Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Oct. 10

The President. You’ve got a deal. We can also NOTE: The interview began at 5:55 p.m. aboard play this year, if you want to come. Air Force One en route from Monroe, MI, to An- Mr. Klein. By the way, I broke 90 for the drews Air Force Base, MD. In his remarks, the first time between last interview and this. President referred to former Secretary of State The President. That’s great. William Christopher; and conservative philan- Mr. Klein. Two birdies. thropist Richard Mellon Scaife. Mr. Klein re- The President. Two? ferred to former National Security Adviser An- Mr. Klein. That meant I screwed up some thony Lake. The transcript was released by the other holes. Office of the Press Secretary on October 10. A The President. That’s great. If you want to tape was not available for verification of the con- come to Washington and play, I’d like that. tent of this interview.

Remarks on Signing Legislation on Permanent Normal Trade Relations With October 10, 2000

Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you I want to thank all the State and local offi- very much, Secretary Albright; Mr. Speaker; cials, the retired officials and business leaders Senator Roth; Senator Moynihan; Chairman Ar- who helped us, and I would like to acknowledge cher; Representative Rangel. I thank you all so two great champions of trade who I just saw much for your steadfast leadership in this impor- in the audience, just because I’m glad to see tant cause. them, former Congressman Sam Gibbons and I also want to thank Senator Lott and Senator former Congressman and Agriculture Secretary Daschle in their absence and, indeed, all the . Thank you both for being here. Members who are here. And if you would just This is a great day for the and indulge me in one personal remark, this is prob- a hopeful day for the 21st century world. This ably the largest gathering of Members of Con- signing ceremony marks the culmination of ef- gress anywhere in Washington today, except in forts begun almost 30 years ago by President the Chambers of the House and Senate. Nixon, built on by President Carter, who nor- And I would like to take a moment to pay malized our relations with China, pursued firmly my respects to the memory of our friend Con- by Presidents of both parties to normalize ties gressman Bruce Vento, who passed away earlier with China in ways that preserve our interests today, a great teacher, a great Representative, and advance our values. a wonderful human being. During that time, China has grown more I also want to join the previous speakers in prosperous and more open. As the world econ- thanking all those who worked so hard on it, omy becomes vastly more complex and inter- and , who connected, China’s participation in it, according accompanied her to China, and they worked to the rules of international trade, has only be- on this deal until the 11th hour. We knew it come more important for America, for Asia, and would take until the 11th hour. We only hoped the world. Today we take a major step toward by then they wouldn’t be too tired to tell time, China’s entry into the so we would be able to finish. and a major step toward answering some of the I thank Secretaries Glickman, Summers, and central challenges of this new century. For trade Mineta; and Secretary Slater, Secretary Shalala, with China will not only extend our Nation’s who are here, and Sandy Berger. unprecedented economic growth, it offers us a I can’t thank Bill Daley and Steve Ricchetti chance to help to shape the future of the world’s enough for the extraordinary job they did to most populous nation and to reaffirm our own lead our efforts to secure passage of this initia- global leadership for peace and prosperity. tive, along with Chuck Brain and Mary Beth I guess I ought to point out that our work’s Cahill. not over when I sign the bill. For China must

2111 Oct. 10 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 still complete its WTO accession negotiations me in this regard, and all the rest of you who and live up to the agreements it has negotiated fought hard for this. with us and our partners before it can join. Let me say, in case you’ve all forgotten, this But when it happens, China will open its mar- thing was hard to pass. [Laughter] This was kets to American products from wheat to cars a lot of trouble. And I would just like to close to consulting services, and our companies will in reiterating something that I often said in be far more able to sell goods without moving these endless meetings we had in that room factories or investments there. right up there on the third floor where, iron- Beyond the economy, however, America has ically, President Franklin Roosevelt had his of- a profound stake in what happens in China, fice during World War II. how it chooses to relate to the rest of the world, I do think this is a good economic deal for and whether it is open to the world, respectful America. I think it will increase our exports and, of human rights, upholding the rule of law at over the long run, will strengthen our economic home and its dealings with other nations. position in the world. But I think, by far, the Of course, opening trade with China will not most important reason to ratify this agreement in and of itself lead China to make all the is the potential it gives us to build a safer, choices we believe it should. But clearly, the more integrated world. You heard Senator Moynihan talking about more China opens it markets, the more it the day he joined the Navy. In the last 60 years unleashes the power of economic freedom, the of the 20th century, we fought three major wars more likely it will be to more fully liberate the in Asia. We can build a whole different future human potential of its people. As tariffs fall, there now. We concluded a trade agreement competition will rise, speeding the demise of with Vietnam. Today a very high official from huge state enterprises. Private firms will take North Korea came into the Oval Office to bring their place and reduce the role of government a message from the leader of North Korea. But in people’s daily lives. Open markets will accel- nothing—nothing—can enhance the prospects of erate the information revolution in China, giving peace and the prospects of a very different 21st more people more access to more sources of century like having China take the right path knowledge. That will strengthen those in China into the future. who fight for decent labor standards, a cleaner Like all people in the United States, the Chi- environment, human rights, and the rule of law. nese people ultimately will have to pick their We also will continue to press China to meet own path. And they will make their own deci- its commitments on stopping the transfer of sions. We can’t control what they do, but we dangerous technology and deadly weapons. We can control what we do. will continue to be a force for security in Asia, We overcame fears, misgivings, honest dis- maintaining our military presence and our strong agreements, to come together in a stunning bi- alliances. We will continue to support, from the partisan coalition. One Republican House Mem- outside, those who struggle within China for ber shook hands with me today, and the first human rights and religious freedom. thing he said is, ‘‘Well,’’ he said, ‘‘I’m glad to I want to say a special word of thanks to see you, Mr. President. This is the first time Congressmen Levin and Bereuter. Because of I’ve ever come here since you’ve been here.’’ them, we will have both normal trade relations [Laughter] And I thought, ‘‘Well, if there had and a good new policy tool to monitor our to be just one time, this is the time,’’ because human rights concern. They made this a better we did something together here that gives our bill, and all Americans are in their debt. Thank children and our grandchildren the chance the you. live in a world that is coming together, not com- There are so many Members here today, I ing apart. It gives all of us the chance to meet can’t introduce them all, but some who had the common threats of the future together as no institutional mandate to do so also joined free and interdependent people. us in fighting hard for this bill. Among them, Our children will live in a world in which Senator Baucus, Congressman Matsui, Congress- the information technology revolution, the bio- man Dooley, Congressman Dreier, Congressman technology revolution, and the increasing Kolbe, and Congressman Crane. I, in particular, globalization of the economy will force them thank those of you who worked so closely with to find ways to meet our common challenges

2112 Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Oct. 10 and seize our common opportunities together. the President referred to former Secretary of It’s hard to imagine how that future will work Commerce William M. Daley; and National De- if China is not a part of it. fense Commission First Vice Chairman Cho So to every one of you, from every part of Myong-nok and President Kim Chong-il of North America, those in Congress and those who lob- Korea. The transcript released by the Office of bied the Congress, I hope for a long time to the Press Secretary also included the remarks of come you will remember this day and be proud Secretary of State , Speaker of of what you did to bring it about. And I hope the House J. Dennis Hastert, Senator William V. and believe that our children and grandchildren Roth, Jr., Representative Bill Archer, Senator will be the beneficiaries of your labors. Daniel Patrick Moynihan, and Representative Thank you, and God bless you. Charles B. Rangel. H.R. 4444, approved October 10, was assigned Public Law No. 106–286. NOTE: The President spoke at 4:52 p.m. on the South Lawn at the White House. In his remarks,

Statement on Signing the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act October 10, 2000

Today I am pleased to sign the Beaches Envi- conditions. In addition, it provides assistance to ronmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act, States to carry out these efforts. which significantly strengthens efforts to make This act builds on my administration’s strong America’s beaches clean, safe, and healthy. efforts to ensure healthier beaches and cleaner America’s coasts are not only a natural treas- coastal waters, greater protection for endangered ure—they are also the number one destination and threatened marine species, sound fisheries for vacationing families, making their health vital management, and support for marine protected to our Nation’s tourism industry. Yet each year, areas. I urge Congress to fully fund ocean and pollution forces thousands of beach closures or coastal conservation programs for the coming health advisories. The Beach Act will ensure fiscal year so that communities around the coun- that in the future fewer families arrive at the try may enjoy healthy beaches and clean waters beach only to discover that it is too polluted for years to come. for fishing or swimming. It requires States to adopt enforceable standards for water quality, regularly test coastal waters for health-threat- NOTE: H.R. 999, approved October 10, was as- ening pollution, and notify the public of unsafe signed Public Law No. 106–284.

Letter to Congressional Leaders on Health Care Legislation October 10, 2000

Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. Leader:) patient protections, not on excessive payments I am writing to express my serious concerns to managed care plans. Moreover, these reim- that the Congressional Republican Leadership bursement increases are effectively diverting re- is preparing to pass unjustifiably large Medicare sources from critically important health care pri- health maintenance organization (HMO) pay- orities. ment increases while preventing passage of a This past weekend marked the 1-year anniver- strong Patients’ Bill of Rights. Managed care sary of the overwhelmingly bipartisan passage reform in the 106th Congress should focus on of the Norwood-Dingell Patients’ Bill of Rights.

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