Hillary Rodham Clinton-"Village" Speech

002 03/08/96 00:10 FIRST LADY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON REMARKS FOR THE NEW ENGLAND CIRCLE AWARD DINNER NASHUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE FEBRUARY 22, 1996 [Acknowledgements: Jack Dunfey, Chairman; Eleanor Dunfey Freiburger and Tom O'Neill III, vice-chairs; Pam McDermott, vice- president; Jerry Dunfey, president, and Mary Catherine Dunfey, maria who present you with the award; and Harvard Professor Alvin treiburger Poussaint [poo SAHNT], moderator] Governor Howard Dean Thank you for giving me this opportunity to join you this evening. I want to thank the Dunfey family and the New England Circle for working so hard to keep alive a tradition of civil discourse that is so essential to our success and endurance as a democracy. We cannot move forward as a country or as a society without honest debate about the issues and the inclusion of diverse points of view and perspectives in our national discussion. And as we all know too well, civil discourse is at risk in some quarters of America today. It is a great honor for me to accept this award in Catherine Dunfey's name. Over the years, I have heard many wonderful stories about Mrs. Dunfey, all of which reflect her abiding commitment to family and community. One story I particularly like, which comes from one of her 12 children, is that each of her children believed that they were her favorite. To me, that is proof positive of a mother who took the time and interest to fully invest in each child she brought into the world. I understand that close to 30 of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren are here tonight. I know you are all proud of what Catherine Dunfey represents, not only in your own lives but in the life of this region and the nation. An event celebrating Catherine Dunfey seems a particularly appropriate place to talk about children and families. And I can think of no more important discussion for our nation today. As a society, our greatest challenge on the eve of a new century is to cherish our children and strengthen America's families. We can't simply talk about family values. We must act in ways that value families. Most of us understand that there is nothing more important in this world than how we raise and love our children. Parents have the primary responsibility for making sure our children grow up in stable, loving, two-parent homes. Nothing can replace the attention, encouragement and discipline of a parent. 1