June 3 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1998

NOTE: The President spoke at 4:45 p.m. at the Senate; Michael Coleman, candidate for Lieuten- Cleveland Playhouse. In his remarks, he referred ant Governor, and his wife, Frankie; and Lee to Cuyahoga County Prosecuting Attorney Steph- Fisher’s wife, Peggy. anie Tubbs Jones; Mary Boyle, candidate for U.S.

Remarks at WETA’s ‘‘In Performance at the White House’’ June 3, 1998

First, welcome to the White House and to a voice of hardship and hope, of pain and tri- another year of celebrating the beauty, the umph. power, the diversity of American music. All our And as we’ll see tonight, ’s appeal music is an important part of our national herit- now embraces Americans of very many different age. We must and we’re going to do more to backgrounds and religious affiliations. Tonight celebrate it as we move forward toward the mil- we have with us people with great voices and lennium. great hearts: the Morgan State University Choir; We’ve had in this White House, since I’ve Phil Driscoll; Mickey Mangun and the Messiah been privileged to be here, music and clas- Singers from Louisiana; and our terrific mistress sical music, and rock music, of ceremonies, CeCe Winans. . We’ve had just about every- CeCe has an extraordinary ability to blend the wide range of popular styles into traditional thing you can imagine. But tonight we celebrate gospels. She and her brother BeBe did a won- music that is truly an American gift. Wedded derful job at my Inaugural church service. She’s to the powerful message of faith and conviction, had a terrific career. She’s got a great gift. And gospel lifts our hearts and minds and soothes I am honored to welcome her here tonight to our souls, calms our spirits. begin this wonderful performance. Gospel grew out of the musical traditions of CeCe, come on out. Africa. Its roots were nourished by the blood, the sweat, the tears of millions of people who NOTE: The President spoke at 8:50 p.m. on the were held captive in slavery. Throughout this South Lawn at the White House. In his remarks, century, particularly during the civil rights era, he referred to musicians Phil Driscoll and Mickey the amazing grace of gospel music has been Mangun. The performance was videotaped for a sustaining force for countless Americans. It’s later broadcast on PBS television.

Remarks at the SAVER Summit June 4, 1998

First let me say a special word of thanks The most encouraging thing of all that was to the Members of Congress who are here and said to me, from a purely selfish point of view, especially those who sponsored the legislation was when the Speaker said, ‘‘If I got to be which created this summit. I thank Governor 50, I could look forward to living another 30 Allen and Secretary Herman for doing their sort years.’’ Yesterday I was in Cleveland, and I went of bipartisan introduction thing. I couldn’t help to an elementary school to see some work that wondering what all of us look like up here to some of the AmeriCorps volunteers are doing, all of you. [Laughter] I bet we look like a bunch and I was shaking hands with all these little of schoolboys in the spelling bee dying for the kids. And it really is true that they say the recess bell. [Laughter] But this has actually been darnedest things. And this young boy was 6 or rather—it’s been enlightening for me. 7 years old, maybe, a little bitty boy, and he

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