Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents

Monday, September 9, 1996 Volume 32—Number 36 Pages 1589–1674

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Addresses and Remarks Addresses and Remarks—Continued Arkansas, Little Rock—1625 National Guard Association of the United Bus tour States—1643 Illinois, Cairo—1602 Tennessee Kentucky See also Bus tour Fulton—1612 Reception for Harold Ford, Jr., in Mayfield—1610 Memphis—1623 Paducah—1604 Radio address—1608 Missouri, Cape Girardeau—1593 Wisconsin Tennessee Labor Day festival in Milwaukee—1635 Covington—1616 Labor Day picnic in DePere—1631 Dyersburg—1614 Communications to Congress Memphis—1618, 1623 Austria-U.S. tax convention, message Troy—1613 transmitting—1649 Florida Indonesia-U.S. tax convention protocol, Orlando message transmitting—1650 National Baptist Convention USA—1660 Luxembourg-U.S. tax convention, message Valencia Community College—1666 transmitting—1649 Sunrise—1652 Mongolia, message transmitting report on Tampa—1651 emigration policies—1650 Illinois Turkey-U.S. tax agreement with protocol, See also Bus tour message transmitting—1642 Democratic National Committee in Chicago Annual general session—1590 Communications to Federal Agencies Post-convention celebration—1589 Mongolia, memorandum on emigration Iraq, missile strikes—1641, 1648 policies—1650

(Continued on the inside of the back cover.)

Editor’s Note: The President was in Panama City, FL, on September 6, 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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Executive Orders Statements by the President Advisory Commission on Consumer Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Protection and Quality in the Health Care Palestinian Authority Chairman Arafat, Industry—1659 meeting—1649 North Atlantic Treaty Organization, 1997 Interviews With the News Media summit—1671 Exchanges with reporters in the Oval Office— Supplementary Materials 1641, 1648 Acts approved by the President—1674 Interview with Tabitha Soren of MTV—1596 Checklist of White House press releases— 1673 Letters and Messages Digest of other White House Labor Day, message—1596 announcements—1671 Nominations submitted to the Senate—1673

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Remarks at a Democratic National At least we all were afraid of that. But I spent Committee Post-Convention a lot of time in Chicago in the last several Celebration in Chicago, Illinois years; I’ve seen how it works, and I see how August 30, 1996 it continues to work better and better. And I believe that America should see this. And Thank you, thank you very much. Well, I think America has seen it. And I hope that, I can’t believe we’re all still standing. [Laugh- in addition to whatever benefit the Vice ter] I’d like to join the Vice President and President and I and our Democratic can- Hillary and Tipper in thanking the leadership didates for Congress and Governor and the of our party—Don Fowler and Chris Dodd other races have received from this conven- and Marvin Rosen, who had a birthday yes- tion, I hope that Chicago got its just due. terday but has really put 15 or 20 years on And I believe it did. And we thank you. his life since he took this modest little part- Finally, and most importantly, we should time job as the finance chairman of our recognize the people who pulled this conven- party—and all the other people from the tion off. And I would like for Debra DeLee DNC. And I thank the committee here to- and every person here on the convention night. staff to please stand and receive a warm ap- I would like to say to Carl Lewis, thank plause. You all were magnificent, and we you for being here. We’re honored by your thank you. Thank you, Debra, and thanks to presence and we were thrilled by your last everyone else. You were wonderful, wonder- victory and every other one you had in your ful, wonderful. career. I have a very emotional feeling about being And Candice Bergen, thank you so much here tonight not only because of my wife’s for what you said. When you and Chloe came roots in Chicago, but on St. Patrick’s Day to visit us at the White House and Ron in 1992 we were here in Chicago when we Brown and our other friends had just been won the primaries in Illinois and in Michigan killed in that plane crash, I don’t think you and virtually sealed the Democratic nomina- know what a wonderful thing it was for me tion. And David Wilhelm, my campaign man- to meet a person like your daughter and re- ager in 1992, of course, is from Chicago, and mind us that life goes on and we have to so many other people who were then on our think about that. So I think she helped me staff or people like Kevin O’Keefe who are get through those 2 days a lot more than I still there. This is a wonderful town, and I helped you by being around the White am very grateful to everyone here and House. And thank you for your gracious com- throughout the State of Illinois. ments tonight. Just to show you we’re not taking this for I would like to just thank two other groups granted, we’re actually going to start this bus of people. First of all, Mr. Mayor and Maggie trip again tomorrow. After I finished the and Bill Daley and Dick Notebaert and the speech—and I can see I’ve almost lost my entire committee of people from Chicago did voice from being on the train—I figured that a magnificent job with this convention. And in the 31⁄2 days on the train we saw at least we thank them. [Applause] We thank you. 150,000 people in the events alone. It was You know, when it’s all over and it looks unbelievable. good, it’s easy to say it was easy, but the truth So I said to Al Gore tonight, I said, ‘‘Man, is there were some considerable risks for the I’m dog-tired. Why in the world are we get- mayor and the city for taking on this conven- ting on that bus tomorrow?’’ [Laughter] tion after what happened here so long ago. ‘‘Why aren’t we taking our kids to the Shed

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Aquarium tomorrow? Why aren’t we sort of I asked Al last night, after the convention just chilling out tomorrow?’’ And he looked adjourned and I was just drained, you at me with that inevitable sense of humor know—and you all were so wonderful to me, of his and he dead-panned, ‘‘We do not want and I thank you very much—but I said, Mr. Dole to be President of the United ‘‘Gosh, I wish tomorrow we were getting up States.’’ So I said, ‘‘Okay, but when I get up and taking the kids to the aquarium and the in the morning and I’m whining about this zoo and just kind of looking around Chicago, and talking about how I’m older than you a wonderful town; I hadn’t spent any time are and I hurt everywhere, just say that again here. Why are we going out on that bus?’’ so I’ll remember why I’m doing this.’’ [Laughter] ‘‘Why are we doing that tomor- [Laughter] row?’’ Totally deadpan, you know, just like We’re going to do our best to make you he did in the speech, he said in his version proud. We’ve all worked so hard this last year of the macarena, you know that dead stare— and a half or so. I was looking out in this [laughter]—he said, ‘‘Because we do not wish crowd tonight just really feeling bad that I Senator Dole to win the election.’’ [Laugh- couldn’t go to every table and shake every ter] So I said, ‘‘Okay, when I get up tomorrow hand and thank every person personally, be- and my back hurts and I’m whining around, cause I just look at you and I know that we you remind me of that so I can be in a good wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t been there humor.’’ [Laughter] for us. And many of you were there when Rabbi, Reverend Barrow, ladies and gen- nobody gave us a prayer of coming back, tlemen, I just want to echo, if I might for when people did not believe in what we were a moment, a lot of what has been said and trying to do and did not believe that it would make two brief points about our party and ever work or did not believe it would ever our future. First, I want to thank Don Fowler be apparent to the American people. And for a lifetime of devotion to our party and you all know who you are. for doing the hard work—out of the limelight And I can’t be at your table tonight, and and keeps going. I want to thank B.J. I can’t tonight—when I would especially like to do it—look into your eyes and thank you. Thornberry and the staff at the Democratic But you know who you are, and tonight I National Committee who have worked hard want you to be very, very proud. And tomor- to bring our party back. row I want you to be determined that tonight I thank Chris Dodd for his tirelessness and will not have been in vain. We’ll celebrate his eloquence. By the time he got through in November. nominating me the other night I felt like a Thank you, and God bless you. real President. [Laughter] I thought it was quite wonderful, and I thank you, sir. NOTE: The President spoke at 1:10 a.m. at the I want to thank Marvin Rosen and Scott Sheraton Hotel. In his remarks, he referred to Pastrick and all the folks that have worked U.S. Olympic athlete Carl Lewis; actress Candice so hard in raising our funds that for a year Bergen and her daughter, Chloe; and Mayor Rich- enabled us to be on television debating the ard M. Daley of Chicago, his wife, Margaret, and different visions of the future that we and his brother William. This item was not received in time for publication in the appropriate issue. our opponents have. I feel deeply indebted to you, Debra DeLee, and to all the people who worked Remarks to the Annual General on the Chicago convention—a lot of people Session of the Democratic National left the White House, volunteers came from Committee in Chicago all over the country. They did a wonderful August 30, 1996 job. I said before how very much I appreciate what Mayor Daley and Maggie did and the The President. Thank you. Ladies and magnificent job that Bill Daley did in muster- gentlemen, you just heard a speech from the ing a broad base of support for the Demo- part of our ticket who got the most sleep cratic Convention in Chicago, and I’m very last night. [Laughter] grateful to them.

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I’d also like to remind you all that we had truth, there would be no point in talking. If a lot of support and help from the entire there was nothing to learn, there would be State of Illinois, and I’d like to thank the no point in listening. chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party, And the one thing I have to tell you, over Gary LaPaille, and all the Illinois Democrats the last 20 years of public life, where I’ve for the support they gave us. Thank you, sir. had the opportunity now to work for 20 years Thank you all. on the great issues that are still before us I thank all the Members of Congress for today—can you reform education so that ev- being here and all of you—some of you eryone achieves excellence; can you develop here—Joel Ferguson I see—were on the the right mix in a criminal justice system so train with me. I thank you for riding the train. that you not only catch the people who That was one of the great experiences of my should be caught and sent to prison but you life, and I think everybody who was on there actually find a way to reduce crime by pre- enjoyed it. venting it in the first place; can you find a Reverend Jackson, I thank you for what way to change the dynamics of the welfare you said at the convention, for what you said system so we end the 30 years steadily grow- about the First Lady, and I thank you for ing isolation of an economic under class in being there with your son. You know, I saw America? Congressman Jackson and his father, and I What I have learned is that we all need watched them together, and I thought, family a little humility here. If these things were values. I thought, family values. It was a easy, somebody would have done it already. beautiful thing. That’s why I was so upset to hear our teach- I thank Mayor Archer for being here and ers condemned at the other convention. You for your great speech, sir, and for the exam- know, they ought to try it sometime. They ple you have set in Detroit. If you can get ought to try it sometime. Most of our chil- $2 billion of private sector commitments to dren turn out fine; most of them learn a lot; invest in the inner city of Detroit, we can most of them are doing great; a lot of them do that everywhere in America, and we can are doing great against all the odds. put the people of this country back to work But when we embark on this great enter- and give people a future. prise, we should not only have confidence I don’t know if Mayor Brown from San and energy, we should have a little humility. Francisco is still here, but I thought he was And that humility should make us welcome here before, and I thank him for being here. the chance together as a party and to express He was one of our most eloquent our honest differences, and then to explain spokespeople on television. I saw him from to the American people why we’re still time to time. Democrats and why we’re still moving for- I wanted to say two things. First of all, ward and what it is that we agree on, which I want you to know how I felt not only as is what our platform is all about. a President, as a Democrat, but as an Amer- I’d give anything if—I know political plat- ican, about our convention. I had two re- forms are sort of out of date—I’d give any- sponses to it. First of all, our friends in the thing if we could convince 20 or 30 or 40 other party, they had a very successful con- million Americans to read that platform. It’s vention in San Diego, but there was a dif- not very long. And it says about all we need ference in theirs and ours, and I was really to say, about why we’re not a party of the proud of it. We were proud of our platform, past but a party of the future. And I just want proud of our record, proud of all of our lead- you to know I’m proud of you, every one ers and glad to put them before the American of you, and grateful to you. people. But more importantly, we did not try And so I ask you to go out to the American to hide the fact that we have differences but people with that sense of confidence and that those differences can be constructive. hope and also honest humility. We came in If you’re not going to ever have a debate here on a train. We’re going to fly out of and a difference of opinion, what’s the pur- here and get on a bus. But by train or bus, pose of getting together? If we all knew the we’re still going to have the same message:

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We are on the right track to the 21st century want a handout.’’ That’s over. No one can and we are going to build that bridge to the do that anymore. All that stuff that people future, and we’re going to do it together. said just sort of on automatic for the last 20 And let me just say one or two things. The years, it is over now. And if you hear anybody Vice President went over the substantive is- saying it now, you can say, when’s the last sues, but if you think about it, we have to time you hired somebody? What are you keep the economy strong, and then we’ve got going to do? What is your responsibility? We to offer educational opportunity to everybody have changed this. Get off the dime. Let’s if everyone is going to have a chance to par- go to work. Let’s do this. ticipate. That’s our opportunity agenda, and This is going to be a great opportunity for it’s a good one. us to bring that message. I know that it was We have to keep the crime rate coming Reverend Jackson who first said to me the down, but we have to find a way to prevent line I said to America last night, which is crime in the first place. We have to try to that the greatest market for our country are change the welfare system with this law, but all the underemployed and unemployed peo- in order to do it there have to be jobs there ple in America. If you brought investment in the first place. And let me say, I have seen back into the isolated rural areas and the with these empowerment zones that if we inner cities of America and gave people there put a lot more of them out there we can the chance to work and earn a good living, get more investment into our cities. they would buy more American products I can see with our brownfields initiative— than any country that we can presently open that’s a strange word to a lot of people— a market to in the next 2 or 3 years. That but the truth is we can’t invest in a lot of is the important message here. That’s a very our cities because there are environmental important message. problems. If we clean them up, in many Now, I leave you with this thought. This cases, the investments that can be made will is the beginning of the campaign, not the end be less expensive in some of our high unem- of it. I want to get in there with everyone ployment areas. In other areas we can help else who said that. I don’t know how many in that way. We can give employers incen- sporting events I’ve watched in my lifetime— tives to hire people on welfare. All those wel- a golfer I admire blow a several shot lead— fare checks can now be used to help create not maybe blow it, maybe somebody else just jobs in the private sector. played better that day, a basketball team 20 But the thing that I think is most important points ahead lose the lead in 8 minutes and for us to say is what I said last night: Welfare lose the game. Any contest is not over until for years has been a political football. Every- it’s over. And this is a contest, and it’s not body had an opinion about it, even people over. It’s just starting. that never talked to anybody on welfare, has So I want you to share this message. And never been in a welfare office, had never I do want you to help us register more of seen how any of these programs worked. our voters, but I want you to help us get Their sense was right. Their sense was right, the people to vote who should. The thing that somehow we had isolated a group of that encouraged me about the train trip was people in our country that we weren’t bring- that I felt that there’s no way that many peo- ing back in. That was true. But a lot of the ple could have come out with that level of specific things people said about it were dead interest, enthusiasm, and commitment, un- wrong, starting with the fact that most every- less they felt again that there was a connec- body who is trapped in dependence is dying tion between what we were doing in Wash- to be independent and wants to be out of ington and how they were living in the heart- it. land. That is the connection we have to keep Now there is none of that left. No person alive. That is the connection that drives peo- can fairly argue the welfare issue one party ple to the polls. against another. No person can fairly say, But it is critical that people know that ‘‘I’m a politician. I’m going to get you to vote we’re building that bridge to the 21st cen- for me by condemning poor people who just tury, that we’re going to meet our challenges,

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and we’re going to protect our values. Our want all Americans to join the Democrats party was founded by Thomas Jefferson. I and get the job done. think it’s important to note that Thomas Jef- Thank you, and God bless you. ferson was succeeded by Madison and Mon- roe, that by the time John Quincy Adams got NOTE: The President spoke at 10:49 a.m. at the ready to be President, he was not part of Sheraton Hotel. In his remarks, he referred to the party of his father. Everybody had to be Rabbi Herman Schaalmau and Rev. Willie Bar- part of Jefferson’s party. They just had two row, who delivered the invocations; B.J. Thornberry, executive director, Donald L. Fowl- different factions. Then we had Andrew Jack- er, national chair, Senator Christopher J. Dodd, son who was a more populist part of the party general chair, Marvin Rosen, finance chair, and that Thomas Jefferson had founded. Scott Pastrick, treasurer, Democratic National I’m making this point for this reason: if Committee; Debra DeLee, chief executive officer, this party represents most of the people, em- Democratic National Convention Committee; Joel bodies the values of this country, and is al- Ferguson, former trustee of Michigan State Uni- ways willing to take on the new challenges, versity, businessman, and Democratic Party sup- we can be the party that we were in our be- porter; civil rights activist Jesse Jackson and his ginning. We can be the party that we were son, Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr., of Illinois; for Woodrow Wilson and Franklin Roosevelt and Mayor Dennis W. Archer of Detroit, MI. This item was not received in time for publication in and Harry Truman. We can be the party that the appropriate issue. A portion of these remarks we were for John Kennedy and President could not be verified because the tape was incom- Johnson. We can be the party we started to plete. be with President Carter, and circumstances intervened there. We can do that if we have that kind of discipline. Remarks on Beginning a Bus Tour in I was reading that magnificent book about Cape Girardeau, Missouri the Lewis and Clark expedition and all the August 30, 1996 people in the other party who were against Thomas Jefferson buying the Louisiana Ter- The President. Thank you so much. La- ritory. And Thomas Jefferson said, ‘‘Well, I’m dies and gentlemen, first of all I am thrilled for limited Government but, my goodness, to see you here in such large numbers and this is America, this is our future.’’ So he with such enthusiasm. It’s good to be in Cape spent the equivalent of one year of the Fed- Girardeau. It’s not the first time I’ve ever eral budget to buy Louisiana. Can you imag- been here, but it’s the first time I’ve ever ine what they’d do to me in Washington if been here as President. And the last time I spent the equivalent of one year of the Fed- I was here as a private citizen, I just stopped eral budget on anything? A whole year of the and got a Coke and nobody came out to see Federal budget he spent to buy Louisiana. me. It’s pretty nice to be here with 30,000 If he hadn’t done it, I wouldn’t be here today. of our best friends. Thank you. Thank you. [Laughter] I want to say a word of thanks to some You think about that. I say that to say we folks who haven’t been recognized yet, but must always keep our eye on the future. We I used to do this, and they’re the people that should be proud of what we have done. We provided our music. They’re over there in should be proud of what we have done, but those hot uniforms: the Southeast Missouri we can’t undo yesterday. We can be proud State Band, the Cape Girardeau Central of our accomplishments, and we have to find High School Band, the Jackson High School a way to let our failures go because we can’t Band, the Fredericktown High School Band, undo it. And we’ve got to focus on the future. the Farmington High School Band. Thank So if you will help me in these next 68 you for the music. Thank you. You were days, we’ll take this message to the people. great, and we appreciate you. Yes, we’re on the right track, but we’re not Thank you, Governor Carnahan, for being stopping the train. We’re going on. We’re my friend and being a great leader for Mis- building that bridge to the 21st century. souri, for creating jobs and advancing edu- We’re building it for all Americans, and we cation and moving people from welfare to

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work. I want to say one thing about Mel in Cape Girardeau. I am sick and tired of Carnahan. While there was a lot of political Washington taking up the headlines over rhetoric in Washington about welfare reform, who’s to blame. I think the question is not Mel Carnahan developed an idea, a plan to who’s to blame; it’s what are we going to do help move people from welfare to work. We to make America a better country and to give approved it. He’s implementing it. And I our children a better future? want you to know there are, in addition to So it’s not enough to blame and to say no. 10 million more Americans at work, there We have to say yes. We have to have the are 1.8 million Americans fewer on welfare right kind of balanced budget. That’s one of than there were the day I became President, the decisions we can make if we had people thanks in part to the leadership of people like Emily Firebaugh in the United States like Mel Carnahan. Congress. I hope you’ll send her up there Thank you, Emily Firebaugh, for present- and give her a chance to serve. ing yourself as a candidate for Congress, for I want to also, if I might, echo something undergoing the rigors of the campaign, and Hillary said. I know that we’re pretty close for understanding what is at stake. Ladies to Arkansas here. And if I had doubted it, and gentlemen, what she said is true. And there’s a bunch of my friends from northeast what I said to the convention last night is Arkansas in this crowd. I thank you for com- true. Last year there was and this year there ing—all the people who came up from Ar- has been a competition of balanced budget kansas that are over here to my left. plans. Let me remind you that they always We’ve got some water here. And if any- talked about balancing the budget, but when body passes out in the heat, we’ve also got I became President, the debt of this country a bunch of medics here. So just wave your had been quadrupled in 12 years. We cut hand; they’re all looking for you. What did it by 60 percent in 4 years. And you would she say? have a surplus today if it weren’t for the inter- Audience member. [Inaudible] est we have to pay on the debt run up in The President. Thank you. That we have the 12 years before I became President. a lot of nurses here. That’s what they were And so, I said, ‘‘Here’s a balanced budget saying. plan. It has a tax cut to pay for education Ladies and gentlemen, I came into Chi- and childrearing. It’s targeted to middle class cago on a train from West Virginia to Ken- families. It invests in education. It invests in tucky, to Ohio, to Michigan, to Indiana, and the environment. It invests in research and then into Chicago. I did it to say that America technology for the future. It protects Medic- is on the right track to the 21st century, but aid for the elderly in nursing homes or poor I did it to see people like you, the people children, for families with members with dis- we’ve been working and fighting for for 4 abilities. And it protects Medicare. Take it.’’ years. We left Chicago on a bus to get back They said, ‘‘No. Here’s a balanced budget on the roads that we drove in 1992 because plan. It cuts Medicare too much. It cuts Hillary and I and Al and Tipper, we want Medicaid too much. It divides Medicare into to see the face of America, and we want you a two-class system. It removes the guarantee to know that we’re going to build a bridge of Medicaid coverage for people in nursing to the 21st century that all of you can walk homes, for families with disabilities, and for across with your families, with your children, poor children. It cuts education. It cuts the and with your neighbors. environment. It lets companies raid $15 bil- I want to do every single solitary thing I lion of their workers’ pension funds. And it talked about last night, to create more oppor- raises taxes on the hardest working, lowest tunity, to inspire more responsibility in our paid working people with children in this people, and to build a stronger sense of com- country. You take that, or we’ll shut the Gov- munity. I don’t want to go over all that, but ernment down.’’ I do want to remind you of a couple of things I said no. I said no. But as I said yesterday, that we are going to do to build that bridge. I have done my best to change the politics We’re going to make 2 years of college as of Washington, DC, to make it more like life universal in the next 4 years as a high school

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education is today. We’re going to give Amer- The President. Well, why would you hire ica’s families a tax deduction for the cost of somebody to do it for you? Now, you think college tuition up to $10,000 a year. We’re about it. What happens is if you borrow the going to enlist 30,000 mentors to mobilize money to give yourself a tax cut, everybody an army of 1 million people to work with else is borrowing money, you’re going to parents to help their children read so that drive interest rates up; your car payment, when we get to the year 2000, there will not your credit card payment, your home mort- be 40 percent of our third graders unable gage payment will be higher. to read on their own. Every third grader in Last year our Republican friends said it America will be able to read a book on his would be higher by 2 percent. That means or her own. they’ll take your tax cut away, weaken the We’re going to pass the right kind of tax economy and, most important, it will be cut, a tax cut involving a credit for $500 for harder for business people here and through- children 13 and under, a tax deduction for out the country to borrow money, to expand the cost of college tuition, a $1,500 tax credit their businesses, to start new businesses, to for the cost of community college, an IRA hire new people, to raise their wages. Let’s that families making family incomes up to have the right kind of tax cut, balance the $100,000 can take out every year and then budget, keep the interest rates down, keep withdraw tax-free to pay for health insurance, the economy of Missouri and the United a first-time home, or the cost of a college States of America going. That is the right education. This is the right sort of tax pro- thing to do. gram for America. We’re going to prove you can protect the And we’re going to say to middle income environment and grow the economy. There families, we’re going to help you get in your are 10 million kids living within 4 miles of home. We’ve got the highest rate of home a toxic waste dump. If you vote for us, we’re ownership in 15 years. We’ve got the highest going to clean up two-thirds of them in the rate of minority home ownership in the his- next 4 years and make our kids grow up next tory of America. We’re going to take it in to parks, not poison. That’s the right thing the next 4 years over two-thirds of the Amer- to do for America’s children. ican people will be in their own homes. And We’re going to build on our efforts to we want to say when you sell that home and strengthen America’s families and to help move into another one, if we have our way people succeed at work and at home. In all you will never owe any taxes on the gain you the crowds that I have been before over the have when your home goes up again for that. last 4 years, when real Americans, ordinary But folks, these tax cuts are paid for line Americans, hard-working Americans, the by line, dime by dime. We’ve still got to bal- backbone of this country come out, I look ance the budget. That’s why our friends and and talk to people, and I don’t ever meet our opponents’ tax plan, which is 5 times big- a family that hasn’t had some point in their ger and sounds sweeter, it’s just flat wrong lives where there’s been a real challenge be- because it will require us to make even big- tween the duty to raise their children well ger cuts in Medicare, Medicaid, education, and their obligations at work. and the environment than the budget I ve- That’s why we passed the family and medi- toed. You don’t want that, do you? cal leave law and gave 12 million Americans Audience members. No-o-o! a chance to take some time off for a baby’s The President. And when they get birth or a parent’s sickness without losing through with that, they still won’t have bal- their jobs. And that’s why we want to expand anced the budget, so they’ll blow a hole in the family and medical leave law, so people the deficit. Now, that’s boring compared to can take a little time off to go to those parent- a check in your pocket. But let me ask it teacher conferences and the regular doctor’s to you this way: Would you go to the bank appointment with their kids. And we think in Cape Girardeau and borrow money to give there ought to be flextime rules so that if yourself a tax cut? you earn overtime, depending on what’s best Audience members. No-o-o! for your family, you get to decide whether

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to take the overtime in money or extra time can take their health care coverage with off if your children need it. That’s the kind them. of America we’re trying to build, stronger We observe this day knowing that the best families for a brighter future working to- is yet to come. Working together, manage- gether. ment and labor can improve quality and effi- Will you help us build that bridge to the ciency, reduce production costs, promote 21st century? new job opportunities, and ensure safe and Audience members. Yes! healthy working conditions. The President. Will you say that in Amer- As we pause to reflect on the contributions ica, if you believe in the Constitution, the of America’s workers, we should remember Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independ- those who seek a job—who seek a piece of ence, if you’re willing to work hard and play the American Dream—and rededicate our- by the rules, we don’t care what your race selves to making that dream possible for all is, what your gender is, what your income Americans to achieve. is, where you’re from or where you started, Best wishes to all for a memorable holiday. you’re all going across that bridge together Bill Clinton with us, we’re going arm in arm, together and strong? Can we do that? Will you help NOTE: This message was not received in time for us for 68 days, all the way to November? publication in the appropriate issue. Audience members. Yes! The President. Thank you, and God bless you all. Thank you. Interview With Tabitha Soren of MTV NOTE: The President spoke at 2:57 p.m. at Capaha Park. This item was not received in time for publi- August 30, 1996 cation in the appropriate issue. Ms. Soren. Welcome, Mr. President, to our Choose or Lose bus. Message on the Observance of The President. Thank you. Labor Day, 1996 Antidrug Efforts August 30, 1996 Ms. Soren. Thank you very much for tak- Warm greetings to all Americans as we ing the time to do this on your bus tour. commemorate our nation’s 102nd Labor Day In your speech last night you said that holiday. drugs were wrong and deadly. But on MTV Each Labor Day we celebrate the accom- a couple of years ago, someone asked you plishments of our working men and women. if you could inhale—if you could do it over Jobs drive our economy and ensure that the again, would you inhale, and you said, ‘‘Yeah, blessings of freedom will benefit generations I tried the first time.’’ to come. Labor Day is an opportunity to rec- The President. That was true. ognize those who began the fight to improve Ms. Soren. Do you wish that you had an- working conditions and labor laws for Ameri- swered differently? Because Republicans are cans, as well as those who continue to ensure planning on using this to attack you. dignity in the workplace, integrity in our soci- The President. Oh, they’re using it, but ety, and honor in the global marketplace. all I said was—I was just trying to make the This Labor Day, we have much to cheer, point that I had never—when I answered the including 10 million new jobs created in the question I told the truth. I just told the truth past three and a half years and better and about the question. safer pensions for 40 million workers and re- Ms. Soren. It was a joke? tirees. The Family and Medical Leave Act The President. Yes. has permitted countless workers to care for Ms. Soren. The question was, in context, loved ones without fear of losing their jobs it was a light-hearted—— or their seniority. And employees are now The President. It was a light-hearted guaranteed that when they change jobs, they question, and it wasn’t in the context of some

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sort of endorsement of drug use, and they with IBM a computer, a supercomputer that know that. If you look at the record I estab- will do more calculations in a second than lished as Governor, the record I’ve estab- a person with a hand-held calculator could lished as President, the things I’ve worked do in 30,000 years—30,000 years. It’s unbe- on, and if you look at the terrible price my lievable. And I believe that it’s very impor- own family has paid and my brother’s prob- tant to vote for a President who believes in lem which literally nearly killed him, I think the future and who is really committed to that my position on this is clear. science and technology and research. I’m very concerned about it really because The second reason is, as Christopher every so often, you know, years go by and Reeve so eloquently told me when we were we see drug use going down. We still see visiting in the Oval Office, not everyone who drug use going down among adults; that’s the gets a serious injury and becomes disabled interesting thing. In the last 4 years, drug is wealthy; most people aren’t, and even use among people 18 to 34 has gone down wealthy people can quickly be bankrupted because people have begun to think more by the cost of care. The Medicaid program about their own lives, their responsibilities which the Federal Government has main- then when they have children, and they tained for 30 years contains a guarantee of began to be concerned about the risks. aid to families with disabilities who are mid- But every few years, apparently, younger dle class or below, to enable them to main- people believe it’s not dangerous anymore tain a middle class life, to keep their jobs and believe that the risks, if there are any, and still give their disabled family member can be borne. The risks of, let’s say, cocaine, some help. heroin, and hallucinogens and marijuana are In the budget—which I vetoed—of the different kinds of risks, but there are real Republican Congress, which Senator Dole risks associated with all of them. And I’m very hopeful, now that General McCaffrey and Mr. Gingrich led through Congress, they has come on and agreed to be our drug czar would have removed that guarantee, just sent and we’re focusing now—I wouldn’t say ex- some money to the States, put a lid on it, clusively but clearly primarily on people and then let the States decide what to do. under 18, that we and people around the And I think it’s highly likely that the first country will be able to do something about people to be sacrificed would have been peo- this. ple with disabilities. So those are the two reasons that his being Convention Format and Message there embodied the human connection to the Ms. Soren. I wanted to ask you another President and his actions, the Congress, and question about the convention. I think a lot what happens to people’s lives. And every of people were confused by what they saw other person that was there on Monday at both conventions; they saw singing Sen- night, the same thing. The Brady bill, it was ators and delegates macarena-ing. Obviously obvious because they talked about it. Mike it’s a party, you know, but many people didn’t Robbins, the Chicago police officer, was rid- hear the message coming from the conven- dled with bullets by an assault weapon. The tions. young AmeriCorps girl was important be- For instance, obviously Christopher Reeve cause the Republicans have tried to abolish has done a lot of good for people who suffer AmeriCorps twice. The educator is important from his disability, but why is his disability because they wanted to cut back on edu- an argument to vote for you? cational aid; I wanted to invest more money The President. For two reasons. One is, in education. So everybody there—the To- Christopher Reeve made an impassioned ledo autoworker was important because plea for research. In my budget we have con- we’ve opened new markets to Japan and sistently invested more in research, both in other parts in the world and America is num- health care areas like spinal cord disease, ber one in auto production again. breast cancer, HIV, and AIDS, and also in So we started our convention in a very dif- science and technology. We’re now building ferent way. We had a whole series of citizens

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speaking to establish the connection between The President. No. Let me just take one their vote and their lives. other example. Ms. Soren. The only reason I ask is be- 1996 Election Issues cause people are wondering if you’re the Ms. Soren. Speaking of Senator Dole and same person they elected in ’92. the Republicans, the Republicans are accus- The President. If you look at what we ing you of theft of their values agenda, steal- talked about at the convention, if you look ing their ideas and making them your own. at what we’ve done over the last 4 years— How do you plead? including in the last 2 years—the budget that The President. Well, the Republicans I passed, I put the Democrats on the side tried for years to convince the American peo- of deficit reduction and balancing the budg- ple that only one party had values. And un- et, because I believe that. That’s what I ran fortunately—I believe it was unfortunate— on. But all the Republicans voted against our they were too often rewarded for that. But budget because it also made the Tax Code I never believed that only Republicans could fairer; it lowered taxes on 15 million working stand up for the American family. I never people, asked those of us in the highest in- believed that only Republicans could be come groups, the top one percent of us, to tough on crime. I thought those were Amer- pay a little more. ican issues. They opposed me on family and medical But if we were going to argue that they leave, most of them did. They opposed my belonged to one party or another—I mean, education reforms, all progressive things. here’s a fact: The first bill I signed was the They opposed the crime bill. Then when we Family and Medical Leave Act. My prede- finally got some action out of this last Con- cessor, my Republican predecessor, vetoed gress, there was—the health care reform pro- it twice, and Senator Dole led the fight posal was a big part of my health care reform against it. Now, who is the more pro-family? bill that I signed. The minimum wage bill, I fought the crime bill through, which put the pension relief for small businesses, was 100,000 police on the street, banned assault legislation that I always advocated. So I think weapons, and had tougher punishment pro- it sounds good. But what was the biggest grams and prevention programs for young thing I did in the last 2 years? I vetoed their people. The bitterest, I mean really, literally, budget. bitterest opponent of the crime bill in the So I don’t see how they can say I’m Repub- entire Congress was Senator Dole. Now, who lican-like. I just think that they like saying, is strong against crime? We’ve got 4 years ‘‘We’re for a balanced budget; the Democrats of declining crime. are big spenders. We’re tough on crime; the So I didn’t steal their values. On welfare Democrats are weak on crime. We’re for reform, long before they ever passed a bill, work instead of welfare; the Democrats are 3 months into my Presidency I granted the for welfare instead of work.’’ And even some first waiver to a State to try a welfare-to-work of our own commentators kind of got hung experiment. We now have 1.8 million fewer up in that. people on welfare than we did the day I took If we protect children and we give families office—before this welfare bill takes effect. the right to and the tools they need to make So I didn’t steal their values agenda. I be- the most of their own lives, we should be lieve they’re American values, and I did for a balanced budget, a growing economy, something about it. And I think they’re angry work instead of welfare, and tough on crime. because they made so many votes for years So I feel very good about it, and I don’t think just by talking about it and not doing any- it’s inconsistent. thing about it. So we did something about it, and they’re complaining about it. Political Consultant Dick Morris Ms. Soren. Are you afraid of being seen Ms. Soren. Dick Morris helped you make as sort of—are you afraid of your politics a political comeback over the last 2 years, being perceived as sort of Republican-like, and he’s been running, according to just a less radical approach to their ideas? about everyone, a phenomenal campaign.

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Now he’s resigned. Will you still be talking down under our strategy, and they opposed to him on the phone about politics? it. The President. I don’t plan to do that, They don’t have to talk about those things. no. But we do have a good team, and we But I’m going to talk about what is right for all work together. the American people. The American people Ms. Soren. You’re not worried at all with will make their judgments about—and prob- him not being there? ably already have made their judgments The President. No, because we have a about that. And I do not intend to respond good team. And everybody had a role to play, in kind. I’m going to keep saying what I said and we all agreed early on on a strategy. And before: I like Senator Dole. I’ve had a good then when we—we had a decisionmaking relationship with him. I honor the 35 years process which I think is very good, which he gave this country in Congress, and I re- I’m just going to keep in place. I’m going spect him for the way he fought back from to keep the team I’ve got; I’m going to keep his injury in the war. And I just don’t think the decisionmaking process in place. And I that it’s good for America, and I’m going to think we’ll do very well. try to make this election about big things that Ms. Soren. So you won’t be communicat- touch the people we just saw on the side of ing with him anymore? the road there. The President. I don’t have any plans to Ms. Soren. Or little things that touch do that. I don’t say I won’t communicate with them, too. him. My wife and I and the Vice President The President. And the little things that all called him and just had a purely personal touch them. conversation. Ms. Soren. But this campaign is now the product of You captured the imagination a record we have made and the proposals of young people in 1992, along with their we have out there and the fact that we— votes. I saw young people at the MTV Inau- our administration stood against what Mr. gural Ball weeping when you arrived. Maybe Gingrich and Mr. Dole tried to do in ’95 and their expectations were too high, but even early ’96. And those will be the salient ele- with national service and all your educational ments that the American people will have to programs, a lot of them feel just as discon- decide on, and we’ll do the best we can. But nected today as they did 4 years ago. Do you I feel good about it. feel like you’ve let people down? Have you not gotten your message out as clearly as you 1996 Election could have? Ms. Soren. There’s talk in Republican cir- The President. Well, I think the campaign cles of renewing character attacks on you be- will help. But all I can say is—— cause of their opinion that you surround Ms. Soren. Were their expectations too yourself with questionable people. How are high? you going to respond? The President. I don’t know, because I The President. I’m not. I’m going to keep don’t know what their expectations were. I doing my job. I think the reason that talk want them to be high. But if you look at what is there, though, is that way they don’t have happened on this train trip, that was my first to talk about over 10 million new jobs; they real—I don’t think polls can tell you these don’t have to talk about the fact that my things. I don’t think you can poll this. But Democratic administration is the first one to when we were out there, and on this train reduce the deficit in all 4 of its years, since trip we stopped—most of our rallies were in before the Civil War; that our budget would very small towns. We only had 2 stops where be in surplus today if it weren’t for the inter- there were fewer than 10,000 people there. est we pay on the debt run up in the 12 years There were more than 150,000 total people of the Republican Presidencies before me; who came to our rallies in those 3 days on that we have made college loans more avail- the train. And then there were hundreds and able and more affordable, and they tried to hundreds of people, place after place after cut back on it; that the crime rate has come place, just on the side of the road as we were

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going. We had 30,000 in Cape Girardeau, doing so even though their tax bills went up, Missouri, today, our first bus stop. because only the top 1.2 percent of individ- I think people do feel connected. Look, uals and corporations with incomes over $10 I think they feel like they’re part of some- million a year had an income tax increase thing bigger than themselves. I think they under our tax bill. And a lot of them sup- think the country is moving again. I do be- ported us anyway, first of all because they lieve in the first 2 years that—one of the knew I was right, that to get the deficit down, things that I’ve learned over many years is get interest rates down—they’d all do better that there is a time lag between when a Presi- with a healthier economy. I don’t believe that dent or a Governor or a Congress takes an any of them have supported me for some sort action and when it can be felt in the lives of bad or unseemly reason. of the American people. So that we saw real On the other hand, I think it would be economic growth coming from 1993 on, but better if we had a campaign finance reform there was no evidence until really about 8 system that would enable people in public months ago that the American people were life to spend less time raising money and to beginning to feel it in their own lives, when be less dependent on it. But the only way paychecks finally started to go up again, when you can do it is to give greater access to the people saw that there were enough new jobs airwaves, to candidates or parties, because it to make a difference in the local economy. just costs so much to communicate. It’s the same thing with education. Now Ms. Soren. So it’s our fault. [Laughter] we’re beginning—we’ve got a critical mass The President. No, no, it’s not your fault. of young people who have been either in na- No, no, I don’t mean it that way. tional service or even many, many more are Ms. Soren. I’m just kidding. getting the new college loans, the direct loans The President. Look, here’s a country that they can pay back as a percentage of with a $1.5 trillion budget, an annual income their income. We’ve reduced the welfare of over $6 trillion. So you talk about a party rolls by enough now that people are begin- raising and spending $150 million in a year ning to perceive it. The crime rate has come and a half for an election, it sounds like a down now 4 years in a row so that people lot of money. Against that, it doesn’t sound are finally beginning to perceive it. Their like so much money. It just costs a lot of streets are safer, even though the crime rate money to communicate. The communica- in America is far too high still. tions costs—not just on television—radio, I think that’s a part of it. And so I think print, mail, travel, it’s very high. that my obligation is to go back to the young Ms. Soren. Right. Do you think—so cor- people of America and say, here’s what I said porations aren’t getting access? I read a re- I’d do 4 years ago; here’s what we’ve done; port that they get to sleep in the Lincoln here’s what we’re going to do in the next Bedroom once in a while, CEO’s or—— 4 years. And that’s a lot of what we tried The President. Well, the people who to do at our convention. sleep in the Lincoln Bedroom are people I personally invite, who have been my friends, Campaign Financing and a lot of them have supported me. But Ms. Soren. Young people are alienated I don’t think any President has made a habit from politics. Young people think politics is of inviting his opponents to sleep in the Lin- rigged by money, and they’re right. Demo- coln Bedroom. I mean, I think you normally crats received tens of millions of dollars in invite your supporters. corporate contributions. What are those cor- Ms. Soren. Sure. porations getting for their money? The President. But I can say this: There’s The President. Well, I think it’s fair to never been any attempt to raise any money say that most of the corporations that con- with the promise that you can spend the tribute to either party agree with their poli- night in the Lincoln Bedroom. I have invited cies. But keep in mind, almost all the wealthy people who have been helpful to me to spend individuals and some of the corporations that the night in the Lincoln Bedroom, but it was contributed to the Democratic Party are never a quid pro quo there.

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Politics and Personal Attacks and done and how much people had it pretty Ms. Soren. No, I’m not trying to imply rough. I mean, when Thomas Jefferson was that. elected President, the John Adams party— You’re doing really well in the polls, but because Mr. Adams was trying to hold onto there’s a certain percentage of people who the Presidency—said that he would kill reli- not only don’t support you but they seem gion in America, he would end godliness to actively dislike you. Why do some people among the American people. So we’ve always dislike you so much? Nobody is—— had some of this, but I think we need to resist The President. Well, I think—there’s a it. sign on the side of your bus; it’s a quote of Ms. Soren. I remember a very proud Bill Cosby’s that I just love. He says, ‘‘I don’t group of your inner circle of friends at the know the secret of success. But I know the convention 4 years ago walking around boast- secret of failure is trying to please every- ing FOB pins. How does it make you feel body.’’ And I have always believed that in that bad things have happened to those who public life, when you were given an office, have helped you get where you are today: you should outline the major challenges and Jim Guy Tucker, Vince Foster, Webb Hub- go after them and really try to get something bell, even the First Lady? done. And you should enlist the energies of The President. Well, I feel very badly, ob- people and try to bring them together and viously, about Vince Foster because he was do it. my longtime friend, and it’s always tragic And I have always had a certain core of when someone commits suicide. And I do people who have opposed me. When I was feel that a lot of people were targeted just Governor of my State, I got elected five times because they were from Arkansas. Governor and would regularly get nearly two-thirds of Tucker, for example, had—he was my Lieu- the vote. There would always be a core of tenant Governor, we had been friends for a people who were intensely opposed to my long time, but he’d never been part of my policies. political life. But he was targeted, and I feel Ms. Soren. But people didn’t necessarily badly about that. And the country is going like Reagan’s policies, either, but it didn’t to have to evaluate, when this whole thing seem to get as personal. Do you think it has is over and there will be time for a fair ac- to do with your generation? counting, whether they think it was the right The President. Perhaps. And it may be— thing to do. And I feel very badly about Hil- well, I just don’t know. I don’t know. It may lary and a lot of her staff have been subject have more to do with the comparative tactics to, because it was just pure naked politics of the two parties. I have no idea. It may from the get-go. have more to do with the way people are But that’s what I’m talking about. That’s talked about now. sort of the way of the cycle. It’s the cost of One of the reasons I have tried so hard— doing business in Washington. I mean, the especially since the Oklahoma City bombing, people—— which I say had a profound impact on our Ms. Soren. Was that a surprise to you, that country and on me—I have really tried hard it was as harsh as it was? to bring a sense of civility and decency back The President. Well, it’s just gotten worse into public discourse. I went back and read and worse; it’s been deteriorating over time. some of my own speeches in ’92, and while Yes, it surprised me that you could be ex- they’re not rough at all by the standards of onerated from one thing after another and today, I thought, well, I want to elevate what it would never be noticed and then just an- I’m saying and how I’m saying it a little more other set of charges just to keep these going. now. That bothered me. But you know, the thing I just think that politics has always been I think is important that I’d ask the American a rough-and-tumble business, and people people to look at is that all these folks in have always disagreed. And if you go back our administration sustained all these hits, to the early 1800’s, for example, it’s a period and we kept producing for the American of real tumult in our country, what was said people. We said, we can’t control this, we

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can’t do anything about it; all we can do is life with whatever is going on in the day- get up tomorrow and try to do our job. Why to-day headlines. It’s destructive. Otherwise did we come here? We came here to help you shrivel and become little. move the country forward and bring the The President should always be trying to country together, and that’s what we’re going be bigger than he is and lifting the country to do. And our convention showed how pro- up. And you just have to keep putting that ductive our administration had been and our out of your mind; you just have to let it go. country had been in the last 4 years. And I can’t do anything about anything that hap- I think the fact that we could do it while pened yesterday or even an hour ago; you having people like Senator D’Amato on us just have to let that stuff go and keep trying day-in and day-out I think is a tribute to the to lift the country up. character and the public devotion of the peo- Ms. Soren. Well, thank you very much. ple in this administration. I’m proud of them. The President. Thank you. Ms. Soren. That’s what I wanted to ask you. If you can just—try to take this in the NOTE: The interview began at 6:12 p.m. aboard way that I mean it, but you’ve suffered inces- the MTV Choose or Lose bus. The President re- sant character assassination over the past 4 ferred to comedian Bill Cosby; and Jim Guy Tuck- years; your family has been maligned. You er, former Arkansas Governor. This item was not received in time for publication in the appropriate get up, there’s another funeral; you’ve prob- issue. A tape was not available for verification of ably only had a couple hours of sleep that the content of this interview. night. Between the funeral, a scandal, an- other country maybe going to war, why do you want 4 more years? I mean, what are Remarks in Cairo, Illinois you thinking? August 30, 1996 The President. Well, first of all, there’s been a lot more good than bad. The President. Thank you. Ms. Soren. Really? Audience members. Four more years! The President. Oh, yes. It is the most re- Four more years! Four more years! warding thing in the world for a citizen of The President. Thank you. Ladies and our country, who loves our country and be- gentlemen, thank you. I want to thank the lieves in the promise of its people, to be Mayor and everybody who’s worked so hard President. To look back on the last 4 years to make this day happen. I thank those who and to go out here as I did on the train ride sang and performed before, especially the or on this bus trip, and you look into the Egyptian High School Band. Let’s give them eyes of people and you go through these a hand over there—[applause]—the Jerry crowds, and somebody will say, ‘‘I’ve got a Ford Combo. I understand Helen Bishaw home because of one of your programs’’; made this wonderful long sign. Beautiful ‘‘I’ve gotten a job since you were here’’; ‘‘I’m sign. Thank you very much. on one of your college loans’’; ‘‘I’m an Folks, I love to come to southern Illinois. AmeriCorps student.’’—when you see how When I was Governor of my State, I chaired the country is changing for the better, it’s a study of the lower Mississippi Valley, and immensely rewarding. I used to come to southern Illinois. And I And in this day and time—you know, as know that Senator Paul Simon’s home is not I said, we’ve had periods like this in our poli- far from here. And you know, he’s retiring tics before. In the early 1800’s, Mr. Jefferson from the Senate, and I hope you’ll elect Dick faced many of the same things. When you Durbin to take his place, because we need live in a time which is really rough, with no him desperately there. But Paul Simon has holds barred, and a lot of people seek per- served you and the United States with dignity sonal advantage by what I call the politics and honor and distinction. And I want him of destruction, you have to be always, always, to come up here and say just 2 minutes of always defining yourself and the quality of thanks to you and make a few comments be- your life by what is inside. And you can’t con- cause he is retiring after a great career, and fuse who you are and the quality of your own you need to express your appreciation to him.

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Senator Simon. of the police department in this town was funded by the crime bill.’’ I fought hard for [At this point, Senator Paul Simon made brief it. They fought against it. We were right. remarks.] We have invested a lot of money in this The President. Thank you, Senator, and area in job retraining. I think there ought to Congressman Costello, Congressman to be more of it. They think there ought to Poshard, all these legislative candidates and be less of it. That’s a clear signal. You cannot university officials and others who are up on expect people to go through the changes we the stage with me. Ladies and gentlemen, have had in the American economy unless I am delighted to be back here. we do more and more quickly, to give people I loved coming in on the bus. And I looked immediate access, no matter their age, to at the bean fields and the river bottoms, and whatever education and training they need when I came into town, I felt like I was to get a new job and a better job. It is critical home. And I saw the big welcome on the to our future. Laborers Building. It even had a billboard I’m told you have the best Job Corps re- up there. I appreciated that. Then their lead- training center in the country right here. er was back here saying, ‘‘You know, we’re That’s the kind of thing we need to do for closer to Arkansas than Chicago. These peo- everybody. ple talk like you do. You don’t have an accent And let me just say, you’re going to have here, Mr. President. You don’t have an ac- some races for the legislature here. I want cent here.’’ to talk about how all of these races fit to- We have had a wonderful week. I started off on a train going from West Virginia to gether. If we’re going to build a bridge to Kentucky to Ohio to Michigan to Indiana to the next century, we have to keep growing the Democratic Convention in Chicago to this economy until it reaches every Delta prove that we’re on the right track to the town and every inner-city neighborhood in 21st century, but also to see people like you the United States. It’s not enough to say who never see a President. And then we there are 10 million more jobs. We want to came back to our bus so we could come down know there’s a job for everybody that lives here. I learned today that the last Presidents in the Mississippi Delta who wants to go to who came to Cairo were Teddy Roosevelt work and a good job. in 1907 and William Howard Taft in 1909. Last night I said to the American people— I don’t know what the others were doing, I say to you again here tonight—we changed but I’m glad to be back. And it’s high time. the welfare laws, and we said we’re going My fellow Americans, last night I had a to have a new bargain with people who are chance to talk at the Democratic Convention poor and out of work and able-bodied with about what we were going to do in the next little children. We will guarantee health care. 4 years to build that bridge to the 21st cen- We will guarantee food. We will guarantee tury. And tonight I just want to say again child care. But now the income has to come to you, the choice here is about more than from effort. Well, that’s fine. Now, I say, we a choice between two candidates. It is a have to go out and create the jobs. choice between the future and the past, a And I outlined a plan last night in Chicago choice between a philosophy that we’re all to the American people to invest several bil- in this together—we have an obligation to lion dollars—all of it paid for in my balanced help each other make the most of our own budget plan—in poor rural areas and small lives—and a theory that you’re on your own towns, in our inner cities to create jobs, to and we hope you do well. It’s a choice be- give incentives to invest in those areas. The tween people who believe, as Al Gore and best untapped market for the United States I do, that we have a responsibility to help today is those parts of the United States you make this a strong community and help which haven’t gotten investment, which give your children the best lives. haven’t fully recovered, which need more I was asking here—right just when I was jobs. That’s what we need to do. And we have standing here—the Congressman said, ‘‘Half a strategy to do it.

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I want everybody walking across that The President. God bless you. Stay with bridge to the 21st century. I don’t intend to us and we will make the kind of future you see the lower Mississippi Valley left behind. and your children deserve. Thank you. We’re I want your children to have the best edu- delighted to be here. cation, your parents to have the best jobs, and your people to have the best future. That NOTE: The President spoke at 7:26 p.m. at the is my commitment to you. Stafford Public Library. In his remarks, he re- ferred to Mayor James Wilson of Cairo. This item Let me just say a word about education. was not received in time for publication in the Al Gore and I, in the next 4 years, are com- appropriate issue. mitted to seeing that every classroom in America, in the remotest mountain village, in the poorest city neighborhood, up and Remarks in Paducah, Kentucky down this Delta, every single classroom and August 30, 1996 library not only has the computers they need with the teachers trained to help use them The President. Thank you very much, la- but is connected to an information super- dies and gentlemen. I’m glad to be back in highway that will give, for the first time in Paducah. Folks, I don’t know if you remem- the history of this country, every child, rich ber this, but on the day before the election or poor, immediate access to the highest in 1992, I flew to Paducah and I didn’t have quality information available on any subject, any voice at all. I’ve still got a little left now. to any child, in any school in the United And I could only get up and say to you, States or in the world. That is worth fighting ‘‘Folks, I have lost my voice, but if you folks for. in Paducah and Kentucky will vote for me I’ll be your voice for the next 4 years.’’ We are committed to the right kind of tax Well, folks, I’m here tonight with what the cuts for working families: a tax cut in the crowd counters tell me is 25,000 of our good form of a $500 credit for young children; a friends and Americans to tell you I have been tax cut in the form of a $1,500 credit to make your voice. Compared to 4 years ago, we are 2 years of education after high school as uni- better off. We are on the right track, but we versal in 4 years as a high school education still have work to do. And I want you tonight, is today. We ought to make it possible for for the next 4 years, to help me build that every family to go to a community college bridge to the 21st century. Will you do it? at least and have it paid for and not have Will you do it? to worry about it through tax cuts. We ought Audience members. Yes! to give every family with a child in college The President. I want to thank Governor or a parent in college a deduction for the Patton and Mrs. Patton for being here, for cost of tuition up to $10,000 a year. We ought their leadership and their energy. I want to to educate America and do it now. thank our good friend Senator Wendell Ford, So I say to you, if you want that kind of a great leader in the Senate and an im- future, if you want the feeling you have to- mensely respected man. I don’t know how night on this beautiful lawn of this magnifi- many times I’ve thought to myself, if we just cent old library to carry you through, if you had about 10 people like Wendell Ford in want to feel on election day the way the Vice the Senate we could solve half the country’s President says and feel that way all through problems in a month or two. the next 4 years, you have to help me build I want to thank Lieutenant Governor Steve that bridge to the 21st century. Will you do Henry for being here. I want to thank Steve that? Beshear and join in what has been said about Audience members. Yes! him. When I was looking at him speak to- The President. Will you help us for 68 night, I thought, boy, Kentucky would be days to talk to your friends and neighbors better off if he were the United States Sen- about going into the future instead of going ator, along with Wendell Ford. back? Will you do that? You know, it’s really too bad that a person Audience members. Yes! like Steve Beshear or our fine candidate for

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Congress, Dennis Null, who I urge you to to worry about those negative things happen- help elect—if it’s too bad that they have to ing to you anymore. get up and give campaign speeches, with so I want to thank my colleagues, former col- much to be done in this country, about what leagues, Martha Layne Collins and Julian they have to help stop. It’s too bad that they Carroll for being here. Mayor Jones, I’m de- have to talk about—here it is, 1996—that a lighted to be here in your community. I want Congress in 1996 actually had to break apart to thank your county executive, Danny Medicare and do a two-tier system; that a Orazine, and J.W. Cleary, the president of leader of the Congress, now a nominee for the Paducah NAACP; all the Kentucky legis- President, actually bragged about—in 1996, lators who are here; the chairman of our not before—actually bragged about being party, Bob Babbage; Sandra Higgins, the vice one of the only 12 people to vote against chair of our party, a native of western Ken- Medicare in the House; that they tried to tucky; Glenn Dowdy, the head of the West- take away the guarantee that Medicaid gives ern Kentucky AFL–CIO, is here. not just to elderly folks in nursing homes, I want to mention one other person here not just to pregnant women and poor little just for personal reasons. Nearly 20 years ago, kids but also to a lot of middle class families or anyway, more than 15 years ago, I spent that happen to have a family member with the night in western Kentucky in a nearby a disability. county where I met Mike Miller, the Mar- A lot of you saw Christopher Reeve and shall County judge. Now, folks, he kept me his magnificent speech to the convention. up half the night talking about western Ken- But, you know, one of the most moving con- tucky. And that’s why I got gray so young versations I’ve had in the last several months in my life. [Laughter] That’s the only reason was with Mr. Reeve when he said, ‘‘A lot Al Gore’s got dark hair and I’ve got gray of people with my disability don’t have the income of movie stars, and even movie stars hair—I had to stay up half the night with can go broke caring for something like this. Mike Miller a long time ago. [Laughter] And Don’t ever let anything happen to Medicaid, I am here to deliver a report: Governor Pat- Mr. President.’’ We need for working middle ton and Senator Ford have made absolutely class families to be able to care for their chil- sure that the administration is perfectly dren, their brothers, their parents, their aware that we are all for getting your new spouses if they have a disability without going locks on the Kentucky Down, Judge. We are broke and going to the poorhouse. We ought there. I have reported. Now, the next time not to have to defend that against these con- I come to your county, I want to get a good gressional leaders. night’s sleep. Thank you very much. At a time when we know we need to be Folks, when I asked—oh, one other thing. doing more for education, we ought not have I’m an old band boy. Let’s give a hand to to defend our education programs. Why the Murray State Band. They were great. would anybody want to make student loans They were great. [Applause] Thank you. more expensive and have fewer people in Folks, when I asked the American people Head Start? We ought not to have to defend last night—hello, folks. Keep playing, you’re that. At a time when we have proved in this great. When I asked the American people administration that you can grow the econ- last night, all of you, to help me build a omy and save the environment at the same bridge to the 21st century, that’s not just a time, and create more high-wage jobs, we slogan with me. The Vice President will tell ought not have to deal with people coming you that the thing that dominates our think- in and trying to repeal 25 years of bipartisan ing and has for 4 years is the plain fact that environment protection. We ought not to our whole country is going through such a have to do that. period of rapid change, how we work, how Now, if you don’t want to have to worry we live, how we relate to each other, how about that anymore, I want you to send Steve we’re relating to the rest of the world. Most Beshear and Dennis Null to the Congress of these changes are very good, but not all to advance your interests, and you won’t have of them are.

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We have enormous new opportunities and ing for our children, helping people to buy some stiff new challenges. And all the time that first home, helping them get in another I’m thinking, we’re only 4 years from a new home, helping them to save for health care century. What’s this country going to look costs. That is what this tax cut ought to be. like when we start that century? What’s this And I want to say again to you, any tax country going to look like when our children cut I propose to you in the election will be are our age? What’s it going to look like when paid for line by line, dime by dime. I am our grandchildren are our age? not going to let this country go back to ex- This is the greatest country in human his- ploding the debt. I learned what happened. tory. We’ve been around here for over 220 We quadrupled the debt of this country in years now because more than half the time 12 years before we took office, and today in times of profound change our people were your budget would be in surplus—in sur- both good and smart and did the right thing. plus—and we could have a bigger tax cut but And I’m telling you, the issue now is, are for the interest we are still paying on the debt we going to build a bridge to the future or we ran up in the 12 years before Bill Clinton a bridge to the past? Do we believe we have and Al Gore took over the White House. to go forward together and help each other That is a fact. We cannot go back. to make the most of our own lives, or would Now, our opponents say the way to go to we be better off saying you’re on your own? the 21st century is to have a tax cut that’s I believe the answer is clear. We said in 5 times that big, that’s undifferentiated, that the convention a lot that Hillary’s book was can’t be paid for. Well, I want to tell you right, that it does take a village. And I believe something, if they got their way there would that is right. We ought to go forward to- be even bigger cuts in Medicare, Medicaid, gether. education, and the environment than the And so tonight I say to you again, I want ones I vetoed that Steve talked about, num- to build a bridge to the future with a strong ber one. And still it wouldn’t cover it, so we economy. That means that we have to keep would blow up the deficit anyway. these interest rates down, investment going, Now, what does that mean? Who cares keep the wages rising. That means we do what happens to the deficit? You should. have to balance the budget. But don’t let any- Why? Because if the Government borrows body tell you any different, we do not have more money, then your interest rates will go to balance the budget by breaking Medicare, up: what you paid for your home mortgage, turning away from our commitments in Med- your car payment, your credit card payment, icaid, undermining our investments in our what every small business person in Paducah children’s future, wrecking the environment, and all over western Kentucky has to pay to allowing $15 billion to be taken out of work- borrow money to start a new business or ex- er’s pension funds, turning our backs on the pand a business and hire new people. research and development that is critical to So I am telling you, let’s keep the economy our future here in western Kentucky. I got going and growing and wages rising and jobs asked—I heard it tonight from the plat- coming in with the right kind of tax cut tar- form—what we want for the Technology geted to educating our people, raising our Center in western Kentucky. We have to in- families, meeting their health care costs, and vest in these things, folks. So I say again, yes, fully paid for in a balanced budget. That’s balance the budget, but, no, don’t com- my part of the bridge to the 21st century. promise our future or divide our people. Do I want you to help me build a bridge to it consistent with our values. We’ll grow the the 21st century where we’ve got the best economy. educated people in the world; where every And should we have a tax cut? Yes, we person, no matter where they live, because should. But it ought to be the right kind. It of technology now has a chance, now has a ought to be a tax cut we can afford. It ought chance to get a world-class education. I want to be targeted to people who need it. And you to support my initiative to make sure it ought to be targeted to things that will grow every third grader in this country can read the economy, educating our children and car- on his or her own by the year 2000, with

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more tutors, support for teachers, support for which I heard at their convention. I think parents. we ought to be lifting our teachers up and I want you to support our idea which will supporting them and supporting their efforts have phenomenal consequences in places with our children and helping them to do like Kentucky and rural Tennessee and my a better job. native State of Arkansas. We are going to see, I want us to build a bridge to the future by the year 2000, that every classroom and that breaks the cycle of welfare dependency. every library in every school in this country I am proud of the fact that there are 1.8 mil- not only has computers, not only has the lion fewer people on welfare today than on teachers trained to teach the students how the day I took the oath of office as President to use the computers, but is hooked up to of the United States. I am proud of the fact the information superhighway, so that for the that child support collections have increased first time in history, in the poorest hill and by $3 billion, 40 percent, since we took of- hollow in Appalachia, in the poorest inner- fice. We’re supporting more children. But city school district in any city in this country, I’m telling you, we can do more. If everybody they have access at the same time to the same paid the child support they owed, 800,000 information children in the wealthiest school women and children would leave welfare to- districts in America do. It has never hap- morrow. pened before. We’re going to make it happen It’s all very well for us to sign a welfare if you help us. Will you help us do that? reform bill, and I was glad to do it, but you Audience members. Yes! cannot make people go to work unless there The President. Will you help us build that is a job for them to take. So in the next 4 bridge? years let us resolve that we are not only going Audience members. Yes! to tell people who are poor but able-bodied The President. By the year 2000, I want on welfare, ‘‘we’ll support your children with us to make sure that 2 years of college edu- health care and child care and nutrition, but cation, at least a community college edu- you have to go to work.’’ Let’s resolve to cation, is just as universal in America as a make sure we do everything we can to create high school education is today, by giving peo- the jobs wherever they’re needed so people ple a tax credit for the cost of that community have the jobs to work at. That’s a Democratic college tuition for 2 years. We ought to do idea, and we owe it to them. that. Let me say just one other thing: We can’t I want us to make sure that every student build a bridge to the future unless we go in this country who wants to go to college, there together. More than any other issues, whether they’re young, middle-aged, or the things that symbolize what we have to older, who needs to do it can do it. I want do as a community to me are, first, helping to preserve our good student loan program, families to make the most of their own lives and I want to give people a $10,000 deduc- and to succeed at home and at work. Of the tion for the cost of college tuition every year many achievements of our administration, I they’re in school. am perhaps most proud, among the top two I want us to make sure that we don’t short- or three, certainly, of the family and medical change education, as our friends in the oppo- leave law because it has enabled 12 million— sition tried to do in the budget I vetoed. I think about this—12 million American work- want us to do more with education. You know ing folks to take a little time off when their as well as I do, we will never, never, never babies were born or their parents were sick give every American a chance to participate without losing their jobs. And it hasn’t hurt in tomorrow’s economy unless we give every our economy a bit. We are a stronger econ- American a chance to get a world-class edu- omy today because we’re standing up for cation. And I want you to help me. families and working people. And I might say, the Vice President talked So I want to expand the family and medical about how we’re going to run a civil cam- leave law a little bit to say to these same paign and just talk about our disagreements. working people, you can take a little time I disagree with the condemnation of teachers off to go to regular parent-teacher con-

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ferences, because that’s important to our fu- we can’t make it unless we recognize we have ture, and to take your kids to the doctor or an obligation to help all of our people make your parents to the doctor. And I want to the most of their own lives to build strong say to people, if you earn overtime you ought families and strong communities so we can to have the option—not anybody else, you go forward together. ought to have the option—to take that over- Now, I want you to go home and think time in money or in extra time with your fam- about that tonight. Our children are going ily, with your children, with your sick parents, to live in the age of greatest possibility in with an uncle or an aunt with Alzheimer’s, human history if we simply have the courage whatever you need, whatever is best for the to meet our challenges and protect our val- family. We need to do what we can to make ues. It’s going to be a wonderful ride. And sure every single American can succeed as I just want, in this last campaign of my life, a parent and as a worker. That’s important. to do whatever I can to make sure that we Last thing I want to say is, we can protect build that bridge to the future sturdy, strong, the environment and grow the economy. We beautiful, and straight, and wide enough for still have 10 million kids living within 4 miles everybody to walk across. Will you help me? of toxic waste dumps. If you give Bill Clinton Audience members. Yes! and Al Gore 4 more years, one of the ways The President. For 68 more days will you we’re going to build that bridge to the future help? is to clean up two-thirds of those dumps, the Audience members. Yes! two-thirds of them, we want our kids to be The President. And 4 years after that will living next to parks, not poison. And that will you help? create jobs, not cost them. Will you help us Audience members. Yes! build that bridge? The President. I need you, and we’ll do Audience members. Yes! it for America. Thank you, and God bless The President. Will you help us do that? you all. Audience members. Yes! NOTE: The President spoke at 10:50 p.m. at Har- The President. Folks, on this beautiful, bor Plaza. In his remarks, he referred to Gov. Paul soft summer night, where there are more E. Patton of Kentucky, and his wife, Judi; Martha people than I ever dreamed I’d see—and I’m Layne Collins and Julian Carroll, former Gov- sorry you had to wait so long, but a lot of ernors of Kentucky; and Mayor Albert Jones of your fellow Kentuckians and folks from Illi- Paducah. This item was not received in time for nois and from Missouri were waiting along publication in the appropriate issue. A tape was the side of the road, too—I just want you not available for verification of the content of to think about what kind of world our chil- these remarks. dren can live in. The children in this audience today, many The President’s Radio Address of them will be doing jobs that have not been August 31, 1996 invented yet. Some of them will be doing jobs that no one has imagined yet. Right now, Good morning. On this bright Labor Day not sometime in the future, right now we weekend I’m speaking to you from America’s are involved in a project with IBM—now, heartland, where Vice President Gore, Hil- listen to this—to create a supercomputer lary, Tipper, and I are traveling by bus within the next couple of years that will be through the small towns and lush farmland able to do as many calculations in one second of Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, as you could do with a hand-held calculator and my home State of Arkansas. in 30,000 years. I took my train trip to Chicago and this No one knows how many opportunities are bus trip after Chicago because I wanted to going to explode for our people. But if we look into the faces, the eyes, the hearts of want the kind of America I believe we do, the people of our country who work so hard we have to say, we can’t make it unless we’ve every day, the people I’ve been working hard got opportunity for everybody. We can’t for and fighting for the last 4 years. I just make it until everyone is responsible. And wish every American could have been with

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me—could have been with me just to see from owning their own home. A home of the hope and the courage of the people I’ve your own has always been at the center of met. We’re meeting a lot of people with big American life. It gives families security and dreams, American dreams. And our Amer- pride. For most families it’s the main form ican community should help these people to of financial savings. Owning a home gives realize their dreams. Today I want to talk every young couple a stake in the American to you about what we can do to help Ameri- dream. ca’s working families make the most of their Our administration has put in place a com- own lives. prehensive strategy to increase home owner- It is clearer to me than ever before we ship, including dramatically bringing down are on the right track to the 21st century. mortgage rates. In the last 4 years, 4.4 million Our economy is growing, creating oppor- more Americans became homeowners; that’s tunity for people. Just this week we got new the highest level in 15 years. Home sales are news of how our economy is moving forward rising over twice as fast this year as in each and creating opportunity. Consumer con- of the past 3 years. I’m especially pleased fidence is the highest in years, and in the by this good news because it shows that our most recent statistics, economic growth at 4.8 comprehensive strategy for home ownership percent. is working. In the past couple of weeks we’ve made By cutting paperwork at the FHA and giv- real progress for working families. Ten mil- ing families a break, we’re cutting the aver- lion Americans got an increase in their in- age closing costs for first-time homebuyers comes when we increased the minimum by about $1,000. By cutting the Federal wage law. The same law also protected the budget deficit by more than 60 percent, pensions of small-business people and made we’ve had on average the lowest home mort- it easier for employees of small businesses gage rates in 30 years. And as interest rates to get retirement security and to keep it dropped, 10 million homeowners refinanced when they move from job to job. their mortgages, all of them together saving We passed a $5,000 tax credit to encourage as much as $25 billion. people to adopt children. We passed the This week I proposed to do even more. Kennedy-Kassebaum bill so you don’t lose We should say that if a couple sells their your health insurance if you move from job home and the increase in value is up to to job or if a member of your family has been $500,000, they will not have to pay any tax sick. This Labor Day, it’s a time of real on the gain from the sale of that home. This progress and real opportunity for America’s can help millions of American older couples working people. selling their homes to retire, middle class But all this progress doesn’t mean we can families who have to move from community stand still. We still have a lot to do to get to community for work, residents in inner- ready for the 21st century. As I told our Na- city neighborhoods where home prices are tion Thursday night, we can have an America low but may go higher. It will spur home with safe streets, good schools, thriving busi- sales in an already strong housing market. nesses, healthy families, and a strong, clean For working families, their home is the environment. That’s the America that I want most important asset, their biggest financial to build a bridge to, a bridge to the 21st cen- investment. Our tax cut means that working tury. families will never have to pay taxes when We should make college available to all they sell their homes. That’s the right kind young Americans. Now that we’ve ended of tax cut for America. welfare as we know it, it must be a national This tax cut, like every one I’ve proposed, mission to provide jobs for the people who is fully paid for in my balanced budget plan. will move off welfare. We must clean up two- We won’t bust the budget to pay for tax cuts. thirds of the toxic waste sites in America, so We’ll cut spending and close corporate loop- our children live near parks, not poison. holes. That way we’ll keep interest rates com- We can do more, much more, to give every ing down as we balance the budget, so the American family the security that comes economy can grow even faster and stronger.

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We should cut taxes to help working fami- We have to build a bridge with the world’s lies meet their real needs for education, for best education system for all our people, medical expenses, to help raise children, and whether they live in poor inner cities, small for homebuying. These tax cuts will help our rural communities, or the wealthiest places economy. It will help to keep America grow- in America. If you help us for 4 more years, ing. I look forward to taking our argument one of the things we intend to do is to make for opportunity, responsibility, and commu- sure that every classroom in America, includ- nity to the American people. ing right here in Mayfield, not only has the On this Labor Day weekend, I know that computers our students need and the teach- our values are strong, our confidence is high, ers have the training they need but that they and hope is back in America. We are on the are hooked up to the information super- right track. This will be an age of great possi- highway so our children have the same infor- bility for our people. If we give every Amer- mation, the same learning resources wher- ican the tools to thrive, the chance to own ever they live for the first time in the history their own home, this coming century can be of America. Will you help us build that kind the greatest moment in American history. of a bridge? We need to build a bridge to it. Audience members. Yes! Happy Labor Day, and thanks for listen- The President. I want to make sure that ing. we truly have education for a lifetime in America. I want the first 2 years of college NOTE: The address was recorded at 4:30 p.m. on in the next 4 years to become just as universal August 30 aboard Greyhound 1 in Capaha Park as a high school education is today, with tax in Cape Girardeau, MO, for broadcast at 10:06 credits for the first 2 years in any community a.m. on August 31. college in the country. Will you help us do that and build that kind of bridge? [Ap- plause] Remarks in Mayfield, Kentucky I want to establish a ‘‘GI bill’’ for American August 31, 1996 workers so that whenever a person who’s a breadwinner loses a job or is grossly under- The President. Good morning. Good employed, they can get a skill grant from the morning. Thank you. Thank you so much. Government and take it to the nearest com- First of all, I want to thank Governor Patton munity college or other training facility so and Senator Ford for making us feel so very that no matter how old you are, if you need welcome in Kentucky, and my former col- new training to get a better job or to keep league Governor Martha Layne Collins, with the job you have and to keep supporting your whom I served, and all the other Kentuckians family, you’ll have it from your Government. that are traveling with us. I want to thank Will you help us build that kind of a bridge them. to the future? [Applause] Mr. Mayor, I’m delighted to be in your You know, in just the last couple of weeks, city. And I’m glad to know that I’m the first as the election has gotten closer, a lot of the President to come here. The others didn’t things we Democrats have tried to do for the know what they were missing. I’m glad to last 4 years have finally gotten through this see you. Congress. We raised the minimum wage for I’m delighted to see you all here. I thank 10 million working Americans. We made 25 you especially for bringing the children. It million Americans, including, I might say, is for them that this election is being fought, some families we’ve met alongside the road for them and the values that have made our here when we started this bus trip in Mis- country great and the future that they de- souri and Illinois and coming into Kentucky serve. I said on Thursday night that I wanted and going on to Tennessee—we’ve met some to ask the American people to join with me people alongside the road that have been in building a bridge to the 21st century that helped by the Kennedy-Kassebaum bill that we can all walk across. Will you help us build says that you don’t lose your health insurance that bridge? [Applause] anymore just because somebody in your fam-

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ily has been sick or you have to change jobs— our progress. And they still wouldn’t be able 25 million Americans. to pay for it, which means a higher deficit, Now we need to say a big part of a strong higher interest rates, and a slower economy. family is keeping working people’s health Do we want to make that same old mistake care. In our balanced budget plan we provide all over again? assistance to help unemployed families keep Audience members. No-o-o! their health insurance for their kids for 6 The President. We want to build a new months. That’s the next thing we need to do. bridge to the 21st century, and that’s what Will you help us do that in the next 4 years? we’re going to do. Folks, I want us to build [Applause] that bridge by working together. I want us We want to build a bridge to the 21st cen- to build that bridge by saying everybody’s got tury with a strong economy. That means we a place. We worked very hard, for example, have to keep bringing down the deficit. Now, to help our bigger businesses sell their prod- our friends in the other party, they made a ucts abroad. I was proud just a few days ago big thing of that, but now they don’t think at our convention when an autoworker from it’s so important. But it is important. It’s im- Toledo, Ohio, working in a plant that was portant in Mayfield. Why? Not only because opened in 1910, got up and said that he was you don’t want to saddle your kids with debt making Jeeps and they were selling 41,000 but because if we turn away from our plan overseas, and we were number one again, to balance the budget, it means that interest and 700 people like him had jobs. I was rates will go up, interest rates on your home proud of that. mortgage, your car payment, your credit card But we also have to have small businesses payments, interest rates for the businesses in places like Mayfield. I’m proud of the fact you want to borrow money and hire people that we have made every small business in and give their employees a raise. So we can’t the country eligible for a tax cut if they invest afford to do that. more in their businesses, increasing their an- My plan will balance the budget. It will nual write-off from $10,000 to $25,000 a give tax cuts to families: for children under year. I’m proud of the fact that in that mini- the age of 13, a $500 credit; for a $1,500 mum wage bill we made it possible for small credit to go to the first 2 years of college; businesses—made it much easier to take out a $10,000 tax deduction for the cost of col- retirement plans for the owners and employ- lege tuition; an IRA you can withdraw from ees and then for the employees to keep those without penalty to buy a first home, to meet retirement savings when they move from job a medical emergency, or to pay for edu- to job. People that work for small businesses cation. But it’s all paid for; we can still bal- ought to be able to have a secure retirement, ance the budget without cutting Medicare too, and so should people who change jobs. and Medicaid, education, the environment, I’m proud of that. without raiding the pension funds of our Let me say this: We have to build a bridge workers. We can do these things. That’s the to the 21st century where people can succeed right way to balance the budget. at work and at home, can be good parents, Now, our friends in the opposition will say, most of all. That does mean health care; it ‘‘We’re going to give you more money.’’ And does mean retirement security. It does mean that’s true, they do offer more money in their higher wages and better jobs. It also means tax cut. They offer it to people like me who things like the family and medical leave law, don’t need it. They offer it without being able the first bill I signed as President. Twelve to pay for it, and they know—I wish you million American families got to take a little hadn’t said ‘‘amen’’ when I said I didn’t need time off from work without losing their job it. [Laughter] But it’s true. when a baby was born or a parent was sick. And what’s going to happen? If they had I want to expand that to say that parents their plan, what would they do? They’d cut ought to go to their parent-teacher con- Medicare, Medicaid, education, and the en- ferences and their regular doctor’s appoint- vironment, more than they did in that budget ments. I want to expand that to say that when I vetoed. That would divide us and weaken a parent earns overtime, the parent should

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be able to decide to take the overtime in pay Congress to help us build that bridge to the or in time with their kids, depending on what 21st century? they need for the family. Audience members. Yes! And I’m very proud of the fact that in that The President. Will you help us make 2 minimum wage law we also gave a $5,000 years of college education as universal as a tax credit to families who will adopt children, high school education is now in the next 4 and more if the children have disabilities. years? There are tens of thousands of children out Audience members. Yes! there that need a home with stable parents, The President. Will you help us close two- and I hope more people will take advantage thirds of the toxic waste dumps so our kids of this. live near parks and not poison in the next That’s the kind of bridge I want to build 4 years? to the future. Will you help us build that Audience members. Yes! bridge? [Applause] It starts in the Mayfields The President. Will you help us balance all over America. It starts in the places the the budget without doing what our friends politicians don’t visit. It starts with the values in the opposition want to do, without hurting and the work and the family that you’re Medicare, Medicaid, our commitment to building. education and the environment? Will you I love these signs. Hillary and Tipper and help us do that? I are delighted to be here. We ask for your Audience members. Yes! help, your prayers, your support for 68 more The President. Folks, this country is in days and for 4 years beyond. We can build better shape than it was 4 years ago. We are that bridge to the 21st century wide enough on the right track to the 21st century. But for all of us to walk across. we still have work to do. On Thursday night Thank you, and God bless you. in Chicago I outlined the direction that the Vice President and I and our administration NOTE: The President spoke at 10:10 a.m. In his will take, and I want you to help us. This remarks, he referred to Gov. Paul E. Patton of is an election about whether we’re going to Kentucky and Mayor Arthur Byrn of Mayfield. A build a bridge to the future or a bridge to tape was not available for verification of the con- the past, about whether we believe we’re all tent of these remarks. in this together and everybody has a role to play and a place, or whether we ought to Remarks in Fulton, Kentucky say you’re on your own. I believe that my job is to give you the August 31, 1996 tools you need and the conditions you need The President. Good morning! to make the most of your own lives, your Audience members. Good morning! family’s lives, your community’s lives. I think The President. Thank you for coming out. that’s our responsibility. That’s what we’ve Thank you for waiting. I want to thank the been doing for 4 years. That’s why we’re on mayors of both these communities. I’m glad the right track. But we have got more to do. We need to build a big, strong bridge that’s to be in Kentucky and Tennessee, and I want wide enough for everybody to walk across to thank all of you who worked hard on this so every child in this audience will have a event. I see a lot of work has been done on good, good life in the 21st century. Will you the buildings. I see a lot of work has been help us? done to make us feel welcome in these two Audience members. Yes! proud communities and I thank you. I am The President. For 68 days will you help glad to be here, and I am glad to see you. us? We are fighting for your future. Will you Audience members. Yes! help us build that bridge to the 21st century? The President. Thank you, and God bless Audience members. Yes! you. We’re glad to see you. Thank you. The President. Will you help us send Steve Beshear and Houston Gordon to the NOTE: The President spoke at 11:58 a.m. In his United States Senate and Dennis Null to the remarks, he referred to Mayor Elaine Forrester

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of Fulton, KY, and Mayor Kent Greer of South speculate on any response we might have. Fulton, TN. A tape was not available for verifica- But we are prepared to deal with these devel- tion of the content of these remarks. opments. We will be working hard with oth- ers in the international community who share Remarks in Troy, Tennessee our concern. And let me just say in closing, I hope all August 31, 1996 of you are as proud as I am that we have The President. Thank you. Mr. Vice the quality and strength of the men and President, it’s good to be here in your State women in uniform we have serving us all of Tennessee with Governor McWherter, around the world. And I hope you’ll say an Congressman Tanner, Houston Gordon, all extra prayer for them tonight. Thank you. of our legislative and other leaders. Hillary We’re glad to be here. We didn’t expect and Tipper and Al and I love these bus trips, that this many of you would be here, and but the closer to home they get, the better we’re awfully glad to see you. we like them. [Laughter] On Thursday night, I had the opportunity And let me also say a special word of honor to speak from Chicago in our Democratic and appreciation to Congressman Ed Jones Convention to the American people about and his wife, Lou. After Ed Jones left the what Al Gore and I would like to do if you Congress, Ned McWherter appointed him to give us 4 more years. The fundamental ques- work with the then-Governor of Arkansas to tion is whether we’re going to build a bridge try to find ways to redevelop the Mississippi to the future or a bridge to the past. Will River region. He was my partner and my you help us build a bridge to the 21st cen- friend, and I developed just as much respect tury? and love for him as all of you have. And Mr. Audience members. Yes! Ed, it’s great to see you today, sir. Thank The President. A bridge with world-class you. jobs, world-class education, a clean environ- I also want to make one other introductory ment, with a growing economy; a bridge remark. I shook hands with Mrs. Jim Bob where families can be strong in raising their Robertson. She said, ‘‘I’m 101 years old. I’ve children, succeeding at work and home; a never missed an election, and you’re the first bridge where communities know that the President I‘ve ever met.’’ [Laughter] And I crime rate is going to come down every year said, ‘‘Well, it’s high time.’’ [Laughter] And because there are more police officers on the then she leaned over and kissed me. And I street and because we’re all taking more re- can tell you, she may be 101, but she still sponsibilities to keep our kids out of trouble kisses real good. I appreciate that. I thank in the first place—will you help us build that her. kind of bridge? [Applause] Will you help us Ladies and gentlemen, before I make my for the next 68 days in this election? [Ap- remarks I want to report to you on a develop- plause] And then for 4 more years after that? ment in another country that you may not [Applause] have heard about. Early this morning, the Let me tell you, folks—I said this at the military forces of Iraq overran the city of convention, I want to say it again—politicians Irbil, which is in the portion of northern Iraq are always known for overstating. It is not controlled and populated by the Kurds. The overstating when I tell you that Albert Gore from Tennessee is the finest, most effective situation there remains unclear. There are Vice President in the history of the United reports of heavy fighting and firing in popu- States of America. And if you’ll give us a lated areas. There are indications that some chance to build that bridge and you’ll build Kurdish elements may be involved in the op- it with us, we’ll all walk over it in the year eration with Iraq. These developments, how- 2000. ever, cause me grave concern. I have placed Thank you, and God bless you. our forces in the region on high alert, and they are now being reinforced. NOTE: The President spoke at 1:05 p.m. In his It is premature at this time, and I want remarks, he referred to Ned Ray McWherter, to emphasize that, entirely premature to former Tennessee Governor. A tape was not avail-

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able for verification of the content of these were stagnant, crime was rising, our prob- remarks. lems were being unaddressed, we had a ris- ing wave of cynicism in this country, and we were literally in danger of losing the middle Remarks in Dyersburg, Tennessee class dreams that made America great. August 31, 1996 Four years later, we have 10 million more jobs, 41⁄2 million new homeowners, 12 mil- The President. Thank you. Wow. Well, lion people have taken advantage of the fam- I asked you not to leave, and you didn’t. ily leave law to have babies or take care of Thanks for staying. We got here as quick as their folks without losing their jobs. October we could. 1st, 10 million Americans are going to get I want to thank the mayor and everyone an increase in their minimum wage; 25 mil- who worked hard to make this event possible lion Americans because of the health reform today. I thank the two bands for bringing us bill I signed last week are going to be able the music. Thank you very much. to change jobs or even to lose a job without I think you can see that Tipper and Hillary having their health insurance taken away and Al and I have a good time when we’re from them even if somebody in their family’s out together, when we’re on the road, and been sick or is still sick. when we’re with the people who put us in We’ve upgraded the standards for food for the White House that we’ve been working limiting pesticides that are dangerous on for and fighting for for 4 years. And we thank food. We’ve got 50 million more Americans you for being here today. It’s wonderful to breathing cleaner air than we had 4 years just to look out here and see you. ago. I’m telling you, folks, this country is on I want to thank Congressman Tanner and the right track to the 21st century. We don’t Governor McWherter, Houston Gordon, Bill need to change tracks now; we need to keep Purcell, Lois DeBerry, all the other people on going down that track. in Tennessee that are going across Tennessee But we all know there is more to do. We with us. It is great to be back here in western all know there’s more to do. The first thing Tennessee. I want to thank my friends from we’ve got to do to build the right bridge to Arkansas who came across the border. the 21st century is to make sure every single There’s a sign over there that says, ‘‘Rector, American has the chance to live up to his Arkansas, is still Clinton country.’’ And that’s or her God-given potential. And that means good. I’ll be home for a barbecue Labor Day we have to increase educational opportunity 2001, I hope. [Applause] Thank you. and performance in the United States. Ladies and gentlemen, Thursday night I Thursday night I proposed a program to had the enormous honor of addressing the put 30,000 tutors together with our American people from Chicago when I ac- AmeriCorps volunteers to mobilize a million cepted the nomination of my party for a sec- people to make sure that every single Amer- ond term as President. I want to say to you ican child can read on his or her own by the again, briefly, what I said then. The choice time they’re in the third grade. It will revolu- in this election is whether we’re going to tionize their performance later on. build a bridge to the 21st century or try to I propose that by the year 2000 every class- build a bridge to the past, whether we think room and library in every school in America we have to go forward together as one peo- will not only have the computers and trained ple, helping each other to make the most of teachers to use the computers we need but our own lives, or whether we’re going to say, will also be hooked up to the information well, you’re on your own and we hope you superhighway so that kids in every classroom make it. in Dyersburg, Tennessee, for the first time I think the choice is clear. Look where we in the history of the country can get the same were 4 years ago. Four years ago when Al information in the same time in the same Gore and I came and asked the people of way that children in the wealthiest school dis- Tennessee to give us a chance to lead this tricts in the United States do. It has never country, unemployment was higher, wages happened before.

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I propose by the year 2000 to make at least you; that’s what they say. But what they don’t 2 years of education after high school as uni- say is, in order to pay for their tax cut, they versal as a high school education is today, have to have much bigger cuts in Medicare, a tax credit for the cost of community college Medicaid, education, and the environment in every State in America. We can do that than I vetoed the last time. They still won’t and make community college education uni- pay for it. That means a bigger deficit. versal. What does that mean in Dyersburg, Ten- I propose to give a $10,000 tax credit for nessee, a bigger deficit? Well, look around the cost of college tuition, and I believe that here. It means a higher home mortgage pay- would be the best money we ever spent. If ment because interest rates will go up. It you’re old or young or middle-aged and you means a higher car payment. It means higher need to go back to school to get more edu- credit card payments. And look at all these cation and training, we ought to give you the little businesses here. It means every time chance to do it to help your families and they want to borrow money they will have build a strong America. to pay 2 percent more on their money. It The second thing we’ve got to do to build means fewer investments in small business a bridge is to keep this economy growing and and fewer jobs. We have to have a healthy keep it stronger. That means we have to bal- small business economy if we’re going to ance the budget but do it in the right way, grow America, especially in the small towns. without gutting Medicare, Medicaid, edu- We want to keep interest rates low, not up. cation, the environment or weakening the I want to build a bridge to the 21st century potential protection of our people, as they that will enable all Americans to take care tried to do when I vetoed their budget last of their families. That’s why we worked on year, even after they shut the Government health care reform and why, in our budget down. plan, we’re going to be able to help families Will you stay with me in building that kind who lose their jobs to keep their health insur- of bridge? ance for at least 6 months. That’s why we’re Audience members. Yes! helping small businesses to make it simpler The President. And I do believe you can to take out pension plans for themselves and have tax cuts—look, the weather is a lot bet- their employees and to keep them when you ter than if it was so hot people were falling move from job to job. That’s why we want out. When I was on the train trip, we took to change the family leave law to say you 30 people out of one rally, it was so hot. They ought to be able to take a little time off from were all fine, they just needed a little water. work to go to your kid’s parent-teacher con- So we’re going to get a little water in ad- ference or take your child to a regular doc- vance. Crop prices are up. This won’t hurt tor’s appointment. That’s the kind of thing them any. This is good. we need to do to build this country. We can have a tax cut, folks, but it needs Will you help us build that bridge to the to be targeted to the people who need it for 21st century? the purposes we need it, to childrearing, to Audience members. Yes! education, to buying that first-time home. The President. Folks, I love seeing all of I’m for an IRA that you can withdraw from you here. I want to get out here and shake without penalty to buy a home, to educate a few hands. But I want to ask you one more a child, to deal with a health problem. I think time. We want a bridge that’s big enough, you ought to be able to sell your home and strong enough, and wide enough for every- never pay any taxes on the gain. I think you body to walk across together. Will you help ought to be able to send yourselves to college us build it? or your children to college and never have Audience members. Yes! to pay taxes on that money. That’s our plan. The President. Will you help us build it But we pay for it all and balance the budget. for 68 more days in this campaign? Our friends say, ‘‘We’re going to give you Audience members. Yes! more money. We’ll give you a lot more The President. Will you help us build it money.’’ They’re going to throw money at for 4 years after that?

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Audience members. Yes! which means we’ve got to have the best edu- The President. Do you believe our best cation system in the world for all of our chil- days are still ahead? dren. Will you help me build it? [Applause] Audience members. Yes! The Vice President said that we do respect The President. God bless you. Let’s go not only Senator Dole for his 35 years in bring them home to America. Thank you. Congress and his service to the Nation, but Bless you. also Mr. Kemp and Mr. Perot. But we have differences. In the last 4 years we worked NOTE: The President spoke at 2:10 p.m. at the hard to make college loans more affordable Courthouse Square. In his remarks, he referred to all of our people. We worked hard to give to Mayor Bill Revell of Dyersburg; Houston Gor- school districts more money for safe and don, candidate for U.S. Senate; and Bill Purcell, majority leader, and Lois DeBerry, speaker pro drug-free schools and more money to stay tempore, Tennessee House of Representatives. open after school to give our kids something to do if they needed it in communities. We worked hard to put more children in Head Remarks in Covington, Tennessee Start. August 31, 1996 We worked hard, in short, from beginning to end. And the people who led the fight The President. Thank you. Thank you against what we tried to do are the people very much. You know, not only is Al Gore who are now leading the fight against us in the most influential, effective Vice President this Presidential campaign, including the in the history of this country, he now makes nominee of the other party. I believe we were me look stiff. [Laughter] But I can deal with right, and they were wrong, and I think we’re it. Thank you, Mr. Vice President. I think right for the future. I want to build a country you can all see that Hillary and Tipper and in which every single third grader in the en- Al and I love coming across this country and tire United States can read a book on their especially coming into western Kentucky. own. Will you help me do that? I want to thank Mayor Bailey and the peo- Audience members. Yes! ple of Covington; your great native son, The President. I want us to have an edu- Speaker Naifeh; and Houston Gordon and cation system in which by the year 2000, in all the other people from western Tennessee Covington, Kentucky, and every—now, wait for making us feel so welcome. Thank you, a minute—in Covington, Kentucky, in Cov- and God bless you. ington, Tennessee, Covington, Massachu- Now, I know you’ve been waiting a long setts, in every Covington in America, every time, and I appreciate that, but there were single one, every child will have access not so many people alongside the road we had only to computers with trained teachers but to stop and shake hands with a few of them. with computers that are hooked up to the There were thousands of them. They’re Ten- information superhighway so that everybody nesseans, too, and they’re Americans, too. I in America, whether in the poorest districts thank Congressman Tanner and Governor or the richest, has access for the first time McWherter for being with us all along this ever to the same information in the same way. I’m glad Mr. Trotter and Mr. Ford are time at a level of quality never before true with us; Lois DeBerry, who has been with in our history. Will you help me build that us all along the way; Bill Purcell. bridge to the future? Ladies and gentlemen, I won’t take a lot Audience members. Yes! of your time. I spoke to the Nation on Thurs- The President. I want to build a bridge day night from Chicago, and I said what I to the future in which 2 years of education had to say. But I would like just to ask you after high school becomes just as normal as a simple question. Will you help me build a high school education is today because we that bridge to the 21st century? give a tax credit worth the tuition cost for Audience members. Yes! the typical community college in every State The President. I want to build a bridge in America, so we will finance 2 years of com- that everyone has a chance to walk across, munity college education for everybody who

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needs it. Will you help me build that kind ator Dole and Congressman Gingrich passed of bridge to the future? [Applause] that I vetoed. Do you want that? I want to give the American people a tax Audience members. No–o–o! deduction for the cost of any college tuition The President. And even then they up to $10,000 a year. Will you help me build wouldn’t pay for it. So what would happen? that kind of bridge to the future? [Applause] Bigger deficits. We have worked so hard to I want to build a bridge to the future built move toward a balanced budget—we’re on a strong and growing economy. Four years going to throw it all out the window; let inter- ago, we had a record deficit; it was going est rates go up again; let your home pay- higher. We had high interest rates, high un- ments, your car payments, your credit card employment, and stagnant wages. Four years payment go up again; let business loan costs later, we’ve had 10 million new jobs, 41⁄2 mil- go up again. I don’t think so. lion new homeowners, a record number of Will you help me build a bridge to the new small businesses, the lowest rates of un- future with the right kind of tax cuts and a employment and inflation and home mort- balanced budget and a growing economy? gages in 28 years. That is something our op- [Applause] ponents can’t say anything about, it’s just the I want to build a bridge to the future with truth. It happened. the crime rate coming down. I am sick and tired of going to any place in the United Now, it happened because in 1993 we took States of America and turning on the evening the hard decisions to bring down the deficit, news and the first story is always a crime bring down interest rates while protecting story. I want it to be the last story on the education and the environment and our re- news. I want there to be no crime stories search and Medicare and Medicaid. That’s on the news. how we did it. Now what I ask you to do Folks, I’m proud of the fact that the crime is to help me balance the budget—to keep rate has come down for 4 years in a row in interest rates down, to keep your home mort- America. I’m proud of the fact that we passed gage payments, your car payments, and your a crime bill to put 100,000 police on the credit card payments down, to make money street. I’m proud of the fact that when my available for people to start businesses—but opponent and Speaker Gingrich tried to re- don’t hurt Medicare, Medicaid, education, peal our commitment to put 100,000 police the environment; protect it. on the street, I vetoed it and we’re still put- Can we have a tax cut? You bet we can. ting the police out there and the crime rate But it ought to be a tax cut targeted to the is still coming down. And I want you to help people who need it and targeted to things me keep those 100,000 police going on the that will strengthen families and education: street. Will you help me build a bridge to a tax cut for children under 13 to help par- the future with safe streets and police offi- ents care for them; a tax cut for college tui- cers? [Applause] tion; a tax cut in the form of an IRA you I want to build a bridge to the future can take money out of to buy that first home, where families that work hard and do their deal with a medical emergency, educate your best to raise their kids can succeed at home children. We can pay for that kind of tax cut. and at work. I’m proud of the fact that the And no one should have to pay taxes when first bill I signed has now given 12 million they sell a home on the gain they get from American families the chance for the adults selling their homes. We can pay for that, and to take a little time off when a baby is born we ought to have it. or a parent is sick without losing their jobs. Now, our opponents say, ‘‘We will give you It was good. And I was for it; my opponent more money. Vote for us.’’ But what they led the fight against it. We were right. don’t say is this: If they cut taxes as much I want to extend the family leave law to as they say—let’s just assume they could do say you can take a little time off without los- it—if they did, they’d have to cut Medicare, ing your job to go to a parent-teacher con- Medicaid, education, and the environment ference or take your children to a doctor’s more than they did in the budget that Sen- appointment. I want to make it possible for

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people who earn overtime to make up their Will you help me build that kind of Amer- own mind about whether to take the over- ica? Will you help me build that bridge to time in cash or time with their families, de- the 21st century? Will you do it for the next pending on what that family needs. I want 68 days? Will you do it for 4 years after that? us to succeed at home and at work. That’s Will you talk to your friends and neighbors what my commitment is. Will you help me and ask them? [Applause] build an America where we can do that? [Ap- Thank you. God bless you. I’m proud to plause] be here in Covington. Thank you. I want us to build an America where we prove we can protect our God-given environ- NOTE: The President spoke at 5:30 p.m. In his ment and grow our economy. We have remarks, he referred to Mayor Russell B. Bailey cleaned up more toxic waste dumps in the of Covington; Jimmy Naifeh, speaker, Tennessee last 3 years than the previous administration House of Representatives; and Don Trotter and did in 12. I want to clean up two-thirds more Harold E. Ford, Jr., Democratic congressional by the year 2000, the worst, because 10 mil- candidates. A tape was not available for verifica- lion kids live within 4 miles of a toxic waste tion of the content of these remarks. dump. These children here ought to be grow- ing up next to parks, not poison, everywhere in the United States. Will you help me build Remarks on Concluding a Bus Tour that kind of bridge to the future? [Applause] in Memphis, Tennessee Finally, let me just make one last point. August 31, 1996 I want us to build a bridge to the future that is strong enough and wide enough for every The President. Thank you. Thank you for one of us to walk across. On Tipper Gore’s waiting. You have made us very happy to- birthday and my birthday, and that beautiful night. It’s wonderful to see you. I want to 3-year-old girl’s birthday over there, August thank Mayor Herenton and everyone else 19th, we came to west Tennessee and we here in Memphis who worked hard to make visited a white church and a black church this night a reality. that had been burned. And Hillary and Tip- Hillary and Tipper and Al and I, we kind per and Al and I worked on rebuilding the of like doing this. Can you tell that? [Ap- African-American church. And I’ve done a plause] And when we look out and see you, lot to try to sensitize the American people the people we’ve been working for and fight- about how terrible it is to burn churches or ing for for the last 4 years, it makes it all deface synagogues or mosques or any other worth it. We can see what it is we’ve been religious institutions in this country and how doing in the hope, in the spirit, in the energy, terrible it is for us to look down on other in the happiness of your reception. Thank people because they are of a different race you so much. or religion than we are. That’s not America. I want to thank Lois DeBerry and Bill Pur- I have spent a lot of time as your President cell and Speaker Naifeh and all the members dealing with problems that we have as Amer- of the Tennessee Legislature who are here. icans around the world, because other people Chairman Farris, thank you for being here. refuse to get along with one another, because I want to thank all these Congressmen-to- other people—whether it’s in the Middle be. Congressman Ford, thank you for your East or Northern Ireland or Bosnia or Africa friendship and your service in the Congress. or you name it—insist on killing each other And about-to-be Congressman Ford, thank because they’re of a different race, a different you for that barn-burning speech and what tribe, a different ethnic group, a different re- you want to do. ligion. In America we say, all you have to Mr. Trotter, thank you, and I want you do is believe in the Constitution, the Bill of to help him. Those of you who live in his Rights, the Declaration of Independence, be district, he needs your help and he has votes willing to work hard and play by the rules, around here. We need your help. Houston you’re our kind of person, we’re going arm Gordon, thank you for your speeches and for in arm with you into the future. being brave enough and good enough to get

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out here and make this run for the Senate. major architect of those policies is now the We need you there. nominee of our party for Congress in eastern Ladies and gentlemen, let me just say one Arkansas, Mr. Marion Berry. I’d like to ask thing before I get into my remarks here. You him to come up here, and you all give him heard the Vice President say what he did. a good Memphis welcome. [Applause] Thank You remember the awful budget fight we you. had. We wanted to balance the budget. We I want him to say just a word. Thank you. brought the deficit down. But we said, we’re Marion Berry. Well, it’s great to be here not going to balance the budget on the backs with you. You can imagine how proud I am of the people that we depend upon to carry to be one of three Arkansans up here tonight. us into the future or that got us here. We’re Can you imagine what kind of a bridge we’re not going to cut education. We’re not going going to build with these people? I think to hurt the environment. We’re not going to truly the best is yet to come. wreck Medicare and Medicaid. We don’t The President. Ladies and gentlemen, on have to do it, and we’re not going to do it. Thursday night, from Chicago, I had the And then they said, ‘‘All right, if you don’t honor of accepting our party’s nomination for do it our way we’ll shut the Government President for the second time and laying be- down, and we’ll see how you like that.’’ And fore the American people what Al Gore and I said, ‘‘I don’t believe the American people I will try to do as specifically as I could if like blackmail. You can shut it down, but I’m you give us 4 more years. But what the Vice still going to veto that budget. It’s wrong for President said is absolutely true. This is a America.’’ And I did. choice between building a bridge to the past But folks, you don’t want the President just and building a bridge to the future. It’s a to say no, you want us to say yes. I need— choice between people who believe we but more importantly by far, you need people should say you’re on your own, and those of in the Congress who will both balance the us who believe, yes, it does take a village, budget and keep the economy going and pro- we ought to help each other to make the tect our values, who will meet our challenges, most of our own lives, to build strong lives, protect our values, and move us forward to- strong families, strong communities, and a gether. All these people will. strong country. But I want to introduce one more person I want to build that bridge based on oppor- who is here today because those of you who tunity for all, responsibility from all, and an live in Memphis know that over in Arkansas American community that includes every- a bunch of us who lived in the eastern part body—everybody. We cannot go forward as of the State basically believe that Memphis Americans unless we’re willing to go forward is the capital of the Mississippi Delta, and together, arm in arm. we’re sort of a part of it. And eastern Arkan- And what I want to say to you tonight is, sas and that congressional district over there, we’ve been working on this for 4 years, so we’re about to make a change, and 15 to 20 you don’t really have to guess. Four years percent of the people who vote over there ago we had high unemployment, stagnant get all their news from over here. wages, rising crime, problems unmet, cyni- And we have a Democratic nominee for cism on the rise, middle class dreams in dan- Congress in eastern Arkansas who was an of- ger. Four year later, because we changed the ficial in our Agriculture Department, who politics of Washington from the old politics— has been a friend of mine for 20 years, who which was just pointing fingers at people and is one of the finest people I have ever known. saying, ‘‘Who is to blame?’’ to what I think And I want to remind the farmers, our ad- you want us to do, which is to say, ‘‘Forget ministration has been good for American ag- about who’s to blame. What are we going riculture. We’ve opened more markets. to do about it? How are we going to move We’ve had more exports. Farm prices are forward?’’ high. And we have supported rural develop- And I appreciated what the Vice President ment to help people out in the country who said about Senator Dole. We’re not inter- can’t make a living on the farm anymore. A ested in a campaign of insults. We want a

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campaign of ideas. We’ll put our record and country around. I’d say that’s a pretty good our ideas against their record and their ideas, record. Will you help us build on that record? and we trust you to make the decision. Audience members. Yes! But look where we are compared to 4 years The President. Folks, we have to do ago. Let me just give you a few things. You more. We do have to build a bridge to the just think about this: 10 million more Ameri- future. The children in this audience will be cans at work; 41⁄2 million Americans moving doing jobs that have not been invented yet. into their first home; 12 million Americans Many of them will be working at things that getting family and medical leave so they can have not even been imagined yet. Let me take some time off when a baby is born or give you just one little example. Just a few a parent’s sick; 1.8 million Americans go from weeks ago the Vice President and I an- welfare to work; child support collections go nounced that the United States Government up $3 billion, by 40 percent; 40 million work- was going to do a research project or a devel- ing Americans have their pensions protected; opment project with IBM to build a super- 15 million of our hardest pressed working computer in the next couple of years—now families get tax cuts; and every small business listen to this—a supercomputer in the next in the country qualifies for a tax cut if they couple of years that will do in one second invest more in their business to make it more what it would take you, going home with your productive or hire somebody else. hand-held pocket calculator, 30,000 years to And in October, 10 million more Ameri- do. That is an example of where we are going cans will get a pay raise when the minimum and how fast we are going. wage goes up on October 1. Twenty-five mil- We can create a future in the 21st century lion Americans will be helped, including a where more people have more chances to lot of people in this audience, because we live out their dreams than ever. We can also passed the Kennedy-Kassebaum health care do something with technology we’ve never reform bill that says you cannot be denied done before, which is to give poor people health insurance or have it jerked from you and people isolated in our inner cities and just because somebody in your family has our poor rural areas, who haven’t had a break been sick or you’ve changed jobs. It is a good in 30 years in terms of economic opportunity, thing to do. a chance to fully participate in the American Fifty million more Americans are breath- dream for the first time in a generation, if ing clean air, and we’ve cleaned up more we do it right. We can do that. toxic waste dumps in 3 years than the pre- But we have to make the right decisions. vious administration did in 12. The first thing we’ve got to do is to make And let’s talk about some of their issues. up our mind our bridge is going to be built Four years in a row, the crime rate has come with the finest educational system in the down. We passed the ban on assault weap- world available to every single person. And ons. We passed the Brady bill. Not a single let me just mention three things. Number Tennessee or Arkansas hunter lost their rifle, one, we have a plan to take our AmeriCorps but 60,000 felons, fugitives, and stalkers volunteers, 30,000 mentors, and a million could not get handguns to hurt people in more volunteers to make sure that by the their neighborhoods. year 2000 every 8-year-old in America can We have reduced the deficit in every one read on his or her own so they can learn of our years of this administration. And the the rest of the way through school. Clinton-Gore administration is the first ad- Number two, we have a plan by the year ministration to reduce the deficit in all 4 2000 to make sure that every classroom in years since the 1840’s, before the Civil War. America, in the poorest inner city and the We have the smallest Federal Government most remote mountain village, every single since John Kennedy was President. And solitary one is hooked up, not only with com- there would be a surplus in the budget today puters and trained teachers but hooked up if it weren’t for the interest payments we’re to the information superhighway so that, for making on the 12 years of debt run up before the first time in the history of America, the we went to Washington to try to turn this kids in the poorest districts can get imme-

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diately the same quality of information and We need more of it. That’s why we need learning that the kids in the wealthiest dis- to keep these interest rates down. tricts in America can get. We’re going to do That means that our tax cut proposal is that by the year 2000. better than theirs, because ours is targeted. And finally, we want to make college avail- It’s targeted to raising your children. It’s tar- able to everybody who wants to go, and we geted to education. It says you can take out want to say that by the year 2000 2 years an IRA and then you can withdraw from it of college in a community college will be as without penalty for a medical emergency, to universal in 4 years as a high school education buy a first home, to educate your family; says is today, because we’re going to pay for it you shouldn’t pay any taxes on the gain from by giving you a tax credit for the cost of the the home you sell. But we can pay for it. tuition to a community college for 2 years. Every bit of it is paid for. And we want to give every person in college, Now, they’re saying, ‘‘But we’ll give you every person in any kind of post-high school more money. Oh, yes, we’ll give you more education, a tax deduction for tuition up to money.’’ Well, how are you going to pay for $10,000 a year. it? ‘‘Well, we’re going to cut Medicare and And we want to give workers who are un- Medicaid, education and the environment employed or underemployed access to a ‘‘GI even more than we did in that budget the bill’’ that will be worth over $2,000 in edu- President vetoed.’’ Do you want that? cational benefits to them so they can get a Audience members. No-o-o! better job. It’s not just young people that The President. And then they still won’t need an education. Anybody that loses their be able to pay for it so then they’ll have to job in this country ought to be able to go increase the deficit, which means higher in- back to school and get a better job with a terest rates and a weaker economy. So we better future because they’re willing to work. get the worst of both worlds. Now, that’s a strong bridge to the 21st cen- So I say, I want you to help us build a tury. We want to build a bridge to the 21st bridge to the 21st century with more eco- century with a growing economy. That means nomic growth, not less, and economic growth that we have to continue to balance the budg- which comes here to help you. Will you do et. that? I don’t know how many times I’ve been Audience members. Yes! told, ‘‘Mr. President, don’t go to a good old- The President. Now, there has been a lot fashioned Democratic crowd and talk to of talk about responsibility and a lot of debate them about balancing the budget. It bores about welfare. Let me tell you what this new them to death.’’ What’s that got to do with welfare law does. First of all, I’ll say again, Memphis? Who cares? I’ll tell you why you we have 1.8 million fewer people on welfare should care. If we have to go start borrowing than we did when I took office. What does more money and you’re trying to borrow that mean? If you give people a job, they money, what happens? Interest rates go up. will take it. People don’t want to be on wel- What does that mean? Your car payment, fare. They want to go to work. They want your credit card payment, your home mort- to go to work. gage payment goes up. Even more important So here is what the new law says. It says for your future, it means that business people we’re going to keep giving children and their have to pay more to borrow money, which parents health care, nutrition through food means they don’t create as many new busi- stamps, the guaranteed school lunch pro- nesses and they don’t start as many and they gram, and child care if they get a job. But don’t hire as many. what used to be in the check can now be One of the things that I am proudest of sent to the State and they can use the money in the last 4 years is that in each year we to create jobs. have had a record number of new businesses Now, what I say to you is, we talked a lot start, including now, in America, a record about responsibility. The State of Tennessee, number of businesses owned and operated the State of Arkansas, and all the rest of us, by minorities and women. I’m proud of that. we now have a responsibility to create those

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jobs in the inner cities and in those poor delta off without losing your job to go to a parent- towns and in other places where people are teacher conference or take your kid to the on welfare because there aren’t any jobs. And doctor. I propose letting people choose how I have a plan to let us all be responsible by to take their overtime. If they’ve got prob- investing in these places to create new jobs lems at home, if a child needs some care, where there have not been any. Will you help if the parent has Alzheimer’s, if there’s some me build that kind of bridge to the future? other trouble, I think people who earn over- Audience members. Yes! time ought to have a choice to take it in The President. We can’t be responsible money or time with their families, depending unless our streets are safe. I have fought on what they need. Will you help me build against the efforts by my opponent and Mr. that kind of pro-family policy as a bridge to Gingrich to cut back on the safe and drug- the future? [Applause] free schools money, to cut back on the funds Finally, let me say this: The Vice President we give to schools to stay open later because and I have worked as hard as we know how our kids need something to say yes to, not to prove you can protect the environment just something to say no to. We shouldn’t and grow the economy. And I can’t thank leave children out here on the street raising Al Gore enough for all the things he’s taught themselves. If we need to keep the schools me about how to protect the environment open, we need more funds to keep them and grow the economy. But we passed the open, not less. We need to be supporting our Safe Drinking Water Act. We passed an act teachers, not tearing them down. We need to purify our food from pesticides that every to be bringing them in here. farm organization in America supported. We Well, I’ll tell you something, folks, one big have upgraded the meat standards of this reason—you can ask the mayor here, you can country. We improved the clean air laws. We ask any mayor in America—one big reason cleaned up all these toxic waste dumps. this crime rate has come down for 4 years We’ve still got a lot to do. You want to is that we’re putting more policemen back know one way you can grow Memphis’ econ- in the neighborhoods where they can know omy and every other city? If we cleaned up the folks, they can know the children, they every environment problem in every city in can be partners. They can not only catch this country, we would make those places criminals, but they can stop crime from hap- prime targets for new investments and new pening in the first place. jobs. We’re going to clean up the environ- Now, they all voted against, the other folks ment of the cities and grow the economy. did, including my opponent—they all voted We’re going to clean up—there are 10 mil- against creating 100,000 policemen. Then lion kids in this country that live within 4 they tried to take it away. Now they’re trying miles of a toxic waste dump. We’re going to to restrict it again. I say to you, why would clean up the two-thirds worst ones if you’ll we stop something that’s working? We’ve got help us so that our children can grow up next the crime rate coming down for 4 years. We to parks, not poison. Will you help us build need it coming down for 4 more years and that bridge to the future? [Applause] it might be low enough to be tolerable. Will Finally, let me say again, you think about you help me stay with 100,000 police on the the bridge that connects Memphis and West street? [Applause] Memphis, Arkansas. You imagine that being The last thing I want to say is we’ve got a bridge to the future. That bridge has got to go forward as one community. And that to be strong enough and wide enough for starts with strong families. A lot of people all of us to walk across. That’s why, when talk about family values, but as the First Lady Tipper and I celebrated our birthdays, Al and said in our convention, it’s time we advocated Hillary and the two of us came out here to things that show we value family. We’ve got Tennessee to try to rebuild that church that to help people succeed, raising their children had been burned. Every time somebody and going to work. burns a church or defaces a synagogue or I propose to expand the family and medi- a mosque, they deface the idea of America. cal leave law so that you can take a little time And as I said Thursday night, the real flame

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that embodies America is the flame on the Remarks at a Reception for Harold Statue of Liberty; the flame that the Olympic Ford, Jr., in Memphis torch carried by citizens, heroes all across August 31, 1996 America, embodied. You’ve got this Olympic Gold Medal win- The President. Thank you. First of all, I’d ner. Why do we love the Olympics? I’ll tell like to—let me say to all of you who are you why. Because everybody has got to play here—Bishop, the pastors, Bill Farris, John, by the rules. You can’t get a gold medal by the political leaders who are here—I could breaking in your opponent’s room the night sit over there with Hillary all night long and before and breaking their legs. [Laughter] watch this. I mean, I’ve known Harold Ford Nobody brags on you if you stand up behind a long time, and I saw him get up, and he a microphone and bad-mouth your oppo- did his little thing. And then his son got up nent. You can only win if you reach down and he sort of turned it up a notch. [Laugh- deep inside and do your best and give your ter] And then Al Gore got up and talked all. And then if you do that, even if you don’t about how dynasties were a good thing in get a medal you’re better off. And we think Tennessee. [Laughter] And I sort of felt like the world ought to work that way. That’s why I was watching the three greatest ballet danc- we liked the Olympics. That’s why we liked ers of all time do the Tennessee waltz. the Olympics. The Vice President. Or the macarena. So I tell you, my friends, you just think The President. Or the macarena, he said. about that. The United States cannot afford If you’d indulge me just one thing, I’d like to let racial bigotry get back into our lives. to introduce one other person. I introduced We cannot afford to let religious bigotry back him at our rally, but my candidate for Con- into our lives. We cannot afford any kind of gress in the Mississippi Delta of eastern Ar- discrimination. We need to say to the whole kansas is here, my longtime friend and world—and most important, in the privacy former official at the Department of Agri- of our own rooms at night as we say our pray- culture in our administration, Marion Berry, ers to God—we need it to be true in our and his wife, Carolyn. Will you please make hearts, if you believe in the Declaration of them welcome here. [Applause] Thank you. Independence, if you believe in the Constitu- And over there next to them is the man I tion, if you believe in the Bill of Rights, if hope will be your next Senator from Ten- you get up tomorrow and do your work and nessee, Houston Gordon. Thank you, Hous- you obey the law and you play by the rules, ton. you’re my kind of American. I don’t care Now, folks, let me say a special word of what else there is about you. We’re going thanks, too, as President, to Harold Ford, Sr., to cross that bridge together. Will you help who as—he does not look old enough to me me build that kind of bridge to the future? to be retiring from Congress. [Laughter] But Audience members. Yes! his son has so much talent, it may just be The President. Will you help us for 68 like baseball, you know, it’s just time to go more days? and do something else. [Laughter] But I can Audience members. Yes! tell you that I had a chance to begin working The President. Will you help us for 4 with Harold Ford nearly 10 years ago when more years? I was a Governor, and we were trying to find Audience members. Yes! a humane way to make it possible for more The President. We need you. We love people to move from work to welfare. And you. Thank you, and God bless you. Let’s I was impressed then by his keen intellect go get it. Thank you. and his enormous energy. I’ve also learned something in years since NOTE: The President spoke at 7:53 p.m. at City Hall Plaza. In his remarks, he referred to Mayor about his determination and never-say-die at- Willie W. Herenton of Memphis; and Bill Farris, titude. Something that I have had to have Shelby County Democratic Party chair. A tape was a little bit of myself from time to time. not available for verification of the content of [Laughter] I see the pride in his eyes about these remarks. his son, and I have been able to observe Har-

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old Ford, Jr., speak and campaign, and I reaucratic; or is Government just another empathize with what Al Gore said about his part of our village, if I could use Hillary’s own career: Our country is better off that term. Is it just another part, a reflection of both Gores served, and our country will be ourselves, and are there some things that better off that both Fords served. should be done by our Government simply And you know, I just turned 50, and Al because it’s either not convenient, not effi- never lets me forget about it. And I got my cient, or not even possible for us to do those AARP card, you know. I’m a certified old things in any other way? guy now. [Laughter] And I was looking at I have always believed that the role of Gov- Harold, Jr., up here thinking I was about his ernment was not to undermine self-reliance age when I first ran for Congress. I got beat. but to reinforce it; not to weaken families But I got over it. [Laughter] He’s not going but to help them grow stronger; not to do to get beat. You’re going to send him to Con- what could be done at the grassroots commu- gress. nity level or at the State level but to empower Let me just make one final, highly personal States and communities to do what they remark. There is underlying all great elec- ought to do. And now the American people tions a big idea. Sometimes it’s clear, and have had 4 years of our administration, and sometimes it’s not. And in this election we they saw about a year and a half of the alter- said that the big idea was whether we’re native, and they’re in a position to make up going to build a bridge to the future or a their minds. bridge to the past. But that may not be quite But when candidate Harold Ford was up as explicit as I’d like to be, thinking about there speaking tonight, I said, ‘‘Thank good- this young man starting his career in Con- ness that there’s a young person and a young gress, listening to the conviction, passion, and generation who believes that, yes, he got eloquence of his words tonight. where he did partly because he worked hard, When I was a boy growing up in Arkansas, partly because God gave him a good mind, the year I was born our per capita income partly because God made him an attractive was 56 percent of the national average. Only person, partly because he grew up in a family Mississippi was poorer; it was like 48 percent where he could learn about politics. But he of the national average. We spent the first doesn’t want this job just to sit and warm 30 years of my life, most of us in this delta the seat or for the privilege of having power. region, just struggling to try to pull ourselves He thinks he’s there to help other people up so we could all make sure our kids got live out their dreams, too.’’ educated and everybody had a decent job, So when I was a little boy living with my and we could try to join the mainstream of granddaddy, I don’t believe he ever did work America, and trying to overcome the awful a 5-day week in his life, I think he always burden of our racist past. But no one ever worked a 6-day week, full time. I don’t be- thought there was a dichotomy between lieve he ever worked an 8-hour day. I don’t working hard and doing your best to raise believe—but he never thought that that your children and build strong families and meant he wasn’t supposed to be for all of trying to help your neighbors, trying to help us working together to try to give every child your neighbors directly, and trying to help a good education or to try to grow the econ- your neighbors indirectly by having Govern- omy to where it benefited everybody. ment not give us anything but to give us the And I’ve been mystified these last several chance to make more of our own lives. years at this debate. And I think one of the Since the election in 1994, the American reasons that the other fellows had so much people have finally had a chance to see ex- success is they never had a chance to show plicitly the debate that’s really been going people what they meant. And then they gave on in our country now for 15 or 20 years, us that budget that did what it did to Medi- which is: Is Government the enemy, the care and Medicaid and education and the en- problem; would we be all better off being vironment. And then we showed you could on our own out there in this new global econ- balance the budget without doing all that, omy which is moving fast and is far less bu- that we could do the responsible, tough, dis-

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ciplined thing and still go forward and go for- Joe Purvis, for bringing Little Joe and the ward together. BK’s here; the magnificent Philander Smith So that’s really the great question. That’s Choir, thank you very much; Mayor Dailey, why I talked about building a bridge to the Mayor Hays, Judge Villines, thank you. future, a strong bridge and one that’s wide I want to thank the young children from enough for us all to walk across. This is the Gibbs Magnet School and from Clinton Ele- greatest country in history. This is the great- mentary School for these signs. Thank you. est country in history. We started out not Hold up your signs, kids. The children made even living up to the Constitution. We nearly all these signs. Let’s give them a hand, they tore the country apart to get rid of slavery. did a great job. [Applause] Thank you. We spent another hundred years trying to I thank Congressman Ray Thorton for get rid of the vestiges of it. We worked hard being here tonight, for his service to our to give women more opportunities. Now State. I think he’s the only person in the his- we’re dealing with such diversity that your tory of Arkansas who represented two en- wonderful Olympic Gold Medal winner who tirely different regions of our State in the is over here was part of an Olympics—I want Congress, president of our two largest uni- you all to think about this—was part of an versities, a very distinguished American citi- Olympics that had 197 different nations rep- zen, and a great future judge on the Arkansas resented. In the biggest county in America, Supreme Court. Thank you, Ray, and good Los Angeles County, there are representa- luck to you and Betty Jo. tives from 150 of those places. In your coun- I thank my dear friend Judy Collins for try, in one county. being here tonight. Wasn’t she magnificent? So I say to you, if you believe that we can Thirty-two years ago this month, I went to go forward and that our best days are still hear Judy Collins sing at the George Wash- ahead, it’s really worth investing in the life ington University auditorium when I was a and career and growth and the spirit of a freshman at Georgetown. And I thought that young man like Harold Ford, Jr., because he I had never heard a voice like that, never is basically carrying out what I think has al- would again. I talked about it for days. And ways been America’s best sense of itself. And if anybody told me then—32 years ago—we’d I think now we understand that Government both be here tonight, I wouldn’t have be- is neither the problem nor the solution, it’s lieved it. But I like it, and I’m glad to see just a reflection of who we are at any given her. I should tell you that she was 8 years moment in time. And we’ve got to make it old at the time of that concert. [Laughter] work to do what it can do so that we can I want to thank my good friends Mack make the most of our own lives. McLarty and Rodney Slater for being here. Thank you. God bless you. They are representing all the Arkansans who are serving you in Washington with great dis- NOTE: The President spoke at 9:15 p.m. at the tinction, as have they. Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza. In his remarks, he re- Finally, let me say—I see so many other ferred to John Farris, son of Bill Farris. A tape folks here—just my friends, my supporters, was not available for verification of the content of these remarks. legislators, county officials, city officials, per- sonal friends. I’m delighted to see all of you here. I was looking at David Pryor. He said Remarks in Little Rock, Arkansas I met him when I was 19; I did—30 years September 1, 1996 ago and a few odd months, in the hot sum- mer Arkansas campaign of 1966 on the street The President. Thank you. I’m hoarse, of a small county seat in south Arkansas. And folks, I can’t shout over you. You’ve got to I thought, that guy’s the best politician I’ve help me tonight, I’m a little hoarse. Oh, I’m ever seen. [Laughter] He had more moves so glad to see you. Thank you for coming. than Magic Johnson working that street, and Thank you. he still does. I want to thank all of those who made this And let me say to you, David, and to Bar- night possible—thank my longtime friend, bara, I remember when you were in the

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snows of New Hampshire. Many of you were middle class, reclaiming the future for our also there. I remember when you stood with children.’’ me when we were dropping in the polls, and In November of 1992, when I was de- people said the campaign was over. And I clared the President-elect, I was right here remember how you stood by me in the first again in the spot that embodies for me all 2 years of our Presidency under all manner that is best in our State and public service. of assault to stand up for what was right for So I wanted to come here just as quick America. You have done a lot of things for as I could get here, as I begin the last cam- all of us to love you, David Pryor. But I will paign of my life, unless I decide to run for never forget that when it wasn’t at all clear the school board some day. [Laughter] And that I would be here on this night doing this I want to say to all of you, you made possible in this way, you were always there because something extraordinary in these last 4 years. you thought it was right. And I will love you And I came here to give you an accounting until the day I die. Thank you, and God bless and ask you to rare back one more time and you. go with me through November and into the Ladies and gentlemen, 20 years ago this next 4 years. Will you do that? [Applause] year, when the people of our State elected Folks, 4 years ago we had to weather all me attorney general, I had my first reception those snide charges about a small Southern in January of 1977—nearly 20 years ago— State; we had to listen to all those people Hillary and I did right here in the Old State- trying to rain on our parade. And I had to house. And I remember what a cold and icy look at all those people kind of look at me January it was—do you remember, Mack? All askance when I said, ‘‘It seemed to me that of my friends from north Arkansas just sort if we took the philosophy of governing that we had embraced here, not who’s to blame of slid down here on the ice and came to but what are we going to do about it, it would the reception. [Laughter] work in Washington, too.’’ Over the years I have been back here many Four years ago we had high unemploy- times because I love this building. In 1979, ment, stagnant wages, crime and welfare rolls in my first term, I asked the legislature to rising, cynicism on the rise, problems unmet, give us some money to restore it to its origi- middle class dreams of America in danger. nal condition so it would be ready by the Four years later, after 4 years of getting rid time we turned 150 years old as a State, in of ‘‘who’s to blame’’ and asking, ‘‘What are June of 1986, and they did. This is a treasure we going to do about it?’’ look where we are. for me because here on this wonderful lawn, With a simple but profound strategy—op- under these grand trees, in front of this great portunity for everybody, responsibility from building, we can live again, all of us, the his- everybody, and everybody that believes in tory of our State, and a big part of the history the Constitution, the Declaration of Inde- of our Nation. pendence, and the Bill of Rights is part of That’s why I came here almost 5 years our American community and entitled to go ago—5 years ago last month—to declare my with us into the future—with that simple candidacy. And I used to be able to do this strategy, we have over 10 million new jobs; from memory, but, you know, in spite of all almost 41⁄2 million new homeowners; wages David said about me being young, I’m 50 are rising again for the first time in a decade; now, I’ve got an AARP card—[laughter]— 4 years of declining crime; 1.8 million fewer and that means you all have to cut me some people on welfare; 10 million Americans are slack. So I brought a few notes here. about to get an increase because of the rise Five years ago when I was here, I said in the minimum wage on October 1. when we started this campaign for the Presi- Twelve million Americans have gotten to dency, ‘‘All of you in different ways have take a little time off for the birth of a child brought me here today, to step beyond a life or a sick parent without losing their job be- and a job I love, to make a commitment to cause of the Family and Medical Leave Act. a larger cause, preserving the American Fifteen million of our hardest pressed Ameri- dream, restoring the hopes of the forgotten cans have gotten a tax cut to help raise their

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children. And every single small business in next 4 years, because we can’t undo the past America has been made eligible for a sub- if it’s bad and we can’t relive it no matter stantial reduction in taxes if they invest more how good it is. We have to think about to- in their business to grow the business more morrow. and help grow our economy. But I will say this, with all respect: That’s Forty million Americans have had their re- what this choice is. The choice is whether tirement savings made more secure after the we’re going to build a bridge to the past or terrible, damaging years of the 1980’s. Fifty build a bridge to the future. I want you to million Americans are breathing cleaner air. help me build a bridge to the 21st century. And, yes, Senator Pryor said it all: We fought Will you do that? [Applause] a long, hard battle for health care and paid Now, folks, you know what kind of bridge a big price for it. But when I signed the Ken- I want to build to the future, and I don’t nedy-Kassebaum bill, 25 million Americans have to tell you about the details. I want to were told, ‘‘You cannot lose your health in- build a bridge to the future that everybody surance because somebody in your family’s has a chance to be a part of, and that means been sick or because you have to change we have to do a lot more than we have done jobs.’’ as a people to make sure every single person So I say to you, my friends here at home, in this country, not only the children but the what I said on that train trip and on that adults as well, have access to lifetime edu- bus trip, which I loved because I got to see cation and that it’s the best in the world. We all those folks that look just like you, who have to do that. are just like you, that made this country go, You think what it would mean to Arkansas the kind of people the President doesn’t and to Arkansans if we passed a tax cut that often see if he just gets in Air Force One said you can have the equivalent of a commu- and then jumps in the limo and goes to the nity college tuition for 2 years in your pocket event—you get on a train, you get on a bus as a tax credit so that everybody in this coun- and you see the people that make this coun- try can have 2 years of education after high try go. And I’m telling you, we’re better off school, make it just as universal as a high than we were 4 years ago, and we are on school education is today. the right track to the 21st century. Think what it would mean to Arkansans Now, I want to say—— if we said every family in this State, except Audience members. Four more years! those like me who don’t need it, can have Four more years! Four more years! a deduction for the cost of college tuition, The President. Sounds good. Thank you. any tuition after high school up to $10,000 But let me say what I said at the conven- a year. tion one more time. You all taught me some- Think what it would mean to the people thing when I had to run for reelection as of this State if we could say to every unem- Governor all the time. [Laughter] I remem- ployed person and every underemployed ber one time I was at a rally in 1984, trying person, we want you to have access to a new to get reelected, and I gave a great speech kind of GI bill, a ‘‘GI bill’’ for America’s about what a good job I’d done. An old boy workers, because this economy changes a lot came up to me after it was over and said, and even when we’re creating jobs, some ‘‘Well, so what, Bill, that’s what we paid you people are always being left behind. So we’re for.’’ [Laughter] ‘‘What are you going to do going to give you $2,600 a year to spend as next time?’’ you see fit getting an education and finding And so I say, I realize that that’s what you a new job so you can get a better job with paid me for. And that’s why when I spoke higher skills and a brighter future. Think to the country and to our Democratic Party what that would mean if we could do that in Chicago on Thursday night, I tried to lay here for our people. out what I thought the stakes were in this Think what it would mean when we hook election. My record is relevant and so is Sen- up every classroom and every library and ator Dole’s, but only insofar as it gives you every school in this State, not only with com- some guidance about what we’ll do in the puters and trained teachers but hook them

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up to the information superhighway so that though we’re moving into the 21st century, for the first time in the history of America we’re going to cut back on education, every- in the poorest school district in Arkansas, thing from Head Start to college loans. And they can get the same information in the we’re going to cut back on protecting the en- same time, with the same quality as people vironment. And if you don’t do it, we’ll shut in the richest schools in this country do. the Government down.’’ Think what that will mean to the people of I said, ‘‘Let her rip. I’m not going to put Arkansas and to our children. that on the American people.’’ Now—but I And I want to build a bridge to the 21st did say also, ‘‘I’m not going to talk about century that keeps this economy going. That who’s to blame. You all won the Congress means we have to keep trading more. That fair and square. You want to balance the means we have to keep investing more in budget, that’s the right thing to do for Amer- technology and research. You heard Chris- ica. Let’s just balance that budget in the right topher Reeve talk at the Democratic Con- way.’’ vention about that. It’s not just a matter of Now, let me remind all of you here what humanity; it’s a matter of our future. We are that means. I hear people all the time—all generating enormous opportunities, eco- these political consultants tell you, ‘‘Don’t nomic opportunities, as we search for the so- talk to people about balancing the budget. lution to medical mysteries. If things are going good, they’re bored with We’ve doubled the life expectancy for peo- it.’’ Here’s why you ought to care about it: ple with HIV in 4 years. We now have seen because if we don’t balance the budget and for the first time in laboratory animals, ani- we do something that increases the deficit, mals that had their spines severed and were what does that mean? We have to go borrow paralyzed, getting movement back in their money while you’re trying to borrow money. lower limbs. It won’t be long before we can What does that mean? Your home mortgage, do that for people. But we have to keep in- your car payment, your credit card payments vesting if we want to do that. go up. What else does it mean? It means The Internet—a lot of the kids in this audi- businesses have to pay more to borrow ence just routinely hook into the Internet. money so they don’t borrow as much; they The Internet got started as a Government don’t invest as much; they don’t create as research project. We figured out how to do many new jobs. it, then we got out of the way and let the Arkansas has got a low unemployment private sector take it over. But we have to now. But I want to see that unemployment keep investing. And I want you to support rate spread to every county and every com- that kind of future that will grow the econ- munity that doesn’t have a low unemploy- omy. ment rate yet. And we can do it, but we’ve And let me say this: I want you to support got to keep it coming down. us in our effort to balance the budget in the Now, along comes our opponents who said right way, in the right way. Now, when they for 2 years all they wanted to do was balance sent me a budget, they said, ‘‘Here’s our bal- the budget. And they say, ‘‘No, no, no. Forget anced budget. We’re going to have this huge about that. Vote for us. We’re going to give tax cut and give it to some people that don’t you a bigger tax cut.’’ That’s what they say, need it. And you’re going to have to take 5 times as big. it, or we’re going to shut the Government Here’s the problem: Number one, if you down. And oh, by the way, we’re going to hated the budget I vetoed last time, wait until change Medicare into a two-class system so you see this one. This one will take bigger that the oldest, the poorest, and the sickest cuts out of Medicare, Medicaid, education, seniors in this country get the shaft. And oh, the environment, and worker pension funds. by the way, we’re going to remove Medicaid’s It’s wrong. And you don’t want me to do that, guarantee of health care to pregnant women do you? and little children and the elderly in nursing Audience members. No-o-o! homes and families with people with a dis- The President. Even then, they won’t pay ability in them. And oh, by the way, even for it. And the deficit will go up again. And

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that means higher interest rates and all those check or whether to develop a job program bad things. that will put more people into jobs. And they Now, let me ask you a question, just a little have to do that. old question we might ask at a country cross- Now, here’s what I want to say to you folks: roads at home: Would you go to the bank Now this is not a political issue anymore. and borrow money to give yourself a tax cut? Welfare is no longer an issue that conserv- Audience members. No-o-o! atives can condemn liberals over, that politi- The President. Well, why would you hire cians can condemn poor people over. We somebody to do that for you? You wouldn’t have gotten rid of the system people say they do that. You wouldn’t do that. don’t like. But if you want to require some- Now, there’s another alternative, but let body with kids to feed to go to work and me get down to that. I know—I learned a require them to do it, they better have some long time—I remember one time President work there to go to. That is the issue now. Reagan came right here to this spot and gave We have a responsibility to create these jobs. a speech for the Republicans and tried to And we have to build a bridge to the 21st tell them they needed a different Gov- century that puts people to work who have ernor—1984—and I’m glad you all didn’t lis- never had a chance to go to work before. ten. [Laughter] And I know that even a Presi- It brings me to the other person over here dent from Arkansas can’t tell people from I want to talk about. The biggest new job here how to vote, so I don’t want you to do States will have to perform is figuring out this for me, I want you to do it for you. a humane and decent and honorable way to But you’ve got Winston Bryant and Vic create work for people on welfare who are Snyder over here trying to get into the Senate able-bodied. It is not simple. It is not easy. and the House, with Boyce Davis and Marion And every time you vote for a Governor, a Berry. And I want to tell you something. If lieutenant governor, a State official, a legisla- you want this done right, if you want me to tor, you ought to ask yourself, what kind of do more than say no, if you want me to be person am I electing and who is most likely able to say yes to the right kind of balanced to be able to be most energetic in growing budget and the kind of programs that I advo- the economy overall and trying to figure out cated when I spoke to the country in Chicago specifically how to do these new deals, these on Thursday night, then send Vic Snyder to new jobs, especially welfare reform. I’ll tell the House and send Winston Bryant to the you what the answer to that is. The answer Senate, and give us a chance to grow this to that is Charlie Cole Chaffin, and you ought country in the right way. This is terribly im- to make her the lieutenant governor of Ar- portant. kansas. Let me say just something else real briefly. I want to just say one other thing about It’s not enough to create opportunity; we also this responsibility business. I never believed have to have more responsibility. The other for a minute what so many Americans did, guys, they talked a lot about welfare reform that we couldn’t do anything about crime. and hating the Government, but we reduced And when I went around the country, started the Government to its smallest size in 30 running for President, I went to town after years. And we reduced the welfare rolls by town where the crime rate was going down. 1.8 million. But I signed that welfare reform And I asked them, ‘‘Why did the crime rate bill, and I was proud to do it because—here’s go down?’’ And I talked to the police officers. the new deal—there’s a lot of legislators They said, ‘‘Well, we put more police on the here, so you all listen to this. Here’s the new streets. We got them out of the cars. We’ve deal. This deal says, for people who are poor got them working in the neighborhoods. and their children, eligible for welfare, you We’ve got them working with the kids. And still get guaranteed health care, guaranteed it’s working.’’ And I said, ‘‘What else do you food stamps, and guaranteed child care if you need?’’ And they said, ‘‘Well, we could use go to work. But the income check can now a little help with these assault weapons, be- be given to the States, and the States can cause we don’t have them. And we could use decide whether to continue the income a little other help.’’

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So here’s what we did. We passed a crime much about that when he was Governor. I bill that’s putting 100,000 police on the tell you one thing I know, if at midnight to- street. The other guys voted against it. Think night I call those Special Forces and I tell about this in this race for Congress. Think them to be halfway around the world by noon about this in the race for Congress and Sen- tomorrow and put their lives on the line for ators. The other party led the fight against you, they will do it. They do not deserve to it. Then they tried to repeal the 100,000 po- have swastikas on their doors. This is not lice. Even after the crime rate had gone right. This is not right. down for 3 years, they still tried to stop us So I guess what I’d like to say is we talk from doing it. about this ‘‘it takes a village’’ business, but And we’re halfway home now, and we it really is important. You’ve got to really de- need to finish that. We’ve got 4 years of de- cide, and the people of this country have to clining crime rates. If we had 4 more years decide. Do you think we have to go forward of declining crime rates, they might be down together and that the role of the Government where we could all live with it. And I want is to be a part of our national village to give you to stay with a strategy that’s working. people the tools they need to make the most Again, send Winston Bryant and Vic Snyder of their own lives? Or do you think we’d be to Congress, and let’s keep the 100,000 po- better off with a sort of ‘‘you’re on your own’’ lice coming. philosophy? That’s also a big part of this elec- Now, the last thing I want to say is, you tion. taught me—not the other way around—that I know that if we go forward together, if when we work together we never lose. When we get more opportunity for everybody and we treat each other with respect we always more responsibility from everybody, our best win. When we behave with dignity and days are still ahead. honor, we’re always ahead. That’s still a big But I know one thing: You have got to be problem. You have no idea how much time committed, every single one of you, to build- I spend as President dealing with foreign pol- ing that kind of a bridge. So think about this: icy problems caused because people in other All of you have been with me all of these countries insist on killing each other because years; this is our last go-round with the high- they’re different from one another. You have est stakes for the largest number of people. no idea. The kind of country we’ll be at the dawn of What is Bosnia about? What is the crisis a new century and a new millennium will in Northern Ireland about? What is the Mid- be determined by this election. What this dle East about? What are all these tribal wars country looks like when our children and our in Africa about? Just something about peo- grandchildren are our age will be determined ple, if you let them go unrestrained, that by the decisions we make in this election. makes them think that their lives mean more I have no right to ask you for anything for when they can look down on their neighbors, me; you have already given me more than and they’ll even go to the point of killing I can ever repay. But for the sake of our chil- them. And pretty soon they get to killing one dren, our State, and our beloved country, one another, and they forget why they started more time will you help me build that bridge fighting. They just can’t quit anymore. to the 21st century? [Applause] Now, that’s why I react so strongly when Thank you. God bless you. Let’s go get churches burn in our country and in our it. State. It’s wrong. That’s why I got so upset the other day when those African-American Special Forces personnel went home to their NOTE: The President spoke at 6:38 p.m. at the barracks in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and Old Statehouse. In his remarks, he referred to Joe Purvis, chairman, Clinton Birthplace Founda- saw those swastikas on their doors. Now, tion, Hope, AR; Mayor Jim Dailey of Little Rock; folks, you read every week about some for- Mayor Patrick Henry Hays of North Little Rock; eign policy crisis I’m dealing with. And I bet Buddy Villines, Pulaski County judge; Betty Jo a lot of you think, you know, I wonder what Thorton, wife of State Representative Ray Bill’s thinking about that; he didn’t learn Thorton; singer Judy Collins; Federal Highway

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Administrator Rodney Slater; and Barbara Pryor, honor the men and women who have built wife of Senator David Pryor. every bridge in our country’s history, because you will have to help us build that bridge Remarks at a Labor Day Picnic in to the 21st century. DePere, Wisconsin You may have noticed that in the last sev- eral days, often with my wife and daughter September 2, 1996 and sometimes with the Vice President and The President. Thank you. Happy Labor Mrs. Gore, I’ve been on a train, and I’ve been Day. Thank you for coming out. I must say on a bus to tell the American people we’re when I left home this morning in Arkansas on the right track and the right road to the to fly up here, I knew that the people of 21st century, and we shouldn’t change now, DePere and the whole Green Bay area would we should keep right on going in the right be in an awful good humor after the Packers direction and build on it. did so well yesterday. But I never had any I wanted to take that train trip and that idea so many of you would come up to tell bus trip because I get to see more people me how happy you are. I’m glad to see you. like you. I get to hear the stories that make Thank you for this great crowd, for your spir- America live. I get to see the decisions in it, for your love for our country, for the signs human terms that we have to make every you’ve had here. day. As I said last Thursday in Chicago, fun- I want to thank the DePere Band over damentally this year we face a choice be- here. Thank you for coming out to play for tween building a bridge to the future and us on Labor Day, wearing those hot uniforms building a bridge to the past, between wheth- when they could be in shorts, drinking lem- er we’re going forward together as one nation onade. Give them a hand. [Applause] arm in arm, or whether we’re going to be Thank you, Senator Feingold, thank you told, you’re on your own. for your leadership for Wisconsin and for the Just since I have been here today in Wis- United States. Thank you for your long labor consin I had one person come up to me and for real, meaningful campaign finance re- said, ‘‘I’m so glad that I live in a country form. We will get it next time, we will. And where we’re all helping each other to make we will get it in a bipartisan fashion that will the most of our lives. I had a terrible accident be good for America. in my family; I have someone in my family I want to thank all those who are here— with a disability. Now I know that the only Mayor Walsh, thank you for welcoming me way we can maintain our lifestyle and our here. The people who are on the work is to have the kind of help that makes preprogram; the Attorney General, Jim this the great country it is.’’ And we’re work- Doyle; Dr. Margaret Hutchinson; John Ben- ing hard to build strong families and to be son; Father Cornell—to all of you, thank you productive. very much. Thank you, Alethia. Didn’t she I had another young man come up to me make a good talk and isn’t she a good rep- and say, ‘‘Five years ago I was homeless. I resentative of the young people of this coun- just finished my third year of college. I’m try? so glad that you believe in college loans and Let me also say that Senator Feingold you stopped them from cutting it back last mentioned your former Senator, Gaylord year.’’ That’s the kind of America I’m proud Nelson, also a great friend of mine. It was to live in. my great honor to present him with the Na- My fellow Americans, 4 years ago when tion’s highest citizen’s award, the Presidential the people of Wisconsin gave Bill Clinton Medal of Freedom. Every person from Wis- and Al Gore a chance to lead the country, consin should be very proud of the work Gay- we had a simple message. We want America lord Nelson has spent since he left the Senate to go into the 21st century with the American to save the environment for future genera- dream alive for everyone responsible enough tions. to work for it; with our great American com- My fellow Americans, this is Labor Day. munity growing together, not drifting apart; We celebrate labor and we honor labor. We with our Nation still the strongest force for

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peace and freedom and prosperity in the will hear in the next 60 days about where world. We have a simple but profound strat- to go from here is this: Our budget would egy: more opportunity for all; more respon- have been balanced last year and would have sibility from all; and a place at the table for a surplus this year except for the interest we all people who deserve to be there because have to pay on the debt run up in the 12 they believe in our values and they’re willing years before I took the oath of office. Let’s to work for them. don’t make that mistake again. Let’s keep Now, just think where we are today com- going and finish the job. We can finish the pared to 4 years ago: 10 million more jobs; job in 4 more years. Will you help me build 41⁄2 million new homeowners; 10 million that kind of bridge to the future? homeowners who refinanced their mortgage Audience members. Yes! Four more at lower interest rates; record numbers of years! Four more years! new businesses and exports; the lowest com- The President. Just a few days ago I bined rates of unemployment, inflation and signed legislation that is pro-work, pro-busi- home mortgages in 28 years. We’re better ness, and pro-family. It’s an example of off than we were 4 years ago. America at its best. We raised the minimum Fifteen million of our hardest pressed wage for 10 million hard-working Americans, working families have received a tax cut, and starting October 1st. We made it easier for every single small business person in the small businesses, which create most of the country has been eligible for a tax cut when jobs in this country, to take out pensions for they invest more money in the business to the owners and the employees, and for those become more productive or hire more work- employees to keep those pensions when they ers. Twelve million families have taken ad- move from job to job. It ought to be easier vantage of the family leave law when a baby’s for people in small businesses to have a de- born or a parent’s sick without losing their cent retirement as well. And we adopted a jobs, and our economy is stronger for it. $5,000 tax credit for families who adopt chil- Forty million Americans had their pen- dren. There are a lot of children out there sions secured after the terrible days of inse- who need a good home today. I hope this curity of the 1980’s, when people were losing helps more of them find it. their pensions. We changed the law and we We made 25 million Americans eligible to have cracked down on deficient pension keep their health insurance, even if some- funds because we think on Labor Day if peo- body in the family has been sick, and even ple work their whole lives and pay into their when they move from job to job, under the pension funds they ought to know it’s going Kennedy-Kassebaum bill. We’ve been fight- to be there for them when that retirement ing for that for a long time and it’s high time, period comes. and there are people in this audience today Fifty million Americans are breathing whose lives will be saved because of it be- cleaner air, and we have cleaned up more cause they won’t lose their health insurance toxic waste dumps in 3 years than the pre- now if someone in their family gets sick or vious two administrations did in 12. This they have to change jobs. country is moving in the right direction. So I say to you we are moving on the right The crime rate has come down 4 years in track, but there is more to do. We have to a row; 1.8 million fewer people are on wel- build a bridge to the 21st century that en- fare; child support collections are up 40 per- ables every person in this country, every fam- cent; the deficit has been cut by 60 percent. ily, every community to make the most of It’s the first time since before the Civil War their God-given potential. We have to build that an administration has brought the Fed- that bridge to the future strong and wide eral deficit down in every one of its 4 years enough for all of us to walk across. in office. That’s something you can all be Let me tell you some of the things I hope proud of. you’ll think about on this Labor Day as we Senator Feingold has worked hard for a honor work and family. I want to build a balanced budget. What I want you to know bridge to the 21st century in which we when you think about all the proposals you amend the family and medical leave law to

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say that you can not only take a little time Now that we have passed the health care off when a baby is born or in an emergency protection bill, we ought to recognize that but also to take your child to those parent- a lot of families need some help when they’re teacher conferences at school and to regular between jobs. In my balanced budget plan, doctor’s appointments. there is a provision to help people pay for I want to build a bridge to the 21st century and keep their health insurance when they in which we have the crime rate going down and their families are between jobs. It’s a for 4 more years in a row in the hope that good thing. Will you help us build that bridge it will finally be down where it ought to be to the 21st century? [Applause] in America. And to do that, we have to finish And let me just mention two more things. the work of putting 100,000 police on the This is Labor Day. We can be grateful that street. We have to do a better job of protect- we have over 10 million more jobs. But we ing our police officers by banning those cop- know we have to keep this recovery going. killer bullets, which are not necessary to hunt That means we have to continue to balance in Wisconsin or Arkansas or anywhere else. the budget, but to do it in a way that grows And I believe very strongly that the Brady the economy and keeps us together. We can bill has been a good thing for America. You balance the budget without wrecking Medi- know, when I signed it and I pushed it so care, turning our backs on the medical com- hard and the leaders of the other party led mitments of Medicaid, which includes fami- the fight against it, they got a lot of votes lies with disabilities, little babies that are poor, pregnant women, and the elderly in in 1994. It may be why they won the Con- nursing homes. We can balance the budget gress, banning assault weapons and the Brady and increase our commitment to education bill, because they convinced a lot of rural and to research and to the environment, not people in Wisconsin and Michigan, my home walk away from it. Will you help us balance State of Arkansas, up in New England, all the budget in that way? [Applause] over the country that somehow the Demo- And then you have, as Senator Feingold crats were coming to get their guns. said, the great tax debate. We can have a Well, let me tell you something folks, it’s tax cut that will be good for the economy. been 2 years now and people know the truth. I believe the tax cut we had in 1993 for the Not a single, solitary hunter has lost a rifle. 15 million hardest pressed workers, for peo- But 60,000 felons, fugitives, and stalkers did ple who invest in new businesses to try to not get handguns because of the Brady bill. create them, for small businesses to invest It was the right thing to do, and we’re a safer more in their business, I think those things country for it. were good. Our tax cut plan is fully paid for And I personally don’t believe that people line-by-line, dime-by-dime. It supports edu- who commit acts of domestic violence against cation, health care, homebuying—and that’s their spouse or their children should be able what it supports—and childrearing. If we can to get guns either. That is a dangerous thing. invest money to help people educate their We should not do that. children, care for their children, buy and sell We ought to build a bridge to the 21st their home, and put into an IRA and let peo- century that continues to prove we can grow ple take out without penalty for education, the economy and clean up the environment. for health care, for home buying, that’s good Ten million American children still live with- for America. Those tax cuts will be repaid in four miles of a toxic dump. If you will to us many times over. But we have to do give us 4 more years, we will speed up the it while we balance the budget. pace of toxic cleanups, even though we’ve Now, let me say this. The other guys will done more in 3 years than the previous ad- say, ‘‘We ought to have one that’s 5 times ministrations did in 12. We’ll clean up the as big. We’ll give you more money. Vote for two-thirds worst dumps in this country. We us. Why do you care about the deficit.’’ You want our children to grow up next to parks, know in Washington, we have all these politi- not poisons. Will you help us build that kind cal consultants. And if you listen to them, of bridge to the 21st century? they say, ‘‘Don’t ever go out to a Labor Day

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crowd of middle class people and talk about ever educational needs they have for a life- the deficit. Nobody cares about that.’’ time. Excellent education by worldwide Let me tell you why you should care about standards for a lifetime, not just for child- it. Let me tell you why you should care about hood. it. They say, ‘‘We’ll give you a tax cut 5 times In the last 4 years we have done a lot to as big. You remember that budget I vetoed invest more in education, from expanding last year because it had excessive cuts in Head Start to giving schools the power to Medicare, Medicaid, education, and the en- try grassroots reforms, to staying open late vironment, it allowed a raid on workers’ pen- after school in a lot of high-crime and other sion fund—$15 billion—it raised taxes on the tough areas, to give our young people some- lowest income working people. If you thing to say yes to instead of something to thought that one was bad, you wait til you say no to. We have expanded scholarships see what you get with this tax plan that our through the Pell grant program. We have got opposition has proposed. And even when a lower cost college loan program that a huge they get through trying to cut things even number of young people are taking advan- more than they did in the budget I vetoed, tage of today so they can take loans and pay the deficit will still explode. them back as a percentage of their income. Why should you care? Because if the Gov- We’re going in the right direction, but we ernment goes in and borrows money at the have to do more. same time you’re trying to, what will happen? And let me just say this. I want to build Interest rates will go up. Our friends in the a bridge to the 21st century that has a lot Republican Congress said last year—this is of educational advances, but let me just men- not me talking, this is them talking just last tion three. Number one, every 8-year-old in year—they say if we don’t have a balanced America ought to be able to read on his or budget plan, interest rates will be 2 percent her own by the year 2000, every single one. higher. What does that mean for you? A high- No one should be left behind, no one. er home mortgage payment, a higher car pay- I want to mobilize 30,000 mentors, our ment, a higher credit card payment. Even AmeriCorps volunteers who are working more important, what does it mean? All the their way through college by doing commu- small business people in this audience, it nity service, and a volunteer army of a million means higher interest rates for them. It people to make sure that every single third means fewer people borrowing money to in- grader in America can say, ‘‘I read it myself.’’ vest to create more jobs, to be more produc- That will guarantee that the rest of their aca- tive, to raise incomes. Folks, we tried this demic careers and their adult lives will be once before. Would you go to the bank your- filled with productive learning and enable self and borrow money to give yourself a tax every person to have a chance to participate cut? in the bounty of 21st century America. Will Audience members. No-o-o! you help me build that bridge? The President. Then why would you hire Audience members. Yes! someone to do it for you? Let’s keep going The President. Number two, I want to in the right direction. Let’s balance the budg- make sure we connect every classroom and et, keep interest rates down, keep the econ- library in every school in America to the in- omy growing and going forward. We can do formation superhighway by the year 2000 so it. We can do it. that for the first time in American history, The last and most important thing is, we for the very first time in American history, have to recognize that the world of the 21st we can say with confidence, the children in century will be the age of greatest possibility the most remote rural schoolhouses, children in human history, but that there is a greater in the poorest inner-city schools for the first challenge than ever before to make sure time not only have computers and trained every person in America can participate in teachers, but have access to the finest learn- that. And that means we have to provide ing in the same time frame, in the same way, every single solitary American—and not just as the students in the wealthiest, most suc- our children, our adults as well—with what- cessful schools in America. We can do it. Will

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you help us build that bridge to the 21st cen- You have to continue to fight for a country tury? that believes that, without regard to race or Audience members. Yes! religion or income or status in life, if you The President. And finally, I want to believe in the Constitution, the Declaration make sure that we make a college education of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and available to every single solitary person in this you’re willing to show up tomorrow to do country who is willing to work for it. I want your best and play by the rules, you’re part the first 2 years of education after high of our America. And we’re going forward into school, at least a community college degree, the future, and you’re going on that bridge to become as universal in 4 years as a high with us. It’s going to be wide enough for school diploma is today. Now, that’s a tax cut every single solitary one of us to walk across. worth fighting for, a tax credit for the cost Will you help us build that kind of bridge? of community college tuition in every State Audience members. Yes! in the country. The President. Thank you. God bless you. Will you help me do that? Stay with us. We’ve got a great future. Thank Audience members. Yes! you. Happy Labor Day.

The President. I want college tuition to NOTE: The President spoke at 12:35 p.m. at Voya- be tax deductible up to $10,000 a year. I want geur Park. In his remarks, he referred to Mayor to give unemployed and underemployed Michael Walsh of DePere; Margaret Hutchinson, workers access to a skill grant worth up to former principal, Aldo Leopold Alternative $2600 a year, so that if you lose your job, School; John Benson, Wisconsin superintendent you’re changing jobs, and you need more of public instruction; Robert Cornell, former State education, you can get the grant, you can take senator; and Alethia Anderson, student, Green it to the nearest community college or train- Bay East High School. ing facility so that even if you’re 45 or 55 or 60, if you need more skills to support your Remarks at a Labor Day Festival in family and improve your lot in life. Instead Milwaukee, Wisconsin of being left behind in the race to the 21st century, we will take you along the way. Will September 2, 1996 you help me build that kind of bridge? The President. Thank you. Thank you. Audience members. Yes! Audience members. Four more years! The President. My fellow Americans, in Four more years! Four more years! 4 years we can have a country where every The President. Thank you. Wow! Thanks 8-year-old can read, every 12-year-old can for the welcome. Can you keep this spirit log in on the Internet, every 18-year-old can until November? Can you spread it to other go to college, and every American can have people in Wisconsin? the knowledge that he or she needs to suc- Audience members. Yes! ceed in the 21st century. That is a bridge The President. Can we keep the Nation worth fighting for. on the right track with it? Now, as you look around at this vast sea Audience members. Yes! of people here today, you don’t know the life The President. I think so, too. Happy story of everybody who is here. There are Labor Day. Thank you for letting me be a a lot of people here who don’t agree with part of it. Thank you, Senator Herb Kohl, each other about a lot of things. I saw one and thank you, Senator Russ Feingold, for brave soul—thank you, ma’am—has a ‘‘Re- representing the people of Wisconsin and the publicans for Clinton’’ sign. God bless you. people of the United States here. I wish I could sign that for you. Give her I know that Congressman Jerry Kleczka a hand. [Applause] Let me remind you that and Congressman Tom Barrett spoke earlier. this country is not around here after 220 Will you keep them in the Congress? We years because we permitted ourselves to be need them there. [Applause] And Wisconsin, divided by the wrong things. It’s because we you will have three, count them, three—one, were always united by the right things. two, three open seats, three chances to send

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three Democrats to the United States House nized labor stood with me and worked for of Representatives to help us keep this coun- 2 years to raise the minimum wage law for try on the right track. Will you do that? the other working families in the United Audience members. Yes! States who don’t pay union dues and don’t The President. I want to thank Mayor have those good jobs. And I thank you, John Norquist for being here. I thank the majority Sweeney; I thank you, Gerry McEntee. I leader—I like that sound—the majority lead- thank you, ladies and gentlemen. That’s a gift er of the Wisconsin Senate, Chuck Chvala, you’re giving to other working families, and and the minority leader of the House, Wally I thank you. Thank you for doing that. God Kunicki. Thank you both for being here and bless you; thank you. On October 1, 10 mil- all the legislators that are here; the city coun- lion American workers, most of them cil chair, John Kalwitz; the Milwaukee Coun- women, many of them with small children ty Board chair, Karen Ordinans. at home, people who are working full-time And let me just say there are a lot of other and trying to get their piece of the American people that I would like to recognize, but dream, those 10 million folks will get a raise I want to say a special word of thanks to because of the minimum wage law. Thank Gerry McEntee. Gerry McEntee, he sup- you for doing it for me. On this Labor Day, ported me in ’92 when nobody thought I they should be indebted to you. could win except my mother and Gerry Folks, when I came to Wisconsin 4 years McEntee. My own home was divided on ago and asked you to support me, I said that whether we could win, but Gerry McEntee I wanted our country to take a new direction. thought we could win. And I was watching I wanted to restore the American dream. I Gerry up here talking and I thought, Gerry wanted to bring our people together and not McEntee has got one speed, fast. Gerry let us be divided. I wanted us to go into the McEntee has got one volume, loud. [Laugh- next century the strongest force for peace ter] But he’s got a big heart, and if you were and freedom and prosperity in the world. I in a foxhole you’d want him in there with said that we could go beyond the kind of po- you, fighting for the future of your family. litical debate that had dominated Washing- And I’m glad he’s in there with me. ton. Just like I said to the American people I want to thank all of those who have per- Thursday night, I’m a lot more interested in formed here earlier today, the Eddie Butts what to do than who to blame. I’m a ‘‘what Band, the Unity and Community Choir; to do’’ sort of person. And I think Wisconsin thank those who spoke here on behalf of the is a ‘‘what to do’’ sort of State. issues that you are concerned about. I want I told you before, I will say again, I want to thank all the labor leaders who are here. this to be a campaign of ideas, not insults. I want to say a special word of thanks to the I’m not interested in questioning the patriot- woman who has been badgering me to come ism, the love of country of any of these folks to this event since I don’t know how long, who want to be President or Vice President Rosemarie McDowell. Thank you, Rose- of the United States or lead the Congress. marie, I showed up. I want to thank the What I want to do is to have a debate about members of the labor movement in America our records and our ideas for the future. for electing a leader like John Sweeney, a That’s what matters, because you have to de- man with energy and vigor and direction and cide in this next election—you’re going to passion, a man who has brought our working elect the last President of the 20th century families together and is helping us to move and the first President of the 21st century. forward. And the real issue is, how are we going And I want to say here on this Labor Day to meet our challenges and protect your val- when we work to honor our working families, ues? How are we going to do that? We’re I’d like to thank the labor movement for going to do it not by building a bridge to something else. You know, most members of the past but by building a bridge to the 21st labor unions will not be affected by the in- century, a bridge that all of us can walk crease in the minimum wage law. Oh, some across. We’re going to do it not by telling will, but the vast majority won’t. But orga- people the Government is always your enemy

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and you’re on your own; we’re going to tell our hardest pressed working families, work- people we’re all in this together and we’re ing for the most modest wages, with children going forward together, all of us. in the home, have gotten a tax cut. Every Folks, the nice thing about this election small business in this country that invests year and this Labor Day, unlike 4 years ago, more money in the business next year than is there is not as much guesswork in it this they did this year is eligible for a tax cut. time. I mean, 4 years ago when I came here, But it’s one that has enabled us to bring the Al Gore and I asked you to take a chance deficit down every single year in 4 years of on us. We said, take a chance on us. And this administration, down 60 percent. President Bush and Mr. Perot, they were You know, folks, I just want to say this, telling you about how terrible my State was, and you all don’t have to keep this a secret a small Southern State. I heard all that stuff. when you walk around and talk to your They said, ‘‘You can’t take a chance on these friends. You need to know that the last time guys; they haven’t been shaving but a month an administration reduced the deficit in all or two.’’ [Laughter] You remember all the 4 years of its term was in the 1840’s, before stuff they said. the Civil War. And you need to know that Well, now you know. Four years ago, we we would have balanced the budget last year had high unemployment, stagnant wages, ris- and we would have a surplus this year if it ing crime, rising welfare rolls, a country that weren’t for the interest we’re still having to was becoming more divided, an electorate pay on the debt run up in the 12 years before that was becoming more cynical. I’ve just fin- I became President. We don’t want to do ished a train ride and a bus ride with my that again. Let’s don’t do that again. We don’t wife, my daughter, my partners and friends, want to do that again. Al and Tipper Gore; a magnificent Demo- There’s more hope for this country be- cratic Convention. And I believe in the last cause we passed legislation to protect the 9 days plus, I’ve spoken to about 250,000 pensions of 40 million Americans. I was tired people and seen another couple of hundred of seeing these pension funds go broke, and thousand more. I can tell you something, Secretary Reich has been working as hard folks, the rising tide of cynicism has been as he can to get contributions into the pen- replaced by a rising tide of hope and belief sion funds so your pensions are protected. in the future of America. We are going for- And we’re trying to give small business peo- ward. ple in the minimum wage bill easier access And so I say to you, why is that? Why is to retirement plans for themselves and their that? Because compared to 4 years ago, we employees so they, too, will be protected, es- have over 10 million new jobs. We have al- pecially when they move from job to job. most 41⁄2 million new homeowners; 10 mil- Every American ought to have the right to lion American families have refinanced their a good retirement plan, including those folks homes with lower mortgage rates and saved at Pabst. a lot of money. We’ve had record numbers Could it be that there is more hope in of new small businesses. People from Wis- America because we’re breathing cleaner air, consin and all over America are selling more because we’ve cleaned up more toxic waste of our products around the world than at any dumps in 3 years than our predecessors did time before, a huge increase. We are number in 12? Could it be there is more hope here one again in the production and sales of auto- because we’ve upgraded the purity of our mobiles for the first time since the 1970’s. meat laws and our food laws and because You heard them talk—you heard John finally, finally, finally just a couple of weeks Sweeney talking about the Family and Medi- ago we passed—in honor, in part, of the ter- cal Leave Act. Could there be hope because rible sacrifice paid by people in this commu- 12 million families have been able to take nity—the Safe Drinking Water Act to make a little time off for the birth of a baby or sure that we go forward to protect the public a sick parent without losing their jobs? It health of our people? made the economy stronger, not weaker, to So I say to you, things are better than they do that. Fifteen million American families, were 4 years ago. We’re on the right track.

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We’re on the right road. We’re building the our bridge to the 21st century so every Amer- right bridge, the bridge to the future, the ican family has a chance to benefit from a bridge to the 21st century. Will you help us growing economy, from a community that’s build it for 64 more days? [Applause] Will strong and with safe streets and a clean envi- you help us build it for 4 more years? [Ap- ronment, and every family has a chance to plause] Will you walk across it with all your succeed at home with their children and at brothers and sisters? [Applause] Will you do work, perhaps the biggest challenge Amer- it? [Applause] ican working families face today. My friends, last night—you’ve already So let me talk to you a little about that. heard it said that I went to see the Packers I want to build a bridge to the 21st century this morning in Green Bay. I did that; I plead with the best education system in the world. guilty. I hope you won’t hold that against me. I want a million children in Head Start. I And it was funny because one of the Packers want every 8-year-old in America to be able who had a pretty good game yesterday—— to say when they look at a book, ‘‘I can read Audience member. [Inaudible] that all by myself.’’ I want every classroom, The President. No, well, he had a great every classroom and every library in every game. [Laughter] But one of them happens school in America not only to have the com- to be from my home State, Keith Jackson. puters they need, not only to have the trained And he reminded me when I saw him this teachers they need but to be hooked up to morning that his wife was at our rally in Little the worldwide information superhighway. Rock just last night. So I want to talk to you Now, if you’re like me and you’re sort of a few moments about the future because he in the dark ages when it comes to computers, reminded me of this rally last night. let me tell you what that means; let me tell I told the folks at home—a lot of the peo- you what that means in practical terms. You ple who came to see me there have been hook all these computers up, all these class- working for me for more than 20 years now. rooms to the Internet, it means that for the And I said I want this campaign to be about first time in the history of the United States the future. The record that we have made of America, the children in the poorest urban is relevant because it shows you that we’ll schools, the children in the most remote rural do what we say in the future and it shows schools will have access to the same knowl- you that we’re on the right track. But what edge in the same time, at the same level of really matters is the future. And I told the quality, as the children in the wealthiest folks at home a story I’d like to tell you. In schools in the United States. It has never 1984—this makes the point about how elec- happened before. We can make it happen tions are about the future—in 1984 I was now. Will you fight for that kind of future out on a little country crossroads speaking for our country? Will you help me do that? to a rally way out in the hills in Arkansas, [Applause] and I gave a barn-burning speech about what Now, I also want to make it possible for a great job I had done as Governor—I every, every single American who wants to thought it was just great—and why they do it to go to college and to get a good edu- ought to reelect me. And this old boy came cation. And I want to talk to you about three up to me in overalls and he said, ‘‘Bill, that’s things. Number one, I want to make 2 years a fine speech you gave. And you do have a of education after high school, what most of good record. But,’’ he said, ‘‘that’s what we us know as a community college degree at hired you for. You drew a paycheck every least, I want that to be just as universal in 2 weeks, didn’t you?’’ [Laughter] He said, 4 years as a high school education is today. ‘‘That’s what we hired you for. What are you And that’s why I called for a $1,500 tax credit going to do if I renew your contract, that’s to the working families of America so that what I want to know.’’ we can pay, through a tax cut, for the cost And that’s what I tried to tell the American of tuition at any typical community college people in Chicago last Thursday night with in the United States. I want America’s work- my fellow Democrats. I’ll tell you what we’re ing families to have a $10,000 tax deduction going to do: We’re going to finish building for the cost of all college tuition, any tuition

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your kids have after high school, for the row it. And the demand was less, so the inter- adults or the children. est rates were lower. And I want to take all the various training Now, our friends in the Republican Party programs we’ve had over the years and put just last year, they put out a little paper that them in a block and say to you or your they seem to have forgotten. It said, if we’re friends, if you lose your job or if you’re un- not on a path to the balanced budget, interest deremployed and you qualify for a Federal rates will go up to 2 percent. Now they say, training program, we will give you a skills ‘‘Don’t vote to reelect President Clinton. grant worth up to $2,600 a year. You take Vote for us; we’ll give you a bigger tax cut.’’ it where you want. You get the education you They say, ‘‘We’ll give you a bigger tax cut.’’ need. You start your life again with a better Let me tell you about that bigger tax cut. job, a higher wage, and a brighter future. Two things are going to happen. If they actu- That’s the kind of education system I want ally did it, two things would happen. Number for America. Will you help me build that one, if you thought the budget I vetoed was bridge to the 21st century? [Applause] bad with its Medicare, Medicaid, education, I want to allow working families to save and the environment cuts, with its $15 billion more, to take out an IRA and to be able to raid on worker pension funds, with its tax save the money and withdraw it without pen- increases on the lowest paid workers in alty to pay for an education, to pay for a first- America—all of that it had in, the one I ve- time home, to pay for a medical emergency. toed—you ain’t seen nothing yet. If they pass this tax plan, they’ll come back with deeper I want you to be able to sell your home and cuts. Is that what you want for our future? never owe any taxes on the gain. I want this Audience members. No-o-o! to be a pro-family, pro-growth, pro-education The President. Will that bring us in? tax package. You ought to have a tax credit Audience members. No-o-o! for your children who are 13 or under that The President. Of course not. Number need more child care, need afterschool care. two, it still won’t cover the hole they’ll blow But let me tell you something about this in the deficit. So we’ll have worse cuts and tax program. It’s targeted to working families. a bigger deficit. What does that mean? That It is paid for. It is designed to help promote means for you, your mortgage payment, your childrearing, education, and work, the most car payment, your credit card payment will important things to build strong families and go up. It means the business community— successful workers. The most important thing big business, small business, business in the is, this is all paid for. middle—interest rates will be higher. They Now, I want to say something. You can won’t be able to borrow that money to invest take 1,000 polls, you can talk to every politi- to create more jobs, to create greater produc- cal consultant in Washington and they’ll tell tivity, to earn more money, and to raise you—they’d say to me, ‘‘President Clinton, wages. do not go to a labor rally in Milwaukee and So I tell you something, folks. Let’s say talk about balancing the budget. That bores the Democrats are pro-business and pro- people to tears. They only think about bal- labor. We’re for balancing the budget and ancing the budget when the economy’s in the investing in education, the environment, and tank, and then it seems like a nice thing to taking care of our folks through Medicare do. But nobody really cares about it. It’s bor- and Medicaid. That’s our position. Will you ing, and besides, it’s hard. And people don’t help me build that bridge into the 21st cen- want to hear about hard things.’’ tury? Let me tell you something. I hope you care Audience members. Yes! about it, because how do you think we got The President. Will you help me keep this the economy going again? By bringing inter- economy going and growing? est rates down. Why did we bring interest Audience members. Yes! rates down? Because when we reduced the The President. Don’t you want more jobs deficit, your Government wasn’t in there bor- and higher income? rowing all that money, and you could go bor- Audience members. Yes!

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The President. Let me say one other how are we going to take this new flexibility, thing. I want to say it right here in Milwau- this new power, how are we going to take kee. There’s a lot of difference between talk- the initiatives President Clinton proposed at ing about the issue of welfare reform and the Democratic Convention, putting $3 bil- doing something about it. There are 1.8 mil- lion more into our cities to create jobs, giving lion fewer people on welfare today than there more incentives to people who will hire were the day I became President. We didn’t somebody off welfare, the other things that have to cut anybody’s health care to do it; we can do, and create jobs for these people. we didn’t have to throw anybody into the They deserve the jobs. You cannot put peo- street to do it—1.8 million fewer people. ple in the street; you have to put people to Why is that? Because most people on welfare work. That’s what we have to make welfare who are able-bodied are dying to get off and reform all about, in an honorable, decent will take a job if they have a chance to do way. Will you help us build that kind of it, if they can get the training to do it, if they bridge to the 21st century? Every one of you, can get the child care to do it. will you help me do that? [Applause] Their Now, here’s what this welfare reform bill children need it. Our country needs it. Will I signed really does, pure and simple. And you help do that? [Applause] on Labor Day, we need to all listen to this, Folks, there’s a lot of other things I’d like and we need to make a commitment. This to say today. It’s getting late and it’s getting bill says there is still a national guarantee for hot, but I want to tell you just one or two. the health care of the children and the par- Do you know that we still have 10 million ent. There is still a national guarantee for kids in this country living within 4 miles of the nutritional needs of the children and the a toxic waste site, even though we cleaned parent. There is now national funds available up more sites in 3 years than were cleaned for the first time for adequate child care if up in the 12 years before? If you give us a person takes a low wage job, has to leave 4 more years, we’re going to clean up 500 the kids behind, and they don’t have the more sites, the two-thirds worst. We want money for child care. our children to grow up next to parks, not But the money that used to go in an in- poison. Will you help us give our children come check every month will now be sent that kind of future? Will you do that? [Ap- to the State or the localities, depending on plause] That will create jobs, raise incomes, what the State does, and they will have to and clean the environment. Will you help us figure out how to devise work for people who do that? [Applause] have been on welfare who are able-bodied, And the last thing I want to say is this. who will then do work for the income check. I have never been in a crowd of working peo- That is a good thing, except this: If you want ple, talking to them and listening to them to say to people, ‘‘You’ve got to go to work,’’ for any length of time, that I didn’t find every there needs to be a job there for them to family had at least one example of a time go see every day. when they’d felt a terrible, gnawing conflict So I say, I am sick and tired—as a person between their responsibilities as parents and who has spent time in welfare offices, who their responsibilities at work. has talked to welfare people—I started work- You know, the American people are not ing on welfare reform in 1980 before it was lazy people. The average family is spending a cool, hot issue because I could see that a lot more hours at work today than they did the people who were trapped on it were the 25 years ago. Almost all parents are in the ones being hurt, and their children. But it work force now. And the great challenge for is time now. We have changed the system. our State—our country is to figure out how And I don’t ever want to hear Republicans people can do a good job of raising their kids attacking Democrats again over welfare. I and do a good job at work. That’s what the don’t ever want to hear politicians attacking family leave law was all about. poor people again over welfare. I want the That’s why I want to amend the family American people—everybody who’s ever leave law and say you not only can have time pointed their finger about this—to figure out off when there’s an emergency, working peo-

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ple ought to be able to get some time off It appears that one Kurdish group, which without losing their jobs to go to those regu- in the past opposed Saddam, now has de- lar parent-teacher conferences at school and cided to cooperate with him. But that cannot take their kids or their parents to the doctor. justify unleashing the Iraqi army against the Will you help me build that kind of future? civilian population of Irbil. Repeatedly over Will you do that? [Applause] the past weeks and months we have worked Now, this has been a great day, an enthu- to secure a lasting cease-fire between the siastic day. You have made me very happy Kurdish factions. The Iraqi attack adds fuel to see the spirit in your eyes. You’re the kind to the factional fire and threatens to spark of people that Al Gore and I have been fight- instability throughout the region. ing for and working for for 4 years, and I Our objectives are limited but clear: to wouldn’t take the world for this experience. make Saddam pay a price for the latest act But this is the beginning of this campaign, of brutality, reducing his ability to threaten not the end—the beginning, not the end. his neighbors and America’s interests. First, Are you going to help us build that bridge we are extending the no-fly zone in southern to the 21st century? [Applause] Sixty-four Iraq. This will deny Saddam control of Iraqi more days? [Applause] Four more years? airspace from the Kuwaiti border to the [Applause] Every one of you, we need you. southern suburbs of Baghdad and signifi- Wisconsin, we need you. cantly restrict Iraq’s ability to conduct offen- Thank you, and God bless you. sive operations in the region. Second, to pro- tect the safety of our aircraft enforcing this NOTE: The President spoke at 5:30 p.m. at the no-fly zone, our cruise missiles struck Summerfest Grounds. In his remarks, he referred Saddam’s air defense capabilities in southern to Gerald W. McEntee, president, American Fed- Iraq. eration of State, County, and Municipal Employ- The United States was a cosponsor of ees (AFSCME); Rosemarie McDowell, chief United Nations Security Resolution 986, steward, AFSCME Local 1055; and John which allows Iraq to sell amounts of oil to Sweeney, president, AFL–CIO. A tape was not purchase food and medicine for its people, available for verification of the content of these including the Kurds. Irbil, the city seized by remarks. the Iraqis, is a key distribution center for this aid. Until we are sure these humanitarian supplies can actually get to those who need Remarks Announcing a Missile Strike them the plan cannot go forward, and the on Iraq and an Exchange With Iraqi Government will be denied the new re- Reporters sources it has been expecting. September 3, 1996 Saddam Hussein’s objectives may change, but his methods are always the same: vio- The President. Good morning. Three lence and aggression against the Kurds, days ago, despite clear warnings from the against other ethnic minorities, against Iraq’s United States and the international commu- neighbors. Our answer to that recklessness nity, Iraqi forces attacked and seized the must be strong and immediate, as President Kurdish-controlled city of Irbil in northern Bush demonstrated in Operation Desert Iraq. The limited withdrawals announced by Storm, as we showed 2 years ago when Iraq Iraq do not change the reality. Saddam Hus- massed its forces on Kuwait’s border, and as sein’s army today controls Irbil, and Iraqi we showed again today. units remain deployed for further attacks. We must make it clear that reckless acts These acts demand a strong response, and have consequences, or those acts will in- they have received one. Earlier today I or- crease. We must reduce Iraq’s ability to dered American forces to strike Iraq. Our strike out at its neighbors, and we must in- missiles sent the following message to Sad- crease America’s ability to contain Iraq over dam Hussein: When you abuse your own the long run. The steps we are taking today people or threaten your neighbors, you must will further all those objectives. Time and pay a price. again, Saddam Hussein has made clear his

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disdain for civilized behavior. He brutalized were picked, to make it clear what we his own people, attacked his neighbors, sup- thought and to secure the safety of the planes ported terrorism, and sought to acquire that will be flying the expanded no-fly zone. weapons of mass destruction. Our policy is Q. Mr. President, at this stage do you see equally clear. When our interest in the secu- any other troop movements that alarm you? rity of our friends and allies is threatened, The President. The present deployments we will act with force if necessary. That is and the things that we have seen in support what we did this morning in Iraq. of them convince me that at least he has I know the thoughts and prayers of all maintained the potential to take further mili- Americans are with our military men and tary action in the region. That is the problem. women who are conducting this mission. God He said, ‘‘Well, we took our soldiers out of bless them and the Nation they are serving. Irbil.’’ That’s true, but look where they are Q. Mr. President, why do you think that and look what they’re doing. And the latest only Britain is supporting our move? Why reports this morning are not encouraging. have the allies all retreated from any sup- So again, I will say to you, let’s look and port? see what he does, and that is, I think, what The President. Well, I believe that—first should drive our actions. The words are not of all, you have to ask them their position. important; the actions are what matter. But I believe that we have historically, at least in recent history, taken the lead in mat- NOTE: The President spoke at 8:07 a.m. in the ters like this, and I think this was our respon- Oval Office at the White House. In his remarks, sibility at this time. I talked to quite a large he referred to President Saddam Hussein of Iraq. number of our allies, and I am satisfied with their response. And I believe that we will be able to go forward with this mission, and Message to the Senate Transmitting I think others feel that at this time there may the Turkey-United States Tax be, for their own domestic purposes, some Agreement limits on how much they can do. September 3, 1996 But I think it’s important to move now. We have not seen any withdrawal of To the Senate of the United States: Saddam’s forces from the area, and we know I transmit herewith for Senate advice and that he has a history of seeing how far he consent to ratification the Agreement Be- can go, taking a little and then doing a little tween the Government of the United States more, taking a little and doing a little more. of America and the Government of the Re- So I can only tell you what I believe is right public of Turkey for the Avoidance of Dou- and that I have done my best to cooperate ble Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal with others. Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income, Q. Is this the end? together with a related Protocol, signed at Q. Mr. President, he appears unbowed. Washington March 28, 1996. Also transmit- He says that he’s not going to recognize the ted for the information of the Senate is the no-fly zones anymore. He says that there has report of the Department of State with re- been only minimal damage to Iraqi assets, spect to the Agreement. and that he urges his troops to resist strikes. This Agreement, which is similar to tax Is this over, or is there going to have to be treaties between the United States and other more? OECD nations, provides maximum rates of The President. Well, as always with Sad- tax to be applied to various types of income, dam Hussein, it depends entirely on what he protection from double taxation of income, does, not on what he says but what he does. exchange of information to prevent fiscal eva- And we were trying to have very limited dam- sion, and standard rules to limit the benefits age to human beings and trying to take an of the Agreement to persons that are not en- action which would show our resolve and gaged in treaty shopping. would protect our planes as they fly in an I recommend that the Senate give early expanded no-fly zone. That’s why the targets and favorable consideration to this Agree-

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ment and related Protocol and give its advice able to be forthright in what he believed in and consent to ratification. without demeaning those who disagreed with William J. Clinton him. And I will always honor him for that, as well. The White House, Ladies and gentlemen, we come here by September 3, 1996. pure coincidence at a moment when once again our Nation’s military has shown its ex- Remarks to the National Guard traordinary skill and professionalism in a dif- Association of the United States ficult mission in Iraq. September 3, 1996 Three days ago, despite clear warnings from the United States and the international Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, that community, Saddam Hussein’s forces at- was a stunning example of Clinton’s fourth tacked and seized the Kurdish controlled city law of politics, which is, whenever possible, of Irbil in northern Iraq. This act is part of be introduced by someone you have known a broad pattern of violence and recklessness all your life. They are prone to exaggerate. by Saddam against the Kurds, against other [Laughter] ethnic minorities, against Iraq’s neighbors. Thank you, General Thrash and Rose, for These actions have threatened the stability being here and for your service to our Na- of the entire region for some years now. tion. Thank you, General Freeman, my This morning, I ordered America’s Armed present Adjutant General here in Washing- Forces to strike Iraq, extending the no-fly ton, for escorting me in. Secretary West, zone and destroying Iraqi missile defenses General Alexander, Under Secretary Dorn, in the south to make sure we could safely Assistant Secretary Lee, Lt. General Baca, extend the no-fly zone. thank you for your good work. General I want to reaffirm to you what I said to Philbin, Terry O’Connell, Senator Akaka, all the American people early this morning: Representative Wicker. And I’d like to say Our objectives there are limited, but our in- a happy 73d birthday to Lt. General Vern terests are clear, to demonstrate once again Webber. Happy birthday, sir. Where are that reckless acts have consequences, to re- you? [Applause] duce Saddam’s ability to strike out again at On you, they look good, those years. They his neighbors, to increase America’s ability look good. Thank you. to prevent future acts of violence and aggres- Let me begin by thanking you for dedicat- sion. These steps are being taken to further ing this conference to Congressman Sonny all of these objectives and the policy of con- Montgomery. Long before I ever entered taining Iraq that I have pursued for 4 years public life I knew about Sonny Montgomery now, and it was developed before me under because he represented my neighboring President Bush. State of Mississippi and because one of my We know that if we do not pursue this best friend’s father served with him many policy, we might once again be called upon years ago and was a close friend of his—in to do more, as we had to do more in Oper- the military, not the Congress, served with ations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. We him. In all of his long career, he has stood do not want that to happen. And therefore, up for many worthy causes. I suppose he’ll I did what I did today. I hope you will sup- be remembered most as being the author of port the decision of the United States. the Montgomery GI bill and as being the best For the last 5 years and clearly again over friend the National Guard ever had. the last week, I have had the opportunity to I might say that in this political season say to the American people that my vision when I have said I hope that we can change for our country as we stand on the edge of the direction of the last several years and the 21st century is simple but profound. I make this contest one of ideas and not in- want us to build a bridge to that century that sults, Sonny Montgomery has led an entire will keep the American dream alive for every distinguished political career able to disagree single person responsible enough to work for with people while still being their friends, it. I want this country to come together

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across all of our divisions and not be torn signed an Executive order authorizing the apart, as so many other nations are today. award of a Bronze M to all Guard and Re- And I want America to maintain its role as serve members who serve in support of these the strongest force for peace and freedom, operations. Last Thursday, Secretary Perry for security and prosperity in the entire awarded the first 14 of these well-deserved world, well into the 21st century, into the recognitions. indefinite future. That is good for us; it is I understand that there are two of the also good for the cause of peace and freedom Guard recipients who are here tonight who in the world. have received this medal—Captain Drew More than anything else, I come here to- Sullins and Sergeant First Class Susan Hur- night to express the gratitude of our Nation ley. If they’re here, I’d like to ask them to to the men and women of the National stand and be recognized. Thank you very Guard for all you have done to help our Na- much. [Applause] tion build that bridge as the strongest force Now, there are—thank you—I am sure for peace and freedom, security, and pros- there are others in this room who are eligible perity. for this decoration and who will get it. So Four years ago, when I spoke to you in if you’re here, I’d like to ask you to stand Utah, I said that one of my proudest duties and be recognized. Please, all of you who as Governor was to command the Arkansas served, please stand up. Thank you very National Guard. As Commander-in-Chief of much. [Applause] Thank you. all of our Nation’s Armed Forces now, that I know something I suspect most Ameri- pride has grown even stronger in all the men cans don’t know and that is that service in and women who make up our total force, the Guard also entails real sacrifice. Since from every service branch of the military, I spoke with you just 4 years ago, more than those on active duty, and yes, definitely those 200 Army and Air Guard members have died in the Guard and the Reserves. in operational missions and training, includ- Today America’s gratitude to the Guard ing the pilot of the Pennsylvania Air Guard should be greater than ever, for not a day A–10, that crashed near here on the Eastern has passed this summer that we could not Shore just a few weeks ago. We owe all of have looked behind the headlines of the mo- them and their families a debt of gratitude ment to find the Guard hard at work. From we can never repay. enforcing the peace in Bosnia to mounting To honor their memory and the memory an emergency response to Hurricane Bertha of all those who have sacrificed, we must con- in the southeast and the Virgin Islands, from tinue to build America strong and secure in building roads in Panama to the difficult and the 21st century, to deepen our alliances, to heroic work after the TWA 800 tragedy, the reduce even further the dangers of weapons Guard has been on the job. of mass destruction, to adapt our Armed During the centennial Olympics, the Forces for the changing times and new mis- greatest in the modern history of the Olym- sions, to stand strong against terrorism. pics, the Guard was there, 11,000 members Four years ago when I met with you I said from 43 States in one of the largest domestic that as we reduced our forces in the wake missions ever. Of course, all of us remember of the cold war, a strong role for the National the great performances of Michael Johnson, Guard and the Reserve made more sense, Kerri Strug, and so many others. But the un- not less. And we kept that promise. We kept sung performance of the National Guard up- that promise. It began with the 1993 Bottom holding a tradition of service stretching back Up Review initiated by the man who intro- 360 years enabled America to put its best duced me to you 4 years ago as the then foot forward. And it, too, deserved a gold Chairman of the House Armed Services medal. Committee and my first Secretary of De- I have seen for myself in Bosnia and Haiti, fense, the late Les Aspin. And I thank him as we know from Somalia and the Gulf War, for his work there. the Guard has been an essential part of our We have kept that promise in the impor- military success. That is why last month I tant Guard-Reserve Offsite Agreement. Our

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use of Reserve components has been one of ances and expanded programs to support the secrets of our success. As we decrease military families who sacrifice for our Nation, the number of our forces, but increase their just like their loved ones in uniform. readiness, capabilities and technological I should emphasize here that I have been edge, we carried through on our pledge to especially moved by the extra burden on fam- retain the combat role of the Guard. And ilies caused by extra deployments as we have I reaffirm I will not let the Guard become downsized the military. And I know that all a backup force of last resort. of you feel for the families of our full-time Of course, you and I know we all have service personnel when they go off on those to work to adapt the Guard for the national long missions. They deserve all of the support security demands of the 21st century. I want we can give them. And I am proud of the to thank the National Guard Bureau, the Ad- fact that the United States military in all of jutants General, Secretary West, the leader- its aspects has been as strongly pro-family ship of our active Army for their innovative as it has been. But we have to keep working proposal to redesign the role of the eight on this because the families should not break Guard divisions, to support our national secu- apart under the strain of people doing their rity strategy and the total force policy, while duty to the United States of America. We always protecting the Guard’s historic char- must continue to support them. acter and tradition. I’m also pleased that 2 years ago I was able I’m pleased to announce that I will request to sign legislation to strengthen your right the first funding for this redesigned plan in to return to your civilian job after serving the defense budget to be submitted next our Nation without losing seniority, status, February. That is if I get my contract re- or pay. That is also very important. newed. [Laughter] But I think it’s important. As we move into this new era, you know You have kept your commitment to Amer- as well as I do that we confront a web of ica. Also so long as I am President, I will new threats that know no boundaries, the do everything I can to make sure America proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, keeps its commitment to you. Our military organized crime, ethnic rivalries, religious ri- readiness is at an historic high. We’ve in- valries that quickly descend into murder and creased our original defense spending plans can spill across national borders. Tonight I’d 3 times in 3 years, adding back almost $50 like to talk about two of them in particular, billion to ensure that we have the equipment, drug trafficking and terrorism. Here, too, our the training, the quality of life our troops de- Armed Forces are on the job, especially the serve. We’re equipping our forces with the National Guard. newest technology, including the F–22 and I was very proud to appoint General Barry the FA–18, E–F fighters, the V–22 Osprey, McCaffrey, a hero of the Vietnam and Gulf and the Crusader artillery system. My de- wars who led our military antidrug efforts in fense budget increases our funding for weap- South America, to coordinate our Nation’s ons modernization 40 percent by the year battle against drugs. We have seen to it that 2000. the military plays a vital role in this fight. Our Armed Forces have won wars of the And I’m proud that, as General McCaffrey past. They may be called upon to win them said to me, and I quote, ‘‘The Guard is crucial in the future, and if they are, they must be to our campaign to stop drugs from coming able to win. into our country and to keep our young peo- Keeping faith with our men and women ple from using them.’’ in uniform entails more than just giving them I ask anyone to consider these facts. Last the means to prevail in battle. It also means year, the National Guard assisted law en- providing for the quality of life they deserve. forcement officials in seizing hundreds of We’ve set aside funds to ensure that military tons of drugs that resulted in more than personnel receive the highest pay raises al- 90,000 arrests. Guard aircraft flew more than lowed by law through 2001. I fought against 35,000 hours in support of antidrug missions. a proposal that would have cut military re- Guard members are manning radar systems tirement pay. We increased housing allow- at remote sites in the Andes essential for cut-

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ting the flow of drugs from that region. And somehow they can evade the risks because, more than 60,000 volunteers in Guard pro- after all, they’re young and they’re going to grams are working with almost 6 million at- live forever. risk youth. And that brings me back to the other issue You’ve come a long way, General, since that you work so hard on, your work with you started that program, all of you. God at-risk children. It is obvious that every single bless you. We need more of it. And I thank one of us who care about this is going to you. have to work even harder to educate our chil- Just today, we announced that the Navy dren about the dangers drugs pose. We have and the Coast Guard recently seized 8,000 to do that. We have dramatically increased pounds of cocaine on a Honduran fishing the safe and drug-free schools program. It’s boat headed for America. That’s one of the now reaching 40 million students in 97 per- largest drug busts in history. Our military cent of our districts. We have now estab- helps confiscate more than 100 tons of co- lished drug courts across the country because caine every year, cocaine otherwise that they’ve proved effective in breaking the cy- would be poisoning our communities and our cles of drugs and crime. We are fighting children. against any attempts to cut back on the safe We’re working to hit the drug suppliers and drug-free schools program. We are work- just as hard as we can. We’ve helped to bust ing to pass legislation that would require up the Cali and Gulf cartels in Latin Amer- States to test parolees for drugs and send ica, crack down on the ring led by the Bur- them back to prison if they get back on drugs. mese drug lord, Khun Sa, in Asia, denied as- But we have to stop this from happening sistance to countries such as Colombia that in the first place. Your programs for at-risk failed to cooperate with our counternarcotics kids—think what it means to a child who has efforts. never had a positive role model to see some- In 1994, the crime bill, which was passed one in a uniform who looks like them, who amid bitter partisan rancor, not only put comes from humble beginnings, who has 100,000 new police on the street and pro- made something of his or her life, saying vided for banning 19 assault weapons, it also ‘‘There is a future out there for you. This provided for the death penalty for drug lords. stuff can kill you. It is not just illegal, it is Congress has consistently—[applause]— not just wrong, it can kill you. It can kill you thank you. Congress has consistently sup- in a hurry, depending on what drug it is, or ported these programs, but has provided it can just rob you of your ability to con- funding at levels less than we requested, par- centrate over the long run, or rob you, if ticularly for the Department of Defense’s you’re a young woman, rob you of your ability counterdrug programs. to have healthy children. They’re all terribly We still have the biggest antidrug budget dangerous.’’ You can have a big input on that. ever, and that’s allowed us to do a lot of And so I hope that when we meet again things like increase border patrols along the we’ll be able to say that the Guard has helped southwest border. The Customs and the not 6 million at-risk kids but several million Guard working together increased drug sei- more than that. I know you have lots to do, zures from commercial cargo 125 percent in but this country’s children need you. And 1995. That’s the good news. they will respond to you. It still is painful for me that for all we are I’d like to say just a word about terrorism. doing and in spite of the fact that drug use And I’d like to point out that, kind of like among young adults is going down, drug use the narcotics trade, in an ironic and painful among children, juveniles, people under 18, way, many of the things we love about this is still going up. No one quite knows why new post-cold-war global society of ours this is true. It is also happening in Canada make us more vulnerable to the things we and many European countries. It appears hate. We like it that we can travel around that every few years a group of young people the world with such great ease. We like it come along and once again decide that they that all borders are more open. We like it aren’t dangerous, or if they are dangerous, that we can transfer information, ideas, tech-

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nology, and money across the globe virtually I hope you didn’t but if you did, it’s worth instantaneously. that to make all Americans safer when they But the more open our society, the more board airplanes and others when they come vulnerable we are to the organized forces of to our country. destruction. And that is why I have said re- This will be a long, hard struggle. It will peatedly, finding a way to deal with terror- require discipline, concentration, flexibility, ism, terrorism from which no one is im- the ability to learn and continuously change. mune—as you saw it from the attack in the But the most important thing it will require subway in Tokyo, you’ve seen it in Great Brit- is the same level of will that the American ain, you’ve seen it on the continent of Eu- people and the American Armed Forces rope, you’ve seen it in Atlanta, you’ve seen brought to bear in all of our armed conflicts it in Oklahoma City, you saw it at the World and through the long twilight struggle of the Trade Center, and you hear about it and it cold war. We have to understand that this sends chills up and down your spine when may well be the 21st century’s curse. And you discover the things that were planned we know that as long as human nature is what that have been avoided by the diligence of it is, there will be some amount of mis- our law enforcement officials. We have got conduct in this old world, some amount of to continue to work on this. We have got wrongdoing and some amount of downright to continue to combat terrorists wherever evil. And as long as that’s around, the United they are. And I believe that we must continue States will be a target, and the United States to try to convince others to do the same must take the lead in stamping it out and thing. standing against it. We have followed a three-prong strategy: Let me say in closing, I have seen enor- First, to rally our friends and allies around mous numbers of Americans face to face in the world against terror. We did that at the the last 10 days because of the events that G–7 meeting in France last summer and at you know well. I expect I’ve looked into the the Summit of the Peacemakers at Sharm al- faces of right around a half a million people, Sheikh in Egypt, where, for the first time, riding on the train and on the bus, going to Arab states, a large number of them, con- the big meetings and passing through the demned terrorism in Israel or wherever it small towns early in the morning and late occurred in the Middle East. We are increas- at night. ing the isolation of those who sponsor terror- This is a very great country because the ism by maintaining and strengthening our citizens of this country are good people. And sanctions against Iran, Iraq, Libya, and most of our citizens just want to live good, Sudan. decent, honorable lives, have work that has Second, here at home, we’re working hard dignity, raise the children the best they can, to give law enforcement the tools they need enjoy their places of worship and their asso- to combat modern terrorism, through the ciations with their friends and neighbors and antiterrorism bill that we pushed through their family. You have made that possible Congress after Oklahoma City, and with new through your dedication. You who are willing legislation to help us stop money laundering to defend our Nation make it possible for and tighten our borders against terrorists. all those little kids to stand out along the side Third, we’re working very hard to increase of the road or railroad tracks and wave the our security at airports and on airplanes, American flag and know, even before they’re doing more hand searches and machine old enough to explain it, that it really means screening of luggage, requiring pre-flight in- something special to be an American. spection for every plane flying to or from the About 200 years ago, when our Nation United States, examining all standard avia- stood at the dawn of the 19th century, John tion security practices so that we can make Randolph of Roanoke, Virginia, one of the further changes to increase security. great congressional leaders of his time, said I might say since most of you probably flew it best. Randolph was a great supporter of into Washington to attend this meeting, you the militias, out of which this organization may have noticed some delay in air travel. grew. He knew the power of the love of lib-

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erty. On the floor of the House in January The Vice President and I are about to start of 1800, John Randolph said, ‘‘When citizen our weekly lunch, and we’ll be discussing this and soldier shall be synonymous, then you further, but I did want to make this report. will be safe.’’ I’m very pleased by the results this morning It was true then, it is true now, and you that we have. have made it true. Thank you, and God bless Q. Mr. President, there are reports of ex- you. plosions in Baghdad. Are you aware of any- thing going on, or—— NOTE: The President spoke at 7:59 p.m. in the The President. I have received the re- ballroom at the Sheraton Washington Hotel. In ports of the explosions; I do not know any- his remarks, he referred to Melvin C. Thrash, Ar- thing about them. I can tell you that they kansas adjutant general, and his wife, Rose; Rich- ard C. Alexander, president, Edward J. Philbin, are not the product of any action that we executive director, and LaVern E. Webber, have taken. former executive director, National Guard Asso- Q. Are you disappointed, Mr. President, ciation of the United States; Lt. Gen. Edward with the lack of public support from the Baca, USA, chief, National Guard Bureau; and former coalition partners, and does that Terrence M. O’Connell, chairman, Reserve mean that the coalition is dead? Forces Policy Board. The President. I don’t think it’s dead; I think quite to the contrary. We have received good support from the British. The Prime Remarks Prior to a Meeting With the Minister of Canada called me last night. The Vice President and an Exchange German Chancellor issued a strong state- With Reporters ment. I think that our Arab partners clearly September 4, 1996 understand what we were doing and what the risks are, and we’re still flying the no- Missile Strikes on Iraq fly zone out of bases in Saudi Arabia. So I The President. Good afternoon. I am think things are on track, and I feel good pleased to report that according to the infor- about it. mation I have received from Secretary Perry This was an action that I thought we had today, the air strikes, the missile strikes that to take. It was a measured, strong, appro- were conducted over the last 2 days have priate action, and I believe we did the right been successful. The targets were either de- thing. stroyed or sufficiently damaged so that we Q. Mr. President, after twin missile strikes can say that our mission has been achieved. yesterday, there were two challenges today That made it possible for us to implement by Saddam’s forces against the United States. the expanded no-fly zone today, and I want Does this raise questions about whether to commend the military once again for the you’ve really knocked out his ability to hit exceptional job they have done in carrying American planes or allied planes? out this mission. The President. There was a fixing on one Now, what has happened is that this has of our planes that occurred from a site north changed the strategic situation, particularly of the 33d Parallel, but it does not. We be- in the southern part of Iraq, which Saddam lieve we can fly this expanded no-fly zone used as a staging ground for his invasion of now. It gives us an attempt to measure—or Kuwait and then in 1994 for the massing of it gives us the capacity to measure what he’s his troops near the Kuwaiti border. He is doing all the way up to the southern suburbs strategically worse off than he was before of Baghdad. So I think we’re in good shape these strikes began, and I am satisfied that there. this was an appropriate measured response. Now, we will do whatever we have to do Obviously, we can’t predict entirely what in the future to protect our pilots and to pro- Saddam Hussein will do, but now he knows tect their ability to fly the no-fly zone in safe- that there is a price to be paid for stepping ty. We will do whatever we have to do. But over the line that the United Nations resolu- I’m satisfied that this mission has achieved tions imposed. the objectives we set out for it. And our de-

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fense advisers, from the Secretary of Defense Message to the Senate Transmitting to General Shalikashvili to our commander the Austria-United States Tax in the area, all believe that we did what was Convention necessary, and they feel good about where September 4, 1996 we are now. Q. Has the situation in northern Iraq To the Senate of the United States: changed, though? That’s the key question, I transmit herewith for Senate advice and isn’t it? consent to ratification the Convention Be- The President. No. The key question is— tween the United States of America and the well, first of all, the situation in northern Iraq Republic of Austria for the Avoidance of seems to have changed. There has been a Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal withdrawal of the forces, a dispersal of the Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income, forces. But it’s too soon to say that this is signed at Vienna May 31, 1996. Enclosed is permanent or that further action will not be an exchange of notes with an attached taken. Memorandum of Understanding, which pro- What we have done is to show that we vides clarification with respect to the applica- are prepared to change the strategic realities tion of the Convention in specified cases. that Saddam Hussein faces if he violates the Also transmitted for the information of the United Nations prohibitions on either threat- Senate is the report of the Department of ening his neighbors or repressing his own State with respect to the Convention. people. And I believe that we did the right This Convention, which is similar to tax thing. I think we had the right response, and treaties between the United States and other I think it will have good results. If it doesn’t, OECD nations, provides maximum rates of we’ll take the facts as they come. tax to be applied to various types of income and protection from double taxation of in- come. The Convention also provides for ex- NOTE: The President spoke at 1:41 p.m. in the change of information to prevent fiscal eva- Oval Office at the White House. A tape was not sion and sets forth standard rules to limit the available for verification of the content of these benefits of the Convention to persons that remarks. are not engaged in treaty shopping. I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration to this Conven- Statement on the Meeting of Prime tion and give its advice and consent to ratifi- Minister Binyamin Netanyahu of cation. Israel and Chairman Yasser Arafat of William J. Clinton the Palestinian Authority The White House, September 4, 1996 September 4, 1996. I welcome the meeting today between Is- raeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and PLO Message to the Senate Transmitting Chairman Arafat. The meeting between the the Luxembourg-United States Tax two leaders is a very important step in devel- Convention oping an Israeli-Palestinian partnership so September 4, 1996 essential to implementation of their agree- ments. Indeed, it reflects their continuing To the Senate of the United States: commitment to resolving their differences I transmit herewith for Senate advice and through negotiations and to securing a lasting consent to ratification the Convention Be- peace. tween the Government of the United States I look forward to meeting with Prime Min- of America and the Government of the ister Netanyahu next Monday to review Grand Duchy of Luxembourg for the Avoid- progress and discuss developments in the re- ance of Double Taxation and the Prevention gion. of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on

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Income and Capital, signed at Luxembourg I recommend that the Senate give early April 3, 1996. Accompanying the Convention and favorable consideration to this Protocol is a related exchange of notes providing clari- and give its advice and consent to ratification. fication with respect to the application of the Convention in specified cases. Also transmit- William J. Clinton ted for the information of the Senate is the The White House, report of the Department of State with re- September 4, 1996. spect to the Convention. This Convention, which is similar to tax treaties between the United States and other OECD nations, provides maximum rates of Memorandum on the Emigration tax to be applied to various types of income Policies of Mongolia and protection from double taxation of in- September 4, 1996 come. The Convention also provides for ex- change of information to prevent fiscal eva- Presidential Determination No. 96–51 sion and sets forth standard rules to limit the benefits of the Convention to persons that Memorandum for the Secretary of State are not engaged in treaty shopping. Subject: Presidential Determination Under I recommend that the Senate give early Subsections 402(a) and 409(a) of the Trade and favorable consideration to this Conven- Act of 1974, as Amended—Emigration tion and give its advice and consent to ratifi- Policies of Mongolia cation. Pursuant to the authority vested in me by subsections 402(a) and 409(a) of the Trade William J. Clinton Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2432(a) and 2439(a)) The White House, (‘‘the Act’’), I determine that Mongolia is not September 4, 1996. in violation of paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subsection 402(a) of the Act, or paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subsection 409(a) of the Message to the Senate Transmitting Act. the Indonesia-United States Tax You are authorized and directed to publish Convention Protocol this determination in the Federal Register. September 4, 1996 William J. Clinton

To the Senate of the United States: NOTE: This memorandum was released by the Of- I transmit herewith for Senate advice and fice of the Press Secretary on September 5. consent to ratification a Protocol, signed at Jakarta July 24, 1996, Amending the Conven- tion Between the Government of the United Message to the Congress States of America and the Government of Transmitting a Report on Emigration the Republic of Indonesia for the Avoidance Policies of Mongolia of Double Taxation and the Prevention of September 4, 1996 Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on In- come, with a Related Protocol and Exchange To the Congress of the United States: of Notes Signed at Jakarta on the 11th Day I hereby transmit a report concerning emi- of July, 1988. Also transmitted for the infor- gration laws and policies of Mongolia as re- mation of the Senate is the report of the De- quired by subsections 402(b) and 409(b) of partment of State with respect to the Proto- title IV of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended col. (‘‘the Act’’). I have determined that Mongolia This Protocol reduces the rates of tax to is in full compliance with the criteria in sub- be applied to various types of income earned sections 402(a) and 409(a) of the Act. As re- by U.S. firms operating in Indonesia. quired by title IV, I will provide the Congress

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with periodic reports regarding Mongolia’s I came here because I want America to compliance with these emigration standards. see all of you tonight. I want America to see all of you tonight, because you are our future William J. Clinton and because unless we give the young people The White House, of this country the best educational system September 4, 1996. in the world, you will not have the opportuni- ties you deserve as we move into the 21st NOTE: This message was released by the Office century. And I know you believe that, too, of the Press Secretary on September 5. and I want you to support me in trying to build a bridge to the 21st century, where every child in America has the best edu- Remarks in Tampa, Florida cational opportunities in the world. September 5, 1996 For the last 4 years, we’ve worked hard to improve education, to increase the num- Thank you. Good morning. I want to say ber of our young people in Head Start, to to all of you how very glad I am to be here. give schools more opportunities to stay open I want to thank the Big Red Marching Band late if the kids needed to be somewhere be- and the Brotherhood who performed earlier; sides the street, to give schools more flexibil- thank you very much. Mr. Bell and Erica, ity to set high standards and creative ways thank you for your remarks, thank you for to meet them, and to lower the costs of col- your introduction. To the chair of your school lege loans so that no one ever need stay away board, Doris Reddick and Dr. Lennard, your from college because of the burden of repay- superintendent; Governor Chiles, Lieutenant ing them. Governor MacKay; Congressman Sam Gib- We now have 50,000 young people—I see bons, Mayor Greco and city councilman Bob one sign back there—50,000 young people Buckhorn; most of all to the students here. serving their communities, solving problems, You know, I had originally planned to and earning money for college through the come earlier. It was hot then—[laughter]— AmeriCorps program, and I’m proud of that, but Hurricane Bertha had other plans, and and thank you for being back there. I decided and so did our emergency people But I want to be President for 4 more years that we didn’t need the President in Florida because there are some other things we need messing up the preparations for the hurri- to do in education. First of all, 40 percent cane. Thank goodness it wasn’t as bad as we of the young people in this country cannot had feared. read on their own by the 3d grade, but 100 Today, a lot of you may know there is an- percent should be able to be. I have a pro- other hurricane threatening the southeast, gram to put 30,000 more tutors out there, but not Florida. Hurricane Fran is about to use AmeriCorps volunteers, use young peo- deliver what could be a powerful punch in ple on work study, get a million volunteers the States of Georgia, South Carolina and and make sure every 8-year-old in America North Carolina, and I want all of you to be can read a book on his or her own by the thinking about them today. Our FEMA Di- year 2000. Will you help me do that? rector, James Lee Witt, is there working with Secondly, I want to make sure that every them, and we are getting ready for that hurri- classroom and library in the entire United cane, and we hope it won’t be bad. But if States of America and every school is hooked it is, we’ll do our best to be ready. up to the information superhighway by the Let me say, I wanted to come here to this year 2000. Now, let me tell you what this high school, where you have so much growth really means. This means that for the first and so much energy, first to say congratula- time in this history of America, every child, tions to the mayor, the school system, the without regard to their ethnic background, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and everybody else without regard to their income, kids in the who passed that issue, that referendum yes- poorest city neighborhoods, in the remote terday to improve the schools, improve the mountain villages in America, for the first law enforcement, and save the football team. time in the history of the country, when we

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hook up every classroom to the Internet with portant function of education: to teach us to adequate computers and properly trained live together across our differences. Half the teachers, for the first time, all of our children world is being torn up by racial, ethnic, and will have access to the same learning, the religious differences. same information in the same time. I think In America we have people from every- all American children deserve that. Don’t where, and I’m proud of that. Look around you? Will you help me build that bridge to this audience today. Aren’t you proud to live the 21st century? [Applause] in a country which is not defined by race The third thing that I want to say is, I want or religion, but instead by our devotion to to help everybody do what you’re trying to freedom? [Applause] do, which is to modernize, rehabilitate, re- So that’s what I came to say. A big part build, and build new school buildings. We of building a bridge to the 21st century is cannot expect young people to learn if they building a bridge big enough to give every do not have adequate facilities. And for the single boy and girl in America the chance first time in the history of this country, I have to live up to their God-given abilities. That proposed a program where the United States is an important part of building the future Government will help communities who are you deserve. I am committed to it, and I want willing to make an extra effort themselves to you to be committed to it. do more to provide facilities for their young Thank you, and God bless you. people that are decent and clean and healthy and wholesome and conducive to good learn- NOTE: The President spoke at 11:28 a.m. on the ing. And I think we want every young person football field at Hillsborough High School. In his in this country to be in that kind of school. remarks, he referred to Coleman Bell, principal, Don’t you? and Erica Allen, student, Hillsborough High School; Gov. Lawton Chiles and Lt. Gov. Buddy Finally, let me say that I want to build a MacKay of Florida; and Mayor Dick Greco of bridge to the 21st century in which every sin- Tampa. gle young person in America who wants to do it can go to college. I want to make a community college education, 2 years of edu- Remarks in Sunrise, Florida cation after high school, just as universal in August 5, 1996 4 years as a high school diploma is today. And I propose to give every family a tax cred- Thank you very much. Thank you so much. it, dollar for dollar, for the cost of college I tell you, I just hope you’re having as good tuition in the typical community college in a time as I am this afternoon. Thank you. America so that everybody will go to a com- Thank you for making me feel so welcome. munity college. Will you help me get that Thank you, Congressman Deutsch, for your done? [Applause] remarks today and for being a steadfast ally And for everyone who goes on to more for the people of Florida and for our adminis- college, to 4 years of college or graduate tration the last 2 years. Thank you, Governor school, I believe there ought to be a $10,000 Lawton Chiles, for your lifetime of service tax deduction for the cost of college tuition to the people of Florida and the people of for every year anybody is in education. the United States and for your brilliant serv- If we do that, in 4 years we can have a ice as Governor. country where every 8-year-old can read, I’m delighted to be here with your attor- every 12-year-old can hook into the Internet, ney general, Bob Butterworth; your State in- and every 18-year-old can go to college. And surance commissioner, Bill Nelson; State we’ll be well on our way to doing our job Senator Ken Jenne; State Senator Peter for you, creating an America where there is Weinstein; Mayor Effman of Sunrise; Mayor opportunity for everybody, without regard to Graham of West Palm Beach; Gloria Jackson, their gender, their race, their ethnic back- the chair of the Broward County Democratic ground, where they start from economically, Party; Sheriff Ron Cochran. And I’d like to an America where we’re growing together, say a special word of thanks to my friend not being divided, because that’s also an im- Gerry McEntee, back here, the president of

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the American Federation of State, County, other 10 million homeowners who refinanced and Municipal Employees and a great sup- their mortgages at lower mortgage rates. porter of Medicare. And I’d like to thank the Wages are going up for the first time in a Boyles who own the theater here for welcom- decade. We’ve had record numbers of new ing us. But most of all I’d like to thank Sallie businesses in each of the last 4 years, and and her mother, her daughter, and her businesses are growing now, coming into ex- granddaughter. Didn’t she do a good job? istence at the fastest rate since John Kennedy Let’s give her another hand. I thought she was President. We have record—[applause] was great. [Applause] Thank you. we’re selling more of our products around Today I want to talk to you about how all the world than ever before. The combined of us, regardless of our ages, grandchildren, rates of unemployment, inflation, and home children, parents, grandparents, great-grand- mortgages are the lowest in 28 years. I am parents, great-grandchildren—how we can proud of these things, and you should be too, move forward together to build that bridge as Americans. to the 21st century I talked about in Chicago For 4 years in a row, the crime rate has last Thursday night. gone down. In Tampa, the crime rate fell I especially want to talk a little more about 20 percent in 1995, just for example. I just health security because I know that one of came from there, so I asked for the numbers the keys to enabling our families to succeed on Tampa, and I thought it was an amazing at home and at work is finding a way for drop. There are 1.8 million fewer people on hard-working people to have that health se- welfare than there were the day I took office. curity, to provide the best possible care for In Florida, there are over 135,000 fewer on people. And I’d like to talk a little bit about welfare in the State of Florida alone. Child those who get their care from specific health support collections are up 40 percent in the care plans that have certain requirements Nation; in Florida—thank you, Governor and standards that may lower the costs but Chiles—they’re up 48 percent in the last 4 may also raise some questions. years. You know, we have had a remarkable week and a half. I took that train from West Vir- Just about 2 weeks ago, maybe 3 now— ginia to the convention in Chicago, and I time has been flying the last few days—I stopped along the way in places that hadn’t signed a minimum wage bill which raised the seen a passenger train in a long time, and minimum wage for 10 million hard-working there were thousands and tens of thousands Americans. It also made the employees and of people all along the route. It was terribly the owners of small businesses all across moving. America—made it easier for them to take out And then, of course, we had a good con- retirement plans and to keep those retire- vention. And then Hillary and I and Al and ment plans when they move from job to job. Tipper Gore set out on our bus tour, and Most of our new jobs are being created we made another five States. And I figure in small businesses. More and more busi- we saw in our talks about a quarter of a mil- nesses are coming into existence, going out lion people, and another 200,000 just along of existence in this new, dynamic economy. the road and the rails. I never saw so many We have to make it possible for people to crowds, people coming out, believing in save for their retirement even if they’re in America again, knowing that we’re on the small businesses and even if they change jobs track, knowing that we’re on the right track a lot of times. And I’m proud of the fact that and the right road to the 21st century. And we’ve got legislation now which will make it was very moving. that much, much easier and safer. Thanks to the support I have received Another interesting provision that Gov- from others in the Congress and in the ad- ernor Chiles and I were talking about with ministration, we have worked very hard to his daughter up in Tampa that was in the move this country forward. And compared minimum wage bill is that we provided a to 4 years ago, we have 10 million more jobs, $5,000 tax credit to people who will adopt almost 41⁄2 million more homeowners, an- children. There are tens of thousands of chil-

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dren out there who need a home, and I hope from the poorest urban school districts to the this will help more of them find it. most remote mountain school districts, will In late 1994—there’s one other thing I for the first time in the history of America want to mention here that was done that have access to the same information in the didn’t achieve a lot of notice because it was same time, the same quality, as the children a part of a big trade bill. But we passed a in the wealthiest districts do, by hooking all provision to strengthen the protection for the classrooms up to the Internet, to the in- pensions that protected the integrity of 40 formation superhighway, with adequate com- million Americans’ pension, people already puters and trained teachers. We can do it retired and people saving for their retire- for the first time in history. ment, to make sure that these funds are not And I want to make sure that we put a raided. college education within reach of every fam- And one of the things that I vetoed in that ily. In the last 4 years, we have worked hard budget that Congressman Deutsch talked to increase scholarship funds for needy stu- about, in addition to the cuts in Medicare dents. We have worked hard to reform the and Medicaid and education and the envi- student loan program so that now it works ronment, was a provision which would have faster and costs less than ever before. allowed $15 billion to be taken out of existing I remember Governor Chiles and the leg- pension funds and put to other purposes. islative leaders invited me to speak to the And I thought that was wrong. I think we Florida Legislature up in Tallahassee. I had ought to keep the integrity of our pensions a very moving experience with a young cou- systems in this country. ple there who had both graduated from med- And let me say to a lot of you who may ical school and who were doing their resi- have grown up in an earlier time when we dency. And you know doctors don’t make any thought more about balancing our books ex- cept when there was an emergency, I’m very money when they’re residents, and they proud of the fact that our administration is owed well over $100,000 on their education. the first administration since the 1840’s, be- And because we had changed the law which fore the Civil War, to have the deficit go said that young people could pay back their down in each of the 4 years of its term. It’s loans as a percentage of their income and been cut by 60 percent. never be required to pay back more than that So compared to 4 years ago, we’re in better in any given year, these young people were shape. But as I said last week and I say again, able to avoid literally having half of their in- there are many things we need to do to build come go to their college loan repayment, and a bridge to the 21st century that keeps the they wouldn’t have had enough left to live American dream alive for all of us, that en- on. We should never have anyone drop out ables people to succeed in their family lives of any level of education because of that bur- and at work, that brings us together across den. And I want to do more. all the lines that divide us, that keeps us the A lot of you can empathize with this: It’s strongest country in the world for peace, no longer possible for people to say they’re freedom, and prosperity. through with education when they graduate Earlier today when I was in Tampa, I had from college. And now we know when people a chance to go to a wonderful high school graduate from high school, chances are bet- and speak to over 2,000 students there about ter than 50–50 they will not be able to find our goals for education in the next 4 years. a job with a growing income. So what I want I want to mobilize an army of reading tutors to do in the next 4 years, within 4 years, is so that instead of having 40 percent of our to make 2 more years of education, the 8-year-olds who cannot read on their own, equivalent of at least a community college in 4 years every single 8-year-old will be able degree, just as universal as a high school di- to read a book on his or her own. ploma is today by giving a tax credit for the I want to make sure that every young child price of the tuition to the families of this in America in school, without regard to their country, so we can pay for it dollar for dollar race, their income, where they have to live, through tax cuts, and everybody can at least

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get a community college education. I think Republican friends said last year—they put that’s very important. out a paper on this, not me, but I agree with I’m well aware that the largest community them—they said if we were not on a plan college in the United States is not very far to a balanced budget, if we went back to per- from here. But nearly every American— manent high deficit spending the way we did nearly every American—is within driving dis- in the 12 years before I came here, interest tance of a community college. And more and rates would go up 2 percent. Why? Because more, the people you see at our community the Government would be borrowing money colleges are older students, non-traditional and you would be borrowing money, and we students. The average age at a lot of our com- would both be trying to borrow the same munity colleges is bumping 30 now. And they money so the price would go up. have people in their fifties there and their Now, what that means is, 2 percent on a sixties there, people who have lost their jobs home mortgage, on a car payment, on a cred- and have to go back and get new education it card payment every month, it means 2 per- and training. cent more for business borrowing, which un- So I say to you we ought to have that tax dermines the ability of businesses to borrow credit for the cost of a typical tuition at a money and invest, to be more productive, to community college. And I believe we should give their workers raises and hire more peo- have a tax deduction worth up to $10,000 ple. It’s harder to borrow money to start a a year for any tuition cost at any post-high new business. school education in the country to help peo- This is a big deal, folks. We have got to ple educate themselves. It will make our keep this economy growing and going strong, country stronger. and every tax cut I talked about is paid for, So I hope you’ll help me build that bridge dime by dime, line by line. We don’t want to the future for the younger part of the fami- to go back to the old days where someone lies that are here. But we also have to keep says, ‘‘Hey, I’m running for office, and I’ll this economy going strong. You know, when- give you a big tax cut. No, I can’t pay for ever we argue about, well, how are we going it and yes, it will increase the deficit, and, to pay for Medicare or Medicaid or Social oh, by the way, I’ll have to cut Medicare and Security or whatever part of it, always assume Medicaid and education and the environ- certain things about the strength of the ment even more than last time.’’ That’s what American economy: what will the unemploy- their proposal is; this across-the-board thing. ment rate be, what will the incomes be, what Don’t go for that. We went down that road will the growth be. We have to keep this before. We would have a surplus in the budg- economy going strong, and we can grow it et today and could have a bigger tax cut or even faster. But if we’re going to do that, extend the life of Medicare with no sweat we have to keep investing in the things that for another several years, a surplus today if make us strong, like education, research, en- it weren’t for the interest we’re paying on vironmental technology, and we have to keep the debt run up in just the 12 years before bringing this deficit down. I became the President. We don’t want to Every time I leave Washington for the last make that mistake again. We dare not make 4 months, some expert has said, ‘‘Now, Mr. that mistake again, and I don’t think you want President, don’t go down there and talk to make that mistake again. about the deficit. People really cared about Every time I come to Florida, someone the deficit when the economy was bad, but talks to me about personal security. I’m nobody really understands it very well, and proud of the fact that the crime rate has so they don’t care about it once the economy come down for 4 years in a row. I want it gets better. It’s boring to them. Don’t talk to keep coming down. And that means we to them about that.’’ have to finish the work of putting 100,000 Well, I don’t believe that. I think you do police on the street. It means we ought to care about whether your country is spending pass a law that expands the Brady bill, which itself into debt. Let me just briefly say why now covers anybody who has been convicted everyone should care about it. Because as our of a felon or is a fugitive or a stalker, can’t

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get a handgun. I think that should extend lowstone National Park, the crown jewel of to anyone who has beaten up a child or a America’s whole natural history. We created spouse at home. I don’t believe people who the largest national park south of Alaska in are involved in domestic violence should do the Mojave Desert in California. And I hope that. in the next 4 years we will complete the work And I believe that we should ban those of saving the Florida Everglades. And I hope terrible cop-killer bullets. They have no pur- you will help us do that. [Applause] Thank pose other than to shoot police officers. If you. the police officers are willing to protect us, Now, let’s talk about health care. There we ought to be willing to protect them. It’s are few issues that tie people together as a simple thing, and it has nothing to do with closely as health care—all across the ages. hunting or sporting. The other night when the First Lady spoke I believe that we have to build a bridge at the Democratic Convention and said that to the 21st century that works on building we strongly supported a bill that says that even stronger families. That’s why I’ve said you cannot kick a mother and her newborn that the family leave law that I signed, the child out of a hospital sooner than 48 hours. first bill I signed, has made it possible for I believe that the grandmothers and the 12 million American families, intergenera- great-grandmothers and the great-grand- tionally, just like these fine women up here— fathers and the grandfathers were among 12 million families, where someone in the those cheering the loudest in America. Of family could take some time off without los- course these hospitals have to save money. ing their jobs for the birth of a baby or the Of course we want to cut unnecessary costs. illness of a parent. It’s been a great thing Of course some people are healthy and fine, for America, and it has not hurt the economy. and there’s no problem. But it ought to be And I would like to see it extended in a nar- a decision that the doctor can make based row way to say you can also take a little time on what is best for the mother and the baby, off to take your child to the parent-teacher and people should not be put on the street conference at school or your parent to a regu- lar doctor’s appointment as well, in case if they’re not ready. there are serious problems that can’t be dealt When we launched a remarkable effort to with. dramatically increase the rate of immuniza- I want to see us stand up for the environ- tions of children up to the age of 2 so that ment and prove we can grow the economy more of them would live and live healthy and protect the environment more in the lives, I think the grandparents were among 21st century. You know, I talked about this those who cared the most about it. And when the other night, but I want to say it again. I was saying, look, we don’t want to balance It’s appalling to me—it’s appalling to me that the budget in a way that not only cuts too we still have 10 million American children much out of Medicare and Medicaid, but living within 4 miles of toxic waste sites. Now, fundamentally changes the system, that was we’ve cleaned up more of those in 3 years as big a problem—that creates a two-tier sys- than the previous administrations did in 12. tem of Medicare where if you happen to be But we’re not doing enough; we have to do older or poorer or sicker at the time the more. And so I propose just in the next 4 changes are made, the chances of your falling years to clean up 500 more, the two-thirds into second-class health care are overwhelm- worst of those sites, so that we can say that ing; or that changes the whole system under our children are going to grow up next to Medicaid so that there is no longer a guaran- parks, not poison. And I hope you’ll help me tee for people who have middle class life- with that. styles to get some help for their parents in And here in Florida, I can say I’m very nursing homes; or people who have middle proud of the fact that in the first 4 years we class lifestyles who have children with dis- saved national parks from the ill-advised abilities to get some help with those children scheme to sell some of them off. We nego- so they can keep them at home and still keep tiated an end to a proposed gold mine at Yel- their jobs and not go broke. I don’t believe

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that’s an age-specific area. I think that we we worked with them—we proposed larger all care about that. savings, substantive savings over a 6-year pe- On the other hand, I don’t agree that you riod in Medicare and Medicaid than any can’t do anything to try to save money in President ever had. The only problem was, these programs to save them. Everybody I was trying to save the programs. I was trying wants us to save Medicare. Everybody knows to be fair. I wasn’t trying to balance the budg- that we’re all living longer and staying et on your back or make you pay for some- healthier. And that’s good, isn’t it? I mean, body else’s tax cut or do something that I think that’s pretty good. would give us an excuse to walk away from So when somebody tells me, Mr. Presi- our commitments under Medicare and Med- dent, we got this terrible problem with Medi- icaid. care, since the inflation per person is not So I say to you, the first thing we ought going up, it’s just that people are living longer to do in going forward is to remember what and the longer you live the more health care the Hippocratic oath says: First, do no harm. you use—to me, that’s a high-class problem. Let’s not do something we don’t have to do. I mean, I don’t understand all this hand- Let’s do as much as we have to do to save wringing. That’s a high-class problem if we the programs. But let’s not do something we got people living longer and being healthier don’t have to do that would make it unfair and hanging around and doing things. I think to those who depend upon them. that’s a pretty high-class problem. I don’t un- We can—I’ll say again, just like Congress- derstand why everybody is going around like man Deutsch said—we can clearly balance Chicken Little, ‘‘Oh, the sky is falling. We the budget and dramatically extend the life have problems in Medicare because every- of the Medicare Trust Fund without the level body is living.’’ [Laughter] of cuts in Medicare, Medicaid, education, I thought that was the object. [Laughter] I thought that was the point of the deal. Do and the environment in the budget that I ve- you know, if you live in the United States— toed last year. this is very interesting—in 1985, because of My door is still open to the Congress, even Social Security and SSI, for the first time in as they meet now in September to try to the history of our country, people over 65 reach an agreement on that. But I will not had a lower poverty rate than people under do anything that will cause us to harm people 65. And because of Medicare and Medicaid, who have justifiably depended on this when because of the things you can buy into with this program is working and the problem we them, now if you live to be 65 in the United have is the very problem we’ve been trying States, we have the highest life expectancy to create for 30 years, ever since we created of any country in the world among people it, which is we hoped people would live who live to be 65 going forward. longer and be healthier and be stronger. We Our overall life expectancy is slightly can fix it, but we don’t want to destroy it. lower, unfortunately, because we have higher The second thing I want to say is, as we rates of violence that take out too many of provide people more options in Medicare our children, because our maternal care pro- and more options in Medicaid, and take steps grams are not as good as they should be, and that will further slow the rate of inflation and because we have a disproportionate number give people attractive options to be in man- of people compared to a lot of other coun- aged care programs of various kinds, we tries with very serious illnesses. But if you ought to do it, again, in a way that really cre- live to be 65, you are in the country with ates a win-win situation. And we can do that. the highest life expectancy for seniors in the I’m prepared to give Governor Chiles and entire world. Now, we know what did that. all the other Governors in the country greater I don’t think that’s a bad thing. I think that’s flexibility in how they administer the Medic- a good thing. This is a high-class problem, aid program, but I don’t think we should walk this Medicare problem. away from the populations, pregnant women So I proposed, and I told everybody—all and their poor young children, families with the advocates for the senior groups came in; disabilities, and the seniors. I don’t think we

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should do that. I think we should stay in there ilies who are in between jobs to keep their and serve those populations. health insurance for up to 6 months so they In our balanced budget program, we actu- don’t lose it while they’re changing jobs. ally also proposed to do some things that we This could help to bring peace of mind think will be very good for the economy. A to 3 million Americans a year, including lot of parents—a lot of families, for example, 700,000 children. It is paid for in my bal- are caring for parents with Alzheimer’s. It’s anced budget, and it’s long overdue. I also a painful, difficult thing. It’s also a great labor think we have to do more to give our people of love. If a family is doing that and saving the assurance that they’ll get the quality they the system money by doing it, I think we are paying for and that they deserve. That’s ought to provide some way for them to get why I’m supporting the legislation I men- some respite care for those who are caring tioned, dealing with not forcing new mothers for Alzheimer’s people in their own home. and their newborns out of the hospital. And that’s an example of something that I And that’s why I believe we should extend think would be a good thing to do that will consumer protections to the 140 million actually save money to the larger health care Americans who are now enrolled in managed system and enable families again to make it care health plans. These plans—let me talk at work and to make it at home, and to keep a little bit about—these plans, on balance, that close-knit bond that we all value so have given most people who are in them high much. quality care with more choices at lower costs, I think we are going to have to crack down because they are, in various ways, managed even harder on those who rip the Medicare care plans, the HMO’s, the PPO’s, and the system off. We have—I will say this—I hear others. But we have to make sure that the more about it in Florida than anyplace else, changes that are being made do not lead to I guess, because more of you know about a decline in the quality of health care. it, but you should know that we’ve saved Now, I can tell you, I’ve spent years study- more than $15 billion in 3 years. We have ing this now as a Governor and as President, strengthened the requirements and our tools and I am convinced that the right kind of for dealing with it, and Governor Chiles has managed care can really be the best of all done a better job of dealing with it than any worlds, can give more choices to consumers, other Governor in the country, in my opin- can give people more chances to make deci- ion. So we’re doing our best. sions that are right for them, can keep the Two weeks ago, I had the great privilege, costs of health care down and still maintain as has already been said in my introduction, very high quality. of signing the Kennedy-Kassebaum bill, I am also convinced that if they’re not the which is the most significant health care re- right kind of plans, some bad things can hap- form in a generation. The bill guarantees that pen, especially by not giving managed care working people can keep their health insur- customers all of the information they need. ance if they change jobs, it gives self-em- Too often, too many health care plans are ployed business people a better tax break to literally gagging their doctors, their nurses, buy insurance just like those who work for and other professionals by stopping them big firms. It means you don’t lose your health from telling patients about all their treatment insurance if you or somebody in your family options, because some of those options that gets sick. What it means is that up to 25 mil- may be best for the patients may be more lion Americans might be able to get or keep expensive for the plan since the patient has health insurance now when they couldn’t do already paid the flat rate. it before. It is a very good bill. So I want to say to you that I think this But we have to do more. You don’t want has to stop, and this is my announcement to say to some people we have created a right for the day. But there is a bipartisan bill, a for you, and it’s like saying we’ve all got a bipartisan bill that’s been introduced in the right to go buy a Jaguar. So my next proposal Congress, sponsored by Representative Ed is—and this, again, is paid for in my balanced Markey, a Democrat, and Representative budget—that we help workers and their fam- Greg Ganske, a Republican, that will help

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to protect doctors, nurses, and patients. It’s But I am confident that being for a con- called the ‘‘Patient Right To Know Act,’’ and sumer’s right to know is the right thing to it says that the professionals cannot be do here. And I am confident—I will say gagged from giving you the information again—I am confident that we can find a way you’re entitled to and cannot be punished to preserve the Medicare program in a way if they give it to you, so that we’ll have the that gives you more options, keeps it afford- best of all worlds, managed care plus able, and doesn’t divide it into a two-tier sys- consumer protection. And I want—will you tem where the elderly in our country who help me pass that bill? [Applause] Thank you. happen to be the oldest or the poorest or Again, I want to be clear: There are an the sickest wind up getting the short end of awful lot of HMO’s, PPO’s, and other health the health care stick. I don’t think any one care plans that give patients very good care of you want that, and I‘m going to do my at good value, even better value with more best to avoid that. We can do what we need choices and less inflation in the health care to do. premiums. But we have to make sure that All of this is a way of building a bridge we don’t give up the quality of care. Doctors to the future. I believe that we have to make just must not face discrimination when they it possible—let me say again—for families uphold their oath to give patients the best across the generations to succeed at home care. Patients should feel safe in the knowl- and at work, to honor the obligations to par- edge that they have been given the full story ents and children and still be successful in of what all their treatment options are and the workplace and as citizens. I believe we what are best for them. They should be told can do that. I believe we can do it if we build about the best treatment, whether it’s the the right kind of bridge to the future, includ- cheapest or not. ing the health care reforms I have discussed There is also more to do. There are mil- today. And I hope that every one of you will lions of Americans who are affected by the help me and yourselves and your children changes in our health system which ought to build that bridge. to feel comfortable about the health care Thank you, and God bless you all. they receive. I have asked our Secretary of Health and Human Services, Donna Shalala, NOTE: The President spoke at 3:20 p.m. at the and our Labor Secretary, Bob Reich, to form Sunrise Musical Theater. In his remarks, he re- an advisory commission about the quality of ferred to Mayor Steve Effman of Sunrise; Mayor care for health care consumers with health Nancy Graham of West Palm Beach; Sheriff Ron care providers, health plans, consumers, Cochran of Broward County; Jack and Janet business people—all on a bipartisan basis, ev- Boyle, owners, Sunrise Musical Theater; and Sal- erybody having their story heard, but to lie A. Richardville, secretary-treasurer, Broward evaluate the ways that health plans can best AFL–CIO, who introduced the President, her serve their customers over the long run so mother, Edith B. Tuten, her daughter, Mary K. that we can have a health care system we Leake, and her granddaughter, Nicole ‘‘Nikki’’ Washburn. can afford and one we can be proud of be- cause it keeps life expectancy going up and it keeps the health of our people improving. The Vice President I have asked to review Executive Order 13017—Advisory this report because he has done such great Commission on Consumer work in other areas where we have tried to Protection and Quality in the Health reinvent our Government and improve Care Industry things. And what we’re trying to do is to un- September 5, 1996 derstand how these changes in the health care system are going to affect America’s By the authority vested in me as President families, all generations of families, yours, by the Constitution and the laws of the Unit- mine, everyone else’s; what are the financial ed States of America, including the Federal implications; what are the health care impli- Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 cations; what else should we do. U.S.C. App.), it is hereby ordered as follows:

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Section 1. Establishment. (a) There is es- agencies (collectively ‘‘agencies’’) shall pro- tablished the Advisory Commission on vide the Commission, upon request, with Consumer Protection and Quality in the such information as it may require for the Health Care Industry (the ‘‘Commission’’). purposes of carrying out its functions. The Commission shall be composed of not (b) Members of the Commission may re- more than 20 members to be appointed by ceive compensation for their work on the the President. The members will be consum- Commission not to exceed the daily rate ers, institutional health care providers, health specified for Level IV of the Executive care professionals, other health care workers, Schedule (5 U.S.C. 5315). While engaged in health care insurers, health care purchasers, the work of the Commission, members ap- State and local government representatives, pointed from among private citizens of the and experts in health care quality, financing, United States may be allowed travel ex- and administration. penses, including per diem in lieu of subsist- (b) The Secretary of Health and Human ence, as authorized by law for persons serv- Services and the Secretary of Labor shall ing intermittently in the Government service serve as Co-Chairs of the Commission. The (5 U.S.C. 5701–5707) to the extent funds are Co-Chairs shall report through the Vice available for such purposes. President to the President. (c) To the extent permitted by law and Sec. 2. Functions. (a) The Commission subject to the availability of appropriations, shall advise the President on changes occur- the Department of Health and Human Serv- ring in the health care system and rec- ices shall provide the Commission with ad- ommend such measures as may be necessary ministrative services, funds, facilities, staff, to promote and assure health care quality and and other support services necessary for the value, and protect consumers and workers in performance of the Commission’s functions. the health care system. In particular, the The Secretary of Health and Human Services Commission shall: shall perform the administrative functions of (1) Review the available data in the area the President under the Federal Advisory of consumer information and protections for Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. App.), those enrolled in health care plans and make with respect to the Commission. such recommendations as may be necessary Sec. 5. General Provision. The Commis- for improvements; sion shall terminate 30 days after submitting (2) Review existing and planned work that its final report, but not later than 2 years defines, measures, and promotes quality of from the date of this order, unless extended health care, and help build further consensus by the President. on approaches to assure and promote quality William J. Clinton of care in a changing delivery system; and (3) Collect and evaluate data on changes The White House, in availability of treatment and services, and September 5, 1996. make such recommendations as may be nec- essary for improvements. [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, (b) For the purpose of carrying out its 10:28 a.m., September 6, 1996] functions, the Commission may hold hear- NOTE: This Executive order was published in the ings, establish subcommittees, and convene Federal Register on September 9. and act at such times and places as the Com- mission may find advisable. Sec. 3. Reports. The Commission shall Remarks at the Meeting of the make a preliminary report to the President National Baptist Convention USA in by September 30, 1997. A final report shall Orlando, Florida be submitted to the President 18 months September 6, 1996 after the Commission’s first meeting. Sec. 4. Administration. (a) To the extent The President. Thank you. Thank you. permitted by law, the heads of executive de- Audience members. Four more years! partments and agencies, and independent Four more years! Four more years!

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The President. Thank you, Dr. Lyons, I thank your former president, Dr. Thank you for your support. Thank you for Jemerson, for his long friendship; and my exciting the crowd here. good friend, John Matos Miles back there, Audience members. Four more years! from Kansas City. I’m going to be in his town Four more years! Four more years! next Tuesday. Reverend Bifford—so many The President. Thank you, thank you. others who are here—I thank you all for Thank you, Dr. Lyons. Thank you, ladies and many, many, many years of friendship and gentlemen, for making me feel so very, very partnership. welcome. To Mrs. Lyons and General Sec- I’m glad to be in Orlando, and I was think- retary Cooper, Mr. Lowery; Dr. Glover, Mrs. ing today about 2 years ago when we were Hickson, thank you for your work on this together in New Orleans. We talked then Teenage Alliance; to your guests and my about what we could do to build the kingdom friends, Bishop Graves and Bishop Brown; of God here on Earth. I want to look at the to Governor Chiles and Congresswoman progress we have made since then and about Brown and Congressman Conyers. Congress- what we have to do together. man Conyers, thank you especially for your First, let me just say I’m sorry I was late leadership in the fight against the church today but I was getting an update on the hur- burnings. To Congressman Fauntroy and my ricane, and I’d like to share it with you and good friend, Mayor Webb. ask for you to keep those people in your pray- ers. The people of the Carolinas are working Governor Chiles and I have had a good to cope with the effects of Hurricane Fran. time in Florida the last 2 days, although I Eleven people have died. They and their think we can all certify it’s still summertime families must be in our prayers. down here. [Laughter] I was thinking about Today I am declaring a major disaster in coming into this meeting today, and I was the State of North Carolina. Our Director thinking, I don’t know how we could be so of the Federal Emergency Management close to heaven, and it still be so hot. [Laugh- Agency, James Lee Witt, is on his way to ter] the Carolinas even as we are here. We’re I know you’ve had a lot of distinguished going to do everything we can to help the speakers before me at this podium—my good people of North Carolina and South Carolina friends, Reverend Andrew Young and Rev- in this difficult time. But again, I say to you erend Jesse Jackson. I thank Reverend Jack- here in Florida, those of you who went son for what he said yesterday about his back through Hurricane Andrew know what it’s to school program, which I heartily endorse, like. We need to be praying for those people getting the parents to take the children to and supporting them. And there are, doubt- school, meet their children’s teachers, re- less, people here from those two States. In ceive report cards, turn the television off, and addition to the hurricane, there has been and read to the kids. That’s a pretty good pro- will be more rain, and there’s a lot to do. gram. I thank him for that. And for his idea You are people of faith. And today we need about going to the juvenile system and saving that faith more than ever. The Scripture says our young people before they get in trouble. that ‘‘faith is the assurance of things hoped I thank him for that, and I know you do. for, the conviction of things unseen.’’ And I’d also like to say how very moved I was we have seen, all of us in our own life, that by Pat Brooks’ singing today. It was magnifi- if we have faith, we can make real and we cent, and I thank her for that. I was thinking can see those things that we hope for, that that is truly a gift from God, and I’m glad we were convicted about. she shared it with us today. That is why you teach your children right I’m glad to be back with you. I have a lot from wrong, why you pass on the values that of friends in this audience. My friends from you believe in, in frequently tough surround- Arkansas, Dr. James, Dr. O’Neil, Dr. Jones, ings, why we try to build a better future, Reverend Keaton, Reverend Barnes. I’ve building strong families, strong communities, seen a few of them here. I’m sure there are strong lives. This church has done that in the more here from home. toughest of times.

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The Scripture commands us in Nehemiah tected because of actions that have been to rise up and build and strengthen our hands taken. Health care reform that can help 25 for the good work. Today, I ask your help million Americans because it says you can’t in building that bridge to the 21st century lose your health insurance anymore just be- I have been talking about all across America. cause you change jobs, and you can’t be de- A bridge that is wide enough and strong nied it just because someone in your family enough to carry every American across. has been sick. Over the past 2 weeks I have taken a train And we had more good news today. Ac- ride and then a bus ride with my wife, my cording to the latest economic statistics, our daughter, the Vice President and Mrs. Gore economy is growing steady and strong, creat- through America’s heartland. In between, we ing another 250,000 jobs in August—just the had a pretty good convention in Chicago. I latest evidence—strong growth, the highest went on this trip to say to the American peo- consumer confidence in years. Since I be- ple we are on the right track to the 21st cen- came President our country has created 101⁄2 tury, but I also wanted to look into the eyes, million new jobs; unemployment has the hearts, the faces of the people for whom 1 dropped to its lowest level in 7 ⁄2 years. The I have worked and fought for the last 4 years. American economy, my fellow Americans, is Let me assure you, we are not taking any- on the right track, and we need to keep it more or anyone’s vote for granted, and we going in that direction. know the only poll that counts is the one they We have honored a commitment to pro- take on November the 5th. I ask you to re- vide an administration that looks like Amer- member that and help others remember it ica and is committed to excellence. Forty- as well. two African-Americans have been nominated But think about the progress we have to the Federal court bench since I became made together. Four years ago we had a sky- President. And our nominees as a whole have rocketing deficit; unemployment at nearly 8 percent; new jobs were scarce; wages were the highest ratings from the American Bar stagnant. I came to this office with a simple Association of any administration since the strategy: Opportunity for all, responsibility ratings began. You can have excellence and from all, and a place for everyone in our diversity. You can do that, and we are com- American community, stronger and more mitted to it. united. Diversity and excellence has also been a Look at the results: Almost 41⁄2 million hallmark of my Cabinet and our other admin- new homeowners. The growth of home- istration appointees. We were blessed with owners who are African-American exceeding the service of my great friend and the best the national average. Record number of new friend American business and American small businesses and record number of busi- working people ever had in the Commerce nesses owned by minorities and women. The Department, Commerce Secretary Ron deficit down 60 percent, going down in each Brown. For the first time, three of the top of our 4 years for the first time since before staffers in the White House are African- the Civil War that has happened. Crime American. down for 4 years; 1.8 million fewer people Now, that is a good start, but we have to on the welfare rolls than the day I took the do more. We have to make sure that all oath of office; a 40 percent increase in child Americans have a chance to be a part of the support collections; an increase in the mini- prosperity and the possibility we are creating mum wage for 10 million Americans coming for the 21st century. Every American who October 1st; 12 million Americans taking is responsible should have the opportunity some time off when their babies are born to succeed, to live out their dreams, to live or their parents are sick without losing their up to the fullest of their God-given potential. jobs because of the family leave law; 15 mil- And that is the great challenge we face today. lion Americans getting a tax cut, the hardest I want to build a bridge to the 21st century working, hardest pressed Americans; 40 mil- where every single American has a chance lion Americans having their pensions pro- to live up to their God-given potential.

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Nothing is more important to that, as Dr. tors so that every single child in this country Lyons said, than education. In the last 4 years who needs a tutor can get one, so that by we have expanded Head Start, helped our the time all of our children are eight they schools shrink class size, supported new, can read on their own. They can’t learn the smaller charter schools to help provide excel- rest of the way unless they can read young. lent educational opportunities, and we now I want to connect every classroom and li- know that an enormous percentage of the brary in every school in America to the infor- students in them are minority students and mation superhighway by the year 2000, not poor students. just computers and trained teachers but a We’ve expanded antidrug education and connection to the vast array of knowledge prevention programs, imposed a zero toler- that is now available at the fingertips of any- ance for guns, opened the doors to college one who knows how to use it. wider than ever with more scholarships, and Think of what this means, my fellow Amer- a lower cost college loan program. We have icans. If we can do this it means that, for created the national service program, which the first time in the entire history of the Unit- has provided opportunities for 50,000 young ed States, children in the poorest rural class- people to serve in their communities, solving room, in the remotest area of America, chil- problems and earning money for college. dren in the poorest inner-city classrooms, in Now we must do more. I want that bridge the most isolated parts of America, for the to the 21st century to be one where comput- first time will have access to the same infor- ers are as much of the part of the classroom mation in the same way at the same level as blackboards, where highly trained teachers of quality as the children in the richest expect, demand, and get peak performance schools in America. This will democratize from all of our students, where every 8-year- education in a way we have never done be- old can point to a book and say, ‘‘I read it fore ever in our history. all by myself.’’ I want the United States Government to I want us to build a bridge to the 21st help our local school districts for the first century which makes at least 2 years of col- time in helping to rebuild dilapidated schools lege as universal as a high school education and build new ones in the areas that are is today. I propose a $1,500 tuition tax credit, growing and do not have the resources to a Hope scholarship to make the typical com- do it on their own. We have never done this, munity college available to every single but I see over and over and over again as American, a refundable tax credit to cover the largest class of students in American his- the costs of tuition. I believe we should give tory start school this year, you cannot expect our families a tax deduction of up to $10,000 these children to learn if they are in cir- a year for the cost of any education after high cumstances that are absolutely deplorable. school, 4 years of college and graduate And if local people will do their part to do school, whatever it takes. This kind of invest- more, we will help them to do more so that ment would be good for America. I believe we can build the schools of the 21st century. we should let families save in an IRA, an indi- Now, if we do these things, every 8-year- vidual retirement account, and withdraw old will be able to read, every 12-year-old from it, if necessary, to pay for an education will be able to log in on the Internet, every without any penalty. 18-year-old will be able to go to college. But we must do more. Forty percent of That’s a bridge worth building. Will you help our 8-year-olds cannot read as well as they me build that bridge to the 21st century? should. But every child—every child should I want to build a bridge to the 21st century be able to read on his or her own by the in which all Americans take personal respon- 3d grade. I propose to send 30,000 reading sibility for themselves and their families and specialists into our communities to work with their communities and for our country. I volunteers, to mobilize an army of volunteers want every child to grow up in a community with the help of our young AmeriCorps peo- where work is the standard, where earning ple, with the help of college students on a paycheck is a thing of pride. The welfare work-study, to mobilize up to one million tu- reform law I signed gives millions of Ameri-

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cans a chance, but not a certainty, to have charitable and other nonprofit organizations that new kind of beginning. to follow. We cannot create a Government We fought hard to keep the guarantees of jobs program big enough to solve this whole health care, school lunches, nutrition and thing, but if everybody did it one by one, child care for children and families. But this we could do this job. We could give those new law also says, from now on, able-bodied folks the work we promised and expect the people must work for the income check. responsibility we ask in that law. And I hope Now, I strongly believe that. I was proud you will consider doing that. You could make and I was proud to see you clapping when all the difference in the world. I said the welfare rolls were smaller by 1.8 We must do more for businesses. I pro- million in the last 4 years. A strong economy pose to give an extra tax credit for people helped that to happen. But the experiments, who hire folks off welfare. I propose to give the work we’ve been doing with people like private job placement firms who do a good Governor Chiles to help people move from job of placing other people, funds if they welfare to work, has also helped. place people from welfare to work and they So I say to you, it’s all very well for the stay there. Congress or the Governors to say, ‘‘Okay, we I want to have 3 times as many have a new system and everybody who is empowerment zones as the ones we now able-bodied has to work,’’ but to make that have in cities like Chicago and New York and morally defensible and practically possible, Baltimore and Kansas City. I want to have there has to be work for those people to do. 3 times as many of those, because I have I want to tell you about some of the things seen in Detroit alone, $2 billion in private we are doing to help create more work in section investment poured into inner-city the inner cities, in other poor areas, for peo- Detroit. The unemployment rate in 3 years ple on welfare, for single, unemployed men dropped from 81⁄2 percent to under 4 per- who depend upon food stamps but don’t have cent. We can bring jobs back to the inner welfare and can’t find jobs. Under this law, city when business understands that the every State—when it becomes effective, greatest market for American business are every State in the country can say to any em- people in America who are underemployed ployer, any private sector business, any non- and unemployed in places that need new in- profit organization, and any church, anybody vestment. I hope you will support that ap- that employs people—now the State can say, proach as well. ‘‘If you will hire somebody off welfare, we’ll I propose to create more community de- give you the welfare check as a supplement velopment banks, 3 times as many for the wages and the training.’’ empowerment zones. I propose an invest- It means, folks, when you go back home, ment fund to help our cities put welfare re- your church could receive a person’s welfare cipients to work immediately, repairing check, and add to it only a modest amount schools, making their neighborhoods clean of money to make a living wage and to take and safer. We can do this, but we’re all going some time to train people and bring their to have to work at it. And I want you to help children into the church and make sure their me build that bridge to the 21st century that children are all right and give them a home says if we tell you you have to work, we’re and a family. going to make sure you have work to do. Will you do that? Will you go home and There’s plenty to do in this country, we just consider hiring somebody from welfare to have to organize it so we can all do it to- work if your State will give you some money gether. I want you to help me do that. to help you do it? I want every pastor in this I want to build a bridge to the 21st century audience to think about it. Just think about in which all Americans live in strong, healthy it. If every church in America hired one per- communities. If you will give us 4 more years, son off welfare, if every church in America we’ll clean up two-thirds of the toxic waste could get some help to do that, it would set sites that are still out there so our children an example that would require the business can grow up in every community next to community to follow, that would require parks, not poison. It’s wrong that 10 million

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children live within four miles of toxic waste lay down their hatreds. And what are these sites, and we can change it. hatreds rooted in—in the Middle East, in We want to clean up the ones that block Northern Ireland, in Bosnia, in Rwanda, and our urban centers, called brownfields. We Burundi? What are they rooted in? Religious, can do that, create more jobs in the cities, racial, ethnic, tribal hatreds. People get in attract more business and development by the habit of living so that they define them- cleaning the environment. I want to build a selves and how good they are by how bad bridge to the 21st century where we have their neighbors are. How holy they are in stronger families and we help our parents to their faith by how unholy people who have raise their children and to protect them. another faith are. How righteous they are by Proverb says, ‘‘Train up a child in the way how evil people who are different are. And he should go and when he is old, he will it is a miserable way to live. It is self defeat- not depart from it.’’ That is why we passed ing. the Family and Medical Leave Act and why Why in the wide world people would tear we want to expand it; why we have done our up that beautiful little country of Bosnia? best to stop the advertising, marketing, and Yes, they have different religions and, yes, sales of cigarettes to children; why we are they have different ethnic labels, but the giving parents the V-chip to help them screen truth is, biologically they’re not different. It out inappropriate television shows; why we is a product of historical accident. For dec- are helping parents and communities to give ades, they lived in peace together. Sarajevo, our young people both discipline and values one of the beautiful cities in the world—why through supporting communities who decide do they keep doing this? What is it in the on their own to have curfew policies, tougher human heart that we have to purge? How truancy laws, school uniform programs. wise were our Founders not to make America All these things are our way of saying to a place where you had to do anything but communities and parents, we want to help believe in the values of the Constitution. you do the job that we know you want to How wise was Thomas Jefferson to know that do. We want people to succeed at home and the great hypocrisy in our founding was slav- at work. If America cannot succeed at home ery when he said, ‘‘I tremble—when I think and at work, and do both, America cannot of slavery, I tremble to think that God is succeed. just.’’ Finally, let me say, I know here above all And now we are struggling not only to deal I am preaching to the choir, but I want you with the relationships between African- to help me build a bridge to the 21st century Americans and the majority community with that can only be built by all of us together. all of the progress we’ve made in over 200 Nothing we do will matter if we cannot heal years, but also the fact that the fastest grow- the divisions and bigotry that still crop up ing minority in America are the Hispanic- in this country from time to time. Americans. The fact that we had 197 nations That is why I have said on affirmative ac- represented at the Olympics; in our largest tion, we ought to make it better, we should county, Los Angeles County, there are peo- mend it, but it’s not time to end it. That is ple from 150 of those places—in only one why I put the full force of my office behind American county. the effort to stop the rash of church burnings Now, if you look at the world we are living that have plagued us in recent months. And in and the one toward which we are going, let me say, I know, as church people and if we can all get along together, that’s going as Americans, you feel exactly the same way to be the greatest asset any country in the whenever you see a white church burned, world has. We have folks here from every- a synagogue defaced, or an Islamic center where. destroyed. It’s wrong for everybody. It’s I gave a speech a few years ago to one wrong for everybody. of the California State University campuses If you look around the world, folks, it’s in Los Angeles, and there were people in the amazing how much time I have to spend as student body in one school from 122 dif- your President trying to get other people to ferent national, racial, and ethnic groups, in

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one school. That is an enormous asset in a John Modest Miles, liaison, government affairs, global world, where we’re all being drawn and Rev. Richard Bifford, secretary, National closer together. Baptist Convention USA; John Lowery, chief ex- On the other hand, if we fall into the trap ecutive officer, Revelation Corp.; Clarence Glov- that is strangling country after country after er, president, and Sandra Hickson, executive vice country and think the only way we can president, Teens Alliance With Clergy; Bishop amount to something, the only way we can William H. Graves, presiding bishop, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church; Bishop E. Lynn be somebody is to find somebody else to look Brown, presiding bishop, 9th Episcopal District, down on, we’re in for big trouble, because Christian Methodist Episcopal Church; Mayor we’ve got more of that than any country in Wellington Webb of Denver, CO; Rev. Andrew the world does—all of this difference. Young, former U.S. Ambassador to the United So I say to you, no people in this country Nations; civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson; P.J. have suffered more or longer than African- James, president, and D.L. O’Neil and O.C. Jones, Americans from discrimination, but you former presidents, Arkansas Baptist Convention; know you will never and can never become and Rev. R.J. Keaton, president, Arkansas Baptist what you wish to be by returning that in kind. College. A portion of these remarks could not be That is the lesson you must teach others. verified because the tape was incomplete. That’s why I react so strongly to these church burnings, because I see how other countries have been consumed. I see how far we’ve Remarks at Valencia Community come in my own lifetime. I see that bright, College in Orlando, Florida shining future out there where there will be more possibilities for our children to do more September 6, 1996 things than ever before. In 10 years our chil- dren will be doing jobs that have not been Thank you. Let me say—well, sit down and invented yet. They will be doing work that relax here. [Laughter] First of all, I want to has not been imagined yet. thank Christy Grabowski. It’s not the easiest I just approved a joint venture with IBM thing in the world to stand up here in front to develop a supercomputer within the next of all of you and do this, and she did a great couple of years that will be able to do more job, didn’t she? Let’s give her a hand. [Ap- calculations in a second that you can go home plause] and pick up a pocket calculator and do in I thank Governor Chiles and Lieutenant 30,000 years. That’s how much change is Governor MacKay for being here. And thank going on. It’s got to be a good thing for Amer- you, Governor Chiles, for what you said and ica. And it can only be a good thing if we for your support of education and especially go forward together—if we say, if you believe of these community colleges. I thank your in the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Congresswoman Corrine Brown, who is also Declaration of Independence, and you’re here, along with Congressman John Conyers willing to show up and do right tomorrow, from Michigan. Thank you very much. you’re my kind of American. I don’t care Dr. Kinser, thank you for welcoming me what your race is, I don’t care what your reli- here. And to your Board of Trustees chair, gion is, I don’t care where you started out Marcia Tompkins, thank you for making me in life. We’re going to join arm in arm and feel welcome here. I know we have three go across that bridge together. people who are trying to go to the Congress, Will you help me build that bridge to the George Stuart, John Byron, and Al Krulick; 21st century? thank you for coming. I hope you’ll support Thank you, and God bless you all. Thank these programs and tell people you do. you. I want to thank Bob Koch and Tom Chris- tian for speaking here first, to talk along with NOTE: The President spoke at 10:32 a.m. at the Convention Center. In his remarks, he referred Dr. Kinser about the work that Valencia has to Henry J. Lyons, president, and his wife, Debo- done with AT&T, with Lucent, with the rah, Roscoe D. Cooper, Jr., general secretary, and IBEW Local 2000, all working together. That his wife, Crystal, T.J. Jemison, past president, is how I think America ought to work, and

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that’s why I’m here today. America ought to air rhetoric of American politics of who’s to work more like you work in this community blame and focus more on what to do, what college. You are truly building that bridge are we going to do to move this country for- to the 21st century that I talked to the Amer- ward. And I just want to talk very briefly ican people about in Chicago last week. about two things that are very important, the You know, I spent a wonderful several days focus of the work of the community college: before and after the Democratic National the economy and education. Convention first on a train going through The first thing we have to do is we have West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, to keep this economic growth going. We and Indiana, and then on a bus going through know that there are business cycles that go Missouri and Illinois and Kentucky and Ten- up and down, but we also know that coun- nessee before I went back home. And I saw tries have periods where they’re growing and all kinds of people there. If you get out on periods when they’re not. And we had too the back roads of America and you go to long when too many people worked harder places that normally Presidents don’t visit, and harder and harder just to hang on by you see the people that really deserve to be their fingernails, just to barely support their worked for and fought for. But you can also kids, never getting a raise, never looking for- see them if you go to any community college ward to a better future. in the United States of America, because We now have seen not only 101⁄2 million that’s where our——[applause]. new jobs but record numbers of new busi- Community colleges represent what I nesses formed and wages finally going up think America ought to be, because it is op- again for the first time in a decade. We need portunity for all, no matter who you are or to keep that going. That’s what we have to what your background is. People are, by defi- keep going. We need to make sure—and that nition, responsible because no one’s giving means that we have to have the right kind you anything except a chance. And there is of conditions, first of all, in which our econ- a real community, that is, people band to- omy can grow. And I’ll just mention two or gether across the lines that too often divide three. us, across lines of race, religion, gender, First of all, I want to mention something economy, you name it. All you’ve got to do that every political consultant that I ever is show up and play by the rules, and you’re talked to says never works. They say, for years part of this community. That’s the way Amer- I’ve been told, ‘‘Oh, Bill, don’t talk about the ica ought to work; that’s the way I want deficit except when the economy is bad. America to work in the 21st century. When the economy is bad people really This strategy is working. Just today we worry about the deficit. When the economy learned that we had more good economic is good they could give a riff about it; it bores news, 250,000 more new jobs for Americans them. They want to hear about tax cuts.’’ in the month of July. That means we have Well, what I want to tell you is the reason now seen the American economy produce, the economy is good is because this is the since January of 1993, 101⁄2 million new jobs. first administration since before the Civil The national unemployment rate, the na- War that brought the deficit down in every tional rate is now 5.1 percent, the lowest in year, bringing interest rates down, making in- 71⁄2 years. This country is moving in the right vestment possible, making the economy direction. We’re on the right track for the grow. 21st century. It is imperative that we stay on this path I think it’s very important to me that you to balancing the budget, because we’ve got understand that one of the reasons we’ve to keep the interest rates down so we can been able to create the conditions and give have more companies affording to borrow Americans the tools to make the most of their the money to invest, to build the new facili- own lives is that I have tried to change the ties, to create the new jobs, to raise the in- way our national politics work so that it would comes; not to mention the fact that if interest work more like you work here. I want to rates are down, for you that means lower move beyond what I consider to be the hot- home payments, car payments, and interest

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rate payments. So it’s very important; we’ve ment while you’re growing the economy, got to keep the economy going. whether it’s in agriculture or industry, The second thing we have to do is to have through research. The Internet, something tax cuts that are paid for, therefore, as Gov- a lot of you use regularly now, you should ernor Chiles said. That’s why, yes, I want tax know is the product of Government research. cuts for education, for childrearing, for peo- It was first developed in a Government re- ple to save in an IRA and be able to withdraw search project. Then when it had commercial tax-free for education or buying a new home potential, the Government did exactly what or a health care emergency. But we’ve got should be done. The Government got out of to pay for them. They have to be paid for it, let the private sector run it so it could in the context of balancing the budget. And grow in the proper way. that’s the critical distinction here. We are now building with IBM—I heard Now, the third thing we have to do is to you talking about the computer chip and the invest enough money on your behalf, for you transistor capacity—we are building with as a country, to grow the economy. That IBM a supercomputer that will be finished means we have to invest in research. That in a few years that, when finished, will have means we have to invest in education. And the capacity to do in one second the number let me just give you a couple of examples of calculations it would take you on a hand- that would really affect Florida. held calculator 30,000 years to do. I think if we build a bridge to the 21st So I say to you, when people tell you that century that’s the right kind of bridge, it will the Government’s all bad and all that, just be very much a bridge that will keep America remember, research is an important part of on the cutting edge of all the latest invest- our common future. Technology is an impor- ments in new technology. That means we tant part of our common future. You are have to keep the economy growing with projects like the proposed high-speed rail going to be trained here for jobs—when I project here in Florida. And I support that, look at Christy talking—for jobs that some and I will do what I can to continue to sup- day in the past were just a gleam in some- port it with flexibility, with resources, with one’s eye, were just part of someone’s imagi- cutting redtape. The Lieutenant Governor nation. And the young people in this audi- talks to me about that every time I see him. ence, within a decade, will be doing jobs that I haven’t yet wanted to run away from him have not been invented yet. Some of them when I see him because I don’t get tired of will be doing jobs that have not even been hearing about it, but these are important is- imagined yet. So we have to keep the econ- sues. I’ll give you another example. omy growing. We have to continue to invest money in The second thing we have to do, if you research. A lot of you were very moved I’m look out across this sea of students here, is sure at our convention when Christopher we have to find a way to grow together and Reeve gave that passionate speech about re- to give, with all of our diversity, everybody search. But let me tell you, we now have for who is willing to work for it a chance to live the first time ever laboratory animals that up to their own God-given capacity. And were—sustained serious spinal cord injuries there is no other way to do it except through that were paraplegic that had nerve trans- education; there is no other way to do it. plants, and for the first time ever moved their There is no shortcut. lower limbs. The boundaries of medical re- Now, it is true that in the last 4 years we’ve search are enormous. In the last 4 years re- tried to do a lot, everything from expanding search and the more rapid movement of Head Start to helping the schools do a better drugs to market has more than doubled, job, to lowering the cost and improving the more than doubled in only 4 years the life repayment terms on college loans and saving expectancy of people with HIV and AIDS— the education programs, especially the finan- way more than doubled, in only 4 years. cial aid programs, from the assault of the We are making breathtaking discoveries in Congress in the last budget. We did do that, what can be done to preserve the environ- but we have to do more.

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And let me just say, I want to mention and quantity, to the information that the chil- three or four things that I think are very im- dren in the wealthiest districts in America portant. One involves our younger children. have. It has never happened before. This is Forty percent of the 8-year-olds in this coun- an enormously significant thing. And it could try can still not read on their own. And that democratize education in a way we never is wrong. It is very hard for people to get have been able to do before. And if we do where you are today unless they can learn all those things, that’s important. Then you what they’re supposed to learn at each step would have—every 8-year-old would be able along the way. Yes, it’s true that you may to read, every 12-year-old could log in on be—a lot of you probably are nontraditional the Internet, and high school graduates all students or considerably—maybe you’re in over America could be expected to meet the your late twenties, your thirties, your forties, same high standards. your fifties, maybe even in your sixties, It’s still not enough, you and I know. If maybe even older, but you have to learn what you just look at the census or you look at you’re supposed to learn at each step along your own experience—do we need a doctor the way. here? We’re okay? I asked my medical team One of the things that I think is very im- to show up here. That’s the Presidential serv- portant to do in building that bridge to the ice; we carry people everywhere. [Laughter] 21st century in the next 4 years is to mobilize But let me say, it’s not enough. We already a corps of reading mentors—from know. You wouldn’t be here if you didn’t AmeriCorps volunteers, from work-study know this, but let me tell you, I first saw students in college, from others that we can it when I reviewed the 1990 Census, which bring in and pay for—to get other volunteers, may look like a boring document to a lot of up to a million volunteers to make sure that people, but it tells you what’s happening to every 8-year-old can read on his or her own America. It took my breath away to see how by the year 2000, every single one. That’s the earnings of our people were dividing by important. education, not by race, not by region, not The second thing that I think it’s important by anything, by education. to get—this goes back to technology and re- And we know now that people who have search and some work that I have seen done a community college degree are likely to get by AT&T and by Bell Atlantic and others in jobs in industries with a good future, with other school districts in the country—but it’s the prospect of a growing income. We also very important to understand what the know that people who don’t, who have less, Internet means in terms of education of chil- are likely not to. So I say to you we can’t dren. We are trying to, right now, we’ve had build the bridge to the future we want and a project going where we’ve had 100,000 give everybody a chance unless we say we teachers teaching 500,000 more how to make want to make it possible for every person to the most of computers in the classroom. And go to a community college, and we’re going we are working to get every school the com- to make 2 years of education after high puters that they need, good educational soft- school just as universal in 4 years as a high ware, and trained teachers. school diploma is today. And I want you to But it’s very important to understand that help me do that. if you do all of that and you can hook up If we provide a refundable tax credit of every classroom and library in America to the up to $1,500 a year, we can cover the costs Internet by the year 2000, it will make it pos- through a tax cut of the tuition at the typical sible for the first time in American history— community college in any State in the coun- think about this—for the children in the most try, and we can revolutionize access to com- isolated rural districts in the mountains of munity college. That’s what I want. That’s Appalachia or in the far plains of North Da- my idea of the Hope Scholarship. And it is kota and the children in the most isolated modeled on a program I saw in Georgia and inner-city urban areas in the poorest school on a more limited thing we tried to do at districts to have access in the same way at home when I was Governor of Arkansas. I the same time, at the same level of quality just think we ought to say, okay, you get out

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of high school, you get into community col- ple—from welfare to work since I’ve been lege, here’s your tax credit, we’ll pay your President. Now we passed the welfare reform way; you’ve just got to do a good job, keep bill that says, we’ll give you health care, we’ll your grades up, and keep going, and we’ll give you nutrition, we’ll give you child care, see you through it. For those who go on, let but if you’re able-bodied, you have to go to me say again, I think we ought to have a work. Now there has to be work for those tax deduction of up to $10,000 a year for the folks to do. We have to work on making sure cost of any education after high school. that we create those jobs for people who have For people who lose their jobs and who lower skills and that we don’t block them off are underemployed, who used to have to from coming back to community college or wonder whether they were eligible or not for doing other things that will raise their skills. some Government training program, I pro- I will say again, we have to find a way to pose collapsing—because nearly every Amer- grow the economy while protecting the envi- ican is within driving distance of a commu- ronment. We still have 10 million of our chil- nity college—I propose collapsing all these dren living within 4 miles of toxic waste different Government training programs into one big block and saying, if you’re eligible dumps. Even though we’ve cleaned up more because you’re unemployed or grossly under- in the last 3 years than we did in the previous employed, we’ll give you a skills grant and 12, I want to do better. If we clean up the you can take it where you want. You’re all two-thirds worst then we can say, our chil- within driving distance of a community col- dren are growing up next to parks, not poi- lege; go get it. son, and we’re growing the economy while There are many other things that we have we’re doing it. And I want you to help me to do to build that bridge to the 21st century. do that. That’s important. We have to make it possible for families to Again I will say, we have to grow the econ- succeed at home and at work. That’s why I’m omy and we have to grow together through for an IRA that you can contribute to and educational opportunity and through a belief withdraw without penalty for education, for that the country ought to run the way a com- the first-time home buying, for medical munity college runs. You have no ideal how emergency. That’s why I don’t think people much time I have to spend as your President should ever have to pay taxes when they sell on foreign policy problems that arise because a home and they buy another one, on the people in other parts of the world insist upon gain. That’s why I believe that we have to hating each other because of their religious, do more to expand the Family and Medical their racial, their ethnic, or their tribal dif- Leave Act so parents can take a little time ferences. off from work to go to their children’s parent- And if you look around at America now, teacher conference. I think these things are look around this room—I’ve told many peo- important. ple, when the Olympics came to Atlanta and We have to find a way—we have had 4 we had people there from 197 different na- years of declining crime rates. It has been tional and ethnic groups, our biggest county, a long time since America has done that. But Los Angeles County, had over 150 of those we need 4 more, and after 4 more years, if we could put together 8 years of declining groups represented in one American county. crime rates, it might finally be down to a This is not a country where we define our- bearable level. We have to keep putting these selves by our race, our religion, our ethnic police officers on the street. We have to keep group. Everybody is welcome here who be- finding ways to keep our kids out of trouble lieves in the Constitution and is willing to and giving them things to say yes to, not just stand up and work for what’s right. things to say no to. We have to keep working Will you help me build that bridge to the on that. 21st century? [Applause] I want you to help We have to find a way not just to talk about because you represent where we all need to welfare reform but to do it. Now, we’ve go. moved 1.8 million people—1,800,000 peo- Thank you, and God bless you.

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NOTE: The President spoke at 12:03 p.m. in the NATO has also been making great strides in college gymnasium. In his remarks, he referred its preparations for enlargement, holding in- to electronics engineering student Christy tensive consultations on the requirements Grabowski; Paul Kinser, provost, west campus, and responsibilities of membership with Valencia Community College; Bob Koch, vice president for operations, Lucent Technologies; many of Europe’s emerging new democ- and Tom Christian, president, International racies. Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2000. I believe that NATO heads of government should meet in the spring or early summer of next year to take the next decisive steps. Statement on the 1997 North Atlantic This summit would invite the first group of Treaty Organization Summit aspiring NATO members to begin accession September 6, 1996 talks to bring them into the Alliance. It would announce a major enhancement of the Part- Today, at my request, Secretary of State nership For Peace. It would also finalize Christopher called for a NATO summit next work in adapting the NATO military struc- year to take the next steps on adapting and ture to provide a more distinctive European enlarging the NATO Alliance and preparing role with full Allied participation. Finally, the it for the 21st century. summit would, we hope, confirm establish- At the last NATO summit in Brussels in ment of a broad and deep NATO-Russia January 1994, my fellow NATO heads of gov- partnership for the long term. ernment and I set out an ambitious agenda I call on my fellow NATO heads of govern- to adapt NATO to the opportunities and ment to join with me in this endeavor. To- challenges of the new century. We agreed gether, we can make this summit the most that NATO would take on new roles and mis- historic and forward-looking in the history of sions in pursuit of peace. We agreed to our NATO Alliance, furthering our vision of strengthen the European pillar of the Alli- an undivided Europe, and building a bridge ance to promote greater European respon- of peace and security, democracy and pros- sibility and burdensharing. And we agreed perity to the 21st century. to reach out to Europe’s new and emerging democracies through creation of the Partner- ship For Peace and by moving, steadily and deliberately, to add new members to the Alli- ance. We were determined to end the cold Digest of Other war division of Europe and create, for the first time in history, a Europe united in White House Announcements peace, democracy, and free market prosper- ity. The results are impressive: NATO already The following list includes the President’s public has taken on new roles and missions. The schedule and other items of general interest an- Alliance’s successful IFOR operation in nounced by the Office of the Press Secretary and Bosnia, undertaken with broad participation not included elsewhere in this issue. by non-NATO members, has brought peace to that beleaguered country. NATO is re- shaping its military side to make it better able August 31 to take on new missions while strengthening In the morning, the President and Hillary the European defense role within the Alli- Clinton, continuing a weekend campaign bus ance. We are continuing to deepen and en- tour, traveled from Paducah, KY, to Troy and hance the Partnership For Peace, which has Dyersburg, TN. In the afternoon, they trav- created unprecedented links between NATO eled to Covington, TN. and the nations of Central and Eastern Eu- In the evening, the President and Hillary rope and the former Soviet Union. And we Clinton traveled to Memphis, TN, ending a are intensifying our efforts to build a strong weekend campaign bus tour. Later, they trav- partnership between NATO and Russia. eled to Little Rock, AR.

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September 1 In the morning, the President attended a In the morning, the President had tele- reception for Representative Tim Johnson at phone conversations with the following world the Hay Adams Hotel. leaders concerning the situation in northern Iraq: Prime Minister John Major of Great September 5 In the morning, the President traveled to Britain, King Fahd of Saudi Arabia, King Tampa, FL. In the afternoon, he traveled to Hussein of Jordan, President Hosni Mubarak Miami, and then to Bal Harbour, FL. of Egypt, and President Jacques Chirac of In the evening, the President attended a France. Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee reception at the Sheraton Bal Harbour September 2 Hotel. Later, he traveled to Orlando, FL. In the morning, the President attended a The President announced he will award breakfast with members of the National Bap- the Presidential Medal of Freedom at a tist Association of America at the Excelsior White House ceremony on September 9 to Hotel in Little Rock, AR. Later, he traveled the following individuals: Joseph Cardinal to Green Bay and DePere, WI. Bernardin, James Brady, Millard Fuller, In the afternoon, while in DePere, the David Hamburg, John H. Johnson, Eugene President had a telephone conversation with Lang, Jan Nowak-Jezioranski, Antonia President Jacques Chirac of France concern- Pantoja, Rosa Parks, Ginetta Sagan, and ing the situation in northern Iraq. Later in Morris Udall. the afternoon, the President returned to Green Bay, where he visited the Green Bay September 6 Packers football team at Lambeau Field. He In the afternoon, the President attended then traveled to Milwaukee, WI. a reception and luncheon for the Democratic In the evening, the President returned to National Committee and the Florida Demo- Washington, DC. cratic Party at Church Street Station. Later, Both upon his arrival in Milwaukee, WI, he traveled to Panama City, FL, where he and while en route to Washington, DC, the addressed the students of Gulf Coast Com- President had telephone conversations with munity College. Chief of Staff Leon E. Panetta and National In the evening, the President attended a Security Adviser Anthony Lake concerning reception for Representative Pete Peterson the situation in northern Iraq. in the Bay Gulf Franklin Room at Gulf Coast Community College. Later, he returned to September 3 Washington, DC. In the morning, the President had tele- The President declared a major disaster in phone conversations with House Speaker North Carolina and ordered Federal aid to Newt Gingrich, Senate majority leader Trent supplement recovery efforts in the areas Lott, Senate minority leader Thomas A. struck by Hurricane Fran beginning on Sep- Daschle, House minority leader Richard A. tember 5 and continuing. The President also Gephardt, and Republican Presidential instructed Federal Emergency Management nominee Bob Dole concerning the situation Agency Director James Lee Witt and a team in northern Iraq. of senior administration officials to travel to The President announced the reappoint- the region to assess damage and to ensure ment of Mary Lucille Jordan as Chair and that all necessary Federal aid begins to flow member of the Federal Mine Safety and to the region immediately. Health Review Commission. Ms. Jordan will The President declared a major disaster in serve as a recess appointee. Virginia and ordered Federal aid to supple- ment recovery efforts in the area struck by September 4 Hurricane Fran and associated severe storm In the morning, the President was treated conditions, including high winds, tornadoes, by Bethesda Naval Hospital dermatologists wind-driven rain, and river and flash flood- who performed a simple outpatient proce- ing, beginning on September 5 and continu- dure in the White House. ing.

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The President announced his intention to appointed during the last recess of the Sen- nominate Alan H. Flanigan to be Deputy Di- ate. rector for Supply Reduction at the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Submitted September 5

Donald M. Middlebrooks, of Florida, to be a United States District Judge for the Southern District of Florida, Nominations vice James W. Kehoe, retired. Submitted to the Senate

The following list does not include promotions of members of the Uniformed Services, nominations Checklist to the Service Academies, or nominations of For- eign Service officers. of White House Press Releases

Submitted September 3 The following list contains releases of the Office of the Press Secretary that are neither printed as Wyche Fowler, Jr., items nor covered by entries in the Digest of of Georgia, to be Ambassador Extraordinary Other White House Announcements. and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to Released August 31 which position he was appointed during the last recess of the Senate. Statement by Press Secretary Mike McCurry on the Iraqi attack on Irbil John E. Higgins, Jr., of Maryland, to be a member of the National Released September 1 Labor Relations Board for the term of 5 years Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- expiring August 27, 2001, vice Charles I. retary Mike McCurry and Clinton/Gore ’96 Cohen, resigned, to which position he was Press Secretary Joe Lockhart appointed during the last recess of the Sen- ate. Released September 2 Mary Lucille Jordan, Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- of Maryland, to be a member of the Federal retary Mike McCurry Mine Safety and Health Review Commission for a term of 6 years expiring August 30, 2002 Released September 3 (reappointment), to which position she was Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- appointed during the last recess of the Sen- retary Mike McCurry and NSC Senior Di- ate. rector for Near Eastern and South Asian Af- Heidi H. Schulman, fairs Mark Parris on the situation in Iraq of California, to be a member of the Board Statement by Press Secretary Mike McCurry of Directors of the Corporation for Public on the second strike against Iraqi air defense Broadcasting for a term expiring January 31, sites 2002, vice Martha Buchanan, resigned, to Statement by Press Secretary Mike McCurry which position she was appointed during the on the inauguration of Liberian Council of last recess of the Senate. State Chairperson Ruth Perry Kevin L. Thurm, Released September 4 of New York, to be Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services, vice Walter D. Transcripts of press briefings by Press Sec- Broadnax, resigned, to which position he was retary Mike McCurry

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Released September 5 Acts Approved Statement by Press Secretary Mike McCurry by the President announcing the Presidential Medal of Free- dom award ceremony on September 9

Announcement of nomination for U.S. Dis- NOTE: No acts approved by the President were trict Judge for the Southern District of Flor- received by the Office of the Federal Register ida during the period covered by this issue. Released September 6 Transcripts of press briefings by Press Sec- retary Mike McCurry

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