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Skriven 2004-11-18 23:33:08 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0411183) for Thu, 2004 Nov 18
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President's Remarks at the Clinton Presidential Center Dedication
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 18, 2004

President's Remarks at the Clinton Presidential Center Dedication
Little Rock, Arkansas



12:20 P.M. CST

THE PRESIDENT: President Clinton, Senator Clinton, President Carter and
Mrs. Carter, President Bush and Mother -- (laughter )-- Governor and Mrs.
Huckabee, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen: Laura and I are
really pleased to be a part of this happy and historic occasion. On this
day of dedication, we honor the man from Hope, Arkansas, who became the
42nd President of the United States. Mr. President, congratulations.
(Applause.)

This presidential library chronicles a vivid era in American history, for
the benefit of future generations. It will contribute to the vitality of
this fine city and to the great state of Arkansas. The collections here
record the dedication and hard work of thousands, who brought talent and
idealism to public service. And at the center of that era, at the head of
that administration, was an able and energetic American. President Bill
Clinton led our country with optimism and a great affection for the
American people, and that affection has been returned. He gave all to his
job, and the nation gave him two terms.

In the early 1990s, the American people saw a young, well-spoken,
relatively unknown governor rise to national prominence. Yet for decades
here in Arkansas, the signs of destiny were clear. When young William
entered a new school in the 4th grade, a classmate recalls, "He didn't mean
to, but he just took the place over." (Laughter.) When Governor Clinton
declared his candidacy for President in this city, his close friends were
not surprised in the least. They'd always known that Bill Clinton's moment
in history would come.

Arkansas is a state that knows political skill when you see it. A fellow in
Saline County was asked by his son why he liked Governor Clinton so much.
He said, son, he'll look you in the eye, he'll shake your hand, he'll hold
your baby, he'll pat your dog -- all at the same time. (Laughter.)

Over the years, Bill Clinton showed himself to be much more than a good
politician. His home state elected him governor in the 1970s, the 1980s,
and the 1990s, because he was an innovator, a serious student of policy,
and a man of great compassion. In the White House, the whole nation
witnessed his brilliance and mastery of detail, his persuasive power, and
his persistence. The President is not the kind to give up a fight. His
staffers were known to say, "If Clinton were the Titanic, the iceberg would
sink." (Laughter.)

During his presidency, Bill Clinton seized important opportunities on
issues from welfare to free trade. He was a tireless champion of peace in
the Middle East. He used American power in the Balkans to confront
aggression and halt ethnic cleansing. And in all his actions and decisions,
the American people sensed a deep empathy for the poor and the powerless.
Shortly before leaving office, President Clinton said, "Christ admonished
us that our lives will be judged by how we do unto the least of our
neighbors." Throughout his career, Bill Clinton has done his best to live
up to that standard. And Americans respect him for it.

At every stage of his remarkable life, President Clinton has made and kept
countless friends, who share in the joy of this day. And three people in
particular have the largest part in this remarkable story. One day more
than 30 years ago, inside the Yale Law Library, a fellow student walked
over to Bill Clinton and said, "If you're going to keep staring at me, and
I'm going to keep staring back, we ought to at least know each other's
name. Mine's Hillary Rodham. What is yours?" (Laughter.) That was a good
day for both of them, and the beginning of a partnership unique in American
history. So today, we honor the former First Lady of Arkansas, the former
First Lady of America, the United States Senator from New York, Senator
Hillary Rodham Clinton. (Applause.)

Perhaps the Clintons' greatest achievement is their daughter, who moved
into the White House as a young girl, and left as an accomplished young
lady. It's not easy to be a teenager in the White House, but it's a lot
easier when you have a loving mother and a loving father that Chelsea
Clinton had.

This magnificent presidential library, and the American life it celebrates,
would not have been possible without the love and sacrifice of a special
lady. Among his heroes, President Clinton always includes his mother,
Virginia Kelley, "a working woman and a widow." Virginia was there when her
son took the oath of office, and we know that she would be incredibly proud
of this day.

The story that began in a little house on Hervey Street in Hope, Arkansas
is the kind of story that inspires people from every background, all over
America. In this great nation, it is always possible for a child to go as
far as their talent and vision can take them. Visitors to this place will
be reminded of the great promise of our country, and the dreams that came
true in the life of our 42nd President. The William J. Clinton Presidential
Library is a gift to the future by a man who always believed in the future.
And today, we thank him for loving and serving America.

God bless. (Applause.)

END 12:26 P.M. CST
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