Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents

Monday, April 3, 2000 Volume 36—Number 13 Pages 633–689 Contents

Addresses and Remarks Joint Statements Gov. Frank O’Bannon, reception—644 Joint Statement by the Depositary States on Grand Canyon, radio remarks on sightseeing the 25th Anniversary of Entry Into Force flights—641 of the Biological and Toxin Weapons New York City Convention—638 Democratic National Committee dinners— United States-India Joint Leadership 678, 683 Statement on HIV/AIDS—633 Democratic National Committee luncheon—667 Meetings With Foreign Leaders Selfhelp Austin Street Senior Center—673 Egypt, President Mubarak—640 Pakistan, television address to the people of Pakistan from Islamabad—635 Proclamations Radio address—634 Representative Debbie Stabenow, reception— Cancer Control Month—685 641 Greek Independence Day: A National Day of South Carolina, reception for Representative Celebration of Greek and American James E. Clyburn in Columbia—661 Democracy—633 Communications to Congress Statements by the President Angola (UNITA), message transmitting report House action on the supplemental budget on the national emergency—639 request—678 Cuba, message transmitting report on OPEC production decision and the legislative telecommunications payments—639 agenda for energy security—641 Communications to Federal Agencies Regional Funding Conference for Southeast Europe—677 Census 2000—687 Russia, election of Vladimir Putin as Continued Commitment to the Javits-Wagner- President—638 O’Day Program, memorandum—660 Effect of Imports of Crude Oil on National Supplementary Materials Security, memorandum—634 Acts approved by the President—689 Interviews With the News Media Checklist of White House press releases—688 Exchange with reporters in the Oval Office— Digest of other White House 640 announcements—687 News conference, March 22 (No. 189)—646 Nominations submitted to the Senate—688

Editor’s Note: The Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents is also available on the Inter- net on the GPO Access service at http://www.gpo.gov/nara/nara003.html.

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. Week Ending Friday, March 31, 2000

United States-India Joint Leadership Planning for these efforts include: estab- Statement on HIV/AIDS lishing an HIV/AIDS resource center; estab- March 24, 2000 lishing a business coalition for employer- based HIV prevention activities with private The HIV/AIDS epidemic is not only an and public sector employers; supporting Indian problem, it is not only an American NGO activities for children affected by problem, it is a global crisis, threatening AIDS; and sensitizing journalists to HIV/ every country. It burdens our health systems, AIDS issues. our economies and, most importantly, the Science alone will not win the world’s lives of too many of our citizens. But the struggle against HIV/AIDS. This will require AIDS epidemic can be slowed, and ulti- leadership, which India and the United mately reversed by raising awareness, chang- States are determined to provide. We hereby ing behavior and developing new tech- commit our continued, personal involvement nologies including—eventually—a vaccine. to stopping AIDS in India, the United States, To that end, India and the United States and around the world. are working closely together, involving our NOTE: This item was not received in time for pub- public, academic, business and non-govern- lication in the appropriate issue. An original was mental sectors for the benefit of our nations, not available for verification of the content of this and the world. India and the United States joint statement. are home to some of the world’s finest sci- entists and facilities. We intend to expand collaborative research efforts in HIV/AIDS Proclamation 7283—Greek prevention. Together we are applying our na- Independence Day: A National Day tions’ substantial public health expertise and of Celebration of Greek and scientific capacities to fight the global American Democracy, 2000 pandemic. March 24, 2000 India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, through the National AIDS Control By the President of the United States Organization (NACO), which coordinates of America HIV/AIDS policy formulation and imple- ments prevention and control programs, has A Proclamation recently launched a new phase of its National Two thousand five hundred years ago, the AIDS Control Program. With a substantial birth of democracy in Greece ushered in one commitment from the Indian Government, of the true golden ages of Western civiliza- bolstered by additional resources from the tion. The flowering of political, social, and World Bank, USAID and other donors, artistic innovation in Greece served as the NACO is now working with State health au- source of many of our most treasured gifts— thorities and non-governmental organizations the philosophy of Plato and Socrates, the to reduce high-risk behaviors and increase plays of Sophocles and Aristophanes, the he- awareness in the general population. roic individualism that rings in the epic USAID is the major supporter of HIV/ poetry of Homer. AIDS prevention programs in Maharashtra But Ancient Greece’s greatest legacy is the and Tamil Nadu States. Additionally, the establishment of democratic government. United States (under its ‘‘LIFE’’ initiative) America’s founders were deeply influenced will support Indian efforts to prevent infec- by the passion for truth and justice that guid- tion, care for the affected, and build capacity. ed Greek political theory. In ratifying our 633 634 Mar. 24 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000

Constitution, they forever enshrined these of the Independence of the United States of principles in American law and created a sys- America the two hundred and twenty-fourth. tem of government based on the Hellenic William J. Clinton belief that the authority to govern derives di- rectly from the people. [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, While our democracy has its roots in 8:45 a.m., March 28, 2000] Greek thought, the friendship between our two nations flows from our shared values, NOTE: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on March 29. This item was not common goals, and mutual respect. This kin- received in time for publication in the appropriate ship with the Greek people was reflected in issue. the enthusiasm with which America em- braced modern Greece’s fight for independ- ence 179 years ago. Many Americans fought Memorandum on the Effect of alongside the Greeks, while stirring speeches Imports of Crude Oil on National by President James Monroe and Daniel Security Webster led the Congress to send funds and March 24, 2000 supplies to aid the Greeks in their struggle for freedom. Memorandum for the Secretary of Commerce Our alliance with Greece has remained Subject: The Effect of Imports of Crude Oil strong. Together we have stood up to the on National Security forces of oppression in conflicts from World War II to the Persian Gulf, we have joined I have reviewed and approved the findings as strategic partners in NATO, and we have of your investigative report titled ‘‘The Effect worked to build peace, stability, and pros- on the National Security of Imports of Crude perity in the Balkans. Through decades of Oil and Refined Petroleum Products’’ under challenge and change, our friendship has en- section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1862), that imports of dured and deepened, and together we have crude oil threaten to impair the national se- proved the fundamental truth of the Greek curity. Further, I accept your recommenda- proverb, ‘‘The passion for freedom never tion that trade remedies not be imposed, but dies.’’ that existing policies to enhance conservation That passion for freedom has also beck- and limit the dependence on foreign oil be oned generations of Greek men and women continued. Indeed, we have already proposed to America’s shores, and today we celebrate additional tax credits to promote renewable and give thanks for the myriad contributions and efficient sources of energy, new tax in- Greek Americans have made to our national centives to support the domestic petroleum life. More than a million citizens of Greek industry, and further investments in energy- descent live in America today, and their de- saving technologies and alternative energy votion to family, faith, community, and coun- sources, as this report suggested. try has enriched our society immeasurably. Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, William J. Clinton President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by NOTE: This item was not received in time for pub- lication in the appropriate issue. the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 25, 2000, as Greek Independence Day: A National Day The President’s Radio Address of Celebration of Greek and American De- March 25, 2000 mocracy. I call upon all Americans to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies, activi- Good morning. As I reach the end of my ties, and programs. terrific week in South Asia and prepare to In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set return home, I want to talk to you this morn- my hand this twenty-fourth day of March, ing about the greater challenge we now face in the year of our Lord two thousand, and to keep our children safe from the dangers Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Mar. 25 635 of tobacco. Every single day another 3,000 of the aisle, but the leadership blocked it. American children smoke their first cigarette. And this week similar bipartisan legislation Most of them will be hooked for life, and was introduced in the House. I urge both a third of them will die earlier as a result. Houses of Congress to pass it promptly. That’s why our administration has worked The Justice Department also has sued the so hard to highlight the health threat teen tobacco manufacturers to recover the cost of smoking poses and to keep tobacco products tobacco-related illnesses and to make sure out of the hands of our children. We sup- they’re held accountable for actions that they ported State and local efforts to stop under- take. I ask Congress to support these efforts, age smoking before it starts. And we know as well, not undermine them, as some have these efforts work. Massachusetts has used threatened to do. education programs to reduce high school I also ask Congress to work with me to student smoking by 15 percent. Oregon cut take action to protect the financial security eighth-grader smoking rates by almost a third of tobacco farmers and their communities. in just one year. And finally, I challenge the States to do their Five years ago we asked the Food and part, as well, by dedicating the money they’ve Drug Administration to start a campaign to collected from tobacco settlements to fund slash teen smoking in every State and to treat antismoking programs for children and nicotine like the dangerous drug it is. The young people. FDA wrote strong, effective rules to prevent Preventing our children from smoking is any child under 18 from buying any tobacco our common responsibility. It’s a fight we can product anywhere in the United States. The win and one we must win, starting now. FDA was also prepared to end tobacco ad- Thanks for listening. vertising that is shamelessly aimed at addict- ing another generation of our young people. NOTE: The address was recorded at 12:05 p.m. This effort had strong support from public on March 24 at the Stock Exchange, Mumbia, health leaders in both parties in Congress, India, for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on March 25. but it collapsed under the pressure of to- The transcript was made available by the Office bacco companies and the Republican leader- of the Press Secretary on March 24 but was em- ship in Congress while the tobacco industry bargoed for release until the broadcast. challenged the rules in court. This week, in a setback for the health of our children, the Supreme Court ruled that Television Address to the People of the FDA must have explicit authorization Pakistan From Islamabad, Pakistan from Congress before it can regulate to- March 25, 2000 bacco. However, all nine Justices made it perfectly clear that they believe tobacco is As-salaam aleikum. It is an honor to be dangerous, especially to young people. The the first President of the United States to majority opinion called it, quote, ‘‘perhaps address all the people of Pakistan, and the the most significant threat to health in the first to visit your country in more than 30 United States.’’ years. I’m here as a great admirer of your Now, the American people know this. land’s rich history, of its centuries of civiliza- They’ve known it for a long time. Now the tion which stretch as long as the Indus River. ball is in Congress’ court. They should show I’m here as one whose own Nation has been they also understand the danger to our young greatly enriched by the talents of Americans people and give the FDA’s tobacco regula- of Pakistani descent. But most of all, I am tions the force of law. here as a friend, a grateful friend who values This is not a partisan issue. It’s a health our long partnership, a concerned friend who issue for our Nation and a life-or-death issue cares deeply about the future course of your for children. In 1998 a bipartisan group of country, a committed friend who will stand Senators offered legislation that would have with the people of Pakistan as long as you let the FDA’s campaign move forward. It had seek the stable, prosperous, democratic na- the support of 57 Senators from both sides tion of your founders’ dreams. 636 Mar. 25 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000

More than half a century ago, Mohammed I know I don’t have to tell you all this. Ali Jinnah shared that vision as he addressed This is something you know, something you Pakistan’s Constituent Assembly. ‘‘If you have seen. But I do have hope. I believe Paki- work together,’’ he said, ‘‘in the spirit that stan can make its way through the trouble, every one of you is first, second, and last a and build a future worthy of the vision of citizen, with equal rights, privileges, and obli- its founders: a stable, prosperous, democratic gations, there will be no end to the progress Pakistan, secure in its borders, friendly with you will make.’’ The Quaid-e Azam ended its neighbors, confident in its future. A Paki- that speech by reading a telegram he had stan, as Jinnah said, ‘‘at peace within and at just received. The message expressed hope peace without.’’ for success in the great work you were about What is in the way of that vision? Well, to undertake. That message was from the clearly, the absence of democracy makes it people of the United States. harder, not easier, for people to move ahead. Despite setbacks and suffering, the people I know democracy isn’t easy; it’s certainly not of Pakistan have built this nation from the perfect. The authors of my own country’s ground up, on a foundation of democracy and Constitution knew that as well. They said that law. And for more than 50 years now, we the mission of the United States would al- have been partners with you. Pakistan helped ways be, and I quote, ‘‘to form a more perfect the United States open a dialog with China. Union.’’ In other words, they knew we would We stood together when the Soviet Union never fully realize our ideals, but that we invaded Afghanistan. Our partnership helped could keep moving closer to them. That to end the cold war. In many years since, means the question for free people is always we have cooperated in the fight against ter- how to keep moving forward. rorism. Our soldiers have stood together in We share your disappointment that pre- missions of peace in every part of the world. vious democratic governments in Pakistan This is your proud legacy, our proud legacy. did not do better for their citizens. But one Now we are in the dawn of a new century, thing is certain: Democracy cannot develop and a new and changing world has come into if it is constantly uprooted before it has a view. All around the globe a revolution is tak- chance to firmly take hold. Successful demo- ing hold, a revolution that is tearing down cratic government takes time and patience barriers and building up networks among na- and hard work. The answer to flawed democ- tions and individuals. For millions it has racy is not to end democracy but to improve made real the dream of a better life with it. good schools, good jobs, a good future for I know General Musharraf has just an- their children. nounced a date for local elections. That is Like all key moments in human history, a good step. But the return of civilian demo- this one poses some hard choices, for this cratic rule requires a complete plan, a real era does not reward people who struggle in roadmap. vain to redraw borders with blood. It belongs Of course, no one from the outside can to those with the vision to look beyond bor- tell Pakistan how it should be governed. That ders for partners and commerce and trade. is for you, the people of Pakistan, to decide, It does not favor nations where governments and you should be given the opportunity to claim all the power to solve every problem. do so. I hope and believe you want Pakistan Instead, it favors nations where the people to be a country where the rule of law prevails; have the freedom and responsibility to shape a country where officials are accountable; a their own destiny. country where people can express their Pakistan can achieve great things in this points of view without fear; a country that new world, but real obstacles stand in the wisely forsakes revenge for the wounds of the way. The political situation, the economic sit- past, and instead pursues reconciliation for uation, the tensions in this region, they are the sake of the future. If you choose this holding Pakistan back from achieving its full path, your friends in the United States will potential in the global economy. stand with you. Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Mar. 25 637

There are obstacles to your progress, in- a time of restraint, for respect for the Line cluding violence and extremism. We Ameri- of Control, and renewed lines of communica- cans also have felt these evils. Surely we have tion. both suffered enough to know that no griev- I have listened carefully to General ance, no cause, no system of beliefs can ever Musharraf and others. I understand your justify the deliberate killing of innocents. concerns about Kashmir. I share your convic- Those who bomb bus stations, target Embas- tions that human rights of all its people must sies, or kill those who uphold the law are be respected. But a stark truth must also be not heroes. They are our common enemies, faced. There is no military solution to Kash- for their aim is to exploit painful problems, mir. International sympathy, support, and not to resolve them. intervention cannot be won by provoking a Just as we have fought together to defeat bigger, bloodier conflict. On the contrary, those who traffic in narcotics, today I ask sympathy and support will be lost. And no Pakistan to intensify its efforts to defeat those matter how great the grievance, it is wrong who inflict terror. to support attacks against civilians across the Another obstacle to Pakistan’s progress is Line of Control. the tragic squandering of effort, energy, and In the meantime, I ask again: Will endless, wealth on policies that make your nation costly struggle build good schools for your poorer, but not safer. That is one reason we children? Will it make your cities safer? Will must try to resolve the differences between it bring clean water and better health care? our two nations on nuclear weapons. Will it narrow the gaps between those who Again, you must make the decision. But have and those who have nothing? Will it my questions to you are no different from hasten the day when Pakistan’s energy and those I posed in India. Are you really more wealth are invested in building its future? secure today than you were before you tested The answer to all these questions is plainly nuclear weapons? Will these weapons make no. war with India less likely or simply more The American people don’t want to see deadly? Will a costly arms race help you to tensions rise and suffering increase. We want achieve any economic development? Will it to be a force for peace. But we cannot force bring you closer to your friends around the peace. We can’t impose it. We cannot and world, closer to the partnerships you need will not mediate or resolve the dispute in to build your dreams? Kashmir. Only you and India can do that, Today, the United States is dramatically through dialog. cutting its nuclear arsenal. Around the world Last year the world watched with hope as nations are renouncing these weapons. I ask the leaders of India and Pakistan met in La- Pakistan also to be a leader for nonprolifera- hore on the road to better relations. This is tion. In your own self-interest, to help us to the right road to peace for Pakistan and prevent dangerous technologies from spread- India, and for the resolution of the problems ing to those who might have no reservations in Kashmir. Therefore, I will do all I can to at all about using them, take the right steps help both sides restore the promise and the now to prevent escalation, to avoid mis- process of Lahore. calculation, to reduce the risk of war. A few months ago we had a ceremony at As leaders in your own country have sug- the White House to mark the end of Rama- gested, one way to strengthen your security dan. An imam shared a message from the would be to join the Comprehensive Test Koran which tells us that God created nations Ban Treaty. The whole world will rally and tribes that we might know one another, around you if you do. not that we may despise one another. During I believe it is also in Pakistan’s interest to the years of my Presidency, I have tried to reduce tensions with India. When I was in know the Muslim world as part of our com- New Delhi, I urged India to seize the oppor- mon humanity. I have stood with the people tunity for dialog. Pakistan also must help cre- of Bosnia and Kosovo, who were brutalized ate conditions that will allow dialog to suc- because of their Muslim faith. I have ceed. For India and Pakistan this must be mourned with Jordanians and Moroccans at 638 Mar. 25 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 the loss of their brave leaders. I have been Statement on the Election of privileged to speak with Palestinians at their Vladimir Putin as President of Russia National Council in Gaza. Today I am proud March 27, 2000 to speak with you because I value our long friendship, and because I believe our friend- In a telephone conversation earlier today, ship can still be a force for tolerance and I congratulated President-elect Vladimir understanding throughout the world. I hope Putin on his victory in the Russian Presi- you will be able to meet the difficult chal- dential elections. lenges we have discussed today. Sunday’s vote was an important milestone If you do not, there is a danger that Paki- in the development of a democratic Russia. stan may grow even more isolated, draining The people of Russia demonstrated again even more resources away from the needs their intense commitment to democracy. Roughly 70 percent of eligible Russians of the people, moving even closer to a con- voted. flict no one can win. But if you do meet these In my conversation with President-elect challenges, our full economic and political Putin, I emphasized the importance to Russia partnership can be restored for the benefit and the world of strengthening the founda- of the people of Pakistan. tions of Russia’s democracy and deepening So let us draw strength from the words its international integration. President-elect of the great Pakistani poet Muhammad Iqbal, Putin has an opportunity to translate his elec- who said, ‘‘In the midst of today’s upheaval, toral mandate into concrete steps to advance give us a vision of tomorrow.’’ If the people economic reform, to strengthen the rule of of Pakistan and South Asia are driven by a law, to intensify the fight against crime and tolerant, generous vision of tomorrow, your corruption, and to join with us on a broad nation and this entire region can be the great common agenda of international security, in- success story of the world’s next 50 years. cluding arms control, nonproliferation, and It is all in your hands. I know enough about regional peace and stability. the ingenuity and enterprise and heart of Finally, I emphasized my concerns about Pakistani people to know that this is possible. the war in Chechnya. I stressed to President- With the right vision, rooted in tomorrow’s elect Putin the importance of launching im- promise, not yesterday’s pain, rooted in dia- partial and transparent investigations of re- log, not destruction, Pakistan can fulfill its ported human rights violations and providing destiny as a beacon of democracy in the Mos- prompt and full access for international orga- lem world, an engine of growth, a model of nizations and the press. tolerance, an anchor of stability. Pakistan can have a future worthy of the dreams of the Joint Statement by the Depositary Quaid-e Azam. States on the 25th Anniversary of If you choose that future, the United Entry Into Force of the Biological States will walk with you. I hope you will and Toxin Weapons Convention make that choice. And I pray for our contin- March 27, 2000 ued friendship, for peace, for Pakistan. Zindabad. On the twenty-fifth anniversary of the entry into force of the Bacteriological (Bio- NOTE: The President spoke at 4:20 p.m. from the logical) and Toxin Weapons Convention, the Presidential Palace. In his remarks, he referred three Depositary States, the Russian Federa- to Gen. Pervez Musharraf, army chief of staff, who tion, The United Kingdom of Great Britain led a coup d’etat in Pakistan on October 12, 1999. and Northern Ireland, and the United States A tape was not available for verification of the of America, reaffirm their belief in the con- content of this address. tinuing relevance and importance of the Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Mar. 27 639

Convention. As we start a new century the Message to the Congress principles and objectives of the Convention Transmitting a Report on are an important international norm serving Telecommunications to prevent any country from developing, pro- Payments to Cuba ducing, stockpiling or obtaining the means March 27, 2000 to employ bacteriological, biological or toxin weapons as a means of warfare. As such the To the Congress of the United States: Convention remains one of the key elements As required by section 1705(e)(6) of the of international security and stability. Cuban Democracy Act of 1992, 22 U.S.C. At its inception the Convention was a wa- 6004(e)(6), as amended by section 102(g) of tershed international document, the first for- the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity mal multilateral agreement to foreswear an (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996, Public Law 104- entire class of weapons of mass destruction. 114, 110 Stat. 785, I transmit herewith a Twenty five years later 143 States have ac- semiannual report ‘‘detailing payments made ceded to it, a remarkable endorsement of the to Cuba . . . as a result of the provision of principles which it encompasses, and of the telecommunications services’’ pursuant to very important role it plays in the web of Department of the Treasury specific licenses. non-proliferation and arms control treaties. William J. Clinton We, as the Depositaries, take this oppor- The White House, tunity to call on those states which have not March 27, 2000. yet ratified or acceded to the BWC to do so without delay, so that the prohibitions on NOTE: An original was not available for possession and development of biological verification of the content of this message. weapons become even more universal. The representatives of many States Parties Message to the Congress are now engaged in work to strengthen the Transmitting a Report on the Convention. The aim is a Protocol that will National Emergency With create a regime to enhance confidence in Respect to Angola (UNITA) compliance with the fundamental objectives of the Convention. This effort will bring the March 27, 2000 Convention into better alignment with the To the Congress of the United States: principles of other arms control agreements. As required by section 401(c) of the Na- As the terms of the mandate given to the tional Emergencies Act, 50 U.S.C. 1641(c), Ad Hoc Group make clear the objective is and section 204(c) of the International Emer- ‘‘to consider appropriate measures, including gency Economic Powers Act, 50 U.S.C. possible verification measures . . . . to be in- 1703(c), I transmit herewith a 6-month peri- cluded, as appropriate, in a legally binding odic report on the national emergency with instrument.’’ Successful achievement of an respect to the National Union for the Total effective Protocol within the agreed time- Independence of Angola (UNITA) that was frame must be the target of all States Parties. declared in Executive Order 12865 of Sep- We pledge our own efforts to achieving this tember 26, 1993. goal, and call upon all other States Parties William J. Clinton to do likewise, and to accede to the Protocol once it is agreed. The White House, March 27, 2000.

NOTE: An original was not available for NOTE: An original was not available for verification of the content of this joint statement. verification of the content of this message. 640 Mar. 28 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000

Remarks Following Discussions With an agreement. But my concern has always President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt been that the oil price production be in- and an Exchange With Reporters creased to a level sufficient to ensure contin- ued growth in the global economy and con- March 28, 2000 tinued growth here at home. And that, there- President Clinton. Let me begin by say- fore, by definition, to alleviate some of the ing that I am delighted to have President serious burdens that some of our people have Mubarak back here. We have a lot to discuss felt, particularly the truckers and the people today. I want to talk with him about the who commute long distances. peace process in the Middle East, about the But I want to wait and see. I’ve heard some movement on the Palestinian track, about my encouraging things about what OPEC will do meeting with President Asad, and what fur- in combination with what some of the non- ther steps he thinks we could take on the OPEC members will do. And in the aggre- Israel-Syria track. And we have a lot of other gate, it could be sufficient to get production things to discuss as well. and consumption back into alignment and to So I’m looking forward to this meeting, rebuild some of these stocks, which are at and I want to welcome you here, Mr. their lowest point in a decade. And if that President. happens, then I’ll be encouraged, but I want President Mubarak. Thank you, sir. to wait and see. Middle East Peace Process Middle East Peace Process Q. President Mubarak, the peace process Q. President Clinton, how much faith do seems to be faltering again, especially after you have in peace being concluded before the failure of the Geneva talks. What is your you leave your tenure here? vision, Mr. President? What can Egypt do President Clinton. Well, I think we are in order to break this deadlock? making and will continue to see good President Mubarak. First of all, I thank progress between the Israelis and Palestin- President Clinton just for meeting me today. ians. I went to Switzerland to meet President And we used to exchange views every now Asad, to clarify to him what I thought the and then. We have very good relations with options were and to hear from him what his the President since he took office 8 years ago. needs are. I asked him to come back to me Today we are going to discuss so many with what he thought ought to be done. So issues about the Middle East, about even bi- the ball is in his court now, and I’m going lateral relations. And concerning the Geneva to look forward to hearing from him, and meeting, I cannot say that’s a failure. It’s a we’re going to talk about what else I can do, step forward, although no progress between what else we can do together. the Israelis and the Syrians, that doesn’t President Mubarak has been at this longer make us pessimistic. We have to make much than I have, and we’re going to keep working. more effort so as to reach peace and an Q. President Clinton, your term ends in agreement could be signed, for the welfare a few months now. Do you think the Israelis of the whole area. are ready to go along and finalize the peace process during that period? And what do you Oil Prices think the steps that they are going to take? Q. Mr. President, there’s word out of For President Mubarak, do you foresee a so- Vienna that OPEC has reached a deal now. lution in the near future? Are you now looking forward to a decline President Clinton. Well, I think they are in oil? making very serious efforts. And I think President Clinton. Have they, in fact, an- Prime Minister Barak would like to do this nounced that? as quickly as he can. And I can tell you they Q. The Venezuelan representative has. have made very, very serious efforts on all President Clinton. Well, first of all, I tracks, and I think you will continue to see think I ought to wait to issue a definitive progress at least on the Palestinian track and, comment until they actually vote and reach of course, I hope we’ll have some progress Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Mar. 29 641 on the Syrian one, as well—as well as in Leb- mand. While oil prices are projected to fall anon. this year, we will continue to closely monitor President Mubarak. This information developments in world oil markets in the concerning the Middle East problem cannot coming months. stay as it is now. Tremendous efforts are Congress should waste no more time in being done by the United States with the co- getting to work on the critical measures to operation with us. And I hope that we could improve America’s energy security that I reach a solution between the two sides, and have proposed. Congress has failed to act on especially I may meet with Mr. Barak soon energy security measures, including new tax after I return back to Cairo, to see what could incentives to support domestic oil producers, be done. tax incentives and investments to promote the use of alternative and more efficient NOTE: The President spoke at 10:41 a.m. in the energy technologies, the establishment of a Oval Office at the White House. In his remarks, regional home heating oil reserve, and reau- he referred to President Hafiz al-Asad of Syria thorization of the Strategic Petroleum Re- and Prime Minister Ehud Barak of Israel. A tape was not available for verification of the content serve. These measures should be passed into of these remarks. law without delay.

Radio Remarks on Sightseeing Remarks at a Reception for Flights Over the Grand Canyon Representative Debbie Stabenow March 28, 2000 March 28, 2000 There may be no place on Earth more Thank you. Now, only a politician who is stunning than the Grand Canyon. It’s impor- not running for office would take a stand on tant to preserve and protect it, so that the the Final Four before the results are in. millions who visit each year can enjoy the [Laughter] Canyon in all its splendor. Today I am an- Thank you very much. Debbie, I am a nouncing an important new measure to care- huge basketball fan. And I already lost my fully manage sightseeing flights over the State school and my daughter’s alma mater Grand Canyon. With this action, we can in the NCAA, so I’m just watching it with allow continued access to all, while also help- great fascination. It’s been a good tour- ing to restore the natural quiet of this time- nament. less treasure. I want to thank Senator Torricelli for all that he has done for the Democrats, and the NOTE: The President’s remarks were recorded at Senate candidates in particular. And I thank approximately 8 p.m. on March 17 in the Oval Carl Levin for more than I can say. You have Office at the White House for later broadcast. The no idea all the good things that he does in transcript was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on March 28. These remarks were also the Senate, many of which are not vote-get- made available on the White House Press Office ting issues; they’ll never make the headlines. Actuality Line. But someone needs to be going to work every day who cares about public policy and good Government and the way this country works. Statement on the OPEC Production And Carl Levin does. You should be really Decision and the Legislative Agenda proud of him. He’s a really good man. for Energy Security I want to thank Gary and Bill and Michelle March 28, 2000 for helping Debbie to raise the money nec- essary to wage a campaign against an incum- Today’s announcement that OPEC mem- bent Senator of the other party. It’s a difficult bers will increase production is a positive de- thing to do. And she is in good shape, but velopment. These increases will help sustain she needs your support to do it. And I want worldwide economic growth and provide to thank John Conyers and Sandy Levin for greater balance between oil supply and de- being here, and so many other of my friends 642 Mar. 29 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 from Michigan who helped me these last 7 You know, I just got back from India and years and a couple of months. I thank you Bangladesh and Pakistan. And I made a stop very much. over in Switzerland to keep working on the I was thinking to myself, ‘‘What am I doing Middle East peace process. And I’ll tell you here? I’m not running for anything.’’ [Laugh- an interesting story. I was in this little village ter] I’m trying to get this fine Member of in India, one of the hundreds of thousands Congress a 6-year term, and I’ll never even of little villages in a country with over 900 have the privilege of working with her. Well, million people, with a per capita income of one reason is—and on principle this year, I’m $450 a year, one of the poorest places on very big on women going to the U.S. Senate. Earth. I have a passing interest in a lot of these So I go to this little village, and I meet elections. [Laughter] But I would like to— the local government. And it’s required now I’ll be very brief, because she’s already told that all the different tribes and castes have you why she’s running. an opportunity to be represented, and 30 I think it’s important that we remember percent of all the local governments are that things were different in 1992 when I women—elected officials. And I meet the ran for President. We had economic distress. women’s dairy cooperative, and these women We had social decline. We had political divi- took over the milk business because they got sion. And we basically had drift and gridlock a little machine that tested the fat content in Washington. of milk. So they weren’t cheating anybody And I believed that this country could out of their money anymore. build a bridge to the new century with an And—now keep in mind, I’m in one of America that offered opportunity for every- hundreds of thousands of villages, right, in one who is responsible enough to work for a country with a rich and diverse texture but it, with an increasingly diverse America that a low per capita income. Every single trans- cherished that diversity but thought our com- mon humanity was more important, with an action that the dairy cooperative made was America that continued to lead the world for recorded on a computer. Everyone that peace and freedom and prosperity. And bought milk in there got a computer printout we’re in better shape than we were in 1992, of what the fat content was, what the price and for that I am very grateful. And for the was that day, then got an accounting out of opportunity I’ve had to serve, I am pro- the same computer on who bought the milk foundly grateful. and when she got her money. But the real thing I would like you to think Then I go into the local government in about is: What is it that we propose to do this tiny village. And I see there the com- with this prosperity? You know, I’ve reached puter in the community center. And every an age now when my memory stretches back person can come in and get on that computer long enough that I know that nothing lasts in English or Hindi. And many of the things forever. And in tough times, that’s reassuring. you can find—you can get even if you can’t In good times, it should be sobering. read, because of the software, the sophistica- This is a moment of phenomenal oppor- tion of the software. So poor village women tunity for our country. And a lot of the— can come in and see how they’re supposed I’m glad to see so many young people here, to care for their newborn babies in their first because you’ve got most of your lives in front year of life. They pull it up on the screen, of you. And it’s very important that we take and then they had a printer, and they got this moment to deal with the big challenges, it out. And it’s just as good information as the big problems, the big opportunities in you can get here or in any other place in the new century, in a world that is coming America, in the finest doctor’s office in the closer and closer together, in a world where land. This is going to be a very different increasingly what matters is whether you be- world in the next 5 or 10 years. lieve every person counts and every person I went to Hyderabad in India, which is sort is given the ability to develop his or her God- of their high-tech capital, and the head of given potential. the State Government there now offers 18 Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Mar. 29 643 different government services on the Inter- science and technology mattered. These net, including getting your driver’s license. things matter. [Laughter] Nobody ever has to wait in a line This is not about a bunch of hot air and in the revenue office. [Laughter] Do not slogans and positioning. This is about wheth- move to India just yet. [Laughter] We will er this country, at its moment of maximum get that done, but you get the picture, right? prosperity and opportunity and minimum Today I met—when President Mubarak threats from abroad and from within, will from Egypt was here today, and we met with take the chance that we have had never be- a bunch of Egyptian-Americans. One of them fore in my lifetime, except maybe in the was a Nobel Prize-winner from Caltech. An- 1960’s, before all the wheels ran off, to write other was a high official at the World Bank. the future of our dreams for our children. Another was a big high-tech company execu- That’s what this whole thing is about. Don’t tive. Another one ran a big biotech company. make any mistake about it. That’s what the We talked a lot about the human genome whole thing’s about. and the sequencing of it, and how we were I worked hard to try to help turn this coun- going to allow people to patent legitimate dis- try around and get us moving in the right coveries, but how we had to keep the basic direction. But the big benefits are still out information affordable so that the developing there to be reaped. Wouldn’t you like your countries and poor people around the world country to be the safest big country in the and in this country could also benefit from world? Wouldn’t you like your country to be the discoveries. a place where every working parent could I mean, we’re talking about no more also succeed at rearing their children because Alzheimer’s and cures for Parkinson’s and there was adequate child care? Wouldn’t you detecting cancers when they’re just a few like your country to be a place where every cells. These are amazing things. child, no matter how poor, was held to high And the reason that I’m here tonight, even standards but had high opportunities in edu- though I’m not running, is that I don’t want cation, where there was no digital divide, our country to blow this opportunity. What’s where there were economic opportunities in the big problem in all these peace negotia- the poorest urban and rural neighborhoods tions around the world? People want peace. and on every Indian reservation in the coun- Young people like you, they’re thinking about try? And I could go on and on and on. That’s their future; they want a whole different what this whole deal is about. world. They’re not all caught up—it’s a ques- And I’m telling you, if I can do anything tion of people’s impulses—the basic, good this year, I am going to try to convince the human impulses at war with old ideas cher- American people only to vote for those peo- ished by people who can’t let go. ple that understand the future and are pre- We have an American version of that, I pared to do what it takes to get us there. think, in this contest here. One of the reasons And all of us, together. That’s why I’m here. that I want Al Gore to be elected President And I hope tomorrow, if people ask you is that I know from personal experience he why you were here, you will tell them that— understands the future, and he knows how because Debbie Stabenow is a great human to take us there. being, a great public servant, and she will And you can’t—most of what is written is take us there. written about politics and politicians acts as Thank you very much. if policies are inconsequential and acts as if things that really affect the lives of millions NOTE: The President spoke at 7:45 p.m. in the of people don’t matter. But I would argue Columbia B Room at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. to you that the details of our welfare program In his remarks, he referred to reception hosts William and Michelle O’Reilly; Gary Torgow, fi- mattered; the details of our education pro- nance chair, Stabenow for Senate; and President gram mattered; the details of our environ- Hosni Mubarak of Egypt. Representative mental program mattered; the details of our Stabenow is a candidate for U.S. Senate for Michi- anticrime program mattered. It matters what gan. Prior to the President’s remarks, Representa- you do. The details of our approach to tive Stabenow presented the President with a 644 Mar. 29 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000

Michigan State University T-shirt to honor the I would have never tired of doing the job. school’s men’s basketball team’s appearance in the The voters would have gotten tired of me Final Four of the National Collegiate Athletic As- long before I got tired of the job. [Laughter] sociation tournament. This transcript was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on March And you know, I have worked very hard 29. for the last 7-plus years to try to turn our country around and to try to get governing right. Now, there are not many votes in gov- Remarks at a Reception erning, really, when you talk about it. But for Governor Frank O’Bannon if you’ve got a job and you do it well, there March 28, 2000 are votes in it. That’s why Evan Bayh was elected and overwhelmingly reelected and You know, when Evan was talking about then sent to the Senate. That’s why Frank how he’s trying to recover from having given O’Bannon was elected, and why I think he’ll a keynote speech—[laughter]—I bombed; he be reelected—because they believe in gov- didn’t. [Laughter] He was actually very good. erning. But I am delighted to be here for Frank O’Bannon, and with Judy and Lieutenant After all this time I’ve been President, I Governor and Mrs. Kernan. I want to thank can say there are a lot of things about this Evan Bayh and Susan for being wonderful job that are much more than just policy, friends to Hillary and me for many years times when a President has to speak to the now. And I want to thank Senator Birch Bayh Nation about a crisis or in the midst of a for his service to America and for also being collective grieving or just speak for the Na- my friend for 20 years now. tion when you have to take a stand. But a Every now and then, I remind Birch that lot of what determines the success of our en- in 1980 he came to Arkansas; we dedicated terprise is whether we show up for work an ethanol plant. And you may or may not every day and treat our work like your work, know that the Agriculture Department is like a job. funding research into how to more efficiently And the difference in political work and convert gasoline to ethanol or, you know, other work is that you have more leeway to how to do it with less fuel. Now the ratio’s define the job. In other words, you have to about 7 gallons to 8. They tell me within a decide what it is you’re going to do if you’re year or two, we’ll be down to 1 gallon to 8. Governor or President, except you’ve got to And Birch and I were just 20 years ahead sign the bills or veto them, as the case may of our time. [Laughter] But I’ll always be be, and make the appointments. But other- grateful to him for many things in his service, wise, you have to decide. and I’m delighted to be here. And I think I know a little bit about that. Thank you, Mike Sullivan. Thank you, I served with over 150 Governors. And Frank Mark Weiner. Thank you, Robin Winston. O’Bannon is a very good Governor. I know. And I want to say a special word of thanks I would also tell you that the tradition that to Joe Andrew for working so hard for the national Democratic Party. And I saw three he and Evan established in Indiana of fiscal of your House Members here earlier: Pete responsibility and focusing very sharply on Visclosky I know is still there, and Baron Hill the most important things the government and Tim Roemer may or may not still be should do, and not defending everything that here, but they were here earlier. government ever did in the past, is one I tried I am delighted to be here. You may won- to carry on. You know, we now have the der what I’m doing here; I’m not running smallest Federal Government since 1960, for anything this year. [Laughter] Take a when Dwight Eisenhower was President and good look at me; I’m the only politician you’ll John Kennedy was running for the White see this year you don’t have to give a con- House. We’ve gotten rid of hundreds of pro- tribution to. [Laughter] grams, and I’ll give $5 to anybody here who I was a Governor for 12 years, and they can name three of them. [Laughter] See? were some of the happiest years of my life. [Laughter] Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Mar. 29 645

I say that because when I became Presi- This is not a job for someone who is faint- dent, we had to do two things at once. We hearted or disinterested. It’s a job—particu- had to get this deficit under control and bal- larly if you live in a State like Indiana or Ar- ance the budget. But we had to keep invest- kansas, where people actually hold you ac- ing in education. We had to keep investing countable, and you can’t get elected on tele- in health care for children. We had to keep vision. [Laughter] You know? It really makes investing in the environment. We had to a difference. [Laughter] keep investing in science and technology. We I remember when I ran for President in had to keep, in short, preparing for the fu- ’92, Governor Bush used to—I mean, Presi- ture. And that’s what Governors have to do. dent Bush used to refer to me as the Gov- Now, one of the ways that we did that was, ernor of a small southern State, in sort of for example, in the area of education, we drippingly negative overtones, you know? gave the States more funds and set higher [Laughter] And you know, I was so dumb, goals, but we got rid of about two-thirds of I thought that was a good thing. [Laughter] the Federal regulations. And I could give you You know, I was proud of it. I thought— lots of other examples where, in effect, we and I think it’s very important. If you care did the right thing, but only if the Governor about the education of our children and if does the right thing. you care about whether the poorest of our When we passed the welfare reform bill, children have access to health care, if you we said, ‘‘Okay, here’s the deal: If you’re able care about whether we can preserve a clean bodied, you’ve got to get some training, and environment and grow the economy, you then if you get a job, you’ve got to take it. have to care about who the Governor is. But we won’t ask you to hurt your children. And I think most Americans may not fully We’ll leave your children with their guaran- appreciate the extent to which, over the last teed nutrition and health care, and we’ll 71⁄2 years, the reason this whole deal has spend more on child care and transportation. worked as well as it has is that we’ve had We’ll invest more in you. But if you can go good Federal policies, but we have done to work, you’ve got to do it.’’ Well, all that more and more of it in partnership with the had to be designed and implemented by the private sector and with State and local gov- Governors. ernment. When we passed the Balanced Budget Act And so I wanted to come here because in 1997, we had the biggest expansion in fed- I genuinely like and admire Governor and erally supported health care since Medicaid Mrs. O’Bannon. And I genuinely believe that in 1965, when we passed the Children’s they should break that record that goes back Health Insurance Program to allow the chil- to the 1830’s. And that’s the last thing I want dren of families that were working families— to say about all these races in 2000. so their incomes were too high to get Med- I worked as hard as I can to turn this coun- icaid coverage, but their incomes were too try around and to get us moving in the right low to afford health insurance, and their em- direction. But all the really big benefits are ployers weren’t providing it. So we had the still out there. money to provide them health insurance. But We’ve got the longest economic expansion the program was to be designed by the in history. What are we going to do with it? Governors. We’re going to give all of our kids a world- In other words, a lot of what we have tried class education. Are we going to make Amer- to do to have a more vigorous but a more ica the safest big country in the world? We’re disciplined Government has required us, going to get the country out of debt for the here in Washington, to make his job even first time since 1835. Are we going to bring more important. And it’s very important that economic opportunity to poor areas that everybody understands that; it really matters haven’t felt it yet? I can just go on and on who sits in these Governors’ chairs today. It and on. matters what their values are. It matters what That’s what will be decided in the year their vision is. And it also matters a lot wheth- 2000. And I hope that the electorate will er they show up every day. want to vote for people from top to bottom 646 Mar. 29 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 like these two men here, who are serious prices, which will help to sustain economic about the work they do and for whom win- growth here in America and also, and very ning an election is just a prelude to the most importantly, throughout the world. important thing, which is the job. Because It will also, I hope, bring relief to hard- you know, this is a chance in a lifetime we pressed truckers in this country, who have have. And I’ve lived long enough now to been especially hard-hit, and others who know that these things come, and they go. have high fuel costs, by providing a greater The good news is bad times don’t last forever. balance between oil production and But good times don’t either. And so when consumption. they come along, you have to focus and While home heating costs and the price move, act. at the pump are both expected to fall in the So this is a big deal, this election. One of next few weeks, I urge the oil companies to the reasons, apart from all my personal feel- do everything they can to bring the savings ings about him, that I want Al Gore to be to consumers as quickly as possible. Mean- elected President so bad is he understands while, we will continue to monitor develop- the future, and he knows how to get us there. ments in world markets closely. And that’s what we ought to be thinking Since January, our administration has about. Who understands the future? Who taken significant action to address high oil can get us there? prices, from helping more low income and And your presence here says you know that elderly citizens to pay their heating bills, to about your Governor. But when you go back calling for the creation of a regional market to Indiana, I hope you’ll give that as a reason reserve in the Northeast, to asking Congress for the rest of the folks sticking with him, to immediately reauthorize the Strategic Pe- without regard to party. If you’re producing, troleum Reserve. if you’re serious, if you care about the future, It is also very, very important for Congress stick with him. now to act on my proposal to strengthen our Thank you very much. long-term energy security, including new tax incentives and investments to support do- NOTE: The President spoke at 8:52 p.m. in the mestic oil producers and to promote the de- Columbia A Room at the Hyatt Regency Capitol velopment and use of alternative fuels and Hill. In his remarks, he referred to Judy more efficient energy technologies. We can O’Bannon, wife of Governor O’Bannon; Lt. Gov. Joseph E. Kernan and his wife, Maggie; Senator become much more energy efficient and sup- Evan Bayh, his wife, Susan, and his father, former port economic development if we do. Senator Birch Bayh; Michael J. Sullivan, general Congress also has an opportunity and a re- president, Sheet Metal Workers International As- sponsibility to make progress on a number sociation; Mark Weiner, treasurer, Democratic of other important issues for the American Governors’ Association; Robin Winston, chairman, people this year. First, we must work to- Indiana State Democratic Party; and Joseph J. gether to reduce the staggering toll of gun Andrew, national chair, Democratic National violence in America by passing my proposal Committee. Incumbent Governor O’Bannon is a for more prosecutors and stronger gun en- candidate for reelection in Indiana. The transcript forcement and by finally passing a strong ju- was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on March 29. venile justice bill that closes the gun show loophole, requires child safety locks for all handguns, and bans the importation of large The President’s News Conference capacity ammunition clips. March 29, 2000 For 9 months now, key congressional Re- publicans, egged on by the NRA, have stood The President. Good afternoon. Please be on a bill and stopped it from being consid- seated. I would like to begin by saying that ered by keeping it from coming out of con- yesterday’s announcement that OPEC mem- ference onto the floor of both Houses for bers will increase oil production is good news a vote. Fourteen days ago a House resolution for our economy and for the American con- passed with bipartisan support, sponsored by sumer. These increases should bring lower Representative Zoe Lofgren of California. It Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Mar. 29 647 simply said that House and Senate conferees Third, we should raise the minimum wage should meet to settle their differences on the by a dollar over 2 years. A bipartisan majority bill that has been languishing in Congress for in the House voted to do so earlier this too long. But after 14 days, the response to month, but Republican leaders held the pay Representative Lofgren’s resolution has been raise hostage for tax increases for the wealthi- deafening silence and still no action. It ap- est Americans—tax decreases, excuse me— pears the opponents of reform have run out tax breaks that could make it impossible to of arguments, so now they’re just trying to pay down the debt or strengthen Social Secu- run out the clock. rity and Medicare. I ask again to the Con- This makes no sense. With crime at a 25- gress: Do the right thing. Everyone knows year low, and the Brady law keeping guns we need to raise the minimum wage. Send out of the hands of a half-million felons, fugi- me a clean bill that raises the minimum wage tives, and stalkers, the argument is over. Gun by a dollar over 2 years, and I will sign it. safety measures do work and do not interfere Fourth, we must keep the economy grow- with the interests of ordinary hunters and ing, first by opening new markets here at sports people. So it’s time to build on our home in our hardest pressed communities, proven success and pass this commonsense rural and urban, and second, by opening new legislation. markets for American products and services Three weeks ago I asked Congress to finish around the world. Especially, we need to give our businesses, farmers, and workers access the gun bill and send it to me by the anniver- to the world’s largest consumer market in sary of the Columbine tragedy, April 20th. China. There is no more important long-term That deadline can still be met. So again, for international economic or national security the sake of our children, I ask Congress to issue facing us today. stop the delay. This should not be a partisan Congress should pass permanent normal issue, and it should lead to action, not argu- trade relations with China this spring. I will ment. say again, this requires us to take no further There are some other issues I’d like to action on our part to lower tariffs or open mention briefly. First, to make sure the ben- markets. All the concessions are being made efits of Medicare keep pace with the benefits by China in return for entering an open trad- of modern medicine, we must reform Medi- ing system. If we do not do this, then the care and add a voluntary prescription drug full benefits of all we negotiated will flow benefit. Three out of five older Americans to all the other countries in the WTO but lack dependable, affordable drug coverage. not to the United States. The economic con- Since I first raised the issue last year, virtually sequences will be bad. The national security every Member of Congress has voiced sup- consequences will be worse. port for some kind of new prescription drug Fifth, we must invest more in our public benefit. I call on Congress to pass a bill that schools and demand more from them. I ask ensures all Medicare beneficiaries the option again Congress to endorse the principles in to choose an affordable, accessible drug ben- the reauthorization of the Elementary and efit. If they do, of course, I will sign it. Secondary Education Act, which call for end- Second, to protect the interests of 190 mil- ing social promotion and funding only those lion Americans in health plans, we should things which work to raise student achieve- pass a strong, enforceable, bipartisan ment. And we know that our students can’t Patients’ Bill of Rights. This isn’t a partisan learn in schools that are falling apart. issue in America. The House has already Yesterday a bipartisan school construction passed a strong bill, but the insurance lobby bill was introduced in the House that would continues to oppose it. All we need is for provide $24.8 billion in tax credit bonds to the conference of Senators and Representa- modernize up to 6,000 of our schools. If the tives to let every Member in both Houses Republican leadership doesn’t prevent it, vote his or her conscience on a real Patients’ Congress could vote on this proposal tomor- Bill of Rights. If it passes—and it will—I will row. I ask the Congress to pass this bipartisan certainly sign it. legislation, and I will sign it. 648 Mar. 29 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000

Sixth, to save the lives of thousands of position. Come back and see me when I like young people who every year get hooked on your position.’’ And I understand how strong- cigarettes, we must now pass legislation al- ly he feels about it, but if he disagrees with lowing the Food and Drug Administration to their territorial proposal, which is quite sig- require tobacco, like the dangerous sub- nificant, then there should be some other stance it is, to be regulated by the FDA. proposal, I think, coming from the Syrians There is strong bipartisan support for this about how their concerns could be handled. idea, and I hope the Congress will pass it. And that’s what I meant by that. I did my If they do, I will certainly sign it. best to try to just present what I thought the Finally, I would like to say a few words options were. And if we’re going to have a about the importance of passing the supple- negotiation, it takes two people coming up mental budget requests without delay. This with ideas—or three sides, in this case, if we is urgent funding for pressing needs at home are being asked to mediate it. and abroad: to help the families that were He, obviously, has the perfect right to take victims of Hurricane Floyd; to provide need- whatever position he believes is in Syria’s in- ed energy assistance for families struggling terests and whatever he thinks is right. But to cope with rising oil prices; to help keep if there is a genuine desire for peace here illegal drugs out of our Nation by supporting on both sides, and I believe there is, and if the Colombian Government’s courageous both sides face certain significant political fight against drug traffickers; to keep the constraints within their countries, and I be- peace, provide for our troops, and build sta- lieve they do, then they both need to come bility in Kosovo; and to provide needed debt up with some ideas and start talking. relief to the world’s poorest nations. I mean, the one thing there should be no When Congress adjourns this summer, we doubt about is that there is a real effort being ought to be able to look back and say we made here to resolve this. And I think it is took real steps to make America better. The clear that Prime Minister Barak would like issues have been decided; they are clearly to resolve it, and I think President Asad there. They have also been debated. The would like to resolve it. So once you know American people want action, and they de- what the other side wants and you don’t think serve it. The only thing left is for the congres- you can do it, then you ought to come up sional leadership to reach across party lines with some alternative way of trying to re- and to work with us to break the grip of spe- spond to the underlying concerns that are cial interests and do the people’s business. behind the position. That’s what I’ve sug- Thank you very much. gested, and I hope that will happen. And Helen [Helen Thomas, United Press meanwhile, the rest of us will keep working. International]. I had a good talk with President Mubarak yesterday about that, and I hope we can con- Israel-Syria Peace Talks tinue to move forward. Q. Mr. President, you said that the ball Yes. is in Asad’s court. Is that because you think that his insistence on the return of all Syrian land under occupation in exchange for peace New York City Police lacks logic or possibility? Q. Mr. President, three unarmed black The President. It’s because he now knows men have been shot and killed by police in in great detail what the Israeli proposals New York City in the past 13 months. Do were. And I believe, since they have made you believe that the New York Police De- an effort to be specific and comprehensive, partment has a racial problem, and does that if we’re going to make progress, they should department require Justice Department now be able to know what his specific and oversight? comprehensive response is on all the issues. The President. Well, I believe there is a There is more than one issue here. And Justice Department review of the practices if we’re going to have a negotiation, I don’t in the department, which I think has been think it’s enough to say, ‘‘I don’t like your a matter of public record for some time. And Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Mar. 29 649 in the Diallo case, there was a specific ref- tual concern, particularly in the area of arms erence to a review of the action there for control and in some other areas. And I’m possible civil rights violations. I think the im- looking forward to working with him on that. portant thing I’d like to say is, first of all, With regard to the personal relations, I there’s a lot of evidence that in city after city think that—President Yeltsin, keep in mind, where the crime rate has dropped—and the was the first democratically elected President crime rate’s gone down a lot in New York; of Russia. And he had the sort of personality it’s gone down a lot in every major city in that was difficult not to—it was difficult to America—there is now ample evidence that remain neutral in dealing with him. And I the crime rate can go down, and the tenor did like him very much, but I also thought of community police relations can go up. And he was committed to democracy, and I think it’s largely a matter of the right sort of train- the fact that he stepped down and that we ing, the right sort of policies, and consistent had a genuine democratic transition in Russia effort there. is some evidence of that. On the specific cases, I think I should say So I think that regardless of personal no more, particularly in view of the latest in- chemistry—and I hope that mine with Presi- cident, which was tragic. There is a good U.S. dent Putin will be good, and I hope that my Attorney in New York, and I have confidence successor’s will be good with him—the that whatever decision is appropriate will be United States and Russia have vast national made as all the facts come out, and that’s interests that require them to work together what’s being done here. on the things with which we agree and to But I think that the focus ought to be ev- manage the difficulties between us where we erywhere on having the right kind of training have honest disagreements. So it is the rela- and the right kind of policy direction to say tionship that is important. And the personal that we’re going to bring the crime rate chemistry will come and go, depending on down, and we’re going to bring the quality the personalities. But the point is, the fact of police community relations up. The two that I liked Boris Yeltsin didn’t stop me from things are not inconsistent. In fact, I think, differing with him when we were differing, generally, they reinforce one another, and I and it certainly never stopped him from dif- think that that’s what we all ought to be work- fering with me in his classic style. And I don’t ing for in New York and everywhere else in expect that to change with President Putin. the country. But I think the relationship is very impor- Randy [Randy Mikkelsen, Reuters]. tant to the United States and to Russia, and it must be worked on constantly. We just President-Elect Vladimir Putin of Russia have too much in common, and we have to Q. Mr. President, when you spoke with work on it. Russia’s President-elect Putin the other day, Yes, Ellen [Ellen Ratner, Talk Radio News what did he tell you to indicate how he might Service]. run the country, particularly in the areas of the economy and foreign policy? And do you States and E-Commerce think it would be a good idea for you or your Q. The Internet commission is meeting on successor to try to build the same sort of per- electronic commerce, and they are giving sonal relationship with Putin that you had some proposals. What are your thoughts with Boris Yeltsin, in view of criticisms that about what proposals you think they should U.S. policy was too focused on one come out with? And also what about the individual? States, as electronic commerce becomes The President. Well, first, he has ex- more and more available on the net and may pressed a genuine commitment to economic take revenue from the States? reform—and the Russian economy is grow- The President. Well, I think— first of all, ing again—and a desire to put together a I supported the moratorium on taxes, and first-rate team. And that was encouraging. I saw where Mr. Gephardt did as well a cou- In foreign policy, he expressed an interest ple of days ago, and I think that’s good. I in working with us to pursue matters of mu- think that we should. 650 Mar. 29 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000

I think that the process that has been set Elian Gonzalez up is the right one. I don’t know what the Q. A possible confrontation is looming be- solution is, but I think the States are going tween the relatives of Elian Gonzalez and to have to get together with these companies Federal authorities. As a last resort, would and figure out—first of all, I don’t think there you permit Federal authorities or some kind should be any access taxes or new trans- of Federal agents to go in there to forcibly actional taxes or anything that will overly bur- take the boy so that he could be sent back den Internet commerce, because it is making to Cuba? a real contribution to our economy. The President. Well, I think, surely, we The real issue is, as a higher and higher are some distance from that because they percentage of sales are conducted over the have to—they will, doubtless—if they do not Internet, what happens to the sales tax base prevail in court, they will clearly appeal. And of the States? Are they going to have to go I would just hope that the law would be fol- to a different kind of taxation? Because they lowed by everyone, including them. I think don’t want to prejudice ordinary retailers. On that there is a legal process here. I have done the other hand, some of the people in the my best to avoid politicizing it. And I think Internet business think that any sales tax will that the appropriate authorities, in this case put them at a disadvantage because they have the judges, will make a decision. And when to charge shipping charges. that is done, I think that the people on all So I think that is a matter that the States sides should accept the rule of the court. And will have to work out. Since they are basically I—— State taxes, I think we ought to leave it to Q. So the relatives realize that is an option? them. But the Governors are highly attuned The President. What do you mean? to economic development. They will not Q. That marshals might have to come in lightly hurt their economies. But they also there and say, ‘‘Release the boy.’’ have responsibilities to fund their schools and The President. Well, that’s—it’s no more other public services. And I just think they an option there than it is for anyone else who are going to have to work through it. doesn’t—who says, ‘‘I don’t like the way the I think over the next year or so, you will courts decide.’’ I don’t think they should be begin to see some kind of consensus emerge. singled out. I don’t think there should be any Yes, go ahead. extra pressure put on them. But on the other hand, I think that they should observe the Israel-Syria Peace Talks rule of law; just like if they prevail in court, Q. Mr. President, are you prepared to de- the others should accept it. I have done my ploy American advisers, monitors, or troops best not to overly politicize this, and I don’t on the Golan Heights to secure an Israeli- think we should. There is a legal process here. We ought to let it play out. Syrian peace accord? Did you discuss that Yes, go ahead, Jim [Jim Angle, FOX at all with President Asad and, if so, what News]. I’ll take you both. Go ahead. was his response? The President. We did not discuss it. So Federal Reserve Board Nominations far, all the options being discussed by Syria Q. The Senate so far has not acted on two and Israel do not entail that. The only time of your nominees to the Federal Reserve I ever even discussed it is as a theoretical Board and shows no inclination to do so. A possibility was many years ago with the late third slot is open as well. Do you have any Prime Minister Rabin. And it was clear to realistic expectation of seeing action on that me, even then, that both sides were looking front this year, or will those slots be filled for a way to resolve this that would not re- by your successor, whomever he may be? quire an international force including Amer- The President. Well, I don’t know. I hope ican troops there, and I think they are still that the Senate will continue to move for- trying to get that done. ward on appointments. We had some success Yes, John [John Cochran, ABC News]. with judicial appointments recently. They are Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Mar. 29 651 approving a smaller percentage of nominees that the NRA has mounted on you and your than is customary when the President is of administration? one party and the Senate majority is of an- The President. Well, let me answer the other, and I think that is regrettable. But I question on the merits. Gun prosecutions are have worked with the Senate, and I have con- up under our administration. And I have sistently sent the appointments up there, for asked in this budget for a significant increase example, recommended by Republicans for to enforce the laws, including more prosecu- Republican slots on various boards and com- tors, more ATF agents. missions. And I hope we will have some But again, I would make the main point: progress there. The NRA’s position is that if somebody does They are also holding up a couple of Am- something wrong, throw the book at them bassadors for reasons that are totally unre- but do not have any preventive measures lated to the nominees or any objection that when it comes to guns. They believe that un- they have to their qualifications, and that’s like every other area of our life, there should not good for America’s foreign policy inter- be no prevention. So they say—they didn’t ests. So I hope we will continue to see— want us to have the Brady bill. They said we will have some breaking of logjams the it was too burdensome on people. But it way we did on the judges just a few weeks hasn’t been burdensome. They don’t want us ago. to close the gun show loophole. They say it’s Go ahead, Jim. too burdensome. They’re not even for the research into smart-gun technology or for Mayor Alexander Penelas of Metro-Dade banning large ammunition clips. County, Florida There’s a case where we have a law on the books that can’t be effectively enforced. Q. Mr. President, the mayor of Miami— These assault weapons are illegal, but the back on the Elian Gonzalez case—the mayor ammunition clips, the big ammunition clips, of Miami said today that he would withhold can be imported because of a loophole in any assistance from the city, including police, the law, so the law we have can’t be effec- if Federal authorities decide to return Elian tively enforced. Gonzalez to Cuba. And if there were any vio- And I think that it’s just wrong to say that lence in the streets, he would hold you and because of the second amendment or be- Attorney General Reno personally respon- cause there are a lot of people that like to sible for that. hunt or sport shoot that prevention plays no That seems to sound like an invitation for role in this. the community to block Federal authorities How would you feel if I said, for example, and an assurance to them that the Miami po- the following: ‘‘You know, all these people lice will stand aside. that go through airport metal detectors, The President. Well, I like the mayor very 99.999 percent of them are law-abiding, good much, but I still believe in the rule of law people. And it is really a pain to go through here. We all have to—whatever the law is, those metal detectors if you’ve got a money whatever the decision is ultimately made, the clip in your pocket or a rodeo belt buckle rest of us ought to obey it. on or something else, and you have to go through two or three times or take your belt National Rifle Association off or whatever. It’s just too burdensome, and Q. Mr. President, Charlton Heston is on I’m just sick and tired of it, and I’m going the college speaking circuit. And he said last to take these metal detectors down in the night, ‘‘It amazes me that the President is airports, and the next time a plane blows up, so stubborn when it comes to guns.’’ And we’re going to throw the book at them.’’ he notes that there are already 22,000 gun Now, you’re laughing. But what if I said, laws on the books by his count, which he ‘‘You know, most people who drive are good, says that the administration does not enforce. honest, responsible people, and we should Could you do more to enforce existing gun just—we ought to repeal the laws, the drivers laws, and how do you feel about the attack license laws, and repeal the speed limits, and 652 Mar. 29 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 the next time somebody does something when the decision was made to release those wrong and has a 25-car pileup, we’ll just letters, I didn’t even have any conversation throw the book at them.’’ with anybody about the Privacy Act. I never I mean, a sensible society has a balance thought about it, never thought about wheth- between prevention and punishment. And er it applied or not, and decided to do it when we put these 100,000 police out, a lot reluctantly only because it was the only way of people said that wouldn’t work. But the I knew to refute allegations that were made truth is, the community policing program, I against me that were untrue. And I think they believe, has contributed more to lowering the plainly did that, and I would not have done crime rate by preventing people from com- it otherwise. mitting crimes in the first place than even But I think in terms of the law, there are by catching them more quickly. other reasons that I disagree with the law, So all I can tell you is, I just disagree with with the idea that the Privacy Act, which was that. And in terms of their attacks on me, generally designed to protect people who had you know, that’s what I get hired to do. That’s business with the Federal Government or part of the President’s job description, being were complaining about something that the attacked by people who disagree with him. Government was doing or had reasons for That doesn’t matter. I still think Charlton confidentiality and having to give the Gov- Heston’s a great actor, and I love his mov- ernment records, there were all kinds of rea- ies—[laughter]—and I still watch him every sons for the Privacy Act. And so I just don’t time I get a chance. And I loved having him believe that it—I think that the opinion of here at the White House not very long ago, our counsel’s office and many other judges when he got one of the Kennedy Center who ruled on this is that that act does not Awards. apply to this kind of correspondence in the But that’s irrelevant to me. The only ques- White House. And so we disagree, and we tion is, what is best for the safety of the will proceed accordingly. American people? And guns are no different Yes, go ahead, and then Mark. Go ahead, than any other area of our life. We need a Larry [Larry McQuillan, Reuters]. balance between prevention and punish- ment. Gas Tax Go ahead. Did you have a question? Go ahead, John [John King, Cable News Net- Q. Mr. President, in light of the fact that work] and then Mark [Mark Knoller, CBS OPEC has decided to increase production, Radio]. do you see it as a mistake for the Senate to proceed with a bill that would suspend Privacy Act and the White House the gas tax? And if it reached your desk, Q. Mr. President, a Federal judge, with would you veto it? whom you have disagreed in the past, today The President. I don’t expect it to reach said it was his opinion that you had com- my desk because there seems to be bipartisan mitted a criminal violation of the Privacy Act opposition to it in the House, including by releasing those Kathleen Willey letters among the leadership. But the problem I during the Independent Counsel investiga- have with it, apart from what it might do to tion. What do you think of that ruling? And the Highway Trust Fund and the spending do you agree with the take of one of your obligations that have already been incurred legal advisors earlier today, who called this by the acts of Congress—the budgets—is judge ‘‘a loose cannon’’? that I’m not sure that the savings would be The President. Did one of my legal advi- passed along to the consumers, in addition sors do that? [Laughter] Well, he does seem to that. to have somehow acquired a significant per- So I think there are a lot of questions about centage of the cases involving the White it, but I don’t expect it to pass. I do think, House. That’s an interesting story. however, we shouldn’t minimize the real But anyway, you know, obviously, we don’t bind that some Americans have already faced agree with the ruling. And I can say that by these high fuel costs. For most of us Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Mar. 29 653 who—of course, I don’t drive myself any- But I think that that’s something they more—but for most people who don’t have ought to work with. I do think that the Prime to drive a long way to work, it may seem Minister’s government did a good thing to an irritant but not a burden. But there are try to provide fathers as well as mothers fam- a lot of Americans who do have to drive a ily leave, though. [Laughter] I think it’s a long way to work, who work for not very good policy. much money. And there are a lot of Ameri- Yes, go ahead. Go ahead, Mara [Mara cans who are in the trucking business who Liasson, National Public Radio]. have been really, really hurt by this. So I think we have to just keep our powder Normal Trade Relations Status for China dry, keep our options open. But right now Q. Mr. President, you are lobbying Con- I think the prudent thing is to see how quick- gress to pass permanent trade relations for ly these prices can come down with the in- China. You’re having a difficult time getting crease in production, and for the House to your own Democrats to vote for it. Vice reauthorize the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. President Gore has said even though he is We’ve got to have that reauthorization of the for this agreement, if he was President he Strategic Petroleum Reserve. My authority wouldn’t negotiate trade deals like this, he even to use that, even as a possible option, would only negotiate trade deals that in- expires on Friday. And it’s very, very impor- cluded labor and environmental standards. tant for that to pass. How is that stand of his complicating your Go ahead, Mark. efforts to convince Democrats to vote for this? Paternity Leave and Prime Minister The President. It isn’t, because if we were Tony Blair having a trade agreement with China, instead Q. Mr. President, I wonder if you’ve got of an agreement on their accession to the any thoughts or advice for your friend, British WTO, we could do that. But keep in mind, Prime Minister Tony Blair, and the dilemma I favor—I believe I was the first person in that he faces—[laughter]—on whether he a national campaign ever to advocate the in- should take parental leave, as his wife has clusion of labor and environmental provisions suggested, when their next child is born? And in trade agreements. And we put some in if you don’t want to share your advice with NAFTA. And we’ve gotten some good envi- us, what would you do in that situation? ronmental improvements as a result of it. [Laughter] Even though there are still environmental The President. I would like to have been problems along the Rio Grande River, a lot a fly on the wall when they first talked about has been done. And there have been some that after it appeared in public. But you labor standards improvements as a result of know, I feel very close to both Tony and it in some places. So I know a lot of the peo- Cherie. I don’t want to get in the middle ple who wanted it aren’t satisfied that we’ve of that. [Laughter] But I think Mrs. Blair said done as much. But it was a really that there must be a ‘‘third way’’ to handle groundbreaking effort. this challenge. [Laughter] That’s what she I went to the International Labor Organi- said, although I thought it was a good line. zation in Switzerland, and to the WTO, and First of all, I envy him very much. I think to Davos, Switzerland, to argue for a dif- it’s a great thing for them, and it’ll keep them ferent approach to trade. I don’t think you young. And it’s a wonderful thing. You know, can take economics in a global economy that for me, even though Presidents have a very is becoming increasingly globalized and act hard schedule—you know, we keep very long as if it’s totally separate from child labor or hours—you have some more flexibility with other abusive labor practices or what the im- your time because we live above the store, pact of economic activity on the environment so to speak. So I wouldn’t have the same bur- is. dens, if we were having a baby. I could spend That is not what this agreement is. I still a lot of time with the baby and still work believe if we can just get everybody to read and work it out. what this agreement does, it will pass handily, 654 Mar. 29 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 because this agreement will create jobs for ments on, for example, climate change, be- America; it will create jobs for labor union cause we’d be giving them something while members; it will grow the economy. I will they were giving us something. We’re not say again, in this—I mean, this is an agree- giving up anything here. These are the terms ment about the conditions under which of their membership, and it’s a hundred-to- China enters the WTO. The United States nothing deal for us. All we lose here is if doesn’t lower any tariffs. We don’t change we reject it, we will lose economic opportuni- any trade laws. We do nothing. They have ties we will regret for 20 years and will hurt to lower tariffs. They open up telecommuni- our national security interest. cations for investment. They allow us to sell Yes, go ahead, Susan [Susan Feeney, Dal- cars made in America in China at much lower las Morning News]. tariffs. They allow us to put our own distribu- torships over there. They allow us to put our Campaign Finance Reform own parts over there. We don’t have to trans- Q. Sir, could you comment on the Vice fer technology or do joint manufacturing in President’s plan for a $7 billion democracy China anymore. This is a hundred-to-nothing endowment to pay for congressional and per- deal for America when it comes to the eco- haps Presidential campaigns? nomic consequences. The President. Yes, I thought it was a And most of what we have negotiated, we good idea. I kind of wish I thought of it my- will absolutely lose the benefit of. If they go self. And I think—I’ll tell you why I think into the WTO and we don’t approve normal it’s a good idea, very briefly. I think you can’t permanent trade relations with them, what ever really solve the problem in campaign will happen is, all the work that Charlene finance reform unless you have—because Barshefsky and Gene Sperling did to get what is the problem? The problem is that those concessions will go to Europe and it costs so much money to communicate with Japan and all the people who didn’t negotiate people over the mass media. it. They’ll get all the benefits, and we won’t. So if you want to solve the problem, you So the consequences, the economic con- either have to have a different source of sequences are quite clear and unambiguous funding or there have to be requirements for for the United States. And so I think, to— free or drastically reduced media time. That’s and under the rules of the WTO, we couldn’t the problem. Otherwise, you’re just sort of impose different standards on their member- rearranging where the money comes from or ship than were imposed on us or anyone else. how you do it. I don’t mean—I think See, that’s the difference in this. McCain-Feingold is important. And let me I agree with the Vice President. When he reiterate what the Vice President said. His gets to be President—I believe he will be— proposal should not be interpreted in any he should continue to work harder on inte- way as a reduction of the administration’s grating a whole vision of the global economy support for McCain-Feingold. The Shays- that includes labor and environmental stand- Meehan bill, which is the partner bill, has ards and the whole idea of what it will mean already passed the House. Again, if we could to be part of a global society in the 21st cen- bring it up to a vote in the Senate, it would tury. I think that’s important. pass the Senate. A minority is blocking it in But if people understand what this is, this the Senate. We can pass it in the Senate. is a vote on whether we will support their And we ought to pass it, because it will do membership. And the only way we can do some real good. it—and that we will benefit from their mem- But the thing I like about it is, the Amer- bership. And the only way we can do it is ican people have reservations about public if they get permanent normal trade relations. financing of campaigns. We even have some It is not like we had a bilateral trade agree- trouble with the dollar check-off for the Pres- ment with China; that is not what this is idential campaigns. This proposes to give in- about. centives to people to try to raise the money So if we were in bilateral negotiations, we in a more voluntary fashion from non-tax could argue more strongly for certain agree- sources. So if it could be done and if the Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Mar. 29 655 trust fund could be filled up, I think it is ferences between China and Taiwan must be actually quite a good idea. resolved by dialog, and I feel very strongly Go ahead, John [John Harris, Washington about it. Post]. But having said all that, I still believe that, given the available alternatives of which I am Leadership in China aware, these two men have been the best Q. Mr. President, when you finished your team that was available for China. And I trip to China 2 years ago, you gave a news think this decision they’ve made to join the conference in Hong Kong in which you WTO is a decision basically to modernize praised Chinese President Jiang Zemin as a China in ways that will go far beyond the visionary, a man of good will, and someone economy. I think it will lead—you get all this who was the right leadership at the right time telecommunications revolution permanently for China. Since then, China’s record on manifest in China, they will not be able to abusing human rights and threatening Tai- control the Internet; they will not be able wan has, of course, continued to be quite to control access to information; they will not checkered. be able to control freedom of expression. It I wonder if today you still think Jiang’s will become a more free country and a more leadership still deserves that praise you gave open country. And that is a very, very good it or if your judgment today would have to thing. That’s another big reason we ought to be more severe? sign onto this, because we ought to be a part The President. Well, I still think, given of their opening. the alternatives of who could have been the There will be more openness in the next President of China, that I’m aware of, and 5 years, if China enters the WTO and all the who could have been the Premier, I think telecommunications revolution hits at full that President Jiang Zemin and Zhu Rongji force, than there has been in the last 20 are the best team that could have been in years, since Deng Xiaoping started this. their positions at that time. Yes, go ahead. As you know, I generally strongly disagree with the Chinese view that to preserve sta- Campaign Finance Reform bility in their society, they have to repress Q. Mr. President, I’d like to return to cam- political and sometimes religious activists to paign finance reform, if I could. Vice Presi- the extent that they do. I think that’s wrong. dent Gore, in announcing his proposal, called And there have been several cases in the last himself an imperfect messenger on that sub- couple of years that have deeply disappointed ject. Isn’t that an acknowledgement, sir, of me. something you and he have long denied, that I know that China has a historic—almost there was an attempt to bend, if not break, a phobia of internal disintegration because the spirit, if not the letter, of campaign fi- of the problems that they faced in the last— nance laws during your reelection campaign? if you just take the last 100 years, problems The President. No, I disagree with that. that our society has never faced. I know that He said—he has never said that he knew that they say that to some extent their cultural any of the money that he raised was not law- views are not as oriented toward individual fully raised. And I don’t believe he did. And rights and liberties as ours are. But I believe I can certainly tell—you look at the dif- that the U.N. Declaration of Human Rights ference in the way we reacted in 1996 and is a universal document, and I believe it the way the other party reacted to allegations should be observed, and that’s why we voice of illegal foreign money, for example. our disagreements with China every year, What did we do? We spent $4 million, that and so I don’t like that. And I hope that— we had to go out and raise, to put all these I will say again, I hope that we will see a records on computer disks, to give it all to lessening of tensions across the Taiwan the Justice Department, to make sure that Straits. everything was there. There was no slow- I support the ‘‘one China’’ policy. But part walking, no stonewalling, no nothing. I was of our ‘‘one China’’ policy is that the dif- outraged when I found out that the system 656 Mar. 29 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 for checking the backgrounds of contributors in the House and the Senate have to spend and things like that had been dismantled the time they have to spend raising the funds without my knowledge or approval. for their campaign. And the wear and tear And I did not do all that work. And keep on them—getting on those airplanes, you in mind, you mentioned ’96—we didn’t know, once or twice a week, all the time, have—we raised the funds we needed for my when frankly, I think, if they were home rest- Presidential reelection in 7 months. And I ing, you know, reading good books, spending believe—you can go check this—but I have time with their families—you’re laughing. been told that ever since the campaign fi- This is a serious deal. nance laws came in, in the seventies, that You think about it. This is a significant cost we had the smallest number of violations and to our political system, that these people have fines of any Presidential campaign, the to spend the time they have to spend to raise Clinton/Gore ’96 campaign did. the funds required to wage their campaigns. So—I know those funds were raised It wears them out, and I worry about them. through the party, but I was as appalled as You know, this is a hard enough job. And the next person when I found out that we I really believe that Congress would function had taken funds, that people had given us better if they didn’t have to spend this much money that wasn’t legal. We didn’t need it time. So that’s another reason that I support to win. It was wrong, and we did everything not only McCain-Feingold, but I think that we could to try to correct it and set it right. this idea of the Vice President’s, or some- And we spent a lot of money doing it. thing like this that would alleviate the burden And so I think what he meant is that he of spending so much time, I think the Amer- had been involved in one incident which he ican people would get a lot better Govern- felt was unfortunate, and we raised soft ment, and the Members of Congress would money. And we’ve done it aggressively be- get a lot more sleep. cause we don’t believe in unilateral disar- George [George Condon, Copley News mament. Service]. But I would just point out that 100 percent of our caucus, the Democratic caucus in the China-U.S. Relations/Taiwan Senate and the House, 100 percent of us— and the White House—the whole Demo- Q. Mr. President, back on China for a sec- cratic Party in Washington, DC, support the ond. This morning the Chinese told Sandy McCain-Feingold bill. So if it had been up Berger that U.S.-Chinese relations were at to us, it would have been law years ago. And a critical juncture. Do you agree that things I think that’s worth something. are critical right now? And also, you men- So I think he’s a good messenger. You tioned your continued support for a ‘‘one know, I think he was showing a little humil- China’’ policy. Do you envision any cir- ity, and I think that’s always a good thing. cumstances in which you could support Tai- We’re all flawed in some way or another. But wanese independence? I think that, you know, he passionately be- The President. Well, first, I think they’re lieves this. And he worked very hard to come at a critical stage primarily because of this— up with not only our support for McCain- of the China-WTO decision before the Con- Feingold, and his, but some way to build on gress. And secondly, I think that they would it to solve the real problem. be at a critical stage if we were to abandon The thing that I worry about, for example, our ‘‘one China’’ policy. in addition to—you know, most of you are But you know, we made an agreement concerned about the large contributions and with the Chinese a long time ago. When we the soft money. But something else, I think, normalized relations under President Carter, that should concern you—not so much for after a period of years of developing them, me, because I have, it’s easy for me to get starting with President Nixon’s historic trip around, and I have great living conditions there, it has been the unanimous bipartisan here, and the Vice President does—but it position of every President and every admin- bothers me that Republicans and Democrats istration that that was the right decision. It Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Mar. 29 657 has also been, to this point, the position of The President. Well, I think—she’s like all elected leaders in Taiwan. Hillary and me. All three of us, I think, we I remember, I was there as a Governor want to savor the weeks and months we have in 1986 at their Tientien Day celebration, ahead in this, our last year. And I told her and they had a map of China which showed that if she could take time off from school, Taiwan being a part of China, too, even I’d like for her to go with me on some of though they had the political tilt the other these trips. way. I was—I think she was kind of taken aback And I think that they have so much to gain by the attention she got in India, in par- from each other. I mean, the investment of ticular. And I think it was because she had Taiwanese in China, for example, as you been there with her mother before, and they know, is enormous. And if they just keep talk- had both made a very favorable impression ing, they’ll work this out. They’ll find a way in Bangladesh and India and Pakistan. So— to work this out. The Chinese have been but I think she was quite surprised by it, and quite clear that they were willing to be pa- I don’t think she sought it out in any way. tient and to negotiate an arrangement which But you know, when your child grows up— might even be different from that in Hong I think any parent with a grown child can Kong. And I think that Taiwan’s got a lot identify with this—you’re always sort of going for it. And I don’t think either one of pleasantly surprised when they still want to them needs this crisis right now. hang around with you a little. And it’s a won- So I just think they need to—and I’ve been derful thing. So for me, it is just a personal very impressed by the President-elect in Tai- thing. And any time I can be with her, I want wan and the way he’s handled this since his to be with her. election, what he’s had to say. And he seems Yes, go ahead. to be quite well aware of the weighty respon- sibility he now has and the great opportunity White House E-Mail he has. And so I just think they need—this Q. Mr. President, it was reported today is a big issue. They need to get together, start that the White House had a computer disk the dialog again, and figure out where to go with Monica Lewinsky’s E-mails. Sir, what from here. do you think about the notion that it wasn’t But if you look at the future that awaits turned over sooner, and how would you as- the Chinese and that is already embracing sess your administration’s overall handling of the Taiwanese, you know, they have huge E-mail problems at the White House? market percentage globally in a lot of the var- The President. I don’t know it, but I be- ious components of the computer industry, lieve that was known years ago. I believe that. for example—huge. And I just don’t think I don’t—I don’t—I don’t handle the E-mail they want a political problem to take all that things. I can tell you this: my Counsel, Beth away from their people. And they’ll find a Nolan, is going up to the Hill, I think tomor- way to do it. They need to stick with this row, to talk about this. I believe that it is framework and find a way to get their dialog accurate to say that we had turned over ev- going again. erything that had been found, and from what Yes, go ahead. I understand, some things were not found because they were in a different system. So Chelsea Clinton now we’re working out how to cooperate with Q. Although not unprecedented in history, the Congress. it’s unusual for a President’s child to have But my Counsel will talk about it tomor- such an important limelight as Chelsea had row, and I’m confident that whatever is the during your state visit to the Asian subconti- right thing to do, we will do. nent. With the First Lady fully engaged in Yes, go ahead. New York, will we be seeing more of Chelsea? Did she express an interest to make ‘‘American Beauty’’/Youth Violence more state visits with you, sir? How do you Q. It’s coming up on the year anniversary think she did? of Columbine, and around this time last year, 658 Mar. 29 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 you had a summit at the White House where then when I leave, I hope that the new ad- you talked not only about the gun aspect of ministration will take this up and keep it violence but also the cultural aspect in our going, obviously with whatever personnel society of it. And considering that we just they choose. But I hope this will become a had a movie sweep the Academy Awards that permanent fixture of the National Govern- had a pretty violent ending, I wondered ment’s efforts as well as the council we have whether you felt the entertainment industry within the Federal Government to work on has made much progress in this area? this until the youth violence rate goes way The President. Well, first of all, I certainly down. There’s just tons of work to do. don’t believe that movie glorified violence. Yes, go ahead. I have never suggested that we should have movies that—as long as there is a good rat- Situation in Kosovo ings system—movies that didn’t have vio- Q. A question, please, about Kosovo. A lence, which is part of a normal theme. short while ago, a senior Pentagon official I thought it was an astonishing movie, ac- was quoted as saying, we’re at ground zero tually. And I certainly don’t think anyone in terms of building a better and more secure who watched it and understood it would society over there. And there have been some think of it as glorifying violence. I think it instances that suggest U.S. troops are coming would be—I think a lot of the tragedy and in to more danger. How does it appear that fear that is behind people who misuse guns this situation will be in the future, more dan- would be apparent there. And so I think, if gerous, less dangerous? What are the stakes anything, it was an antiviolence movie. for us now? I think that some progress is being made. The President. Well, first, I think that I think that there are still problems with there clearly are still deepseated aversions in whether the ratings systems make sense and the Serbian and Kosovar-Albanian commu- make sense in relations to one another, be- nities for each other. There is a lot of fear, tween the movies, the TV programs, and the a lot of mistrust, a lot of hatred. There is ones that are being developed for the Inter- continuing activity of which we do not ap- net—I mean, the video games and I just— prove by some radical elements in the I think there are still some improvements Kosovar-Albanian community. There is some that need to be made. evidence that the Serbs may be trying to I know that Hillary said that she thought work a little mischief in the northern part there ought to be a uniform system, and I of Kosovo. think that that would—if it could be made But the main problem is, those people more uniform, more simple, more under- were oppressed for a decade, and then they standable, I think that would make a dif- were all run out of their country. And there ference. And I still think there is too much is still a lot of bad blood, and it’s not going gratuitous violence produced in entertain- to go away in a year or 2. But I think that ment. But I don’t think that applies—that the international community did a very good that is a fair criticism of ‘‘American Beauty.’’ job of sending the soldiers in. But we have Let me say this. Since the year, though, to do more. And I’ve been on the phone since you mention that, the National Cam- quite a lot about this, by the way, in the last, paign Against Youth Violence, with our Exec- oh, month or so, trying to make sure that utive Director, Jeff Bleich, has done a lot of all of us get our money there on time and work, and they’re doing a lot of work on city- that we get more police there. We’ve offered by-city efforts and efforts by specific sectors more police, and many of the European of the community and dealing with all these countries have, as well. aspects. So there’s quite a lot of vigorous in- We need more civilian police there, and volvement. We’ve even got a Youth Advisory then we need to make sure that the money Council now, and they’re working. flowing to Mr. Kouchner at the U.N. Mission So I’ve been pleased by what they’re flows in a timely fashion so that people can doing, and I hope we can get a lot more peo- be paid and that the civil institutions can get ple involved in it in my last year here. And up and going. But you know, this takes time. Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Mar. 29 659

I remember, when we started in Bosnia, peo- The President. Well, maybe not. But I’ve ple thought it would never get any better, done a lot more than the Congress has. And and it’s better. And there’s still problems, but I think it is ironic that they would say that it’s better. This is not going to be done since, for years now, I have been pleading shortly. with them to give us some more tools to pro- But I would say this: I would urge the Con- mote the development of alternative fuels gress to pass both the military and the non- and to promote both the manufacture and military components of the Kosovo supple- the purchase of energy-saving technologies. mental request, because if we want the Euro- You know, I have talked until I was blue peans to do their part, and they are—I must in the face about this for years, and a lot say, in the last month or so, they have really of times it’s like you’re alone in the forest geared up the speed with which they are and no one hears you. I felt like the tree moving their investments into Kosovo—then falling in the forest. If no one hears it, did we’re going to have to do our part. it fall and make a sound? You know, I— But you know, we have to find ways to maybe we should do more, but maybe now get people, first of all, to accept living normal people will be listening more. lives, to provide basic protections, and then Of course, different Members have dif- to get used to, in halting steps, living and ferent takes on it. Some Members think we working together. And this is not easy, but ought to have more oil production at home, it can be done. And when I think of the other and for some Members, that means we ought peace processes in which I have been in- to have oil production offshore in places we volved, most of them really take hold after don’t have it now. But if you look at all of people have lived with the insanity of their our proven reserves, I don’t think anyone previous position so long that they are tired really believes that we can become more en- of it; they are bored with it; and they are ergy independent unless we become more willing to lay down their hatred and hurt. energy efficient and develop more alternative And we’re still at a point where, in Kosovo, fuels. That is the long-term answer here. And a lot of people are carrying their hatred and believe me, if the Congress—if any Member hurt around, and a lot of others seek political of Congress of either party wants to do more advantage over it. All I can tell you is I think on that and is ready to do more than I have we did the right thing to go in there and done in the past and ready to advocate some- let those people go back home. I think it’s thing beyond what I’ve advocated in the past, better than it would have been if we hadn’t I will be the first person to applaud that per- gone in there, and I think we are just going son, and I will work with them in any way, to have to work like crazy to try to make shape, or form I can. it work. I never thought it would be easy, but I do think it’s possible. I hope very much that this is a little bit of a wakeup call for all of us and that we Yes. Go ahead. can put this on the front burner and get some action. And I think—I am like everyone Energy Policy else—after you say something several times Q. Mr. President, tomorrow on the Hill, and you look like you’re not going to make Republicans will accuse you of a failed en- any progress on it, you tend to go on to some- ergy policy when we look at America’s con- thing where you can make progress. And it tinued dependence on foreign oil. Even a was hard to get people interested in it, espe- Member of the Democratic Senate says that cially when oil prices dropped to $12 a barrel. not enough has been done, that we have And I think—I hope this has been a sobering grown complacent. experience for the American people and for And when you look at the popularity of all of us and that we can now do more. And sport utility vehicles in this country, sir, have I’m certainly prepared to do more and pre- you done enough, both practically and psy- pared to give others the credit for taking the chologically, to promote the idea of weaning lead. I don’t care about that. And what we this country off of fossil fuels? should—we can do a lot, a lot. 660 Mar. 29 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000

Again, let me just review one or two of These things are out there now, and we the things that I said in the State of the just need to increase the percentage of peo- Union, just very briefly. We are reasonably ple that are using them. If you can afford close, I believe—most of the scientists I’ve the right kind of light bulb, which may cost talked to think that we’re reasonably close you 21⁄2 times as much, it’ll burn 4 or 5 times to cracking what I would call the fuel-to- longer and can save a ton of greenhouse gas biofuel conversion problem. If you, for exam- emissions just over the life of a big light bulb. ple, if you want to produce ethanol today, So there are lots of things we can do, but it takes about 7 gallons of gasoline to make we need to create some markets for doing about 8 gallons of ethanol. You wind up a this. And there hasn’t been a lot of interest little ahead, but not much. in it, I think, probably since the high prices Scientists believe that if we can unlock the of the seventies. But even at modest oil chemical problem that is analogous to crack- prices, the profits are there if we can just ing the crude oil molecule that made gasoline highlight this. So I hope—I will say this: I possible, we can get down to a conversion think I should do more. I hope I can do ratio of 1 gallon of gasoline for 8 gallons of more. But I’d like their help to do more, as ethanol. If you do that and then we get 80- well. mile-a-gallon cars, you’re looking at 500 Thank you. miles to the gallon, in effect. So that’s impor- tant. NOTE: The President’s 189th news conference I have done everything I can, and the Vice began at 2:10 p.m. in the East Room at the White House. In his remarks, he referred to President President has taken the lead on this partner- Hafiz al-Asad of Syria; Prime Minister Ehud ship for new generation vehicles, where Barak of Israel; President Hosni Mubarak of we’ve worked quietly, now, for over 7 years Egypt; former President Boris Yeltsin of Russia; to work with the auto companies to develop Charlton Heston, president, National Rifle Asso- high mileage vehicles—vehicles that run on ciation; President-elect Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan; electricity that have self-regenerating bat- Special Representative of the Secretary-General teries, so you don’t have to pull in every 80 and head of the United Nations Interim Adminis- or 90 or 100 miles to recharge them, or dual- tration Mission in Kosovo Bernard Kouchner; and fuel-use vehicles that are beginning to come Representative Richard Gephardt. A portion of on the market. this news conference could not be verified be- cause the tape was incomplete. Now, on the sports utility vehicles, I think, you know, the American people, they want to drive those vehicles. They like those big Memorandum on the Continued vehicles. But if they’re going to drive them, Commitment to the Javits-Wagner- we’re either going to have to find a way for O’Day Program them to get better mileage or run on alter- native fuels over the long run. And I think March 29, 2000 we will be able to do that. Memorandum for the Heads of Executive In the—and let me just give you one other Departments and Agencies example. I don’t want to beat a dead horse, but one of my proposals was to give tax incen- Subject: Continued Commitment to the tives for the manufacturers and to pur- Javits-Wagner-O’Day Program chasers—for consumers—to buy certain en- The Javits-Wagner-O’Day (JWOD) Pro- ergy-efficient materials. The National Home gram, named for its legislative sponsors, is Builders has worked with HUD and the En- a Federal initiative that generates employ- ergy Department to build lower cost housing ment and training for more than 34,000 peo- for working people on modest incomes in ple who are blind or who have other signifi- various places that cut the fuel bills by 40 cant disabilities. These individuals, working to 60 percent, just by using better insulation, in more than 600 nonprofit agencies associ- new solar panels that look just like ordinary ated with the National Industries for the shingles on roofs, and glass that lets in more Blind (NIB) or with NISH (a national non- light and keeps out more heat and cold. profit agency that serves persons with a wide Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Mar. 29 661 range of disabilities), furnish supplies and verely Disabled (the Federal entity respon- services to the Federal Government under sible for the JWOD Program), NIB, or NISH the JWOD Program. will contact your procurement staff in the In recent years, the JWOD Program has near future to explore steps that your agency faced numerous challenges as the Federal ac- can take to increase support for the JWOD quisition system has evolved in ways not envi- Program at this critical juncture. sioned even a decade ago. Today, for exam- William J. Clinton ple, hundreds of thousands of Federal em- ployees buy goods with purchase cards. Elec- NOTE: An original was not available for tronic commerce is expanding rapidly and verification of the content of this memorandum. commercial firms deliver goods previously stocked and distributed by Federal agencies. These and other procurement reforms have Remarks at a Reception for created a more direct relationship between Representative James E. Clyburn commercial vendors and their Federal cus- in Columbia, South Carolina tomers. Participants in the JWOD Program March 29, 2000 are taking steps to adjust to these and other changes in the Federal procurement environ- Well, it’s certainly a relief, after this long ment, but the transition is a dynamic and far- trip I just took from Washington to India and reaching process that requires strong support Bangladesh and Pakistan and Switzerland, to from Government customers. be with such a laid-back crowd tonight. As I have stated on numerous occasions, [Laughter] I’ll tell you, I don’t know how the unemployment rate for adults with dis- many people said to me tonight, ‘‘You must abilities is unacceptably high. We cannot af- be so tired.’’ If I had been tired, I’d be so ford to lose any opportunities for this seg- pumped after this, I may not sleep for 3 more ment of our population. I call upon you to days. [Laughter] I want to thank you all for recognize the contributions made to the Fed- the wonderful welcome. I want to thank the eral Government by individuals with disabil- young people who performed for us tonight, ities under the JWOD Program and to take and I want to thank all of you who brought steps to ensure that your agencies’ procure- your children tonight, to remind us of why ment executives, and other employees who we’re really all here. acquire supplies for your agency, purchase I want to say to you, Bishop, Mrs. Adams, JWOD products and services, consistent with I am honored to be here with you. We’ve existing law. Their support for the JWOD been friends a long time, since before I was Program will help people with significant dis- President, and I’ve heard you give a lot of abilities become and remain more inde- talks, and you get better every time you do pendent and productive members of society. it. [Laughter] I want to thank the first AME It is particularly important to encourage bishop I ever knew, Bishop Fred James, who those entrusted with Federal purchase cards is out here, my longtime friend. Thank you to be vigilant in continuing to purchase the very much, my good friend. reasonably priced products and services (in- Dr. Waddell, thank you for having us here cluding SKILCRAFT items) supplied at Allen University. I want to say a special through the JWOD Program. word of appreciation to Dick Harpootlian, The JWOD Program also provides many who—he and Pam, they did have me down recycled content, environmentally pref- here 8 years ago, and I had a wonderful time, erable, and energy efficient products. The and he’s been a great chairman of this party. purchase of these items would enable the I want to thank Don Fowler for his leader- Federal Government to continue its leader- ship of the Democratic National Committee, ship of the ‘‘greening of the government’’ ini- for being here with me tonight. tiative while invigorating the JWOD Pro- I thank Bob and Beth Coble. And I’m glad gram. to see that Mayor Riley made it upstate a Representatives of the Committee for little tonight. We’re glad to see you, too. Purchase From People Who are Blind or Se- Thank you. And thank you, Bob, for coming 662 Mar. 29 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 out to the airport to meet me and always He’s got a way of standing up for what making me feel so welcome in Columbia. he believes in and still working to build con- I want to thank some of my old friends sensus. That’s how he became the unanimous who are here: Dwight Drake, whom I’ve choice to head the Congressional Black Cau- known now more than 20 years; and thank cus. And he’s even trying to use his ability you, McKinley Washington, for being one of to build consensus to resolve this bitter de- my cochairs in 1992 when even my mother bate over the Confederate flag. wasn’t sure I could be elected President. You know, I know everybody expects me I want to thank Inez Tenenbaum and Jim to say something about that. I just want to Lander for being here, and I want to thank say this: I was, a couple of Sundays ago, I Governor Bob McNair. Thank you for being went to Selma, Alabama, for the 35th anni- here. And Governor John West, also my versary of Bloody Sunday. And my mother- friend of more than 20 years, thank you for in-law said it was the best talk I ever gave. being here. And I told her, it’s because I’d been waiting I want to say, I might have been the all my life to give it. I was there with John happiest non-South Carolinian in the entire Lewis and Hosea Williams and Mrs. King United States of America when Jim Hodges and Reverend Jackson, and Dick Gregory was elected Governor in 1998. When he came back. Hosea Williams got up out of his filed, Erskine Bowles and his wife, Crandal, wheelchair; we walked across the Edmund told me that he would be elected. And I got Pettus Bridge together. And I said then all so used to Republicans winning down here, I have to say about this: that as long as the I have to admit I was a Doubting Thomas. waving symbol of one American’s pride is the But they turned out to be right, and it’s been shameful symbol of another American’s pain, good for South Carolina. And he and Rachel we still have bridges to cross in our country, have really brought dignity and direction to and we’d better go on and get across them. the Governor’s office. I very much agree with what Governor And let me say that I am so delighted to Hodges said when he said there is a new be here for Jim Clyburn. You know, when South Carolina. And I began to see it when the Governor was building Jim up, I was sit- I came here in 1991 and 1992 and in all the ting there talking to Emily, and she said, times since. I saw it when Jim Clyburn was ‘‘You know, I’m going to have to talk to Jim elected. I saw it when Jim Hodges was elect- after this introduction. He might get to be- ed. I saw it in the dialog you’ve had on issues lieving all that stuff.’’ [Laughter] of racial and religious tolerance. I see it in I have to tell you that even though he told the commitment you’re made to education. that golf joke, I still like Jim Clyburn. I see it in the ratification of the leadership [Laughter] And I respect him. And I wish Jim has given on everything from supporting all of you could see him operate in Wash- the vital mission of Historically Black Col- ington, and I say that in a complimentary leges and Universities to maintaining affirma- way. But he has such a good, reassuring way tive action to promoting economic develop- of doing his business. ment for all his constituents. When the freshman class in 1992—you He is one of the sponsors, as he said, of know, he was elected when I was, so we went my new markets initiative. It’s a simple little there together, but unlike me, he’s not term- idea, really. We’ve been sitting around think- limited, so he can stay—he goes in 1992, and ing about, for months, how can we keep this the freshman class of that year elected him economic growth going without inflation, the class president. First thing he did was number one; and number two, how can we to propose sharing his term with Representa- do something to get the benefits of this eco- tive Eva Clayton from North Carolina, to pay nomic recovery to the people and places that homage to the fact that it was the year of have been left behind? the woman. That’s the kind of thing that he We may have the lowest unemployment does that is genuine and generous and also rate in 30 years, but there’s still some people smart. [Laughter] This guy didn’t fall off the left behind. In my State, and I’ll bet you in truck yesterday. [Laughter]. this State, there are still some counties with Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Mar. 29 663 unemployment rates that are twice the na- I would like to say a word of greeting to tional average. In the Mississippi Delta, you from three people who aren’t here. The where I come from, or in the Rio Grande first is the best Secretary of Education this Valley or in some of the inner-city neighbor- country ever had, Dick Riley, who is in China hoods from New York to Los Angeles, there tonight. are still people and places that have been The second is Vice President Gore. We left behind. were together yesterday when we hosted the Jim and I were talking tonight coming in President of Egypt. And I used to complain, here about the trip we took and how he went because he’d get to do things like this. When with me and we both saw Mount Rushmore I was—before, whenever I was running or for the first time at night when they turn being President, they’ve never let me come the lights on. It was one of the most breath- to State party events. They’d always say, taking experiences I think either one of us ‘‘Well, you know, Al gets to do that.’’ And have ever had. And almost in the shadow of it really used to steam me. [Laughter] So I Mount Rushmore, there is the Pine Ridge told him yesterday, I said, ‘‘You know where Indian Reservation, the home of the Lakota I’m going tomorrow night? I’m going to Sioux, the tribe of Crazy Horse, where the South Carolina. Eat your heart out.’’ [Laugh- unemployment rate is 73 percent. ter] And he said, ‘‘Well, tell them not to for- So we were thinking, well, guess what? It get me.’’ So I did. And you shouldn’t. You shouldn’t. would be not only good to give people who And I thank you for the wonderful round are dying to work and aren’t part of this deal of applause you gave to Hillary when the yet a chance to do it, it would not only be Bishop mentioned that I’m trying to get into the morally right thing to do, it would be the Senate spouses’ club. [Laughter] She’s good economics, because if you make new in California tonight, and I’m flying back, and businesses and new employees and new tax- we’re going to spend tomorrow in New York payers, at the same time you’re making new together. But I’m very proud of her for what consumers, it’s by definition noninflationary she’s done as First Lady and for doing what growth. she’s doing now, and I thank you for that. So our idea with this new markets initiative I want to say just a couple of words seri- is pretty simple. It is that we ought to give ously, and then I’ll let you go. You’ve been American investors with money the same in- patient, and I know you’re probably tired. centives to invest in poor areas in America But I don’t get to come here very much, and we give you to invest in poor areas in Latin Jim said, ‘‘Just give them a whole dose to- America or Africa or Asia or any other place night, will you?’’ I got tickled, you know, around the world. So I thank Jim for his lead- when the bishop said—he talked about how ership there, for the work he’s done for the mad the Republicans got at me all the time. South Carolina Heritage Corridor or the— I was glad he told me why. [Laughter] You something that he really believes in that I know, I always thought I was a pretty nice thought was great. fellow. I’ve been sitting around here for 71⁄2 I signed the bill that he sponsored to pro- years trying to figure out—he reminded me tect the airline whistle-blowers. If you ride of the story—you know about the story about the airplanes a lot, you’ll appreciate that. this guy’s walking along the edge of the [Laughter] And he said that Vice President Grand Canyon, just an ordinary guy, a good Gore signed the bill—I mean, voted for the guy, and he—looking over the side, and he bill, cast the tie-breaking vote that passed the slips off. And he’s hurtling down to his cer- ’93 Budget Act, which began all this mar- tain demise. And he looks out on the edge velous expansion. That’s true. But so did he, of the Canyon, and he sees this little plant, because we didn’t have a vote to spare in and he grabs onto it, and it breaks his fall. either place, because we couldn’t get any Re- And he just sighs relief. Then, all of a sudden, publicans to help us. So thank you, Jim Cly- the roots of the plant start slowly coming out burn, for bringing the America economy of the side of the cavern. He looks up in back and for sticking with us. the sky, and he says, ‘‘God, why me? I am 664 Mar. 29 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 a good man. I work hard. I pay my taxes. poor village women in India, every trans- I take care of my kids. I contribute to my action they have now recorded in a computer community. I have done everything in the that they get a receipt from and they can world I’m supposed to do. Why me?’’ And operate. And then I went into the little mu- this thunderous voice comes out of the sky nicipal building in this remote village in and says, ‘‘Son, just something about you I India, and I saw they had a computer there don’t like.’’ [Laughter] Well, I’ve had a few with a screen that you could work if you days like that in Washington. [Laughter] But could speak English or Hindi or if you were now that the bishop explained it to me, you virtually illiterate because of the way the soft- know, I feel better about it. ware was constructed. And I saw a woman And I thank you for what you said about come in there who just had a baby. And on my knowing the lyrics to ‘‘Lift Every Voice this computer, she was able to get all of the and Sing.’’ A couple years ago when I was kinds of instructions of what she should do in a—Toni Morrison, the Nobel Prize-win- with her child the first few months of life, ning author, said that I had become Amer- and then she printed it out and took it home ica’s first black President. [Laughter] And with her, stuff that would be unheard of in you know, Chris Tucker is making a movie a society like that just a few years ago. in which he plays the first black President. And all these things that are out there. In So he came to the White House, and I sat the next few years, you’ll be able to drive him down at my desk, and he was feeling a car that gets 80 miles a gallon. And if we pretty good. And I said, ‘‘Eat your heart out. can crack the chemical barrier to converting You’re second.’’ [Laughter] ‘‘Toni Morrison agricultural products, not just corn, maybe told me so.’’ rice hulls, other kinds of waste products, into Then the next week, a man named Miguel fuel, you may be able to get the equivalent Loisel, who is a great friend of mine from of 500 miles per gallon of gasoline in no time Puerto Rico, introduced me, and he said I at all. had a Latino soul. And then I went to Turkey, We’re going to release in the next several and I went to see all these earthquake vic- weeks the whole sequencing of the human tims, and I picked up this little baby. And genome, 3 billion elements, 80,000 segments. the baby squeezed me on my nose real hard, And within a few years, they will figure out and it was in every newspaper in Turkey— how to prevent older people from getting this kid squeezing my nose. And so the head- Alzheimer’s, how to cure cancer, how to find line said that ‘‘He’s a Turk.’’ [Laughter] And it when it’s just a few cells, no metastasis. I thought to myself, I’ll never be able to go They’ll be able to give young mothers sort home to Ireland if this keeps up. What am of a roadmap of their baby’s lives when they I going to do? [Laughter] leave from the hospital. So if the little baby But I want to say a couple of things seri- girl has one of the genes that’s a high pre- ously about that. I think it is so interesting dictor of breast cancer, they’ll be able to say, that at this time of unparalleled prosperity ‘‘Well, if you do these 10 things, you can re- and at a time when, because of the nature duce the risk by two-thirds or more.’’ All of the economy we’re living in, we can, if these things are going to happen in this very we’re smart, bring technology and science modern world. and wealth to people and places that have When I became President, there were 50 never had it before. I was in a little village sites—50—on the World Wide Web. Today, in India a week ago, a little village in a coun- there are 50 million—7 years. I’ve got a try where the per capita income is $450 a cousin in Arkansas that plays chess once a year. And in this little village, I met with the week with a guy in Australia—amazing. And city government, representing all the dif- don’t you think it’s interesting that all over ferent tribes and castes, women as well as the world, in the face of all this opportunity men, in a society that never had such a thing and all these modern things, that the biggest before, people elected governing together. problems of the world are the oldest prob- And then I met with this women’s dairy lems of human nature? Man, this flag con- cooperative, and I watched these women, troversy here, you shouldn’t be surprised by Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Mar. 29 665 how tough this has been. Why are the Catho- rocks every day, and I stayed alive on hate.’’ lics and Protestants still fussing in Northern And he said, ‘‘They took a lot away from me. Ireland? Why did the Orthodox Christians They took me away from my wife, and it sub- run the Albanian Muslims out of Kosovo— sequently destroyed my marriage. They took a million of them? Why did 800,000 people me away from seeing my children grow up. in Rwanda get killed in a tribal war in 100 They abused me mentally and physically. days with no guns, practically? They were al- And one day,’’ he said, ‘‘I realized they could most all hacked to death. And I could go on take it all except my mind and my heart.’’ and on and on. Why can’t we make peace He said, ‘‘Those things I would have to give in the Middle East? Obviously, if they would to them, and I simply decided not to give all quit fighting and figure out how to divide them away.’’ up the land and go to work on economics And so—so I said to him, I said, ‘‘Well, and education—both the Jews and the Arabs what about when you were getting out of of the Middle East have a history of success prison?’’ I said, ‘‘The day you got out of pris- in areas that are most rewarded in this on in 1990, it was Sunday morning, and I economy. got my daughter up early in the morning, I just came from the Indian subcontinent and I took her down to the kitchen, and I where India and Pakistan are two of the turned on the television, and she was just poorest countries in the world, but they’ve a little girl then, and I sat her up on the got to have nuclear weapons and increase kitchen counter. And I said, ‘Chelsea, I want their defense budgets by 20 percent so they you to watch this. This is one of the most can argue about Kashmir. And you come to important things you’ll ever see in your life.’ ’’ America, we’ve got 200 ethnic groups in this And I said, ‘‘I watched you walk down that country and the Indians and the Pakistanis dirt road to freedom.’’ I said, ‘‘Now, when in this country—of the 200 ethnic groups in you were walking down there, and you real- this country, rank in the top five in education ized how long you had been in their prison, and per capita income. If they could just let didn’t you hate them then? Didn’t you feel it go, there’s nothing they couldn’t do. some hatred?’’ He said, ‘‘Yes, I did a little Now, I think the South has got something bit.’’ He said, ‘‘I felt that.’’ And he said, to teach the rest of the country and to help ‘‘Frankly, I was kind of afraid, too, because our country teach the rest of the world. I hadn’t been free in so long.’’ We’ve got to let this go. And if we can— But he said, ‘‘As I felt the anger rising up, and I know, you know, you say, ‘‘Well, it’s I thought to myself, ‘They have already had easy for you to say, but look, everybody’s got you for 27 years. And if you keep hating a beef in life.’’ them, they’ll have you again.’ And I said, ‘I I’ll tell you, one of the most meaningful want to be free. And so I let it go. I let it conversations I ever had in my life was with go.’ ’’ Nelson Mandela, who has been a wonderful And you know, that’s what I tried to tell friend to me and to Hillary and especially the Kosovar Albanians and the Serbs and the to our daughter. And I remember one time, other minorities that I met with in Kosovo you know, after I got to know him, I said, recently. I said, ‘‘Look, you know, I brought ‘‘You know, Mr. President, you’re a very you guys home, but I can’t make you behave great man with a great spirit and all that, now that you’re here. And you do have a but you’re also a shrewd politician,’’ kind of gripe. You’ve seen murder and slaughter, and like what I was saying about Jim. You know, you were all uprooted. And then the others, he is a good guy, but the stuff he does makes they have their gripes because, in retaliation, sense, too. And I said, ‘‘That was pretty smart things have been done to them.’’ I said, of you to have your jailers come to the Inau- ‘‘What you’ve got to understand is that every- guration and all of that, but let me ask you body in life has got a beef, a real one. Some something.’’ I said, ‘‘Didn’t you really hate of them are truly horrible, but you’ve just them for what they did?’’ He said, ‘‘Oh, yeah, got to let it go.’’ I hated them for a long time.’’ He said, ‘‘I Now, what’s the point of all this? If God stayed alive on hate for 12 years. I broke came to me tonight and he said, ‘‘I’m not 666 Mar. 29 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 going to give you 8 years. You’ve just got one and 9 weeks after Lyndon Johnson said he more day and then you’ve got to check out. wouldn’t run for President anymore because And I’m no genie. I’m not giving you three this country was split right down the middle wishes. I’ll just give you one.’’ I would not over the war in Vietnam. And then our cities wish for all these programs that I talked started burning after Dr. King was killed. about in the State of the Union. I would just And we had a Presidential election based on wish simply for us to be one America, be- what the winner, Mr. Nixon, called the Silent cause if we could work together, the rest of Majority. it would take care of itself. It would take care Now, that was one of those ‘‘us’’ versus of itself. ‘‘them’’ elections. The kind of stuff I saw in And I’ll leave you with this thought. When the Republican primary down here. You we celebrated, last month, America being in know what the—the Silent Majority means the longest economic expansion in history, if you’re not with them, you’re in the loud I felt very humble. I felt so grateful that what minority. That’s what I was, I was in the loud we had done had made a contribution, and minority. But it was ‘‘us’’ versus ‘‘them.’’ it had worked, and that it had been my great Now, we southerners are well-schooled in good fortune to be President at this time— this sort of politics, aren’t we? We were see 21 million people get jobs and all of that. raised with it. But the point I want to make And so I got interested in when the last to you is, people thought they could just in- longest expansion in American history was. dulge themselves in those few good years in Do you know when it was? Nineteen sixty- the 1960’s. It was going to go on forever. one to 1969. Now, here’s the point I want And within 2, 3, 4 years, it was gone. Poof. to make. All the southerners of a certain age So we had our ‘‘us’’ versus ‘‘them’’ election can identify with this. Every veteran from the Vietnam war can identify with this. Every- in 1968. Within a few months, the economic body who opposed the Vietnam war can recovery was over. And the country went identify with this. through all those divisive elections, all of that Nineteen sixty-four, up until that time the economic turmoil, all that social division. most prosperous year in American history, And look, I want you to listen to this. I’m I graduated from high school. My President not going to be President anymore, after this was Lyndon Johnson. I was heartbroken election. I’m telling you this as an American when President Kennedy was killed, like citizen and as a southerner. I have waited most Americans were. But Johnson had taken 35 years for my country to again be in the over this country and pulled us together. He position to build the future of our dreams was a southerner with a passionate commit- for our children. And we dare not blow this ment to civil rights. And in 1964, this country opportunity. We will never have it again. had low inflation, high growth, low unem- So I tell you, yes, I want Vice President ployment. Gore to be elected, not just for personal rea- And everybody thought it was going to go sons but because I know that he backed me on forever, I’m telling you. We thought, on every tough, controversial, momentarily moreover, that the civil rights problems unpopular decision I had to make, because would be solved in the Congress and in the he understands the future and he can lead courts, not in the streets. We thought we us there. And we need somebody who under- would win the cold war as a matter of course. stands the future and can lead us there. And if anybody told you that we would be- This is not a sloganeering election. We come mired in Vietnam and divided, no one can’t let people be casual with their votes. would have believed it—1964—and we were We need people who care, who work, who just all kind of relaxed about it. have the kind of intensity about what they Two years later, we had riots in the streets. do that Jim Clyburn does. I’m telling you, Two years later, I was graduating from col- we cannot afford to be relaxed just because lege. The day I graduated from college was times are good. I came of age when times 2 days after Robert Kennedy was killed, 2 were good, and I saw it go away in the flash months after Martin Luther King was killed, of an eye. Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Mar. 30 667

I want you all to think about that. I don’t Egypt; actor Chris Tucker; and former President want you to be down. I want you to be up. of South Africa Nelson Mandela. I don’t want you to be sober about it. But every grownup in this audience has lived long enough to be able to remember some time Remarks at a Democratic National in your life when you got in trouble, not be- Committee Luncheon in New York cause times were tough but because they City were going along so well you thought you March 30, 2000 didn’t really have to concentrate or be re- sponsible. The President. Thank you. Well, thank And this country has got the chance of a you, Denise. If I come here one more time— lifetime to build the future of our dreams [laughter]—we should allocate part of the for the kids in this audience. We need to property tax assessment to me. I love coming support people like the people that are bring- here to this beautiful, beautiful place. I want ing the Democratic Party back in South to thank you, and I want to thank all the Carolina. people who served us today and provided this And we need, most important of all, to wonderful meal. I want to thank the WLF, keep centered and keep in our heart a burn- Laura, Betsy, Sharon, Susan, and Agnes, par- ing sense of humility and gratitude that ticularly. I want to thank Judith Hope, who America is so blessed at this moment in his- has proved that someone from Arkansas can tory that we can rear back and do what we make it in New York—[laughter]—which is always wanted to do. becoming an increasingly important prece- This is a moment for making tomorrows, dent in my mind. [Laughter] not for just thinking about today. You go out, Thank you, Mayor Rendell, and thank you stick with these folks, and help them make Carol Pensky. I was trying to think of what tomorrow. I could possibly say, since most of you have Thank you, and God bless you. heard me give this speech 100 times. And I was remembering, oh, 12–13 years ago, NOTE: The President spoke at 8:20 p.m. in the maybe a little longer—Tina Turner came to John Hurst Gymnatorium at the Allen University. Little Rock when she—you know, she went In his remarks, he referred to Bishop John Hurst away for a long time, and she was abused Adams, Seventh Episcopal District, and his wife, in her marriage, and she had a lot of really Dolly Dresselle Adams, and Bishop Frederick tough times. And then she made an album Calhoun James, member, Council of Bishops, Af- after many years of being silent, called ‘‘Pri- rican Methodist Episcopal Church; James K. vate Dancer,’’ which made her a big inter- Waddell, president, Allen University; Dick national star again. So she was taking and Harpootlian, chair, South Carolina State Demo- making her tours around, and so she came cratic Party, and his wife, Pamela; Donald L. to Arkansas, to this place where we always Fowler, former national chair, Democratic Na- tional Committee; Mayor Robert D. Coble of Co- had concerts. And the guy who ran the place lumbia, SC, and his wife, Beth; Mayor Joseph P. knew that I just loved her. So Hillary was Riley of Charleston, SC; Dwight Drake, partner, out of town, I remember, and he gave me Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, L.L.P. law like eight tickets on the front row, and I took firm; State Senator McKinley Washington, Jr.; all my pals and sat on the front row. State Superintendent of Education Inez Moore So she sings all her new songs; everybody Tenenbaum; State Comptroller General James A. goes nuts. At the end, she starts to—the band Lander; former Gov. John West, and current Gov. starts to play ‘‘Proud Mary,’’ which was her Jim Hodges of South Carolina and his wife, first hit. So she comes up to the microphone, Rachel; former Chief of Staff to the President and everybody cheers—she backs away. And Erskine B. Bowles and his wife, Crandal; Emily Clyburn, Representative Clyburn’s wife; the Presi- she comes up again, everybody cheers again, dent’s mother-in-law, Dorothy Rodham; Coretta and she said, ‘‘You know, I’ve been singing Scott King, widow of Martin Luther King, Jr.; civil this song for 25 years, but it gets better every rights activists Hosea Williams, Rev. Jesse Jackson, time I do it.’’ [Laughter] Anyway—I’ve got and Dick Gregory; President Hosni Mubarak of to do it. Very instructive, I’ll never forget it. 668 Mar. 30 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000

I want to tell you, we’re in this beautiful But if you’re going to go there, you should surrounding—I want you to know where I say, ‘‘I don’t agree with your racial and reli- was last night. Last night, I was in the Bishop gious policies.’’ John Adams Hall of Allen University, an Afri- But what I want you to know is, there’s can Methodist Episcopal college, an AME a whole other group of people down there. college in Columbia, South Carolina. That’s And they’re involved in a struggle, mano a where I was last night—at a dinner, spon- mano, with the Republicans for defining the sored by the State Democratic Party, with future of that State, and how they define it the new Democratic Governor there; Inez might have a lot to do with what America Tenenbaum—some of you may know her; looks like in the future. And this is the strug- she’s the Commissioner of Education now gle that’s going on throughout the country. for South Carolina—longtime active in I would also tell you that the second-big- American Jewish colleges, a friend of mine gest hand that anything got in the evening for many, many years, and many others, in was when the Congressman said that he cer- honor of the African-American Congressman tainly hoped Hillary would be elected to the Jim Clyburn from that district. It was a real Senate from New York. And that South Caro- picture of a new South, a different place than lina crowd erupted. we have been treated to for the last several I say that to tell you that the reason I love years in national politics. It was fascinating. being a member of this party and the reason And I was talking to them about going to that I am so grateful that I have had this Selma a few weeks ago for the 35th anniver- chance to serve our country, is that we really sary of Bloody Sunday and walking over the are, now, the only available national vehicle Edmund Pettus Bridge with John Lewis and Hosea Williams and Dick Gregory and for the common aspirations of all Americans, Coretta Scott King and Jesse Jackson, all the people who can come to a wonderful lunch people that were in Selma 35 years ago. And like this; people who serve the lunch that this whole issue of the Confederate flag being could never afford to come to one, all kinds on a flagpole in South Carolina was there. of people in-between. And I said, ‘‘I can’t say anything better to And I just want to say, tell you very brief- you than when the waving symbol of one ly—because I’m not on the ballot. I’m not American’s pride is the shameful symbol of running for anything. Most days I’m okay another American’s pain, we still have an- with it. [Laughter] Some days I’m not so other bridge to cross.’’ And the crowd ex- sure. [Laughter] But what I thought I would ploded, and said, ‘‘We’re going to take that do today is to try to just give you a little am- flag off the flagpole.’’ And it really made me munition in an organized fashion, based on feel proud to be an American, proud to be what’s now going on in Washington right now a Democrat, and proud to be a Southerner. and what certainly will be at issue in this elec- And to see that the old—what we know tion, about what the differences are, the now about South Carolina, most Americans practical differences and what the evidence who aren’t from there, is that President Bush is in terms of what works. And I’ll start with went to Bob Jones—I mean, Governor Bush an interesting thing, particularly—it always went to Bob Jones University. President amazes me at these events. You could all be Bush went there, too. And President Reagan at one of their events and get a bigger tax went there, too. Bob Dole went there, too— cut. So let’s start with their tax policy. and I let him get away with it because I didn’t What’s our tax policy? Our tax policy is: know it. [Laughter] If I had known it, I We’ve got a surplus; we can afford a modest wouldn’t have. tax cut as long as it doesn’t interfere with You can’t imagine what a big deal this was our ability to balance the budget, keep paying to a Southerner. Anybody that went through down the debt, and save Social Security and the civil rights revolution was more offended Medicare, and have enough money to invest by that, I think, than anything else—be- in education, health care, and the environ- cause—it’s okay. I’m sure there are a lot of— ment, science and technology, and medical you know, there are good people everywhere. research. And if we’ve got any—but we can Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Mar. 30 669 have one. But we think it ought to be con- So what does that tell you about the centrated on increasing the earned-income Democrats? When I ran in ’92, I said that tax credit, which is what low income working I had a vision of 21st century America in families get so they can support their kids. which every responsible citizen had an op- We think we need a much bigger child care portunity, in which we would be a commu- tax credit, and it ought to be refundable, be- nity of all people and in which we would con- cause paying child care costs is still one of tinue to lead the world for peace and free- the biggest challenges that working families dom. And I think that we think that way be- face. cause, basically, we believe everybody With more and more people living longer, counts, that everybody should have a chance, the number of people over 65 slated to dou- that everybody should have a role to play, ble in the next 30 years, and I hope to be and we all do better when we work together. one of them—[laughter]—more and more That’s what we really believe. families making the loving but expensive And it matters. You should know, there’s choice to care for their relatives, we want a huge, gaping difference on tax policy. Now, a $3,000 a year tax credit for long-term care. am I right or are they right? We’ve had a We want a tax deduction that will extend lot of tax cuts since I’ve been President: all the way to upper middle class people for HOPE scholarship tax credit; we’ve doubled up to $10,000 for the costs of college tuition. the earned-income tax credit; we gave a $500-per-child tax credit; and there was a We have made with our tax credits, effec- survey that came out the last day of my trip tively, we’ve made 2 years of college, at least when I was gone that said that on ordinary at the community college level, universal in Americans, the income tax burden in Amer- America, one of the major achievements of ica, the percentage of income going to in- the Clinton-Gore administration. If this come tax—now, that’s not Social Security or passes, we’ll make 4 years of college access Medicare, but just income tax—is the lowest universal. It’s very important. it’s been in 40 years. So those are the kinds of tax cuts we want. So I think we’re right. And I’m not run- We want to give people who have money big ning—I can’t make that case. But you can tax breaks if they will invest in the poor areas and you must. What about the budget? in America that are not part of our prosperity What’s our budget policy? I want us to pay yet. I believe that you ought to have the same down the debt for the first time since 1835. tax incentive to invest in inner-city neighbor- and I think it’s a liberal thing to do, not a hoods in New York or Chicago or the Mis- conservative thing to do. Why? Because if sissippi Delta or Appalachia or the Rio we do that in a global economy, interest rates Grande Valley or the Native American res- will stay down and ordinary people will be ervations where unemployment rates still run able to make their money go further. They’ll as high as 70 percent on some of them— be able to buy cars. They’ll be able to take you ought to have the same tax incentives college loans. They’ll be able to buy homes. to invest in those areas that we will give you And we’ll have more money available for today to invest in Latin America or Africa businesses to borrow at lower interest rates, or Asia—not that I want to take the others because the Government won’t be doing it, away. I just want the same incentives here which means more jobs will be created. I in our country. think it’s the right thing to do. Their tax program, under the guise of mar- And I want to also save enough money so riage penalty relief, is to get rid of the estate that when the baby boomers all retire, we’ll tax entirely and have other things that are be able to preserve Social Security and Medi- concentrated overwhelmingly toward upper care, and we’ll have enough money to invest income people. There’s a difference, a real in education. We’ve got—this administration difference. And it says a lot about most of has done more work in more areas in edu- you that you’re here, because most of you cation, I think, than anyone in history. And would benefit more in the short run if you I’ve got a big program up there now, de- were there with them. signed to help school districts turn around 670 Mar. 30 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 failing schools or shut them down, to provide we even having this argument? Because we after-school programs and other remediation really have honest differences here. programs to every kid in every troubled If you look at other issues—I could just school in America, to finish our work of hook- mention two or three more. Our view of the ing all the schools up to the Internet, to re- world—I got tickled the other day. I just got pair 5,000 schools a year for the next 5 years, back from India and Pakistan and Ban- and to build 6,000 new ones. And this is im- gladesh, and I stopped in Switzerland to try portant. to make another effort on the Middle East Now, what’s their program? Their program peace. And I noticed a member of the other is—their nominee, just as recently as last party in the Senate was criticizing me for week, has reaffirmed that he supports a tax going to India and Pakistan, because I didn’t, cut even bigger than the one I vetoed last quote, ‘‘get anything for it.’’ That is, they year. And I can tell you what will happen didn’t agree to sign the Comprehensive Test if it passed. Here’s what will happen. If it Ban Treaty, or to the other efforts that I’m passes, we will go back to either running making to try to stop them from building up Government deficits, or there will be vast nuclear weapons. cuts in education, where Governor Bush says Well, they didn’t. What he didn’t point out a lot of things, virtually endorsed our pro- is that I lost all the leverage I had when the gram in education, to only give out Federal Republican Senate defeated the ratification money to the schools if they support what of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. I works. The problem is, he can’t keep his thought, that is real gall. Man, for a guy— commitments, because he’s for a tax cut that [laughter]—to stand up and say that, that re- quires a lot of moxie, you know. [Laughter] will mean they’ll have to cut education. And One of their great strengths is, by the way, not just a little bit; I’m talking a lot. They they have no guilt and no shame. I mean, won’t have any money to help Social Security they’ll say anything. [Laughter] You know, and Medicare when the baby boomers retire, you’ll never see them blink about it. but that’s okay with them, because they want But I want to say, there are differences to privatize both of them. And I think it’s in that. And we do have some things in com- a mistake. mon. I compliment the Republicans that are They can’t support our plan to provide a trying to help me help Colombia to reduce prescription drug benefit with Medicare, the drug flow into America and to shore up which 60 percent of the people on Medicare a brave democratic government’s fight there. need, by the way, not just poor people on And the people who are criticizing this, say- Medicare. There are a lot of people who have ing it’s another Vietnam, are just wrong. middle class incomes, who have huge med- We’re not sending soldiers there. All we’re ical bills, that are severely distressed by them. doing is supporting the police and other ef- And they cannot get affordable coverage for forts to build a civil society and give those medicine when they get older. farmers some reason to stop growing coca They can’t support our program to let the and grow something else. I support—I thank parents of poor children that are in our chil- the Republicans who have helped me with dren’s health program buy into health insur- the China agreement, because I think it’s ance because they don’t have the money, be- very important to bring China into the World cause they’re going to give it all away in a Trade Organization. tax cut. And we’ll still have a deficit. Now, But we have big differences. You know, there’s a big difference there. I want to support the U.N. more; most of And it’s not like we don’t have any evi- them want to support it less. I think we were dence here. Our economic policies—we have right to go into Kosovo and save the lives doubled our investment in education; we’ve and the livelihoods of a million Muslims. got the first back-to-back surpluses in 42 Most of them thought it wasn’t worth the years. And I think the economic performance trouble, not all of them but most of them. speaks for itself, the longest expansion in his- And so there are real differences here. And tory and 21 million new jobs. So why are the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty is the Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Mar. 30 671 most stunning one. I mean, I cannot imagine We ought to have child trigger locks. We a reason for the United States not to sign ought to be investing in safe gun technology on to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty so if somebody buys a handgun, you can unless you believe that we will be more se- equip it in a way that you have to show your cure because you think we can always win fingerprints on the gun before it will fire. any arms race, so it’s okay if everybody else These things are worth doing. And the dif- starts to get in the nuclear business as well. ference I have—and the Republicans say, These are differences. ‘‘Well, but you just ought to enforce the exist- I’ll just give you two or three others of ing laws more.’’ these things we’re fighting: The Patients’ Bill And a lot of you have heard me say this, of Rights, about 190 million Americans in but I want to hammer this home. It’s a big these managed care plans. I believe they issue. We have enforced the gun laws more ought to have access to a Patients’ Bill of than they were before. Prosecutions are up. Rights that’s really strong and enforceable. I’ve asked for another 1,000 prosecutors and And we’re still fighting that. We may get it, more investigators to enforce the existing gun but we’re not there yet. laws, to get—the surprising number of guns I think we ought to raise the minimum used in crimes come out of just a few dealers. wage a buck over 2 years. You know, the last There’s something to that. But their position time I did it, they said it would wreck the is that guns are the only area of our national economy. Since then, the economy’s grown life where there should be no prevention. even faster than it did before we raised the I said this in the press conference the minimum wage. [Laughter] It’s not like other day, but I want to say it again: If I there’s an argument here that has any evi- gave you the following speech, you would dence behind it. think I was crazy. If I said, ‘‘You know, I’ve The gun safety legislation—you all know been flying on airplanes all my life, and most about that. I mean, they asked me in my press conference yesterday what I thought people who fly on airplanes are really good about all these terrible things Charlton people. And it’s a real pain, especially when Heston is saying about me, and I said, ‘‘I you’re late and airports are crowded, to have still like his movies, and I watch them every to go through these airport metal detectors. chance I get.’’ [Laughter] And if you’ve got a big old buckle or a highly But if you look at it—forget about the metallic money clip, you may have to go NRA, here. If you look at this view—should through two or three times. You empty your we close the gun show loophole and doing pockets and everything. And 99.99 percent background checks. Well, when I signed the of the people in those airports are good, hon- Brady Bill, they all said, ‘‘Oh, it was the end est people. Let’s just rip those metal detec- of the world as we knew it. The hunters tors out there, and the next times somebody would be bereft, because they would be— blows up an airplane, we’ll throw the book their lives would be messed up.’’ Nobody’s at them.’’ Now, you think about that. That’s missed an hour in the deer woods yet, and the argument, right? But most people believe a half a million people who were felons, fugi- that you should prevent as many bad things tives, or stalkers haven’t gotten handguns. from happening as possible in life. And it’s And gun crime is at a 30-year low in America far better to prevent bad things from hap- because of that. pening, and then if something does happen But a lot of them still pick up these guns bad, then you do what’s appropriate. at urban flea markets and at these gun shows. But these are huge differences. The choice And the technology is there to do the back- issue is going to be huge. The next President ground check. You know, people thought the will appoint somewhere between two and assault weapons ban was terrible. But frankly, four justices in the Supreme Court. And their it’s not as effective as it ought to be, because nominees have said repeatedly that Roe v. you can still import large capacity ammuni- Wade was a bad decision; he’d like to see tion clips and then adapt the guns. And we it repealed; he’d like to see it changed. And ought to ban them. I can tell you, I’ve seen those guys work up 672 Mar. 30 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 there. This is—I’ll put in a little plug for Hil- did not pass because they did not want it lary—[laughter]—no matter whether a Re- to pass, because they did not believe that gays publican Senator says he’s pro-choice or not, and lesbians should be protected by hate they will make their lives miserable, should crimes legislation. they win the White House if they don’t back Now these are facts. And the American the White House. people can simply make up their own mind And if you can’t imagine—I have seen But what you need to know is: When it comes them dance—— to taxes, when it comes to the budget, when [At this point, a luncheon participant excused it comes to these other specific issues, there herself and said good-bye to the President.] are huge differences. And I don’t have to condemn them and The President. Good-bye. engage in the kind of politics of personal de- I have seen these things happen where I’ve struction that others find so helpful. I think had these Republicans come up to me in vir- most of them are good people who really just tual tears and apologize for the way they were disagree with us. I don’t think that somebody voting on first one thing and then another with a different political view is an evil per- and just say they had to do it because they son. I think our country’s really been hurt didn’t want to lose their committee position by all this sort of attempt to believe if you or they didn’t want to lose this, that, or the don’t destroy your opponent, there’s some- other thing that was being done. thing wrong with you. Now, I don’t think we’re going to have a I don’t believe, by the way, that John Republican President. I think Al Gore’s McCain is against breast cancer research, ei- going to be elected. But if you care about this issue, you should work harder for Al ther, which was the main thing I heard about Gore and for people in the Senate that would in the New York primary. And I might tell support that position. you, that program was supported by me. It Now—and I’ll just give you one other ex- was in the defense budget. But that was a ample—Ed Rendell was talking about the log total misrepresentation of what was going on. cabin Republicans. I know that there have It was completely unfair. And that’s the most been a lot of people in America who won’t charitable word I can think of to characterize support me because of the position I have it. taken on gay rights. But I have to tell you, But you need to understand here, I’m not I just don’t see how you can run a democracy running for anything, but I care a lot about if you say that certain people, no matter how what happens to my country. Yes, I want Al law-abiding they are, no matter how honor- Gore to be President, because he’s been the able they are, no matter how talented they best Vice President in history and because are, ought to be discriminated against. I just I love him but also, more important, because think it’s wrong. he understands the future, and he’s strong I don’t think it’s really complicated, and enough and experienced enough and smart I think we ought to pass the ‘‘Employment enough, and he cares enough about the pol- Non-Discrimination Act’’ and the hate icy issues, to lead us there. crimes bill. And I stood on the tarmac—let I’ll just leave you with this thought: when me just say this—I stood on the tarmac in we celebrated in February the longest eco- Austin, Texas, at the airport and embraced nomic expansion in American history, and all the weeping daughter of James Byrd—who my economic advisers came in and said that, was dragged to death in Texas—who came and they were all jumping up and down. I all the way back from Hawaii to lobby for said, ‘‘Well, when was the last longest expan- the hate crimes bill, pleading with the Gov- sion in American history?’’ For a long time, ernor to meet with her. He refused. Finally, it had been the longest peacetime expansion he did, because it was a pretty hard case to in history. I said, ‘‘When was the longest ex- make, why he wouldn’t meet with her. And pansion of any kind in American history?’’ all he had to do was lift his hand, and they You know when it was? Nineteen sixty-one would have had a hate crimes bill. And it to 1969. Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Mar. 30 673

Now, here’s what I want to tell you about be a force for good around the world, where this. A few of you are around my age, anyway. we can take on all these challenges. I graduated from high school in 1964. John But what I want you to know is; I have Kennedy had just been assassinated. But the lived long enough to know that the worst country had united behind President John- thing we can do is take all this for granted, son, and I was very proud of him. You know, to believe that no matter what we could do, he was from my neighboring State, passion- that there are no consequences to this elec- ately committed to civil rights. tion, there are no consequences to how we And when I finished, in 1964, in high behave in our lives and in our communities, school, every kid my age was full of optimism. that this thing is somehow on automatic, and Unemployment was low, inflation was low, everything’s just going to be hunky-dory. growth was high. We believed that all the That’s what I thought in 1964, and I have civil rights problems would be solved by the waited 35 years for my country to be in this Congress and in the courts, peacefully. We position again. believed we would win the cold war because So if somebody asks you why you came of America’s values. And no one thought that here today, you tell them what I told you there would ever be any trauma coming out and you tell them we don’t want to blow this of Vietnam. In other words, we were pretty chance. We have fewer crises abroad, fewer relaxed about being, then, at the high point crises at home, and a greater opportunity to of the longest economic expansion in Amer- do right. And we’re Democrats, and we need ican history. We thought things were just to do it. going to take care of themselves. Thank you. Now, a year later there was Bloody Sunday NOTE: The President spoke at 1:27 p.m. at a pri- in Selma. Two years later, there were riots vate residence. In his remarks, he referred to in the streets. Four years later, when I grad- Denise Rich, Laura Ross, Betsy Cohn, Sharon uated from college, it was 2 days after Robert Patrick, luncheon co-hosts; Susan Patricof, mem- Kennedy was killed, 2 months after Martin ber, national board of directors, Women’s Leader- Luther King was killed, 9 weeks after Lyndon ship Forum; Agnes Varis, president, Agvar Chemi- Johnson couldn’t run for reelection because cals, Inc.; Judith Hope, chair, New York State Democratic Party; Edward G. Rendell, general the country was split right down the middle. chair, and Carol Pensky, national finance cochair, And a few months later, Richard Nixon Democratic National Committee; Representative was elected President on the first of what John Lewis; civil rights activists Hosea Williams became a whole series of what I called ‘‘us’’ and Dick Gregory; Coretta Scott King, widow of and ‘‘them’’ campaigns. You remember what Martin Luther King, Jr.; civil rights leader Rev. his slogan was? He represented the Silent Jesse Jackson; Charlton Heston, president, Na- Majority. You remember that? Which meant tional Rifle Association; and Renee Mullins, that those of us who weren’t for him were daughter of murder victim James Byrd, Jr. in the loud minority. And it was a very clever slogan for the time. Remarks at the Selfhelp Austin But this point is: it was ‘‘us’’ versus ‘‘them.’’ Street Senior Center in New York And we’ve been ‘‘us-ing’’ and ‘‘them-ing’’ for City a long time ever since. And I have done my March 30, 2000 best to end that, here and around the world, because I think it is dumb, counter- Thank you so much. Well, Linda, based productive, wrong, and I haven’t yet met a on your speech here, I would say you have person who was genuinely happy demonizing a good chance to succeed your mother as an other people. effective senior politician—[laughter]— But I’m telling you this to make this point: when your time comes. Didn’t she do a good I have waited 35 years for my country to be job? I thought she was great. in the position that we now enjoy today. I want to thank you and your mother and Where we can literally build the future of your family for being here. Congressman our dreams for our children, where we can Anthony Weiner, thank you for welcoming 674 Mar. 30 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 me to your district, and for the truly out- of immense value to your community. Your standing leadership that you have provided energy and your experience are a precious to your constituents and to this country. You natural resource. They are part of the answer should be very proud of him. He’s done a to how we are going to deal with the chal- great job in Washington, DC. lenge of Americans living longer lives, to en- I want to thank Richard Aronson, the CEO sure that those lives will also be better and of Selfhelp Community Services, for what more fulfilling lives. you do, and for the whole self-help move- But there’s another thing that I worry ment, which I believe so strongly in. I’d like about all the time, that you just heard so elo- to thank Rabbi Skolnik of the Forest Hill quently discussed by Linda Nadel. I am the Jewish Center for hosting the Selfhelp Austin oldest of the baby boomers; I was born in Street Senior Center. I want to thank my 1946. The generation between—of people long-time friend, your borough president, born between 1946 and 1964 is loosely Claire Schulman, and all the people from known as the baby boom generation. We Queens, the officials who are here. Thank were, until 2 years ago, the largest number you for coming. of children ever to go through the public I have brought a number of people from schools of America. Only now, for the last the White House. There’s a big crowd here. 2 years, have we had a larger number of chil- But I brought two people I want to acknowl- dren in our schools. edge. First of all, Tom Freedman, who works When we retire, there will only be, at with me in the White House, because he’s present rates of childbirth and immigration, an old friend of Congressman Weiner’s, and about two people working for every one per- he lived with him. And whenever the Con- son drawing Social Security. And I can tell gressman gets a little too pushy with me, I you, I grew up in a medium sized community remind him that I know things about his lost where most of my friends were just middle youth. [Laughter] So I thank Tom for com- ing—although I must say, that crack about class working people, and most of my child- the busy life of a political spouse is one of hood friends whom I still know today are the best jokes I’ve heard on me in a long middle class working people. And they all time. [Laughter] I loved that. worry very much about whether our society And I want to recognize one person who is prepared for the retirement of the baby has played a major role for 8 years now in boom generation. And all of us who are par- the economic success of this administration. ents are worried to death that our retirement I think, clearly, the most knowledgeable Di- might somehow burden our children, and rector of the Office of Management and their abilities to raise our grandchildren. Budget, member of the President’s Cabinet, So I came today to talk to you about the in the history of that office, a man who got challenges that American seniors face his bar mitzvah in the synagogue upstairs and today—one of which has already been dis- who had the party here in this very room, cussed by Congressman Weiner, which is the Mr. Jack Lew, who’s here with me today. challenge of prescription drugs and the fact Thank you, Jack, wherever you are. Stand up, that it’s not covered by Medicare today—and Jack. When he told me he got his bar mitzvah the challenges that America will face when here, I asked if he were prepared to go we have even more seniors in the future. through the exercise again today. [Laughter] Social Security and Medicare are the foun- And he said his head was too crowded with dation of our commitment to seniors and to my budget numbers. millions of Americans with disabilities. Fiscal Let me say to all of you, I am profoundly responsibility has been the foundation of my honored to be here, and to be in the presence answer to the challenge of the baby boomers’ of Americans who have served our country retirement. Seven years ago, when I became in so many profoundly important ways. Many President, we had a $290-billion deficit, our of you, well into retirement, continue to national debt had quadrupled in 12 years, serve today, providing the volunteer power and Medicare was predicted to run out of that runs this center and doing other things money in 1999, last year. Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Mar. 30 675

We had to make some tough choices. Vice The Medicare trustees told us that Medi- President Gore and I presented the budget care is in the best shape in a quarter century. to the Congress, and he cast the tie-breaking Better managed, more efficient, and now sol- vote in the Senate—one of his good jokes, vent until 2023, 24 years longer than the sol- Congressman, is that whenever Al Gore vency on the day I took office, and I am very votes, we win, because he only gets to vote pleased by that. when the vote is tied—[laughter]—and the This means that the commitment to fiscal first budget passed by a single vote in the discipline and good Government can make House. a difference in the lives of families, not only But it began to turn the country around. here in Queens but all across our country. We got the deficit coming down. We got in- Let me just give you a couple of other exam- terest rates coming down. We got the econ- ples. Just a decade ago, Medicare premiums omy growing again. And now, we’ve been were increasing at double-digit rates every able to have balanced budgets and surpluses, single year. Today, with better management doubling our investment in education, and and with a strong economy, we’ve been able still providing needed tax relief to working to slow the rate of growth dramatically, pro- families. ducing a savings of more than $200 a year This strategy was very controversial when in the premiums for a couple over 65. we first started it, but it’s not so controversial We’re also enabling seniors who are willing and able to work, to do so without losing their anymore. We’ve had the first balanced budg- Social Security benefit. Last year I asked ets back to back in 42 years, the longest eco- Congress to work with me to allow our sen- nomic expansion in history, the lowest unem- iors to work without being penalized, and ployment rate in 30 years, the lowest welfare both Houses have now passed that legislation rolls in 30 years, the lowest poverty rates in to eliminate the Social Security earnings caps 20 years, the lowest crime rates in 25 years, for seniors. and 21 million new jobs. If we keep going, Now that’s the good news. But let me say we’ll be able to make our country debt-free to all of you: While the trustees reports in the next dozen years for the first time since showed that Social Security and Medicare 1835. are secure today, we must stay focused on Now, I want to focus, though, on the spe- the challenges of the future. In 30 years, the cific challenges you face and the specific number of Americans on Medicare, the num- challenges that we baby boomers face as we ber of Americans over 65, will double. I hope move into our senior years. What does all to be one of them. But they will double. this mean? On that score, remember, again, Now, let’s face it. This is a high-class prob- when I took office, I got a report that said lem. This is the kind of problem we have the Medicare Trust Fund was going to be because we’re living longer and better lives, broke in 1999, last year. because of the miracles of modern medicine, But the strong economy has helped. So because of the miracles of basic public have a lot of the Medicare reforms and a health, because we’re taking better care of lot of our antifraud measures. And Medicare ourselves, and that’s all very, very good. But and Social Security are now on a path to a we have to prepare for it. And we have to sound future. Today the Social Security and be ready for the challenges we know ahead. Medicare trustees issued the report they We want all seniors to have access to state- issue every year at this time on the financial of-the-art medical care. We want all Ameri- health of these two vital programs. cans to be able to live out their lives in com- But the first thing I’d like to do is to tell fort and dignity, without fear of being a bur- you what kind of shape they’re in. The Social den to their families. Security trustees announced that the econ- I’d like to just mention one of the families omy has now added 3 years to the expected here with us today: Wichna Szmulewicz and life of the Social Security Trust Fund. It is her husband Szymon are Holocaust sur- now solvent until 2037 with the present situa- vivors. Szymon has Parkinson’s disease. tion. Wichna takes care of him. Their prescription 676 Mar. 30 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 drug costs take almost 20 percent of their care again, he would never sign a bill that annual income. This is not right. Wichna didn’t include prescription drug coverage. does not want a handout, but she doesn’t Just think how different medicine is today want to be burden to her grown children, than it was 35 years ago. Today, often the and she does need some help. That’s what most cost-effective medical treatment, keep- our proposal, that Congressman Weiner and ing people out of hospitals, keeping people the other members of our caucus support, out of surgery, lengthening life and quality to provide a voluntary prescription drug ben- of life, involves prescription drugs. Well, efit in Medicare, is all about. when Medicare was enacted, we didn’t have I think we ought to do our part to help CAT scans or MRI’s. We certainly didn’t these folks and people like them in this room, have drugs that lowered cholesterol or fought in this community, and all over this country. osteoporosis. Now, not having a prescription We should not consume our surpluses with drug coverage in Medicare is like paying a big, risky tax cuts until we have first used mechanic $4,000 to fix an engine because you the surplus to strengthen Social Security and wouldn’t spend $25 to get the oil changed take it out beyond the life of the baby boom and a clean filter. generation, to strengthen and modernize I simply propose to add a purely voluntary Medicare, and to invest in our children’s fu- prescription drug benefit to Medicare. It will ture through education, science and tech- make, also, preventive drug screenings more nology, and medical research. And we ought affordable, will have an extra pot for people to pay this national debt off. I was so pleased who have truly catastrophic costs for drugs, to hear you clapping for that. That means if they need insurance for that. we’ll have another generation of prosperity with lower interest rates, more growth, high- I also want some further changes to make er incomes, and more jobs. Medicare more efficient. One of the reasons So I have asked the Congress to use every we’ve got the life of the Fund out as far as dollar of our Social Security surplus to pay we do is that we have a much, much lower down the debt and use the interest savings error rate—in other words, things being done from it to extend the life of the Social Secu- that shouldn’t be done, things being paid for rity Trust Fund. If we just took the interest that shouldn’t be paid for—than we had 7 savings we’ll get from paying down the debt years ago. If Congress will work with me, we with the Social Security taxes you are paying can get this done this year. and we put that interest saving into the Social But I cannot tell you how important this Security Trust Fund, we could extend the is. More than three out of five seniors on life of Social Security to 2054, beyond the Medicare in this country today do not have life of the baby boom generation. adequate, affordable prescription drug cov- It’s a simple bill. We’re for it. The Presi- erage. And I think it is a great mistake, as dent is for it. The Vice President is for it. some have suggested, to limit this coverage The Congressman is for it. The Democratic to people at, let’s say, 200 percent of the Fed- candidate for Senator from New York is darn eral poverty line. For a single widow, that’s sure for it. [Laughter] And if we can just get $16,000 year. Now, that may seem like a little help from our friends on the other enough to live on, unless you have $300 or side of the aisle, we can extend the life of $400 a month in medical bills, for medicine Social Security to 2054, beyond the life of alone, and a lot of people do. the baby boom generation, and no baby So again, since this is a voluntary program, boomer will have to worry about being a bur- I believe we should make everyone on Medi- den to his or her children or grandchildren. care eligible to buy into it. The broader the That is a wonderful opportunity and a simple participation, the more cost-effective it will thing to do. be. Very often, we’ve got seniors who either The second thing we have is a great oppor- don’t have any medical insurance that covers tunity to strengthen and modernize Medi- prescription drugs, or if they do, it is very care. You know, if Lyndon Johnson were limited. And very often the seniors who have President today and he were starting Medi- the least money are paying the highest prices Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Mar. 30 677 for drugs of anybody in this country, and it Now we are in the longest economic ex- is wrong. pansion in our history. But these things don’t Now, we are in good shape now. The life go on forever. And if we can’t do this now, of the Medicare Trust Fund is secure until when will we ever do it? If we can’t do the 2023—I mean 23d of whatever it is, I just really big, right things now, in Medicare, in forgot. [Laughter] What is it, Jack? Twenty- continuing to pay our debt off, in improving twenty-three, I got it right. My budget would the education of our children, in providing take it out to 2030. I would like to have a economic opportunity to the neighborhoods 30-year cushion there. I would like for people and the rural communities and the other to know that it would be there for 30 years. places that have been left behind, when will But it would also provide this prescription we ever get around to it? drug coverage. So I want to ask all of you, whatever your Now I can tell you what is going to happen. political background, to give us some support Your Congressman and I are going to go back to reform Medicare and provide this pre- to Washington and there will be people to scription drug benefit, to lengthen the life say—oh, mostly on the other side of the polit- of Social Security to 2054, to make sure that ical, I would say—‘‘Well we know this is a the baby boomers’ entire lives are a blessing hot issue, and we’ve got to do something to this country and not a burden to our chil- about it. So let’s just provide drug coverage dren and grandchildren, and to immediately for people up to 150 percent of the poverty provide the seniors of today the prescription line.’’ It’s not enough. Medicare was in- drug coverage that so many millions of them tended to benefit all seniors, to help all sen- need. iors to keep from being driven into poverty. This is an honorable and a good thing to And this is an insurance program. do, but it is a solemn obligation, and we will We would never, I will say again, we would never have a better chance to do it. And never, ever think of creating a program if therefore, we have a solemn responsibility to we were starting all over again with Medicare get the job done. today that did not have a prescription drug Thank you, and God bless you all. component. You know it, and I know it. Since we wouldn’t do that, since the program’s in NOTE: The President spoke at 3:01 p.m. in the the best shape it has been in in a generation, Crystal Room at the senior center in the Borough since we have the funds to take it out to 30 of Queens. In his remarks, he referred to Linda years of life, let’s add a prescription drug Nadel, office manager, Services Now for Adult Persons Senior Center, who introduced the Presi- benefit that everybody in this room and ev- dent, and her mother. Ruth Freidman, lobbyist erybody in this country who is eligible by age for senior issues; and Rabbi Gerald C. Skolnik, and who needs it can buy to provide the kind Forest Hill Jewish Center. of security in health care all American seniors deserve. I just want to say one other thing, sort of Statement on the Regional Funding off my script, that a lot of you will remember, Conference for Southeast Europe and you will identify with this. You only get March 30, 2000 a few chances in life as a people to do really big, good things, when times are going along I want to congratulate the countries of so well and the circumstances are there, that southeast Europe, the Stability Pact, the Eu- you can do this. When Medicare was created, ropean Commission, and the World Bank on it was during what was up until this time the the success of the Regional Funding Con- longest economic expansion in American his- ference for Southeast Europe in Brussels. tory. And so the American people felt secure, Last year we launched the Stability Pact and they supported their elected Representa- with a common understanding that an undi- tives in doing things like beginning to provide vided, democratic, and peaceful Europe can national health to our schools and providing only be built when the countries of southeast Medicare. Now that’s the last time we were Europe are integrated with the rest of the able to do something like this. continent. For that to happen, the countries 678 Mar. 30 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 of the region have to accelerate their political ter future. A delay in support for Colombia’s and economic reforms, and the donor com- antidrug efforts would signal that Colombia munity needs to support the region’s efforts. lacks the international support to prevail I am very pleased by the progress that has against drug traffickers. At home, delaying been made on both fronts. The Governments funding for the victims of Hurricane Floyd of southeast Europe have begun to take steps would leave thousands in temporary housing to implement the reforms they have prom- possibly through their second winter and ised, including those that will improve their without funding to replenish the program for investment climate and strengthen the rule home energy assistance. A delay in LIHEAP of law. And today, the donor community, in- funds, would leave many Americans, espe- cluding the United States, has reaffirmed its cially the elderly and infirm, vulnerable in support for the region. We have agreed to the event of an extreme heat wave this sum- fund Quick Start Projects ready to begin this mer. year that will improve regional infrastructure, The bill produced by the House today, fight corruption, and advance reform. Coun- while meeting essential needs, is also flawed. tries have pledged $2.3 billion for these The House bill is too large—providing un- projects, out of a broader package of total necessary funding for certain areas while fail- assistance to southeast Europe in 2000 esti- ing to fund areas of the highest importance, mated at over $6 billion. Over 85 percent including Embassy security for our diplo- of this assistance is being provided by Euro- matic personnel in Kosovo and elsewhere in pean countries and institutions together with the region, building peace and stability in international financial institutions. I con- Kosovo to support the efforts of our troops, gratulate our European partners for their and contributing our Nation’s share to the leadership. U.N. peacekeeping force there. In addition, The message today from Brussels is clear. the House bill fails to provide debt relief for A democratic southeast Europe is on the the world’s poorest nations. road to a better future. While Serbia was rep- Because the needs in my budget request resented at this Conference by the opposi- are essential and immediate, I urge the Sen- tion, we look forward to the day when it will ate to turn swiftly to its work on the budget be represented by a democratic government. request and to produce a better, right-sized bill, that includes the necessary level of fund- ing for Kosovo and debt relief, and that Statement on House Action on the should pass without delay. Supplemental Budget Request NOTE: In this statement, the President referred March 30, 2000 to LIHEAP, the Low Income Home Energy As- sistance Program. I am pleased that the House of Represent- atives today took action that would meet many of the essential, immediate needs in Remarks at a Democratic National my supplemental budget request, including Committee Dinner in New York City helping victims of Hurricane Floyd, pro- March 30, 2000 viding energy assistance for families strug- gling with rising oil prices, helping keep ille- You know what I want to do? I want to gal drugs out of our country by supporting tell you this is Michael—birthday. It’s also— the Colombian Government’s fight against George, where are you? Is that your name, drug traffickers, and providing for our troops George? It’s his birthday, also, and he came in Kosovo. all the way from Alaska to be here. [Laugh- It is vital that Congress avoid delay in ter] So I’m trying to think about what I meeting these needs; the costs of delay are should do when I leave office, and I think great. A delay in Kosovo funding would soon I’ll do birthday parties. [Laughter] Birthday jeopardize our current level of military readi- parties—no, this is good. ness around the world and our ability to help John and Margo have been so good to us, the people of Kosovo build peace and a bet- and this is going to be such a long, arduous Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Mar. 30 679 campaign. and Brian Snyder said to me when only difference is, you have to completely de- Ed Rendell was talking about how we just fine to some extent what it is for you. That had this wonderful party here, Brian said, is, how you will allocate your time, what you ‘‘Well, why don’t you just stand up and sug- believe the priorities are, and what you in- gest to Margo that she just leave the table tend to do. settings out’’—[laughter]—‘‘and we’ll be So I speak to you tonight as someone who back several more times.’’ [Laughter] is not on the ballot. For the first time in near- Let me say to all of you, I’m grateful for ly a quarter century or more, I won’t be an your presence here, but I’m particularly active participant in an election as a can- grateful to John and Margo for being so good didate. Most days, I’m okay with it. [Laugh- to me and to the Vice President and to the ter] So I’m here—as much as I’m here as DNC and also to Hillary. It means a lot to President, I’m here as a citizen of this coun- me. And their son, I’m grateful to him, be- try who desperately loves America, who is ´ cause he keeps me in Pokemon cards— grateful for the good fortune that we enjoy [laughter]—which I give to my nephew, at this moment but who has had the unique which raises my status within our family. Far perspective, I believe, to know a few things more important than being President is being about where we are and where we’re going ´ able to give your nephew Pokemon cards. So and what’s really at stake here. I am profoundly grateful for that as well. So I just want to make a couple of points. [Laughter] Point number one is, there are real dif- Let me say to all of you, this is my ferences between these two parties. And speech—see, I made my big speech here. they’re not the differences people used to [Laughter] I know that many of you have believe existed. One of the things I promised come to a lot of these; others may be at your myself when I got elected is, when I left, first one. But I wanted to tell you that I’m nobody would ever be able to say that the working very hard in this election and not Democrats were weak on spending, weak on only because I like and admire and am grate- deficits, weak on taxes, weak on defense, ful to my Vice President but because I think weak on crime, weak on welfare, couldn’t be he understands the future and has the knowl- trusted to run the country. Well, you don’t edge and experience to lead us there, not hear anybody even talking about that in this only because I want desperately to become election. a member of the Senate spouses’ club— But—so what are the real differences? [laughter]—but because I believe in what And I would just like to talk to you about we’ve done in the last 7 years. them. And I know you understand it, but I I didn’t run for President the first time think it’s worth focusing on. First of all, we I had a chance to run, because I didn’t think have real differences on the budget, what we I was ready to run. And I had been Governor do with your money. We believe that we can for quite a long time in 1988, when the elec- afford a tax cut but that it has to be targeted tion was open, and it looked like we had a and limited so that there is enough money good chance to win, and I almost ran. And left to keep paying down the debt, to save I realized that no one should run for Presi- Social Security and Medicare when the baby dent who does not have a very clear idea, boomers retire, and to continue to invest in not only of what the conditions of the country what works in education, in science and tech- are and the challenges facing it but of what nology, in health care, in the environment, you would do on the day after the inaugura- and the other things we have to go forward tion, across a whole broad range of issues. with together as a people. That’s what we All of you, in your own ways, have been believe. quite successful in life or you wouldn’t be They believe that we should have a tax cut here tonight. And one of the things that I bigger than the one I vetoed last year, one always tell people when they ask me about which would—frankly, it speaks well of you this job is, I say, ‘‘Well, I think a lot of folks that you’re here, because all of you would get in trouble because they forget it is a job.’’ come out better with their deal in the short I mean, it’s a job like other jobs. And the run. But what would happen is, I mean, I 680 Mar. 30 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 think—give yourself a few points here for do; and we don’t have to agree to transfer being here. You would all come out better our technology or put manufacturing plants with their deal in the short run. But what up there or anything. would happen is, we would go back to the It’s a one-way street. It’s 100 percent in bad old days of deficits, and then they would our favor. The only reason they do it is that have to have big cuts in education, in health in turn, they get full membership in the care, in the environment, science and tech- World Trade Organization, which is good for nology, a lot of which is powering this eco- us, because that means if they violate their nomic boom we’re in. And in addition to that, trade obligations, we have an international they would not have the funds to guarantee body to take it to. that when all the baby boomers retire, we So the Speaker of the House is trying to wouldn’t impose an unconscionable burden help me pass a bill that literally could save on our children and grandchildren, through democracy in Colombia by increasing their the cost of medical care, Medicaid, Social Se- capacity to fight the drug traffickers and the curity. guerrillas and reducing their ability to import Now, this is a huge thing. And let me say, drugs into this country and helping the farm- I think it’s important because it’s not like we ers to find something besides coca to grow. don’t have any evidence. We tried it their But on other areas, we’re very different. way for 12 years, and we had high interest I think we ought to support the U.N. and rates, high unemployment, low growth. We get people to share our burdens more than quadrupled the debt, and we were in a ter- they do. I believe in the Comprehensive Test rible fix. Ban Treaty, and they don’t. That’s a big issue Now, we have the longest economic expan- in the Senate race here, a big issue in the sion in history, 21 million new jobs, a 30- Presidential race. I think it would be folly year low in unemployment and welfare, a 20- for us to walk away from arms control after year low in poverty, a 25-year low in crime. the United States has led the way not just So it’s not like there’s not evidence here, and in my administration, but in previous admin- yet, that is the issue. That is the issue in the istrations, Republicans and Democrats. Presidential race. That is the issue in the Sen- This is a departure for the Republicans. ate race in New York. That is the issue. Who To walk away from the Comprehensive Test is right on the economy and the budget? Are Ban Treaty and say we’ll just always be able they right, or are we right? to build bigger, more sophisticated bombs, To pretend that there are no consequences and instead of just a few countries with nu- because things are going well would be the clear weapons, there turn out to be a few height of folly. It’s a huge issue. Now, there dozen, who cares? I care. And I think it’s are other issues. We have a different view a big issue. And you ought to care. You about America’s role in the world. We agree shouldn’t assume that there will never be an- on some things, my administration and the other nuclear weapon exploded, no matter Republican leaders; I’ll give them credit for what, if instead of a few countries with nu- that. They’re trying to help me pass the bill clear weapons, you have a few dozen. So that would permit China to become a mem- there are big issues here. ber of the World Trade Organization. I think we ought to raise the minimum I think it’s important to our national secu- wage. They don’t. I think we ought to pass rity and real important to our economy. And a Patients’ Bill of Rights for the 190 million one of the things I want all of you to under- Americans in a managed care system. And stand, since you may not have been thinking at least so far, they don’t. I believe that we about it is, we have to lower no tariffs; we ought to pass commonsense gun safety legis- have to lower no trade barriers. This entire lation to protect more kids from violence. bill involves our letting China into the WTO And I believe we can do it without, in any in a way that they lower tariffs; they lower way, interfering with the rights of sports peo- trade barriers; they let us sell things like auto- ple and hunters. mobiles and automobile parts and have dis- But I got asked in my press conference tributorships in China, they didn’t used to what I thought about all the mean things Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Mar. 30 681

Charlton Heston’s saying about me. [Laugh- I agree with the Republican philosophy we er] And I said I still liked his movies. [Laugh- should abandon all prevention and only do er] I still liked his movies, and I liked him. punishment. For example, I’ve been in a lot You know, he came to the White House a of airports in my life, and nearly everybody couple of years go, and I thought he was a I’ve ever met is honest in an airport—99.9 delightful man. percent of the people in airports are perfectly I don’t care what they say about me. That’s honest. They bear me no ill will, and they’re part of the cost of doing business and being overcrowded anyway, and people are frus- President, this being attacked by people who trated, and they’re often late. And if you walk disagree with you. This is not about me and through one of those metal detectors and the NRA; this is about whether people stay you’ve got a big, heavy money clip or an alive or not. This is a big issue—huge issue elaborate belt or something, you’re liable to in the Presidential race. set it off three or four times, and you’re angry Their position, the Republican position in and frustrated. And I’m just sick of it, and Washington is that guns are the only thing so I just think we ought to take those metal in our national life where there should be detectors out of the airport. And the next no prevention; it should all be punishment. time somebody blows up an airplane, we Now, if you raised your children on the the- ought to throw the book at them. [Laughter] ory that there should never be any preven- That’s the philosophy. tion, there should only be punishment, your This is a big deal here. It’s a different way kids wouldn’t turn out so good, even if they of thinking. I do not believe it is necessary had welts across their back from being to demonize them the way some of us have punished. been demonized in the past and still are. I Or as I never tire of saving—they always don’t want us to have our counterpart of say, ‘‘Just enforce the laws on the books. Just Richard Viguery, who represents the hard- punish people when they violate them.’’ core far right and does Mayor Giuliani’s Well, we have increased gun law enforce- fundraising letters. You know, thinks my wife ment over what the previous administrations is basically up there with a Communist bri- have done. And in my budget, I’ve asked for gade or something. [Laughter] a lot more people to help us enforce the gun We don’t have to do that. We can talk laws more strongly. And there’s something about the honest differences. But I’m telling to be said for that. You would be amazed you, there are big differences here. And it’s what a small number of gun dealers are re- not like we don’t have any evidence. What sponsible for selling guns to such a large they’re saying is, ‘‘Don’t bother me with the number of criminals. So there’s something evidence. We know where the money is. We to be said for enforcement. know where the votes are. We know where But one of the reasons that gun crime is the intensity is. Don’t bother me with the at a 30-year low is that the Brady bill has evidence.’’ And to be fair, they just disagree. kept a half a million felon, fugitives, and I’m not willing to let another child die for stalkers from getting handguns. And they their theory. I think we ought to have a safer were against that as a party. We only had country. a handful of Republicans supporting us in And so—and I think it would be a disaster Washington. And Governor Bush and the for us to give up the fiscal responsibility that Republican congressional leadership, they’ve has brought us this far when we can take been against closing the gun show loophole, this country out of debt in a dozen years for against banning the importation of large- the first time since 1835 and guarantee all scale ammunition clips, which makes a mock- the young people another generation of pros- ery of our law against assault weapons, be- perity. And I could give you lots of other ex- cause you just bring them in, those clips, and amples. then modify the guns. And this has a lot to But the point I want to make is: There do with whether your kids are safe. are big differences, and the record is clear. And again, it’s the difference in the way The evidence is in. And I hope you will share they think than we think. Suppose I said that that with people. And I just want to make 682 Mar. 30 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 one other point, which I try to say at every good at. They demonized us real well and turn. In February, we had this big celebra- quite effectively all during the eighties, and tion of beating the longest economic expan- they still make a lot of votes making people sion in history. Now, we’ve got the longest think that we somehow don’t share their val- economic expansion in history, and there was ues because I’m for things like the hate not a war in it, which I’m especially proud crimes bill and ‘‘Employment Non-Discrimi- of. nation Act,’’ and I don’t think gay people So when this happened, being kind of ob- ought to be bashed if they’re good citizens. sessive about American history, I asked my But that happened. And then, shortly after Council of Economic Advisers—we were in that election in early 1969, the longest eco- there talking about it, and I said, ‘‘When was nomic expansion in American history van- the last longest economic expansion in his- ished. And we went on to the oil price shocks, tory?’’ And they said 1961 to 1969, which the inflation of the seventies, the stagflation many of you in this room remember well and of the late eighties, and everything that’s hap- participated in. pened ever since. What’s the point of all this? Now, I want to tell you something about The point is that I’ve lived long enough to that, why this election is so important. I grad- know nothing lasts forever, nothing can be uated from high school in 1964 at the high taken for granted, and I have waited for 35 water mark of that economic expansion. years for my country to be in a position to President Kennedy had just been killed, and build the future of our dreams for our the country was heartbroken, but we united children. behind President Johnson. He was wildly This is a big election. And you cannot let popular, won an historic victory in 1964. In- people believe that this is something that flation was low. Unemployment was low. they can approach casually, just because Growth was high. Optimism was rampant times are good. When times are good, you about the ability of Congress and the courts have to look to the next generation. We can to resolve the civil rights challenge of the take this country out of debt. We can save country in a peaceful manner. Everybody Social Security and Medicare for the baby thought we were going to win the cold war boom generation. We can dramatically re- as a result of the superiority of our system, form our schools. We can provide opportuni- and nobody would have believed that Viet- ties in areas that haven’t participated in this nam would tear the heart out of the coun- recovery. We can lead the world toward try—1964. And so, we all just went merrily greater peace and freedom, but we cannot along our way. do it unless we have leadership who under- Now, within a year, there was the terrible stands the future, has the knowledge and ex- incident in Selma, Alabama, at Bloody Sun- perience to take us there, and is committed day, which I just celebrated the 35th anniver- to it. sary of. Within 2 years, there were riots in We dare not risk, by our inaction or our our cities and the country began to split apart cavalier attitudes, blowing what is, I know, over Vietnam. Four years later, in 1968, I the chance of a lifetime. I’ve worked as hard graduated from college, 2 days after Robert as I could as President to turn this country Kennedy was killed, 2 months after Martin around. I am grateful for the chance I’ve had Luther King was killed, 9 weeks after Lyndon to serve. But I really think as a country, we Johnson couldn’t run for President anymore should view this as the beginning, not the because the country was split right down the end, that we’ve sort of turned this thing middle over Vietnam. around. And now, we have a chance to paint Then President Nixon won the election on on a canvas our dreams for tomorrow. That’s one of those divisive campaigns. He said he what this whole deal is about. represented the Silent Majority, which, by So if somebody asks you tomorrow why definition, meant that the rest of us were in you were here tonight, say, ‘‘There’s a dif- the loud minority. And so it was one of those ference between the parties. I think the last things of ‘‘us’’ versus ‘‘them.’’ And that’s 7 years were right, and the stakes could hard- something the Republican Party was very ly be higher.’’ And those of you that are about Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Mar. 30 683 my age, you just think about it. We’ve waited And our elections were basically—I for 35 years, and we need to seize the chance. thought it almost turned into caricature af- Thank you, and God bless you. fairs, where basically for several years, even decades, the Republicans had succeeded in NOTE: The President spoke at 7:42 p.m. at a pri- convincing enough Americans that the vate residence. In his remarks, he referred to Democrats were weak on defense, weak on Michael Sherman, president, M.J. Sherman the economy, weak on the budget, weak on Group; dinner guest George Beirne; dinner hosts welfare, weak on crime, weak on this, that John and Margo Catsimatidis and their son, and the other thing. We couldn’t be trusted Yianni; Brian Snyder, investor, Biocraft Labora- tories; Edward G. Rendell, general chair, Demo- with the White House. And the wheels had cratic National Committee; Mayor Rudolph to practically come off before any of us could Giuliani of New York City; Charlton Heston, win. And I happened to be standing there president, National Rifle Association; and Gov. when the wheels ran off. George W. Bush of Texas. It wasn’t quite that simple. But I guess what I would like to say to you is that all of you here in your different ways have been Remarks at a Democratic National immensely successful, or you wouldn’t be Committee Dinner in New York City here tonight. All of you, also, are capable of March 30, 2000 looking beyond your immediate self-interest, or you wouldn’t be here tonight, because the Thank you, Mark. Thank you, Jeff. And other guys would give you a bigger tax cut thank you for coming, all of you. quicker. And yet you’re here. And I wanted to say a special word of ap- So the first thing I want to say to you is preciation to all of our musicians here. Thank that all these elections are for people to hold you for playing tonight. You did such a won- jobs. They’re not to posture. They’re to hold derful job. And I want to thank Luther jobs. It matters what your vision of the coun- Vandross. We’ve never had a conversation try is. It matters what your vision of the job about ‘‘Evergreen,’’ but I think it’s the best is. It matters what you know and how you love song of the last 25 years. [Laughter] And go about your business and whether you care. so I was very happy when he sang it tonight. In other words, it’s a job, the Presidency. I want to thank all of you for coming here. You know, I want Al Gore to be elected And I will be quite brief, because I want to because I know him better than anybody in spend time visiting with you and letting you this room and most people in the world. And say whatever you want to say to me, or ask I think he’s a good man, and I know he’s questions, or whatever. a courageous person. And I’m devoted to But you know, I’m not running for any- him, and he’s been loyal to me. Yes, that’s thing this year. [Laughter] And most days, all true. But I also want him to be elected I’m okay about it. I am campaigning to be- because I think he understands the future come a member of the Senate spouses’ club, and has not only the ideas but the experience however. [Laughter] And I’m feeling better and the work habits to get us there. about that. This is a job. It’s not a place just of rhetor- But I want to say just a couple things to ical or political posturing. you, to amplify what my good friend Ed And the same thing is true of the Congress. Rendell said. When I came to Washington And I go about doing as much work as I can in January of 1993, our country was, I to try to help all these folks raise enough thought, in quite a bit of trouble. We had money to be competitive. They’re all going high unemployment. We had high interest to be outspent. You know, our candidate for rates. We had quadrupled the debt of the President is going to be outspent. Hillary’s country in 4 years. We had no real, serious going to be outspent. They’re all, no matter technology policy, no real, serious environ- how much money we raise, they’re all going mental policy, no real, serious long-term eco- to be outspent. nomic policy. We certainly had no health But in 1998, we were outspent by $100 care policy. million, and we gained seats in the House 684 Mar. 30 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 of Representatives in the sixth year of a Presi- building a different energy future, we’d be dent’s term for the first time since 1822. generating even more jobs, by far. And I Why? Because we had ideas, we had a mes- won’t bore you with a long wonkish solution sage. People thought we were interested in why, but if you want to talk about it, I’d be them, and they thought the Republicans glad to. It is stunning to me, the prospects were interested in themselves and playing that we have. Washington power games. And it didn’t mat- You know, in a few weeks I’ll have the ter that they had more money; all that privilege of announcing that the sequencing mattered was, we had enough. of the human genome has been completed. So I thank you for being here. But I hope What this means is that, I think, within 10 that in addition to being here, you’ll be able years, the practice of medicine will be totally to manifest this commitment throughout this unrecognizable, as we know it. And a lot of year. Because this is a profoundly important you who have been on the forefront of trying election, this millennial election. And there to get us to live healthier lifestyles and take are real differences between us. The dif- more preventive action, it will be a joyous ferences that we have, from our nominees treasure trove of opportunity that will lead for President to the nominees for Congress, to a lengthening of our lives and the quality including the big Senate race here in New of life. York, over the budget alone, should deter- So what I’m trying to say to you is, there’s mine the outcome of the election. big, big opportunities out there. But there We want a tax cut, all right, but we think are not big guarantees out there. Are we it ought to be small enough and targeted going to continue this economic policy that enough to help families like those who served has brought us to this point and continue to us tonight and entertained us tonight to raise pay our debt down and continue to be re- their kids, provide long-term care for their sponsible, or not? Are we going to invest in parents, get a tax deduction for college tui- education and health care, and science and tion, afford better child care; induce people technology, and a different energy future, or like you to invest your money in poor areas not? in America so everybody can be a part of Are we going to assume our responsibil- this economic recovery and still have enough ities around the world to try to take the world money left over to pay this country out of away from a dangerous future of the pro- debt for the first time since 1835; to save liferation of weapons of mass destruction? Or Social Security and Medicare when all the are we going to agree with the Republican baby boomers retire and there will only be Senate, their Presidential nominee, and their two people working for every one person re- nominee here, that we shouldn’t adopt the tired; to invest in world-class education and Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, a historic stop investing in things that don’t work; to abandonment by the Republican Party of make major commitments to science and their normal bipartisan commitment to disar- technology and to basic research. mament? These are big questions. So many of you tonight are here because So I hope that you will embrace this. You of your achievements in health care or in the know, a lot of you here who have done very information revolution, the telecommuni- well are younger than I am by a good stretch. cations revolution, or a combination of both. So I just want to—I’ll close with this story. And I think you share my conviction that we I try to tell this story every time I have a need to continue basic research to enable us meeting like this. to build a new energy future for America. We celebrated in February the longest This is a huge deal; you know, this global economic expansion in American history— warming is not a canard. It’s not a false 21 million new jobs, a 30-year low in unem- threat. It’s a reality. And the good news is ployment, a 30-year low in welfare, a 20-year that for the last several years, it is no longer low in poverty, a 25-year low in crime. And true that you have to put more greenhouse I was happy as a clam. gases into the atmosphere to grow an econ- But I—I always try to study the history omy. In fact, if we were more diligent about of my country, as well as to think about the Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / Mar. 31 685 future. So I—we had the Council of Eco- makes me one of ‘‘them’’ instead of one of nomic Advisers in there, and I said, ‘‘Well, ‘‘us’’? I don’t think so. when was the last longest expansion in Amer- But that was the portrait of what happened ican history?’’ And they said, ‘‘Mr. President, between 1964 and 1968. And within 4 it was the 1960’s, 1961 to 1969.’’ months after that, the longest expansion in So for those of you who are my age or American history was history. older, take a walk down memory lane. And And what I want you to know, you young for those of you who are younger than me, people here, is, I have waited for 35 years listen to this. This is a magical moment of for my country to have the chance to build opportunity in this country. And most of you the future of our dreams for our children. are completely immersed in the future and And I am determined to see the politics of imagining all these possibilities. And so America focused on, how can we make the am I. most of the sequencing of the human ge- But when the last longest economic expan- nome? How can we build a different energy sion occurred in the 1960’s, I can tell you— future? How can we bring economic oppor- I graduated from high school in 1964—we tunity to the people and places that have thought it would go on forever. And we been left behind? How can we be a force thought it was on automatic. We thought— for peace and prosperity and unity in trou- we had low inflation. We had low unemploy- bled places around the world? How can we build one America? That’s what I think poli- ment. We had high growth. We had a civil tics is about. rights challenge, but we thought it would be If somebody asks you tomorrow morning solved in the Congress and the courts, not why you were here tonight, I hope you’ll give in the street. We thought we would win the them that answer. This is the best chance cold war because of our innate and self-evi- you will ever have to build the future of your dent superiority and never dreamed the dreams for your children. country would be divided over Vietnam. We Thank you very much. thought it would just happen—1964, when I finished high school. NOTE: The President spoke at 9:30 p.m. at the Within 2 years, there were riots in the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. In his remarks, he referred streets over civil rights. Within 4 years, when to Mark Fox and Jeffrey Arnold, dinner co-hosts; I graduated from college, it was 2 days after musician Luther Vandross; Edward G. Rendell, Robert Kennedy was killed, 2 months after general chair, Democratic National Committee; Martin Luther King was killed, 9 weeks after Gov. George W. Bush of Texas; and Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani of New York City. Lyndon Johnson couldn’t run for reelection because the country was split right down the middle over the war in Vietnam. Proclamation 7284—Cancer Control A couple months later, President Nixon Month, 2000 was elected on a campaign of representing March 31, 2000 the Silent Majority, which means if you weren’t for him, you were in the loud minor- By the President of the United States ity, beginning the construct we saw all the of America way through the 1980’s, right to the ’92 elec- tion, to the ’96 election; that you will see in A Proclamation 2000, where the other party tries to divide Since the discovery of the DNA double the American people between ‘‘us’’ versus helix in 1953, we have learned much about ‘‘them.’’ And I’m supposed to be one of the relationship between genetics and can- ‘‘them’’ because I believe things like we cer, and researchers have begun to isolate shouldn’t discriminate against gay people, if and study genes whose alteration and dys- they’re good, God-fearing, taxpaying citizens function may cause the disease. In the last and they show up and do their duty. I’m for decade, increased understanding of cancer hate crimes legislation. I’m for the employ- and growing public awareness of its symp- ment non-discrimination legislation. So that toms and risks have helped us to reverse the 686 Mar. 31 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 upward trend in cancer rates in our Nation. Finally, as we intensify our efforts to fight Cancer cases and death rates have declined cancer, we must ensure that no American is slightly but steadily in the United States; the left behind. The NCI is working to imple- 5-year survival rate has improved for all can- ment cancer control and prevention pro- cers; and 8.4 million Americans are now can- grams in minority and underserved commu- cer survivors. nities, as well as to increase minority partici- Despite these encouraging trends, this is pation in clinical trials and research. As a re- no time for complacency. Last year alone, sult of these efforts, nearly 20 percent of the more than 1 million people were diagnosed more than 20,000 patients now entering clin- with cancer, and more than 560,000 died ical treatment trials are from an ethnic mi- from it. And cancer rate are still dispropor- nority group. tionately high among certain racial, ethnic, Investment in science and technology pro- and socioeconomic groups. That is why my duced tremendous progress in health care Administration remains committed to fight- during the last century. In this new century, ing this deadly disease in every sector of our we must reaffirm our dedication to the re- population. Since 1998, we have boosted in- vestment in biomedical research at the Na- search, information sharing, and access to tional Institutes of Health by an unprece- care that will help us ultimately win the fight dented $4.1 billion, including a dramatic in- against cancer. crease in funding for the National Cancer In- In 1938, the Congress of the United States stitute (NCI), the primary Federal cancer re- passed a joint resolution (52 Stat. 148; 36 search agency. U.S.C. 103) requesting the President to issue Early detection and preventative treat- an annual proclamation declaring April as ment remain the best weapons we have in ‘‘Cancer Control Month.’’ the battle against this disease, and several Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, promising initiatives at the NCI will improve President of the United States of America, our effectiveness in both areas. The NCI re- do hereby proclaim April 2000 as Cancer cently issued a ‘‘Director’s Challenge’’ to Control Month. I invite the Governors of the spur research nationwide into defining key 50 States and the Commonwealth of Puerto genetic changes that mark tumors as malig- Rico, the Mayor of the District of Columbia, nant or precancerous. This information will and the appropriate officials of all other areas improve the way tumors are classified and under the American flag to issue similar lay the groundwork for more precise molec- proclamations. I also call upon health care ular diagnosis. The NCI is also developing professionals, private industry, community and testing molecular markers specific to cer- groups, insurance and managed care compa- tain cancers, as well as working on new tech- nies, and all other interested organizations nologies to improve detection. This research and individuals to unite in support of our Na- will help doctors to intervene early, with tion’s determined efforts to control cancer. minimally invasive procedures, to prevent In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set the disease from becoming full-blown. my hand this thirty-first day of March, in the Another powerful weapon in our crusade is information. Better understanding of risk year of our Lord two thousand, and of the factors can help people make smarter Independence of the United States of Amer- choices—like quitting smoking or under- ica the two hundred and twenty-fourth. going needed cancer screening. The Cancer Information Service (CIS), a free education William J. Clinton service provided by the NCI, acts as the public’s link to clear and understandable can- [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, cer information. I encourage Americans 8:45 a.m., April 4, 2000] seeking information on the latest cancer re- search and treatments to call CIS at 1–800– NOTE: This proclamation will be published in the 4–CANCER or to access the NCI directly Federal Register on April 5. on the Internet at http://www.cancer.gov. Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 687

Memorandum on Census 2000 March 25 March 31, 2000 In the morning, the President traveled from Mumbai, India, to Islamabad, Pakistan. Memorandum for All Federal Government In the afternoon, the President met with Employees President Rafiq Tarar of Pakistan in the Subject: Census 2000 President’s Office at the Presidential Palace, and later met with 1999 coup leader Gen. We as a Nation are participating now in Pervez Musharraf in the Conference Room the largest peacetime mobilization in our his- at the Cabinet Secretariat Building. tory. I refer to Census 2000, the twenty-first In the evening, the President traveled to census we have conducted in this country. Muscat, Oman, where he met with Sultan The decennial census is mandated by the Qaboos bin Said Al Said in the Sultan’s Quar- U.S. Constitution, and responding to it is a ters at the Royal Flight Terminal. Later, the civic responsibility for everyone living in this President traveled to Geneva, Switzerland. country. It is a truly universal activity that we can participate in, and full participation March 26 is important to the success and progress of In the afternoon, the President met with every community. President Hafiz al-Asad of Syria in the meet- The data collected will determine how ing room at the Intercontinental Hotel. Prior more than $185 billion annually in public to and following his meeting with President funds are shared fairly among the Nation’s Asad, the President had telephone conversa- communities. The data provide the basis for tions with Prime Minister Ehud Barak of planning and implementing thousands of Israel. laws and programs at every level of Govern- In the evening, the President returned to ment. The census numbers also are used to Washington, DC. decide now many seats each State is allocated in the House of Representatives and to equi- March 27 tably draw voting districts at the State and The President announced his intention to local level. appoint Don Casey as Vice Chair of the Census 2000 is an event that offers us an President’s Council on Physical Fitness and opportunity to engage the spirit of civic par- Sports. ticipation that is so important to our rep- The President announced his intention to resentative democracy. The census is impor- appoint Ralph S. Freedman as a member of tant to you and your family. It is important the National Cancer Advisory Board. to your community. It is important to our March 28 Nation. It is in this spirit that I urge all Fed- The White House announced that the eral employees to complete their census President sent the Congress a FY 2000 sup- forms. plemental request for $253 million, which in- William J. Clinton cludes funding for the Social Security Ad- ministration, aviation safety improvements, NOTE: An original was not available for and summer jobs for low income youth. verification of the content of this memorandum. March 29 In the afternoon, the President traveled to Columbia, South Carolina, and in the evening, he traveled to Chappaqua, New Digest of Other York. White House Announcements March 30 In the morning, the President traveled to The following list includes the President’s public schedule and other items of general interest an- New York City, and in the evening, he re- nounced by the Office of the Press Secretary and turned to Washington, DC. not included elsewhere in this issue. The President announced his intention to nominate Edward M. Bolen, Geoffrey T. 688 Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000

Crowley, Robert W. Baker, Debbie Branson, Submitted March 30 Kendall W. Wilson, Robert A. Davis, and Jerome Randolph Babbitt to be members of J. Randolph Babbitt, the Federal Aviation Management Advisory of Virginia, to be a member of the Federal Council. Aviation Management Advisory Council for The President announced his intention to a term of 3 years (new position). nominate Jane Lubchenco and Warren M. Washington to be members of the National Robert W. Baker, Science Board. of Texas, to be a member of the Federal Aviation Management Advisory Council for a term of 3 years (new position).

Edward M. Bolen, Nominations of Maryland, to be a member of the Federal Submitted to the Senate Aviation Management Advisory Council for a term of 3 years (new position). The following list does not include promotions of members of the Uniformed Services, nominations Debbie D. Branson, to the Service Academies, or nominations of For- of Texas, to be a member of the Federal eign Service officers Aviation Management Advisory Council for a term of 3 years (new position).

Submitted March 27 Geoffrey T. Crowley, Gregory G. Govan, of Wisconsin, to be a member of the Federal of Virginia, for the rank of Ambassador dur- Aviation Management Advisory Council for ing his tenure of service as Chief U.S. Dele- a term of 2 years (new position). gate to the Joint Consultative Group (new Robert A. Davis, position). of Washington, to be a member of the Fed- Roger L. Hunt, eral Aviation Management Advisory Council of Nevada, to be U.S. District Judge for the for a term of 2 years (new position). District of Nevada, vice a new position cre- ated by Public Law 106–113, approved No- Kendall W. Wilson, vember 29, 1999. of the District of Columbia, to be a member of the Federal Aviation Management Advi- Beverly B. Martin, sory Council for a term of one year (new of Georgia, to be U.S. District Judge for the position). Northern District of Georgia, vice G. Ernest Tidwell, retired. Withdrawn March 27 Checklist Jose Antonio Perez, of White House Press Releases of California, to be U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of California for the term of 4 years, vice Stephen Simpson Gregg, The following list contains releases of the Office which was sent to the Senate on January 6, of the Press Secretary that are neither printed as 1999. items nor covered by entries in the Digest of Other White House Announcements. Gail S. Tusan, of Georgia, to be U.S. District Judge for the Released March 25 Northern District of Georgia vice, G. Ernest Tidwell, retired, which was sent to the Senate Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- on August 3, 1999. retary Joe Lockhart Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 689

Released March 26 Released March 29 Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- Statement of Beth Noland, Counsel to the retary Joe Lockhart President, on the Privacy Act and the Execu- tive Office of the President Statement by Press Secretary Joe Lockhart on the President’s meeting with President Released March 30 Hafiz al-Asad of Syria Transcript of a press briefing by National Economic Council Director Gene Sperling Released March 27 and Deputy Assistant to the President for Health Policy Chris Jennings and on the So- Announcement of the nominations for U.S. cial Security Trustees Report District Judges for the District of Nevada and the Northern District of Georgia Announcement: White House Special Envoy for the Americas, Buddy MacKay To Attend Statement by the Press Secretary on Peru’s Inter-American Dialogue Conference in April 9 national elections Costa Rica March 31 through April 3 Released March 31 Released March 28 Transcript of a press briefing by Deputy Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- Press Secretary Jake Siewert retary Joe Lockhart Transcript of a press briefing by Energy Sec- retary Bill Richardson, National Economic Council Director Gene Sperling, and Coun- Act Approved cil of Economic Advisers Chairman Martin by the President Baily on the OPEC oil production decision

Statement by the Press Secretary on the NOTE: No acts approved by the President were transmittal to Congress of the FY 2000 sup- received by the Office of the Federal Register plemental appropriations request during the period covered by this issue.