Mar. 12 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993
sense of fairness and your unwavering drive to ter] It’s an experience I’ve already had, I’m glad help others to do better. You showed us that to say. That is the condition upon which you your career in public service, working on the accepted my nomination and the only kind of frontlines in your community, fighting crime, Attorney General that I would want serving in understanding the impact on victims and on this Cabinet. neighborhoods, mending the gritty social fabric As Janet Reno begins her work at the Justice of a vibrant but troubled urban area, is excellent Department, she will enter a building that sym- preparation for carrying forward the banner of bolizes our Nation’s commitment to justice, to justice for all the American people. equality, to the enforcement of our laws. On You’ll help to guide the Federal Government the side of that building, carved above one of to assist State and local law enforcement in ways the portals, is the inscription, ‘‘The halls of jus- that really count. You demonstrated that you tice are a hallowed place.’’ With Janet Reno will be a formidable advocate for the vulnerable serving as our Nation’s Attorney General, those people in our society and especially for our chil- words will have great meaning for all Americans. dren. Most of all, you proved to the Nation that NOTE: The President spoke at 9:21 a.m. in the you are a strong and an independent person Roosevelt Room at the White House. Following who will give me your best legal judgment the President’s remarks, Justice Byron White ad- whether or not it’s what I want to hear. [Laugh- ministered the oath of office.
Remarks to the Crew of the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt March 12, 1993
Thank you very much, Captain. I know that mander in Chief it’s immensely reassuring to I won’t be able to see all of you now, but me to know that the United States is served I’ve seen as many as I could, and I’ve shaken by people of such high quality and such great hands with a lot of you. I’ve also reviewed your dedication. The Secretary of Defense, Les mission and been very impressed with it. Aspin, and the others who are here in my com- I want to recognize the presence on the ship pany have already learned a great deal and see of the 1992 Sailor of the Year, Donald Leroy a lot that we admire and that we like. I thank Heffentrager; as well as the First Class Petty you for your service to the country, and I look Officer of the Quarter, Gary Neff; the Senior forward to the remainder of my stay here. And Petty Officer of the Quarter, Gregory Ham; the I wish you well on your deployment. Junior Petty Officer of the Quarter, Jason McCord; and the Blue Jacket of the Quarter, NOTE: The President spoke at 1:40 p.m. in the Airman Todd Pearson. Carrier Intelligence Center aboard the ship. A I’ve been very impressed with everything I’ve tape was not available for verification of the con- seen and with all the people I’ve met. As Com- tent of these remarks.
Remarks to the Crew of the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt March 12, 1993
Thank you very much, Secretary Aspin, Admi- ple who came in my party, including the distin- ral Miller, Admiral Johnson, Captain Bryant, guished Members of the United States Congress Captain Moore, Colonel Schmidt, General Keys, who are here. This has been a wonderful day and to all of you here on the crew of the Theo- for us, and we thank you. dore Roosevelt. I think I can speak for the peo- I am honored to be here. As many of you
280
VerDate 11-MAY-2000 09:59 Oct 16, 2000 Jkt 190399 PO 00000 Frm 00280 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 D:\DOCS\PAP_TEXT APPS10 PsN: PAP_TEXT Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Mar. 12
know, it is a great blessing and a great honor distinction during the Gulf war, where many to be elected President of the United States. of you served as well. And today we should But there is no greater honor in the office than recall that three of this ship’s crew gave the being the Commander in Chief of the finest last full measure of their devotion toward that Armed Forces in the world today and the finest victory. America has ever known. But the Theodore Roosevelt was part of his- Our Armed Forces are more than the back- tory even earlier. In 1988, it was here that an bone of our security. You are the shining model American Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of our American values: dedication, responsibil- first welcomed his Soviet counterpart to visit ity, a willingness to sacrifice for the common an American aircraft carrier. When my friend good and for the interests and the very existence Admiral William Crowe and Marshal Sergey of this country. Our Armed Forces today stand Akhromeyev stepped aboard this ship together as one of modern history’s great success stories. Look at this crew, reflecting every color, every to meet the crew and watch flight operations, background, every region of our society. I might as I have done here today, it was a key mile- say it’s been a special pleasure to me to meet stone on the road to the end of the cold war. at least six people from my home State of Ar- Now, less than 5 years later, the world has kansas here today. I’m sure there are more of changed faster than anyone on board then could you here that I haven’t met. have possibly imagined. The cold war is over. The American military pioneered our Nation’s The Soviet Union itself no longer exists. The progress toward integration and equal oppor- Warsaw Pact is gone. The specter of Soviet tunity. It is America’s most effective education tanks rolling westward across the north German and training system. It’s constantly asked to plain no longer haunts the United States. adapt to change and always, always, you have Yet this world remains a very dangerous place. risen to the challenge. All who wear America’s Saddam Hussein confirmed that. The tragic vio- uniforms are what makes the United States of lence in Bosnia today reminds us of that every America a true superpower and a genuine force day. The proliferation of nuclear and other for peace and democracy in the world. weapons of mass destruction is a growing men- Yes, this carrier can extend our reach. These ace, unfortunately, not a receding one, to peace- planes can deliver our might. They are truly ful nations. And human suffering such as that extraordinary tools, but only because they are now being endured by the people of Somalia in the hands of you. It is your skill, your profes- may not threaten our shores, but still they re- sionalism, your courage, and your dedication to quire us to act. our country and to service that gives the muscle, Such challenges are new in many ways, but sinew, and the soul of our strength. And today, we dare not overlook the significance that they I’m proud to be here to salute you. I want pose to our new world. Blinders never provide to say a word about the Navy and to tell you security. A changed security environment de- what it means to me to have a ready fleet. When word of crisis breaks out in Washing- mands not less security but a change in our ton, it’s no accident that the first question that security arrangements. comes to everyone’s lips is, where is the nearest What is happening on this ship proves that carrier? This ship’s namesake, President Theo- it can be done. On this deployment you are, dore Roosevelt, once said, ‘‘The Navy of the as the Secretary of Defense noted, doing some- United States is the right arm of the United thing new. You’ve changed your crew and your States and is emphatically the peacemaker.’’ equipment to reflect the new challenges of the Theodore Roosevelt took special pride in our post-cold-war era. A squadron of sub-hunting Navy, and I do, too. All of you ought to know planes is gone, giving room to carry a contingent that he was the first American ever to win the of tough and versatile Marines, enabling you Nobel Prize. He won the Nobel Peace Prize to address new potential challenges such as for his role in settling a war between Russia evacuations or taking control of troubled ports. and Japan in the first decade of this century, You have the services working together in new in part due to the contributions of the United ways. That enables you to operate perhaps with States Navy. fewer ships and personnel but with greater effi- This impressive ship, not yet 10 years old, ciency and effectiveness. This isn’t downsizing already has an impressive history, serving with for its own sake. It’s rightsizing for security’s
281
VerDate 11-MAY-2000 09:59 Oct 16, 2000 Jkt 190399 PO 00000 Frm 00281 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 D:\DOCS\PAP_TEXT APPS10 PsN: PAP_TEXT Mar. 12 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993
sake. Defense spending has been declining ever The changes on board the Theodore Roosevelt since 1986. But I believe we have not had a preview the changes I believe we must pursue strong enough plan for what to do with the throughout our military. We must keep, how- new defense we are building and with those ever, a few core ideas in mind as we pursue who contributed to the old defense; an insuffi- those changes. Our military must be exception- cient plan for military personnel who muster ally mobile, with first-rate sealift, airlift, and the out; an insufficient plan for civilian workers who ability to project power. And there is no more made the wonderful weapons that helped us awesome example of that than the fearsome to dominate the world who now have lost their striking power that can be launched from the jobs; an insufficient plan for the communities deck of this mighty ship. that have been devastated or for the companies Our military must also be agile, with an em- that have been hurt. phasis on maneuver, on speed, on technological superiority. That’s exactly what the special pur- We cannot repeal the laws of change. After pose Marine air ground task force you have on all, you and those who preceded you in uniform board is all about. Our fire power must be pre- worked so hard, fought so hard, and many died cise, so that we can minimize the exposure to so that the cold war could be won and we harm for the men and women who wear our could rely less on defense and focus more of uniforms and reduce civilian casualties where our resources on building our economy here we must act. at home. But still, we must act boldly to deal Our military increasingly needs to be flexible with the consequences of the changes we face. so that we can cooperate with diverse coalition That’s why it’s so important to make the invest- partners in very different parts of the world. ments we need in defense conversion and the And we must be smart, with the intelligence education and training in new jobs and new and communications we need for the complex industries but also to continue to make the in- threats we face. And I might say I was deeply vestments we need in the defense that must impressed with a wide array of communications be there for the United States and for the world equipment that many of you showed me today. tomorrow. Above all else, we must always be ready, given As you follow the news of these events during the unpredictability of new threats. your voyage, while our voyage back home into None of these goals are possible unless we this great debate is taking place, I ask you to have a quality force. You, the crew of this ship, remember this: As your Commander in Chief, exemplify that quality with your skills, your ex- I am immensely proud of who you are, what perience, your training, and your dedication, you stand for, and what you are doing. As these many of you at astonishingly young ages. You changes proceed, I pledge to you that as long have shown me that you know how to get the as I am President, you and the other men and job done. I know our Nation can now have women in uniform of this country will continue confidence that America’s vital interests are well protected. to be the best trained, the best prepared, the While all of you from the grapes on the roof best equipped, and the strongest supported to the aviators in the ready rooms, to the snipes fighting force in the world. There is no single in the holes, while you carry out your missions decision I take more seriously than decisions so far from home over the next few months, involving the use of force. As I weigh crises we back at home will be engaged in a raging that confront America around the world, you debate about defense policy. As you watch the will be in my mind and in my heart. news on CNN or read the newspapers that are This is a hopeful time, yet one still full of delivered here to your ship, you will hear us challenges. It is uncertain, and therefore, we talk of roles and missions. You will see news are glad that missions such as this, while not about bases and budgets. But as we reduce de- darkly framed by the cold war confrontation fense spending, we will not leave the men and with a nuclear adversary, are still smartly fo- the women who helped to win the cold war cused on the challenges we might face in the out in the cold. As bases close, and they must, days ahead. Many new duties and dangers are we must not close our eyes and hearts to the taking place. And there is no clear direction need for new investments to create opportuni- for what things we all might have to face in ties in the communities with the old bases. the future. There is no sonar that can enable
282
VerDate 11-MAY-2000 09:59 Oct 16, 2000 Jkt 190399 PO 00000 Frm 00282 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 D:\DOCS\PAP_TEXT APPS10 PsN: PAP_TEXT Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / Mar. 12
us to fathom all the changes in the terrain over This is a new and hopeful world but one which we are now setting sail. full of danger. I am convinced that your country, Napoleon had a standing order to his corps through you, has a historic role in trying to commanders to, quote, ‘‘March to the sound make sure that there is, after all, a new world of the guns.’’ He meant that when the shooting order, rooted in peace, dedicated to prosperity starts on a battlefield, it is the soldier’s obliga- and opportunity. tion to move into the fight. Well, today, there The American people have placed their faith are different security challenges into which we in you, and you have placed your life at the must march. And at times you who serve our service of your country. The faith is well placed, Nation in uniform may be called upon to answer and I thank you. not only the sound of guns but also a call of distress, a summons to keep the peace, even a cry of starving children. The calls will be more diverse, but our values remain unchanged. Our NOTE: The President spoke at 2:25 p.m. in the purposes remain clear. And your commitment hangar bay aboard the ship. In his remarks, he to serve remains the linchpin in every new and referred to Adm. Paul David Miller, USN, com- continuing effort. mander in chief, U.S. Atlantic Command; Adm. I know this has been a difficult day for many Jay L. Johnson, USN, commander, Carrier Group of you. It can’t be easy to leave family and 8; Capt. Stanley W. Bryant, USN, commanding friends for 6 months at sea, especially when officer, U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt; Capt. C.W. the challenges before us seem unclear, and Moore, USN, commander, Carrier Air Wing 8; when you wonder whether world events may Col. John W. Schmidt, USMC, commander, Spe- or may not place you in harm’s way. But I cial Purpose Marine Air/Ground Task Force, hope you understand that your work is vitally U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt; and Gen. William M. important to the United States and to the Com- Keys, USMC, commander, Marine Forces Atlan- mander in Chief. tic.
Radio Address to the Armed Forces March 12, 1993
Good afternoon. I’m coming to you from Your work is often dangerous, even when aboard the United States ship Theodore Roo- times are quiet. Your day at the office can be sevelt, which left yesterday from Norfolk, Vir- 6 months or longer. And it’s not for the money, ginia, on a 6-month mission. What I’ve seen it’s always for the country. Because America’s on this ship today only increases my pride not Armed Forces are more than the backbone of only in the sailors and marines I met but also our security, you’re the shining model of our in every soldier, every sailor, every airman, every best values: dedication and responsibility and the marine who serves our Nation, from Rhein-Main willingness of you and your loved ones to bear Air Force Base in Germany, where Americans a tremendous level of sacrifice. You commit your are leaving to airdrop lifesaving supplies into daily energies and even your lives to benefit Bosnia, to Somalia, where our Armed Forces your fellow Americans. have served with great distinction and made Our armed services stand as one of history’s every American proud. great successes. Every color, every background, I’m honored to join you on Armed Forces every region of our society is represented in Radio. I’ve had many blessings this year: the America’s Armed Forces. The American military privilege of meeting Americans all across our pioneered our Nation’s progress toward integra- Nation, the opportunity to hear about their lives tion and equal opportunity. It’s America’s most and their dreams for our future, and of course, effective education and training system. It’s con- the opportunity to become the President of the stantly adapted to change and always rising to United States. But there is no greater honor the challenge of change. You, and all who wear than actually serving as America’s Commander in Chief.
283
VerDate 11-MAY-2000 09:59 Oct 16, 2000 Jkt 190399 PO 00000 Frm 00283 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 D:\DOCS\PAP_TEXT APPS10 PsN: PAP_TEXT