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Joshua Gottheimer's Files
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Withdrawal/Redaction Sheet
Clinton Library
DOCUMENT NO.
SUBJECT/TITLE
DATE
RESTRICTION
AND TYPE
001. list
re: personal (8 pages)
10/02/1999
b(6)
COLLECTION:
Clinton Presidential Records
Speechwriting
Josh Gottheimer
OA/Box Number: 18991
FOLDER TITLE:
Angle - Gay/Lesbian
2016-0201-S
rc2156
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act - |44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act - 15 U.S.C. 552(b)]
P1 National Security Classified Information |(a)(1) of the PRA]
b(1) National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA]
P2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRA
b(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of
P3 Release would violate a Federal statute |(a)(3) of the PRA|
an agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA]
P4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
b(3) Release would violate a Federal statute ((b)(3) of the FOIA]
financial information |(a)(4) of the PRAJ
b(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
P5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
information |(b)(4) of the FOIA)
and his advisors, or between such advisors [a)(5) of the PRA]
b(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
P6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy |(a)(6) of the PRA]
b(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed
b(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
of gift.
financial institutions |(b)(8) of the FOIA]
PRM. Personal record misfile defined in accordance with 44 U.S.C.
b(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
2201(3).
concerning wells |(b)(9) of the FOIA|
RR. Document will be reviewed upon request.
Withdrawal/Redaction Marker
Clinton Library
DOCUMENT NO.
SUBJECT/TITLE
DATE
RESTRICTION
AND TYPE
001. list
re: personal (8 pages)
10/02/1999
b(6)
COLLECTION:
Clinton Presidential Records
Speechwriting
Josh Gottheimer
OA/Box Number: 18991
FOLDER TITLE:
Angle - Gay/Lesbian
2016-0201-S
rc2156
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act - |44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act - 15 U.S.C. 552(b))
PI National Security Classified Information |(a)(1) of the PRA
b(1) National security classified information |(b)(1) of the FOIA]
P2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRA]
b(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of
P3 Release would violate a Federal statute |(a)(3) of the PRA]
an agency |(b)(2) of the FOIA]
P4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
b(3) Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA]
financial information [(a)(4) of the PRA]
b(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
P5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
information |(b)(4) of the FOIA]
and his advisors, or between such advisors [a)(5) of the PRA]
h(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
P6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy |(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy [(a)(6) of the PRA|
b(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes |(b)(7) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed
b(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
of gift.
financial institutions |(b)(8) of the FOIA]
PRM. Personal record misfile defined in accordance with 44 U.S.C.
b(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
2201(3).
concerning wells [(b)(9) of the FOIA]
RR. Document will be reviewed upon request.
THE HRC DINNER
Page 1 of 2
HUMAN
RIGHTS
CAMPAIGN
CLINTON BECOMES FIRST PRESIDENT
TO ADDRESS GAY AND LESBIAN CIVIL RIGHTS EVENT
Human Rights Campaign's First Annual National Dinner Makes History, Draws
1,500 Attendees
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday, Nov. 8, 1997
WASHINGTON The Human Rights Campaign saluted President Clinton tonight for having the
courage to bring his power to bear for an America where gay men and lesbians "will no longer be
bashed or banished to the closet, or told to betray their own identity."
"President Clinton, you have done so much to challenge all of that, and you can be certain that we
will ask you to do more," said Elizabeth Birch, HRC's executive director.
Birch's remarks came at the Human Rights Campaign's first National Dinner, where Clinton
delivered the keynote speech.
This was the first time a sitting president ever addressed a lesbian and gay civil rights event.
"We anticipated your first term as president with utter hope and joy," Birch said in introducing
Clinton to the sold-out crowd of 1,500. "We stood nearly alone against the worst epidemic in this
century. Through the first decade of AIDS, your predecessors offered only a wall of stony silence
as countless died around us."
Acknowledging that the gay and lesbian community has suffered some disappointments under
Clinton, Birch said, "I can honestly say: You have played a brave and powerful and indispensable
role in the march toward justice for us, and all Americans."
She singled out the president's endorsement of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, a bill that
would outlaw job discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Also at the dinner, the organization presented its two National Civil Rights Awards to two
outstanding leaders in the quest for equality. One went to the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights
(LCCR), the legislative arm of this country's historic civil rights movement. LCCR Chairperson
Dorothy Height accepted the award.
The other HRC National Civil Rights Award went to actress Ellen DeGeneres for her historic and
very public coming out last spring. DeGeneres was accompanied by her partner, actress Anne Heche,
and her mother, Betty DeGeneres. Betty DeGeneres is HRC's 1997-98 National Coming Out Project
spokesperson.
http://www.hrc.org/feature1/presdin3.html
9/28/1999
THE HRC DINNER
Page 2 of 2
The sold-out national dinner took place at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington and was expected to
raise some $300,000 for HRC's general fund.
Other Washington dignitaries in attendance included: White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles;
White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Political Affairs John Podesta; White House Press
Secretary Mike McCurry; White House AIDS czar Sandra Thurman; White House Communications
Director Ann Lewis; Maria Echaveste, director of the White House Office of Public Liaison; and
Richard Socarides, the White House liaison to the gay and lesbian community and a special assistant
to the president.
Several members of Congress also attended, including: Reps. Connie Morella, R-Md.; William
Coyne, D-Pa.; Diana DeGette, D-Colo.; Juanita Millender-McDonald, D-Calif.; and Bob Filner, D-
Calif.
Last year, President Clinton provided a videotaped message to the Human Rights Campaign's
OutVote convention during the 1996 campaign. That event was designed to inspire volunteer
involvement in political campaigns for state and federal office seekers who are supportive of equal
rights for lesbian and gay people.
The National Dinner took place two days before the first White House Conference on Hate Crimes,
scheduled for Nov. 10. The conference will examine bias-motivated crime and seeks to find solutions
to curb this escalating social problem which is one of HRC's highest priorities.
The Dinner Program
(Including Remarks and Speeches)
C-SPANonline
PNO
Check out the HRC dinner program from
PLANETOUT
beginning to end!
Here President Clinton's historic speech live!
The Human Rights Campaign
http://www.hrc.org
http://www.hrc.org/feature1/presdin3.html
9/28/1999
State of the Union Address
Page 1 of 2
HUMAN
RIGHTS
CAMPAIGN
PRESIDENT CLINTON INCLUDES COMBATING DISCRIMINATION
AGAINST GAY AND LESBIAN AMERICANS AS A PRIORITY IN STATE
OF THE UNION ADDRESS
President Clinton Becomes The First President To Address Gay Issues In
State of the Union
FOR RELEASE
Tuesday, January 19, 1999 -- 9pm
WASHINGTON President Clinton made history tonight by becoming the first President to
discuss gay and lesbian issues in a State of the Union address. Clinton's inclusive call to end
discrimination and violence against gay and lesbian Americans should be applauded and
could lend momentum to the passage of gay-supportive legislation in the 106th Congress,
according to the Human Rights Campaign.
"President Clinton's call to end violence and discrimination against gay Americans is a
testament to his long standing commitment to civil rights and was an act of bold leadership,"
said HRC Executive Director Elizabeth Birch. "Establishing the passage of the Employment
Non-Discrimination Act and the Hate Crimes Prevention Act as national priorities,
reinvigorated momentum for both bills in the 106th Congress."
If passed by Congress, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) would prohibit
discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment. Currently, race, religion, national
origin, age, disability and gender are protected categories. In 1996, the Employment Non-
Discrimination Act came within one vote of passing the Senate.
The Hate Crimes Prevention Act (HCPA), if passed by Congress, would help protect gay and
lesbian Americans from bias-motivated attacks. The HCPA would add sexual orientation, as
well as gender and disability, to the already protected categories of religion, race, and
national origin. The HCPA would allow the Federal Bureau of Investigation to intervene in
cases where local law enforcement was either unable or unwilling to solve a crime or protect
the victims from further attacks. The HCPA would also expand the circumstances in which
the FBI could involve itself in a case.
"We hope to work with Congress to see that this bipartisan legislation, which is popular with
the public and backed by the president, can get passed this year," said HRC Political Director
Winnie Stachelberg.
The Human Rights Campaign
http://www.hrc.org
http://www.hrc.org/feature1/stateuni.html
9/28/1999
Page 1 of 2
NEWS from the Human
Rights Campaign 919 18th Street NW Washington, DC 20005 email: [email protected] WWW:
http://www.hrc.org
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, April 6, 1999 HRC HAILS PRESIDENT CLINTON'S
ENDORSEMENT OF HATE CRIMES BILL Hate Crimes Increasingly More Lethal, According To
New Statistics Released In Aftermath of Wyoming Shepard Murder Trial WASHINGTON
Momentum for passing the Hate Crimes Prevention Act (HCPA) continues to expand, with an
endorsement today from President Bill Clinton at a White House press conference. Clinton joins
Matthew Shepard's mother, Judy Shepard, in leading the charge to pass legislation that would extend
current federal hate crimes protection to cover gender, sexual orientation and disability. According to
HRC, new statistics released today by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs showing
increased savagery in anti-gay attacks, as well yesterday's sentencing of Russell A. Henderson, one of
two men accused of killing Matthew Shepard, punctuates the need for state and federal hate crimes
laws. "The President has always understood the importance of sending the message that a hate crime
committed against one American is a crime against all Americans and is an assault on our society's
core values," said HRC Political Director Winnie Stachelberg. "We hope Congress and lawmakers in
all 50 states can match President Clinton's and Judy Shepard's will, determination and commitment to
ending hate motivated violence." In announcing his support for the Hate Crimes Prevention Act,
President Clinton put hate crimes against gay people in the context of ethnic and religious conflicts in
Kosovo, Rwanda, and elsewhere. Clinton called on our nation to be an example for the world in
tolerance and diversity. "Our diversity is a godsend for us, and the world of the 21st century," said
Clinton at the press conference. "But it also has the potential for the old, haunting demons that are
hard to root out of the human spirit. The Hate Crimes Prevention Act would be important,
substantively and symbolically, to send a message to ourselves and to the world that we are going
into the 21st century determined to preach and to practice what is right." Clinton offered several
methods to reduce hate crimes in America. The President said he will ask the Justice and Education
Departments to provide hate crimes information in their annual report cards on school safety. Clinton
will ask the Department of Education to collect data on hate crimes on college campuses. Clinton
also announced the formation of "a public-private partnership to help reach middle school students to
discuss this whole issue with them and talk about tolerance why it is moral, as well as a practical
imperative." In a press conference last month, Mrs. Shepard announced her support for the Hate
Crimes Prevention Act, as well as passing state hate crimes laws. Mrs. Shepard said hate crimes laws
could potentially deter violent acts by sending a clear message to would-be perpetrators that society
unequivocally condemns hate motivated violence. "No one will ever know if these laws would have
saved my son's life. But we can begin today by building a safer world for all Americans, including
gay and lesbian Americans," said Mrs. Shepard at the press conference. "On behalf of my family, I
call on the Congress of the United States to pass the hate Crimes Prevention Act without delay." The
need for hate crimes legislation was highlighted by a survey released today by the National Coalition
of Anti-Violence Programs, which documented 2,552 anti-gay incidents in 1998. The national survey
includes reports from 16 coalition members in locations ranging from San Francisco to Cleveland to
El Paso, Texas. The survey showed an alarming increase in the brutality of hate crimes, with chilling
statistics that communicated the intensity of anti-gay sentiment behind attacks. "What we found most
disturbing was the attacks were more severe and much more intense," said Natalie Chin, a
spokeswoman from the Community United Against Violence, which gathered statistics for the survey
in San Francisco. "Attackers really seem motivated to debase their victims and cause serious injury."
According to an article about the survey in the San Francisco Chronicle, the use of weapons grew at
an unprecedented pace. Reports of guns used during assaults grew 71 percent; ropes and restraints,
133 percent; vehicles, 150 percent; and the use of blunt objects, clubs, bats in attacks grew by 47
percent. The survey follows murder suspect Russell A. Henderson's guilty plea yesterday in
Laramie, Wyo. to felony murder, as well as the robbery and kidnaping of University of Wyoming
student Matthew Shepard. Henderson's plea brought a swift conclusion to a nationally watched trial
that may have ended with the death penalty if Henderson was found guilty. District Judge Jeffery A.
Donnell sentenced Henderson to serve two consecutive life sentences. According to the Associated
Press, defense attorney Wyatt Skaggs said that Henderson simply watched while co-defendant Aaron
J. McKinney killed Shepard with the butt of his gun. Skaggs also claimed that the slaying was not
premeditated. McKinney will stand trial for first degree murder,aggravated robbery, and kidnaping in
http://www.hrc.org/hrc/hrcnews/990406.txt
9/28/1999
Page 2 of 2
August. If convicted, he could receive the death penalty. Henderson's girlfriend pleaded guilty to
accessory after the fact of the murder on Dec.23 and is awaiting sentencing. In May, McKinney's
girlfriend goes on trial on an accessory charge, according to the AP report. The Hate Crimes
Prevention Act (HCPA) was introduced last month at a press conference on Capitol Hill. A hearing in
the Senate Judiciary Committee on HCPA is scheduled for April 28. Hate crimes based on sexual
orientation were up 8 percent in 1997, according to the latest FBI statistics. Sexual orientation was
the third highest category of hate crimes behind race and religion and represented 14 percent of all
hate crimes reported. Currently, hate crimes monitoring and enforcement consists of a patchwork of
laws that offer citizens varying levels of legal protection depending on where they live. Twenty-one
states and the District of Columbia have hate crimes laws that include sexual orientation. Twenty one
states have laws that do not include sexual orientation. Eight states have no hate crimes laws at all. -
30 -
http://www.hrc.org/hrc/hrcnews/990406.txt
9/28/1999
FRIENDS
Steve Afriat /
Srephen Fields /
Steve Nuskiewicz
Curtis Sanchez
Sims Brannon
Cory O'Conner"
Chad Allen
Randy Foster
Jean OLeary*
Will Arnde
Kevin Friedmann
Dan Pallotta
Gwen Baba =
John Gile
John A. Pérez
Steven Badeau
Mickev Guillory
Dana Perlman
Terry Bean
Bob Graney
Mark Perrin
Roberta Bennett 0
Don Gray
Lisa Phelps
Steve Bennett
Herb Hamsher /
Jonathan Stoller
Dean Pitchford /
Leslie Belzberg *
Michael Mealiffe
Jeremy Bernard
Bill Haworth
Christopher Price 0
LuAnn Boylan
Chuck Holmes
Steve Rochler
Robert Brkich
Roy Huebner
Charlie Rounds
Russel Brown Jr.
Human Rights
Brian Saltzman
Campaign/LA
Allen Carrier
Adam Schmidt
The Coffee Table
Sky Johnson e
Barry Karas
Larry Sprenger
Nancy Cohen
Steve Tyler
Beidwin
Jamie Kershaw /
Robert Craig
Danny Avedon
Thomas Watson /
Monny
Waxinan
Ellen
Stuart Dennis
Todd Manion
Andrew Klayman
John Duran /
Patrick Marston
William Waybourn
Xavier
Beforre
Jeff Thomas
Dr. Wes Wheadon
Jeff Matchan /
Joey Emick
left Kennedy
Trip Wilmot
Xavier
Howard
Barner
Evolution Film
Georgia Mercer
Andrew Zuker /
and Tape
lack Lorenz
Greg Nimer
DINNER CO-CHAIRS
Gwen Baba o
Scott Hitt =
Christopher Price C
Roberta Bennetr *
Bill Melamed C
Steve Tyler
Jeremy Bernard =
David Mixner =
C ANGLE member
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is the only national party committee
whose principle mission is to cleer Democrats 10 the House of Representatives. The DCCC
is committed 10 recruiting, training and helping 10 find Democratic Congressional
candidates throughout the country.
DESIGN Hersbey Associates
PRODUCED AND DIRECTED GY:
EVENT COORDINATOR:
Any Shomer
Levy. Pazanti and Associates
THE GAY AND LESBIAN COMMUNITY
A.N.G.L.E.
INVITES You TO A VERY SPECIAL EVENIN
Presented by
Access Non NOT Gr 5 Lesgian Equality
HONORARY CHAIRPERSONS
Melissa Etheridge
Skip Paul
ANGELS
An Evening to Benefit the Democratic
Jane and Marc Náthanson
Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC)
Andrew Reyes and Butch Barksdale
with Honored Guest.
BENEFACTORS
David C. Bohnett
Skip Paul / Van Fletclier
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
Human Rights Campaign
Jeff Soref
WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON
Paul Morabito
Kevin Wendle / Lance Orchid
PATRONS
Tim Aldrete
Bill Melained*
Paris Barclay / Christopher Mason
David Mixner
SATURDAY NIGHT, OCTOBER 2ND, 1999
Edgar Bronfinan. Jr.
Anita May Rosenstein
THE BEVERLY HILTON
Dr. Jerry Cade /
Scott Rosseit / Tom Soto
9876 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD
Christopher Khamis
Bob Sertner / Steve Batiste
BEVERLY HILLS, CA 90210
S. David Cobb / Douglas Wance /
Sid Sheinberg
Chris Robert
Larry Sprenger
DuPont Pharmacenticals
Black Tie
David Springer
R.j. Gorderi
Cocktails 5:30 pm
Andrew Tobias
Alan Hergott / Curt Shepard
Dinner 7.00 pm
Henry Van Ameringen
Chris Hershey / Susan Van Horn
Stephen Watren /
R.S.V.P. Levy, Pazanti and Associates
Dr. Scott Hitt / Alex Koleszar
George Harangody
/
310 201 5033
David Huebnet Esq /
Laurette Healey
11
/
Duane E. McWaine M.D.
Lisa Sanderson
Contributions to the DCCC are not tax-deductible Paid for by the DCCC
Wilkes Kothmaim / John Hallum
Lew Wassernian
The DCCC is a multi-candidate Committee, FEC ID C00000935
Tony Leonhardt / Craig Dougherty
David Wexler / Richard Klug
SPECIAL
Democratic House Leader
Richard A. Gephardt
GUESTS IN
Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin
ATTENDANCE
Congressman Xavier Becerra
Congressman Howard Berman
Congressman Patrick Kennedy
Congressman Brad Sherman
Congresswoman Maxine Waters
Congressman Henry Waxman
Ellen DeGeneres
Anne Heche
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
-TAICEND
BAUL THE Hose.
[email protected]
09/26/99 12:55:11 PM
Record Type:
Record
To:
Minyon Moore/WHO/EOP, Simeona F. Pasquil/WHO/EOP
CC:
Richard Socarides/WHO/EOP
Subject: RE: Presidential Briefing
Dear All:
Here are my thoughts for the President's remarks and so people he should
thank.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:
Besides the obvious there are a couple of people he might want to acknowledge
in his speech.
Bill Melamed: Basically the CoChair for the evening and has put in
enormous amount of time and energy.
Skip Paul: Is the Honorary CoChair of the evening and has raised over
$100,000 for the event. Crucial in getting the evening off the ground.
Andrew Reyes: Mecklenberg County Chairperson who is Hispanic and
openly Gay and contributed personally $60,000 to the evening.
Scott Hitt: Because of his position in the Presidential AIDS Advisory
Panel
Of course, he might want to acknowledge his own openly gay and lesbian
t
RS
appointments who are in the audience. They will have been acknowledged
before he speaks.
KNIGHT INITIATIVE:
SEAN RAED H.
The biggest policy question will be if the President states his opposition to
the Knight Initiative. Already both Bradley and the Vice President has come
out against the Initiative while continuing to state their opposition to gay
marriage.
Given the President's signing of DOMA, ironically he would be in a perfect
position to oppose this Initiative given his stance of opposing gay marriage.
He could distinguish between his opposition to gay marriage and an
100 MULH
initiative that is basically placed on the ballot to divide, create hate,
create fear and suspicion and to build a base of power for political
demagogues. The initiative is not needed because gay marriage is not legal
in California already thus there can be only one purpose for this measure and
that is to hurt and divide people. Please feel free to call me if you need
to discuss this more.
ANGLE/ANNIVERSARY
It will be almost exactly eight years ago that then Governor and Ms. Clinton
made their first appearance before a gay and lesbian group. It was at ANGLE
11
at Scott Hitt's and Alex Koleszar's home. The group became the first Gay and
Lesbian group to endorse the President and fanned out across the country to
build a base of support for him in the Gay and Lesbian community. It was the
group that organized the historic speech on Gay and Lesbian rights that the
President gave at the Hollywood Palace in May of 1992.
n
It would be a wonderful place to have a theme of "coming home" to where his
extraordinary partnership with the Gay and Lesbian community began and to
report on that journey. He can talk about how proud he is of his
accomplishments and that he responded to one of the great civil rights
movements of this decade. He can even acknowledge that there had been
differences and some rocky moments on this journey but what has been created
is an extraordinary record of progress, change and history making.
HATE
This would be the perfect time of him to talk about the need to battle hate
crimes in America and what it does to the fabric of a nation. It is the
our - Nor EXALT
first anniversary of Matthew Shepards death. He can talk about how those
voices of political demagogues in the House would use fear of homosexuals to
create division and to raise money for their own political power. How
important it is to remove the extreme right leadership in the House. How Bob
Barr and Tom DeLay should no longer be allowed to hold leadership positions.
He can even refer to George W Bush refusing to support and thus killing a
hate crimes bill in Texas. A good opportunity to mention the Vice President
and contrast him with George W.
Hope this is helpful. Please call if you need more information and assistance
with wording. We all are so excited and thrilled about this event. My thanks
to each of you.
David
"I HAVE A are RON, AND
you mi- A primr of
Ir"
[email protected]
09/26/99 03:52:38 PM
Record Type:
Record
To:
Minyon Moore/WHO/EOP, Simeona F. Pasquil/WHO/EOP
CC:
Richard Socarides/WHO/EOP
Subject: RE: Additional Presidential Thank You
Dear All:
In my last letter 1 forgot one group that the President might want to thank
in his speech
The Los Angeles Gay Mens Chorus (about 200 strong) are opening the evening
with some patriotic songs. It is the first time in history that a Gay Mens
Chorus has performed for the President of the United States.
He might want to acknowledge their music in his opening it would go over
big
David
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HIV/AIDS Providing National Leadership. In 1996, for the first time in the history of the
AIDS epidemic, the number of Americans diagnosed with AIDS declined. My Administration
has increased funding for AIDS research by over 57 percent; for HIV prevention by 36 percent;
and for the Ryan White CARE Act by over 290 percent.
Fighting for Hate Crimes Legislation. Hate crimes motivated by race, religion or sexual
orientation tear at the fabric of the American community and at our common values. In 1997
alone, there were more than 8,000 reported hate crimes in our country. That's almost one an
hour.
MARKS
tat
recommitting ourselves to take strong and decisive action to end all hate crimes - and to work doned
Tonight is the First Anniversary of Matthew Shepard's Death. Let us honor his memory by,
NEF
with Congress to pass the Hate Crimes Prevention Act.
acceptance
While we have come a long way on our journey toward tolerance understanding, and
mutual respect, we still have a long way to go.
reconcilletion.
We cannot achieve true tolerance merely through legislation. And we certainly do not need
legislation whose only purpose is to divide, create hate, fear and suspicion. All of our efforts
must be directed toward inspiring greater understanding and tolerance. Our greatest hope for a
just society is to teach our children to respect one another, to appreciate our differences, and to
recognize the fundamental values that we hold in common.
diceptance
Tonight, despite all the good feeling in this room, let's not kid ourselves: We've had some
wins and we've had some losses. But that is part of the lessons of governing. However,
I
believe I have remained true to my pledge to you: I still have a vision, and today more than ever
sould
you are a part of it.
Since our earliest days a nation, Americans have strived to make real the ideals of equality
and freedom so eloquently expressed in our Declaration of Independence and Constitution.
We now have a rare opportunity to enter a new century and a new millennium as One America -
living those principles, recognizing our common values, and building on our shared strengths.
Together we will move closer to the day when discrimination and acts of hatred are no longer a
stain on our community or our conscience.
I want all of you to keep your faith, keep your strength, maintain your resolve. No matter
how difficult the road may be, we must keep our eyes on the prize and not succumb to the sirens
of hate. As Dr. Martin Luther King said, "Darkness can not drive our darkness; only light can do
that. Hate can not drive our hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate Violence multiplies
violence.' So as we move forward, let our understanding, our love, and our commitment to
justice multiply until it fills every heart and soul in America. Thank you and God bless you.
Arch of astice
3
Ending Discrimination Against Gays and Lesbians in the Federal Civilian Workforce. I
issued an Executive Order prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation in the Federal
workforce. This makes the Federal Government the largest employer in the world with a non-
discrimination policy covering sexual orientation.
Endorsing Legislation that Outlaws Discrimination in the Workplace. We are continuing
our fight for passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which outlaws discrimination
in hiring, firing and promotions based on sexual orientation.
HIV/AIDS -- Providing National Leadership. My Administration has increased funding for
AIDS research by over 57 percent; for HIV prevention by 36 percent; and for the Ryan White
CARE Act by over 290 percent.
In 1996, for the first time in the history of the AIDS epidemic, the number of Americans
diagnosed with AIDS declined.
While we have come a long way on our journey toward tolerance, dont
mutual respect, we still have a long way to go.
And understanding, we and need
clivinive legisation
We cannot achieve true tolerance merely through legislation. We must change hearts and that
minds as well. Our greatest hope for a just society is to teach our children to respect one another, only
to appreciate our differences, and to recognize the fundamental values that we hold in common.
Tonight, despite all the good feeling in this room, let's not kid ourselves: We've had some
wins and we've had some losses. But that is part of the lessons of governing. However, I
believe I have remained true to my pledge to you: I still have a vision, and today more than ever
you are a part of it.
Since our earliest days a nation, Americans have strived to make real the ideals of equality
We now have a rare opportunity to enter a new century and a new millennium as our country one theria
and freedom so eloquently expressed in our Declaration of Independence and Constitution.
living those principles, recognizing our common values, and building on our shared strengths.
Together we will move closer to the day when acts of hatred are no longer a stain on our
community or our conscience.
discrimiciline
DRAFT
9-27-99 1:00pm
Terry Edmonds
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
RELIGIOUS LEADERS BREAKFAST
THE EAST ROOM
SEPTEMBER 28, 1999
Acknowledgements: Mrs. Clinton; Members of my Cabinet: Sec. Shalala, Sec.
Herman, Sec. Riley, Jack Lew; Rev. Hahn; Sister Sylvester.
Thank you and welcome to the White House. As many of you know, I look
forward to this day each year perhaps more than any other. It gives me and all of us servants of
faith a chance to talk about how to apply spiritual wisdom to the day -to-day work of healing
souls and building a more just and prosperous and peaceful nation.
For quite some time now we have been talking about how to make the
computer systems that virtually run our lives Y2K ready. But today, I want to say a few words
about what we must do to make sure our nation's priorities and our resolve are Y2K ready
especially as we look for ways to end the epidemic of gun violence that still plagues
our nation. It is not enough that we enter the new century the most technologically advanced and
economically prosperous nation on earth. As scripture asks, "What does it profit a man to gain
the world and lose his soul." I want to make sure we enter the new century with a
renewed respect for the life of every human being and especially for the lives of our precious and
innocent children. Too many of them are being taken away from us by gun violence.
It is true: we have the lowest overall crime rate in 26 years, with violent crime down by
27 percent in the last six years alone. We have the lowest murder rate in 30 years. But we have
also seen a recent rash of high-profile mass shootings that have focused the nation's
attention. (Without a doubt, the killing of innocent people daily and en masse in America has
been the most painful thing that I and the Vice President and our families have had to endure in
discharging our responsibilities to the American people: the bombing in Oklahoma City;
the terrible school violence at Littleton; the dragging death of James Byrd in Jasper, Texas; the
torture death of Matthew Shepard in Wyoming; the murder of Won Joon Yoon outside his
church in Bloomington, Indiana on the Fourth of July; the office killings in Atlanta, the
shootings at the Jewish Community Center in Los Angeles, the killing of the Filipino postal
worker, the recent murderous rampage at a place of worship Wedgwood Baptist
Joshus
Mr.
Church in Fort Worth.
Gottheimer
Now, some of these crimes were motivated by hate. And there is a consensus emerging
across America and in the Congress that we have to do more to prevent and prosecute hate
crimes. More and more of our citizens are standing with us to proclaim: No American should be
subjected to violence on account of his or her race, color, national. origin, religion, sexual
orientation, gender or disability. We have a Hate Crimes bill moving through Congress that
would expand protections
Eli
and remove barriers to speedy prosecution. The Congress needs to finish its work on this bill
and send it for my signature without further delay.
But many of these crimes do not fit into the category of hate crimes. Some have
described them as acts of evil. Others have questioned whether mental illness motivated the
killers. None of us should seek to make any capital of this, but all of us should seek to make
some sense of it. Consider this: It is a fact that America has the highest murder
rate in the world. But did you know that the rate of accidental shooting deaths for children under
15 in the United States is nine times higher than the rate for the other 25 industrialized nations
combined?
If you believe this is about the human heart, you must believe two things. If the murder
rate is higher here, and the accidental death rate is exponentially higher, you must believe that we
are both more evil and more stupid than any other country on earth. I know that sounds funny,
but I am trying to make a very serious point. The NRA and others have got to stop using
arguments like this as an excuse to avoid our shared responsibilities. God calls us to be" doers
of the word, and not just hearers only." (James 1:22). That means taking action collectively to
make America a safer place to make it clear that our children are going to grow up safe and
healthy.
So, to those who say this is about evil, I say you're right. It is about evil, the
unfathomable darkness within us all that mutates and explodes within the angry, tortured souls of
the few. But it is not just about evil, whether reasoned or irrational. This violence has earthly
causes and it must have earthly solutions. That calls all of us to rise up as one and let it be
known: We're not going to let our children die like this anymore and we are simply not going to
live like this anymore.
From the pulpits of your congregations to the bully pulpit in Washington -- all of us have
a responsibility to join this effort. Scripture also tells us, "Be not overcome with evil. Overcome
evil with good." The killings in Columbine were evil. The shootings in Los Angeles and
Atlanta were evil. The rampage in Fort Worth was evil. But praying and working for peace is
good. Starting a grassroots campaign against youth violence, as we have done, is good. Putting
more uniformed peace-officers in troubled-neighborhoods is good. These gun buy back
programs that are springing up across the country are good. And passing-common sense gun
legislation to keep guns out of the hands of evil doers is good.
So, as we enter the new millennium, let us make sure our hearts and minds are Y2K
ready. Let us make sure our sense of responsibility to our children and to our nation is ready.
Let us make sure the soul of America is ready.
The book of Ecclesiates also tells us that for everything there is a season. "A time to
weep and a time to laugh a time to mourn and a time to dance., a time to keep silence and a
time to speak." (Ecclesiastes, 3) Now, I believe it is time to end our weeping and our silence.
Now is the time to stand up, speak out and take responsible action to end gun violence in
America. Let us put that prayer into action today and everyday. Thank you and God bless you
all.
Draft 10/01/99 4:30pm
Josh Gottheimer
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
REMARKS TO ANGLE DINNER
LOS ANGELES, CA
October 2, 1999
Ack: Reps. Gephardt, Baldwin, Becerra, Berman, Kennedy, Sherman, Waters, Waxman; David
Mixner [clearly tonight not a Stranger Among Friends (name of his book)]; Dinner Co-Chairs:
Bill Mellamud, Roberta Bennett, Gwynn Babba; Adminstration: Sean Maloney, Karen
Tramontano (two highest ranking openly gay and lesbian appointees); Fred Hochberg (Dep.
Admin, SBA). Scott Hitt (Chair AIDS Council); Richard Socarides, Minyon Moore, Marsha
Scott; Ellen DeGeneres, Anne Heche, Julia Louis-Dreyfus; Entertainment: Los Angeles Gay
Mens Chorus.
Seven years ago, I told you I had a vision and that you were a part of it. That we are all a part of
the same community, and that tomorrow would be better than today if we acted together. With
your help, we've come a long way. Together we have tried to realize that union
I'm proud that the Democratic Party has stood clearly and unambiguously for the elimination of
all forms of discrimination - for the Employment Discrimination Act, for the Hate Crime
Prevention Act, for the proposition that every law-abiding citizen in this country ought to be
treated with equal dignity. We must not waste our time on issues that pit us against each other.
HA
Fighting for Hate Crimes Legislation. America's diversity is our greatest strength. Whiel we
have come a long way on our journey toward tolerance, understanding, and mutual respect, we
stil have a long way to go in our efforts to end discrimination. Tonight is the first anniversary of
Matthew Shepard's death. Over this past year, people across our country have been shaken by
violent acts that struck at the heart of what it means to be an American and at the values that
have always defined us as a nation. In 1997 alone, there were more than 8,000 reported hate
crimes in our country. That's almost one an hour. Now is the time for us to take strong and
desisvive action end all hate crimes - and to work with Congress to pass the Hate Crime
Prevention Act.
Hate crimes, committed solely because the victims have a different skin color, or a different
faith, leave deep scars not only on the victims, but on our larger community. They weaken the
sense that we are one people with common values and a common future. They tear us apaprt
HIV/AIDS -- Providing National Leadership. My Administration has worked hard to
invigorate the response to HIV and AIDS, providing new national leadership, substantially
greater resources and a closer working relationship with affected communities.
Funding for AIDS research has increased by over 57 percent at HHS; funding for HIV
prevention has increased 36 percent; and funding for the Ryan White CARE Act has increased
by over 290 percent.
-- In 1996, for the first time in the history of the AIDS epidemic, the number of Americans
diagnosed with AIDS declined.
I'm proud that my Administration and our party has stood clearly and unambiguously for
the elimination of all forms of discrimination - for the Employment Discrimination Act, for
the Hate Crime Prevention Act, for the proposition that every law-abiding citizen in this country
ought to be treated with equal dignity. But while we have come a long way on our journey
toward tolerance, understanding, and mutual respect, we still have a long way to go in our efforts
to end discrimination.
misping
We cannot achieve true tolerance merely through legislation. We must change hearts and
minds as well. Our greatest hope for a just society is to teach our children to respect one another,
to appreciate our differences, and to recognize the fundamental values that we hold in common.
We must never relinquish the fight to move forward in the continuing struggle for human rights.
Tonight, despite all the good feeling in this room, let's not kid ourselves: we've had some
wins and we've had some losses. But that is part of the lessons of governing. However, I
believe I have remained true to my pledge to you: I still have a vision, and today more than ever
you are STaTE a part of it.
Fifty years ago, President Harry Truman stood at a new frontier in our defining struggle
on civil rights. Standing before the Lincoln Memorial he said, "it is more important today than
ever to ensure that all Americans enjoy the rights of freedom and equality. When I say all
Americans, I mean all Americans."
Harry Truman's words ring true today. All Americans still means all Americans. And our
diversity is still our greatest strength. We all know that if we are ever going to build one
American, then all Americans have to be a part of it.
Since our earliest days a nation, Americans have strived to make real the ideals of equality
and freedom so eloquently expressed in our Declaration of Independence and Constitution.
We now have a rare opportunity to enter a new century and a new millennium as our country,
living those principles, recognizing our common values, and building on our shared strengths.
Together we will move closer to the day when acts of hatred are no longer a stain on our
community or our conscience.
when we should be moving lcoser togehte. R They are acts of violence against America itself -
and can do enormous damage to our efforts to bind together our inreasingly diverse society into
one nation realizing its full promise.
I'd like to repeat my support for two top legislative priorities - an employment
nondiscrimination act that would ban discimination against gays and lesbians in the workplace,
and a hate crimes prvention act.
Creating an Adminstration that is Highly Talented and the Most Inclusive in History.
Appointed the First-ever Openly Gay United States Ambassador. Named over 150 openly gay
and lesbian appointees.
Ending Discrimination Against Gays and Lesbians in the Federal Civilian Workforce.
Issued an Executive Order prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation in the Federal
workforce. This makes the Federal Government the largest employer in the world with a non-
discrimination policy covering sexual orientation.
Endorsing Legislation that Outlaws Discrimination in the Workplace.
HIV/AIDS -- Providing National Leadership. My Administration has worked hard to
invigorate the response to HIV and AIDS, providing new national leadership, substantially
greater resources and a closer working relationship with affected communities.
-- Funding for AIDS research has increased by over 57 percent at the HHS, and funding for HIV
prevention has increased 36 percent. And funding for the Ryan White CARE Act has increased
by over 290 percent.
-- In 1996, for the first time in the history of the AIDS epidemic, the number of Americans
diagnosed with AIDS declined.
And tonight, despite all the good feeling in this room, let's not kid ourselves: in addition to all
the good things we have been able to get done, there have also been disappointments for you -
and for me. To be sure, not everything has turned out as we planned it. I have learned that this
too is part of the challenge of governing.
Fifty years ago, President Harry Truman stood at a new fronteir in our defining struggle on civil
rights. Standing before the Lincoln Memorial he said, "it is more important today than ever to
ensure that all Americans enjoy the rights of freedom and equality. When I say all Americans, I
mean all Americans." Harry Truman's words ring true today. All Americans still means all
Americans. We all know that it is an ideal and not perfectly real now. We all know that there is
continuing discrimination against gays and lesbians. But we also know that if we are evergoing
to build one American, then all Americans have to be a part of it. All Americans are entitled to
the same respect and legal protection, no matter their race, their gender, their sexual orientation.
Prescription Drugs. Cost can be crushing--not just to lower-income seniors. 75% older
Americans lack decent, dependable private sector coverage.
Pay Down Debt- elim. pub held debt by 2015
Targeted Tax Cuts- Long term, child care, new mkts
USA Accounts- incl automatic tax cred/matching tax cred; pro-savings tax cut
Republican Phony Ad Campaign.
Meet 21st Century Challenges:
Strengthen Families
Child care; PBOR; FMLA -- extend 10M; Equal Pay for Equal Work
21st Century Economy
New Markets--invest. rural/inner-city
Expand Trade -- freer & fairer trade
21st Century Schools
Class Size--100K new tchrs. School modernization. Computers in Classrooms.
Now, Education Accountability Act: Social Promotion/after school (3x); turn around failing
schools; trained teachers; discipline; parent accountability
21st Century Crime Bill
Guns: Brady => juveniles; restore 5day wait
50K+ police; drug testing prisoners/parolees
Enviro livability/lands legacy
One America- AmeriCorps, Race Init., Hate Crimes/ENDA.
None of this will matter unless we come together as One America in the 21st Century. Not
only respecting, but celebrating our great diversity. That's why we've been fighting so
hard to pass strong hate crimes legislation, to end discrimination in the work force, and
invest in research, prevention, and treatment for HIV/AIDS:
Fighting for Hate Crimes Legislation. Hate crimes motivated by race, religion or sexual
orientation tear at the fabric of the American community and at our common values. In 1997
alone, there were more than 8,000 reported hate crimes in our country. That's almost one an
hour.
Tonight is the first anniversary of Matthew Shepard's death. Let us honor his memory by
recommitting oursevles to take strong and decisive action to end all hate crimes - and to
work with Congress to pass the Hate Crimes Prevention Act.
Creating an Administration that is Highly Talented and the Most Inclusive in History. I
appointed the first-ever openly gay United States Ambassador - James Hormel and named over
150 openly gay and lesbian appointees.
Draft 10/01/99 4:30pm
Josh Gottheimer
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
REMARKS TO ANGLE DINNER
LOS ANGELES, CA
October 2, 1999
Ack: Reps. Gephardt, Baldwin, Becerra, Berman, Kennedy, Sherman, Waters, Waxman; David
Mixner [clearly tonight not a Stranger Among Friends (name of his book)]; Dinner Co-Chairs:
Bill Mellamud, Roberta Bennett, Gwynn Babba; Administration: Sean Maloney, Karen
Tramontano (two highest ranking openly gay and lesbian WH appointees); Minyon Moore, Fred
Hochberg (Dep. Admin, SBA); Scott Hitt (Chair AIDS Council); Richard Socarides, Marsha
Scott; Ellen DeGeneres, Anne Heche, Julia Louis-Dreyfus; Entertainment: Los Angeles Gay
Mens Chorus.
Seven years ago, I told you I had a vision and that you were a part of it. That we are all a part of
the same community, and that tomorrow would be better than today if we acted together. With
your help, we've come a long way. Together we have tried to realize that vision:
My Administration is also fighting to build on our prosperity and bring opportunity to
every American as we head toward the 21st Century.
Friday -- Commerce Dept released Income Poverty Reports:
Household income 11 3.5% '97-'98.
Family income 11 more than $5K since '93.
Income 11 for rich & poor.
Poverty rate lowest on record for Af Am.
EITC-4.3M out of poverty '98. 2X '97. Under Republican attack.
Last week I vetoed tax bill. Force drastic cuts in education, health care, etc. Cripple our
ability to pay down the debt, save Soc Sec, secure/ modern Medicare.
1992=Strengthen Am 21st C=> opportunity, responsibility, community
1)Aging Am; 2)Bal Work/Fam; 3)Leave No One Behind; 4)Evn/Econ 5)Unity/Diversity
Results: $290B def=$115B surp. $1T non-soc sec surplus over 10 yrs. Debt Elimin 2015.
Peacetime Unempl lwst/1957 (7.3%=4.2%). 30 yr crime, 30-Welf (cut in 1/2); 30- Core Infl;
College opp: HOPE, Pell, work-study. Child health: 5M, highest immun
Critical Choice: continue fiscal discipline or return to risk-taking that got us recessions &
deficits. Invest surplus in long-term or squander in short-term.
My Balance Budget Meets National Priorities. Puts First Things First.
Save Soc Sec -- 1st Priority- Bal the Bud w/o using any SS$; extend solvency for 50 yrs.
Modernize Medicare
My plan will contain costs, improve services, moderates the bal budget
act provider cuts, extend the life of the trust fund for ¼ of a century.
Draft 10/01/99 4:30pm
Josh Gottheimer
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
REMARKS TO ANGLE DINNER
LOS ANGELES, CA
October 2, 1999
Ack: Reps. Gephardt, Baldwin, Becerra, Berman, Kennedy, Sherman, Waters, Waxman; David
Mixner [clearly tonight not a Stranger Among Friends (name of his book)]; Dinner Co-Chairs:
Bill Mellamud, Roberta Bennett, Gwynn Babba; Administration: Sean Maloney, Karen
Tramontano (two highest ranking openly gay and lesbian appointees); Fred Hochberg (Dep.
Admin, SBA). Scott Hitt (Chair AIDS Council); Richard Socarides, Minyon Moore, Marsha
Scott; Ellen DeGeneres, Anne Heche, Julia Louis-Dreyfus; Entertainment: Los Angeles Gay
Mens Chorus.
Seven years ago, I told you I had a vision and that you were a part of it. That we are all a part of
the same community, and that tomorrow would be better than today if we acted together. With
your help, we've come a long way. Together we
Fighting for Hate Crimes Legislation. Hate crimes, committed solely because the victims have
Crimes have of tried V to realize that vision: by raind, religious
a different skin color, or a different faith, leave deep scars not only on the victims, but on our
or
larger community. They weaken the sense that we are one people with common values and a
sequal
common future. They tear us apart when we should be moving closer together.
association
Tonight is the first anniversary of Matthew Shepard's death. Over this past year, people
across our country have been shaken by violent acts that struck at the heart of what it means tear
to be an American and at the values that have always defined us as a nation.
at
the fabris
In 1997 alone, there were more than 8,000 reported hate crimes in our country. That's
almost one an hour. Now is the time for us to take strong and decisive action end all hate
crimes - and to work with Congress to pass the Hate Crime Prevention Act.
Let hour
his
Creating an Administration that is Highly Talented and the Most Inclusive in History. I
memory
appointed the First-ever Openly Gay United States Ambassador. Named over 150 openly gay
and lesbian appointees.
Ending Discrimination Against Gays and Lesbians in the Federal Civilian Workforce. I
Issued an Executive Order prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation in the Federal
workforce. This makes the Federal Government the largest employer in the world with a non-
discrimination policy covering sexual orientation.
Endorsing Legislation that Outlaws Discrimination in the Workplace. We need to continue
our fight for passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, outlawing discrimination in
hiring, firing and promotions based on sexual orientation.
invest. in Indistor
Page 1 of 6
Publications
Journal
TLATE
White House Publications
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
December 10, 1998
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
AT HUMAN RIGHTS DAY PRESENTATION
OF ELEANOR ROOSEVELT HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD
Room 450
Old Executive Office Building
10:39 A.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. I want to welcome all of you
here, the members of Congress, the members of our foreign policy team
who have worked on this -- National Security Advisor Berger, Under
Secretary Loy, Assistant Secretary Koh. I welcome Ambassador Nancy
Rubin, the Ambassador of the U.N. Commission on Human Rights; Theresa
Loar, the Senior Coordinator for International Women's Issues; members
of the Roosevelt family and other distinguished guests.
I would like to say also before getting into my prepared remarks
that someday when I write the memoirs of these last several years, one
of the proudest moments of our administration for me will be the work
the First Lady has done to advance the cause of human rights.
(Applause.) I remember the speech she gave in Beijing on a rainy day,
when people were struggling through the mud to get into that remote
facility; the talk she gave just a few days ago at Gaston Hall at
Georgetown University about Eleanor Roosevelt, I think one of the finest
speeches she ever gave. But more important, the concrete work, the
Vital Voices work in Northern Ireland and Latin America, and all the
little villages she visited in Latin America and Africa and Asia, on the
Indian Subcontinent to try to advance the condition of women and
children, experience young girls.
And I think that every person who has ever been the parent of a
http://www.pub.whitehouse.gov/uri-res/I2R?urn:pdi/oma.eop.gov.us/1998/12/14/7.text.l
9/28/1999
Page 4 of 6
Middle East, where I will go in two days, Palestinian and Israelis are
struggling to bridge mutual distrust to implement the Wye Accords. In
Kosovo, a serious humanitarian crisis has been averted, and the process
toward reconciliation continues in Bosnia. All these breakthroughs were
triumphs for human rights.
Today we commit ourselves to the ideas of the Universal Declaration,
to keep moving toward the promise outlined in Paris 50 years ago.
First, we're taking steps to respond quickly to genocidal conditions,
through the International Coalition Against Genocide I announced during
my visit to Africa, and a new genocide early warning center sponsored by
the Department of State and the CIA. We will provide additional support
to the U.N. Torture Victims Fund and genocide survivors in Bosnia,
Rwanda and Cambodia. We will continue assistance to women suffering
under the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. And USAID will provide up to
$8 million to NGOs to enhance their ability to respond more rapidly to
human rights emergencies.
Second, we must do more for children who have always been especially
vulnerable to human rights violations. This year I sought, and Congress
provided, dramatic new support for the fight against child labor with a
tenfold increase in United States assistance to the International Labor
Organization. Today, the Immigration and Naturalization Service is
issuing new guidelines for the evaluation of asylum claims by children,
making the process better serve our youngest and most vulnerable asylum
seekers.
Third, we must practice at home what we preach abroad. Just this
morning I signed an executive order that strengthens our ability to
implement human rights treaties and creates an interagency group to hold
us accountable for progress in honoring those commitments.
Fourth, I am concerned about aliens who suffer abuses at the hands of
smugglers and sweatshop owners. These victims actually have a built-in
disincentive -- their unlawful status here -- that discourages them from
complaining to U.S. authorities. So I'm asking the Department of
Justice to provide legislative options to address this problem. And I
know the Deputy Attorney General, Eric Holder, and the Deputy Secretary
of Labor, Kitty Higgins, are here, and I trust they will work on this
because I know they care as much about it as I do.
Finally, I'd like to repeat my support for two top legislative
priorities -- an employment nondiscrimination act that would ban
discrimination against gays and lesbians in the workplace, and a hate
crimes prevention act. Last year, the entire nation was outraged by the
brutal killings of Matthew Shepard, a young gay student in Wyoming; and
James Byrd, and African American in Texas. All Americans are entitled
to the same respect and legal protection, no matter their race, their
gender, their sexual orientation. I agree with something President
Truman once said, "When I say Americans, I mean all Americans."
We will never relinquish the fight to move forward in the continuing
struggle for human rights. I am aware that much of the best work in
human rights has been done by those outside government -- students and
activists, NGOs, brave religious leaders -- people from all backgrounds
who simply want a better, safer world for their children. Many have
done so in the face of great adversity -- the imprisoned members of the
Internal Dissidents Working Group in Cuba, the political prisoners of
the National League for Democracy in Burma, the imprisoned dissidents in
China. We make common cause with them all.
http://www.pub.whitehouse.gov/uri-res/I2R?urnpdi://oma.eop.gov.us/198/12/14/7.test.l
9/28/1999
Rs
Shot Sectors YUCCA talles to local pool.
&
Page 3
34TH STORY of Focus printed in FULL format.
Content and programming copyright 1997 Cable News Network
Transcribed under license by Federal Document Clearing
House, Inc. Formatting copyright 1997 Federal Document
Clearing House, Inc. All rights reserved. No quotes from the
materials contained herein may be used in any media without
attribution to Cable News Network. This transcript may not
be copied or resold in any media.
CNN
SHOW: CNN NEWSDAY 12:00 am ET
June 7, 1997; Saturday 12:02 am Eastern Time
Baba
Transcript # 97060701V11
TYPE: LIVE REPORT
SECTION: News; Domestic
LENGTH: 827 words
HEADLINE: President Clinton Attacks Crime; Pentagon Addresses Sex Scandals
BYLINE: Kathleen Kennedy, Carl Rochelle
HIGHLIGHT:
President Clinton announced his plans to combat bigotry and intolerance in
America by convening a conference on hate crimes at the White House in November.
It is expected that three panels will be established to address sex and gender
related issues at the Pentagon.
BODY:
KATHLEEN KENNEDY, CNN ANCHOR: President Clinton says he wants to launch an
"all-out assault" on hate crimes. The president announced his plans to combat
bigotry and intolerance in America, during his weekly radio address. For
details, we turn now to CNN's Carl Rochelle, live from the White House -- Carl?
CARL ROCHELLE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kathleen, the president is focus his
attention on hate crimes. In that weekly radio address, he talked of this
African-American couple who, when they moved into a suburb of Atlanta last month
was greeted with racial epithets and a week later had their home sprayed with
gunfire. Mr. Clinton talked of the effect such hate crimes can have on the
country.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON, PRESIDENT, UNITED STATES: Hate crimes, committed
solely because the victims have a different skin color, or a different faith or
are gays or lesbians, leave deep scars not only on the victims, but on our
Page 4
CNN NEWSDAY, June 7, 1997
FOCUS
larger community. They weaken the sense that we are one people with common
values and a common future. They tear us apart when we should be moving closer
together. They are acts of violence against America itself, and even a small
number of Americans, who harbor and act upon hatred and intolerance, can do
enormous damage to our efforts to bind together our increasingly diverse
society
into one nation realizing its full promise.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROCHELLE: Mr. Clinton announced that he will convene a conference on hate
crimes here at the White House in November. That conference will bring families
of hate crimes and hate crime victims together to try to achieve more
understanding. The president plans to bring, as well, law enforcement experts
and leading officials from both Congress and the Justice Department to take them
talk about the laws; how they can be beefed up and how they can be better
enforced.
He also intends, Kathleen, to bring in officials from communities to see how
they can better handle and respond to this particular kind of situation
Kathleen?
KENNEDY: Carl, is there any word today on how Washington plans to handle
military sex scandals?
ROCHELLE: Indeed, the Pentagon is moving on this. It is an issue that, of
course, has involved a lot of the Pentagon's time lately. And yesterday,
Defense Secretary William Cohen was meeting with advisers on it. And they came
together with some plans and
expect some of them to be announced later on this afternoon. And the way it
will take place, is we expect three panels at least 3 panels to be announced,
and they will review, among other things one panel will examine the issues
that have caused massive problems including adultery, gender-related training,
fraternization policies, and other gender related matters.
An independent panel will look into the matter of gender- integrated training
in the services. A head of that panel could be named today. And another task
force made up of defense department personnel, military and civilian will
conduct policy review of a fraternization regulations in each of the different
services and they do vary from service to service, to try to make sure that they
are more evenly administered that it is fair for each side. There are two
at least two, perhaps three panels, that will be announced today to do this.
The actual roles of each one are still being worked out. It is something
that occupied a lot of Secretary Cohen's time yesterday still occupying some
of it today, but we do hope to get more details of that later this afternoon,
but they will be announced then Kathleen?
KENNEDY: All right, Carl Rochelle at the White House, thanks a lot.
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
and
litwed
will
Page 2
DATE: SEPTEMBER 29, 1999
CLIENT: NEWS
LIBRARY: EXEC
FILE: SCRIPT
YOUR SEARCH REQUEST IS:
CLINTON AND GAY! AND LESBIAN! AND DATE AFT 1/97
YOUR FOCUS SEARCH REQUEST IS:
CLINTON AND GAY! AND LESBIAN! AND HATE CRIME! AND DATE AFT 1/97
NUMBER OF STORIES FOUND WITH YOUR FOCUS REQUEST:
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STRANGER
AMONG
FRIENDS
DAVID MIXNER
3
Bantam Books
New York
Toronto
London
Sydney
Auckland
STRANGER AMONG FRIENDS
209
admit it, the organization was also effective in forcing reluctant politi-
cians to come to terms with AIDS.) Under its direction, the crowds grew
intil
nightly, until anywhere from five to ten thousand people were participat-
the
ing. United in their sense of betraval. every conceivable element in the
community demonstrated as one, from wealthy donors to the hardened
the
street activists of Act Up. In a final protest on the weekend before AN-
mu-
GLE was to meet with Clinton, thousands of us marched in Sacramento
been
to protest the veto. This was the climate that was waiting for Clinton
when he arrived.
such
herd
When I drove up Doheny Drive to Scott and Alex's house on October
ver-
14, I was wiped out from two weeks of unceasing demonstrations. I was
7
also nervous and scared. I was in a strange situation. To have a personal
dical
friend be a serious contender for the presidency of the United States was
ed a
still hard to grasp. I didn't quite know the rules. And if Clinton and the
ior's
ANGLE participants failed to connect, I knew I wouldn't be able to
the
support his bid. It would be awkward and painful for me personally, but I
ven-
hadn't the slightest doubt that my vision and my dreams were with my
ican
friends from the gay and lesbian movement.
II.
As I saw it and hoped, the friendship between Bill, Hillary, and me
iter-
could serve as a dramatic building block for ushering the Clintons into
and
the White House and the gay and lesbian community into a society of
oved
freedom. If we were able to convey to Bill and Hillary the story of our
then
struggle and our pain, a true alliance could develop. After watching Bill
rd. I
Clinton over the years, I knew that with his intelligence, charisma, and
hav-
will, he could win. This meeting could be crucial to the community's
nove
taking a huge step toward its inclusion in the fabric of American life.
er, I
Bill, Hillary, and Mickey Kantor arrived around noon. They mixed
lutes
easily with the twenty or so people there and Bill showed them the
ined
famous Clinton charm by smiling, touching, and listening intently. Then
he and I walked out to the pool and I briefed him once again on the
reets
issues the group would raise. He looked reflectively out at the ocean and
hes-
said, "It's sort of strange, isn't it, David? Here are two friends, standing
itant
in this beautiful setting, one running for president and the other a free-
ion-
dom fighter. We both need each other. Did you ever think years ago that
:ong
we would end up here?"
our
"No, I didn't. In fact, I wouldn't have predicted most of my life. You
ctive
know, this is a day I really miss Peter. He would have loved this meet-
ever
ing."
210
David Mixner
STRANGER AMONG FRIENDS
211
Clinton seemed caught off guard by the intimacy of my mentioning
horrible "cycle of death" that we had been experiencing for the last
Peter, but he looked at me gently and said, "We will make Peter proud
decade.
today."
There was a lot of dialogue between Clinton and the group when he
"Bill, so many of us in that room inside have lost so many of our
was done and I could see that he was connecting with them. The one
friends. Please be there for us."
issue where differences surfaced was the national gay and lesbian civil
"I wouldn't be here if I didn't care," he told me. "You won't be
rights legislation. He was concerned about the content, and wanted to be
disappointed."
certain that it protected religious liberty and would not have provisions
The group sat in a semicircle in the living room facing Bill and Hil-
imposing quotas.
lary seated in front of the fireplace. Each of us shared our personal
Then Diane Abbitt spoke up: "Governor Clinton, for the last two
stories and what we had experienced as gays and lesbians over the years.
weeks we have been marching in the streets because of the blatant be-
Roberta and Diane spoke of their fear in the early years of their relation-
trayal by a man who made similar promises to this community in private.
ship of the courts taking away their children. Scott spoke of the enor-
How do we know that we can trust you? What makes you different from
mous numbers of people he was treating with HIV and AIDS. Alex
all the rest?"
spoke of suicide among the young. Executives Bill Melamed and Leslie
He answered her forthrightly. "You don't know if you can trust me.
Belzberg shared what it was like to be gay and lesbian in the entertain-
You'll have to watch my actions but you won't be disappointed. I won't
ment industry. Former banker Ed Gould talked of his career as a bank-
be in the closet on this issue. I promise you that."
ing executive and his HIV status. Activist John Duran outlined the issues
With that, we all sat down to lunch. I was very proud of my friends
around the massive demonstrations of the past two weeks. David Wexler
from Arkansas. Not only had the Clintons taken the right stands; they
shared the problems that he was facing as chairman of AIDS Project-
had shown an enormous compassion for us. They seemed to have felt
Los Angeles and how it was barely able to meet the rising caseload.
our pain. My friends in this room had seen what I admired in them.
Richard Colbert talked of the battles he faced as a gay Republican. Busi-
Now it would not just be me alone talking about them in the commu-
nesswoman Chris Hershey discussed her lover and their child. I noted
nity. ANGLE moved from leaning toward Tsongas to leaning toward
that if he was elected and should want me to serve, by law there were a
Clinton.
number of positions I couldn't be appointed to. As we spoke of the
The next day we woke up to an unanticipated headline in The Los
discrimination we faced, about the death of hundreds of friends and of
Angeles Times: "Clinton Opposes Thomas, Backs Gay Rights Bill."
the systematic exclusion we faced in virtually every aspect of our lives, we
"Thomas" was Clarence Thomas, George Bush's nominee for the Su-
could see by the tears that glistened in his eyes how moved he was. We
preme Court. The article said:
were reaching him.
Hillary spoke first. My relationship with her over the years had been
On the gay rights question, Clinton said in an interview that be told
mostly through Bill, but I had come to know and admire her for her
a group of gay activists at a private luncheon that be considered the
strong convictions, her sense of self, and her impressive intellect. She
controversial state legislation probibiting soccupational discrimination
was calm, pleasant, and articulate in her speech, and there wasn't a per-
against homosexuals "an appropriate thing to do."
son in the room who wasn't impressed with her intelligence, her grasp of
health care issues, and her understanding of the epidemic. Then it was
Mickey Kantor said to me later that Clinton had left our meeting and
Bill's turn. He told us how touched he was by our sharing. He assured us
made a special point of telling Ron Brownstein of the Times that he
that he and Hillary would be our allies in the struggle for freedom.
would have signed the gay rights legislation. That gesture did more
Without prompting, he volunteered his determination to issue an execu-
to solidify ANGLE's support than anything else that had happened.
tive order banning discrimination against gays and lesbians in the
He had gone on record publicly with what he had said to us in pri-
military. He said that if he were governor of California he would have
vate.
signed the legislation that Wilson had vetoed. Finally, he talked with
passion about his commitment to find a cure for AIDS and to end the
STRANGER AMONG FRIENDS
235
On Saturday the Italian news crew called to ask whether would serve
as a commentator for their broadcast. We drove around the city filming
the devastation. National Guard troops stood on every corner. Then, as
the day went on, we witnessed an astonishing sight. Black, white, Asian,
people of every race were appearing on the streets holding shovels and
brooms to clean up the debris, Against the massive destruction looming
around us those small brooms looked so futile at first. But they came to
symbolize the future The citizens of Los Angeles weren't going to be
defeated by the violence. We were all on the same course. We could only
be as free 25 our neighbors.
MAY92
When the riots were over, I went back to work on the campaign.
When Jeremy and I were in New York for Clinton, we had a meeting
with Rahm Emanuel. From that very first day at the National Executive
Committee meeting, Rahm had recognized the fund-raising potential for
Clinton in the gay and lesbian community. The two of us worked closely
to develop fund-raising contacts in different cities around the country. In
New York we came up with the idea of a "million-dollar" fund-raising
evening in the gay and lesbian community. Clinton would be at a loca-
tion in Los Angeles, and his speech would be broadcast by satellite to
dozens of other cities holding simultaneous fund-raisers. Hillary would
anchor the New York dinner. Our goal was to raise a million dollars in a
single night for the campaign.
Jeremy and I briefed ANGLE on the concept and it was greeted with
enthusiasm. Scott Hitt, Diane Abbitt, Roberta Bennett, and I called
around the country to explore the possibilities. A week or so later, Rahm
called back to say the costs would be prohibitive and the technology too
difficult. I had doubts about his analysis and I suspected that the cam-
paign's inner circle wanted to avoid so public a gay and lesbian event. I
did some quick calling around and I was right on both counts. But I had
to be realistic. We were making great progress in this campaign and this
was not the place or the issue on which to do battle with the staff. It was
important that from time to time we be seen to yield to some of their
concerns and to save the battles for when there could be no compromise.
Rahm proposed that, instead, ANGLE host a major event for Clinton
on May 18 in Los Angeles. We agreed, with the stipulation that it be
opened to the press. The Los Angeles community went all out. A pre-
speech reception would be held for the major donors and a massive rally
would follow where Clinton would give a major policy address on gay
and lesbian rights and AIDS. Hollywood producer Art Arellanas agreed
236
David Mixner
STRANGER AMONG FRIENDS
237
to produce the rally and had some of the best sound, light, and staging
had known together had vanished. No morè intimate talks, casual walks
technicians in Los Angeles donate their services. Everyone was pushing
along a beach, confidences exchanged. My friend was running for Presi-
ticket sales so that the room would be full and we would meet our goal
dent of the United States.
of one hundred thousand dollars. For the first two weeks of May, no one
Bill came down the ramp and entered the car. He looked over at me,
talked to anybody in the Los Angeles community without selling them
grinned, and said, "You're scared to death, aren't you?" I wasn't sure
tickets.
how to relate to him now. I laughed nervously and acknowledged my
The advance team arrived and started making the changes required
fear. He gave me a pat on the leg and said, "Don't worry. Not one
for a presidential candidate's visit-moving the press stands, checking
person in that room is going to be disappointed. I know what this means
the exits, and testing the sound and lighting. They were amused at the
to you and I am not going to let any of you down." The motorcade
specific instructions they had received from national headquarters to not
proceeded out of the airport and onto the freeway. All traffic was
deny access to the press. Head advance man John Tooley was laughing
stopped and people waved from the sidewalks. I couldn't help myself. As
when he told me how many times he had been warned about the press
Bill worked on his speech, I waved at the crowds.
issue. "David," he said, "I think they got the message!"
Every once in a while he would look up and ask a question, then start
On May 18 I went to the Van Nuys airport to meet Clinton and
writing again. Finally, he stopped and looked over at me. "You know,"
escort him to the Hollywood Palace. Theater for his speech. Earlier, I
he said, "I just got off a plane where no one wants me to give this speech
had faxed a draft of a proposed speech to the plane. As usual, Clinton
and I am going into a room where no one believes I will give it." I knew
was running an hour and a half late. Inside the campaign we joked about
then that the speech was going to be a special one. The long motorcade
buying watches that ran on "Clinton time." We had to cancel his ap-
pulled in front of the Palace. Just before we got out, I received one more
pearance at the private reception. Mickey Kantor spoke to the major
reassuring pat, a thumbs-up sign, and a "Let's go get them, David." We
donors and briefed them on the campaign, and then they went down-
headed down the side of the building and through the stage door.
stairs to join the hundreds packed into the main room waiting patiently
The ANGLE gang was there to greet us. We all posed for pictures
for Clinton's arrival.
and Clinton started going over his speech one more time. A giant screen
While this was going on I sat in the Van Nuys airport and was a
came down over the stage and a film was shown on Clinton. Then Di-
nervous wreck. I kept calling Scott Hitt on the advance staff phones to
ane, Roberta, Scott, Bob Sertner, Roberta Achtenberg, and I walked out
check on the crowd size at the Palace and to update him on the latest
on the stage to cheers. There were the usual preliminaries of introducing
arrival time. Scott assured me that several hundred people were packed
dignitaries, an appeal for more checks, and a plea for the crowd to un-
into the main room and it looked impressive. This evening was impor-
derstand the historic significance of the evening.
tant. My head kept circling around all the things that could go wrong:
Diane and Scott gave me a generous introduction and I proceeded to
Would Clinton give a tough speech? Would he move the community?
the microphone. I had to take a deep breath:
Would the crowd be big enough?
The advance staff watched me pacing back and forth on the tarmac
My brothers and sisters. We have all come a long way to this place.
and laughed at my nervousness. I couldn't help wondering what advice
No one banded us this event. No one has done us a favor. We have
Clinton was getting on the plane. Was the staff toning down his speech?
earned this evening inch by inch, step by step, moment by moment, and
And when I wasn't worrying about Clinton, I'd switch back to the Palace
it is ours.
The last twelve years, especially for this community,
and dwell on how the community was going to respond. I began to feel
have been a long, bard, and difficult road.
We have buried thou-
whiplashed.
sands of our dead. We have cared for tens of thousands of our sick.
The plane landed at last and the motorcade pulled up to the ramp.
We have done it with anger. We have done it because we bad to. But
The advance team placed me in Clinton's car and the Highway Patrol
don't forget, most of all, we have done it as a community togetber, with
motorcycle cops pulled in front to lead the procession to the Palace. It
dignity, nobility, and we have every reason to be very, very proud
was at that moment that I realized that the world that Bill Clinton and I
tonight.
I didn't think I could allow myself to dream any-
238
David Mixner
STRANGER AMONG FRIENDS
239
more.
I am allowing myself to dream again. I am allowing myself
ourselves of the potential of any group of Americans, we are all less
to believe again. And it is because of this man.
than we ought to be.
This man comes here tonight to share bis vision of bow we belong in
bis America. It is this man who will be our Harry Truman and sign
Regarding the military, Clinton said:
that executive order. It is this man who will be our John Kennedy and
include us in the vision of a greater America. It is this man who will be
[a study] said that there was no basis in national security for
our Lyndon Jobnson and fight like bell and effectively work to get a
discriminating based on sexual orientation of Americans who wish to
cure for AIDS out of the Congress of the United States.
My
serve in the military. I said I would act on that study. It seemed to me
brothers and sisters, the next President of the United States, my friend
elementary that if a person, man or woman, wanted to serve their
Bill Clinton.
country, they ought to be able to do it.
The Secretary of Defense bimself, obviously personally very
Bill came out from the side of the stage and the crowd roared its
uncomfortable at not changing the rules, said it was a "quaint little
approval. He stepped to the podium and began his extraordinary speech
rule." Well, my fellow Americans, we have too much to do to endure
to our community and to the country:
"quaint little rules"
I want people like David Mixner and Roberta Acbtenberg, Dr.
Scott Hitt, some of you in this audience, to be a part of a Clinton
You know that I have said many times that a campaign for president
administration, not because of or in spite of your sexual orientation, but
bas two-purposes. One is for the country to get to know the candidate,
because America needs you. And if I become the President of the United
and the other is for the candidate to get to know the country. If the
States, I owe it to my country to find the best and most gifted and most
candidate does not grow and deepen in understanding and compassion
knowledgeable people in the United States of America to solve the prob-
and feeling, then the race itself is already half lost.
lems and embrace the challenges of this time.
There are people in this room today to whom I owe a great debt of
gratitude, for you have helped me to get to know my country better
Bill outlined his commitment to battle AIDS, including the pledges
than I did when I began.
that he had made in the New York hotel room to the AIDS activists.
Tonight, I want to talk to you about bow we can be one people again
Then, movingly, he thanked the community:
without regard to race or gender or sexual orientation or age or
region or income, how we can become one again.
This country bas often been divided, especially at election time. The
And now, before I leave, I want to say something which is not part
pollsters and the political consultants tell people all the time bow to cut
of a political program. I just want to thank the gay and lesbian commu-
the electorate up in just "this little slice and that little slice" so that we
nity for your courage and your commitment and your service in face of
cannot be one again. Yet it is against all our natures, against our basic
the terror of AIDS. When no one was offering a helping hand, and
values, against the statements of all our basic laws, and still we do it,
when it was dark and lonely, you did not withdraw, but instead you
reached out to others. And this whole nation bas benefited already in
over and over again.
And the great passion of my life has been education and telling
ways most people cannot even imagine from the courage and commit-
people we don't have a person to waste. The great heartbreak is seeing
ment and sense of community which you practice.
And those of you bere tonight, you represent a
The nation owes you thanks for that. I want to give you my thanks
people wasted.
community of our nation's gifted people whom we have been willing to
and respect for that struggle today.
squander. We can't afford to waste the capacities, the contributions, the
bearts, the souls, the minds of the gay and lesbian Americans.
For
From the stage, as I looked at the crowd of my friends, I saw tears
every day that we discriminate, that we bate, that we refuse to avail
streaming down their faces. For the first time a potential president had
240
David Mixner
STRANGER AMONG FRIENDS
241
acknowledged their pain, their journey and struggle. Then Clinton, his
"Nope," said the bar owner. "We don't need the three-minute tape."
own eyes moist, moved toward an emotional close.
Alex gently tried to persuade him to change his mind. The man
laughed. "Nope. We don't need the three-minute tape. We've already
Finally, let me say again, this is not an election, or it should not be,
been playing over and over the thirty-minute version. Keep up the good
about race or gender or being gay or straight or religion or age or
work!"
region or income. What kills the country is not the problems it
The Washington Post carried the Clinton speech on its front page on
faces.
What kills the country is to proceed day in and day out with
May 20. The headline read, "Clinton Finds New Voice of Emotion" and
no vision, with no sense that tomorrow can be better than today, with
the article said:
no sense of shared community.
What I came bere today to tell you in simple terms is: I have a
The moment [Palace event] was bistoric in its own right: the largest
vision and you are part of it.
fund-raiser ever beld openly by the gay community for a candidate for
President. It raised an estimated $100,000. But for Clinton, the bene-
His voice cracking, Clinton finished:
ficiary of the event bere Monday night, it could mark a turning point
in bis campaign, a point where it seemed that bis political and emo-
If I could, if I could wave my arm for those of you that are HIV-
tional sides converged to give bis voice a deeper sense of conviction.
positive and make it go away tomorrow, I would do it-so belp me God,
I would. If I gave up my race for the White House and everything else,
The next month Clinton won the California primary and became the
I would do that
surefire nominee at the Democratic convention in New York in July.
With the help of California campaign chair Bill Wardlaw and campaign
The crowd roared its approval and surged forward to touch his hand.
manager John Emerson, ANGLE members Scott Hitt, Diane Abbitt,
Those of us on the stage hugged, almost unbelieving at the power of
Roberta Bennett, Chris Hershey, and I became Clinton delegates to
what we had heard. Those in the audience who were skeptical became
what promised to be a momentous convention for our community.
true believers. As I wiped tears from my eyes, Clinton gave me a great
On Gay Pride Day at the end of June, not long before we were to
big bear hug and disappeared into the night. He was off to his next
leave, a major earthquake struck southern California. We took to calling
it the "Queer Quake." In some ways it was an omen of what was to
engagement.
come.
The effect of the speech flashed across the nation. Alex Koleszar had
the wisdom to have the speech videotaped, and we found ourselves over-
whelmed with requests for copies. Alex organized the duplicating and
sent them out as fast as he could. All around the country people arranged
parties in their living rooms so they could watch it with their friends.
People who received the tapes made their own copies and sent them on
to others. Then Alex did a three-minute version to be played in gay and
lesbian video bars until election day in November. He made a list of
every single one of these bars in the major industrial states and got help
calling them to tell them to play the tape over and over until victory.
Alex reached one bar owner in Dayton, Ohio, and said, "We are asking
bars to play a three-minute clip of the Clinton Palace speech on gay and
lesbian rights. Can we send you a copy, and would you be willing to play
it to your patrons?"