Administration of William J. Clinton, 1997 / Apr. 26 601

ing to Congress will expand their ability to wrote you. [Laughter] Just like every other reach more families. My balanced budget journalist, make all my memos public. also increases Head Start funding, to reach [Laughter] To Larry McQuillan, Arlene Dil- one million 3- and 4-year-olds, and expands lon, Jon Stewart, who will make us glad we title I to aid teaching and learning in class- came in a few moments, to all the distin- rooms and the Even Start Family Literacy guished head table guests, and ladies and Program. gentlemen. But it will take more than money to make I tried to fulfill Terry Hunt’s agenda as sure that all our children can read. It will President. Those are real notes I wrote him. take a commitment from our entire commu- And I will try to fulfill Larry’s agenda. I think nity. That’s why I’m pleased to announce that it’s terrible the conditions in which the White as part of the service summit, many of our House press corps labor. It really is. It re- major corporations and nonprofit organiza- minds me of Nurse Ratchet’s office in ‘‘One tions will help us to recruit tens of thousands Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.’’ [Laughter] of additional tutors for America Reads. One And it’s really a tribute to the futility of a hundred sixty-six colleges all across America politician pandering to the press, because already have answered the challenge I issued that used to be an indoor swimming pool that in December and pledged thousands of their brought joy to FDR and JFK and Presidents students to be reading tutors. I thank them in between. Richard Nixon gave it to you. for their support. [Laughter] And he got such good press in Last summer in Wyandotte, Michigan, return. [Laughter] Maybe this is his final re- when I announced the America Reads pro- venge, the miserable conditions of it. We gram, I sat with two young children and read could uncover it, but let you keep it. [Laugh- ‘‘The Little Engine That Could,’’ a book that ter] I could build a cabana. Well, you think has taught countless children that they can about it. do anything they think they can. I want every Before I get into my jokes, I have some child in America to know that he or she can important, serious news. [Laughter] Senator read. And America Reads will make sure that Lott and I have broken the gridlock over the all those children can. budget. A deal now appears imminent. Mi- I hope some of you who are listening will raculously, the $56 billion—[applause]— consider being part of America Reads. After thank you—the $56 billion gap that has sepa- all, we need a million citizen servants, and rated Democrats and Republicans has been we’re not there yet. If you’re interested, call bridged. And ladies and gentlemen, we owe 1–800–USA–Learn, the Department of Edu- Senator Dole a huge debt of gratitude. cation’s hotline, or just contact your local ele- [Laughter] And the best part is, we don’t mentary school or library. have to start paying it back until 2005. All of us can help. All you really need to [Laughter] And that’s outside the budget do is roll up your sleeves, sit with a child, window. Bigger tax cuts, more money for the and open a book together. And remember, Justice Department, whatever—just sign up, you’ll be doing more than just reading, you’ll you can have it. [Laughter] You know, if I be writing an exciting new chapter in Ameri- had known Bob Dole was that generous, I’d ca’s progress. have invited him over for coffee. [Laughter] Thanks for listening. I want to congratulate awardees tonight: Byron Acohido who has come from so far NOTE: The President spoke at 10:06 a.m. from the Oval Office at the White House. away and did such good work; and then there are the local winners, Ron Fournier, Mara Liasson, Todd Purdum. Of course, I’m not Remarks at the White House familiar with any of your work, but I’m sure Correspondents’ Association Dinner it’s very good. But this Purdum guy’s name April 26, 1997 sounds familiar. Purdum, Purdum—I think I read it in the engagement announcements Thank you very much. Mr. Hunt, thank recently. Hillary and I congratulate Todd and you so much for reading the notes that I Dee Dee on their marriage next month.

VerDate 05-AUG-97 08:36 Aug 14, 1997 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\TEMP\P18AP4.028 pfrm09 602 Apr. 26 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1997

You know, Dee Dee and I started together mannequins mouthing contentious blather. on a little plane in New Hampshire, and we No wait, that’s the McLaughlin Group. made it all the way to the White House. Then [Laughter] she sort of strayed over to your side for a There is also an absolutely amazing collec- while, and I was kind of disappointed. Now tion of historical artifacts: C–SPAN’s gavel- she’s getting on a 747 and going to Beverly to-gavel etchings of the Constitutional Con- Hills. They grow up so fast, don’t they? vention; CNN’s very first ‘‘Crossfire’’, from [Laughter] the left Alexander Hamilton, from the right Oh, I got another serious thing I want to Aaron Burr, topic: gun control. [Laughter] talk about. Something that I know—really, There is an actual press corps travel manifest you all are on me about all the time. Many from Stage Coach One. Guess what, the film of you are distressed that you’re not notified they showed was ‘‘Fargo’’. [Laughter] The 30 in a timely fashion about breaking news, like people in the White House press corps are my knee breaking. And that’s valid, and I’ve laughing at that. [Laughter] been doing some work to make sure it never There are artifacts of contemporary Wash- happens again. In fact, in the spirit of re- ington journalism as well. There is the stack inventing Government that the Vice Presi- of Bibles upon which Joe Klein swore. dent has so indoctrinated me with, starting [Laughter] There is Johnny Apple’s expense tonight we have decided to give you advance reports, a transcript of Ann Rice’s interview notice of upcoming mishaps. [Laughter] with Bob Novak, the contract where Bob Mike McCurry has asked me to inform you Woodward insists on Robert Redford being of the following. While engaging in some vol- cast as him. [Laughter] There is a haunting unteer work tomorrow in Philadelphia, I will photograph from the 1961 White House Cor- be on the receiving end of a painful encoun- respondents’ dinner of young Brian Williams ter with a ball-peen hammer. [Laughter] And shaking hands adoringly with Chet Huntley. I will do my best to do it before your filing [Laughter] deadline at 5. On May 22d, I will be visiting And then there is a whole wing dedicated the home of Tiger Woods to celebrate his to historic scoops. For example, did you know recent victory in the Masters. Please be ad- that Helen Thomas broke the story about the vised: There is a loose brick on the patio. Lincoln Bedroom—while Lincoln was still [Laughter] On July 8, during the fifth inning sleeping in it. [Laughter] of the All Star game in Cleveland, I will at- However, the most important part of the tempt to catch a foul ball from Rafael museum is an exhibit which poses an utterly Palmeiro. Stay tuned. [Laughter] Look, Mark fascinating question, both contemporary and Knoller is running out to call his editor now. historical: How would current White House [Laughter] correspondents and columnists have covered I know we’re here to honor you tonight past Presidential administrations? Have you because of the work you do, but this dinner seen this? I mean, this is an incredible thing. is a pittance compared to the testament to In the exhibit, everyone in the current press your profession last week which opened its corps is making fun of Millard Fillmore’s doors, called the Newseum—the Newseum, name—that’s everyone except Wolf Blitzer. the Newseum. What really surprised me, for [Laughter] David Letterman keeps calling any event in Washington, this opening actu- William Howard Taft ‘‘Tubby’’ and Teddy ally got a lot of favorable press coverage. Roosevelt ‘‘Old Four Eyes.’’ [Laughter] [Laughter] Evidently, you journalists have a Maureen Dowd writes a column dismissing lot of friends in the media. [Laughter] the first Presidential election as politics as But there are a bunch of exhibits I’m dying usual. [Laughter] Sam Donaldson makes fun to see. I want to see the portrait gallery of of George Washington’s wooden teeth but unnamed sources—[laughter]—the Gergen completely ignores the obvious fact that he’s and Shields retrospective—[laughter]—the wearing a wig. [Laughter] The New York museum’s crown jewel, the hall of pundits. Times calls for a special counsel to look into [Laughter] Modeled after the Hall of Presi- George Washington’s winning campaign in dents at Disneyland, it features mechanized the Revolutionary War—because Lafayette

VerDate 05-AUG-97 08:36 Aug 14, 1997 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\TEMP\P18AP4.029 pfrm09 Administration of William J. Clinton, 1997 / Apr. 26 603

was French. And Barbara Walters asks the the future, so I want you to just forget about Father of our Country, ‘‘If you could chop the documents. [Laughter] down a tree, any tree at all, what kind of Now, we know how important technology tree would it be?’’ [Laughter] is to our future, and the White House has All right, now we’re going to tell some stuff always been the center of new technological on us. I know you give me grief from time developments, ever since John Adams occu- to time, but really we work around the clock pied it. There was the electric lights, the tele- trying to help you do your job. I mean, really, phone, the telegraph, the tape recorder— what other administration would make thou- [laughter]—and the Clapper—[laughter]— sands and thousands of internal memos and and, most recently, the computer. official documents available for your daily en- Now, just last week the Vice President and joyment? [Laughter] I used a computer in the Oval Office. I felt But you did miss a couple of good stories. like a kid who first got to drive; he actually Roll it in, boys; come here. Where are they? let me do some things on it. [Laughter] And Where are my documents? [Laughter] Come it’s clear that we are once again at the thresh- here! I hope no one is in contempt for ignor- old of a new era that will forever change the ing these. This is just a representative sam- way Presidents conduct matters at home and ple. You’ll have them all tomorrow. [Laugh- abroad. As of this week, I have been working ter] around the clock trying to balance the budget with Quicken. [Laughter] And I want you to Here’s a memo from Harold Ickes to consider this. In the post-cold-war era, the Leona Panetta: ‘‘Leon, FYI, Maxwell House introduction of the computer has raised a coffee is on sale this week for $3.49 a pound.’’ profound question: Whose finger do you [Laughter] Here’s a copy of a check we mis- want on the control-alt-delete button? takenly thought was a small campaign con- [Laughter] tribution from AT&T. It turns out that by You know what my favorite button is? F2, cashing it, we authorized a switch in our long search and replace. [Laughter] I have en- distance service. [Laughter] Here’s a memo joyed the daily press clips so much more outlining the DNC’s high donor program. It’s since I discovered F2. [Laughter] I read pretty embarrassing—business class up- them on-line now, and then I search and re- grades for Air Force One. Mr. Speaker, it place. Thanks for showing me that, Al. I could have been you. [Laughter] And let’s mean, after all—look, your news reports are see, here’s one: For $10,000, you can have just the first rough draft of history anyway, a private meeting with Vice President Gore and I’m just doing the F2 thing to do a little to discuss reinventing Government. And for editing. Let’s take some of the news stories $20,000, you don’t have to go. [Laughter] you’ve written just in the last month: F2, And this is the most embarrassing one of all, search for ‘‘budget standstill’’; replace with from the White House visitor log last year. ‘‘prosperity at home and peace abroad.’’ I can’t believe any of you missed this. It [Laughter] It’s better, isn’t it? It is. Search seems that during the period of time when for ‘‘beleaguered’’; replace with ‘‘Lincoln- the First Lady was recording her Grammy esque.’’ [Laughter] Search for ‘‘independent Award winning album, Milli Vanilli came to counsel’’; replace with ‘‘the ice cream man.’’ the White House 32 times. [Laughter] [Laughter] Now, I don’t know how this got in here. I’ll never forget how I found out about this This is a letter of acceptance to Chelsea, say- incredible device, search and replace. I ing that she will—from Chelsea, saying that walked into the Vice President’s office not she will attend—no, that’s privileged. very long ago, and he was there working on [Laughter] But look, the bad news is, our his computer—F2, search for Bill Clinton— only child is going off to college. The good [laughter]—I got there just in time. news is, it opens up another bedroom. James Thurber said that humor is one of [Laughter] our greatest and earliest national resources But now look, you all know I want a bridge that has to be preserved at all cost. Well, to the future, not the past. I’m interested in I hope we’ve saved a little up tonight and

VerDate 05-AUG-97 08:36 Aug 14, 1997 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\TEMP\P18AP4.029 pfrm09 604 Apr. 26 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 1997

enriched it. I thank you and come here to people who have made this possible and with honor your indispensable part in our lively all of you. I thank the people of Philadelphia 225-year-old experiment in democracy. May for being so good to me since 1992 and for we work together so that it continues to light being my friends and for giving me a chance and lead the world. to work with you to bring Philadelphia back. Tomorrow I’m going to Philadelphia, Thank you so much. I thank all your officials. where this great experiment began, to open I thank you wonderful Mayor. the Presidents’ Summit for America’s Fu- General Powell told me when he retired ture. We’ll gather there to renew the spirit from the United States Army as Chairman of service that built this country. Each of us of the Joint Chiefs of Staff that the one thing must serve; you in your way, me in mine. he wanted to do more than anything else was You can start right now—by busing your own to find a way to give every child in this coun- tables and helping with the dishes. [Laugh- try a chance at a good future, and I thank ter] Now, when Jon finishes, I’m going home. him for doing that. Thanks, and good night. [Laughter] I thank Colin and Alma. I thank George and Barbara Bush for their examples, Mrs. NOTE: The President spoke at approximately Bush with her literacy program, President 10:05 p.m. in the International Ballroom at the Bush for A Thousand Points of Light. I thank Washington Hilton Hotel. In his remarks, he re- President and Mrs. Carter for caring about ferred to White House Correspondents’ Associa- tion outgoing president Terence Hunt, Associated the children of this country, for the work Press, and incoming president Larry McQuillan, they’ve done with Habitat for Humanity and Reuters; Arlene Dillon, CBS News; comedian Jon for going all over the world to rid the children Stewart; Byron Acohido, Seattle Times; Ron of the world of dread diseases, to give them Fournier, Associated Press; Mara Liasson, Na- food to eat and a decent, humane place to tional Public Radio; Todd Purdum, New York grow up in. I thank all of you. Times; former Press Secretary Dee Dee Myers, But let’s face it—I want everybody to face Vanity Fair; Mark Knoller, CBS Radio; Joe Klein, it. Why are we here? We know that a lot author, ‘‘Primary Colors’’; Johnny Apple, New of us would be doing a lot of this anyway. York Times; author Ann Rice; syndicated col- There are a lot of wonderful volunteers in umnist Bob Novak; Bob Woodward, Washington Post; actor Robert Redford; Brian Williams, NBC America. Here’s why we’re here. This coun- News; Helen Thomas, United Press International; try has produced a lot of jobs in the last 4 Wolf Blitzer, Cable News Network; Sam Donald- years. The crime rate is going down; the wel- son and Barbara Walters, ABC News. fare rolls are going down. But we’re still los- ing too many kids to crime, to drugs, to not having a decent income in their home, and Remarks at the Kickoff of the to not having a bright future. And we’re here President’s Summit for America’s because we don’t think we have to put up Future in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with it, and we believe together we can April 27, 1997 change it. Isn’t that right? [Applause] I’m here because I want the young people The President. Thank you. Thank you out here to grow up in an America that is very much. Good morning! even greater than the America I grew up in. Audience members. Good morning! That is the eternal dream and promise, and The President. Are you ready to go to every one of you deserves that. I’m here be- work? cause, frankly, I believe that as children of Audience members. Yes! God, we can never fulfill our own ambitions The President. Are you warmed up? until we help our brothers and sisters to fulfill Audience members. Yes! theirs. The President. Have you heard all the I’m here because I want to redefine the speeches you want to hear? meaning of citizenship in America. I want Audience members. Yes! the children here, starting next week, and all I want to just say—let me say, first of all, over America—if you’re asked in school, how grateful I am to be here with all the what does it mean to be a good citizen, I

VerDate 05-AUG-97 08:36 Aug 14, 1997 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 E:\TEMP\P18AP4.029 pfrm09