Statement on the Death of Representative Julian C. Dixon the President's Radio Address

Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Dec. 9 So I’m going to try to be a good citizen, good years, but if we build on it instead of and I’m going to try to help work on the things reverse it, it’s just going to get better. that I worked on as President as a private citizen But keep in mind, I will say again: It’s more but to do it in a way that doesn’t get under important that the people be pushing toward foot of the next President. And I have loved tomorrow than who has a particular office. As doing this. But the most important thing is that long as we’re open to the proposition we have people like you stay active in our party and to keep working; and we have to keep working keep pushing us to be thinking about tomorrow. together; everybody counts; everybody deserves Just keep pushing us toward the future, keep a chance; we all do better when we work to- moving, and keep reaching out like a magnet. gether. That’s what the Democrats believe, and And again, I would like to thank Ben. I would if we keep doing it, we’re going to be just fine. like to thank Bob Kerrey for the 8 years that Thank you, and God bless you. we have worked together, President and Sen- ator, and the many years of friendship before that. I want to thank Peter Hoagland, who came down from Washington with us today, for the NOTE: The President spoke at 3:38 p.m. at a pri- years that we worked together when he was vate residence. In his remarks, he referred to a Congressman from Nebraska. Vinod Gupta and Laurel Gottesman, reception I want to say to you that the best days of hosts; and Senator-elect Ben Nelson of Nebraska, this country are still out here. We’ve had 8 and his wife, Diane. Statement on the Death of Representative Julian C. Dixon December 8, 2000 Hillary and I were deeply saddened to learn could always be heard. He was a kind, gentle of the death of Congressman Julian Dixon. Ju- man who earned the admiration and respect of lian was a champion for the people of his dis- all who knew him. I saw that recently when trict, his State, and our Nation. In his 22 years we visited a wonderful diner in his district to- in the United States Congress, Julian worked gether. I will miss him, and I join all Americans tirelessly for his district, served with distinction in honoring Julian Dixon for this lifetime of on the appropriations and intelligence commit- service to his country. Our thoughts and prayers tees, was a powerful advocate for the people are with his wife, Bettye, his son, Cary, his of the District of Columbia, and worked hard family, and many friends. to make sure that the voices of the less fortunate The President’s Radio Address December 9, 2000 Good morning. Eight years ago this week, egy, one of fiscal discipline, investment in our I brought together leading minds from all people, and expanded trade. Since then, we’ve around our country for my first economic sum- turned record budget deficits into record sur- mit. The challenge then was immediate and pluses and produced the longest economic ex- clear: The deficit was $290 billion and rising; pansion in American history, with more than 10 million Americans were out of work; interest 22 million new jobs, the lowest Hispanic and rates were high; and confidence was low. African-American unemployment ever, and the Al Gore and I were determined to change highest homeownership on record. that by putting into action a new economic strat- 2665 VerDate 11-MAY-2000 12:36 Dec 05, 2002 Jkt 188968 PO 00000 Frm 00501 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 E:\HR\OC\188968.009 pfrm12 PsN: 188968 Dec. 9 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 Over the last 2 years, our economy has grown job market of the 21st century, we must ensure at an exceptional pace, often achieving growth that all of them have the skills they need to rates as high as 5 percent. Obviously, economic succeed. growth at such a brisk level cannot be sustained With this in mind, I have met twice this week forever, but the bulk of evidence suggests that with congressional leaders of both parties to our recordbreaking expansion is continuing. In make sure we pass an education budget that fact, just this week we received a report showing prepares our children for the future. When Con- continued growth in private sector jobs. We also gress left town last month, we already had learned that unemployment in November was reached an historic bipartisan agreement on 4.0 percent, among the lowest rates in 30 years. education. It would provide much-needed fund- I’m also pleased to report that the over- ing to reduce class size, repair crumbling whelming majority of private sector experts are schools, improve teacher quality. It would also predicting solid but measured growth in the expand Head Start, after-school programs, Pell coming year, with low unemployment, low infla- grants, and support students with disabilities. tion, and strong productivity. This is good news We know these are the basic building blocks for the American economy and for the American of a 21st century work force. I hope Congress people, and this is no time to abandon the path will keep its commitment to America’s children of fiscal discipline that helped get us here. and pass a balanced budget that makes edu- Our economic success was not a matter of cation the number one priority. chance; it was a matter of choice—a commit- Once President Lyndon Johnson said, ‘‘We ment to commonsense American values, to re- must raise our sights to develop more com- sponsibility and fairness, to putting people first, pletely our people’s talents and to employ these to not spending what we don’t have. We must talents fully.’’ If we want to invest in the pros- not take our economic strengths for granted. perity of our Nation, we must invest in the That’s why it is critical that we continue to pay education of our children so that their talents down the debt, to keep inflation and interest may be fully employed. Working together, we rates low. That’s why we should keep expanding can complete this year’s unfinished business, trade, opening markets abroad, and keep invest- keep paying down the debt, keep the prosperity ing in our people—that’s the most important going, and by investing in our children’s edu- thing—closing the skills gap with more training cation, prepare our Nation to meet the chal- and better education. lenges of the years to come. Education is an important part of any strategy Thanks for listening. for economic growth. And in this information age, it is essential. If we want our children to NOTE: The President spoke at 10:10 a.m. from be able to compete in the high-tech, high-wage the Oval Office at the White House. Remarks on the Unveiling of the Design for the William J. Clinton Presidential Library December 9, 2000 Thank you very much. I want to begin by appreciation, obviously, to Jim Polshek and all saying how glad I am to see all of you here. the people in the architectural firm who worked I want to thank my two Arkansas Cabinet mem- on this; and to Ralph Applebaum, who is not bers, Rodney Slater and James Lee Witt, for here today, but I will say a few more words being here. And thank you, Skip Rutherford, about why that’s important. for all the work you’ve done. And I want to I want to thank Hillary and Chelsea, who thank the other Arkansans here who have tried have spent a lot of time on this, working with to help us get this off the ground, including me, trying to imagine what we wanted to do Mack McLarty and Joe Ford and all the local and how we wanted to do it. And I want to officials. And I want to say a special word of thank Terry McAuliffe, who is sitting here trying 2666 VerDate 11-MAY-2000 12:36 Dec 05, 2002 Jkt 188968 PO 00000 Frm 00502 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 E:\HR\OC\188968.009 pfrm12 PsN: 188968.

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