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announce new efforts to end housing dis- bers of our Armed Forces; to all the friends crimination in America. First, HUD will of Shalikashvili who are here today, issue $15 million in grants to 67 private, non- including former Secretary Perry, former profit housing groups, State and local govern- Chairmen and members of the Joint Chiefs, ments to combat housing discrimination and former officials of the Department of De- to promote fair housing practices. And then fense. We all come together in grateful trib- Secretary Cuomo will double the number of ute to John and Joan Shalikashvili. housing discrimination enforcement actions This is, frankly, a bittersweet day for me. over the next 4 years. I am full of pride but also some regret. For It’s clear to me now that there is more the last 4 years, I have counted on Shali for housing discrimination in America than I had his wisdom, his counsel, his leadership. He thought there was when I became President, has become an exceptional adviser and a and that that has been kept alive too long good friend, someone I knew I could always in too many neighborhoods, keeping, among depend upon when the lives of our troops other things, too many families from sending or the interests of America were on the line. their children to the schools of their choice. And I will miss him very much. So I applaud what Secretary Cuomo is doing, General Shali is a great American with a and I will strongly support him. great American story. A childhood seared by Let me say again, I look forward to today’s war, he has given his life to the cause of discussion. I think it’s important that we peace. From an immigrant learning English, build on that—where I thought we were at he has become the shining symbol of what the end of the ceremony in Little Rock, America is all about. He’s never forgotten where there was a great sense among the what his country gave him, nor has he ever people there and I felt around the country stopped giving back to it. His service to our who were watching it, a great sense that now Nation, spanning 39 years, rises from the we have to do things, and that every individ- ranks of Army private to the highest military ual American just about is interested in this office in the land. issue and understands how important it is Of course, the road even for him has not and understands that we’ll all have to do our always been smooth. I am told that after a part if we expect to come out where we want grueling first day at officer candidate school, to be. Private John Shali sneaked out of his barracks So, Dr. Franklin, I look forward to going looking for a place to resign. Our Nation can on with the discussion. And I think maybe be very grateful that, probably for the only the Vice President might like to say a word time in his entire career, he failed in his mis- or two, and then we could go forward. sion. I am convinced that when future students NOTE: The President spoke at 10:16 a.m. in the East Room at the Mayflower Hotel. In his re- look upon this time, they will rank John marks, he referred to John Hope Franklin, Chair, Shalikashvili as among the greatest Chairmen President’s Advisory Board on Race. of the America ever had. Greatness is something that cannot be be- stowed like a medal, a ribbon, a star. It can- Remarks at a Farewell Ceremony not be taught or bought. It comes in the end Honoring Joint Chiefs of Staff only from within. General Shali has said that Chairman John M. Shalikashvili in the three indispensable traits of a great lead- Arlington, er are competence, care, and character. He September 30, 1997 ought to know; he embodies them. His competence shines in the sterling Mr. Vice President, Secretary Cohen, Sec- record of innovation and achievement, man- retary Albright, Secretary Gober, National aging the downsizing of our forces while up- Security Adviser Berger, Director Tenet, grading their capability and readiness; up- General McCaffrey; to the Service Secretar- holding the most rigorous standards for the ies, the Joint Chiefs, the Unified Command- use of those forces in the world, where ers in Chief, Members of Congress, mem- threats to our survival have faded but threats

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to our interests and values have not; dramati- dom and brighten hopes and bring toys to cally improving joint doctrine and training the children at Christmas. That story also re- and taking joint planning far into the future vealed something about his character, a clear for the very first time; and of course, helping sense of what is right and wrong, a man bring Europe together at last in liberty, de- whose conscience is always his guide. mocracy, and peace. I’ll miss a lot of things about Shali, but One of the proudest moments of my Presi- perhaps most of all I’ll miss the integrity he dency was standing with Shali in as always displayed in being my closest military we celebrated NATO’s enlargement and wel- adviser. In every conversation we ever had, comed the people of his original homeland he never minced words; he never postured back home to the family of freedom. or pulled punches; he never shied away from And if the baseline measure of a Chair- tough issues or tough calls; and most impor- man’s competence is successful military op- tant, he never shied away from doing what erations, Shali has filled a re´sume´ that would he believed was the right thing. On more turn others olive drab with envy. In the last than one occasion—many more than one oc- 4 years, our troops have been tested in more casion—he looked at me, and I could see than 40 operations. From Bosnia to Haiti, the pain in his eyes that he couldn’t tell me the Taiwan Straits, Iraq, Rwanda, Liberia, what I wanted to hear and what he wished and more, our Armed Forces have per- he could say, but with a clear and firm voice formed superbly with Shali at the helm. Our and a direct, piercing gaze, he always told troops trust him because they know how me exactly what he thought the truth was. much he cares for them. They have seen that No President could ever ask for more. caring in his constant contact with our service Shali has had the support of a proud and men and women, in the way he warms their dedicated family: his son Brant, his brother, hearts with his pride in them, in the humility, himself a distinguished Green Beret veteran, the honesty, the graciousness, the respect he his sister, and, of course, there are his dogs. always shows to others, in the wonderful way I understand they are the only living crea- he listens, even to bearers of bad news. tures who have never obeyed his orders. Our troops know that he never expects [Laughter] their gratitude or applause, but he does want And most importantly, there is Joan. Joan, to sharpen their capabilities, improve their you have been a terrific support for our men welfare, and lift their morale, and in his most and women in uniform. They know you are important duty, to make sure that whenever always looking out for them and their fami- they go into danger, the planning is superb, lies. From around the corner to around the the risks are minimized, and every reasonable world, you were the Chairman’s personal in- measure is taken to ensure their success and spector general when it came to how families safe return. are cared for. No one had more commitment, For Shali, caring transcends our obliga- a better eye, or a bigger heart. And we thank tions even to one another. He believes in you. America’s unique ability to help others General, very soon now you and Joan will around the world, sheltering freedom, de- be settling into your new home in Washing- fending democracy, relieving fear and de- ton State. You can tuck your uniform into spair. He knows that what sets our troops a drawer. You can carry an umbrella. [Laugh- apart is not just their courage, strength, and ter] You can even grow a beard. Maybe you’ll skills, but also the ideals they serve, the hope actually even open that hardware store you they inspire, the spirit they represent. have been talking about. I don’t know if you As some may recall, during the crisis in know the first thing about power tools and Haiti, Shali visited with refugees in the mixing paint, but the brand you have to offer camps, observing and listening with quiet un- is the top of the line. derstanding, the quiet understanding of one Our Nation is safer, our Armed Forces are who had also been in that position. And he stronger, and our world is a better place be- ordered improvements to make those camps cause of your service. Thank you for all you as comfortable as possible, to alleviate bore- have done. God bless you, and Godspeed.

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NOTE: The President spoke at 12:06 p.m. at Fort year will be blessed with great abundance, Myer. true peace, and lasting joy. Citation for General John M. Shalikashvili, USA NOTE: This message was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on September 30. September 30, 1997 Throughout a remarkable 39-year military Statement on Signing the Military career, General Shalikashvili has worked tire- Construction Appropriations Act, lessly to improve our Nation’s security and 1998 promote world peace. A steward of freedom, his landmark endeavors include Joint Vision September 30, 1997 2010; initiation of NATO’s Partnership for I have today signed into law H.R. 2016, Peace; NATO enlargement—which includes the ‘‘Military Construction Appropriations his native Poland; ratification of the Chemi- Act, 1998,’’ which provides funding for mili- cal Weapons Convention; and successful tary construction and family housing pro- military operations in Bosnia, Haiti, and else- grams of the Department of Defense. where in the world. A strong and thoughtful The Act funds the vast majority of my re- leader, his sound judgment and strategic vi- quest for military construction projects, the sion have been instrumental in preparing our military family housing program, other qual- Armed Forces for the challenges of today and ity-of-life projects for our military personnel the 21st century. For a lifetime of dedicated and their families, and the base closure and service, our Nation gratefully honors General realignment program. John Shalikashvili. I am concerned, however, that the Con- William J. Clinton gress has chosen to add funds for projects that the Department has not identified as pri- NOTE: An original was not available for verifica- orities. tion of this citation. I urge the Congress to complete action on the remaining FY 1998 appropriations bills Message on the Observance of Rosh as quickly as possible, and to send them to Hashana, 1997 me in an acceptable form. September 30, 1997 William J. Clinton Warmest greetings to everyone celebrating The White House, Rosh Hashana. September 30, 1997. Throughout the centuries, the shofar has NOTE: H.R. 2016, approved September 30, was sounded on this day to herald the beginning assigned Public Law No. 105–45. of the High Holy Days and the start of a new year. It is a time for both joy and reflec- tion—joy in the promise of another year in Statement on Signing Continuing which to live and work, reflection on how Appropriations Legislation to grow closer to God and family. It is also September 30, 1997 an opportunity to look back on our failures and shortcomings during the past year; not I am pleased to have signed into law today to dwell on them with bitterness and regret, House Joint Resolution 94, a short-term con- but to learn from our mistakes so that the tinuing resolution for fiscal 1998. new year will be sweetened by the gifts of The Act provides 1998 appropriations for wisdom and hope. continuing projects and activities of the Fed- As Jews across America and around the eral Government through October 23, 1997, world gather to reaffirm their faith in God except those funded by the Military Con- and their love of family and community, Hil- struction Appropriations Act, 1998, which I lary and I extend best wishes that the coming signed into law earlier today.

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