the United States of America consumers understand the implications the two hundred and twenty-fourth. of the debt they are incurring; • William J. Clinton may eliminate protections for reason- able retirement pensions that reflect [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, years of contributions by workers and 8:45 a.m., June 13, 2000] their employers; and • may include an anti-consumer provision NOTE: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on June 14. This item was not eliminating existing law protections received in time for publication in the appropriate against inappropriate collection prac- issue. tices when collecting from people who bounce a check. Finally, I am deeply disturbed that some Letter to Congressional Leaders on in Congress still object to a reasonable provi- Bankruptcy Reform Legislation sion that would end demonstrated abuse of June 9, 2000 the bankruptcy system. We cannot tolerate abusive bankruptcy filings to avoid the legal Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. Leader:) consequences of violence, vandalism, and I write to urge a fair resolution of the open harassment used to deny access to legal issues in discussions on bankruptcy reform. health services. An effective approach, such I have long made clear my support for legisla- as the one offered by Senator Schumer’s tion that would encourage responsibility and amendment, should be included in the final reduce abuses of the bankruptcy system on legislation.

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I sincerely hope that balanced, bipartisan For more than 7 years now, our adminis- bankruptcy reform will be completed this tration has taken action to give families the year, but I will not hesitate to veto unfair flexibility they need to balance the demands legislation that fails the test of balance. of work and home. We’ve helped make child Sincerely, care safer, better, and more affordable for millions of families. We’ve greatly expanded William J. Clinton preschool and after-school programs. We fought to give generous tax credits to help NOTE: Letters were sent to J. Dennis Hastert, the growing number of families who provide Speaker of the House of Representatives; Richard care for aging and ailing loved ones at home. A. Gephardt, House minority leader; Trent Lott, I’m especially proud that the very first bill Senate majority leader; and Thomas A. Daschle, I signed as President was the Family and Senate minority leader. An original was not avail- Medical Leave Act. Since 1993, more than able for verification of the content of this letter. This item was not received in time for publication 20 million Americans have used it to take in the appropriate issue. up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for a newborn or sick relative without fear of los- ing their jobs. Still there are too many fami- The President’s Radio Address lies that aren’t making use of the law because June 10, 2000 they simply can’t afford to take the time off if it means sacrificing a paycheck. Good morning. As we enter the new cen- Today I’m announcing two new steps that tury, opportunity is abundant. We’re in the will allow working Americans to take time midst of the longest economic expansion in off they need to care for their families with- history, with 22 million new jobs and the low- out giving up the pay they need to support est unemployment in 30 years. Yet we know them. some Americans are finding it harder and First, I’m pleased to announce that States harder to balance the demands of work and will soon have the option to use funds from family. People are working more jobs and their unemployment insurance programs to longer hours than ever before, forcing many provide paid leave to new parents following of them to make the unacceptable choice be- the birth or adoption of a child. While this tween being good workers and the best par- initiative is totally voluntary, there are al- ents or caregivers. ready 15 States considering legislation to pro- Today I want to speak with you about im- vide paid leave through unemployment in- portant new steps we’re taking to give work- surance or other means. In fact, Massachu- ing Americans the time off they need to care setts may vote on such a bill in the next few for their families without losing the income weeks. they need to support them. In this strong economy, I hope more States According to a recent Federal study, par- will take advantage of this new option, and ents in the average family now have 22 fewer I believe those which do can provide this new hours per week to spend at home than they benefit while still preserving the fiscal sound- did just a generation ago. That’s the loss of ness of their unemployment insurance pro- nearly a full day to spend time with their grams. The first few months with a newborn families. And the percentage of married are precious ones, and no parent should have mothers working outside the home has nearly to miss them. doubled, from 38 to 68 percent, over the last Second, we all know record numbers of three decades. Americans are providing for aging or ailing We also know that many of them are work- loved ones at home. It’s a loving but poten- ing weekends or on the night shift, times tially very expensive choice. That’s why, be- they’ve traditionally spent at home caring for ginning later this month, all Federal employ- their families. In our round-the-clock econ- ees will be able to take up to 12 weeks paid omy, there just doesn’t seem to be enough sick leave that they’ve earned to nurse an ail- hours during the day for working Americans ing child or parent back to health. If every to do everything they need to. company in America followed this example,

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half of all our workers would have this impor- and I’ll be able to get through this. [Laugh- tant benefit for their families. ter] There are further steps we should take I want to congratulate all the members of right away to help more parents balance work the class of 2000, your families, and your and family. Again, I call on Congress to ex- friends, and I thank you for giving me the tend the benefits of family and medical leave opportunity to share this with you. to employees of smaller companies, so we I’ve been hearing about Carleton for years. can reach another 12 million American fami- I have a staff member and adviser, Tom lies. And I urge Congress to pass my com- Freedman, who is here with me today, class prehensive long-term care initiative, which of ’85, and his college roommate, John includes a $3,000 tax credit to meet the grow- Harris, who—he’s on the other side in Wash- ing needs of the elderly and their families. ington. He writes for the Washington Post. At the dawn of the last century, Theodore They’re both here, over here to the left. So Roosevelt said, ‘‘The greatest prizes of life there is life after college, and they have are those connected to the home.’’ Today, proved it. more than a century later, our families still And they told me about the motto, ‘‘You are our most valued treasures. That’s why I are part of Carleton, and Carleton is part of think no American should ever have to you.’’ They also told me that Carleton is my choose between the job they need and the kind of place, a school that celebrates diver- parent or child they love. The actions we take sity, a school whose students and faculty ex- today will help to ensure that they won’t have emplify excellence without elitism, a school to make that choice. where the president of the college gets to Thanks for listening. sing like Elvis. [Laughter] I’m also very proud that someone painted my portrait on the water tower, and I thank NOTE: The address was recorded at 4:25 p.m. on June 9 in the Oval Office at the White House you for that. Now, I heard it wasn’t the great- for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on June 10. The tran- est likeness in the world, but I still kind of script was made available by the Office of the wish you hadn’t painted it over. [Laughter] Press Secretary on June 9 but was embargoed for I also got a souvenir from my stay here, release until the broadcast. and I want to show it to you. Thank you. And someone asked me if I would give this fellow a ride on Air Force One, to sort of Commencement Address at Carleton add to the legend, you know? [Laughter] And College in Northfield, Minnesota I thought, why not? He looks more like me June 10, 2000 than that guy on the water tower did. I think I’ll do that. [Laughter] Thank you very much, President Lewis. I do want to say I love the message that It’s nice to be around someone who is not Faisal and Sachin gave about building on our term-limited. [Laughter] To the trustees and common humanity, and I wrote down what faculty members, including your longtime I thought was the best line from Katy Beebe’s faculty member and now your United States talk, ‘‘Use cliches like they were meant to Senator, Senator Paul Wellstone. It’s nice to be used.’’ I think that’s pretty good, because see you and Sheila. Thank you for being here, we all have them. [Laughter] The truth is, both of you. I have been paying attention now to gradua- I congratulate Bruno Nettl and George tions for quite some time. And you are grad- Dixon on their degrees, and I thank the uating at a time which is different. Yes, there Carleton community for making me wel- are a lot of common elements in this cere- come. I congratulate the student speakers, mony. Yes, there are a lot of common ele- Katy and Sachin and Faisal. They were really, ments in your feelings. Yes, you’re a remark- really, I thought, very good. I’m glad there ably diverse group. I could tell that just by was some break between when they spoke shaking hands with you and exchanging a few and when I had to speak. [Laughter] Maybe words. One of you even asked me to change you won’t remember how good they were, a Government policy. [Laughter] Good job.

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You have to ask Senator Wellstone. It’s an longs to you, and it’s up to you to decide act of Congress now. I can’t change it. what to do with it. I hope very much that [Laughter] you will use this moment to deal with the But the truth is, this year marked more big challenges and the big opportunities that than a millennial turning of the calendar. are still out there for us: to bring prosperity This country and the world have entered an to people and places that are still poor and era that is different, in the way we work and haven’t been caught up in this recovery; to live and relate to each other and the rest of end child poverty and give all our children the world. For us, it’s a time of unparalleled access to a good education; to give families promise. We have the strongest economy the time and tools they need to balance their we’ve ever had and the longest expansion in work at home and their work at work; to deal history, the lowest minority unemployment with the challenge of the aging of America; rate ever recorded. to reverse the tide of climate change; to put And yet, it’s also a time of increasing social a human face on a global economy; to maxi- cohesion: the poverty rate at a 20-year low; mize the potential of science and technology the welfare rolls at a 32-year low; the crime and minimize its new risks; to build one rate at a 25-year low. It is—in my lifetime, America across all the lines that divide us; anyway—the only time we have ever had at and to build a world where the forces of once so much economic prosperity and social peace and prosperity and humanity are progress and at the same time so little inter- stronger than the old demons of war and dis- nal crisis or external threat to our existence. ease and poverty. We have an opportunity to shape a world, Now, you have a chance to do that, in no therefore, that is more free and more decent small measure because you spent the last 4 than ever before. years here. And I want to talk just very briefly I can’t help noting that this is the one- today about one specific subject, our com- year anniversary of the day when the Serbian mon obligation to give all young people the troops accepted NATO’s terms and began to chance you’ve had to develop the abilities, withdraw from Kosovo *, and we reversed the the understanding, the feelings, the outlook tide of ethnic cleansing and religious cleans- that you have developed here in your years ing that was present when almost a million at Carleton. people were driven from their homes. We It’s important because in the world we live still have 5,500 Americans there with troops in, it’s the only way to guarantee our Found- from 39 nations. Almost all of the refugees ers’ dreams of opportunity for all, so it’s im- have gone home. They’re going to the polls portant individually. But from my point of for the first time in history this fall. So I’m view, it’s even more important because un- very proud of that. less we can more generally spread the bene- But it shows that it’s a very different world. fits of education, your generation will not be Not so many years ago, it would have been able to build a future of your dreams. unthinkable that America would be part of Two centuries ago opportunity meant hav- a multinational force, deployed just to stop ing a chance to carve out a farm on the forest people from being murdered or uprooted be- frontier. A century ago it meant a chance to cause of their race or ethnic background or work in a factory with reasonably decent con- religion, and I’m glad we did it. ditions and give your children a chance to The world is moving to the beat of two get a high school education. Today, oppor- great forces: globalization and the revolution tunity requires the constant ability to learn and knowledge of information technology, and relearn, to master new tools and new the biological, environmental, and material technologies, to think broadly, to adjust sciences. And our whole pulse is quickening quickly, to put things in context. It means with all this new discovery and interaction. every American needs more than a high I have worked very hard to prepare this school education. It means a college edu- country for the 21st century, and now it be- cation is not a luxury. In the coming years, the number of new * White House correction. jobs requiring at least a bachelor’s degree will

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grow twice as fast—more than twice as fast— thousand campuses, a lot of them are earning as those that don’t. The three fastest growing money by teaching young children to read occupations require at least a bachelor’s de- in elementary schools. AmeriCorps is now gree, and their pay, of course, is much better giving 150,000 young people a chance to earn than average. money for college and serving in their com- So I have a simple message today which munities. Education IRA’s now let families is that our country cannot afford to leave any put savings in IRA’s and then withdraw them students behind simply because they can’t af- for college expenses—tax free. ford to pay for college. I came from a family We created the $1,500 HOPE scholarship where nobody had ever gone to college be- tax credit to make the first 2 years of college fore, and yet, from the time I was a little as universal as high school and to help fami- boy, I never had any doubt I was going, be- lies afford the last 2 years, as well as graduate cause that’s what my family told me I was school and job training. We set out to launch going to do. And thanks to my family and a lifetime learning tax credit which provides scholarships and loans and jobs, I got oppor- a 20 percent credit against tuition and fees. tunities that eluded all my parents’ genera- Now, this year alone—those things were tion and, unfortunately, eluded all too many done in ’97—well over 10 million Americans of my contemporaries in high school. will use HOPE scholarships and lifetime When I became President, I was deter- learning credits to open the doors of college mined to do what I could to give every stu- and opportunity. dent that chance. I am well aware, if it hadn’t In the past 7 years, most of which we spent been for that chance that I had so long ago trying to get rid of the deficit, America has now, to go to school, I wouldn’t be standing here today. more than doubled college aid, the greatest So, what does it mean to give every young expansion since the GI bill 50 years ago. It person the chance to go to college? First, has proved to be a great investment. Today, we have to begin at the beginning. We’ve coincident with this speech, I am releasing worked on education reforms to make sure a report which demonstrates that as student all of our kids start school ready to learn, aid has increased, so has college attendance, finish high school ready to succeed. We’ve now to record levels. Fully two-thirds of our expanded early childhood education; sup- high graduates go straight to college. That’s ported higher standards, more choice, and an all-time high. And for the first time in greater accountability for results in our history, a majority of young African-Ameri- schools; extra help for kids who need it, from cans are enrolling in higher education. after-school to summer school to mentoring The report also documents what you al- programs; new efforts to attract talented ready know: The value of a college education teachers, reduce class size, modernize class- in sheer economic terms is going up. The rooms, connect all of them to the Internet. earnings gap between those who have a de- That’s the first part of this. gree and those who don’t is growing dramati- But the second thing we’ve tried to do is cally. Over the course of a career, a person to open the doors of college to every Amer- with a bachelor’s degree will earn, on aver- ican. In 1993 we created something called age, $600,000 more than a person who has the Direct Student Loan Program. It has low- a high school diploma. The return on a col- ered the cost of all borrowing and all loan lege investment is now nearly double the programs and saved America’s students, in stock market’s historical rate of return. lower interest costs and charges, $9 billion Now, this report, on balance, is good news. over 7 years. That program also allows stu- But it has some sobering information. With dents to pay back their loans as a percentage all the new financial aid and even though the of their income. rise in tuition costs have slowed over the past In 7 years, we expanded Pell grants more few years, most families still have to stretch than 40 percent and increased the work- to pay the college bills. Over the past 20 study program so that now a million young years, the cost of college has quadrupled. I’ll college students are in work-study. On a bet there are a lot of parents here who have

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taken second mortgages or second jobs to projects you’ve completed, the goals you’ve help pay those tuition bills. reached. You should be very proud. And as So I’d like to do one other thing in this you embark here, I hope you’ll never forget area before I go, and I hope the Congress one other thing, implicit in what all other will do it this year. I would like to build on speakers have said. All your individual lives the success of the HOPE scholarship and the will unfold in the context of community, your lifetime learning credits with a $30-billion local community, your national community, college opportunity tax cut. It would allow and increasingly, the global community. If families, whether they’re in the 15 percent you want to make the most of your own lives, or the 28 percent tax bracket to claim a tax you have to give something to all of your deduction worth up to $2,800 for up to communities. $10,000 in college tuition costs. It would As the years pass, I am convinced that your make a big difference to a lot of families in generation will be judged most, and you will this audience today, and I think it ought to tend to judge yourselves most, on the ways be done. in which, large and small, you give something Again I say, I know it’s important for indi- back to the whole. If you do that, then you vidual opportunity, but we have to recognize will be more than leaders in arts and science, that we’re living in a time when investment business and industry. You will be great citi- in human capital is even more important than zens of our Nation and the world. investment in physical capital. This would be I honestly believe the next 50 years can some of the best money this country ever bring the greatest period of peace, pros- spent. perity, and humanity the world has ever I also hope we’ll do more this year to help known. It depends upon whether we do the young people out there who are still, believe right thing for the future and whether we it or not, unaware of how important and how understand that our common humanity is far, possible college is. Maybe nobody is pushing far more important than all the things that them to take the classes they need, or they divide us. don’t know how to get the financial aid. I May Carleton always be with you. Good have asked, and I ask again, the Congress luck, and God bless you. to work with us to expand our initiatives, called GEAR UP and TRIO, to reach out NOTE: The President spoke at 10:38 a.m. in the to students as early as the sixth grade to give Bald Spot Quad. In his remarks, he referred to them the dream that they can go to college Stephen R. Lewis, Jr., president, and Katherine and to determine to do what it takes to suc- Beebe, Sachin Patel, and Faisal Mohyuddin, stu- ceed once they get there. dents, Carleton College; Senator Wellstone’s wife, Now, if we do these things, we can provide Sheila; and Bruno Nettl and George H. Dixon, more students with the support they need, honorary degree recipients. give more families the relief they need, give our economy the skilled work force we all Remarks on Arrival in Minneapolis, need, and give our Nation more active, in- Minnesota, and an Exchange With formed citizens. At long last, we’ve got the Reporters money to do it. The only question is whether we have the vision and will to do it. We owe June 10, 2000 it to your generation to do that. Think about this. A hundred years from Death of President Hafiz al-Asad of Syria now the Carleton class of 2100 will be sitting As all of you know, I received word not where you are. They’ll look up at this po- very long ago of President Asad’s death in dium, and perhaps they’ll see a President re- Syria today. I was very saddened by it, and flecting on the 21st century, the good old I want to offer my condolences to his son, days. I hope that he or she can say that we his family, and to the people of Syria. began this century in the right way. You know, over the last 7 years, I had the I offer all of you my congratulations for occasion to meet with President Asad many the challenges you’ve conquered, the times, and I believe I got to know him well.

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And while we had our disagreements, I al- Throughout my contacts with him, including ways respected him because I felt that he our last meeting, he made clear Syria’s con- was open and straightforward with me and tinued commitment to the path of peace. because I felt he meant it when he said he We look forward to working with Syria to had made a strategic choice for peace. I re- achieve the goal of a comprehensive peace. gret that that peace was not achieved in his lifetime, and I hope that it can still be achieved, in no small measure because of the Remarks at a Democratic National commitment he made. Committee Luncheon in I think today, rather than speculating Minneapolis about the future, it would be best for all of us just to send our condolences and our best June 10, 2000 thoughts to his family and to the people of Thank you very much, Vance. Thank you, Syria. Darin. And thanks for being my friend for Thank you. such a long time, and thank you for giving Middle East Peace Process us a little walk through memory lane. Q. Mr. President, since he was such a inte- [Laughter] I’m still proud I was a child of gral link in the process, is this going to delay the sixties. [Laughter] the future of the process? How is it going I never have known what I was supposed to affect the expediency of the process that to be embarrassed about. I remember Presi- you’ve been trying to jump-start recently? dent Bush used to refer to me as the Gov- The President. Peter, [Peter Maer, CBS ernor of a small southern State. I was so News] I think it’s premature to say. There dumb, I thought it was a compliment. will be a period of mourning in Syria. There [Laughter] I still feel that way. will be a period of sorting out, and the Syrian I want to thank my friend of more than people will make some decisions, and then two decades, Joan Mondale, for being here, we’ll see what happens. But you know, we’ve and for all the years that we’ve shared to- been at this now for years because of the gether. I’d also like to thank your former sec- decision that he made to go back to negotia- retary of state, Joan Growe, for being here. tions and try to move away from conflict, and Thank you, Joan. Sandy Novak, thank you. it’s certainly a path I hope the country will And I’d like to thank the people here from stay on. the Minnesota Teachers Group for their leadership in this event and for sticking with NOTE: The President spoke at 12:17 p.m. at the the Democratic Party and for their support Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. In his of education reform. remarks, he referred to President’s al-Asad’s son, Let me say, first of all, I am glad to be Bashur Asad. A portion of these remarks could not be verified because the tape was incomplete. standing here, because in the last week I have been to Portugal, Germany, Russia, Ukraine. I came back to the United States to meet Statement on the Death of President with the King of Jordan, and then I flew to Hafiz al-Asad of Syria Japan to the funeral of Prime Minister June 10, 2000 Obuchi, then came back to meet with the President of Mexico. And now I’m here. I am saddened by the news of President [Laughter] I feel like a character in that H.G. Asad’s death and want to offer my condo- Wells novel, ‘‘The Time Machine.’’ [Laugh- lences to his family and to the Syrian people. ter] But if by some chance I should slip a Over the past 7 years, I have met him word or two here, you’ll just have to make many times and gotten to know him very some allowances for me. [Laughter] well. We had our differences, but I always I would also like to thank Mayor Rendell. respected him. Since the Madrid Con- He didn’t really plan on leaving the mayoralty ference, he made a strategic choice for peace, of Philadelphia and taking this little part-time and we worked together to achieve that goal. job that I talked him into.

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One other, just—thing I want to say pre- globalized society, it really wasn’t going to liminarily, I’ve been to Minnesota three be as—there are some things that are clearly, times in the last 5 weeks—[laughter]—and discretely foreign policy-oriented, like what it’s really funny, because I was screaming to we did—this is the one-year anniversary of the point of irritability at my scheduling staff our victory in Kosovo over ethnic cleansing, for months before that. I said, ‘‘Look, here’s something I’m very proud of. But by and three places that I have not been in 2 years, large, we needed to begin to look at the world and I’m really upset,’’ and one of them was more in terms of how it affected us here at Minnesota. I said, ‘‘I really want to go.’’ home and look at how we were—what we [Laughter] were doing at home in terms of its impact So then, they said, all right, you know. So around the world. Fritz Mondale and I went to a farm in David So, for example, I think that it helps Amer- Minge’s district to talk about the China vote, ica that we’re trying to relieve the debts of and then I went to St. Paul on my education the poorest people in the world, that we now tour, to the first charter school in the United treat AIDS as a national security problem. States. There are now over 1,700 thanks to I know Senator Lott made fun of me the our administration pushing that, and they’re other day when our administration an- working well. nounced that we considered the AIDS prob- And today I got to speak at Carleton about lem to be a national security problem, but the importance of opening the doors of col- I think it is. Seventy percent of the AIDS lege to everyone. It’s been a really rewarding cases are in sub-Saharan Africa. There are thing. The people of Minnesota have been countries there that are now routinely hiring so good to me and to Al Gore and to Hillary two people when there is a job vacancy be- and to Tipper. You know, I still remember cause they expect one of them to die within when we rolled into Minneapolis on the bus a few months. And this could wreck whole tour in ’92, we were about an hour and a societies, wreak havoc on the continent, just half or 2 hours late, and there were over at the very time when Africa offers the prom- 25,000 people in the streets. And I think Vice ise of new partnership to so many of us. President Mondale kept the crowd there— [laughter]—by hook or crook. So I’m very Anyway, we had these ideas, and so we grateful to you. set about trying to make them work. And lo I just want to say a couple of things brief- and behold, they did. And I’m grateful for ly—one other thing. I want to thank Vance that, and I thank you. But I just want to make for helping Hillary, too. She’s doing well. a couple of points very briefly, because some- You’d be proud of her. I think she’s going body might ask you why you were here. And to win that race, and I’m very, very proud if you say, ‘‘Well, I wanted to shake hands of her. with Bill Clinton,’’ that’s a good answer, but When we took office 71⁄2 years ago—Al that won’t get any votes for us. Gore and I and our whole team—we were The first thing I would like to say is that animated by some fairly basic ideas. One is ideas matter in politics, and they have con- that we could have good economics and good sequences. And while we have had our fair social policy, but to do it, we’d have to get share of good fortune, it flowed from a set rid of the deficit and have to go through the of ideas and policies that we implemented. fire of doing that. The second was that we The second thing I want to say is, there was, could grow the economy and improve the en- 8 years ago, there was, 4 years ago, and there vironment. The third was that we had to stop is today a significant and honest difference the politics of personal destruction and the between the two parties. It is not necessary kind of old rhetoric that had paralyzed Wash- for us to do to them what they worked so ington and try to find some way to bring the hard to do to us, to convince the American American people together as a community. people they’re bad people, and they’re no And the fourth was that we had to abolish good, and we should tar and feather them the distinction between domestic and foreign and run them out of town. There are dif- policy—that in the 21st century, in a ferences.

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The previous administration vetoed the ning to look good was in the 1960’s, and it family and medical leave law as being bad came apart because of the civil rights chal- for the small business economy. I signed it lenge at home and the Vietnam war abroad. and said it would be good for the small busi- So I’m not sure it’s ever happened in the ness economy if parents weren’t all agitated history of America, but in our lifetimes, it all day every day about whether their kids had never happened before. The last longest were sick at home. And now, in each of the economic expansion in history, the one that last 7 years, we’ve set new records for small consumed the 1960’s from ’61 to ’69, and business formation. The debate’s over, but it ended because we couldn’t reconcile our the American people may not know it. external problems over Vietnam, our internal The previous administration vetoed the problems over civil rights, the economics as- Brady bill on the grounds that it was an in- sociated with it, and the social fabric came fringement on the constitutional right to apart, and I remember how it ended. keep and bear arms and wouldn’t do any I graduated from high school 9 weeks after good because crooks didn’t buy guns at gun Martin Luther King was killed, 2 days after stores, they bought them at gun shows. That’s Bobby Kennedy was killed, 9 weeks after what they said. Now they say they don’t buy Lyndon Johnson said he couldn’t run for them at gun shows, but anyway—[laugh- President anymore because the country was ter]—back then they said they did, and that too divided. A few months after I graduated it was an incredibly burdensome thing, and from college, the last longest economic ex- so they vetoed it. pansion in history ended. We passed it and signed it, and it turned So these things don’t last forever. This is out 500,000 people who were felons, fugi- highly unusual. So the big question in this tives, and stalkers did buy guns in gun stores, election year is, overshadowing everything and we stopped them. And gun crime is else, is: What do you propose to do with this? down 35 percent; homicide is at a 30-year low; overall crime is at a 25-year low, and I have done everything I could do to turn not a single hunter has missed a day in the this country around, to prepare this country deer woods. So the debate is over. We won for a new century, a new millennium. And that debate. We were right, and they weren’t. it’s your turn now. You get to decide. That’s And we raised the standards for air quality, what this election is about. for water quality, for land conservation. We What are we going to do with all this pros- set aside more land permanently in protected perity? Ideas have consequences. It matters. areas than any administration except those What I think we should be doing is taking of the two Roosevelts. And I think we’ve on the big challenges and the big opportuni- proved you can grow the economy and im- ties. I think we ought to say, ‘‘If we could prove the environment at the same time. create the future of our dreams for our kids, I say that not to be self-serving but to say what will we do?’’ I can only tell you what that they are ideas; they have consequences. I think. I think we ought to extend oppor- We need to tell people this. And if you look tunity to the people and places that aren’t at the debate today, you see the same sort part of the recovery. I think we ought to of debate unfold. That’s the first thing I want make a commitment to ending child poverty to say. and giving every family the time and tools So what are the issues today? Well, first it needs to succeed at home and at work. of all, there’s a big issue, huge issue—what I think we ought to make a commitment do you think we ought to do with this situa- to giving every kid a world-class education tion we’ve got in America today? in the public schools and opening the doors Now, in my lifetime, we have never had of college to all Americans. I think we ought at the same time an economy this strong, so to have a commitment to roll back the tide much progress on the social issues, and the of climate change and the environment, and absence of domestic crisis or external threat. to deal with the challenge of the aging of The last time we had an economy this strong America, so we baby boomers don’t burden and a lot of the social indicators were begin- our children and our grandchildren.

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I think we ought to commit to stay on the they’re going to do. And when they don’t, cutting edge of science and technology not we’re usually glad they didn’t. [Laughter] I only to reap the benefits but to deal with mean, aren’t we glad Franklin Roosevelt the most troubling potential burdens that are didn’t balance the budget in the Depression? coming up, including the invasion of our pri- Aren’t we glad Abraham Lincoln didn’t keep vacy by the explosion of information tech- his promise not to free the slaves? I mean, nology. once in a while, it doesn’t happen. But, most- I think we ought to commit to continuing ly, people do. An historian did an analysis to work for one America across all the lines that said I’d kept a higher percentage of my that divide us, and I think we ought to be commitments than the last five Presidents. more involved, not less involved, in all kinds I was proud of that. But people do that. of nonmilitary ways with the rest of the Okay, so what will happen? What is the world. I think the trade agreements we made difference in the economic policy? Well, with Africa, with the Caribbean Basin, with there will be a difference. Al Gore will be China, trying to alleviate the debt of poor for a tax cut that still enables us to invest countries, the money we’re trying to raise to in education and health care and science and develop vaccines for AIDS, TB, and ma- technology and keep paying the debt down laria—these things are all good, and they to take care of the aging of America. And would directly benefit the United States by if you both have a big tax cut and privatize giving us a more peaceful, more free, more a part of Social Security and guarantee the decent world to live in. That’s what I think benefits to all the people that are older, you we ought to be doing. spend all the surplus and then some right Now, how do you tell what to do in an there, before you spend a nickel on anything election, if you’ve decided that? So you’ve else. So we’re going to have a different eco- got to decide what you think of it, that’s what nomic policy. We’re going to go back to see I think. Because I don’t know if this will ever if we can do without these surpluses and bal- happen again in my lifetime, and I’d like to anced budgets. And if you believe both can- see America not relax, not lay down but say, didates are honorable, that’s what’s going to ‘‘This is an unbelievable gift, and we’re going happen. And I do. to make the most of it.’’ There will be a dramatic difference in en- So what does that mean? That means that vironmental policy, if you believe that both you’ve got to decide who’s going to be the candidates will do what they’ve been doing. President, who’s going to get elected to these In the primary, the nominee of the other Senate seats, who’s going to get elected to party promised to reverse my designation of the House seats. What are you going to do over 40 million acres of roadless areas in the if you decide that that’s what you want? national forests, which the Audubon Society Now, there are the following almost cer- says is the most significant conservation move tain consequences to the election, based on in the last 50 years. So there will be a real the differences and ideas. And you don’t have difference there in their attitudes in clean to believe that the two candidates for Presi- air, clean water. How do you reconcile these dent are anything other than good people. conflicts? Yes, I think you should believe they’re both There will be a huge difference in the going to do what they say they’re going to crime policy. You saw what Mr. LaPierre, at do. But you have to believe they’re going to the NRA convention, said—that if they could do what they said they would do in the pri- just get us out of the White House and the mary as well as the general election. [Laugh- Republicans won, they’d have an office in the ter] White House. Now, I don’t know if literally But there’s a lot of studies on this, by the he will; they would probably be a little too way, which show that by and large, even red-faced to do that. But that’s what will hap- though our friends in the press try to con- pen. You can book it, that will happen. vince you that we’re all a bunch of slugs in And it’s not like we don’t have any evi- politics, that Presidents historically have a dence here. You’ve got evidence. You put pretty good record of doing what they say more police on the street. You do things to

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keep kids off the street. You keep the econ- into Bosnia or Kosovo or Haiti or helping omy strong. You try to keep going into these Mexico when they were about to go bank- neighborhoods that are in trouble trying to rupt. And we had a poll that morning that change the texture of them, and do more to said by 81 to 15, the American people didn’t keep guns out of the hands of criminals and want me to do it. There was a real winner. kids. The crime rate goes down, and more [Laughter] But I knew it was the right thing people live. This is not complicated. to do. We had to do it. And they keep talking to me about gun He cast the deciding vote on the economic control. I get tickled—I asked one of these— program, without which we wouldn’t all be I was at a debate the other day. I said, ‘‘You standing around here today. Then he cast the know, there was a constitutional right to keep tie-breaking vote on the—to close the gun and bear arms.’’ I said, ‘‘I don’t think you show loophole and put child safety locks and interpreted it right, but let’s just assume you ban large capacity ammunition clips when did.’’ I said, ‘‘There’s also a constitutional the Senate voted on that. And in between, right to travel.’’ And I’ve exercised it. [Laugh- he’s done a lot of other things. ter] I said, ‘‘Now, when I travel around, I He ran our reinventing Government pro- look, and I see there’s speed limit laws, seat- gram, giving us the smallest Federal estab- belt laws, child safety restraint laws. I never lishment since 1958. The Democrats did hear anybody talking about car control. Do that, not the Republicans—eliminated more you? Now, if I go get your car and put it positions and more programs. And I’ll give in my garage, that’s car control. ’’ [Laughter] anybody here $5 who can name three of the ‘‘But otherwise, it’s highway safety.’’ programs I eliminated. [Laughter] There are There’s a huge consequence here. You’ve hundreds of them. We put the money and got to think about this. There are con- we doubled investment in education with the sequences. In health care there are con- money. sequences. We’re for the Patients’ Bill of He’s managed our environmental pro- Rights, and they’re not. And I’ve been for grams, including our partnership for a new managed care. My record on this is pretty generation of vehicles. He ran our very suc- clear. I’ve said that we couldn’t sustain what cessful program to establish empowerment we were doing in the health care system; zones in poor areas which have created thou- we’d have to manage the system better. But sands and thousands of jobs. Ask Mayor I still think the critical decisions ought to be Rendell; one of them is in Philadelphia. made by the professionals and the patients. He managed a big part of our foreign rela- And the court system will change dramati- tions with Russia, with South Africa, with cally, because there will be somewhere be- Egypt, with a number of other countries. And tween two and four appointments to the Su- you heard what Ed said about the Vice Presi- preme Court. And if you think Roe against dency—I’ve actually done a study of this. Wade should be repealed and that’s an im- Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale were the portant issue for you, then you should vote first two people that ever took the office sys- for them, because that’s what’s going to hap- tematically seriously, in the whole history of pen. And if you don’t, and that’s an important America. I love Franklin Roosevelt, but as issue for you, then you should vote for us. sick as he was, it’s unbelievable he didn’t take So there are consequences. any more time picking Harry Truman and The last thing I want to say is this, to follow didn’t tell him anything. Harry Truman up on what Vance said. I know Al Gore better didn’t even know about the bomb when he than anybody but his wife, I believe—maybe became President. Jimmy Carter and Walter his mother, who will chide me if I claim to Mondale were the first two people who ever know him better than her. [Laughter] She took the job systematically seriously. is an astonishing woman—once practiced law If you look at the whole history of the of- in Arkansas 70 years ago—an amazing fice, Vice President Nixon and Vice President woman. Here are some facts you need to Johnson had more influence than their pred- know. He supported me on every hard deci- ecessors. And then here’s Mondale up here. sion I ever had to make, whether it was going And to President Reagan’s credit, he gave

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Vice President Bush a lot to do and they had more community-oriented; we became more more of a systematic relationship. And then civically responsible; we became more inter- when—and Al Gore and I actually made a ested in opportunity for other people as well study of this, what had happened throughout as for ourselves; and we began to think about history. And I decided that this was crazy; tomorrow as well as today. It wasn’t just me, that, first of all, this guy might be President I was just a part of it. any day now, especially with the kind of mail But you need to really keep that in your I’ve been getting the last—[laughter]—and mind between now and November. This is secondly, why have a person with a lot of a big election. It’s about what we’re going energy and intelligence just hanging around to do with our prosperity. It’s a stern test, waiting to go cut ribbons? ideas matter, and you think we’re right—if And so, I put him to work. And I nearly you can sell that, I’ll feel pretty good about broke him a couple times. I never saw any- the outcome. body work any harder; he’s the only guy I Thank you very much. ever met who worked harder than me. But you need to know that there has never been NOTE: The President spoke at 2:30 p.m. in the anybody in that job who had more of an im- Atrium Room at Key Investment, Inc. In his re- pact on more issues across a broader range marks, he referred to luncheon hosts Vance K. of areas, and that a lot of the success we enjoy and Darin Opperman; Joan Mondale, wife of today would not have been possible if it former Vice President Walter Mondale; State Sen- hadn’t been for him. So there’s nobody that’s ator Steven G. (Sandy) Novak; President Ernesto any better prepared, not only by virtue of Zedillo of Mexico; King Abdullah II of Jordan; past service but by virtue of future orienta- Edward G. Rendell, general chair, Democratic National Committee; Gov. George W. Bush of tion. Texas; Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president, So I realize this is not a big campaign National Rifle Association; and Vice President speech, but you need to think about this. If Gore’s mother, Pauline. somebody says tomorrow, ‘‘Why did you go there?’’ say, ‘‘Well, but first, I’m really con- cerned about what we’re going to do with Remarks at a New Leadership this prosperity. It’s just as stern a test for Network Reception in Minneapolis the country’s character, what you do with June 10, 2000 good times as what you do with bad times. It’s not as if you’ve got a lot of options, and Thank you. Wow! [Laughter] I started off your back is against the wall. Second, ideas today at 5 o’clock this morning in Wash- matter, and there are honest differences be- ington—that’s 4 o’clock your time—and I tween the candidates and the parties. Third, came out to Carleton to give the commence- I think based on the evidence and the argu- ment address. And I came here, and I went ment, I agree with the Democrats, and here to another event. It’s just getting rowdier as are some examples.’’ I go on. You guys are doing great. Now, I hope you can all do that, because I would like to thank my friend and part- this is going to be a close election. And part ner Mayor Rendell from Philadelphia, the of it—in a funny way, we’re almost disadvan- chairman of our party, for coming out here taged by how well things have gone. There with us. And I want to thank Mike—you and are young people who are voting in this elec- Mary and all the people have done a great tion who can never remember a bad stock job with this party—all the sponsors. This is market, never remember high unemploy- just fabulous. And I’m delighted to be here. ment, never remember the kind of social dis- And I want to thank the Fine Line Music cord and rising crime and those kinds of Cafe folks, and all the people who provided things. They just think it happened. It didn’t the music. And I want to thank Senator Paul just happen. Wellstone and Sheila and their kids and And I don’t mean by any stretch that I grandkids—the whole Wellstone family is am solely responsible; that’s not what I mean. here today. And Representative Martin Sabo, America changed in the nineties. We became who’s daughter is also a candidate here today.

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Your State auditor, Judi Dutcher, I want to closely knit community, in which we were thank her for being here. looking outward to the rest of the world and Look, this is a good way to spend Saturday trying to be a force for peace and freedom afternoon. [Laughter] And I realize I, in a and prosperity and decency. And we tried way, don’t need to give a speech because I’m to avoid—[applause]—thank you. What I sort of preaching to the saved here. [Laugh- wanted to say is—and there’s been a lot of ter] But I would like to say a couple of things success. We’ve got the strongest economy in anyway, if it’s all the same to you. I mean, history, and we’ve got a society that’s coming since I’m the only one in my administration together. Crime rate’s down; poverty is or in my house who is not running for any- down; the welfare rolls have been cut in half. thing this year—[laughter]—I’m afraid I’ll We have the highest rate of minority business get out of practice if I don’t get to kind of ownership in history and the lowest minority work out a little. So you all just relax; I want unemployment in history in America. We to give you a little bit. have a lot of things that are moving in the First of all, I want to thank the State of right direction. Minnesota for voting for Bill Clinton and Al So, you say, ‘‘Well, how can the 2000 elec- Gore twice and giving—[applause]. Sec- tions possibly be as important as the ’92 elec- ondly, I want to thank you for fielding com- tion was when we were in the tank, or the petitive candidates for the House and the ’96 election was when people were trying to Senate to help us win back the majority in decide whether to ratify the direction we the United States Congress which we—we were taking?’’ I’ll tell you why—because once could do. in a lifetime do you find a situation like this You know, I think Minnesota is a place in America where the economy is strong, where people know ideas matter. I was here where the society is coming together, where on my education tour not very long ago, and we’ve got a lot of self-confidence. We’re not I went to St. Paul to the first charter school paralyzed by a crisis at home. We don’t feel in the history of the country. And you know, immediately threatened by a crisis overseas, since then, since we got in, there was one even though there are dangers out there. when I became President, and there are now This has never happened before in my life- over 1,700 because we have worked so hard time, and I’m older than nearly everybody to get the point out across the country and in this room. [Laughter] get the word out that our public schools can Now, and I can tell you this—how a coun- succeed, and they can educate our kids. Even try deals with its good moments is just as the kids from the most difficult cir- stern a test of its character as how it deals cumstances can learn if we had the right kind with its crises. So what do you think we ought of educational opportunities for them. to do? I’ll tell you what I think we ought And that to me sort of symbolizes what to do. I think we ought to bring jobs to all Minnesota is all about, high ideals—high the people and places that have been left be- ideals, high standards, practical approaches hind. I think we ought to get rid of child to problems involving everybody. And I just poverty. I think we ought to give every work- want to say to all of you that I think the elec- ing family the time and the tools they need tion we’re about to have is every bit as impor- to take care of their kids, as well as work. tant as the two we just had. Now, in 1992 I think we ought to deal with the fact that the country was in trouble, and everybody when the baby boomers retire, it’s going to knew it. The economy was in bad shape. The impose new burdens on our society. We society was growing more divided. The polit- ought to figure out how to save Social Secu- ical rhetoric in Washington was paralyzed rity and Medicare, provide prescription drug and seemed irrelevant to the way most of benefits to seniors that need it. I think this. us live. I think we ought to prove that we can have And we’ve tried to turn that around. We’ve excellence in every school building in Amer- tried to create a society in which there was ica. I think we ought to open the doors of opportunity for every responsible person and college to every American. That’s what I in which we were coming together in a more talked about at Carleton today. I think we

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ought to roll back the tide of climate change You know, whether it is a big issue like and prove we can create jobs and clean up maintaining our present economic policy or the environment at the same time. going for a tax cut so big that we’ll go back I think we ought to prove we can create to deficits, or a more discrete issue, like rais- a global economy where there’s more trade ing the minimum wage by a dollar over the and there’s higher labor standards and envi- next few years or not doing it, there’s a huge ronmental standards and we put a more difference. And I’m telling you—everything human face on it. I think we ought to keep from the appointment of justices to the Su- working to get rid of all the hatred that still preme Court to our economic and environ- exists in this country, based on race or sexual mental and health care and educational poli- orientation or religion or ethnic background. cies, there is a profound difference. And I think we ought to maintain our in- And it’s not like it was in 1992. In 1992, volvement with the rest of the world for we made an argument, and you gave us a peace and freedom. This is the one-year an- chance. Now, you’ve got running for Presi- niversary, today, of our formal victory in the dent in the Democratic Party, the most expe- conflict in Kosovo, where we stood up against rienced, effective Vice President in history ethnic and religious cleansing and let a mil- who cast a tie-breaking vote on the economic lion people go home. plan in ’93 that got us to where we are today; But this is way more than military; it’s who cast a tie-breaking vote the other day mostly not military. I was ridiculed the other to close a gun show loophole that requires day by one of the leaders of the other party child trigger locks; who has run our em- because we said that AIDS was an inter- powerment program which has brought national security crisis for the United States. thousands of jobs to some of the poorest Seventy percent of those cases are in sub- communities in America; who has managed Saharan Africa. a big part of our relations with Russia, with Now, you tell me—we’ve got a lot of allies South Africa, with Egypt, with other coun- there for freedom and democracy, and you tries; who ran our reinventing Government have people actually hiring two people for program and helped to reduce the size of every job opening because they assume one of them will die in a few months. We have Government, without putting anybody in the armies where the infection rate is 30 to 40 streets, to its smallest size in 40 years so we percent, where a country can collapse on us, could double education funding while we people that we believe in that we’re trying were cutting the deficit. to help. So I’m proud of the fact that I think Now, there has never been anybody that we ought to be investing some of your money had that kind of impact in that job who un- to find vaccines for AIDS, for TB, for ma- derstands the future better. Along the way, laria, for people overseas that need these he continued with his wife to hold every sin- things. I think that’s right. gle year a family conference in Nashville, So here’s the deal. I’m not running, but Tennessee, that dealt with things like family I know a little something about this election. leave, health care for poor children, mental [Laughter] It’s just as important as the other health parity in health insurance policies— two were. If somebody asks you why you’re the kinds of things that families come to grips here and why you’re doing this, you tell them with all the time Al and Tipper Gore have that. It’s a big election. It’s a big test of a been working on for 8 years on their own country how you deal with all these good in a way that has changed the future of Amer- times. And we’ve finally got the chance, a ica and what we’ve been able to do. chance that we have not had maybe in my Now, here’s the thing about elections. lifetime to deal with the big problems out Somebody besides those of us in this room there facing America, to deal with the big today get to vote. [Laughter] And most peo- opportunities out there. And there’s a huge ple who get to vote don’t ever come to an difference between what our party believes event like this. And most people who get to and what our nominee for President believes, vote may never hear me make this case for and what they believe. Vice President Gore or for our candidates

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for the Senate and the House or for the fact dence. Go with the evidence. Go with the that we have honest differences. future. Stick with us, and America will be Then you get these elections where every- in a good place.’’ body is trying to convince you that anybody Thank you very much. that’s not in their party, there’s something wrong with them; there’s something bad. NOTE: The President spoke at 3:44 p.m. at the That’s not true. We just have honest dif- Fine Line Music Cafe. In his remarks, he referred ferences. Most people do what they say to Edward G. Rendell, general chair, Democratic they’re going to do when they get elected. National Committee; Mike Erlandson, chair, and And I’m just telling you, there are huge dif- Mary McEvoy, associate chair, Minnesota Demo- ferences in economics, in health care policy, cratic Farmer Labor Party; Senator Wellstone’s in environmental policy, in the constitution wife, Sheila; and Minnesota State Senatorial can- of the courts. I could go through every issue. didate Julie Sabo. And it’s not like ’92, when we had an argu- ment. You have evidence. We have tested what we believe against what they believe, Memorandum on Actions To Further in ways large and small. None of them sup- Improve the Management of Federal port our economic policy. They said it was Human Resources going to drive the country in a ditch. We now June 9, 2000 know it drove the country to 22 million jobs and the longest economic expansion. Memorandum to the Heads of Executive Most of them were against our crime pol- Departments and Agencies icy, the Brady bill and putting 100,000 police on the streets. They said it wouldn’t do any Subject: Actions to Further Improve the good. They said that all the criminals bought Management of Federal Human Resources guns at gun shows. Now that we’re trying to do a background check at gun shows, they The Federal Government’s most valuable say they don’t buy them there. But back then resource is the talented and diverse group they said they did. [Laughter] So we tested of men and women who work every day to it, and 500,000 guns later not in the hands make a difference in the lives of the Amer- of felons, fugitives, and stalkers; 100,000 ican people they serve. Effective manage- more police on the street, more after-school ment of this workforce is critically important programs for our kids—we’ve got the lowest to accomplishing your agencies’ varied mis- crime rate in over 30 years. This is the right sions and continuing to improve service. thing to do. My Administration has made a significant So go out there and tell people you’re sup- commitment to achieving the highest stand- porting the Vice President and the Demo- ards of human resources management and cratic Party, number one, because they be- accountability for the American people—but lieve in opportunity for everybody and a com- more can be done. To continue to improve munity of all Americans. They’ve got good Government services, we must (1) recognize ideas, and they work; number two, because and reinforce the critical role human re- he had a pivotal role in it; and number three, sources management plays in achieving each because looking to the future, you agree with agency’s mission and strategic planning goals, us. Whether it’s the Patients’ Bill of Rights and (2) maintain and strengthen our vision or getting working families access to health of a diverse Federal workforce that is skilled, care or raising the minimum wage or revers- flexible, and focused on results and service. ing global warming or just continuing to grow To achieve these goals, I direct the heads the economy in a responsible way and reach- of each executive department and agency to ing out to all kinds of Americans to make take appropriate action to: them part of our family, you agree with us. • fully integrate human resources man- And you tell those people that haven’t agement into your agency’s planning, made up their mind, ‘‘Look, there is not an budgeting, and mission evaluation proc- argument now. You’ve got 8 years of evi- esses, and clearly state specific human

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resources management goals and objec- the guidance for this requirement as part of tives in your organization’s strategic and its overall guidance on Annual Performance annual performance plans; Plans. • renew your commitment to recruit, de- William J. Clinton velop, and manage your workforce to ensure high performance; NOTE: This memorandum was released by the Of- • provide for the continued development fice of the Press Secretary on June 12. of a highly competent corps of human resources management professionals to assist agency line managers in ensuring Remarks at a Millennium Matinee at the most effective use of their workforce the White House to accomplish the agency mission. June 12, 2000 To reflect the essential role of effective human resources management in achieving [The First Lady opened the program and in- agency missions, the Interagency Advisory troduced the event’s featured speakers: Group of Federal Personnel Directors, es- Marcia McNutt, president and chief executive tablished in 1954, will be redesignated as the officer, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Human Resources Management Council. Institute; and Neil de Grasse Tyson, associate This Council will continue to: astronomer and Frederick P. Rose director, • provide a forum for communicating and Hayden Planetarium. Dr. McNutt then dis- evaluating Government-wide human re- cussed ocean exploration, and Dr. Tyson dis- sources management policies and shar- cussed space exploration.] ing best practices; The President. Well. [Laughter] I have • promote collaboration across agency a hundred questions. Before I open the floor lines and with the Office of Personnel to questions, I just would like to make a cou- Management (OPM) to foster policies ple of points. and actions to achieve our vision of a First, I want to thank Dr. Tyson and Dr. diverse Federal workforce that is McNutt for truly fulfilling the spirit of this skilled, flexible, and focused on results wonderful old room. It was in this room, on and service to the Nation; and this floor, with maps and books on animal • collaborate with OPM to identify and skins, that Thomas Jefferson and Meriwether address emerging human resources Lewis planned the Lewis and Clark expedi- management issues. tion. They were exploring the far reaches of The Council shall continue to be chaired North America, looking for an ocean no one by the Director of OPM or the Director’s believed at that time you could reach by land. designee and shall continue to include the Today our speakers have taken us on a very senior human resources management official different journey of discovery. They have (or designee) from each executive depart- shown us that new evidence is emerging from ment or agency, including military depart- both the seas and space about so many things ments and defense agencies, and other but, as you have heard, among other things, members as proposed by the Chair. Within about the challenge of global climate change. 30 days of the issuance of this memorandum, Just this morning some of our leading sci- the Director of OPM shall officially redesig- entists released a draft report that provides nate the Interagency Advisory Group of Per- some of the most detailed information yet sonnel Directors as the Human Resources about the potential impacts of global warm- Management Council. ing on our Nation. Some of its findings, be- Beginning on October 1, 2000, and annu- cause it’s a draft, may be revised, but essen- ally thereafter, agency heads shall ensure that tially this report pulls together an enormous human resources management objectives amount of scientific analysis, and as our pre- and means to accomplish these objectives are vious speakers have done, it paints quite a incorporated in their Annual Performance sobering picture of the future. It suggests Plans. The Office of Management and Budg- that changes in climate could mean more ex- et, in consultation with OPM, will provide treme weather, more floods, more droughts,

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disrupted water supplies, loss of species, dan- here in the White House more than 40 years gerously rising sea levels. ago. He’s here today, and I’d like to ask him Now, I have tried for several years to get to stand up. Mr. Walsh. [Applause] I might the United States to respond to do our part. say, he looks fit enough to make the journey We are the largest emitter of greenhouse again. [Laughter] gases in the world. In the next couple of dec- I would also like to recognize the man who ades, China and India will surpass us, unless discovered the wreckage of the Titanic is we all take advantage of the fundamental here, Dr. Bob Ballard. Can you stand up? changes in the nature of the economy to [Applause] prove that we can have economic growth and I want to announce some new steps we’re reduce greenhouse gas emissions. taking. First, three new, first-of-their-kind So it is—if you’ll forgive me, I want to expeditions off the Atlantic, Pacific, and gulf make one earthly plea, which is that the Con- coasts, voyages led by the National Oceanic gress stop blocking our commonsense efforts and Atmospheric Administration in partner- to combat global warming. We need a cli- ship with major research institutions. These mate change on Capitol Hill on this issue. expeditions will allow the first detailed explo- And it should not be a partisan issue. This ration of the Hudson Canyon off New York— is about science. This is about evidence. This it’s an underwater version of the Grand Can- is about things that are bigger than all of us yon, only larger; the Middle Grounds and Big and very much about our obligation to these Bend areas off Florida, which include some children here to give them a future on this of the oldest life forms on Earth, giant tube planet. We are not yet prepared to live under worms—you saw some on the film—up to the sea, as we have just been told. 250 years old; and the Davidson Seamount, I’d also like to make one other announce- an inactive ocean floor volcano off Monterey. ment about ocean exploration. In spite of all In each expedition, researchers will use cut- that we learn today and all that is known, ting-edge deep sea diving technologies and more than 95 percent of the underwater share their discoveries with schools and the world remains unknown and unseen. And public through the Internet. what remains to be explored could hold clues Second, to ensure that these voyages are to the origins of life on Earth, to links to the start of the new era of ocean exploration, our maritime history, to cures for diseases. I’m directing the Secretary of Commerce to The blood of the horseshoe crab, for exam- assemble a panel of leading ocean explorers, ple, provides a vital antibacterial agent. A po- educators, and scientists to develop rec- tential anticancer drug may come from a ommendations for a national ocean explo- deep sea sponge. ration strategy and to report back to me in Two years ago today we held the first Na- 120 days. These steps could bring about, tional Oceans Conference in Monterey, to quite literally, a sea change in our under- bring experts together to chart a common standing of the oceans. agenda for the 21st century. Among the key We must continue as a nation to set out recommendations that grew out of that Con- for new frontiers, whether under the sea or ference was the need to establish a national into the heavens. We must continue to try ocean exploration strategy. to conquer the seemingly impossible, to dis- One of the success stories that has come cover the unimaginable, to find out more out so far occurred half a world away on the about what’s out there and, in the process, Navy vessel, the Trieste, which you saw in about ourselves and what’s here. the video. In 1960 the Trieste went to an I would like to ask the first question, and area called the Challenger Deep in the Pa- then we’ll turn it over to the regular process cific, the deepest spot in any ocean, nearly and the many thousands of questions that 7 miles down. Only two people have been must be out there in this room and beyond there. here. I’d like to ask Dr. McNutt and Dr. One of those brave explorers was a young Tyson what they think the most likely dis- officer named Don Walsh. President covery in the next 10 years in their field is Eisenhower gave him the Legion of Merit that would have a significant impact on how

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we live on Earth or what our understanding to weaken either its space exploration or its of our system is? undersea exploration. I think we should ac- Thank you. celerate it. I think we should invest more You go first. [Laughter] money in it, and I think we should keep pushing the frontiers of knowledge. [Dr. McNutt responded that within the next We just went through a very wrenching decade, hopefully, we would learn to preserve period where NASA had to basically learn the oceans, keeping them healthy and pro- to do more with less. We were trying to get ductive rather than depleting them.] rid of this terrible deficit. Now we’ve got a The President. If I could just emphasize surplus. We’re paying down our national one thing. The point you just made is related debt. We’re investing in our future. And I not only to pollution, to additional pollution think a big part of that investment ought to of the ocean and overfishing but also to cli- be the broadest possible commitment to mate change. When I was in Monterey Bay, science and technology, including vigorous, I saw small creatures right in the bay that vigorous exploration of outer space and the just 20 years ago were 20 miles south. They depths of the ocean. had made their way 20 miles in 20 years, That’s what I believe, and I hope that that these minuscule creatures, because before will be a commitment the American people that it was too cold in Monterey for the crea- will extract from their candidates in this elec- tures to exist. tion season and in every one for the foresee- This is real, and we have got—I hate to able future, because it’s very, very important. keep beating on this, but you know what kids Dr. Sylvia Earle, explorer in residence, Na- used to say several years ago, that denial is [ tional Geographic Society, and director, Sus- not just a river in Egypt. [Laughter] We have tainable Seas Expedition, asked about the got to come to grips with this. And you were possibilities for a 21st century focus on fur- terrific, what you said about it in your presen- ther ocean exploration in contrast to the 20th tation. century focus on space exploration. Dr. Thank you. McNutt responded that the ocean budget was Dr. Tyson. a tenth of the space budget and could not [Dr. Tyson responded that possibly within sustain much of an exploration program at the next decade, evidence found on Mars or its present level.] Europa would help us realize that we are not The President. If I could just say one alone in the universe. White House Millen- word to complement that. My Science Ad- nium Council Director Ellen Lovell then led viser, Dr. Neal Lane is here. We have tried the question-and-answer portion of the pro- very hard to increase the entire budget for gram. The First Lady read an Internet ques- science and technology and especially the re- tion asking the President if sending a manned search budgets. And basically, what happens mission to Mars before 2030 would be an ap- is, we get in this debate with Congress. They propriate national priority.] are more than happy to invest more money The President. Well, let me say, one of in the National Institutes of Health, and the interesting things to me was—about the that’s good. We all want to live forever, even previous discussion—were the comments though we’re not. [Laughter] But there is a— that were made by both our speakers about one of the things that I think needs to be the importance of robotic exploration of the addressed, and we’re trying to right it a little deep sea and outer space and about what here in this last budget process I’ll be a part could be done now with the technology. of—but I’ve been fighting this for 3 years So I would leave the question of that first now. It’s a terrible mistake to think that the to the space program. But if Dan Goldin told only kind of scientific research we need to me that we needed to send a man to Mars be healthy on this planet is in biomedical re- to find out what we need to know, then I search. It’s very important, But to have just would strongly support it, because I think the that and to neglect what we should be doing United States would make a terrible mistake in space, what we should be doing in the

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oceans, what we should be doing with Memorandum on a New Era of nanotechnology, what we should be doing Ocean Exploration with a whole range of other technology-re- June 12, 2000 lated issues, all of which in the end have to be developed if we’re going to know as much Memorandum for the Secretary of Commerce as we can about how to live as long and well as we’d like to on this Earth—it’s a huge de- Subject: A New Era of Ocean Exploration bate. So if any of you can make any contribu- Two years ago, the Vice President and I tion to righting that balance, I for one would joined you, other members of my Cabinet, be very grateful. It’s a major, major intellec- and hundreds of others from across the coun- tual challenge that we face in the congres- try at the National Ocean Conference in sional debate. Monterey. This historic gathering drew to- Again, I say this should not be a partisan gether for the first time representatives from issue. This is a question of what is the right government, industry, and the scientific and way to do the most for our people in the conservation communities to begin charting new century. a common oceans agenda for the 21st cen- tury. [The question-and-answer portion of the pro- At the Conference, I directed my Cabinet gram continued. After a final question about to report back with recommendations for a the possibility of discovering Earth-like plan- coordinated, disciplined, long-term Federal ets associated with other solar systems, Ms. ocean policy. In its report to me last year, Lovell asked the President to conclude the Turning to the Sea: America’s Ocean Future, program.] the Cabinet outlined an ambitious and de- The President. Well, I don’t know what tailed strategy to ensure the protection and to say. [Laughter] You know, if they’re all sustainable use of our ocean resources. I am out there, I hope they have the best of what proud of the actions my Administration is we have and fewer headaches. [Laughter] taking to begin implementing this strategy, Let me say, Hillary and I have enjoyed including the Executive Order I issued last every one of these, but this has been very, month to strengthen our national network of very special. I think our guests were both marine protected areas. terrific and all of you who asked questions. One of the Cabinet’s key recommenda- Albert Einstein once said, ‘‘The important tions was that the Federal Government es- thing is to not stop questioning,’’ which is tablish a national strategy to expand explo- just what they said. So you don’t have to stop ration of the oceans. Although we have questioning, but you do have to stop doing learned more about our oceans in the past it right here because we’re out of time. 25 years than during any other period in his- And I would like to invite all of you to tory, over 95 percent of the underwater join us in the State Dining Room for a recep- world is still unknown and unseen. What re- tion in honor of our guests and all the stu- mains to be explored may hold clues to the dents and everyone else who is here. Let’s origins of life on Earth, cures for human dis- go in there, and you can continue your ques- eases, answers to how to achieve sustainable tions. Thank you very much. use of our oceans, links to our maritime his- tory, and information to protect the endan- gered species of the sea. NOTE: The White House Millennium Matinee, Today, I am announcing steps to imme- entitled, ‘‘Exploration: Under the Sea, Beyond the diately enhance our ocean exploration efforts Stars,’’ the ninth in a series of Millennium pro- and to develop the long-term exploration grams, began at 2:37 p.m. in the East Room at strategy recommended by you and the rest the White House. The transcript made available by the Office of the Press Secretary also included of the Cabinet. Together, these actions rep- the remarks of the First Lady, Dr. Tyson, Dr. resent the start of a new era of ocean explo- McNutt, Ms. Lovell, and the participants in the ration. question-and-answer portion of the program. The First, I am announcing the launch of three program was cybercast on the Internet. new expeditions off the Atlantic, Gulf, and

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Pacific coasts. As you know, these expedi- oceans remotely using new observ- tions, led by the Department of Commerce atories and sensors and other innova- in collaboration with private partners, will tive uses of technology; and allow the first detailed exploration of the 4. Recommend mechanisms to ensure Hudson River Canyon off New York, the that information about newly ex- Middle Grounds and Big Bend areas off cen- plored areas warranting additional tral Florida, and the Davidson Seamount off protection is referred to the newly es- central California. Researchers will employ tablished Marine Protected Area the latest submersible technologies and will Center, and that newly discovered or- share their discoveries with schoolchildren ganisms or other resources with me- and the public via the Internet and satellite dicinal or commercial potential are communications. identified for possible research and development. Second, to ensure that these new expedi- In the early years of the 19th century, tions are only the start of a new era of ocean President Thomas Jefferson commissioned exploration, I am directing you to convene Captain Meriwether Lewis to explore the a panel of leading ocean explorers, educators, American West. What followed was the most and scientists and to report back to me within important exploration in this country’s his- 120 days with recommendations for a na- tory. As America prepares to celebrate the tional oceans exploration strategy. In imple- 200th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Ex- menting this directive, you shall consult with pedition, we have an opportunity to set our the National Science Foundation, the Na- sights on a much broader horizon. The time tional Atmospheric and Space Administra- has come to take exploration farther west, tion, the Department of the Interior, the En- and east, and south, to our submerged con- vironmental Protection Agency, and other tinents. In so doing, we can challenge and agencies, as appropriate. The strategy should rekindle American’s spirit of exploration, consider the full array of benefits that our open up a whole new underwater world of oceans provide, and should support our ef- possibilities, and help preserve our extraor- forts to conserve and ensure the sustainable dinary marine heritage for future genera- use of valuable ocean resources. Specifically, tions. the strategy should: 1. Define objectives and priorities to William J. Clinton guide ocean exploration, including the identification of key sites of sci- entific, historic, and cultural impor- tance; Statement on the Death 2. Recommend ways of creating new of Frank Patterson partnerships to draw on the tools and June 12, 2000 talents of educational, research, pri- vate-sector, and government organi- Hillary and I were saddened to learn of zations, including opportunities for the death of one of Ireland’s greatest ambas- Federal agencies to provide in-kind sadors of music, Frank Patterson. A world- support for private ocean exploration class tenor, Frank brought the joy of classical initiatives; and popular music as well as Irish culture 3. Examine the potential for new tech- into the hearts of millions around the world. nologies—including manned and un- Hillary and I will never forget hearing him manned vehicles and undersea plat- perform at the White House. On behalf of forms—to observe and explore the the American people, we offer our sym- oceans from surface to seafloor and pathies to his family and friends and to the recommend ways to explore the people of Ireland.

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Statement on the Agreement for great, wasn’t he? [Laughter] He owes me a Redress to Victims of Nazi Slave lot, Bob Dole does. [Laughter] I mean, if and Forced Labor it weren’t for me, he’d be just like all us gray- June 12, 2000 haired 50-year-olds, he’d have to pay for his Viagra. [Laughter] We’ve had a lot of fun, I am very pleased that a major hurdle to Senator Dole and I have, in the last 31⁄2 years. agreement on the historic German initiative And we had a little fun before. But I appre- dealing with wrongs arising from World War ciate his coming tonight. II has now been overcome. I am pleased to And I want to thank Father Fluet for his announce that there is now agreement on the prayer and his remarks, quoting that wonder- mechanism for providing enduring and all- ful chapter from Matthew. It so captures the encompassing legal peace for German com- political philosophy of Chris Dodd. He did panies. This is an important day for those ask me, he said, ‘‘You know, Mr. President, victims of Nazi-era wrongs who have waited they say I only have 3 minutes, and I need 50 years for justice. It is also an important more than 3 minutes. Can I have more than day for Chancellor Schroeder and German 3 minutes?’’ I said, ‘‘You’re Chris Dodd’s companies. They have shown remarkable priest. If I could do it, I’d make you a car- leadership in trying to rectify the wrongs dinal’’. I said, ‘‘Take whatever you want.’’ committed during the Nazi era. [Laughter] I hope the German Parliament, whose It’s an amazing crowd of people here to- leaders have been involved in these negotia- night and not all of them want to be Vice tions, will be able to complete their work on President. [Laughter] But a lot do. I just legislation expeditiously so that payments to want to say, this really says something about the victims can begin this year. Chris Dodd. In addition to Senator German-American relations are based on Lieberman and Senator Daschle and Rep- our common commitment to human dignity resentative DeLauro here, we either have coming from a shared history of democracy now, or we have had—because some of them for over 50 years. This unique German initia- had to leave and go vote—listen to this: Sen- tive, reaching out to victims of the 20th cen- ator Lautenberg from New Jersey; Senator tury’s most horrible tragedy, will convey dra- Reed from Rhode Island; Senator Reid from matically to the entire world Germany’s com- Nevada; Senator Akaka from Hawaii; Senator mitment to justice and human rights. Our Wellstone from Minnesota; Representatives countries are entering the new millennium Larson, Maloney, and Gejdenson, obviously together determined to protect the inviola- from Connecticut; Representative Pelosi bility of human dignity. from California, who just came in; Rep- resentative Chet Edwards from Texas; Rep- Remarks Honoring Senator resentative Sherrod Brown from Ohio. Those Christopher J. Dodd are just the ones I saw. June 12, 2000 Now, what does that tell you? They want Chris Dodd’s contributor list. [Laughter] Thank you very much, Rosa. I want to I want to say a couple of things very briefly. thank you and Stan for your friendship, and First, I would like to associate myself with I want to thank you for being graceful every good thing that’s been said about Chris enough not to say that in 1980, when Chris Dodd tonight. I want to thank, on behalf of Dodd got elected, I became the youngest ex- myself and Hillary, Chris and Jackie, for Governor in the history of America. [Laugh- being such good friends, for the private time ter] we’ve spent together—time playing golf, I want to thank Chris and Jackie for trust- time just having dinner, time talking about ing me to get up here at the podium tonight. our family, our friends, our dreams. And Senator Daschle and Senator I want to thank Chris Dodd for making Lieberman, thank you for what you said and it possible for the first bill I signed as Presi- for your friendship. Boy, ol’ Bob Dole was dent, over 7 years ago now, to be the family

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and medical leave law. He introduced me to- things have happened in this country in the night to the woman who, with her child, in- last 4 years because of what you did. spired that law in his mind and heart. I like And lastly, I think someone ought to re- a person who believes politics is about flesh mark more explicitly on one of the reasons and blood, people and how they live, their for your remarkable blend of quality. You are hopes, their dreams, what they try to make to the very core of your being—and notwith- of themselves and their children. standing the fact that you know more about And you may remember that the Demo- Latin America than anybody in the Con- crats had passed that law in the previous ad- gress—completely, irrevocably, Irish. ministration, and it had been vetoed. And I [Laughter] Now, as an apostate Irish Protes- promised and made it an issue in the ’92 cam- tant, whose people come from Fermanagh, paign. I said, ‘‘I want to sign this bill. I want just across the Republic’s border into North- it to be the first bill I sign.’’ And I listened ern Ireland, it has been my great good for- to all that whining about how, you know, this tune to involve the United States in the Irish is going to be a terrible burden on small busi- peace process. You will never know how many times ness, and we were going to bankrupt the along—[applause]—thank you. You will economy, and how awful it would be. 1 never know how many times along the way, And 7 ⁄2 years later, and 22-plus million including sometimes calling me from the jobs later, we’ve set records for small busi- west of Ireland, where he has a place, at all ness formation in every year, and over 20 mil- hours of the day or night, Chris Dodd and lion of our fellow citizens—over 20 million— I have talked about Ireland—all the things have been able to take a little time off when we have said in good times and sometimes a baby was born or a parent was sick, thanks the unprintable things we said in the difficult to the fact that Chris Dodd didn’t give up times; how many times I’ve called him just in the face of a veto, an opposition, and all to sort of check, just to make sure I had it that rhetoric. It changed America. right, that I wasn’t misreading the tea leaves And I believe that one of the things we and the incredible, emotional complexity of ought to be doing with our prosperity now Irish politics. is building on the work he did with the child I say that because any Irish person with care tax credit and the family and medical any sense knows that the only things that leave law, because the idea behind it is a very count in life are affairs of the heart and that simple but powerful one, which is that we if you’re blessed by God with a pretty good ought not to ever ask an American to choose mind, it’s only supposed to be used to have between succeeding at work and succeeding a better understanding of the human heart at the most important work of all in life, rais- and what counts. ing your children. Thank you, Chris, for giv- So for all your gifts, my friend, for all the ing us that—[inaudible]. things you’ve learned in life with its ups and I want to thank Secretary Daley and Sec- downs, the thing which brings you to this retary Richardson for coming. I don’t know night with your optimism intact, with your if they want to be Vice President or if they energy still high, with your wonderful wife, just want Chris to take care of them after and this legion of friends, is that in the very the next election. [Laughter] But they love best sense you were faithful to the idea of you, too. the Irish. You have followed your heart, and I want to thank you for agreeing to become the world is a better place, and your friends chairman of the Democratic Party after the are all richer. We love you very much, and Republicans won the Congress in ’94, and we thank you. everyone said we were dead, that we, generi- NOTE: The President spoke at approximately 10 cally, and me, specifically, and you didn’t be- p.m. in the Ballroom at the Mayflower Hotel. In lieve it. And you went around and gave hope his remarks, he referred to Representative Rosa and cheer and energy and fight and courage L. DeLauro, who introduced the President; Rep- to people when all the pundits said we were resentative DeLauro’s husband, Stan; Senator history. I thank you for that. A lot of good Dodd’s wife, Jackie Marie Clegg; former Senator

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Bob Dole; and Father Gregoir Fluet, who gave they’re in HMO’s, to see a specialist, to go the invocation. The evening’s program was enti- to the nearest emergency room, to maintain tled, ‘‘A Salute to 25 Years of Service—An Anni- continuity of care if they change jobs—if versary Gala Honoring Senator Christopher J. they’re in a cancer treatment, for example, Dodd.’’ or in the process of having a baby—and they have a right to hold their health plans ac- Remarks on Medicare Prescription countable. Drug Coverage But yesterday the Supreme Court—I’ve got this headline here that’s in all the pa- June 13, 2000 pers—‘‘HMO Ruling Passes Debate Back to Well, Ruth, this is the most laughs we’ve Congress.’’ The Supreme Court ruled yester- had in this room in a long time. [Laughter] day, I believe unanimously, what we all knew, You can come back tomorrow and the next which is that only Congress can provide to day and the next day. [Laughter] the American people in HMO’s a com- She made the trip all the way from Idaho prehensive Patients’ Bill of Rights. here. She had bad weather in Chicago last Now, we’ve been fighting this battle a long night. This is hard. She went to a lot of trou- time. And there’s, obviously, I think—there’s ble to come here. Let’s give her another a clear majority in the House for a good bill, hand. Let’s thank her very much. [Applause] and we failed by only one vote in the Senate I want to thank Secretary Shalala for her this week. We think there’s a majority there, work on this. And Congressman Strickland, if we can ever get a clean shot. So we’re going thank you, sir. And I especially want to thank to keep working. But I just want to empha- Senator Max Baucus who has been on this size, the Supreme Court now has removed issue of the particular impact of the prescrip- any doubt that this can be handled anywhere tion drug problem on rural seniors for a very but Congress. long time now. Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage I’d also like to introduce the other Mem- bers of Congress who are here from rural Now, the same is true about dealing with America: Behind me, Congressman John this prescription drug issue. They have be- Baldacci from Maine; Congressman Marion come an indispensable part of modern medi- Berry from Arkansas; Congressman Leonard cine. But more than three in five seniors in Boswell from Iowa; Congressman Chris John America on Medicare now lack dependable from Louisiana; Representative Paul insurance coverage for the drugs that could Kanjorski from Pennsylvania; Representative lengthen and enrich their lives. And as the David Minge from Minnesota; Representa- report we’re releasing today shows, the situa- tive Ciro Rodriguez from Texas; Representa- tion of rural seniors is even worse. tive John Tanner from Tennessee; Rep- Now, you heard Ruth talk about her situa- resentative Jim Turner from Texas; and Rep- tion. We know that rural seniors have a hard- resentative Bud Cramer from Alabama. I er time getting to a doctor or a pharmacy. think that’s everybody. Let’s give them a They’re just further away. We know they’re hand. They’re all on our side. [Applause] much less likely to have HMO’s or other in- surers willing to offer reasonably priced cov- Patients’ Bill of Rights erage; they don’t have economies of scale. We’re involved in two or three great health Yet, more often they are in poor health and care issues here in this millennial year, and in need of prescription drugs than their I want to talk about, obviously, the one that urban and suburban counterparts. we came to talk about, but there was a very As a result, rural seniors and rural people important decision yesterday by the Supreme with disabilities spend 25 percent more out- Court on HMO’s that I would like to just of-pocket for the prescriptions they need. mention briefly. They are 60 percent more likely not to get We—those of us that have been pushing those drugs at all. You remember what Ruth a strong Patients’ Bill of Rights—believe said, that she knew people who could not Americans should have the right, even if afford to fill the prescriptions their doctors

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had ordered them to take. And it is important strengthen and modernize Medicare to keep to emphasize that, depending upon the size it efficient and solvent, to add more years of the monthly bill, this could be true not to the Trust Fund so that we can begin to only for low income seniors but also for mid- absorb the baby boom generation. dle income seniors. There’s growing bipartisan support for This report could not be more timely, be- prescription drug action this year, and that’s cause we—you can’t go vote yet; I’m nearly good. But I’m quite concerned that the pro- done. [Laughter] This is amazing to me that posals the House Republicans intend to put we’re even having this debate. We’ve got a forward today won’t help the Americans who strong economy. We’ve got a big projected need it the most. Today—and let me just de- surplus. We know that the surplus will be scribe why, and think about the story you revised upward by some amount in the so- just heard Ruth Westfall tell. Today’s report called midsession review that’s coming just on the special needs of rural seniors makes a few days from now. Now, there is no excuse it clear that we need a benefit that’s available not to do this right, not to provide prescrip- for all older Americans. My understanding tion drug coverage under Medicare. is that the latest Republican proposal relies If we were starting Medicare all over on a private insurance model that has already again, everybody knows we’d do it. It’s just failed rural Americans. that it was created in 1965 as basically a prob- You just heard her say that she couldn’t lem for serious medical emergencies and for afford Medigap. And there are tons of people doctors, for hospitals. In the last 35 years in this country who can’t afford the Medigap there’s been a sea change in what pharma- insurance policy. Most people with gray hair ceuticals can do to keep people healthy, to out in this audience are now nodding their keep people living, to keep people out of the head vigorously—I hope the press has picked hospital. So the real question is, are we going that up. Rural Americans, by and large, can’t to do now what we would have done in 1965 afford Medigap insurance. It makes no sense if we’d have the tools then that we have now, to use something that’s failing today as our and are we going to do it in the right way model for tomorrow, especially when we do and provide it as an optional benefit to all not have to do it. the people on Medicare? That’s what we We ought to ensure that any plan benefits think we ought to do. the people who need prescription drugs as And I believe it’s very important that we much as it benefits the companies who sell not provide a prescription drug benefit that the drugs. We have reached across party lines is some sort of faint hint at doing what needs before. We passed the Kennedy-Kassebaum to be done and that would wind up being bill to allow people to take their health insur- nothing more than a broken promise to a lot ance with them when they change jobs. We of our seniors. I think we need a bottom- passed the Children’s Health Insurance Pro- line, simple, straightforward plan that all sen- gram as part of the 1997 Balanced Budget iors have a chance to buy into. You heard Act, which has provided millions of children Ruth say she didn’t mind paying a little bit in lower income working families access to of a co-pay, making a contribution. But peo- health insurance. We can do this. ple like her need access to this plan. But there’s no point in telling the Amer- Now, my budget proposal would extend ican people we’re doing something that turns the lifeline of optional prescription drug cov- out to be a fraud. And there’s no point in erage to all seniors by allowing them to sign pretending that only poor seniors need this up for drug coverage through Medicare. No help. That is not true. This is a need that’s matter where they live, how sick they are, out there for people, based on the size of they would pay the same premiums. The plan their medical bills as much as on the size would use price competition, not price con- of their monthly income check. And to say, trols, to give seniors everywhere the best pre- ‘‘Well, we’re going to spend a little bit of scription prices. It would help cover the ex- money and take care of the very poorest sen- penses of seniors who face catastrophic costs iors, but anybody else we’re going to put in and is part of an overall plan that would some private insurance market that is already

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a proven failure’’—that the insurance compa- tive Office Building. In his remarks, he referred nies themselves, to their credit, say will not to Medicare recipient Ruth Westfall, who intro- work—is a bad mistake. duced the President. I think we ought to be helping people like Ruth Westfall. I sat there listening to her Statement on Senate Action on a talk. She said she was proud of the life that she and her husband built. They worked hard National Blood Alcohol Content so that they wouldn’t have to depend on Standard To Combat Drunk Driving other people, so they wouldn’t be a burden June 13, 2000 on other people. I can tell you that that story is a story that the baby boom generation I applaud the Senate Appropriations Com- wants to tell when we all get retired. And mittee for passing an important amendment as the oldest of the baby boomers, I can tell that will help put the brakes on drunk driving you it’s a story that we worry about all the across the country. I strongly support Senator time not being able to tell, because there are Lautenberg’s amendment that would help so many of us. create a national standard for impaired driv- Now, there’s no point in letting politics or ing of .08 blood alcohol content (BAC). This ideology get in the way of the manifest need is a reasonable, commonsense standard that of the seniors of this country and the disabled could save an estimated 500 lives a year, Americans who have access to Medicare to while still permitting adults to drink respon- get these prescription drugs. And we’re not sibly and moderately. 1 broke now. I’ve worked real hard for 7 ⁄2 Together, we have made great progress on years to make sure I didn’t leave us broke reducing drunk driving in America. In 1999 when I finished. We’ve got a good surplus. the number of people killed in alcohol-re- And if we were in deficit and trying to do lated crashes hit a record low. But we still this, I could understand why we would say, lose far too many American lives to drunk ‘‘Well, we can’t help everybody, so we’ll just drivers: one American is killed in an alcohol- help a few.’’ But that’s not the situation. We related crash every 33 minutes. Over 15,700 can afford to do this right. And we must not Americans lost their lives in alcohol-related pass a plan that claims to offer something crashes in 1999 alone. We simply must do to everybody and is a false hope to most and, more. therefore, inadequate. So I want to ask you all to remember this Senator Lautenberg’s .08 BAC legislation fine woman that hauled herself all the way will help build on our efforts to keep drunk here from Idaho. And she’s still vigorous. drivers off our streets. I commend Senator She’s still got a lot to give, and there’s mil- Lautenberg for his continued leadership in lions like her out there, and we owe it to this area, and Transportation Subcommittee them to do the right thing. And I want you Chairman Shelby for including this bipar- to stick with these Members of Congress be- tisan, life-saving amendment in the FY 2001 hind me. I thank them for being here. Let’s Transportation Appropriations bill that get this done this year. passed in the full Appropriations Committee Thank you very much. today. I urge the Congress to act quickly to pass this legislation to save more lives by NOTE: The President spoke at 10:15 a.m. in Presi- making .08 BAC the legal limit across the dential Hall in the Dwight D. Eisenhower Execu- country and without further delay.

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Proclamation 7322—225th sands of soldiers whose sacrifices have kept Anniversary of the United States our Nation free. As we mark the Army’s Army 225th anniversary, I ask all Americans to join June 13, 2000 me in reflecting with pride and gratitude on the contributions of the loyal and courageous By the President of the United States men and women who have served in the of America United States Army to preserve our liberty, uphold our values, and advance our interests. A Proclamation Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, On June 14, 1775, the Second Continental President of the United States of America, Congress authorized the enlistment of ten do hereby proclaim June 14, 2000, as the companies of riflemen in Maryland, Pennsyl- 225th Anniversary of the United States Army. vania, and Virginia as the first units of the I urge all Americans to observe this day with Continental Army. Few could have foreseen appropriate programs, ceremonies, and ac- that this small band of citizen-soldiers would tivities that celebrate the history, heritage, lay the cornerstone of freedom for our Na- and service of the United States Army. tion and the foundation for what would be- In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set come the finest army in the world. my hand this thirteenth day of June, in the For 225 years, in war and in peace, every year of our Lord two thousand, and of the generation of American soldiers has served Independence of the United States of Amer- our Nation with unwavering courage, skill, ica the two hundred and twenty-fourth. and commitment. The first soldiers of the Continental Army gave life to the United William J. Clinton States of America in 1776. In the following [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, century, the Army protected our new coun- 8:45 a.m., June 15, 2000] try’s frontiers and preserved our Union through the terrible strife of the Civil War. NOTE: This proclamation was published in the In the 20th century, American soldiers Federal Register on June 16. fought and died in two World Wars to defend democracy and win the global struggle against fascism. And, for the last half of the Message to the Congress 20th century, in Korea and Vietnam and Transmitting a Report on the Wekiva throughout the dark decades of the Cold River and Tributaries in Florida War, our Army shielded the free world from June 13, 2000 the forces of communism and ensured the triumph of democracy. To the Congress of the United States: Today, the men and women of America’s I take pleasure in transmitting the en- Army—Active, National Guard, and Re- closed report for the Wekiva River and sev- serve—continue to advance our Nation’s in- eral tributaries in Florida. The report and my terests around the world. Across the globe, recommendations are in response to the pro- in the face of aggression, tyranny, and de- visions of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, spair, our soldiers have responded as allies, Public Law 90–542, as amended. The Wekiva liberators, and humanitarians. All Americans study was authorized by Public Law 104–311. rightly take pride in this truly American insti- The National Park Service conducted the tution and its enduring strength and vitality. study with assistance from the Wekiva River In the Roosevelt Room of the White Basin Working Group, a committee estab- House, the flag of the United States Army lished by the Florida Department of Envi- stands proudly, bearing 173 streamers that ronmental Protection to represent a broad mark the battles fought and won. From Lex- spectrum of environmental and develop- ington in 1775 to Southwest Asia in 1991, mental interests. The study found that 45.5 these colorful banners are a striking visual miles of river are eligible for the National reminder of the U.S. Army’s glorious history Wild and Scenic Rivers System (the ‘‘Sys- and a silent tribute to the hundreds of thou- tem’’) based on free-flowing character, good

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water quality, and ‘‘outstandingly remark- roic work in raising money for all our con- able’’ scenic, recreational, fish and wildlife, gressional candidates. Thank you, Lucille, for and historic/cultural values. your leadership. Almost all the land adjacent to the eligible Unlike Congressman Kennedy, I am going rivers is in public ownership and managed to introduce the Members of the Hispanic by State and county governments for con- Caucus here because, unlike Congressman servation purposes. The exception to this pat- Kennedy, I need them to vote for me several tern is the 3.9-mile-long Seminole Creek that more times this year. [Laughter] So since is in private ownership. The public land man- we’re all standing up already, I’d like to ask agers strongly support designation while the them to raise their hands as I call their private landowner opposes designation of his names. If I miss anyone, don’t be bashful: land. Therefore, I recommend that the 41.6 Solomon Ortiz from Texas, there he is; miles of river abutted by public lands and Xavier Becerra from Los Angeles—[inaudi- as described in the enclosed report be des- ble]—Ed Pastor from Arizona; Nydia ´ ignated a component of the System. Semi- Velazquez from New York; Bob Menendez nole Creek could be added if the adjacent from New Jersey, Bob; Carlos Romero- ´ landowner should change his mind or if this Barcelo from Puerto Rico—[inaudible]— land is ever purchased by an individual or Ruben Hinojosa from South Texas, there he conservation agency who does not object. is; Silvestre Reyes from El Paso, there he The tributary is not centrally located in the is; Ciro Rodriguez from Texas—Ciro, where area proposed for designation. are you?—Charlie Gonzalez from San Anto- I further recommend that legislation des- nio; Grace Napolitano from California, there ignating the Wekiva and eligible tributaries she is back there; and for me, at this par- specify that on-the-ground management re- ticular moment, most important of all, be- sponsibilities remain with the existing land cause day before yesterday he had his first manager and not the Secretary of the De- hole in one, Representative Joe Baca from partment of the Interior. This is in accord- California. And he is so shameless about it ance with expressed State wishes and is log- that, if you doubt it, he is carrying the au- ical. Responsibilities of the Secretary should thentic certificate proving that he is. [Laugh- be limited to working with State and local ter] partners in developing a comprehensive river Ladies and gentlemen, I will be brief. management plan, providing technical assist- Members have to go to a vote in a few min- ance, and reviewing effects of water resource utes. I want to first of all thank all of them, development proposals in accordance with because without them, nothing that we have section 7 of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. accomplished—the Vice President and I, in We look forward to working with the Con- our administration—would have been pos- gress to designate this worthy addition to the sible. We carried an economic plan in 1993 National Wild and Scenic River System. by one vote, which set off this economic ex- plosion we’ve enjoyed in the last 8 years. It William J. Clinton would not have been possible without the The White House, Hispanic Caucus. June 13, 2000. And whether it was on our welfare policy, where we said: We are for work, but we’re also for family; require people to work who Remarks at a Democratic can work but don’t take the food stamps and Congressional Campaign Committee the medical care away from the poor chil- Hispanic Caucus Reception dren—the Hispanic Caucus made it possible June 13, 2000 for us to hammer out that compromise. On crime, on education, on every single issue, Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Thank they were there. And we do—we have the you for being here. Thank you for your sup- lowest Hispanic unemployment ever re- port for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. corded, the lowest poverty rate among His- I want to thank Patrick Kennedy for his he- panics in a generation, a 250 percent increase

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in SBA loans to Hispanic-owned businesses, cation. I think we ought to take on these big and as it’s already been said, the largest num- challenges. ber of Hispanics in high positions in our ad- And while it is now fashionable for both ministration and in our courts in history. parties to court the Hispanic vote—indeed, Now, what I want to say to you is, elections both candidates speak Spanish and love to are always about tomorrow, not about yester- do it—I hope very much that I am the last day. If we did a good job, after all, it’s just President in American history who can’t what you hired us to do. I remember once speak Spanish. I think from now on everyone I was asking a guy to vote for me for reelec- will have to speak Spanish. [Laughter] And tion as Governor of Arkansas. And I said, within a year or 2, when I get a little private ‘‘Well, don’t you think I’ve done a good job?’’ time, I may be able to speak Spanish, too. He said, ‘‘Sure you have, but you got a pay- I’m going to work on it. [Laughter] check every 2 weeks too, didn’t you?’’ He But what I want to say to you is, there said, ‘‘That’s what I hired you to do.’’ [Laugh- is a difference. There is a difference in the ter] Congress, and there is a difference in the What I want to say to you is that I think race for the White House. One party sup- the outcome of these elections for Congress ports the Patients’ Bill of Rights, and the and the outcome of the election for the Presi- other opposes it. One party is for raising the dent are every bit as important as the elec- minimum wage, and the other is not. One party is trying to expand health insurance tions of 1992 and 1996. I worked very hard coverage to poor working families, and the when this country was in trouble to turn it other has not endorsed it. One party wants around, to put the economy, to put the peo- a big tax cut that will keep us from paying ple of this country first, to, in the words of down the debt; the other party—ours—we my ’96 campaign, build a bridge to the 21st want an affordable, middle class tax cut that century. will enable us to continue to pay down the Now the great test the American people debt and invest in the education and health face is, what is it we intend to do with our care and future of our children. good fortune, with this moment of possi- We all say that we favor broad participa- bility? I think we ought to use it to meet tion, but I’ll just give you one example. I the big challenges of the country. I think we named an Hispanic lawyer from El Paso, ought to use it to keep paying down the debt, named Enrique Moreno, to the Federal to keep the prosperity going but to extend Court of Appeals. He graduated summa cum the prosperity to people and places who have laude from his university. He graduated near been left behind. I think we ought to give the top of his class in law school. A panel tax incentives to investors who invest in the of State judges in Texas said he was one of poor areas of America the same incentives the three best lawyers in his part of the State. we give them to invest in poor areas in Africa He got the highest rating from the American and Asia and Latin America. I think that’s Bar Association. But the two Republican important. I think we ought to make after- judges from Texas—Senators from Texas— school care and preschool universal for all said he wasn’t qualified to sit on the Court of our children who need it. I think we ought of Appeals. And I haven’t heard a peep, I to have—I think we ought to modernize our might add, out of any of the other elected schools and ensure they’re all hooked up to Republicans in Texas about this. the Internet. I think we ought to provide So I say to you, there’s a difference. There more options for working families to get is a difference. And sometimes it can be as health care. We ought to pass the Patients’ stern a test of a country’s character and judg- Bill of Rights. We ought to allow working ment, how it handles its prosperity as how families whose children are in our Children’s it handles its adversity. After all, when the Health Insurance Program to buy into it American people took a chance on me in themselves. We ought to have middle class 1992, we had our backs to the wall; we were tax relief for long-term care, for child care, in trouble. And people were willing to let and to help all families pay for a college edu- us make a few changes. Now, the danger is

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that people will think, ‘‘Oh well, this econ- when they got married because I needed him omy has been so good, so long, nobody can around for the rest of my life. [Laughter] And mess it up’’—[laughter]—or that everybody they have been so wonderful to all of us who seems so nice, nobody can do anything too are their friends, and I thank them for doing bad. There is a difference. These people this. should be in the majority in the House. We Mr. Mayor, I’m glad to see you. And Coun- should hold the White House. We should win cilwoman, I’m glad to see you. And Secretary the Senate. Herman, I’m glad to see you. Secretary And you can go and tell people, ‘‘Look, Herman and Eleanor and I, we sort of, in it’s not as if they’re taking a big chance. our different ways, tried to help the adminis- You’ve got evidence now. We were divided tration of Jimmy Carter. So we go back a all the way along on economic policy, on long, long time. crime policy, on welfare policy, on education I just want to say a few words tonight about policy, on environmental policy. And the evi- Washington. First of all, I’m very proud of dence is in. And the ideas are out there. The our Mayor, who was, in his previous life, a best days of this country are still ahead. The member of my administration. I have always best days for Hispanic America are still loved Washington. You know, I’ve had a lot ahead. But we have got to make the right of homes in my life. I grew up in Arkansas, choices.’’ and I went to law school in Connecticut. Ev- You made a good investment coming here erybody knows now I’ve got a home in New tonight, and I want you now to make your York, which I’m very proud of. It’s getting investment good by taking every opportunity, better every day. [Laughter] Fixing a 111- every day, between now and November, to year-old farmhouse is almost as challenging make the same arguments, in your own way, as winning a Senate seat. [Laughter] But I I made to you tonight. hope and pray we’ll be successful at both. Thank you, and God bless you. But when I was a young man, I went to college in Washington. And I worked on the NOTE: The President spoke at approximately 7:50 Hill every day. I lived in the District all 4 p.m. in the Chinese Room at the Mayflower Hotel. In his remarks, he referred to Representa- years I was in college. I love this city. I saw tive Lucille Roybal-Allard. it burn after Dr. King was killed. I used to drive up and down those avenues, and I saw those empty storefronts. You know, I didn’t Remarks at a Reception for Delegate know then, obviously, I would ever be Presi- Eleanor Holmes Norton dent. Eleanor says she knew a long time ago. June 13, 2000 I really think when I announced for Presi- dent my mother was the only person who Thank you. Well, if I had any sense, I thought I could win. [Laughter] wouldn’t say a word. [Laughter] Thank you. But I always promised myself, if I could Let me say, first of all, I want to thank ever do anything for this city I would, be- Vernon and Ann for once again proving one cause it was plainly, in some ways, the most of their most endearing and enduring virtues: beautiful capital in the entire world. It was They stick with their friends. And Eleanor full of people from all over the world. It had is their friend. We have all been friends a a rich and textured history that deserved to long time, and Hillary and I have known be nourished, a lot of things people don’t Vernon for a long time. When I was a 32- even know about. You know, we have a na- year-old Governor, I went to Vernon Jordan’s tional historic site here in Anacostia that is Urban League banquet speech in Little Frederick Douglass’ home, that he lived in Rock, stayed up half the night talking to him. from after the Civil War until he died, that Hillary had already known him for years. In I urge all of you to go see, if you haven’t. fact, she never lets me forget. [Laughter] I’ll flak for the National Park Service a little. And I would be less charitable, however, So when I became President, before I was than Eleanor was. I think Ann actually saved inaugurated, I took a walk down Georgia Vernon’s life. [Laughter] I was delighted Avenue. And I talked to the merchants there,

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and I talked to the people on the street. I what we can do to make this the city it ought was always looking for things I could do. to be. Eleanor and I were joking today—she went I keep telling the American people, as I jogging in a campaign event for me in 1992. travel around the country now, that in so In the pouring rain, we were running up many ways the election of 2000 is as impor- Pennsylvania Avenue together. I never will tant as the elections of ’92 and ’96, and in forget that. And because she’s been where some ways, a sterner test of our judgment she’s been, it’s been possible for me, I think, and character. Because when I got elected, to be a pretty good friend and a pretty good the country was against a wall, and it didn’t citizen of Washington, DC. But if she hadn’t take too much for them to take a chance on been there, if she didn’t have the enormous me. You remember me; President Bush re- credibility she has in the Congress, among ferred to me as the Governor of a small both Republicans and Democrats, and if she southern State. [Laughter] And I was so didn’t have an idea a minute—[laughter]— dumb, I thought it was a compliment. then all these things that I have been able [Laughter] And I still do. [Laughter] to do, I could not have done. Someone could But anyway, we knew we had to do some write a whole chapter on my service as Presi- things that were different. We knew we had dent to Washington, DC, in two words: Yes, to take a chance. We knew we had to kind Eleanor. [Laughter] And if it were to be four of break out of the mold of the way business words, it would have to be: Yes, Eleanor; yes, was conducted in the city. But now the test Eleanor. [Laughter] is, what is it that we propose as a nation to We had a great time together, and it’s been do with this prosperity of ours? Anybody a joy. Now we’ve got this great Mayor who that’s over 30 years old has got sense enough is inspiring so much confidence and broad- to know that nothing goes on forever. And ening the base of support for the city, and anybody over 30 years old can remember at there’s so much more to be done. But I least one time in your life when you made would hope that every American would want a mistake, not because things were so bad the United States Congress and the private but because things were so good you thought sector and everybody else to do whatever we there were no consequences to the failure can for Washington. It ought to be the great- to concentrate. est city in America. It ought to be the great- est capital in the world. It’s full of wonderful So I hope one of the things that we will people and wonderful neighborhoods and think about—those of us in this room, at wonderful possibilities, and we have really least—in this election season, is how impor- just begun to do what we ought to do. tant it is to use this moment to finish the I hope someday that she’ll actually have job for Washington, DC, and to make it the a real vote in the Congress, too. And that greatest city of any national capital in the we’ll have representation in the other House world. We can do this. We have the local of the Congress. I hope that will happen. leadership now. We have the idea machine— But I just want all of you to know that [laughter]—beloved of all Members of Con- I’m grateful to you for helping her, but I gress. If as many Republicans liked me as know, I think I know that your presence here liked her, they’d repeal the 22d amendment. means you’re also committed to helping [Laughter] make DC an even greater city, an even better We can do this. But remember, you don’t place to live, an even more admirable Na- want to be sitting around in somebody’s liv- tional Capital. And believe me, for those of ing room 10 years from now and thinking, you who were here, like me, in the early and ‘‘Gosh, I wish I had done this, that, or the mid-sixties, it’s stunning, the difference. But other thing for Washington.’’ So let’s make if you know the city, if you know all its neigh- sure we truly honor Eleanor by having no borhoods, if you know all its schools, if you regrets about how we use this magic mo- know every little nook and cranny of it, you ment. know we’ve only scratched the surface of Thank you very much.

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NOTE: The President spoke at 9:40 p.m. at a pri- to fully fund the national gun enforcement vate residence. In his remarks, he referred to re- initiative. ception hosts Vernon and Ann Jordan; Mayor Of course, no society can prevent every Anthony A. Williams of Washington, DC; and tragedy or outrage, but we can save lives with Linda W. Cropp, chair, Council of the District of Columbia. a combination of new commonsense gun laws and enhanced enforcement of the laws al- ready on the books. We’re going to have to Remarks on Medicare Prescription do this in a bipartisan manner, if it’s going Drug Coverage and an Exchange to get done, and to recognize the American With Reporters people want both strong enforcement and June 14, 2000 strong prevention. Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage The President. Good afternoon. Senator Daschle, Representative Gephardt, Secretary Now, back to prescription drugs. The Shalala, and I have just met with these lead- American people here have also made their ers of organizations representing America’s intentions clear. Our seniors want affordable, seniors, people with disabilities, and commu- dependable coverage for the prescription nity pharmacists. We spoke about the great medications that lengthen their lives and im- need for Congress to give all Medicare bene- prove its quality. That’s the message we ficiaries an affordable prescription drug op- heard yesterday from Ruth Westfall, a retired tion. We spoke about the merits and the teacher from rural Idaho, the message I shortfalls of new legislative proposals on pre- heard from leaders I met with a few mo- scription drugs now emerging in the House. ments ago. That’s certainly what Senator Daschle and Republican Gephardt are hear- Funding for Enforcement of Gun Laws ing from their constituents and what they’re Before I go into the details of the discus- fighting hard for up on the Hill. sions this morning, I want to briefly touch All the leaders here today recognize that on another pressing priority before the adding a voluntary prescription drug benefit House, funding for enforcement of our gun is not just the right thing to do; medically laws. speaking, it’s the smart thing to do. No one For years, the Republican leadership has creating the Medicare program today would emphasized the importance of enforcing our think of doing so without prescription drug gun laws as a reason for opposing other com- coverage. Prescription drugs now can accom- monsense gun safety measures. Yet they have plish what once could be done only with sur- failed so far to put their money where their gery. words are. Today a House appropriations That’s why we have proposed the com- committee appears to be on the verge of ap- prehensive plan to provide a prescription proving a bill that absolutely guts our admin- drug benefit that is optional and accessible istration’s proposal for the largest gun en- to all our seniors; a plan that ensures that forcement initiative in history. all older Americans, no matter where they Incomprehensible though it may be, their live or how sick they are, will pay the same bill fails to provide any funding at all to hire affordable premiums; a plan that uses price 1,000 new State and local gun prosecutors competition, not price controls, to guarantee to help take gun criminals out of our commu- that seniors will get the best prices; a plan nities and put them behind bars. It under- that would cover catastrophic drug costs, as mines our efforts to replicate the success of well as regular drug bills; a plan that is part Richmond’s Project Exile, another key initia- of an overall effort to strengthen and mod- tive the Republicans have always said they ernize Medicare, so we won’t have to ask our support. And it fails to provide funding to children to shoulder the burden when the expand research and development of smart baby boomers retire. gun technology. There is growing bipartisan support for I ask the Republican leadership to reverse prescription drug action this year, and that’s the current course, to live up to the rhetoric, good. But the leaders and advocates here

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today are still concerned that the proposals Now, I would like to introduce Martha the House Republicans are putting forward McStein, the incoming chair of the Leader- later this week will not ensure that all seniors ship Council of Aging Organizations, the have an affordable prescription drug option. president of the National Committee to Pre- We have grave concerns because the Re- serve Social Security and Medicare. Ms. publican plan builds on the already flawed McStein was Acting Commissioner of the So- private Medigap insurance market. As re- cial Security Administration during the cently as yesterday, the insurance industry Reagan administration, after a very distin- reiterated its belief that a Medigap insurance guished 39-year career with the agency. In model simply will not work for prescription 1965 she served as one of the first regional drug coverage—the insurance industry, administrators of the Nation’s then new itself, has said this repeatedly—and that pri- Medicare program. Today she’s here to speak vate insurers will not willingly participate in about why it is so important that we mod- such a program. Even if some private insur- ernize Medicare with an affordable prescrip- ers do participate, the premiums inevitably tion drug benefit for all. will be higher than those under a Medicare Martha. drug plan. Yesterday you heard Ruth Westfall [At this point, Ms. McStein, Representative say what I have heard countless seniors say, Richard A. Gephardt, and Senator Tom that they can’t afford the Medigap coverage Daschle made brief remarks.] that presently is offered. We have grave concerns because the Re- Los Alamos National Laboratory publican plan relies on a trickle-down Q. Mr. President, let me ask you about scheme that would provide a subsidy for in- Los Alamos, sir. Are you satisfied with the surers and not a single dollar of direct pre- explanations you’ve had to date about the mium assistance for middle class seniors. We missing computer disks? have grave concerns because the so-called The President. First of all, this is a very choice model offered by the Republicans serious issue, and I think what we have to breaks up the pooled power of seniors to pur- do is to get an answer. I’m gratified that Sen- chase drugs at the most affordable prices, ator Baker and former House Foreign Affairs forcing insurers to constrain costs by restrict- Committee Chairman Hamilton are going to ing seniors’ choice of drugs and choice of look into this. The FBI is looking into it. And pharmacies. I think it’s very important that it be treated Republicans and Democrats alike say they as a serious matter and that the investigation support an affordable drug benefit for our continue. seniors. But let’s be clear. A private insurance model simply cannot guarantee affordable Trofimoff Espionage Case coverage for all. To make the promise of af- Q. Mr. President, what have you been told fordable coverage real for all older Ameri- about this arrest in Florida today in this new cans, there must be a true Medicare drug espionage case and the extent of the damage option. alleged to U.S. national security interests? If the proposal the Republicans release The President. Nothing yet. later this week gives all seniors the ability to choose an affordable, defined, fee-for- Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage service drug benefit under Medicare, even Q. Mr. President, on prescription drugs, if it’s just one of several options, that could you announced a couple weeks ago, with Mr. certainly serve as a foundation for a bipar- Hastert, an urban renewal bill, that you said tisan agreement on this issue. But anything had worked out in a very bipartisan manner. less would be an empty promise. Have you made any effort to address pre- Working together, reaching across the scription drugs in a bipartisan manner to aisle, we can use this time of unparalleled bring to the table? prosperity to do the right thing by our sen- The President. Sure. Sure. And I’ve iors. We should do it this year for their sake talked to them, and I still have some hope and for the sake of the future of Medicare. we can do it. But so far, their philosophically

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opposed, apparently, to a program that’s run Los Alamos National Laboratory through Medicare, number one, and number Q. One more on Los Alamos. Are you still two, that is made available to all seniors. And confident in Secretary Richardson’s leader- the problem is, if you only make it available ship in the Energy Department? to seniors below a certain income ceiling, like The President. Yes. I think since the re- 150 percent of poverty, you leave about half view was done before the general security the seniors out who really need it, number problems, that the Energy Department has one. And number two, as I said, the Medigap done a lot to improve the overall procedures. programs that are out there now are not par- But we don’t have the answers we need on ticularly affected. There are lots of Ameri- this issue. This is a very serious issue, and cans that cannot afford the private Medigap that’s why the FBI’s looking into it and why insurance that’s offered now. I have asked Senator Baker and Representa- So if you go back and look at my statement tive Hamilton to look into it, as well. I think carefully, I tried to offer another olive they’re both widely respected as experts in branch. I said, if we would have—if they the area and also as being fair-minded. want to offer a number of options to people, So I think we’ll get some more indications and one of those options is a true Medicare there. We’ve just got to see this through. It’s program that is available at the same price a serious matter, and I don’t think any of to all seniors, then we could talk and we us need to be characterizing anything until could do some business. And I still hope we we know what happened. can have a compromise. I don’t want to be uncompromising but neither do I want to Korean Summit hold down a false hope to the seniors. I don’t Q. What did you think of the Korean sum- want to tell them we’re doing something mit, sir? when we’re not doing it. The President. I’m very, very pleased. So part of this is perhaps a philosophical You know, for years—as long as I’ve been difference, but what I suggested in my re- here, anyway—I’ve tried to get the North marks is that maybe we could come up with Koreans to speak with the South Koreans, an agreement where they let our plan be without an intermediary, including the available, and we let some other plans be United States. So I’m very pleased by this, available, and we just see which one worked and I think the communique is hopeful. better. Now, they’ve got a lot of work to do, and it’s just a first step, but it’s clearly a move Middle East Peace Process in the right direction. And everyone else in Q. Mr. President, you’re meeting tomor- the world should be encouraged by this. This row with Chairman Arafat. Has anything in is a good thing. the talks this week led you to believe that Q. [Inaudible]—think it’s significant that the Israelis and Palestinians may be closer the two heads —— to a Camp-David-style summit, and will that Q. Does this arrest in Moscow, sir, raise be on the agenda tomorrow? questions about Mr. Putin and his commit- The President. Well, obviously, I’ve never ment to press freedom? ruled that out, but I think we need to get The President. Excuse me, I’m sorry. On the parties a little closer before we can go that, I think we can’t know yet. They talked there. We don’t have a lot of time. We’re about family reunifications. That’s a huge down to all the hard issues now, and we’re first step. That’s a good thing. working on it. I’m hopeful, but I don’t want Now, go ahead. to hold out false hopes. I don’t know that I can tell you anything other than that I think Freedom of the Press in Russia we are making steady progress. We’ve seen Q. The arrest in Moscow, sir, of the media the narrowing of some of the gaps, but I don’t critic of Mr. Putin—does that raise questions know that we’re ready to have the final meet- in your mind about his commitment to press ing yet. freedoms?

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The President. Well, I made a very strong mitment to consumer protection—with the statement when I was in Moscow about this, newest technologies, we can achieve the full and I think, in a way, if anybody ought to measure of the benefits that E-commerce have credibility to defend the freedom of the has to offer. My congratulations to the press, I should. [Laughter] So I did, and I Democratic and Republican leaders of the will continue to. conference committee who worked together If there is some other reason for the ar- to forge this landmark legislation. rest—I don’t know what the facts are, I don’t think we necessarily know all the facts, but I do not believe people should be arrested Statement on House of solely because of what they say in exercising Representatives Action on Labor, their role as members of the press. I don’t Health and Human Services, and believe that. And I think the United States Education Appropriations has to take a very firm position on that. I Legislation do not believe democracy is weakened by dis- June 14, 2000 sent, even if it is unfair and sometimes even if it’s false, because I think in the end, if Today the House of Representatives nar- the debate is open, the people usually get rowly passed on a partisan vote the Depart- it right. That’s why our democracy is still ments of Labor, Health and Human Services, around here after over 200 years. Education, and related agencies appropria- Thank you. tions bill. This legislation fails to address crit- ical needs of the American people and short NOTE: The President spoke at 2:55 p.m. in the changes our efforts to help our students Roosevelt Room at the White House. In his re- achieve higher standards in the classroom. marks, he referred to Medicare recipient Ruth The House bill invests too little in our Westfall; former Senator Howard H. Baker, Jr., schools and demands too little from them. and former Representative Lee H. Hamilton, ap- It fails to strengthen accountability and turn pointed to lead a Presidential Commission to in- around failing schools, reduce class size, pro- vestigate possible security breaches at the Los Ala- vide funds for emergency repairs and ren- mos National Laboratory; and Chairman Yasser Arafat of the Palestinian Authority. A reporter re- ovating aging schools, sufficiently expand ferred to Col. George Trofimoff, USA (Ret.), who after-school opportunities, help prepare low was arrested in Florida on June 14 and charged income students for college through GEAR with espionage. UP, and programs to improve teacher qual- ity, and help bridge the digital divide. It underfunds child care and fails to adequately Statement on House of invest in Head Start. This bill also cuts fund- Representatives Action on Electronic ing for public health priorities, including Signatures Legislation mental health and substance abuse services, June 14, 2000 family planning, health care access for the uninsured, nursing home quality, family care- I am pleased that the House today adopted giver support, and infectious diseases. the electronic signatures conference report In addition, the bill makes deep cuts in by an overwhelming vote. I expect similar worker training programs and cuts programs support in the Senate for this bipartisan that ensure safe and healthy workplaces, en- agreement and look forward to signing this force domestic labor laws, and help address key legislation into law. child labor abuses at home and abroad. Re- This historic legislation will ensure that our grettably, the bill also includes language pro- consumer protections apply when Americans hibiting the Department of Labor from final- do business on-line. It will encourage the in- izing its standard to protect the Nation’s formation technology revolution that has workers from ergonomic injuries. helped lower inflation, raise productivity, and A bill that fails to provide key resources spur new research and development. By for education, child care, worker training, marrying one of our oldest values—our com- and other priorities is unacceptable. If it

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were presented to me in its current form, Remarks Prior to Discussions With I would veto it. I continue to hope my admin- Chairman Yasser Arafat of the istration can work with Congress on a bipar- Palestinian Authority and an tisan basis to develop a bill that strengthens Exchange With Reporters our country’s education system, adequately funds public health priorities, addresses the June 15, 2000 needs of our Nation’s workers, and provides Middle East Peace Process for other important national priorities. The President. Good morning, everyone. I’m delighted to have Chairman Arafat and Message to the Congress his team back here again, and I’m looking Transmitting a Report on forward to our conversation. Proliferation of Weapons Q. Do you fear that the Palestinian track of Mass Destruction is in danger of collapse, Mr. President? The President. No, I think it’s an impor- June 14, 2000 tant moment, and we just have to keep work- To the Congress of the United States: ing on it. Enclosed is a report to the Congress on Q. Mr. President, are you going to put any Executive Order 12938, as required by sec- pressure on the Palestinians concerning the tion 204 of the International Emergency third redeployment, which is supposed to Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1703(c)) happen on the 23d of this month? and section 401(c) of the National Emer- The President. What I would like to do gencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1641(c)). today is just get on to our business and our conversation and not say very much. If we’re William J. Clinton going to make peace, we’re going to have to deal with the difficult issues, and the less The White House, we say now, the better, I think. June 14, 2000. Q. Mr. President, President Arafat was re- ported to be very upset with the way the Israelis are handling the negotiation. What Message to the Congress on is your assessment now, especially as time Continuation of the National is running out before the deadline of Sep- Emergency With Respect to the tember 13th? Lapse of the Export Administration The President. I don’t think I should Act of 1979 characterize what’s going on. I can only tell June 14, 2000 you that I want to finish the job, and I’d like to see it finished on time. To the Congress of the United States: As required by section 204 of the Inter- NOTE: The exchange began at 9:44 a.m. in the national Emergency Economic Powers Act Oval Office at the White House. A tape was not (50 U.S.C. 1703(c)) and section 401(c) of the available for verification of the content of this ex- National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. change. 1641(c)), I transmit herewith a 6-month peri- odic report on the national emergency de- Remarks at the White House clared by Executive Order 12924 of August Strategy Session on Improving 19, 1994, to deal with the threat to the na- Hispanic Student Achievement tional security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States caused by the lapse of June 15, 2000 the Export Administration Act of 1979. Thank you very much, and good afternoon. I have received a good report on what you William J. Clinton have done so far, and I want to get right into The White House, our program, but I would like to make a few June 14, 2000. remarks first. I’d like to thank Governor

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Glendening and Senator Bingaman and Con- California, the Vice President and I did, with gressman Hinojosa and Guillermo Linares our first NetDay. and Secretary Riley for joining us, along with We’ve made it possible for over 90 percent our other panel members. of our schools in very low income areas to And I’d like to thank Congressman Joe have at least one Internet connection be- ´ Baca, Carlos Romero-Barcello for being cause of the E-rate program that the Vice here. I think Congressman Reyes from Texas President and I fought very hard for in the is on the way. And I want to welcome Mayor Telecommunications Act in 1996. And we Beverly O’Neill from Long Beach, and espe- have more than doubled college aid in the cially Lieutenant Governor of California last 7 years, the biggest expansion since the Cruz Bustamante, who is here. And I’d like GI bill 50 years ago. In all these areas, I actu- to thank Maria Echaveste and Mickey Ibarra ally believe we have more to do. from the White House for the work they have We also, as all of you know, put in place done on this, along with all the others who a Hispanic Education Action Plan that in- have worked so hard. cludes, this year, a $436 million increase for This is very important to me. One of the programs to improve Latino student out- things that I have learned traveling America comes. And I want to double that investment. is just how diverse Hispanic America is, This strategy of investing more and demand- something that a lot of Americans don’t really ing more is working. Test scores are up across know yet. I think there is a common core the country; more students than ever are of values around family and community and going to college. If we just keep it up, we’ll work and faith, but Hispanic America is really take this country and all its children growing more diverse every day with dif- where we want to go. ferent challenges and, unfortunately, still dif- Unfortunately, that progress is threatened ferent opportunities. There are still a lot of by the education bill that the House Com- gaps that we all want to close. Most of them mittee passed yesterday, or that the House are narrowing, but we’ve still got a lot of work passed yesterday. I think it demands too little to do. accountability, and I know it puts in too few Last August the First Lady hosted the resources. It, in my judgment, underinvests first-ever White House Conference on His- in everything from after-school programs, panic Children and Youth. And today we’re which we have taken from $1 million to over following up on that Conference by setting $400 million in just a 31⁄2 years. And if that forth specific goals and an agenda for closing bill were to come to my desk, I would have the student achievement gap over the next to veto it. But I hope we can work with Con- 10 years in ways that we can all be held ac- gress on a bipartisan education bill. We’ve countable for. had some success in recent years, and I am The first step to closing that gap is to be- confident we will this year. lieve, as I do, that high expectations are for I’d like to talk, just a moment, about what all students. I believe intelligence is equally many of you already know, which is that His- distributed throughout the world, but oppor- panic students are sharing in this academic tunity is not. And the same is true within success, but still, too many are lagging behind our own country. in ways that I find deeply troubling. Today For over 7 years now, we’ve pushed hard I’m releasing a study by my Council of Eco- for higher standards, for more choice, for nomic Advisers, which shows that the aver- greater accountability, and for more support age educational level of native-born His- for children and teachers and parents and panics has increased substantially over the schools who need it. We have hired nearly last several decades, and the gap between 30,000 new, highly trained teachers now, on Hispanics and whites has declined. the way to our goal of 100,000 more teachers Compared to 1993, Hispanic students are to lower class sizes in the early grades. We’ve scoring higher on math tests; greater per- connected about three-quarters of our class- centages are completing high school, grad- rooms to the Internet; that’s up from 3 per- uating from college, and getting advanced cent in 1994, when we started in northern degrees. However, there’s some bad news in

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this report, because the need for education for people in the 15 percent income tax is growing even faster. For example, since bracket, which is a very, very important pro- 1993, the percentage of Hispanics with 4 or posal. And it could make it possible for even more years of college has increased but only more of our young people to go to college by about 2 percent. Over the next decade, and for more of our families to afford it. the number of jobs requiring at least 4 years So today, we know what we have to do, of college will more than double. and we know we can do it. And what I think The study shows that Hispanics, who rep- is always helpful is to translate what we wish resent 11 percent of our work force, hold to do into specific goals. So I think we ought down just 4 percent of the jobs in informa- to adopt five specific goals to close the His- tion technology, jobs that pay much more panic student achievement gap over the next than average in the area where jobs are grow- 10 years. ing most rapidly. Every American should be First, let’s make sure that in 10 years, concerned about that gap. When the fastest young Latino children are enrolled in quality growing demographic group in our country early childhood programs at the same rate is underrepresented in the fastest growing as other Americans. Second, let’s make sure employment sector, it means less opportunity that in 10 years, every Hispanic student grad- and a violation of the values that we all share. uating from high school will have demon- It also means that, sooner or later, our econ- strable proficiency in English. Third, let’s omy will have a shortage of highly skilled make sure that in 10 years, there is no gap workers where we really need them. in test scores and other assessments between One other finding in the report bears men- Hispanic students and their peers. Fourth, tioning because it will inform the debate let’s make sure in 10 years, 90 percent of we’re going to have today. The problem is Latino students complete high school. And not that Hispanics are not choosing careers fifth, let’s make sure that over the next dec- in key industries like information technology. ade, the percentage of Hispanic students who In fact, according to the report, Hispanics earn college degrees will double what it is who graduate from college enter the infor- today. mation technology industry at about the same Now, these goals are specific and ambi- rate as non-Hispanics and earn about as tious but clearly achievable. If we are serious, much. The problem, therefore, quite simply, we have to do something about meeting is that not enough Hispanics are getting col- them. This morning the Secretary of Edu- lege degrees. That can be remedied only by cation released the first of what will be an- raising the educational achievements of His- nual reports measuring progress in Hispanic panic students in schools, beginning in pre- student achievement. We also need an entity school years, continuing into adulthood, and outside electoral politics to keep a national by making sure that no person is ever denied spotlight on these goals, because they should access to college because of cost. be the Nation’s goals, without regard to We know that the achievement levels can party. be raised. The question is whether we have Today I’m happy to announce the creation the will to do what we know works. If we’re of such an entity: the 2010 Alliance, a part- going to set high expectations of students, nership among a wide variety of Hispanic or- we must have high expectations of ourselves ganizations, including La Raza and the Na- to do what it takes to make sure all of our tional Association for Bilingual Education students can make the grade. and corporate and non-profit groups, from We know that we can make college more the Ford, Irvine, Kellogg, and Hazen Foun- accessible. That’s what the HOPE scholar- dations, to AT&T, GM, Univision, and State ships do, the Direct Student Loan Program, Farm. the lifetime learning tax credit. But I think The alliance will be, as they say, in your we ought to do more. I have got a proposal face. [Laughter] It is designed to remind the before Congress to give up to $10,000 of tui- Nation of these goals and to spur commit- tion tax-deductible status every year and to ments, specific ones, at every level of govern- do it at a 28 percent income tax rate, even ment and the private sector to help to meet

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them. I’m happy that a number of organiza- moved, soberly and realistically, to improve tions have already committed to taking spe- relations with the North. President Kim and cific steps to help achieve the goals. I have consulted very closely on this issue, The Discovery Channel will publicize the and I look forward to supporting his future goals in public service announcements to run initiatives toward lasting peace and full rec- on its Discovery and Espanol Network. The onciliation. educational software firm, Lightspan, is teaming up with the Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide special Statement on Senate Action on a software and Internet access for computers National Blood Alcohol Content in HUD neighborhood centers in Hispanic Standard To Combat Drunk Driving communities. Many other organizations, June 15, 2000 from the American Library Association to the Hispanic Radio Network, also are contrib- Today the Senate took an important step uting. forward to keep drunk drivers off our Na- Closing this achievement gap is a chal- tion’s streets. I congratulate the Senate for lenge that may seem daunting now, but it including a lifesaving measure championed will seem inevitable once we do it. And when by Senators Lautenberg and Shelby to set we do it, if we work hard, stay together, and a national standard for impaired driving at stay focused on the goal, America will be a .08 blood alcohol content (BAC) in the better, stronger place in the 21st century. Transportation appropriations bill that Thank you very much. passed today. This reasonable standard will I’d like now to introduce Governor Parris save hundreds of lives and prevent countless Glendening of Maryland, who increased his injuries each year—and it should be put in State’s investment in education by $600 mil- place across the country without further lion and doubled funds to build and mod- delay. I strongly urge the Congress to pass ernize schools in his first term in office. In a final Transportation spending bill that in- more ways than I can count right now, since cludes this important initiative. Working to- he’s been Governor, Maryland has been on gether, we can help put the brakes on drunk the forefront of change in our Nation. And drivers and make our streets safer for Ameri- I wish every State would follow Maryland’s cans across the Nation. lead. Governor. Remarks to United States NOTE: The President spoke at 2:48 p.m. in the East Room at the White House. In his remarks, Dream Academy Participants he referred to Guillermo Linares, Chairman, June 15, 2000 President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans. The President. Thank you. Well, good afternoon. Statement on the Korean Summit Audience members. Good afternoon. June 15, 2000 The President. First, I want to say, Prin- cipal Jones, thank you for having us here. The historic summit between President My great friend Representative Eleanor Kim Dae-jung and Chairman Kim Chong- Holmes Norton—there is not a better Mem- il marks an initial, hopeful step toward peace ber of Congress than Eleanor Holmes Nor- and reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula. ton, you should be very proud of her. I welcome the agreements the two leaders I thank all the representatives of the DC reached on humanitarian and economic co- government that are here. Can you hear me? operation and on a future summit in Seoul, Is this on? and hope that both sides will continue down Audience members. Yes. this promising path. I applaud Kim Dae- The President. No, it’s not on, but you jung’s persistence and wisdom as he has can hear me anyway? [Laughter] Whoever

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controls this, turn it up! [Laughter] Turn the but character-building and the importance of sound up. That’s a little better. maintaining good health. Let me say a special word of appreciation I worry about how many kids in our to my long-time friend Wintley Phipps. You schools in disadvantaged neighborhoods heard the story of how I met him. I’m glad never get a chance just to learn about the his family is here today. And I guess you’re basics of good health. I’ve seen all these all his family, in a way. But when I met him physical education programs and music pro- in Alabama a long time ago, he may not have grams and art programs cut out of our known who I was, but once I heard him sing schools over the last decade because of finan- and I saw the expression on his face, I knew cial problems they’ve seen, and I thank you I’d never forget him again for the rest of my for giving these kids a whole education and life. a chance to be whole people. I want to thank the U.S. Dream Academy And of course, I want to say a special word and all of you who are its partners; a special of thanks for having an Internet-based cur- word of appreciation to the staff, the stu- riculum. These children need to be part of dents, the teachers at the Ferebee Hope the information society. I have seen the Community Services Center and Elementary power of the Internet in the poorest villages School. I thank you all for helping these chil- of Africa and India and Latin America. I have dren through this wonderful program to real- talked to children all over the world on the Internet, and no child in America should be ize their dreams and their God-given poten- without its blessing. tial. You know, the entire Encyclopedia Eleanor Roosevelt once said this: ‘‘The fu- Britannica is now on the Internet. In schools ture belongs to those who believe in the in the poorest parts of this country, schools beauty of their dreams.’’ We are here today where they have no building as nice as this because Wintley Phipps believed in the one, if they have an Internet connection and beauty of his dream, believed that all chil- a printer, they can have textbooks as good dren, given the right support, could realize as anyone else, thanks to the miracles of their dream. That’s why he founded the modern technology. These children deserve Dream Academy, to give children who have it, and all of the children of America deserve fallen behind a chance to catch up and soar it. And so I thank you. ahead and to pay special attention to children Now, what I would like to say, especially whose parents were incarcerated. for the benefit of the members of the press You know, I used to tell people all the who are here covering this, is that this is not time, when they said to me when I was a just a feel-good program. It works. In the Governor, ‘‘Why are you for all these edu- last year, math and reading scores are up cation programs in the prisons and all these sharply. Suspensions are down. Class attend- training programs and all these treatment ance is up, which shows that more and more programs?’’ And I said, ‘‘Well, first of all, 90 of these young people understand the impor- percent of those folks are going to get out tance of going to school, staying in school, some day, and we want them to be good citi- and doing well in school. This works. zens. And secondly, if they’d had these things I thank Wintley for pointing out that this in the first place, a lot of them wouldn’t be program receives funding from the Depart- in there.’’ ment of Labor. And I’m happy to report that And so I want to thank the people associ- another $200,000 will be granted over the ated with this Academy for helping give near- next 2 years because of what you’re doing. ly three-quarters of the students at Ferebee I know you’ve gotten money from energy a chance to live their dreams. I want to thank companies, from the NFL, from other places, the parents who are involved. I want to thank and I want to thank all the people who have everybody who give these children the learn- given you private money, as well. ing environment, the personal attention, the I think we ought to be thinking about how academic tools they need. I want to thank we can make sure these kinds of opportuni- you for teaching not only academic subjects ties are available to all of our children. I think

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that means that, as Wintley goes national, the emy; number three, I want to support you, National Government ought to go with him but I believe what you do for these children, and help him all across the country. But it somebody should do for every child in the also means that we have to continue our ef- United States. forts for smaller classes, for better school And finally, again, I want to say to the buildings, to make sure all our classrooms are American people through our friends in the hooked up to the Internet, to make sure press, this is not just a feel-good program; every child who needs it has access to an this works. Every person who ever amounted after-school or a summer school program, to to anything in life did so with a dream. We make sure that all kids have access to pre- need to make all of our kids believe they can school programs, to make sure every low per- dream and that their dreams are just as wor- forming school has the resources it needs to thy as anybody else’s dreams and that, if turn around. Because I believe that intel- they’re willing to work at it, their dreams are ligence is evenly distributed throughout the just as possible as anyone else’s dreams. human race, opportunity is not, and we need Thank you, and God bless you all. to give them a chance to do it. I believe every child from a disadvantaged NOTE: The President spoke at 6:15 p.m. in Mitch- neighborhood should have access to a mentor ell Hall Auditorium at Ferebee Hope Elementary who can say to that child, ‘‘Look, if you take School. In his remarks, he referred to Lester these courses and do this well, you can go Jones, principal, Ferebee Hope Elementary to college. Here’s the proof of it. Here’s the School; and gospel singer Wintley Phipps, founder money. Here’s the scholarships. Here’s the and director, United States Dream Academy, a pilot program designed to help children of impris- loan. Here’s the aid.’’ We need to make sure oned parents acquire basic learning skills, incor- that all kids can do it, and then when they’re porating mentoring and on-line academic support. of age, we need to make sure the doors of The President also referred to NFL, the National college are open to all of our people. Money Football League. should never keep anybody from going to school. One of the things that I’m proudest of is Remarks at a Reception for Mayor that since I’ve been President, we’ve had the Anthony A. Williams of the District of biggest expansion of college aid since the GI Columbia bill 50 years ago. And if we get the provision June 15, 2000 passed that I’ve asked this Congress to adopt, we’ll allow every family to deduct up to Thank you. You know, when the Mayor $10,000 of college tuition from their income said he was going to run for Mayor, he was tax every year, and that will be good. absolutely terrified about making a political One other thing I’d like to say—I’m sure speech. I think he’s about got the hang of you never have it here—but I’ve noticed in it, don’t you? [Laughter] I thought it was my own home that the children sometimes great. know more than the adults, even the teach- I want to thank him and Diane for their ers, about the technology. I’m sure you’ve willingness to serve. I want to thank Greg never seen that here. [Laughter] But we just and Kathy and the others who put on this have provided over $120 million to make sure event tonight, and Ron and Beth for opening that nearly 600,000 teachers are properly their home once again for an imminently trained to make the most of this Internet worthy cause. I want to thank Senator Dole technology, because I think that’s important. or President Dole or Bob—[laughter]—for What I came here today to say is this: being here and for speaking, and Jack Kemp Number one, I am grateful to God that who came and left. And Judge Webster, somehow 10 years ago I ran into Wintley thank you for being here. Phipps, who didn’t know who I was, but I I’d like to thank all the Republicans and determined I’d never forget who he was; Democrats and the independents who are number two, I am grateful to him and to all here in support of our Nation’s Capital to- of you who have done the U.S. Dream Acad- night. I will be very brief but, I hope, to the

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point, because I’ll be moving out of Wash- countries. Senator Dole and I did an event ington in a few months. But when I moved the other night, and he said he was glad that here, I had very rich memories because I the event could be scheduled on a night had gone to school in Washington, and I lived when I was visiting America. [Laughter] And in Washington for 4 year in the mid-sixties. I took it pretty well, considering I was jet So I was here when the city burned. I was lagged. Actually, I thought it was pretty here when the city’s main thoroughfares funny. were often full of empty stores. I’ve seen it But I’ve been to all these other capitals. at its best, at its worst, and at its in-between. You know, I’ve been to Paris. I’ve been to When I came back here and Hillary and London. I’ve been to Moscow. I’ve seen the Chelsea and I moved into Blair House in the billion-dollar restoration of the Kremlin, 3 weeks before I took office, one of the first which is breathtaking, if any of you ever get things I did was to walk down Georgia a chance to see it. But there is no capital Avenue and meet with the merchants and city in the world as beautiful as Washington. talk to them. And I always wanted to have And there is no city now that is any more a chance to be a good citizen of Washington, diverse. DC. Yes, we’ve still got a lot of these problems, I worked with Senator Moynihan and oth- but what Tony Williams did was to prove that ers who were rebuilding Pennsylvania the Mayor’s Office was a job, a very impor- Avenue and was proud to be there at the tant job, a job that required vision and lead- dedication of the Reagan Building, which I ership as well as management skills, but a think has been a wonderful addition to this job where arithmetic still counted, a job great city. I went with Steve Case not very where it still mattered if you showed up for long ago to a high school here to talk about work and really worked hard, all day, every how we could improve the quality of edu- day, a job where it mattered if you treated cation with technology. everybody just the same, whatever their race I was, just today, with Reverend Wintley or political affiliation. And because all of us Phipps, whom a lot of you know, at the U.S. love the District of Columbia, he enlisted in Dream Academy here in Washington, doing an overwhelming response by being extraor- wonderful work giving kids from very tough dinarily good at doing what he’d be the first backgrounds a chance to have a better life. to tell you he simply should have done. I love this place. And I was honored that we And now that we have the kind of leader- had a bipartisan big block of support for the ship that he has given our city, I want to legislation to revitalize DC. ask all of you, when I’m gone from here and Essentially, what we did was, we took— I’m no longer a citizen of this city, it will the Federal Government assumed the func- always be a big part of my childhood, always tions that the DC government was having to be obviously the major part of my adult life pay for, that no other city in America had and service, but we can make this city in to pay for because all the other cities had every way the finest capital in the world and a State to pay for it. We’ve also provided big a good place for all the children who live tuition support for DC students to go out in it. And ironically, in order to do one, we of State to school as in-State students and have to do the other. tried to provide some initiatives to encourage We owe it to this man to help him, not more private investment here, as well as to just with contributions but every day. No one have the Government do more directly. And could ask for more from a Mayor than he we’ve got a lot more to do, and I hope in is giving us. We have to be willing to give the next 6 months, working with Speaker whatever he asks from us. Hastert and others, you will see a big bipar- Thank you very much. tisan initiative which will lead to more invest- ment in the District of Columbia. So I hope NOTE: The President spoke at 7:39 p.m. at a pri- that will happen. vate residence. In his remarks, he referred to But you know, it has been my great honor Mayor Williams’ wife, Diane Simmons Williams; on your behalf to travel to over 60 other event cochairs Greg Earls and Kathy Kemper;

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reception hosts Ronald I. Dozoretz and Beth Mr. Lauer. What do you say, though— Dozoretz; Steve Case, president and chief execu- I mean, let’s say, devil’s advocated for a sec- tive officer, America On-Line; former Senator ond—I’m a member of the local school Bob Dole; former Representative Jack F. Kemp; board, and I sit down, and I look at the budg- and gospel singer Wintley Phipps, founder and et, and it’s shrinking. And I say, I’ve got director, United States Dream Academy. choices. I have to make cuts. I’ve got school lunches over here. I have books for the li- Interview With Matt Lauer of NBC’s brary here. I have music education over here. ‘‘Today Show’’ in New York City How do you stop me from cutting music edu- cation? June 16, 2000 The President. It depends on what your options are. But very often there are some ‘‘VH1 Save The Music Today’’ options. And that’s what that wonderful Mr. Lauer. Mr. President, good morning, movie about music education here in New nice to have you here. York City, ‘‘Music of the Heart,’’ was about. The President. Good morning, Matt. But what this program tries to do is to en- Thank you. courage the schools to put some money into Mr. Lauer. I don’t think I’m betraying any music education by giving them extra help confidence when I say that I checked with with instruments and sometimes with other the VH1 people and I said, ‘‘How did you support. get the President involved in this campaign?’’ And what we’ve tried to do at the national And they threw their arms up and they said, level, with the National Endowment for the ‘‘He kind of volunteered’’—— Arts and the President’s Commission on the The President. That’s true. Arts and Humanities that Hillary’s the hon- Mr. Lauer. ——‘‘I mean, he’s called many orary chair of, is to constantly support music times and said, ‘What can I do?’ ’’ Why is education, to emphasize that the schools that this so important to you? have good music education programs see The President. Well, Hillary and I both positive, other academic advancements as a spent a lot of time on this, and it’s important result of it, and of course, try to get some for two reasons. One is, I was in music when more funds for the lower income schools out I was the age of these children, and I know there. what it can do. And secondly, I’ve been very Mr. Lauer. But is the message getting disturbed over the years—over the last 20 out? I mean, you had music education as a years, more and more, as schools have come kid; so did I. We took it for granted. We’re under financial pressure, they have tended now in a time of unprecedented economic to drop their music programs. You know, the prosperity, and still today, only 25 percent principals have a lot of problems. They have of schools across this country offer music a lot of challenges they have to meet, and education as a basic part of the curriculum. many times the money is not there. And the The President. See, what a lot of people school districts have cut a lot of these music don’t know is, over the last 20 years and par- programs out all over the country. ticularly in the last decade or so, while our And when I heard what VH1 was doing, school populations have been growing again, I did kind of volunteer to get involved. I a smaller percentage of property-tax payers wrote John Sykes a letter and said, ‘‘Look, have kids in the schools. And an awful lot I’m for this, and I think we’ve got to get of our schools are funded primarily through music back into these schools.’’ A lot of young the property tax. So the schools have had all children—we know that a lot of our young kinds of financial problems. Their energy children learn better if they have access to bills go up. A lot of them have substandard music education. Not everyone learns in the physical facilities. They have the need to hire same way. Not everyone’s brain is stimulated more teachers to teach various academic re- in the same way. And the schools that have quirements that may have come in. And they vigorous music programs tend to have higher don’t want to stop any of their competitive academic performance. athletic proposals. So the two things that

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have suffered most in the schools are the The President. We could do that. I hadn’t music programs and the art programs, on the thought of that, exactly in that way. What one hand, and the physical education pro- we tried to do—let me just say this. What grams for people who aren’t in competitive we’ve tried to do for the last 7 years, since team sports. I’ve been President, is to say, ‘‘Look, here Mr. Lauer. But is this the way it’s going are the Nation’s education goals. They in- to be? I mean, when people like VH1 come clude music and the arts. And if you come in and they donate money like this, it’s great, up with a plan to meet those goals, we will but it’s private and public partnership. Why give you some help to implement the plan, can’t we find a way, even through the Federal which included music and the arts.’’ Government’s assistance, to make sure that Basically, the specific targeted dollars we this is a basic part of education? have for schools go to schools that have great- The President. I think we should do that. er financial need, because they’ve got a high- er percentage of low income kids, or to hire But the main thing we have to do is to build more teachers, generally, because the school broader public support for doing it. Let me population is going up. say, interestingly enough, you asked me the I think if we will stay with the position budget question. That’s the first question: that we’re going to help all the schools that Well, what would you do if you had all these have these goals, which include music and tough budget decisions? Our research indi- the arts, and then we come in with the big cates that the number one factor in whether ticket items, which are personnel and school music education programs stay or come back building and repair, and we can build the to schools is strong community involvement kind of grassroots support we need, then pushing for it. In other words, where people these music programs will be able to survive. at the grassroots want it, the people who But one of the things that really happened make the budget decisions tend to find a way is a lot of folks just took the music programs to provide it. for granted. A lot of people who were making And so, what we can best do, I think, is tough budget decisions assumed nobody to point out consistently what the overall would care if they were eliminated. And it educational benefits are, number one, and was tragic, what happened. So I think what’s number two, to try to get more Federal as- going to happen—you’ll see a big infusion sistance out there to the schools to help deal of public money going back into these pro- with their big problems. That’s why I’m try- grams because of what VH1 has done and ing to get the Federal Government to help because more and more parents will insist with school construction and school repair, on the music being there. And I’ll be glad to help the school districts hire teachers to to do whatever I can to help. lower class sizes so they don’t have to cut Mr. Lauer. We’re going to take a little out music to hire that extra teacher when break. When we come back, I understand the population goes up, and to get the overall we’re joined by another special guest, and aid to low income schools up. So if we do we’ll talk more about music education. those things and we get the kind of grassroots The President. Thank you. support we need, then what VH1 will be [ At this point, the network took a commercial doing is supplementing a growing trend, in- break.] stead of trying to fill a huge hole. Mr. Lauer. Is it possible to take it a step Los Alamos National Laboratory further? From what I understand now, the Mr. Lauer. And we’re back with President Federal Government supplies about 9 per- Bill Clinton at P.S. 96 in East Harlem. Let cent of funding for schools; local and States me ask for a couple of quick answers to some provide the rest. Can you offer States incen- questions in the news. Los Alamos: Congress tives? Can you say to them, ‘‘Look, we’ll pro- is holding hearings on security breaches vide more funding if you take it upon your- there. Two hard drives containing nuclear se- selves to make music education part of your crets disappeared. Do you think national se- basic curriculum?’’ curity was jeopardized?

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The President. It’s not clear, but I think of these reed instruments, you’ll squeak a lot. it’s very important to get to the bottom of If you play a string instrument, it’ll hurt your it. The FBI is investigating it, and we’ve got ears in the beginning. Just stay with it; be Senator Baker and Congressman Hamilton, patient. And when you reach the point where who have agreed to take an independent you like to hear yourself play, then it’s all look. It’s a serious issue, and I think what downhill from there. You just keep working. we ought to do is just see the investigation Mr. Lauer. Maybe it’s a good time for you through and see where the facts lead us. to relate to them also. You had a music teach- But we need to do what we can to find er in your early life who had a pretty strong out what happened, whether there was a se- impact on your life. curity breach, and if so, how we can change The President. Oh, absolutely I did. I had it so it will never happen again. a—well, my high school band director, Virgil Spurlin, is still a friend of mine, still writes Gasoline Prices me to this day. My grade school band direc- Mr. Lauer. You and I were both watching tor was a man named George Grey, who had the news earlier about gas prices. a big impact on me. My vocal—my choir The President. Yes. teacher when I was in elementary school, I Mr. Lauer. People in Chicago, Mil- still remember vividly. Her name was Lillian waukee, in particular, paying 40 cents a gal- Rutherford. All the kids I knew had access lon more than the rest of us. to choir and could be in the band if they The President. Than anybody else in the wanted to. And I’m so glad that John Sykes country. It’s been very frustrating to me. I’m and VH1 and all these people are trying to quite concerned about it. make it possible for you to do this, because Let me tell you what we know. We know it’s something—you don’t have to—I was not that the prices were affected by the shut- as good as Billy Joel, see, so I didn’t get to down of a refinery, which is coming back up, be a professional musician. But I had a won- a leak in a pipeline, which is the cheapest derful time. It changed my life for the better. way to transport gas, and an unusual increase And it still benefits me, and I still play. in demand in the Chicago-Milwaukee area. And all that affected it. Also, they used the President’s Legacy cleaner gasoline, which is more expensive to Mr. Lauer. I’m sure at this point in your produce, but that’s only about 5 or 6 cents Presidency, you have to be thinking a lot a gallon. So we know that it would be more about legacy. And you look at young people expensive for a little while until the transpor- in the third and fourth grade—how do you tation and the refinery problems are solved. want them to be a part of your legacy? What we don’t know is whether there was The President. Well, I want them to have any price gouging. So we’ve got the Federal more opportunity, more educational oppor- Trade Commission looking into that, and tunity, than they had when I became Presi- we’ve also had the Department of Energy dent. And I want them to grow up in a coun- and the Environmental Protection Agency try that is a more just and decent country, looking into it. I’m very worried about it. But where there is less discrimination and where I’m hoping that we can break the logjam on people work together more. And I think that it soon. that will be the case. But it’s really important ‘‘VH1 Save The Music Today’’ that kids are not deprived of opportunities like music, just because of where they hap- [Mr. Lauer introduced musician Billy Joel, pen to live and whether their parents have who offered his advice to the young musi- money or not. That shouldn’t be what deter- cians present.] mines this. The President. The only thing I would Mr. Lauer. Just a suggestion: You’ve got say is, don’t get discouraged early. If you’ll some free time coming up in January, and stay with it long enough, until you like to Billy, you’ve got a little free time. I’m think- hear yourself play, then it will be easier for ing, you go to the garage in Chappaqua; you you to keep practicing. But if you play one get a little amplifier like you used to do in

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high school—[laughter]—aggravate the about 4 years, but I’ve spent more time with neighbors, and put together a little band him in the last 4 years than anybody but here. Hillary, I think—[laughter]—because of our The President. I accept. love for music and because of this project, Billy Joel. How close is the next house which—there have been only a few days over, because—[laughter]. when I wondered if I made a mistake volun- Mr. Lauer. Thank you so much for com- teering to help, because he took it seriously. ing in. Billy Joel, it’s always good to see you. But I do love this, and I’ll say a little more President Clinton, nice to see you, as well. about it in a moment. I love it because of The President. Thank you. the potential it has to transform the lives of these young people. And I would like to say, NOTE: The interview began at 8:08 a.m. at the Joseph C. Lanzetta School in East Harlem. In his first of all, Kelvin, I thought you did a great remarks, the President referred to John Sykes, job speaking up here. One of the reasons I president, VH1; and former Senator Howard H. like music, is it gives young people self- Baker, Jr., and former Representative Lee H. confidence and a sense of the reward you Hamilton, appointed to lead a Presidential Com- get for disciplined effort, so more of them mission to investigate possible security breaches would be able to speak like you in public. at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. The tran- That was good. script released by the Office of the Press Secretary And I would like to say especially and most also included the remarks of Mr. Joel. of all how much I appreciate the remarkable work that Victor Lopez, the principal, and the teachers and the parents have done on this school in the last few years. I can’t thank you enough. This school, a couple of years ago, was Remarks on the ‘‘VH1 Save The identified by everybody as a low performing Music Today’’ Campaign in New school. Eighty percent of the kids weren’t York City reading at grade level. Enter Mr. Lopez and June 16, 2000 his team and the supportive parents: smaller classes; after-school programs; parental in- The President. Thank you very much. volvement; school uniforms; and now a com- Good morning. mitment to music education. Audience members. Good morning. In the last year alone, the number of P.S. The President. I’d like to begin by thank- 96 third graders reading at or above grade ing Barry Rosenblum and Time Warner; level has gone up more than 300 percent. Sumner Redstone. Thank you, my long-time In 2 years, student performance from 20 per- friend Billy Joel; and Brian McKnight, whom cent at or above grade level to 74 percent— I admire so much. Thank you, Chancellor in 2 years. This is astonishing for the school. Levy. And now they want music education. Why? I’d like to thank the student band over Because it’s also good for academics, as here from Dr. Susan McKinney Junior High you’ve already heard. School. Thank you for being here. I see But I want to just—everybody stop and Comptroller Green, President Fields, Sen- take a deep breath. Look at these kids. All ator; thank you all for being here. children can learn, and all children deserve I’d like to thank Randi Weingarten and the a chance to learn. And the teachers and the people from the United Federation of Teach- principal and the parents here have done ers who are here. I don’t know if any Mem- this. So given them another hand. This is un- bers of the Congress are here. I think they’re believable. Bravo! [Applause] still voting—[laughter]—which is not a bad You know, I often say that I might not have thing. been President if it hadn’t been for school So what I would like to do now is to begin music. And it’s really true. I started playing with the important things. First, my long- an instrument when I was 9. I started singing time friend John Sykes—I say ‘‘long-time in the school chorus when I was younger than friend’’; we’ve only really known each other that. And then when aging took my voice

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from three octaves to about three notes— have been determined to be the Man of the [laughter]—which, thankfully, didn’t happen Century. No one believes he was a great vio- to my buddies over here—I just had to con- lin player. He didn’t care if he wasn’t a great centrate more on my saxophone. violin player. I don’t care if I’m not a great And I want to say to all of you who are saxophone player. It’s enough to be able to fixing to start this program, the first music do it and to get the benefits of it. I made was not very nice to hear. But my So that’s what VH1 has done, getting con- mother tolerated it, and I just kept on work- tributions, getting these musical instruments. ing at it. And what I learned was that if you’re Now, I want to say—John Sykes made a joke willing to have patience and discipline and about the warm environment on Capitol you practice, pretty soon you can make some- Hill—it’s not as warm as it is up on this stage, thing really beautiful, and it can help you be under these lights. [Laughter] This is a good a better member of the team; it can help preparation to go back to Congress. [Laugh- you be a happier person; it can make you ter] But what he didn’t tell you is that he a better person; and it can also be an awful and others developed a congressional resolu- lot of fun. tion to stress the importance of music edu- I still play my saxophone. A couple of years cation, and just this week the House of Rep- ago, Hillary made a music room for me in resentatives passed it unanimously. I think a little room on the top floor of the White he should start giving me lobbying advice. House that we weren’t using, that was way They passed it unanimously. at the end of a hall, and it had two doors, Now, what does that mean? Well, a couple so no one could hear me when I was playing. of years ago, Hillary chaired this Commission [Laughter] And I still go in there. on Arts and the Humanities, and they found I have musical instruments now I’ve col- that the most important factor in keeping lected from all over the world. I have saxo- music in the schools or getting music back phones from all over the world now, made into the schools was not a Federal program in China and Russia and Japan and Poland but whether the local people whose kids were and the Czech Republic and Germany and in the schools wanted music in the schools. France and, of course, the United States. So we need to keep trying to provide money And I have lots of other instruments from to the schools to hire teachers, to build or every continent. And I just go in there, and remodel buildings, to give more money to I play. And no matter what else is going on, schools with a lot of low income students at I can go in and play for 15 or 20 minutes, the national level. And we need to keep sup- and I’m full of energy and ready to start porting the ‘‘Save The Music’’ program. again. That’s what you can have if you get But one of the things that John wants is into this music program. for the ‘‘Save The Music’’ program to lead But the other thing I want to emphasize people at the community level to insist that is, one of the things that we know—and John music ought to be in all the schools, whether Sykes mentioned this—is that learning im- he gives them the instruments or not. And proves in school environments where there that’s what I—that’s the last point I want to are comprehensive music programs. It in- make today. You have got to help us help creases the ability of young people to do all of our schools keep these music programs. math. There is a lot of math in music. It in- Over the last 20 years, we’ve gotten rid of creases the ability of young people to read, music, art, and physical education. The con- and as I said, most important of all, it’s a sequence is that in the places that don’t have lot of fun. it, student achievement is lower than it ought The great scientist Albert Einstein once to be, and the kids are not as healthy as they said—it might surprise you—‘‘I get the most should be. We need to bring these things joy out of my violin. I often think in music. back to our schools, and I want you to help I see my life in terms of music.’’ Albert them. That’s one of the reasons I came here. Einstein was the greatest scientist of the 20th I’ll leave you with this thought: You are century. Some people nominated him for living in a world where all kinds of different Man of the Century and thought he should people live in America and where Americans,

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through the Internet and travel, are going And I want to thank Zahra Mohamed and to have to relate to all kinds of different peo- Andrew Wood, the covaledictorians of the ple around the world. sixth grade. They remind us of what this is I just got back from Russia where I had all about. And you can see from the student a dinner with the Russian President, and cheers who has the votes here. [Laughter] afterward he said, ‘‘We’re going to go in to Chancellor Levy, thank you very much. entertainment,’’ so I thought they would have Representative Lowey, Representative someone dancing Russian ballet. I thought Meeks, Representative Crowley, thank you they would have someone playing all for your leadership for this worthy cause. Rachmaninoff. But instead, because he knew To all the local officials who are out there, what I liked, the President of Russia gave but especially my long-time friend, the me a private concert from the biggest jazz Queens borough president, Claire Schulman; band in Russia, the best student musicians Superintendent Michael Johnson; School in Russia, the age of some of the people here, Board President Bill Johnson. And I’d like who were unbelievable, and the man who to recognize Randi Weingarten again, the may be the greatest living jazz saxophone president of the United Federation of Teach- player, who happens to be a Russian, who ers—the teachers are helping us so much played for me. here—along with Ed Malloy, the president It is a universal language. It is the music of the heart and the language of the heart. of New York Building and Trades Union, and Thanks to John Sykes and all of his partners Dennis Hughes, the president of the New and all of you, maybe next year and the year York AFL–CIO. They’re also trying to help after and the year after, there will be more us get our kids in world-class buildings. and more children with the chance that Let me say to all of you, as so often hap- you’re going to have next year, until all of pens when I get up to speak, everything that our kids have it again. needs to be said has already been said. But Thank you, and God bless you. I want to say a couple of things to put this in perspective from my point of view. First NOTE: The President spoke at 9:42 a.m. in the of all, I want to thank you. Thank you, New Auditorium at the Joseph Lanzetta School (Public York; thank you, New York City; thank you, School 96) in East Harlem. In his remarks, he Queens, for being so good to me and to Al referred to Barry Rosenblum, president, Time Gore, to Hillary and Tipper, for these last Warner Cable of New York; Sumner M. Redstone, chairman and chief executive officer, Viacom; mu- 8 years. Thank you for giving us the chance sicians Billy Joel and Brian McKnight; Harold O. to serve. Levy, chancellor, New York City Public Schools; For 71⁄2 years now, we’ve worked hard to C. Virginia Fields, president, Borough of Manhat- turn the economy around, to get the crime tan; Randi Weingarten, president, United Federa- rate down, to help people move from welfare tion of Teachers; John Sykes, president, VH1; Vic- to work, to help people balance work and tor Lopez, principal, and Kelvin Eusebio, student, family, to clean up the environment as we Joseph C. Lanzetta School; and President Putin grow the economy, to make this country one of Russia. America across all these incredible racial and ethnic and religious and other lines that di- Remarks at Abigail Adams vide us, to make our country a force for peace Elementary School in New York City and freedom around the world. And we’re June 16, 2000 in good shape today. We’re having the long- est economic expansion in our history. We Thank you very much. I think we ought have the lowest minority unemployment in to give Mary Minnick another hand. She did our history. We’re going to have 3 years of a great job. [Applause] And I want to thank back-to-back surpluses for the first time in her, the other faculty members, the staff anybody’s memory. members of P.S. 131 and their families, and And here’s the point I want to make. What your principal, Walter O’Brien. Thank you are we going to do with these good times? for making us feel welcome today. I’ve got a simple question. What is it that

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you as citizens propose to do? I’ve done ev- Now, I am proud of the progress that’s erything I could do to turn our country been made in education in this city, in this around, to build that bridge to the 21st cen- State, and in this Nation. But if we think that tury that all of us can walk across together, we’re going to build the future of our dreams, to leave our country in good shape so that making these kids go to school in places you, the American people, could decide, where they don’t have computer labs, they what are you going to do for the future. And don’t have music rooms, they’re suffocating, I think the answer is simple. Look at these their buildings are being heated with coal, kids here. Just look at them. Look at all the and their teachers are trying to teach 40 kids different ethnic groups they come from. when they ought to be teaching 20, we’re Look at their different heritages. Look at the living in a dream world, and we need to do different countries their parents come from. something about it to give them a better fu- This is America’s future. This is America’s ture. future. Now, here’s what I’ve tried to do for 2 Now, if I had come to you 8 years ago years. This is the third year I’ve proposed and said, ‘‘In 5 years, we’re going to have this. I want the Congress to pass a bill that the largest number of kids in our schools in would provide tax breaks so that we could history, and we’ve got a lot of them in old help communities build, from scratch, 6,000 buildings, a lot of them in overcrowded schools. I want the Congress to pass money buildings, a lot of them in downright unsafe every year for the next 5 years so that every buildings, a lot of them in buildings that can’t year we can do major repairs on 5,000 more be hooked up to the Internet, and I want schools every year. It’s not very complicated. to do something about it,’’ you might have But what you have to understand is, we can said then, ‘‘Well, Mr. President, that’s very afford it. We can afford it. It’s just a question nice, but the country is in too much trouble, of whether we think it’s important enough and the Government is broke.’’ But that’s not to do. true anymore. We have the money to give Now, Nita is for it. Greg is for it. Joe Crow- all our kids a world-class education. The only ley is for it. Charlie Rangel is for it. We even issue is, do we have the vision; do we have have a few Republicans for it. Representative the will; do we have the compassion to give Nancy Johnson from Connecticut is for it, our children a world-class education? and I thank Nancy Johnson. This ought to Randi was telling me right before we came be a bipartisan issue. When the kids show up here—and Chancellor Levy confirmed up there at school, they don’t have to put it—we’ve got a program now to put 100,000 their party affiliation down. We just know more teachers out there for smaller classes they need an education. We don’t care in the early grades. We’ve only finished a whether they’re Republicans or Democrats third of it, and New York can’t take any more. or Greens or Reforms or no affiliation. Queens certainly can’t take any more be- So I want to tell you that we have a bipar- cause you don’t have any classrooms to put tisan majority actually ready to pass the bill the teachers in, in the smaller classes. in the House of Representatives. So you We’ve got a program now that would pro- might wonder: Well, this is a democracy; if vide after-school programs for every kid who a majority of the people want it and a major- needs it in America, but if you don’t have ity of their elected representatives want it, the facilities, where are they going to go to where is the bill, and show me the money? the programs? The Vice President persuaded [Laughter] Well, unfortunately, the people Congress to enact something called the E- who control the rules and when bills come rate, which allows you to have discounts at up, don’t want it. That’s what this is about. schools with a lot of poor kids in it so every We have not been able to persuade the lead- child in America can afford to be in a class- ership in the House and the Senate, the other room that’s hooked up to the Internet. But party, to bring this up in a way that will en- if you don’t have the space—and some able us to pass it. schools can’t even be wired for the Inter- What I want you to know—— net—so what good is the program? Audience member. [Inaudible].

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The President. ——that’s not a bad idea, Thank you, Greg Meeks. Thank you, Joe thank you. What I want you to know is that Crowley. Thank you, Charlie Rangel. Con- the leadership of the House is trying to keep gress, give our kids the future they deserve. these good people from having a vote on The whole country’s riding on it, we can af- school construction. They don’t want their ford it, and we owe it to them, and we’ll be Members to have to vote against it for the awful glad we did.’’ obvious reasons that you might notice, but Thank you, and God bless you all. they don’t want it to pass. We have too many bills where we’ve got NOTE: The President spoke at 12:12 p.m. in the school courtyard. In his remarks, he referred to a majority for it, like the Patients’ Bill of Mary Minnick, teacher, Abigail Adams Elemen- Rights, that we can’t get up. So I am asking tary School (Public School 131); Harold O. Levy, you, by your voices today, over the media, chancellor, New York City Public Schools; and to the American people, and every day from Michael A. Johnson, district administrator, Com- now on as long as the Congress is here, by munity School District No. 29. your support for your Representatives to say, ‘‘Hey, we love this school, but it’s not enough. And we love our kids, and you have Statement on Senate Action on our money. Spend it on their future. Spend Electronic Signatures Legislation it on their future.’’ June 16, 2000 Again, I say, this is not complicated. It’s about political will and vision. And I want I am pleased that the Senate today adopt- you to know, folks, I get really frustrated ed the electronic signatures conference re- when Washington plays politics just because port by an overwhelming bipartisan vote. I they think times are good and there are no look forward to signing this important legisla- consequences. But these kids will grow up tion into law as soon as possible. before you know it. This landmark legislation will ensure that My little girl just got home from college— consumer protections remain strong in the going to be a senior next year. I remember technology age. It will help create new rules when she was that size. It doesn’t take long of the road for America’s hi-tech economy. for a child to live a childhood. And we don’t E-commerce helps strengthen our economy have a child to waste. And you’ve got all these by lowering inflation, raising productivity, dedicated teachers and all these dedicated and spurring new research and development. parents and all these dedicated school people By marrying one of our oldest values—our out there, and we keep trying to put them commitment to consumer protection—with in smaller and smaller and smaller boxes. the newest technologies, we can achieve the This is wrong. full measure of the benefits that E-com- Now, we have genuine philosophical dif- merce has to offer. ferences over some things in Washington, My congratulations to the Democratic and but this shouldn’t be a philosophical issue. Republican leaders of the conference com- Are we going to build these buildings or not? mittee for their hard work on this legislation. We’ve got the money. Some people say, let them do it at the local level. Well, you know Proclamation 7323—Father’s Day, as well as I do that we’ve got more kids in 2000 schools than ever before, but we’ve got a smaller percentage of property taxpayers June 16, 2000 with kids in schools than ever before, and By the President of the United States it’s hard, if not impossible, to raise the money of America to build and repair the schools only at the local level. The National Government has the A Proclamation resources. This is a limited program. These Each year, Americans set aside the third children deserve it. Sunday in June to pay special tribute to our So I implore you all, by your voices today, fathers, who for many of us are the first and and every day, say, ‘‘Thank you, Nita Lowey. most important men in our lives. The role

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of father is a unique blessing and a profound citizens of the United States to observe this responsibility, one at the very heart of our day with appropriate ceremonies and activi- Nation’s families and communities. When we ties that demonstrate our deep appreciation are young, our father’s nurturing brings us and abiding love for our fathers. comfort and security. As we grow, our dads In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set are our teachers and coaches—whether we my hand this sixteenth day of June, in the are learning to read or to play a sport—and year of our Lord two thousand, and of the they instill in us cherished values of honor, Independence of the United States of Amer- courage, hard work, and respect for others. ica the two hundred and twenty-fourth. Later, as adults, we look to our fathers for advice and friendship. On all the paths of William J. Clinton life, our fathers encourage us when we hesi- tate, support us when we falter, and cheer [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, us when we succeed. 8:45 a.m., June 20, 2000] American fathers today must balance the NOTE: This proclamation will be published in the demands of work and family. As our growing Federal Register on June 21. economy has helped America’s families meet their financial needs, the pressure to main- tain that balance has increased. For the health of our families, it is important that fathers have the time, the support, and the Digest of Other parenting skills necessary to fulfill their chil- White House Announcements dren’s moral and emotional needs as well as provide for their physical well-being. Throughout our Administration, Vice Presi- The following list includes the President’s public dent Gore and I have encouraged fathers to schedule and other items of general interest an- take an active and responsible role in their nounced by the Office of the Press Secretary and children’s lives. This year, in recognition of not included elsewhere in this issue. Father’s Day, I am directing the Department of Health and Human Services, along with certain other Federal agencies, to develop guidance for State and local governments, June 10 community providers, and families on Fed- In the morning, the President traveled to eral resources that are available to promote Northfield, MN, and in the afternoon, he responsible fatherhood. traveled to Minneapolis, MN. On this first Father’s Day of the 21st cen- In the evening, the President returned to tury, let us honor our fathers, both living and Washington, DC. deceased, for believing in our dreams and helping us to achieve them. Throughout the June 12 year, let us continue to reflect on the impor- In the afternoon, the President met with tance of fathers—whether biological, foster, President Wahid of Indonesia in the Oval Of- adoptive, or stepfathers—as role models in fice. our lives. And let us express our gratitude The President announced his intention to for the many gifts they bring to our lives by appoint Dr. Samir Abu-Ghazaleh as a mem- passing on their legacy of love and caring to ber of the National Cancer Advisory Board. our own children. The President announced his intention to Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, appoint Charles F. Moneypenny as a mem- President of the United States of America, ber of the Amtrak Reform Council. in accordance with a joint resolution of the The President declared a major disaster in Congress approved April 24, 1972 (36 U.S.C. Tennessee and ordered Federal aid to sup- 142a), do hereby proclaim Sunday, June 18, plement State and local recovery efforts in 2000, as Father’s Day. I invite the States, the area struck by severe storms, tornadoes, communities across our country, and all the and flooding on May 23–31.

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June 13 In the evening, the President returned to In the afternoon, the President met with Chappaqua, NY. President Fernando de la Rua of Argentina The President announced the designation in the Cabinet Room. Later, they had a work- of Stephen Koplan as Chairman and Deanna ing luncheon in the Old Family Dining Okun as Vice Chairman of the U.S. Inter- Room. national Trade Commission, effective June The President announced his intention to 17. appoint Dr. Dennis J. Slamon as a member of the President’s Cancer Panel. The President announced that Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala appointed eight members of the Nominations Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. Submitted to the Senate

June 14 The following list does not include promotions of In an evening ceremony in the Oval Office, members of the Uniformed Services, nominations the President received diplomatic credentials to the Service Academies, or nominations of For- from Ambassadors Marianna Fernandez of eign Service officers. Bolivia, Igor Davidovic of Bosnia- Herzegovina, Sven Jurgenson of Estonia, Aivis Ronis of Latvia, Tej Bunnag of Thai- Submitted June 13 land, Ariel Rivera Irias of Guatemala, Hugo Tomas Fernandez Faingold of Uruguay, Richard A. Boucher, Ulrik A. Federspiel of Denmark, Joshua of Maryland, a career member of the Senior Sears of the Bahamas, Abdellah Maaroufi of Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, Morocco, and William Bull of Liberia. to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Public The President announced his intention to Affairs), vice James P. Rubin. appoint Sarah W. Mitchell as Chair and Bryon R. MacDonald and Thomas P. Golden Francisco J. Sanchez, as members of the Ticket to Work and Work of Florida, to be an Assistant Secretary of Incentives Advisory Panel. Transportation, vice Charles A. Hunnicutt, resigned. June 15 Submitted June 16 The President had a telephone conversa- tion with Secretary of Commerce William M. Allan I. Mendelowitz, Daley concerning Secretary Daley’s resigna- of Connecticut, to be a Director of the Fed- tion. eral Housing Finance Board for a term expir- The President announced his intention to ing February 27, 2007, vice Bruce A. Morri- appoint Richard N. Brown as a member of son, term expired. the Federal Salary Council. The President announced his intention to Ruth Martha Thomas, appoint Marilynn M. Porter as a member of of the District of Columbia, to be a Deputy the Architectural and Transportation Bar- Under Secretary of the Treasury, vice Linda riers Compliance Board. Lee Robertson, resigned. In the evening, the President traveled to Chappaqua, NY. Withdrawn June 16

June 16 Bruce A. Morrison, In the morning, the President traveled to of Connecticut, to be a Director of the Fed- New York City. eral Housing Finance Board for a term expir- In the afternoon, the President met with ing February 27, 2007 (reappointment), National Security Adviser Hwang Won-tak of which was sent to the Senate on October 29, South Korea at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. 1999.

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Checklist Released June 15 of White House Press Releases Transcript of a press briefing by Deputy Press Secretary Jake Siewert and Assistant The following list contains releases of the Office Press Secretary for Foreign Affairs P.J. of the Press Secretary that are neither printed as Crowley items nor covered by entries in the Digest of Other White House Announcements. Released June 16 Fact sheet: President Clinton Encourages Released June 12 Support of Arts and Music Education Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- retary Joe Lockhart Released June 13 Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- Acts Approved retary Joe Lockhart by the President Transcript of a press briefing by Federal Aviation Administrator Jane Garvey on the Approved June 15 FAA budget Transcript of a press briefing by NSC Senior H.R. 3293 / Public Law 106–214 Director for Inter-American Affairs Arturo To amend the law that authorized the Viet- Valenzuela on the President’s meeting with nam Veterans Memorial to authorize the President Fernando d la Rua of Argentina placement within the site of the memorial Statement by the Press Secretary on a review of a plaque to honor those Vietnam veterans of the missing data at Los Alamos National who died after their service in the Vietnam Laboratory war, but as a direct result of that service

Released June 14 H.R. 4489 / Public Law 106–215 Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- Immigration and Naturalization Service Data retary Joe Lockhart Management Improvement Act of 2000

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