Administration of William J. Clinton, 1993 / June 22 1157 you. You know everything already. [Laugh- ily today as we remember her many accom- ter] plishments and contributions to the Nation. NOTE: The President spoke at 12:45 p.m. in the Statement by the Press Secretary on Oval Office at the White House. The exchange the President's Task Force on portion of this item could not be verified because National Health Care Reform the tape was incomplete. June 22, 1993 Statement on the Death of Pat Nixon June 22, 1993 The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled today that the The Nation is deeply saddened today by President's Task Force on Health Care Re- the loss of former First Lady Pat Nixon. form, chaired by First Lady Hillary Rodham Patricia Ryan Nixon was a quiet pioneer Clinton, was not subject to the Federal Advi- whose concern for family and country will sory Committee Act. The Court of Appeals leave a lasting mark on history. Mrs. Nixon decision confirms that the task force oper- personified a deep reverence for the cher- ated in full compliance with the law. ished American traditions of community In reversing the United States district service, voluntarism, and personal respon- court on this issue, the court of appeals held sibility to one another. that Mrs. Clinton is a ``full-time officer or As First Lady, she was indeed a lady of employee of the Government'' for purposes ``firsts.'' She was the first First Lady to rep- resent the President of the United States on of the advisory committee act. The court of an official overseas visit. She was the first appeals decision means that the advisory incumbent First Lady to publicly support the committee act's requirements for open meet- equal rights amendment. And she was an ings and production of documents did not early advocate of promoting a woman to the apply to the task force. U.S. Supreme Court. The President announced the creation of While always dignified and gracious, Mrs. the health care task force, as well as inter- Nixon was also a passionate believer in volun- departmental working groups, on January 25, teer service and the importance of Americans 1993. The task force held over 20 meetings helping one another. The appearance of the in April and May and has presented health White House today and its accessibility to care reform proposals and options to the visitors at special times each year owe them- President. The President is now in the proc- selves in large degree to her generous and ess of reviewing those proposals and options creative efforts. During her first Thanks- and will be preparing a final proposal for de- giving as First Lady she invited 225 senior livery to Congress. citizens from area nursing homes to the The task force terminated on May 30, White House for a special meal. She invited 1993. There are no plans to reconvene the hundreds of families to nondenominational task force. Sunday services in the East Room. And she offered the White House as a meeting place White House Statement on the for volunteer organizations dedicated to solv- Posthumous Award of the ing community problems. Presidential Medal of Freedom to Mrs. Nixon, a mother of two, was also a Arthur Ashe loyal and steadfast believer in family. She traveled extensively with her husband across June 22, 1993 the Nation and abroad and was widely The President awarded a posthumous praised for her diplomatic gestures overseas. Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nation's As she said in 1971, ``We've always been a highest civilian honor, to tennis great Arthur team.'' We are heartened that former Presi- dent Nixon and Mrs. Nixon were able to cele- Ashe at the National Sports Awards cere- brate their 53d wedding anniversary yester- mony at Constitution Hall Sunday night. day. Our thoughts are with Mrs. Nixon's fam- VerDate 14-MAY-98 14:23 May 19, 1998 Jkt 010199 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 1244 Sfmt 1244 W:\DISC\P25JN4.023 INET01.