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Christine Macy, Senior Speechwriter to the First Lady
Box 4: Files
Archived from OEOB 100 by Caroline Marvin on July 18, 2000
Miscellaneous
Race/Civil Rights
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Quotes: Anan, Eleanor, etc.
First Lady Conference Speeches
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ENCLOSURES FILED OVERSIZE ATTACHMENTS 17206 NARA
1444 3
Ramadan
Peace Corps
Service
PRESIDENT CLINTON AND MRS. GORE:
COMBATING THE STIGMA OF MENTAL ILLNESS
June 5, 1999
"Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of, but stigma and bias shame us all. Together, we will
replace stigma with acceptance, ignorance with understanding, fear with new hope for the future.
President Bill Clinton
June 5, 1999
Today, in a joint radio address, President Clinton and Tipper Gore, the President's Mental Health
Advisor, announced a new national campaign to help eliminate the stigma of mental illness and
encourage the millions of Americans with mental health needs to get help. The President and Mrs.
Gore discussed myths surrounding mental illness and presented the facts about these diseases. The
President and Mrs. Gore, along with the Vice President and First Lady, will continue this discussion
on Monday as part of the first-ever White House Conference on Mental Health.
Launching a Campaign to Raise Mental Health Awareness. In a joint radio address, President
Clinton and Mrs. Gore announced the launch this fall of a nationwide campaign to dispel the myths
surrounding mental illness and to encourage those with mental illness to get help. Chaired by Mrs.
Gore, the campaign will be a public-private partnership led by the Surgeon General and the Ad
Council, and will involve a wide range of community organizations, media, and others. The
campaign will address many of the issues to be raised at the upcoming White House Conference on
Mental Health.
Dispelling the Myths of Mental Illness. President Clinton and Mrs. Gore addressed some of the
myths surrounding mental illness, including:
Myth: Mental illness is not a disease and cannot be treated.
Fact: Mental illnesses are diagnosable disorders of the brain, and treatments are effective 60% to
80% of the time.
Myth: Mental illness is something that only happens to other people.
Fact: One in five Americans experience some form of mental illness every year. And one in four
Americans has a family member with a mental illness.
Myth: Young people don't suffer from "real" depression; they're just moody.
Fact: One in ten children and adolescents suffers from mental illness.
Hosting the First White House Conference on Mental Health. The White House's new
nationwide campaign on mental illness, along with myths and facts about these diseases, will be
discussed on Monday at the first White House Conference on Mental Health. The conference, which
will be held in Washington, D.C., will interactively involve tens of thousands of Americans in over
1,000 cities across the country.
SUNTUM_M@A1
06/07/99 03:22:00 PM
Record Type:
Record
To:
See the distribution list at the bottom of this message
CC:
Subject: remarks of the President, Mrs. Clinton etc at Mental Health C
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
June 7, 1999
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT,
THE FIRST LADY, THE VICE PRESIDENT,
AND MRS. GORE
AT WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE ON MENTAL HEALTH
Blackburn Auditorium
Howard University
Washington. D.C.
12:32 P.M. EDT
MRS. GORE: Wow! Thank you so very much for that warm
welcome. Good afternoon. We are all so very pleased to be hosting
the first White House Conference on Mental Health. And I want to
thank Michael Stevenson for producing the film that you just saw,
with its extraordinary spirit showing the faces of mental illness.
Thank you very much, Michael. (Applause.)
And, of course, I'd also love to thank on behalf of all
of us President Swygert for hosting us here at wonderful Howard
University. You and the staff at Howard University have been
absolutely fantastic. We cannot thank you enough. (Applause.)
And please, all of you who are here -- all of you are
here for the right reason, a reason that unites us all because we
care so much about this issue and the lives that have been affected
by it -- join me in the spirit of gratitude in thanking President
Clinton; my husband, Vice President Gore; and First Lady Hillary
Rodham Clinton for helping to make this conference possible, for
believing in their hearts that this issue is one that is extremely
important. Thank you so very much. (Applause.)
We also would not be here today if it weren't for the
efforts of Secretary Shalala I'd like you to stand; Secretary
Riley; Attorney General Reno; OPM Director Janice Lachance; and all
the representatives of our administration that have worked so very
hard. (Applause.) I would like to also acknowledge the
distinguished members of Congress who are here and those that are
joining us in their states, in their districts, at the downlink site.
Would those who are here please stand and let us applaud you? Thank
you so much. (Applause.)
I'm pleased to say that we are being joined by our
neighbors and friends in communities all across this country, by
nearly 6,000 downlink sites around the country. This is phenomenal
and we really appreciate their participation via the Internet. The
discussions that are going to happen, the information that's going to
be shared in communities is going to be extremely worthwhile.
I would especially like to thank Mayor Vera Katz from
Portland, Oregon; and Mayor Woodrow Stanley in Flint, Michigan; and
Mayor Bill Campbell in Atlanta, who are with us as I speak. For all
that you have done in hosting the interactive satellite sites in your
district and for organizing them in your cities. Thank you so much
for helping reach more Americans. (Applause.)
Finally, I want to thank all of you for being here at
this historic conference. It is historic and it's time that it
happened because this issue is so extremely important to so many
American families and so many American lives. And, of course, that's
what this administration has been all about from its beginning.
I want to thank each and every one of you who
participates here, because of your passionate advocacy for those who
have mental illness, or for someone that you know personally, someone
that might be in your family or a neighbor, or for the fact that you
know that because this country was founded on fundamental principles
of fairness and inclusion, and even though we've never been perfect
we have always worked very hard to strive toward that ideal. And
that is why you are here. And I want to thank you so much for your
presence today. Thank you for coming. (Applause.)
The interest in this conference has been absolutely
remarkable, and some of which can be understood from things that I
have just said. Mental illness is not just something that happens to
other people, somebody over there. We have to realize that it
x
happens-in-our-American family, in our American communities, and that
that means that it calls on a response from all of us. It touches
us, it touches ourselves.
We're going to talk about that in very personal and very
real terms in just a few moments because we want this to be a
conversation. And we, most importantly, want to inform people who
are listening about what mental illness is and what you can do about
it, so that people will understand it, and they won't fear it.
Because one of the things that struck me the most when I
first began studying this many years ago, was how hard it is to talk,
either publicly or privately, about mental health issues to people.
And that's because of one thing: the stigma -- the stigma and the
shame that is attached to this particular illness above all others.
I think, if you will think back with me, we can remember
a day when we could not talk about cancer. That was a secret in
everyone's families. We hardly could speak of it. And how many
people suffered, or didn't come forward for treatment, because of
that kind of cultural climate that existed. And then we didn't want
to talk about AIDS.
Now, this is the last great stigma of the 20th century,
that we need to make sure ends here and now. (Applause.)
And because of that, this dialogue that we're going to
be joining in today is breaking that silence. And to break down the
silence, we break down the myths and the disillusionments and the
misperceptions that are associated with mental health issues. And we
want to encourage more Americans to get the help that they need,
because when they get the help that they need, and it's the right
help, they can lead productive lives in their communities, in our
society. And they should be invited to do that.
We must talk about mental illness in our homes, in our
workplace, in our communities, with our colleagues
everywhere that we can, because we must uncover those who have it or
are suffering with it and encourage them to get the help they need.
We must recognize mental illness for what it is. It is an illness
that can be treated, and it can be treated successfully. (Applause.)
I'd like you to consider this fact: 51 million
Americans will experience a mental health issue at some point in
their life. That's an awful lot of us. And that means not only that
individual, but their families. And I'm talking about illnesses that
range from depression to bipolar illness to schizophrenia, to many,
many more. But only one in five of those people -- only one in five
-- will seek treatment because, again, of the stigma and the shame
that has been attached.
And despite the fact that now we have such a broad range
of treatment and diagnoses that work, it makes it even more
heartbreaking to think that those people will not feel comfortable
reaching out and getting help. Hopefully, after today, this is a new
beginning for them, and they will.
Why are we so reluctant to seek treatment for mental
illness? Why? I've asked many people this question preparing for
this conference, and we've talked about the shame -- it always comes
up: I feel ashamed; I don't want to come forward because I don't
want to be labeled, I don't want to be joked about; I don't want
people to treat me differently than my neighbor who has diabetes, or
has a broken leg.
And yet, they do. And it happens everywhere, from
hospitals to workplaces. That is something that we need to change --
because people feel discriminated against. They feel this
discrimination in their lives. That's not what America is about.
America is about fighting discrimination wherever we find it. We
must end the discrimination that those with a mental illness feel.
(Applause.)
I'd like to say one more thing about the misperception,
and that is that most people treat someone with a mental illness as
if it's their fault, or as if they could just snap out of it, or if
they could just pray harder, somehow they would feel better and get
well. And in replacing that misperception and that myth with facts
and with knowledge and with the science where it is today, which is
so hopeful for people with mental illnesses, I think we can go a long
way toward allowing people to feel hope in their heart and the
freedom to come forward.
I think it's important because I know, I had this
experience myself. I found that after a traumatic incident in my
life that sometime afterwards I had a delayed reaction and I found
that I was not myself. And friends pointed that out to me. Since I
had studied this I knew a lot about it. I checked the list and I
went to a mental health professional and I said, I'm not here as a
friend this time. I'm not here as a volunteer for the cause, I'm
here because I need some help. And I was diagnosed with clinical
depression.
I received treatment with medication and I'm happy to
say that it worked. And 1 want people that are in the sound of my
voice who perhaps are suffering with this or any other mental illness
to know that there is the right diagnosis and the right treatment and
the right health care professional out there for you. Don't hold
back. Go and seek them. And to the families, support the person
that is in need and help them get the help they need and learn what
you can about the illness because they can recover and they can
continue to function very well. (Applause.)
And that leads us to the guest on my right. And I, of
course, really don't need to introduce him. He's an award-winning
journalist. He's someone that all of us admire. And one thing
that's interesting is that he has always been very tough and very
fair, and we know him as tough Mike Wallace. And he is
that. And I think one of the most courageous, and one of the
toughest things he probably ever did was to recognize his illness and
to talk about it. And I want you to know that that's one of the
things I admire about you the most. (Applause.)
But you're here today to talk a little bit about your
story, to help other people. And I appreciate that so much. Mike,
will you tell us what happened with you?
MRS. GORE: I want to thank each of you, for all of us,
for sharing your stories so publicly and in the hopes, I know, that
it will help other people -- that is your motivation -- and so that
people will see that it's very wrong to discriminate against people
who have a mental health issue -- it's just plain flat wrong and
unfair. And we must change it.
And as Americans, we cannot tolerate discrimination in
any form, whatsoever. I know all of you would join me in thinking
about that. That is why I am very pleased, and I want to thank you,
President Clinton, for asking me to serve as the honorary chairperson
of the Anti-Stigma Campaign which we will be launching as a result of
this conference. And I think that's going to be extremely important.
And we'll be talking more about that later. But we wanted to reach
every community and every workplace so that people will understand
that stigma is just a piece of this puzzle that needs to go away.
And as people, like yourself, myself, Mike, John, are
willing to talk about these issues, I think that we will destigmatize
and people will understand what mental health issues are.
And to that end, our administration has also announced
another very important step, and that is we are expanding our caring
for every child campaign, and that's the target -- parents and
teachers and child care providers and social service workers -- with
education programs about the mental health needs of young children,
so that they will intervene early. (Applause.)
Early intervention is prevention, and can prevent so
much of this pain. And we're also launching a new outreach effort
through NIMH and the administration on aging to educate older
Americans that they, too, might very well be at risk, particularly --
for any mental illness, but particularly for depression.
Some people think depression is just a natural part of
aging. But so many of our elderly citizens are actually suffering
from clinical depression, which can be relieved with the right
treatment. And we are finding that door is opening as well. And we
want it to continue to.
Now, in two weeks, my husband and I will be hosting our
8th annual Family Reunion Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, and the
issue is going to be families and communities. I have learned a
great deal about how communities can work better and also how mental
health in communities can work better from so much of the work that
Al has done in this area. And I want to, with great, great pleasure,
introduce to you the Vice President of the United States to lead our
9th discussion. And you might want to get up and go over --
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Yes, ma'am. (Laughter and
applause.)
MRS. GORE: -- over there and begin your discussion.
(Applause.)
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Right here? Thank you. I'm
anxious to follow instructions carefully. (Laughter.) But departing
from my instructions, I want to start off by saying to all of you, I
hope you can imagine how proud I am of Tipper and her leadership
role. (Applause.) It is a great joy for me and for our children and
for Tipper's parents and mine and all of our family to see what a
wonderful thing she has done and is doing in advising the President,
in helping to spread the word, to organize this conference. And I'm
very, very grateful, as I know you all are.
And my role in this discussion is to highlight with my
two guests here the role of families and especially the role of
communities. I'd like to say, first of all, where the role of
families is concerned that we learned from Tipper's experience that
-- what so many of you know -- that when mental illness strikes, it
affects not only the person who is involved, but the entire family.
And for our family, we became much stronger as a result of this
experience. And that's principally due to the tremendous courage
that Tipper herself showed and, of course, the fact that she had this
knowledge that she had gained in academic settings, and her work on
the issue for so many years I think made it perhaps a little easier
for her to educate us than might be the case with some others in a
similar situation.
But one of the things that we did learn was how
crucially important it is for families to be supportive and
understanding, to educate themselves, and to surround the person with
love, and to help the healing process.
And in some communities families are able to find out
how to play that role, and it makes such a big difference. Because
the way 1 look at this -- in the same way that a family is always
there for a family member who needs help, communities should always
be there for families that find themselves in a situation where they
need to reach out for new services, new help, new understanding.
And, unfortunately, too many communities across our
country are not used to providing this kind of support because of the
stigma that Tipper and Mike talked about earlier, because the new
treatments are just that -- new -- and because some old outdated
attitudes are still persisting and some people mistakenly believe
that these conditions are untreatable or virtually untreatable, the
way many of them were in decades past. Many communities are not
organized to give the kind of attention that is needed.
So, under President Clinton's leadership, this
administration has been moving to try to make changes in that
reality, and give communities more of the help that they need. And
that's because we believe that the people who do need help should
find a waiting ear, and not a waiting list. And, in fact, a recently
released survey by the National Health Association confirms that only
one in three Americans who were surveyed said that the communities in
which they live have these services readily available for families
that need it. Now, that must change.
As part of this year's budget, we have proposed the
largest increase in mental health block grants in history.
(Applause.) And today we're proposing to build on that proposal with
three new ideas. First of all, we're launching a new initiative to
help ensure that vulnerable homeless Americans with mental illness
get the treatment and services that they need. (Applause.) Second,
we're beginning a new effort to reach out to those people who can't
work because of mental illness and are presently on disability
insurance, to help them get the treatment that they need to return to
work. (Applause.)
Third, we are launching a new effort to meet the mental
health needs of crime victims, including a renewed commitment to
ensure that our efforts to respond to major crises do address the
mental health needs in those communities.
I remember in some of the instances where Tipper and I
have represented the administration and the country in going to
communities that have been hit by disasters, Tipper has always spoken
out to say, now, don't forget, in addition the to the broken bones
and the grieving that needs to be attended to and all of that, there
are mental health needs. And we need to incorporate that into the
normal response to crises.
A lot of people don't realize even today that after the
horrible bombing in Oklahoma City, after some time had passed,
suicides increased dramatically, and at least a half a dozen people
associated with the effects of that bombing have taken their own
lives. And at least twice as many more have attempted suicide. So
our new initiative will help ensure that the response to tragedies
like these include mental health training and services to help the
victims recover and lead normal lives.
Now, obviously, government alone is not going to solve
this, it has to be a partnership with private organizations,
volunteer organizations; state-based organizations have a big role to
play.
And I want to talk now with a couple of folks who have
had personal experience with how this kind of community effort can
work. First of all, Robin Kitchell. Robin is from Nashville,
Tennessee, and participated with Tipper in one of the many events
that she held as a warm-up to this conference.
And Robin, you have a son who suffers from bipolar
disorder. Tell us about some of the challenges and the rewards of
caring for a child with a mental illness.
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Well, you speak very eloquently
about your own experience, and the lessons that we ought to draw from
it.
What I hear you saying is that anyone who talks about
how important it is for families to stay together, and for families
to be strong, ought to recognize an obligation to make sure that the
communities where those families live are supportive, when families
face struggles like the one that you faced whether it's the health
insurance community, or the medical community, or the schools, or the
business community, or the peer group. They need to be understanding
and supportive of families in this situation.
And mentioning the business community leads me to Dr.
Wayne Burton, who is the Medical Director for Bank One Corporation.
Dr. Burton, your business is unusual in that you provide
comprehensive mental health services. And your experience has been
different from what is feared by some businesses who refuse to offer
these services. Tell us about what your company has experienced.
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Just to draw out what may be an
obvious point that everybody understands, but I want to make sure I
understand it the percentage of your cost attributable to mental
health services dropped so sharply because in providing a
comprehensive approach and in educating the entire work force about
being open and eliminating stigma, you were able to provide
preventative services and earlier-stage intervention that were far
more effective and far more cost-effective, thereby resulting in the
cost decrease. Is that the point you're making?
DR. BURTON: That's correct. We felt that by providing
out-patient care early on, where an employee can continue to work,
but attend, perhaps, a day hospital or an evening hospital back in
the early '80s, when there were not very many of these programs
around that it would benefit us by reducing the more costly
hospital stays and so forth.
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Well, the same experience that your
son had, Robin, going back, with only six months to go before 8th
grade graduation and all of a sudden feeling that stigma and the very
tangible form of proposed segregation is the kind of approach that
some employees in the work force face, if the work force has not been
educated, if the employer doesn't send a strong signal that the
stigma is not permitted here, that we're going to lead the way. And
so by having that kind of support in the community and having that
kind of support in the workplace, you can get the people the help
that they need.
Now, Doctor, one other question on this. I know that
there are some business executives who have taken a different
position over the years, and maybe they're questioning to themselves
whether or not the new treatment success rate and the new economics
that you're reporting really would work for them. Some of them are
still kind of manning the barricades and fighting against opening up
coverage of mental health services in the same way that they cover
treatment for physical ailments. I should put that a different way,
for heart disease and for other kinds of illness.
What would you say to a corporate executive who was
still resisting the kind of step that your company took? What's the
most persuasive argument that you could make?
DR. BURTON: Well, we believe that providing appropriate
mental health benefits and quality mental health benefits are
important for our employees, their families, and the communities in
which we do business. It's good business. (Applause.)
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Very good. I'd like to thank you
and Robin Kitchell. Thank you. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
Now let me call on one of our largest sites that is
linked up by remote satellite, in Atlanta, where Dr. Satcher is
waiting.
MRS. GORE: And thank you, AI, very much. And I want to
thank all of you for telling your stories. And particularly, good
luck with your son. And I'm delighted to hear the business aspect,
that it doesn't break the bank, actually it's good business to cover
for mental health services. That's something all of us in this room
believe deeply and have been waiting to hear.
And this is the close of the decade of the brain, this
is a time when we have been -- well, I personally haven't, but
scientists and other researchers have been mapping the architecture
of the human brain, and we have learned so much about it. And it's
time to bring the science into the daylight of the light that is
shining on mental health.
And no one could do that any better than the sunshine of
all our lives, our great First Lady, Hillary Rodham Clinton.
(Applause.)
MRS. CLINTON: Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank
you. If I had any voice I would break into "You are the Sunshine of
My Life," and dedicate it to Tipper. (Laughter.) But I'm delighted
to be here, and so pleased not only to see this packed room with
standing room only, but to know that nearly 6,000 sites around the
country are sharing in this firsthand.
This is an historic conference, but it is more than
that; it's a real signal to our nation that we must do whatever it
takes not only to remove the stigma from mental illness, but to begin
treating mental illness as the illness it is on a parity with other
illnesses. And we have to understand more about the progress that
has been made scientifically that has really led us to this point.
I don't believe that we could have had such a conference
even 10 years ago, and I know we couldn't have had such a conference
25 or 30 years ago, when I was a young law student working at the
Child Study Center at the Yale University and taking classes at the
Med School and working at the Yale New Haven Hospital, and very
interested in the intersection of mental illness and the law and in
the development of children and other issues that we were only then
just beginning to address. And we didn't have a lot of evidence to
back up what we needed to know or how we should proceed with the
treatment of a lot of the problems that we saw.
Well, today we know a lot more. And it is really our
obligation and responsibility, therefore, to begin to act on that
scientific knowledge. And I'm very pleased to be talking with a
distinguished group of panelists about the science of mental health
and mental illness.
We're happy to have with us Dr. Steven Hyman. He is a
distinguished scientist who directs the National Institute of Mental
Health, one of the institutes of the National Institutes of Health.
And I want to start with Doctor Hyman.
Dr. Hyman, you have been dealing with some very
difficult diseases that affect millions of people. We've already
heard several mentioned -- clinical depression, bipolar disorder,
schizophrenia. What progress have we made in learning about these
diseases in the last few years so that we understand them more
scientifically, and, therefore, have a better idea of what to do
about them?
DR. HYMAN: Well, Mrs. Clinton, the first thing that
we've recognized is that the numbers are indeed enormous. More than
19 million Americans suffer from depression. More than 2 million
children. More than 2 million Americans have schizophrenia. And the
World Bank and the World Health Organization have recognized that
depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, including
the United States.
We have also learned some very important facts about
these illnesses, and if I can just encapsulate them briefly, it's
that these are real illnesses of a real organ -- the brain. Just
like coronary artery disease is a disease of a real organ -- the
heart. We can make diagnoses, and these diseases are treatable.
In addition, we've learned that these diseases should be
treated just like general medical disorders. If you have heart
disease you would get not only medication, but also rehabilitation,
dietary counseling, stress reduction. So it is with a mental
illness. We've heard a lot already today about medication, but
people need to get their medication in the context of appropriate
psychotherapies and other psycho-social treatments. (Applause.)
MRS. CLINTON: So how then has these scientific
discoveries changed the way that we as a society deal with mental
illness? And following up on what you said, if we now know -- if you
as experts and practitioners know that we should treat mental illness
as real and as treatable, as a disease of a bodily part, namely the
brain, what does that mean for the kind of response that we should be
looking to in society?
DR. HYMAN: You know, sometimes people think of science
as something cold, but actually it has been an enormously liberating
force for families and for people with mental illness. Not two
decades ago, people were taught that dread diseases like autism or
schizophrenia were due to some subtle character flaw in mothers.
This idea, unfortunately, has been perpetuated by ignorance far too
often. And, indeed, these ideas didn't help with treatments. And
what they did do is they demoralized families who ultimately had to
take care of these poor sick children.
So science has shown us some alternative ideas. For
example, it's turned out that autism, schizophrenia, manic-depressive
illness are incredibly genetic disorders. What this means is that
genes have an awful lot to say about whether somebody has one of
these illnesses. And I have to tell you that as the human genome
project approaches completion, in the next few years, we're going to
be discovering the genes that create vulnerability to these
disorders.
Now, that's important because genes are the blueprints
of cells and by understanding those blueprints, I think we're going
to come up with treatments that we could not possible have dreamt of.
The other thing, as you mentioned, is we're learning an
enormous amount about how the brain is built and how the brain
operates. I brought a few pictures -- I don't know if we can project
them, but I think pictures are worth an awful lot. You can see on
the left the brain of a healthy person, and on the right the brain of
someone with schizophrenia, given a cognitive task that requires
planning and holding something in mind. The kind of task that a
person with schizophrenia has difficulty with. And what you can see
just looking at the red spots, that people with schizophrenia don't
activate their brain in the same way as a person without this
illness.
We also know -- and I think this is really interesting
-- if we could have the next slide -- that our treatments work
because they work on the brain. No one is surprised that medication
works on the brain, but what we're learning is that psychotherapy
also works on the brain. (Applause.) So what you can see in the
lower two brain diagrams is that this is someone with an animal
phobia -- something that we can study relatively easily -- before
treatment. Now, after a cognitive behavioral treatment that exposes
and desensitizes the person, you can see new spots of activity --
they're shown in green -- and they represent activation of our
prefrontal cortex, a modern part of the brain -- which is actually
able to suppress some of the fear circuitry.
Now, I don't want to over-sell this, but ultimately
we're going to understand how these treatments work in the brain.
And then, finally, I just want to show you a picture
that is somewhat alarming, but what we see here on the left, someone
with -- a healthy person with a normal brain, and then on the right
someone who has had severe depression for a long time. What you see
outlined in red at the bottom is that a key structure acquired from
memory -- actually gets smaller, it deteriorates if depression is not
treated.
Now, this is not so hopeless as it seems because we
believe that with treatment these changes can be reversed. But I'm
showing you these pictures again to remind us that these are real
diseases of a real organ -- the brain -- that we can make diagnoses
and that these should be treated just
like general medical
illnesses. (Applause.)
MRS. CLINTON: You know, this is very exciting to all of
us, because I think we can, in our own memories, think of diseases
that have gone through a process of first being just mysterious; and
then myths and stigmas associated with them; and then finally,
science being brought to bear, and then the better they're
understood, the more diagnosable and treatable they become.
That's why I'm also very pleased that in July, under
your leadership, the NIMH will launch a $7.3 million landmark study
to determine the nature of mental illness and treatments. This will
be a study that will help us guide strategies and policies for the
next century by collecting information on mental illness, including
the prevalence and duration of it, as well as the types of treatments
that are most commonly used.
NIMH will announce the launch of two new clinical
trials, investing a total of $61 million, to build effective
treatments for those affected by mental illness. So we're taking
this information and we're not just leaving it in a laboratory. We
are attempting to use it to implement better policies and better
treatment modalities.
And I would just underscore something that was said, and
that is that as we learn more, through the human genome project, we
have to be even more careful to guard against discrimination against
both physical and mental illness. (Applause.)
I want to turn now to Dr. Koplewicz, who is an expert on
mental health issues. He has shown me through the NYU Child Studies
Center, and I know from firsthand experience and reports how he has
brought to bear his extraordinary talent and experience on behalf of
children as a child psychiatrist.
And I would like to ask you, you've worked with children
and families on so many of these issues, what steps can we take to
demystify mental illness?
DR. KOPLEWICZ: It's hard to believe that until 20 years
ago we still believed that inadequate parenting and bad childhood
traumas were the cause of psychiatric illness in children. And in
fact, even though we know better today, that antiquated way of
thinking is still out there, so that people who wouldn't dream of
blaming parents for other types of disease, like their child's
diabetes or asthma, still embrace the notion that somehow absent
fathers, working mothers, over-permissive parents are the cause of
psychiatric illness in children.
And the only way we can change that is through more
public awareness. I mean, essentially, these are no-fault brain
disorders. And as Dr. Hyman pointed out, these diseases are
physiological, they respond to medicine. They're familial, they run
in families. And they have a predictable onset and course. And as
we learn more about this, it really becomes necessary for us to do
three things.
We have to learn the costs of untreated mental illness,
which really is lost school days, lost work days, dropout, marital
distress, and also lost opportunity cost -- executives and leaders
who are quietly depressed and who aren't functioning at full
capacity.
The second thing we have to do is we have to educate
kids as early as middle school about mental illness. They learn
about AIDS, they learn about seatbelts, but they have to learn about
depression anxiety. And we have to educate their parents also.
And the third part is that you need a national public
awareness campaign, so that Americans have to understand depression
the way they understand heart disease. And the only way that happens
is that when you have recognizable national leaders, moral leaders,
role models like Tipper Gore, like Mike Wallace, who come out and
acknowledge that they have a psychiatric illness, it makes it so much
easier for the average citizen then to accept that maybe their child
or maybe themselves or maybe another relative might be suffering
also.
MRS. CLINTON: I think that's so right. I remember when
Betty Ford went public with her breast cancer. And to the best of my
memory, that was the first time anyone in a position like that had,
and what a difference that made.
Let me ask you, do children have particular needs,
though, when it comes to mental illness, so that we can't just talk
about mental illness generally, we do need to talk specifically about
children's needs.
DR. KOPLEWICZ: Right. Well, as we all know, kids are
not little adults, their brains are different. But child psychiatry
has really lagged behind in many ways. I mean, there are three major
problems -- one is access. It is really a problem because there are
6,000 child and adolescent psychiatrists in the whole country.
Pediatricians get very little training about mental health. And in
many states across the United States Medicaid does not pay, forcing
parents or forcing school officials or school teachers, so that
treating a child is much more complex.
The next issue is research -- not only basic
epidemiology, treatment, prevention -- in many ways we lag behind.
And while the funding has increased dramatically in the last six
years, it's still out of whack when you consider the impact and how
common these child psychiatric illnesses are in society. So compared
to childhood cancer, we really are not dedicating nearly enough funds
for the research of child mental health.
And the last part again, of course, is that it's the
stigma. The stigma is worse for kids. Let me remind you, teenagers
are never volunteering to be customers for mental health services.
So parents not only feel bad about themselves, many people are
telling them they've done something wrong and then the kid doesn't
want to go on top of that. So those things are much more difficult
for children, adolescents, than for adults.
MRS. CLINTON: Well, I think that part of what we we've
got to do, though, is reflect how we can both identify and get help
to children who need it, whether or not they want it or are willing
to accept it. I think all of us have the tragedy at Littleton in
mind, and we also know of the other school shootings; and in the ones
that don't get as much publicity, there may have been signs, there
may have been some way that we could have intervened and prevented.
So what can we do to intervene early, before mental
illness causes a child to be violent to others or, as we see
increasingly, to be a victim of suicide, which is a leading cause of
death of young people?
DR. KOPLEWICZ: I mean, the real tragedy of Littleton is
that -- and in these other recent incidents of school violence -- is
that they're most probably preventable. Normal children just don't
snap and go out on a shooting spree. Children who commit violent
crimes almost always have histories of violence, depression or other
mental health problems. And, unfortunately, schools and parents
ignore psychiatric illness.
The problem is that we have never really looked at the
underlying cause of all this violence, which is childhood psychiatric
illness, which is a tremendous problem -- 12 percent of the
population under the age of 18 -- that's about 8 million children,
teenagers, in the United States today -- have a diagnosable
psychiatric illness. And that means that about 2 million children
have depression, teenagers have depression.
And not all of them are going out to shoot someone, but
they're certainly more at risk and they're certainly suffering and at
risk for hurting themselves or others. And the problem is that while
teachers ignore it and parents ignore it very often, unless we have a
national public awareness campaign, unless we dedicate ourselves to
child mental health the way we have to other mental health issues, it
becomes really quite impossible for us to address this problem. So
that someday, if teachers, pediatricians, if family practitioners
were more aware of mental health warning signs for children,
adolescence, that's the first step.
And, frankly, with public awareness, I think we have
reached the point with a focus that mending of broken bones should be
the same as getting help for emotional distress. It should be just
as acceptable. It should be just as expected. Because, you see, if
we don't do that, I think what happens, these kids lose out on
schooling, making friends, and at the end of the day they lose out on
happiness that we expect for all of our children. (Applause.)
MRS. CLINTON: I really want to thank you not only for
coming forward, as you have in the past and again today, but for
putting your energies behind this issue in the Congress and using
your own personal experience to really make a difference, and I know
that it will continue to do that.
I want to thank our three panelists and really not only
thank them, but all of you who work on the issue of mental health and
mental illness, and particularly the scientific research that we're
learning so much more about. And, hopefully, this conference and the
work that is being done because of it will get that word out to many,
many Americans, and maybe they'll say, well, you know, I heard Dr.
Hyman or I saw the pictures or I listened to the Congresswoman or
whatever it might be. And for that, we're very grateful, and
especially to you, Tipper.
So, back to you. (Applause.)
MRS. GORE: Thank you. Good job. Thank you, Hillary.
You did a good job, as always. I appreciate that. So did you, Al.
Thank you. (Laughter.)
To all our participants, to all of the panelists, thank
you for your courage. It gives me great pleasure as we have, I
think, put faces on different mental illnesses today, very
personally. I think we've learned a lot about it. I think we know
that mental illness should be treated the same as physical illness in
the medical profession, in the provider community, and certainly in
our own communities and families.
And now I would like to present with great pride,
introduce to you a man who has provided a caring heart for American
families all his life, our President, President Bill Clinton.
(Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. I want to, first
of all, thank all of you for coming, the members of Congress of both
parties, members of our administration, but the larger community
represented here in this room and at all of our sites.
This has been a truly remarkable experience, I think,
for all of us -- stimulating, moving, humbling. I think it's because
it is so real, and it has been too long since we have come together
over something that's this real, that touches so many of us.
This is a moment of great hope for people who are living
with mental illness and, therefore, a moment of great promise for our
nation. We know a lot about it; we know a lot more than most of us
know we know, as we found out today. And we wanted to have this
conference to talk about how far we've come, and also to look forward
into the future.
We all know we wouldn't be here today without the
commitment of Tipper Gore. I asked her to be my national advisor for
mental illness because she knows more and cares more about this issue
than anyone else I personally know. She has dedicated herself to
making this a priority of national policy and private life. And I
think we are all very, very much in her debt. (Applause.)
I would also like to say one more word about Tipper and
about the Vice President, about the way they have dealt with this
issue as a family, and the gifts they have given to America -- going
back to before the time when we all became a team and the election of
1992, when they began
their annual family
conferences. All people in public life talk about family values. No
couple in public life has ever done remotely as much to try to figure
out what it would mean to turn those family values into real,
concrete improvements in the lives of ordinary families as AI and
Tipper Gore have over a long period of time. (Applause.)
I sort of feel like an anti-climax at this convention
-- not for the reasons the political reporters think -- (laughter) --
but because the real story here is in the people who have already
talked, in their stories of courage and struggle, of endurance and
hope. Americans with mental illness should have the same opportunity
all Americans have to live to the fullest of their God-given ability.
They are, perhaps, just the latest in our enduring challenge as a
people to continue the work of our founders, to widen the circle of
opportunity, to deepen the meaning of freedom, to strengthen the
bonds of our community.
But what a challenge it has been. Clearly, people with
mental illnesses have always had to struggle to be treated fairly and
to get the treatment they need -- and they still do. We have made a
lot
of progress by appealing to the better angels of our
nature, by drawing on our deep belief in equality, but also by
hearing these stories.
So, again, I want to thank Mike, and John, and Jennifer,
and Robin, and Dr. Burton. I thank Dr. Hyman, Dr. Koplewicz. I
thank Lynn Rivers.
I think all of us can remember some moment in our lives
where, because of something that happened in our families or
something someone we knew wrote or said, we began to look at this
issue in a different way. I, myself, feel particularly indebted to
the courage of my friend, the great author William Styron, for
writing the book he wrote about his own depression. But I think that
it is not enough to be moved. We have to have hope and then we have
to have some sense about where we're going.
It was no accident that all of you were clapping loudly
when Dr. Hyman showed us pictures of the brain. I remember when
Hillary and I first met and began going together 28 years ago, and
she was working at the Yale Child Study Center and the hospital, and
we began to talk about all of this; like a lot of young students at
the time I had been very influenced by Thomas Koontz book, "The
Structure of Scientific Revolution." And I began to wonder whether
we would ever develop a completely unified theory of mind and body;
if we would ever learn that at root there are no artificial dividing
lines between our afflictions. The human genome project, as you've
heard explained today, offers us the best chance we have ever had to
have our science match our aspirations in learning to deal with this
and all other issues.
So this has been for me not simply emotionally
rewarding, but intellectually reaffirming. And I hope it has been
for all of you. We've been at this for quite a long while. One
hundred and fifty years ago we had to learn to treat people with
mental illness as basic human beings. Thirty years ago we had to
learn that people with mental illness had to be treated as
individuals, not just a faceless mob.
I'll never forget when journalists secretly filmed the
nightmare world inside some of our nation's mental hospitals.
Americans were heartbroken and horrified by what they saw, and we
began to develop a system of community care for people. Today, we
have to make sure that we actually provide the care all of our people
need, so they can live full lives and fully participate in our common
life.
We've worked hard to break down some of the barriers for
people living with mental illness. On Friday, as many of you know, I
directed all federal agencies to ensure that their hiring practices
give people with mental disabilities the same employment
opportunities as people with physical disabilities. (Applause.) On
Saturday, Tipper and I did the radio address together and announced
that Tipper will unveil our new campaign to fight stigma and dispel
myths about mental illness.
But all of you who have had this in your own lives, or
in your families' lives, know that attitudes are fine, but treatment
matters most. Unfortunately, too many people with mental illness are
not getting that treatment because too many of our health plans and
businesses do not provide equal coverage or parity for mental and
physical illness, or because of the inadequacy of government funding
and policy supports.
I have heard heartbreaking stories from people who are
trying hard to take care of their families -- and one day mental
illness strikes. And when they try to get help they learn the health
plans they've been counting on, the plans that would cover treatment
for high blood pressure or heart disease, strictly limit mental
health care or don't cover it at all. Why? Because of ignorance
about the nature of mental illness, the cost of treating it -- and,
as Dr. Burton told us, the cost of not treating it.
A recent study showed the majority of Americans don't
believe mental illness can accurately be diagnosed or effectively
treated. If we don't get much else out of this historic conference
than changing the attitudes of the majority, it will have been well
done, just on that score.
Insurance plans claim providing parity for mental health
will send costs and premiums sky-rocketing. Businesses believe
employees will overuse mental health services, making it impossible
for employers to offer health insurance. Now, there may be arguments
to be made at the margins on both sides of these issues, but I
believe that providing parity is something we can do at reasonable
cost, benefit millions of Americans and, over the long run, have a
healthier country and lower health care costs. (Applause.)
As we've heard again today, mental illness can be
accurately diagnosed, successfully treated, just as physical illness.
New drugs, better community health services are helping even people
with the most severe mental illnesses lead healthier, more productive
lives. Our ability to treat depression and bipolar disorder is
greater even than our ability to treat some kinds of heart disease.
But left untreated, mental illness can spiral out of
control, and so can the cost of mental health care. A recent World
Bank study showed that mental illness is a leading cause of
disability and economic burden that goes along with it.
Here in the United States, untreated mental illness
costs tens of billions of dollars every year. The loss in human
potential is staggering. So far, 24 states and a large number of
businesses have begun to provide parity for their citizens and their
employees. Reports show that parity is not notably increasing health
care costs. For instance, Ohio provides full parity for all its
state employees and has not seen costs rise.
As we heard, Bank One's employee mental health treatment
program has helped it reduce direct treatment costs for depression by
60 percent. As a nation founded on the ideal of equality, it is high
time that our health plans treat all Americans equally. (Applause.)
Government can, and must, lead the way to meet this challenge.
In 1996, I called on Congress to make parity for mental
health a priority. I was proud to sign into law the Mental Health
Parity Act, which prohibited health plans from setting lower annual
and lifetime limits for mental health care than for other medical
services.
Again, I want to say, since we have so many congressmen
here, Tipper Gore was very instrumental in that. But I was also
deeply moved by the broad and deep bipartisan support by members of
Congress in both Houses who had personal experiences that they shared
with other members which helped to change America.
The law was a good first step. And I'm pleased to
announce, with Secretary Herman here, that the Labor Department will
now launch a nationwide effort to educate Americans about their
rights under the existing law, because a lot of people don't even
know it passed.
But when insurers can get around the law by limiting the
number of doctor's visits for mental condition; when families face
higher co-payments for mental health care than for physical ailments;
when people living with mental illness are forced to wait until their
sickness incapacitates them to get the treatment they need, we know
we have to do more. (Applause.)
So where do we go from here? First, I am using my
authority as President to ensure that our nation's largest private
insurer, the Federal Employee Health Benefit Plan, provides full
parity for mental health. (Applause.)
Today, Janice Lachance, the Director of OPM, will inform
nearly 300 health plans across America that to participate in our
program, they must provide equal coverage for mental and physical
illnesses. With this single step, 9 million Americans will have
health insurance that provides the same co-payments for mental health
conditions as for any other health condition, the same access to
specialists, the same access to specialists, the same coverage for
medication, the same coverage for out-patient care. (Applause.)
Thirty-six years ago, President Kennedy said we had to
return mental health to the mainstream of American medicine.
Thirty-six years ago he said it and we're still waiting. Today we
have to take more steps to return Americans to the mainstream of
American life. I ask Congress now to do its part by holding hearings
on mental health parity. (Applause.)
The second thing we have to do is to reach out to the
people who are most in need. Today I've asked HCFA, the Health Care
Finance Administration, to do more to encourage states to better
coordinate mental health services, from medication to programs
targeted at people with the most serious mental disorders, for the
millions of people with mental illness who rely on Medicaid.
Third, we must do more to help people with mental
illness re-enter the work force. I asked Congress to pass the work
incentives improvement act, which will allow people with disabilities
to purchase health insurance at a reasonable cost when they go back
to work. No American should ever have to choose between keeping
health care and supporting their family. (Applause.)
Fourth, with an ever increasing number of people with
mental disabilities in managed care plans, it is more important than
ever for Congress to pass the patients' bill of rights. (Applause.)
Fifth, this year we requested the largest increase in
history, some $70 million to help more communities provide more
mental health services. And I asked Congress to fully fund this
proposal. The absence of services and adequate funding and
institutional support for sometimes even the most severe mental
health problems is a source of profound worry to those of you who
actually know what is going on out there.
I know that I was incredibly moved by the cover story in
the New York Times Sunday Magazine a couple of weeks ago --
(applause) -- and I know a lot of you were. And I read that story
very carefully. I talked to Hillary about it, I talked to AI and
Tipper about it, and I asked myself then -- I am still asking myself
what more we can do to deal with some of the unbelievable
tragedies that were plainly avoidable, clearly documented in that
important article. This is a good beginning and I hope that Congress
will fund it.
And finally, it is profoundly significant what we have
heard about children. We have to do more to reach out to troubled
young people. One out of ten children suffers from some form of
mental illness, from mild depression to serious mental disease. But
fewer than 20 percent receive proper treatment.
One of the most sobering statistics that I have heard in
all of this is that a majority of the young people who commit suicide
now the third-leading cause of death in teenagers, especially gay
teenagers -- are profoundly depressed. Yet the majority of parents
whose children took their own lives say they did not recognize their
children's depression until it was too late.
The tragedy at Columbine High School, as Hillary said,
was for all of us a wake-up call. We simply can't afford to wait
until tragedy strikes to reach out to troubled young people. Today,
I'm pleased to announce a new national school safety training program
for teachers, schools and communities, to help us identify troubled
children, and provide them better school mental health services.
(Applause.)
This new program is the result of a remarkable
partnership by the National Education Association, EchoStar, and
members of the Learning First Alliance, joined by the Departments of
Education, Justice, and Health and Human Services. This fall, the
Vice President and Tipper will kick off the first training session,
which will be transmitted via satellite to more than 1,000
communities around our nation.
We're all very grateful to EchoStar, a satellite
company based in Littleton, Colorado, and its partner, Future View,
for helping make this possible by donating satellite dishes to 1,000
school districts, and 40 hours of free time. (Applause.) I want to
ask businesses and broadcasters all around our country to follow
EchoStar's lead and donate their time, expertise and equipment to
help ensure that every school district in America can participate in
this important training program.
Now, I want to introduce two of the people who are
showing this kind of leadership: the President of the NEA, Bob Chase;
and Bill Vanderpoel, the Vice President of EchoStar. I'd like to ask
them to come up and talk a little bit about what they're going to do.
Let's give them a big hand. (Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you both very much. Now, I'd like
to ask Tipper to come up one more time so we can all tell her how
grateful we are, and let me say this. You probably saw a little bit
by the way she positioned AI on time and she positioned Hillary on
time, I think I'm going to start calling her "Sarge" behind her back.
(Laughter.) She has driven us all. We've been on time, we've been
at the place we were supposed to be, we say what we were supposed to
say, we finished on time. So she not only has great sensitivity, she
has phenomenal organizing ability, and we're very grateful for her.
Thank you. (Applause.)
Now, I'd like to ask Hillary and the Vice President to
come over, too. (Applause.) Thank you all very much. God bless
you.
END
2:12 P.M. EDT
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Jeffrey A. Shesol@eop
June Shih@eop
Leanne A. Shimabukuro@EOP
Richard L. Siewert@eop
Dawn L. Smalls@eop
Brian D. Smith@eop
Jennifer H. Smith@EOP
Mary L. Smith@eop
Richard Socarides@EOP
Douglas B. Sosnik@eop
Maria E. Soto@eop
Aviva Steinberg@eop
Todd Stern@eop
Dana C. Strand@eop
Michael J. Sullivan@EOP
Sarah E. Gegenheimer@eop
Jonathan H. Schnur@eop
Tracy F. Sisser@eop
Sylvia M. Mathews@eop
Jordan Tamagni@eop
Barry J. Toiv@EOP
Serena C. Torrey@eop
Karen Tramontano@eop
June G. Turner@eop
Thomas M. Rosshirt@ovp@eop
Thurgood Marshall Jr@eop
Loretta M. Ucelli@eop
Victoria L. Valentine@EOP
Dag Vega@eop
Virginia Apuzzo@eop
Michael Waldman@eop
Setti D. Warren@eop
Essence P. Washington@eop
Robert S. Weiner@eop
Peter A. Weissman@eop
Lowell A. Weiss@eop
Woyneab M. Wondwossen@eop
Debra S. Wood@eop
William H. White Jr.@EOP
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FIRST LADY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON
NGO BRIEFING
THE WHITE HOUSE
NOVEMBER 24, 1998
1
Thank you, Tipper. As you said, I've just returned from an
extraordinary trip to four Central American countries suffering
from the devastation of Hurricane Mitch: Honduras, Nicaragua, El
Salvador, and Guatemala. I also visited the Dominican Republic
and Haiti -- and saw the long term challenges of reconstruction
those countries are facing as a result of Hurricane Georges.
I met with the presidents of each country, who briefed me on the
extent of the damage and loss of life they had sustained, and the
emergency needs of the victims and their communities. They also
spoke to me about their long term needs and hopes for
rehabilitation, reconstruction, and transformation.
I was proud to meet with our American troops, AID workers,
Peace corps volunteers, and ngos who are doing such an
extraordinary job of providing much needed food and medical
supplies to the victims, and helping people to rebuild their homes,
schools, roads, and bridges. (Personal reflections on New York
team rebuilding hospital in Sammy Sosa's home town of San
Pedro; US troops rescuing President and Mrs. Flores who were
stuck between mudslides in a small town; USAID helping to repair
damaged irrigation ditch in Haiti; etc.)
The same day I was in Nicaragua, a plane full of donations from a
church in my home town of Little Rock landed at the airport --
bringing water, rice, wheat, and other food to the hurricane
victims. These acts of personal generosity have further
strengthened the ties of friendship between the American people
and the people of Central America and the Caribbean.
2
I also had the great privilege of announcing our government's
enhanced hurricane relief package. As you know, the President
announced $70 million in relief assistance for Central American on
November 5. That support now exceeds a quarter of a billion
dollars -- to be channeled largely through USAID, the Department
of Defense; and USDA.
USAID is providing $70 million -- primarily for food, medicine,
shelter, and relief supplies; as well as development assistance and
micro enterprise credits. The Department of Defense is providing
over 5,000 people, dozens of helicopters, and bridges and
engineering support. The US Department of Agriculture's $63
million package includes money for wheat, corn, and other food
grants. [There's also increased support for the Peace Corps' Crisis
Corps, and micro-credit programs.]
We recognize how important it is to get small businesses back on
their feet -- and have already put together an AID/IDB package of
$17 million for a rescue fund for micro-enterprises.
In response to the requests we've received from these countries,
we've already begun to work on postponing debt payments to the
US, and postponing deportations in order to pursue long term
solutions to their concerns.
This hurricane was the worst natural disaster ever to hit the
Western Hemisphere. The United States has responded in kind
with this unparalled effort.
3
At every stop I made -- I heard how grateful the people of these
countries were for the aid and support we are supplying. One of
our doctors visited a village -- whose closest clinic was a four hour
walk away. He told me that one woman said: "The whole world is
one big community and I'm glad our neighbors are here."
The countries I visited -- particularly El Salvador and Guatemala --
were experiencing the first real hope for the future, after decades of
conflict, repression and misery. And I saw the power, spirit, and
determination it took to overcome those years of suffering and
conflict. Finally, they were making real progress toward peace and
growth and economic development. The hurricane reversed much
of that hard-won progress in only a few short days. (Many of the
women I met with said that this storm was even more devastating
than the wars they had finally ended -- because of the extent of the
damage inflicted on human life, homes, property, and crops --
their hope for economic opportunity.)
The president and our government are committed to providing the
short term emergency relief that we've talked about here -- but also
the long term reconstruction needs to truly rebuild these devastated
countries. I know how strongly my husband feels about providing
assistance and support -- and how he has directed every agency in
the federal government that can contribute to do so.
But all of us need to respond: Americans in every community --
from business and labor organizations to religious and civic
groups. We know there's been an overwhelming response from
our fellow citizens -- who want to know how they might help.
4
We are encouraging concerned citizens to provide monetary
contributions to appropriate organizations rather than collecting
clothing and other items for donation. If people want to donate
goods, they should also try to raise the funding for shipment.
The quickest and most effective way for the public to provide help
is to directly contact the private voluntary organizations (PVOs)
who are currently working in or with local affiliates in Central
America and the Caribbean.
A handout in your packet provides important numbers and contacts
-- including a new 1-800 number (1-800-USAID-RELIEF) for
private sector donations and businesses wanting to help -- and a
clearinghouse number for all organizations working in disaster
areas.
Please help us get out the word that USAID does not have the
capacity to pay to move donated goods or volunteers. But it can
help identify transportation in partnership with non-governmental
organizations and the Department of Defense.
We're in this for the long haul. If we can combine the resources
of the public and private sector, and exhibit the kind of generosity
of spirit and tireless determination that I saw in abundance in
every community of these devastated countries -- then we can
accomplish even more than providing food and medical supplies
and rebuilding homes and bridges -- as critical as those efforts are.
We can do even more than get these countries back on their feet.
We can help bring about their transformation. Working together,
we can ensure they will be strong, peaceful, and democratic
neighbors in the 21 st century.
5
Draft 11/30/98 4pm
FIRST LADY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON
REMARKS TO THE FOR ALL KIDS FOUNDATION
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
December 1, 1998
Thank you, Whoopi, for your kind words and friendship.
Congratulations Melinda and Bill Gates, Jane and Michael Eisner. And
thank you all for this great honor. This White Rose Award is beautiful --
and a wonderful symbol. But as lovely as this award is, I think we all
know that the most treasured rose here tonight is Rosie herself. Rosie, my
friend, you rock. [One of Rosie's favorite expressions]
When Newsweek put Rosie on the cover, they called her the Queen of
Nice. The fact is, Rosie is so thoroughly nice she rarely lets on that she
absolutely hates that title. Tonight, instead of calling her the Queen of
Nice, let's try a new one: the Queen of Hearts. Because while our nation
is blessed with many giving souls, no one gives more of herself than Rosie.
The best example is what Rosie and Michael Smith and the For All Kids
Foundation are doing to help so many thousands of young people to live
up to their God-given potential.
Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to visit and work with
many of the organizations you are supporting. I have seen what a
difference you have made for these organizations -- and what a difference
they are making in the lives of children.
1
Today, on World AIDS Day, I've been thinking in particular about
the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Elizabeth, one of the
strongest and bravest women I've ever known, passed away four years ago
Thursday. She left behind an incredible legacy. Instead of giving up on
life, instead of being paralyzed by fear, Elizabeth put this nation on a
course to end pediatric AIDS, so no mother would ever again have to
watch her child fall to this cruel disease. This is just one of the hundreds
of vital missions that For All Kids is supporting today.
Many of the organizations you support couldn't do it without you.
And I am equally aware that they couldn't do it without federal support as
well. That is why I am so proud of the budget my husband signed in
October, which included a fivefold increase in the number of children who
will be able to participate in the kind of quality after-school programs For
All Kids has championed across the country. That's five times as many
children with safe, stable environments in which to learn. Five times as
many children who can discover their creative potential through music and
the arts. Five times as many children who will be able develop new skills
and new aspirations for their lives.
So yes, a caring government has an important role to play. But, as
others have mentioned tonight, it takes an entire village to help a parent
raise a child.
2
It takes caring teachers, coaches, and mentors. It takes big-hearted
benefactors like Rosie, the Gateses, and the Eisners. And it takes
committed groups like the For All Kids and all the wonderful
organizations it supports. So again, thank you all for this great honor.
And thank you even more for what you are doing every day to help so
many young lives to blossom.
###
3
FIRST LADY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON
U.S. CONFERENCE OF MAYORS
CAPITAL HILTON
JANUARY 29, 1999
1
Thank you, Mayor Corradini -- for that kind introduction. I am so
pleased to be here, and to join all of you for this 67th winter meeting of
the U.S. Conference of Mayors. [After Marc Morial's description of the
upcoming June meeting in New Orleans -- I may want to tap dance
down for that gathering as well.]
I want to thank all of you here for the work that you do every
single day -- to turn America's towns and cities into centers of
empowerment, and hope, and expanding opportunity. Your presence
here in our nation's capital is a powerful reminder of the importance of
getting back to work on the people's business.
I'm pleased that so many top administration officials have
spoken at this conference over the past few days -- and most of you
heard from the President this morning at the White House.
2
It's critical that we continue to strengthen this extraordinary
partnership that exists between America's mayors and this
administration -- which has SO benefitted the American people. I also
want to thank a number of people who have worked very hard behind
the scenes to help make this happen -- Mickey Ibarra and Lynn Cutler
of our intergovernmental affairs office.
Before I begin, I want to welcome the incoming president of the
U.S. Conference of Mayors, Mayor Webb of Denver, Colorado -- who
brings with him a wealth of knowledge not only about the challenges
facing America's cities -- but the promise of our new partnership with
the nations of Africa. I also want to recognize Mayor Corradini's strong
leadership over this past year -- particularly her focus on promoting
physical fitness among our young people -- and her innovative work in
ending the terror of domestic violence.
3
I am so pleased to learn you've just announced a new U.S.
Conference of Mayor's award to spotlight outstanding city arts
programs for at risk youth. Having visited many such programs myself -
- I believe -- as you do -- that the arts can have an extraordinary impact
on the future of our young people -- often making the difference between
lives of despair and lives of accomplishment. It's up to all of us to put
art and music back in our nation's schools -- where it belongs. And just
as the arts are critical to our children's lives, they are also central to the
life and vibrancy of our cities.
As people move back to cities and towns, they seek the arts,
festivals, lectures, and libraries -- all those things that make life worth
living. We must make sure they continue to thrive.
4
William Shakespeare once asked, "what is the city but the people?"
And throughout our history, we've seen how the hard working citizens
of our towns and cities have drawn on their unique traditions, energy
and ingenuity to enrich our nation, and guide our progress.
It's in our vibrant and diverse neighborhoods that our destinies are
woven together, and our deepest values of family, community, and
common purpose are reflected.
As mayors, you know better than anyone the enormous challenges
facing our communities as we move into the 21 st Century, and into a
global society. And that's what you've been talking about over the past
few days. But you also know -- better than anyone -- the progress that is
being made -- from the smallest township to our great urban centers.
5
You've worked hard to make our cities are safe. And as a result,
crime and violence is going down nationwide -- thanks in part to
100,000 new police officers patrolling our neighborhoods. But we must
all keep working -- as hard as we can -- to get guns off the streets, and
out of our schools, and away from our children. This violence must
end.
You've put education back at the center of our nation's agenda,
and some of our toughest school systems are turning around. We're
putting 100,000 new teachers in our classrooms. And now we're
planning to repair our old schools - and construct new ones - to
bring our children into the 21st century. But too many of our young
people -- particularly minorities, and those who are poor -- aren't
getting the education they need and deserve. As the President has said
so many times: We must close this education gap.
6
You've made job creation an integral part of urban revitalization --
and today, the welfare rolls are cut almost in half -- and unemployment
is the lowest in years. More and more of our citizens - for too long on
the margins - are beginning to share the benefits of a growing and
robust economy. The partnerships with the business community that
you've forged on so many fronts can be expanded -- to help train and
hire those still struggling to reach the American dream.
This morning at the White House -- the President laid out his urban
agenda for the 2 st Century, aimed at making our cities and
communities safer, more livable, and more united. I'm particularly
proud of what my husband is doing to help America's families meet
their responsibilities at work - and their even greater ones at home.
By calling for the largest single expansion of child care in our history,
and tripling after school programs. By giving millions more parents
the benefits of the Family and Medical Leave Act.
7
And by fighting to cover more of our citizens with health
insurance -- including our children. The President is also placing the
improvement of our public schools at the center of his agenda -- not only
be getting more teachers into our classrooms -- but by raising academic
and teaching standards, and ending social promotion.
It's a family agenda worthy of the American people. It's worth
fighting for. And we need your help.
Yet no matter what wonderful programs we pass in Congress, and
are signed into law - it's your leadership -- as America's mayors --
that makes the difference. You are the ones who make sure programs
work -- and reach the people who need them the most. You are the ones
who keep the concerns of ordinary citizens at the forefront of our
nation's agenda.
8
And you are the ones who can bring communities together, across
the lines that divide them -- to help forge a common future.
Today, we stand at a unique moment in human history -- the end
of a century, and the birth of a new millennium. It's a time of
extraordinary opportunity and challenge for our people, our nation, and
the world. And in this time of anxiety but even greater promise -- your
leadership will be more critical than ever.
In anticipation of this historic moment, people are already
gathering at kitchen tables, in city halls, in churches and in classrooms -
- wondering about the millennium. Some are asking: how do we spell
it? When will we celebrate it? Where will the best new years eve party
be held? What is the y2k bug -- and does it have anything to do with the
apocalypse? Many people are worried -- will there be enough
champagne to go around?
9
But I believe that this historic milestone offers us the opportunity
to ask other questions as well. Like what do we treasure in our in our
communities, that we want to preserve for future generations? What
values do we honor that we want to bring with us into the new
millennium? What can we look to in our history, and in our culture, and
in our communities, that help define us a nation, and can help guide us
into the future?
People are expecting something to happen. Why not harness the
millennium spirit for the common good?
In an effort to answer some of those questions, the president and I
decided to create the White House Millennium Council. Its purpose is
to set themes, develop plans, and invite all Americans to participate in
meaningful activities through the year 2000.
10
The overall theme of our White House millennium activities is
"honor the past, imagine the future." And the President has invited
states, communities, non profits, corporations, public agencies, and all
citizens to participate in efforts that strengthen our democracy, improve
communities, and give lasting gifts to the future.
We've found that one of the best ways to imagine the future is to
preserve what we value of our past -- the artifacts, historical sites, and
documents that tell the story of who we are as a nation, and who we
hope to be. Last year, the President proposed, and Congress has
approved, a $30 million millennium fund to "Save America's
Treasures." The National Trust for Historic Preservation is our private
partner in this effort. And I'm thrilled that we've already raised over
$30 million in private donations to preserve our heritage for future
generations.
11
Over the past six months, I've traveled from coast to coast to visit
some of our nation's most treasured historic and cultural sites that may
not survive into the next century -- if we don't protect and preserve
them.
And what I found was that these places don't offer us some dry
history lesson -- to be put easily back on the shelf. They teach us about
who we are -- and what we stand for. And they offer glimpses into our
future. Visiting Thomas Edison's laboratory in New Jersey -- I saw the
spirit of ingenuity that has fueled progress in America for centuries.
Stepping inside Harriet Tubman's home in Auburn, New York, I
understood better the legacy of courage that marks our country's
ongoing struggle for freedom and equal justice. As I toured the Breed
Street Shul in downtown Los Angeles -- I felt the civic pride of a
community which is bringing back its historic, cultural and religious
buildings as part of its urban renaissance.
12
These are our memories. This is our story. That's why I am so
pleased to announce that the President's budget will request another $30
million to "save America's treasures." [He's also recommending funds
to ensure that the photographs, paintings, and documents in our federal
collection's are available to all our citizens -- on the Internet.]
As all of you know so well -- every community has its own unique
treasures that need to be restored for future generations -- its town hall, a
city park; the statue of the founder. Every community has something
that if restored or preserved would enhance the lives -- and refresh the
memories -- of the families who live there.
Today - I'm very pleased to take this opportunity -- at this
national gathering of America's mayors -- to formally unveil a new
millennium initiative called "Millennium Communities."
13
This is a program to bring official recognition to cities, towns,
communities and tribes that are planning millennium projects that honor
the past, and imagine the future. And I'm so glad that we developed this
program hand in hand with you, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the
National Association of Counties, the National League of Cities, the
National Association of Towns and Townships, and the Bureau of
Indian Affairs. And their leaders are here with us today.
In his State of the Union address last week, the President said: "I
want to invite every town, every city, every community to become a
nationally recognized 'millennium' community, by launching projects
that save our history, promote our arts and humanities, and prepare our
children for the 21st century."
14
Every community can choose how it wants to become a
millennium community. Some may choose to participate in a local
"Save America's Treasures" campaign - by restoring a local
monument, or conserving the library's books and documents. Others
may want to join the Mars Millennium Project - which is challenging
school children around the nation to design a community that would live
on planet Mars in the year 2030. Some will want to join the
Millennium Trails project --- to help us build 2,000 new trails that
explore our environment, and mark our heritage along the way.
We are thrilled at how many millennium programs are already
underway across the country. Richmond, California, will celebrate its
new "Rosie the Riveter" park to pay tribute to the women who worked
in the World War II shipyards. The people of Casper, Wyoming, will
restore some of the important trails running through their town - such
as the old cattle trail that stretched from Texas to Montana.
15
Minneapolis is planning to celebrate its heritage -- with snowshoe
races and dog sled rides through downtown. And Denver, Colorado is
preserving its historic sites and districts.
Some projects are looking more toward the future. The young
people of Little Rock, Arkansas, will be reading about the millennium
through a new curriculum in that city's public schools. Canton, Ohio,
will revitalize a six-block downtown area - the centerpiece of its
millennium celebration. People in Seattle, Washington are adding over
20,000 trees to the city landscape.
And Alaska is promoting cultural events that encourage Native
Americans to draw on the wisdom of the elders -- and the idealism of
the young.
16
Communities across the country are also coming together to
celebrate their place in the global society -- by strengthening their ties
to their sister cities -- and promoting international cultural and
educational exchanges. Chicago, for instance, is inviting foreign artists
to visit the city, and paint murals throughout its neighborhoods.
Today, I am also announcing two new tools to help communities
develop their own millennium plans. The first is the publication of the
"Millennium Communities Handbook" - a practical guide for civic
leaders, groups and individuals to bring their communities together to
commemorate the millennium. It will also explain the application
process and benefits of being designated a "Millennium Community."
Another tool to bring attention to the Millennium Communities
project is a new website which Bellsouth -- partnering with the U.S.
Conference of Mayors -- is creating.
17
The Website for Millennium Communities will allow designated
communities to share ideas and projects, which we hope will inspire
every community.
It is our hope that these millennium communities will help citizens
not only commemorate local history; but to reflect on current challenges,
and devise new ways to prepare themselves and their children for the
21st century.
Given that we are on the brink of a new century -- and a new
millennium -- it may not surprise you that I've been looking back in
history. Way back. And I've been reading up on what people were
doing at the turn of the last millennium.
18
I've learned some important tidbits -- like the fact that people back
then survived without sugar, spinach, or broccoli. But I've also learned
that people were not cowering in churches, terrified of the apocalyptic
end, and imagining the worst.
In fact, they were working to make progress -- and imagining the
best. People here and around the world were creating new art forms,
building cities, forming reading groups, designing new systems of
cultivation, spreading religion over every corner of the globe, and
remapping their worlds. They were saying no to the doomsayers -- and
yes to hope.
As we enter the third millennium -- we must carry with us that
same spirit of optimism -- and that same boundless determination to
leave the world a better place than we found it.
19
Today -- I call on every one of you to continue to be the invaluable
partners that you have always been -- as together we rebuild and
strengthen our communities for the 21 st century. But I hope that as part
of that charge -- you will encourage your citizens to be caretakers of
our rich and glorious heritage. And to celebrate the year 2000 not just
with parties and champagne -- but with a more concerted effort to come
together, across the lines that divide us -- to celebrate what we hold in
common, and to forge a common future. I hope all of our cities will
become millennium communities.
For a moment -- let's imagine that future in our communities:
where every child can grow up loved, and healthy, and safe. Where
every school is giving our children the tools they need in the 21st
century -- including art and music. Where parents don't have to worry
about what their children are doing after school, knowing they have a
safe place to play and learn.
20
Where every citizens has the opportunity to live a productive,
fulfilling life. Where every community can live together in peace --
where there are no sounds of gunfire, and women can feel safe in their
own homes. A future in which every city truly is a place where people
of all races and backgrounds can come together around a common
purpose. And where a spirit of inclusion ensures opportunity for all.
That is the job we have before us. And whether we succeed
depends on the actions and commitments we begin to make today. Let's
continue to work together to realize the promise of this great country and
its people. And in the process -- we will be honoring the enduring
principles upon which this nation was founded more than two centuries
ago.
Thank you.
21
First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton
National Adoption Month Event
The White House - East Room
November 24, 1998
Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you, thank you SO much and welcome to the
East Room of the White House. We are delighted to host this event.
A few weeks ago, I received an invitation to attend a wonderful celebration at the D.C.
Superior Court House, where a number of adoptions would be made final. I was so pleased to
be invited to this event, but I thought to myself maybe there is a way that we could celebrate
these adoptions -- that really represent all of the adoptions in our country -- during National
Adoption Month, which is November, here in the White House. So we asked Chief Judge
Eugene Hamilton if we could host it at the White House, and I was delighted when he said yes.
And I want to thank the Chief Judge and I want to thank all the judges of the D.C. Superior Court
for their commitment to adoption and the work that they have done, and I welcome all of them
here.
So today in this room there are 30 children from Washington, D.C., who woke up this
morning as foster children and will go to bed tonight as permanent members of families. I want
to thank these 24 families for allowing us to share in their celebration. And I want to thank this
year's Adoption 2002 winners, who were just introduced by Secretary Shalala, and all of the
advocates and experts and policy makers and parents who are here, who work night and day to
make these kinds of happy endings possible.
Secretary Shalala told us about what children think about love, and all of us are grateful
for her leadership in making sure that they do have love in their lives, as well as good health and
other kinds of supports. I'm also pleased to welcome Governor and Mrs. Edgar, Senator Levin,
Senator Landrieu, Congressman Oberstar, Mayor Barry, and other distinguished guests. We
are fortunate to have some special speakers as part of today's program.
Dave Thomas and Mayor Elect Williams are real experts in adoption. Not only because
of the jobs they have and will have, but because of the fact that they were adopted themselves.
You have already heard from Dave Thomas, who has reached out to the business community to
demonstrate his corporation's commitment to adoption, and I hope that more companies will
take up his challenge to include adoption benefits in the benefits they offer employees. He wants
to ensure that all foster children have the same chance he did. We'll hear from Chief Judge
Hamilton, who has adopted four children himself. What's more, in 20 years he and his wife
Virginia have been foster parents for more than 40 children. We'll hear from Mayor-Elect of our
nation's capitol, Tony Williams. At the age of 3 he was living in foster care and had not spoken
a word. Now, Mayor-Elect, some of us who have heard you speak can not hardly believe that,
but there were plans afoot by the state to institutionalize him. After the D.C. primary he said that
1
PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION
when his parents adopted him they gave him a second chance, and now the city has adopted him
as well. We'll hear from Charday Mays. Charday's mother says she likes swimming, singing in
the choir, and like most pre-teens -- talking on the telephone. She and her brother Steven are
two of the 30 children who will, as of today, have a new permanent family.
Now, probably everyone in this room could have a similar story to tell, and I hope you do
tell them. I hope you tell them to as many people as you possibly can to increase awareness, and
acceptance, and enthusiasm about adoption.
You know, my husband just came from a traditional Thanksgiving pardon of a turkey.
Now some of you may not be aware of this tradition, but each year starting with President
Truman, one lucky turkey is picked out as the chosen one. So instead of being stuffed, dressed,
and on your plate next to sweet potatoes, this turkey will go on living and being a symbol of the
important power of the President of the United States.
And you know, each of us have many different traditions in our families about
Thanksgiving. The food that we eat might somewhat vary from region to region, or ethnic group
to ethnic group. The battles we have over the T.V. remote control between football and parades,
and everything else that's on. But there is one tradition that runs through Thanksgiving, and that
is family.
You know when you are a part of a family you are supposed to be able to know that there
will be a seat waiting for you in good times and bad times. And then in both times the table will
be filled with people who care about you. That is what all children want and deserve. And when
Bill and I started working on behalf of adoption when he first came to the White House, we were
struck by how many wonderful children of all ages there are waiting to have that opportunity to
be a part of a family. We asked a young boy, who was with us at an adoption event a few years
ago in the Oval Office, where he lived, he answered, "All over," which of course means
nowhere. So when it comes to our children, the American family has a lot to be thankful for this
holiday season. Children are better off because of the Family and Medical Leave Act, which
allows parents to take time off to adopt a child. They're better off because we are ending
discrimination in adoption based on race or ethnicity. They're better off because of tax breaks
which make it easier for families to adopt children, especially children with special needs.
They're better off because the Congress put politics aside, put children first, and came across
party lines to pass the landmark Adoption and Safe Families Act. And when the President signed
that bill a year ago, he helped fulfill a promise that he had made to try to put the health and
safety of our children first and to move children more quickly into safe and permanent homes --
to reach our goal of doubling the number of children adopted by the year 2002.
This celebration brings us one step further down that road. We are seeing families who
have opened both their homes and their hearts to children who need both. Some parents today
are keeping brothers and sisters together by adopting them all. Some are adopting their own
foster children. Others are welcoming children with special needs into their families. Many are
2
adopting across racial lines, but they are giving children what every child needs -- a place to call
home.
But we can't sit on our laurels and celebrate the progress because we have a hundred
thousand children in our country who are eligible for adoption in our foster care system, but are
still waiting. We have to work harder to implement our new laws effectively, to help our courts
as they make the difficult heart-wrenching decisions about children as quickly as possible. We
have to support families, communities, states, and social workers in the only surefire way to stop
child abuse and neglect, and that is to prevent it before it happens. I hope we remember that for
every one of the wonderful children being adopted today there are one hundred more like them in
the D.C. foster care system. And I know we can do better. We have to turn our nation's Capitol
into a model of how to care for our most vulnerable children. For there is no greater test of a
city, of a country, of businesses, for parents, for communities, for religious organizations,
advocates, or anyone else than how we treat those most vulnerable children in our midst.
It is now my great honor to turn the program over to Chief Judge Eugene Hamilton. As I
mentioned earlier, he brings to the courtroom every day, not only 28 years of judicial experience
on the D.C. Superior Court, but a lifetime of personal experience as a foster parent and adoptive
parent. He understands better than most of us the challenges that face every child and every
adult who come into contact with the child-welfare system, and what all of us must do to meet
those challenges. Please join me in welcoming Chief Judge Hamilton.
3
FIRST LADY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON
REMARKS TO
FOREIGN POLICY ASSOCIATION DINNER
NEW YORK CITY
OCTOBER 19, 1998
1
Thank you, Bill (Donaldson), for that kind introduction. What a
small world it is. (Apparently his wife's brother escorted you to your
senior prom. Her name is Jane Phillips.) It's a great pleasure to be here
tonight -- particularly for this special occasion, as we commemorate the
Foreign Policy Association's 80th year of service to the people of this
nation -- and to the cause of engagement in the world. I've heard that the
nineteen brave individuals who decided to form this organization back in
1918 called themselves "the Committee on Nothing At All" -- because
they weren't sure exactly how to proceed. They just knew they wanted to
build public support for the League of Nations. While they may not have
won that first battle -- they succeeded in creating this remarkable
institution, whose achievements in educating and engaging the American
people in world affairs we celebrate here tonight.
I want to thank your president, Noel Lateef and your chair, Paul
Ford for inviting me to join this distinguished gathering -- which includes
so many foreign policy luminaries - including our former Secretary of
State, Cyrus Vance; diplomats from the United Nations; and leading
members of the media. I also want to thank the Association -- in advance
-- for the great honor you are bestowing on me this evening.
2
For eighty years, this Association has taken on the invaluable role
of encouraging public debate on the foreign policy issues of the day --
from the founding of the United Nations to the challenges of today's
global economy And you have done so not by holding small gatherings
of policy elites here in New York or DC -- but by reaching out to
schools and churches and women's clubs and communities across the
country -- and engaging ordinary citizens in these critical discussions.
Today, I would imagine your job is more challenging -- and
complicated -- than ever. The fact that we call this period we're living in
the post-Cold War era, is only one indication that while we know we are
no longer where we were -- we don't yet know where we are. The world
is changing so rapidly that we have little time to catch our breath, let
alone change our strategies and institutions to meet the new challenges
ahead. As Albert Einstein is quoted as saying in your most recent Foreign
Policy Forum magazine -- "The world we have created today has
problems which cannot be solved by thinking the way we thought when
we created them."
3
As often happens in a time of rapid change, there's a natural
inclination to draw inward a bit -- and pull back from the obligations
around us. To think that maybe there is not much we can accomplish in
the world, that we should just attend to our business here at home.
Yet everyday, we see how profoundly interconnected -- and I would
say interdependent -- we are in this new era of globalization. We only
have to look at the current international economic crisis -- or the
extraordinary boom in worldwide communications -- to realize how
intertwined our destinies have become. Whether we're pessimistic or
optimistic about how the forces of globalization will change us -- those
forces are here to stay.
We can't turn back the clock, doing away with computers, cutting
off the Internet, stopping jet travel, or preventing the mass media from
bringing messages of different cultural ideas to remote parts of the world
-- where they have never been heard of or seen before. But what we can
do is what this Association has been doing for so long -- helping
American citizens understand the stakes we have in building the stable,
democratic world that we all want -- and that we must take the lead in
creating.
4
I have just returned from a remarkable trip to Bulgaria and the
Czech Republic, and I wish you could have all been with me. No matter
where I went in Sophia or Prague -- whether it was visiting with
university students, meeting with political leaders, or talking to the
owner of a local bakery -- I saw firsthand the enormous challenges those
citizens are facing in rebuilding their communities after years of
communist authoritarian rule and economic decline. But more
importantly, I saw the determination and optimism in their eyes as they
begin that long struggle back to democracy and freedom. And as I have
seen in so many countries -- from South Africa to Northern Ireland -- I
saw the extraordinary opportunities we have -- as a nation -- to support
these efforts to strengthen democracy, and lift up the lives of ordinary
citizens.
When my plane landed back home at the end of last week -- the
Congress was engaged -- as all of you know -- in the annual debate over
how to allocate our nation's resources. And in deciding to what extent we
will work with the people of nations around the world as they seek to
expand democratic freedoms, strengthen families, and stabilize their
economies.
5
While this Congress at first slashed hundreds of millions out of the
original foreign operations request -- we made significant progress last
week toward many of our goals -- but only after a very long, hard
struggle. First and foremost, the Administration won the full $18 billion
it has been requesting for the IMF. We are now doing our part to help
stem this global financial crisis, but other nations, especially other leading
economies -- must do theirs. More support will be going to the newly
independent states -- another top Administration priority. We also
succeeded in pushing AID development funds $50 million over last year's
budget. There were dramatic gains in funding for the African
Development Bank -- which will come at a critical time for that continent.
We even won more than last year's funding for the Peace Corps -- that
while less than we wanted -- will get us closer to meeting the President's
goal of 10,000 volunteers by 2000.
6
Yet our foreign policy agenda suffered grave losses as well.And
once again, Congress has refused to pay our debts to the United Nations,
whose work is so essential to peace and stability in our world. That issue
of paying our UN arrears remains entangled in the issue of family
planning overseas. I respect the deeply held views of both sides. But we
cannot continue to fail to pay our dues because of this unrelated issue.
It's an outrage that the richest and most powerful country in the world is
the number one debtor to the United Nations. Another defeat. Not one
dime went to the UN's international family planning program.
So while we have clearly won some gains in this year's budget
battle -- we must also recognize that at a time when there is so much that
we could accomplish -- that overall development assistance is at some of
the lowest levels since World War II. In real dollar terms, USAID's
budget is 30 percent lower than in 1982. The agency has cut staff by one-
third. Total foreign affairs spending is down 43 percent from 1982 in real
terms.
7
Over the past five and a half years, I've seen first hand how
America's programs overseas -- even at these diminished levels -- have
helped to fuel and further progress, and made a real difference in the lives
of ordinary citizens. From Nicaragua to Uganda, I've seen how small
loans, subsidized and backed by our government through AID, or our not-
for-profit-sector, have transformed the lives of poor women, and
improved the living standards of an entire community. In Bolivia, I've
met with expectant mothers learning how to care for themselves and their
babies in a primary health center, run by an NGO with government
support, again because of help we provided. And in many of the newly
independent states, I've seen how the difficult transition to free markets
and democracy have been supported as well by our efforts.
But I have also seen what happens when we have not come forward
with aid to help democracy flourish, and provide opportunities for people.
When we have not exercised the leadership role we could have played.
8
If we want to consolidate the important victories that are now
possible after the end of the Cold War, and not pretend, as my husband
has said, that we can be an "island of prosperity". If we want to
demonstrate to this Congress that this is the worst possible time to
withdraw our involvement or attention form the world. If we want to
persuade our elected leaders that unilateral action is not the only tool of
foreign policy -- and that there are great benefits to working on
multilateral efforts like peace-keeping. If we want to restore our
leadership around the world, and ensure the ideals that we profess here at
home are reflected in our policies abroad. Then what needs to be done, I
believe, is not just the government's or Congress's responsibility. It is up
to all of us.
9
We know, on the one hand, that the American people are far more
in favor of engagement than conventional wisdom would have us believe.
In public opinion poll after public opinion poll, Americans are asked if
they want to help people overseas, or if they support international
institutions like the United Nations. And in great numbers, they answer
"Yes." But polls also show that Americans think that foreign assistance
is the single largest item in the federal budget -- and that we are doing
more than our fair share. While in fact economic and humanitarian
assistance abroad makes up less than one half of one percent of the
federal budget, and the United States lags behind all other industrialized
nations when foreign assistance spending is considered a percentage of
the GNP.
So we have this unusual paradox of an American public that wants
to see good work being done -- and done effectively -- around the world.
Yet believes we are already spending more than we actually are. But we
must do more than clear up these misperceptions if we are to succeed in
building strong, bi-partisan support for American engagement and
leadership.
10
The American people's intuitive response to our responsibilities
abroad is the right one. We must now raise that interest to a new, higher
level of intensity and commitment -- so we can more effectively counter
the vocal minority who continue to press for policies of isolation.
Today, we have a critical challenge and opportunity to help
Americans make the connections -- as this Association does so well --
between what happens overseas and our own stability and security here at
home. That foreign assistance creates new economic markets overseas,
creating US jobs, and advancing American economic well being. That
foreign assistance is critical in combating global problems that directly
threaten the interests of American citizens; like the spread of infectious
diseases; air and water pollution; global climate change; or the flight of
refugees. That foreign assistance has the potential to keep humanitarian
crises from developing into wars that would cause far greater harm -- and
demand US military involvement.
Let's also do a better job of publicizing the lessons we have
learned from our work overseas that we are bringing back home -- and
applying in our own communities.
11
A micro credit group known as FINCA that I've seen transform the
lives of women in small villages in Africa has helped us start similar
efforts here in this country. I've met with lower-income Americans in
Washington, DC, who felt they were out of the mainstream of economic
life of our country -- and who needed credit and technical assistance to
help them start a small business, and become self sufficient. That's what
FINCA has helped shown us how to do.
I've visited some of the poorest neighborhoods in Baltimore,
Maryland, where grassroots strategies pioneered in Nairobi, Kenya are
now being used by community health workers in Baltimore to improve
childhood immunization rates. As a result, immunization rates have
soared -- thanks to this AID-support effort called "Lessons Without
Borders."
In our work to build support for our foreign policy objectives, we
should also recognize that there's been a collapse among our business
elite for America's international role in the world. It has been a major
disappointment to me that American business -- which benefits so greatly
from American involvement in the world -- has been so silent on the
issues that directly affect American economic leadership in the world --
like IMF, NAFTA and fast track.
12
Today, I believe we have a very real opportunity to reorder our
priorities -- and engage public and congressional support -- much like we
did at the end of World War II. Back then, leaders like Harry Truman
and George Marshall had the vision to look beyond the wartime
devastation and the underlying hostilities to a Europe in which regional
cooperation would transcend adversarial boundaries and traditional
rivalries. They believed that large scale economic cooperation would
facilitate not only postwar recovery but also long term prosperity and
international peace. It was US leadership that was instrumental in
creating the United Nations, the World Bank, the International Monetary
fund, and NATO.
They understood back then that it wasn't enough to mobilize the
government. They needed to lead a major campaign to educate the
public, mobilize key constituencies, and persuade reluctant partners to
make sure this great achievement would take place. These policies were
far from popular, and I've been reading about how leaders in government,
and business, civil organizations and religious institutions were enlisted to
go from town to town -- speaking -- like the Association has done for so
many years -- to people where they live and work -- to bring their case to
the American people. And that is what we must do today.
13
Tonight -- I want to challenge all of us to do more.
I challenge the Congress to live up to their commitments -- to once
and for all pay our debts to the United Nations; to maintain support for
international lending institutions like the IMF -- and to boost funding to
programs like AID -- which are doing such invaluable work in promoting
democracy, freedom, and stability around the world.
I challenge business leaders to educate themselves and others in
international trade to understand the connection between expanding
people's political and economic rights and the fostering of dynamic
markets in developing countries. And to work for those policies.
I challenge the media -- many of whom are here this evening -- to
increase your coverage of foreign affairs, which has fallen off so
dramatically in recent years -- so that Americans gain a greater
understanding of the world around them, and the connection international
events have on our daily lives here at home.
14
I challenge churches, and humanitarian groups, and non
governmental organizations to continue and expand their invaluable work
-- whether it's promoting sister city programs and cultural and political
exchanges; helping to bring the lessons we have learned overseas back to
our communities here at home; or encouraging even small scale efforts
like the little UNICEF boxes we used to carry around with us on
Halloween.
Most of all, I challenge all of us to work harder to engage our young
people in these vital issues. Because they are the ones who will shape the
future that we all care so much about. And here, I want to commend the
Association's Great Decisions program which has done so much to attract
the interest of our young people in international affairs. I've read a letter
from one of the college students who participated in the program. She
wrote: "I continue to regard the Great Decisions programs as one of the
few opportunities an undergraduate has to have a meaningful impact on
foreign policy, both by educating others about contemporary issues, and
encouraging 'good citizenship' through promotion of discussion." She's
applying to be a Rhodes Scholar, concentrating on post-Cold War
strategic issues, and I hope she gets the chance. Programs like these that
educate and challenge our young people are essential if we want them to
build a democratic, freedom-loving world.
15
More than fifty years ago, when Eleanor Roosevelt was pressing
her case for the United Nations -- she spoke to a high school forum here
in New York city. She urged the students to learn more about the
languages and cultures of other nations, but also to work out the problems
and conflicts they were having in their own lives and neighborhoods.
"What we do, at home, in our community," she said, "builds the kind
of a nation we have, and the kind of influence that nation is going to
have" in the international arena. That simple lesson, I believe, still holds
true today. We can only hope to help mend the divisions, and lift up the
lives of ordinary citizens in nations around the world -- if we learn to
how to live together in peace and understanding here, in this most diverse
of all nations.
16
As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights, we face unparalleled opportunities to share the world's
prosperity and growth, and to continue the march of human rights and
democracy around the globe. Like those who first decided to create this
remarkable organization, we may not always know how to proceed. But
if we stick to our founding principles, educate ourselves, and engage the
interest of all Americans in debating our new role in the world, then I'm
convinced that America's best days are ahead of us, and that America's
leadership in the world will stand firm and confident in the 21st century.
Thank you.
17
FIRST LADY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON
TALKING POINTS FOR AD COUNCIL RECEPTION
INDIAN TREATY ROOM
WASHINGTON, D.C.
MAY 3, 1999
1
Thank you all I am delighted to welcome you to the Indian
Treaty Room for the 49th annual Washington conference.
Thank: Ann Lewis and Mary Beth Cahill [who spoke earlier]
I want to thank Governor Romer, not only for what he said just
now, but for all he's done on behalf of his party, his state, his
country...and, most important, for children everywhere.
As our hearts and prayers have gone out to the families of
Littleton, we have been painfully reminded that everything we
do in this world pales in comparison to our ability to keep our
children safe and out of harm's way. But we have also been
reminded that we are not helpless that there are things we can
all do to improve the lives of children, that we can "help parents
help kids." And I want to thank everyone associated with the
Ad Council for your tireless commitment to do exactly that.
In the last few years alone, because of the Ad Council, and all
the industry leaders who donate personal time and airtime, there
are now more children who have immunizations, health
insurance, and mentors - and more parents who will get the
support they need.
2
And, none of this would have been possible without the
extraordinary leadership of your President, Ruth Wooden. I
know I speak for all of us here when I say, thank for Ruth, for
your 11 years of service to children and families throughout this
nation. [And I very much want to congratulate Peggy Conlon,
who I know will continue this proud tradition]
I am also delighted that Henry Cisneros is here - and I want to
thank him for everything that Univision is doing to make sure
we reach parents who speak Spanish with critical information
about how to sign their children up for health insurance.
I remember first reading about how the Ad Council got its start.
How FDR knew it was in our national interest for Rosie the
Riveter to join the armed forces. And for all Americans to
donate blood, buy war bonds, and otherwise rally around our
efforts in World War II. He knew that public service campaigns
could play a powerful role in reaching these goals. But, he also
knew this need would extend far beyond the war or that
particular moment in time.
3
So FDR said this, "After the war, there will be many critical
national problems requiring the understanding and cooperation
of every American. It is vitally important that the working
partnership between business and government, which has so
successfully brought information to the people in wartime,
continue into the post war period."
Over the years, you have kept this working partnership alive -
and shown that it can address even the most seemingly
intractable social problems. Where once it was considered o.k.
to drink and drive, entire generations have now grown up
understanding that "Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Drunk."
That fastening a seatbelt can save a life. And that we can all
prevent forest fires. You have shown that it is possible to
literally change the culture, to change what is acceptable and
what is not.
And in doing so, you've shown the enormous power of the
media to be a force for good. You have shown that the media
can be a extraordinary tool of education and empowerment --
especially for parents struggling to do right by their children.
4
As the "Kids These Days 99" survey you released today
confirms, the majority of Americans think the single most
important issue facing our country today is helping kids get
a good start in life. And yet, too many continue to be
pessimistic about young people today. They say its harder
to be a parent. They say parents have to compete with
outside forces such as drugs, violence, crime, and the media.
But, your survey also has an important message of hope for
all of us - especially during this time of national mourning:
It says that most Americans think that with enough support
and guidance all children - even those moving in the wrong
direction - can get back on track.
We have all done a lot of soul searching lately about the
horrible event that took place in Littleton. And while we may
never fully understand what led those boys to commit that evil
act
We do know that all of us must accept responsibility for
raising children in a country where these kinds of tragedies
never happen again.
5
[Too often, in the aftermath of these types of tragedies, the
blame game begins. The gun lobby points at the media. The
media points back at the gun lobby. Parents point at the
schools. Everyone points at the parents. And we lose another
opportunity to do something constructive together.]
When I wrote my book, "It Takes a Village," there were those
who said "no, it only takes parents." Now, clearly parents are
by far the most important influences in children's lives. But, as
your strategy makes clear, all of us must work to help parents as
they try to exercise more control and authority over their
children's lives.
We know we are living in a time when - for so many different
reasons - this is more difficult than ever. More parents are
struggling to balance the increasing demands of the job they
need and the child they love. We see the break-up of families.
The absence of fathers from their children's lives. And too
many children trying to navigate the rough waters of
adolescence - without adults to guide them just when they need
them most.
6
There are ways we can help working parents. We can extend
Family and Medical Leave SO they can take time off to care for
a child without worrying they'll lose their jobs. We can help
them afford quality child care and after-school care - so their
children have safe enriching places to go while they're at work.
And we can - individually and collectively - help parents to
address the dangers facing too many of their children.
One is mental illness. We need to treat our children's mental
health just as seriously as their physical health. We know there
is a lot of confusion, alienation, and just plain adolescent angst
out there. Some of it is normal development. Some of it is
more serious. How can we educate parents, teachers, and other
adults to recognize the difference? How, when the warning
bells go off, can we ensure there are enough trained people to
treat and counsel kids in trouble? How do we support schools?
And how do we ensure that we are reaching these children - not
days or weeks before tragedy strikes, but years.
And if we are going to help parents, then we as a nation must
finally confront the issue of guns and firearms.
7
As we prepared for the White House Conference on School
Safety last year, we brought in many experts and researches.
And I'll never forget what one man said. He said, "I have
studied the attitudes of psychological profiles of young people
in many different societies around the world. And I believe the
single biggest reason why our violence rate is higher is because
we have so many weapons that are so easily accessible."
We know that young people will always have arguments. They
will always have trouble controlling their impulses. Why on
earth would we ever let them have access to the kinds of
weapons that can turn emotions like sadness, pain, ever anger
into tragedies of unspeakable proportions?
[There are those who said the Brady Bill wouldn't make a
difference. But, since it was enacted 250,000 felons, fugitives,
and stalkers have been denied handguns. Last week, my
husband proposed new measures to keep guns out of the hands
of criminals and children. And I hope that we will finally be
able to reach across the lines that too often divide us on this
issue - and take some common sense steps as individuals, as
businesses, and as a nation to save the lives of the 13 young
people who are killed by guns every single day in this country]
8
Now, you know better than anyone that the young people who
come across these deadly weapons are growing up in a culture
that too often trivializes, even glorifies, violence. We can no
longer ignore questions about why we surround our children
with glorified images of violence in their movies, t.v. shows,
music, and increasingly over the Internet and on their video
games. And we can no longer shut our eyes to our responsibility
to talk openly about it - and find solutions that don't offend our
first amendment rights or our values as parents and citizens.
[Each of us - including the entertainment industry - must play a
role in finding those solutions. No part of our culture reaches
more people around the world than our popular culture. And I
am very pleased that leaders of the entertainment industry will
be coming to the White House Monday for a strategy meeting
on children, violence, and responsibility.]
What we need is a national campaign against youth violence.
Just as we did with drunk driving. And seat belts. And
forest fires. I believe that the Ad Council - and the media
leaders you work with -- can once again lead the way in
addressing the violence that plagues young people today.
9
I hope that in the months and years ahead you will use your
tremendous expertise to wage national campaigns that help
parents help kids, and help all of us address the mental
health of our children, the violence in our media, and the
gun violence in our homes, schools and communities.
Every single minute of the day, young people are watching.
They are looking for clues about whether we value them, what
kinds of behavior is acceptable, what matters to us, what kind of
country we are.
I want to thank you for all you've done to use the enormous
power of the media to send children and their parents the right
messages. And I want to thank you for all you will continue to
do to meet what is perhaps the single greatest challenge we face
as a nation today - to "help parents help kids" grow up not in a
culture of violence and hopelessness, but in a culture of support,
opportunity, and responsibility, a culture of community, a
culture of hope.
Thank you.
10
FIRST LADY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON
REMARKS FOR THE CEREMONY HONORING
RECIPIENTS OF THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM
JANUARY 15, 1998
q:15 Nuc- udams-
[ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: Secretary Shalala; Secretary Babbitt; Secretary Dalton;
Secretary West; Senator Kennedy; Senator Robb; Senator Harkin, Senator Specter;
Rep. Holmes Norton; Rep. Matsui; Rep. John Conyers; Rep Owens; Rep Tauscher;
Rep Scott; Rep. Maloney; Mayor Barry]
I'm delighted to welcome all of you to the White House as we pay tribute to
15 men and women who have earned not only the highest civilian honor, but also
the thanks of every single American.
It is, of course, appropriate that we hold this ceremony today, on what would
have been Dr. Martin Luther King's 69th birthday. For it was Dr. King who taught
us that with service, comes greatness. And it was Dr. King who called upon us to
fight for freedom by reaching out our hands and opening up our hearts to others.
Almost 30 years ago, at his last Sunday Sermon at the National Cathedral,
Dr. King told us: "We are all tied together in a single garment of destiny-- caught
in an inescapable network of mutuality." This simple, yet powerful, idea has
sustained us as individuals and as a nation. And it has guided the heroes that the
President will recognize today.
If we look at all those who have been awarded the Medal of Freedom, their
lives and contributions make up some of the most important chapters of the
American story. The story of a nation struggling to end the plague of
discrimination. The story of Americans working to preserve our culture and our
environment. The story of our fight to secure peace abroad and freedom at home.
Theirs is really the story of human progress -- a tale of what can be accomplished
by the most powerful person in any democracy: a citizen.
I say citizenship because no one asked these distinguished Americans to
stand up for those too often left behind. No regulation or law forced them to step
up to the plate. They simply choose to act, and in so doing, to further the cause of
service and freedom and human dignity that Dr. King dedicated his life to
defending.
So, today, we honor ordinary Americans who accomplished extraordinary
things. And we honor them not only for who they are, but also for who they inspire
all of us to be.
[Introduce the President]
FRIDAY -- 1/21/99
FIRST LADY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON
REMARKS AT NARAL ANNIVERSARY LUNCHEON
WASHINGTON, D.C.
JANUARY 22, 1999
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I am honored to be here with all of you on NARAL's 30th
anniversary - to celebrate the voices you have raised, the battles waged,
and the victories won on behalf of women around the world.
For 30 years, every step forward for women's reproductive health
in America has had one thing in common: the leadership of the people in
this room. So I wanted to come here first and foremost to thank all of
you this afternoon for what you do every day for the rights and health of
women and families the world over [Secretary Shalala; Nancy Rubin;
members of Congress; Lynn Slepian; and Suwla [Sula] "Lucky"
Roosevelt and Susie Gelman for making this celebration such a success]
Now, I know that in her remarks, Kate spotlighted many of
NARAL's countless achievements. But I happened to notice one thing
she left out -- and that is that none of it would have been possible
without her. Whether she is speaking out in the halls of Congress or
organizing the communities of America, no one understands the stakes
more and no one has been a more courageous, passionate, and yes,
tireless leader in the battle to make sure every child is wanted, to make
sure every pregnancy is planned, to make sure every woman is blessed
with reproductive health and reproductive freedom. And, Kate, we all
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owe you a debt of gratitude for that.
I am especially pleased to join ACOG and all of you in honoring
the courageous life of Dr. Bart Slepian and the strength of his wife and
children, who I had the honor of meeting in Buffalo. I'm told that
recently, Lynne Slepian told a good friend how astounded she was that
countless people she didn't know had offered to help the family. "It's
because so many people admired his commitment and courage," the
friend said. "But, you know, she said, he didn't do those things to be
admired." And the friend replied, "We know. That's one of the reasons
we admired him."
For his was not the work of politics. It was the work of a
community physician who brought life into the world -- and health and
dignity into women's lives. That was Dr. Slepian's mission. And it must
continue to be our enduring goal.
Because we are here not only to celebrate NARAL's 30th birthday,
but also to commemorate the 26th anniversary of Roe. We can all take
heart in the fact that, despite many attempts to chip away at its
guarantees, Roe is still the law of the land. [We can take heart in the fact
that we stopped the global gag rule -- for now. That Title X family
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planning funding increased by $12 million. And, Federal health plans
that cover prescription drugs must now also cover contraceptives.]
But, there is even more that happened this past year that we can
celebrate. Because after years of moving in the wrong direction, we are
finally seeing teen pregnancies and teen sexual activity going down.
Unintended pregnancies are down. And, abortions are down -- by a full
12 percent.
And all of this happened under a pro-choice President. A pro-
choice President who has refused to back down in his support of a
woman's right to choose a pro-choice President who respects the
strongly held views of those on the other side. And who has worked to
make good on the promise he made seven years ago: To make abortion
safe, legal, and rare.
You know better than anyone: That this will never be an easy
issue. It will always be hard. We don't have to look any further than the
events on the Mall, the event in this room, and the gulf between them to
know that emotions will always run deep. But, all too often in this
debate, generally because of what's reported in the press, the American
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people only hear what Laurence Tribe called "The Clash of Absolutes."
People shouting at each other about their differences instead of talking to
one another about what they have in common.
That doesn't mean we should ever abandon our belief in the
fundamental human right all people have to plan their families. And it
doesn't mean we should work with those who advocate with violence.
But there are people of good faith on all sides of this issue. And
every day that we fail to find common ground to meet our goals is
another day that goes by where a child is born unwanted. Another day a
woman can't get access to proper health care. Another day that a
teenager becomes pregnant -- and doesn't know what to do.
Across the country -- and even in this room -- we may come to this
issue as men or women Some of us are too advanced in years to worry
about getting pregnant some of us too young to remember what it was
like in the days before Roe.
We may call ourselves pro-choice, pro-life or be uncomfortable
with any label at all. We may be Republicans, Democrats,
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Independents, or members of no party. We may come to this issue
thinking of friends or loved ones who many years ago were blindfolded
and taken away to suffer through the pain and indignity of an illegal
abortion. Or we may know others who gave birth to a child they knew
they couldn't properly care for in order to avoid that fate.
And we may come to this issue as Jews, Christians, Muslims,
Buddhists, agnostics, or atheists -- each embracing different ideas about
how to best tackle the most heart wrenching questions in life.
[One of the most compelling statements I ever read about this issue
was Mario Cuomo's speech at Notre Dame. He talked about how his
strong faith guides him as a husband and father to never consider
abortion an option for his own family. But his obligation to this
constituents, who may hold different religious views, guides him to keep
it safe and legal for those who need it.]
For more than anything, our democracy was built upon a powerful
idea -- that people with profound differences can reach across the gulf
that divides them personally and work together to do what is best for all.
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Because, despite our differences, there are certain core beliefs and
values that tie us together as Americans and it is those beliefs that can
guide us to keep abortion safe, legal and rare into the next century. I
want to talk about three of these beliefs.
As Americans, most of us believe that the government should
never be involved in the personal decision a woman and man make
about whether to bring a child into this world.
[I know you got a look earlier at the new NARAL ad that will
begin running Monday night. And I want to congratulate NARAL for
calling choice what it is -- a fundamental American value and freedom.]
So every time there are calls to do away with family planning or
reproductive rights, I hope we'll hear the voices of the women who
lined around the block for hours in 1916, waiting for Margaret Sanger to
open the nation's first birth control clinic in Brooklyn. Before the police
shut it down 10 days later, the clinic managed to help hundreds of
women in only 10 days. And they all had their own stories to tell,
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stories of miscarriage, dangerous illegal abortions, and the daily struggle
to feed, clothe and shelter 7,8,9, even 10 children, when there wasn't
enough to care for one.
Of course, we know too well that human history is replete with
examples of inhumanity. And so every time someone tries to
criminalize abortion, I hope we will listen to the voices of those who
have been the victims of these practices that we, for example, hear the
voices of the women who suffered, often in silence, in Nazi Germany.
For Aryan women deemed "valuable," abortion facilities were
prohibited -- and their miscarriages were investigated by the police.
For Jewish women and Gypsy men and women in the
concentration camps -- they faced mass sterilizations as part of the quest
to prevent "inferior" children. And from 1942 on, when women,
deported as forced labor, became pregnant, it was reported to a special
SS officer who tested them to identify their race and then he -- not the
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women or their families -- decided the outcome of their pregnancy.
Every time someone tries to pass a new law on this issue, I hope
we'll hear the voices of the women in Romania. When I visited there, I
spoke to women who told me what it was like before democracy -- when
they were taken against their will from work and examined to see if they
were pregnant, stripping them of their dignity, many of their lives.
As part of Nicolae Ceauseco's campaign to increase population in
Romania to 30 million, birth control, sex education and abortions were
outlawed. You could open the door and find a member of the
communist youth group, there to quiz you about your private life and
find out why you hadn't conceived yet. And if you failed to conceive,
you were fined a celibacy tax of up to 10 percent of your monthly
salaries.
And I hope that we listen very hard to the voices of women in
China, many of whom are working now to ensure that their country's
family planning practices are voluntary and respectful. When I was
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there, I heard about what the one-child policy had once meant for too
many women.
Back in the early 80s, your menstrual cycles and use of
contraceptives could be monitored by local authorities. If you wanted to
have a child, you needed to get permission or perhaps face punishment.
And, after you'd had your one allotted child, you could be sterilized
against your will or forced to have an abortion well into your pregnancy.
[Which is why in my Beijing speech, I said that "It is a violation of
human rights when women are denied the right to plan their own
families -- and that includes being forced to have an abortion or being
sterilized against their will."]
I hope everyone who has ever talked about making abortion illegal
will listen to these voices and understand what it means to go down that
path. More powerful than any statistic, they tell the story of two
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different extremes. The government saying you cannot have children --
and the government saying you must have children. Neither of which is
consistent with our fundamental sense of justice, freedom and
democracy.
NARAL is right to keep asking, Who decides? And the American
people have been right to answer again and again: This difficult
decision must be made by every individual woman, in privacy, and in
consultation with her conscience, her God, her family, and her doctor -
and not her member of Congress.
We must continue to say that making abortion illegal only
succeeds in doing one thing -- making it unsafe. As the Alan
Guttmacher Institute study released yesterday makes clear, even in some
countries where abortion is illegal their rates are higher than ours.
Because even when abortion is illegal, women who need the procedure
find a way -- but often at great risk to themselves. Every year, almost
600,000 women die of pregnancy related causes -- and 78,000 of these
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deaths are because of unsafe abortions.
And even in this country where it is legal, we have seen what can
happen when a small group of extremists tries to accomplish through
violence and intimidation what they have been unable to do through the
ballot box or courts.
Which brings me to the second principle that I hope continues to
guide our country as we approach this issue. And that is this:
Violence, harassment, and intimidation have no role in our
health care system or in this debate. Yes, we should respect each
other's First Amendment rights to express our views, whatever those
may be. But no one debases the values of free speech, life and religion
more than terrorists who claim to be acting in their name.
At Dr. Slepian's memorial, there were countless parents who came
to honor him. And they didn't come alone. In their arms were their
children Dr. Slepian had delivered, some whose lives he literally saved.
They will be his lasting legacy.
But what can each of us do to best honor his memory, and the
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memory of others who have been killed? We must honor them as Dr.
Wortman has done, by refusing to back down in our efforts to make sure
that doctors are trained and available to provide safe and comprehensive
health care to women all over the nation. [We know that close to 85
percent of counties don't have one single doctor who performs
abortions. And we know that without real access to abortion -- there is
no real right to it.]
And we can also honor their lives by doing everything in our
power to prevent the violence before it ever happens. [In the last 10
years, there have been 7 murders, 38 bombings, 146 cases of arson, and
733 cases of vandalism.] Wherever we stand on this issue, surely we
can all agree that: when doctors are murdered, when clinics are bombed,
splattered with acid, and set on fire, this is not free expression. This is
domestic terrorism. And it must stop.
That's why I'm so pleased to announce that the President's FY
2000 budget will include $4.5 million to provide extra security to clinics
at risk. This means proper lighting, motion detectors, closed-circuit
cameras, security systems, and bullet-resistant windows.
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We know that nothing good has ever come from people preaching
or practicing hate -- whether they do it from a street corner or a website.
And no one taught that lesson better than the man whose birthday we
celebrated this past Monday. But Martin Luther King, Jr. also taught us
another important lesson that's well worth remember today. In a speech
about this topic 33 years ago, Dr. King said, "There is scarcely anything
more tragic in life than a child who is not wanted." And that brings me
to my third and final point.
More than anything, as Americans I think we can find common
ground in the belief that all children should be wanted -- and that
indeed abortions should be rare.
Now, I have met thousands and thousands of pro-choice people.
But I have never met one who is pro-abortion. Being pro-choice is not
being pro-abortion. Being pro-choice is trusting the individual to make
the right decision for herself and her family.
We can all agree that it's a tragedy when four in 10 pregnancies
worldwide are unplanned -- and half of them end in abortion. If we want
to reduce those trends, we can't do it by making abortions harder to get.
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We must do it by standing up for family planning here and around the
world. And I am pleased to announce that the President's budget request
for FY 2000 does just that.
He is asking for an increase of $25 million in Title X Family
Planning grants -- the largest increase in 15 years -- so that more women
have the care they need to protect their health and plan their families.
And, in his budget, he is also including $25 million for the United
Nations Population Fund -- thereby renewing our commitment to the
women who rely upon it for contraceptives, maternal care, and child
care all over the world.
Now, I am always amazed -- as I was during many debates on this
issue last year -- that those who oppose family planning try to link it to
increases in abortion. When we know that it is by refusing to fund
family planning programs that we force women to fall back on abortion.
We know that contraception reduces the probability of having an
abortion by 85 percent. We know that every year, U.S. Family planning
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programs prevent 1.2 million unintended pregnancies and 516,000
abortions in this country. And we have seen the same results the world
over.
[I am looking forward to my trip to the Hague in a little over a
week, where nations will gather in anticipation of Cairo plus five, to
highlight success stories -- and find ways of replicating them
worldwide.]
Over the past few years, I have had the opportunity to personally
visit health centers all over the world, where family planning is
decreasing the abortion rate -- and helping women gain authority and
dignity in their own lives.
I remember visiting a maternity hospital in Salvador de Bahia,
Brazil, where they had integrated family planning and reproductive
health into their maternal and child health services.
I saw mothers cradling their newborns in the hallways. Young
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women waiting for their prenatal appointments. Infants getting
immunized. I saw parents getting the information they needed to make
wise choices about planning their families. And I also saw wards of
women who were there because they had not received quality health
care. Many had received self-induced or back-alley abortions.
I spoke to a number of mothers who told me that for the first time
they could adequately care for the children they had. I learned about
how rates of maternal mortality and abortion decreased because women
received health care they needed in a timely fashion. And for the first
time, poor women received the same health care that rich women had
always been blessed with. That should always be our goal -- whether we
are in Salvador de Bahia or right here in Washington, D.C.
It was indeed a victory when contraceptives were included last
year in health plans for federal employees. But now, private plans
should cover contraceptives as well. It is also time to pass a Patient's
Bill of Rights so that women will not have to go through a gatekeeper to
see their OB/GYN every year. It is time to give all people access to
effective family planning and universal health care.
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And, if we want to decrease unintended pregnancies, abortions,
welfare, and the number of young people dropping out of school, it is
time to continue our progress on preventing teen pregnancy.
With fewer teens having sex, getting pregnant, and having
abortions, it seems that more of them are getting the message that
teenage pregnancy is a one-way ticket -- not only to dreams deferred, but
to dreams ended.
But clearly there are still too many young people who haven't
gotten this message. I think of the work I've done with teenage girls,
going back now about 25 years. I am always stunned at how these girls
have in their mind this white picket fence, happily ever after idea of their
future.
I've talked to girls who have, literally, only the clothes on their
back and the diapers for their babies who've told me with a totally
straight face that as soon as their boyfriend gets a job they'll be a family,
that everything will work out just fine. Well maybe in a blue moon that
happens, but the real story of these teenage moms is nothing they want
to dream about or aspire to.
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We know that young women get pregnant for a whole host of
different reasons. Some don't understand why it's such a bad idea.
Some, though are coerced by older boyfriends. Others can't cope with
school and see it as a way out. Some see it as a way to gain maturity,
status, and someone to love them.
As my husband's Administration has made clear, all of us need to
use every strategy at our disposal to reach every single teenager. [We're
doing it with pregnancy prevention programs that are reaching 30
percent of our communities. With more abstinence education and more
after-school programs. And with a Girl Power Campaign, led by
Secretary Shalala, that is helping to inspire adolescent girls to get active,
stay in school, and avoid getting pregnant.]
And we are seeing this approach work all over the country. For
example, back in 1990, Courtland, New York had one of the very
highest teen pregnancy rates around. The county's family planning
clinic and Catholic Charities decided to work together. They made the
clinic free. They enlisted teens to talk to teens. They created a place for
them to go every Saturday night. They brought in religious leaders and
businesses and taught parents how to talk to their kids. And they set a
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goal of reducing the teen pregnancy rate by one-third by the year 2000.
Today they have already almost reached that goal. As of just 1996,
the rates had decreased 30 percent -- the lowest in 20 years.
Often of course, our young people can give us the best advice
about how to help. 'I'm thinking about a teen father in Los Angeles, who
was asked by an adult (Sarah Brown) how he felt about having a child at
such a young age. At the end of the conversation, he told her that "No
adult had ever taken that much interest in what happened to me."
The truth is, there is a lot of interest paid to teen parents -- but it
usually happens after they are already pregnant. Will they raise the
child? Put it up for adoption? Turn to abortion? How will they go on
with their lives? Imagine what we could accomplish if that kind of
attention was focused on the young people of America before they ever
became pregnant.
Think about what a young person from Texas said when asked
what parents could do to prevent their children from getting pregnant:
"Don't leave us alone so much." Now, as any parent of teenagers
knows, I don't think he meant he literally wanted to spend every second
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with his parents.
But I do think he was getting at something very important -- and
that is the difference it would make if every young person's day was
filled with meaningful activities, skills, a good education and just plain
support and love. If we gave them something else in their lives to look
forward to that is more important than getting pregnant -- playing on the
soccer team, being in the school play, going to college, becoming a
teacher.
A number of years ago, at the Baltimore Self Center, Rosalie Strett
(Street) used to give pregnant girls baby dolls to teach them to be
parents. But she replaced the face of the doll with a mirror -- not only so
they would learn to make eye contact with their children, but so that
when they looked down, they would see themselves, and that child, in
the future.
Imagine if every person looked into the mirror before a
pregnancy and asked, "Am I ready for this?" Imagine if boys -- not just
girls -- looked into that mirror. Because will never win this battle until
preventing pregnancy is the responsibility not just of teen girls and
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women, but boys and men.
And imagine if all citizens -- parents, teachers government
officials, the media, sports figures, religious leaders, business leaders if
all of us looked in the mirror and decided that it was our responsibility to
create a new ethic of planned pregnancy in this country An ethic where
people have the tools they need to plan every pregnancy, probably the
most important event in their lives, with as much care and detail as they
plan major events such as weddings.
I hope we will do even more than imagine. I think of Dr. Slepian,
who despite the harassment, had the courage every day to be there for
the women who relied upon him.
I think of the women who died in back alley abortions. The
women forced to bear children in Romania or forced to abort them in
China. And, of course, I think of the pioneers in this country before Roe
-- some in this room -- who, even when they were ridiculed, threatened
and ostracized stood up for a woman's right to choose -- and led us to
this day.
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PRESIDENT CLINTON AND VICE PRESIDENT GORE:
Supporting Women and Families
EXPANDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES:
Protecting Families. The Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA) enables workers to take up to 12
weeks unpaid leave to care for a new baby or ailing family member without jeopardizing their job.
Millions of workers have already benefited from FMLA since its enactment. The President also
proposed expanding the Family & Medical Leave Act to allow workers up to 24 hours per year of
unpaid leave for parent-teacher conferences or routine medical care for a child.
Cutting Taxes for 15 Million Working Families by extending the Earned Income Tax Credit.
Increasing the Minimum Wage from $4.25 to $5.15, giving six million women a raise.
Narrowing the Wage Gap. Last year, the median earnings of women working full-time increased 2.4
percent. In 1996, the median earnings of women represented 74 percent of the median earnings for
men, the narrowest gap ever.
Fighting for Paycheck Equity. Called on Congress to pass legislation to strengthen laws prohibiting
wage discrimination.
Highest Home Ownership Rate in History. There are more than 68 million American families who
own homes, more than six million new homeowners since the President took office. Women's home
ownership is increasing at a faster rate than the rest of the country -- up five percent since the first
quarter of 1994.
Increasing Pension Security. Fought for legislation that has expanded pension coverage, made
pensions more secure for 40 million American workers and retirees, and simplified pension plan
administration. Promoting new efforts to encourage retirement savings.
Saving Social Security First. In 1999, nearly 60 percent of all Social Security beneficiaries will be
women. Social Security will be the major source of retirement income for a majority of these women.
President Clinton is committed to saving Social Security for the 21st Century and has urged that budget
surpluses should be reserved pending Social Security reform.
MAKING OUR HOMES AND COMMUNITIES SAFER:
Putting 100,000 More Police on the Streets. Already nearly 80,000 officers have been funded through
the 1994 Crime Bill, on the way to 100,000 more police on the streets and in our communities. And
violent crime has dropped six years in a row - the longest period of decline in 60 years.
Signed the Assault Weapons Ban, the Brady Bill and an Extension of Brady into Law. The Brady
Law has already kept handguns away from 250,000 persons including felons, fugitives and individuals
convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors or who are under restraining orders. The President
signed into law the extension of the Brady Law, which prohibits anyone convicted of a domestic
violence offense -- misdemeanor or felony -- from owning or possessing a firearm.
Signed Megan's Law and the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent
Offender Registration Act, requiring states to set up sex offender registration systems and allows
community notification when sex offenders move into neighborhoods.
Championed and Signed the Violence Against Women Act, the cornerstone of the President's
efforts to fight domestic violence, and created an office at the Department of Justice dedicated to
combating violence against women.
More than Tripled Funding to Domestic Violence Shelters and instituted new penalties against men
who stalk, threaten or abuse women across state lines.
Established Nationwide 24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline. The hotline (1-800-797-SAFE)
provides immediate crisis intervention, counseling and referrals for those in need. Since the hotline
opened, there have been 229,000 calls -- averaging 8,000 calls a month -- from all 50 States, the District
of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
INVESTING IN EDUCATION AND TRAINING:
Largest Investment in Education in 30 Years. Maintaining his longtime commitment to education,
the President enacted the largest investment in education in 30 years -- and the largest investment in
higher education since the G.I. Bill -- by signing the 1997 Balanced Budget Act.
Providing Early Education to More than 830,000 Children with Head Start. 200,000 more
children are enrolled in Head Start today than in 1992.
Promoting National Service and educational opportunities through AmeriCorps.
Teaching Every Child to Read by the 3rd Grade. The America Reads Initiative will provide tutors
after school, improve teaching, and help parents help their children learn to read.
Striving for Excellence with National Education Standards. Seeking high national standards for all
students, the President has proposed a first-ever national test in 4th grade reading and 8th grade math.
Expanding Choice and Accountability in Public Schools. Supported increase of public charter
schools, from only one charter school in the nation in 1993 to more than 1,000 charter schools this year.
Fighting for Critical Education Investments. The President has called on Congress to pass critical
education priorities included in his FY99 Budget that include initiatives to recruit quality teachers,
rebuild crumbling schools and reduce class size.
Fought for Passage of Education Tax Breaks to Promote Lifelong Learning. Representing the
largest single increase in higher education since the G.I. Bill, the Balanced Budget includes a $1,500
Hope Scholarship to make the first two years of college universally available, and a 20-percent tuition
tax credit for college juniors, seniors, graduate students, and working Americans pursuing lifelong
learning.
CARING FOR OUR CHILDREN:
Imposed Strict Measures to Keep Cigarettes out of the Hands of Our Children by restricting youth-
targeted advertising; and the FDA made 18 the minimum age to purchase tobacco products nationwide,
requiring photo I.D.s for anyone under the age of 27. And the President is fighting to enact
comprehensive tobacco legislation.
Took Steps to Ensure Children Have Safe Medications. Unveiled an FDA regulation that protects
children by requiring manufacturers to study appropriate dosage levels of drugs for pediatric
populations.
Held First-Ever White House Conference on Child Care and White House Conference on Early
Child Development and Learning. In April 1997, the President and First Lady held the White House
Conference on Early Child Development and Learning to highlight the benefits of early nurturing by
parents. And in October 1997, the White House Conference on Child Care began a dialogue on the
child care challenges facing parents today -- availability, affordability, and assuring safety and quality.
Proposed the Largest Single Investment in Child Care in the Nation's History. Between FY93 and
FY97, federal funding for child care increased by nearly 79 percent, providing child care services for
over one million children. If enacted, the President's $21 billion child care proposal will give child care
subsidies to millions of children and increase tax credits for three million working families to help them
pay for child care.
Extended Health Care to Millions of Children with the Children's Health Initiative, the single
largest investment in Health Care for children since 1965. The President fought to ensure that the
Balanced Budget included $24 billion to provide real health care coverage to millions of uninsured
children.
Fought for and Won $500 Child Tax Credit for 26 Million Families with Over 40 Million Children
under Age 17. Twelve million children from families with income below $30,000 will receive the
child tax credit as a result of the President's efforts.
Signed Landmark Adoption and Safe Families Act. This law will help thousands of children waiting
in foster care move more quickly into safe and permanent homes.
Signed the Comprehensive Childhood Immunization Initiative. Thanks to President Clinton,
immunization rates among two-year-olds have reached historic highs.
Launched New Strategies to Reduce the High Rate of Teen Pregnancies. Teen (aged 15 to 19 years)
births have fallen six years in a row, by 12 percent from 1991 to 1996.
IMPROVING OUR NATION'S HEALTH:
Protected and Strengthened Medicare, Benefiting the 22 Million American Women Enrolled in
Medicare. The Balanced Budget Act extended the life of the Medicare Trust Fund until at least 2008;
expanded choices in health plans; and provided beneficiaries new preventive benefits, including more
affordable annual mammograms for all beneficiaries, cervical cancer screening, and tests to help detect
osteoporosis. The President has also put forth a new proposal that will provide greater access to health
insurance for Americans ages 55 to 65, including an option to buy into Medicare.
Increased Funding for Breast Cancer Research. Since the President took office, funding for breast
cancer research, prevention and treatment has nearly doubled, from about $276 million in FY 1993 to
$513 million in the President's FY 1998 budget. In addition, the President has implemented the
Mammography Quality Standards Act to ensure the quality of mammograms. Women can now find a
certified mammography facility by calling 1-800-4-CANCER.
Providing Protection with the Patients' Bill of Rights. The President is calling on Congress to pass
Federally enforceable consumer health care protections that include: guaranteed access to needed health
care specialists including direct access to an OB-GYN; access to emergency room services when and
where the need arises; continuity of care protections to ensure that patients' care will not abruptly
change if their provider is dropped; access to a timely internal and independent external appeals process
for consumers to resolve their differences with their health plans; a limit on financial incentives to
doctors to limit care and assurances that doctors and patients can openly discuss treatment options.
Women are particularly vulnerable without these health care protections because they are greater users
of health care services, they make three-quarters of the health care decisions for their families, and they
have specific health care needs that are directly addressed by a patients' bill of rights.
Preventing Discrimination Based on Genetic Information Both by Health Plans and Employers.
Urging Congress to pass bipartisan legislation to prohibit health plans from inappropriately using
genetic screening information to deny coverage, set premiums, or to distribute confidential information.
The President also has supported legislation that ensures that employers do not use genetic information
to discriminate against employees.
Fought for Greater Health Security for America's Families. The President signed into law the
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act which helps millions of Americans who move from
one job to another, who are self-employed, or who have pre-existing medical conditions keep their
health insurance.
Endorsed Legislation That Would Ban Drive-thru Mastectomies, allowing women to stay in the
hospital at least 48 hours following a mastectomy.
PRESIDENT CLINTON: BUILDING SAFER COMMUNITIES BY TAKING BACK OUR
STREETS FROM CRIME, GANGS AND DRUGS
A RECORD OF ACCOMPLISHMENT:
Won Passage of the Most Comprehensive Crime Bill Ever:
In 1994, after more than six years of gridlock, a bipartisan majority in Congress passed the toughest,
smartest Crime Bill in the nation's history. ["Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of
1994," P.L.103-322] It passed with the strong support of every major law enforcement organization in
the country, as well as prosecutors, mayors, and state and local officials. The new law now provides:
A targeted "Three-Strikes-and-You're-Out" provision to put career violent offenders behind
bars for life.
An expanded death penalty for drug kingpins, murderers of federal law enforcement officers
and nearly 60 additional categories of violent felons.
Funding for 100,000 more prison cells to help states ensure that violent offenders serve their
full sentences.
Increased penalties for sex offenders and a registration requirement for violent sexual offenders.
More Police and Community Policing
The President's Plan to Put 100,000 More Police Officers on the Street Through
Community Policing Represents the Federal Government's Biggest Commitment Ever to
Local Law Enforcement. The President's plan will result in an almost 20 percent increase in
the nation's police force levels. Already, the Administration has provided funding for over
77,000 officers, ahead of schedule to meet the President's pledge of providing 100,000 more
police. [D.O.J. COPS Office, 8/98; Government Performance Results Act 1997 (attached to
President's FY 98 Budget Request)]
Violent Crime Declines Every Year Under President Clinton. Preliminary data for 1997
show that violent crime declined by 5 percent, the sixth consecutive year of decline. With
violent crime down six years in a row, this is the longest period of decline since 1960. In
addition, between 1992 and 1996, violent crime decreased by over 16 percent. In the violent
crime category, murder and robbery show the greatest decline between 1996 and 1997 -- each
down 9 percent. [FBI, Uniform Crime Report 1997 Preliminary Annual Release, 5/17/98]
Overall Crime Rates Are Down To the Lowest Levels in S Generation. According to the
Bureau of Justice Statistics' National Victimization Survey, Property and violent crime
victimization rates are at their lowest levels in nearly 25 years.
Crime Has Dropped Sharply in Our Major Cities. From 1996 to 1997, serious crime (as
measured by the Crime Index) has declined in cities in all population groups in the country,
with cities in the three largest population groups (250,000 people or more) reporting the
greatest decline, 5 percent each. For instance, within the last year, serious crime has declined
17 percent in Atlanta, 15 percent in Boston, 13 percent in Los Angeles, 7 percent in New York,
15 percent in Washington, D.C. and 8 percent in San Francisco. Notably, during this time, the
murder rate has fallen 23 percent in Atlanta, 27 percent in Boston, 19 percent in Los Angeles,
22 percent in New York, 24 percent in Washington, D.C. and 28 percent in San Francisco.
The Rate of Juvenile Crime Is down. Over the past two years, there has been a decline in
both the rates of murders committed by young people and youth violence in general.
While the juvenile violent crime arrest rate increased 62 percent between 1987 and 1993,
it decreased 2.9 percent in 1995, the first decline in seven years. And in 1996, it dropped
an additional 5.8 percent. [FBI, Uniform Crime Report, 1997]
The decrease in the juvenile murder arrest rate is even more significant, declining 15.2
percent in 1995 -- the largest one-year drop in more than 10 years. And in 1996, it
decreased an additional 14.4 percent.
Keeping Guns Out of the Hands of Criminals
Stood up to the Gun Lobby and Won Passage of the Brady Bill which provides for a 5-day
waiting period and background checks of prospective handgun buyers. [Brady Bill, P.L. 10-
159] Since taking effect in 1994, the Brady Law has prevented nearly 250,000 felons,
fugitives, mentally unstable persons, and other prohibited purchasers from buying handguns. In
1997 alone, 69,000 handgun purchases were blocked as a result of Brady background checks.
Banned the Manufacture and Importation of 19 of the Deadliest Assault Weapons while
specifically protecting more than 50 legitimate sporting weapons. Cop-killing assault weapons,
like the Uzi, are the weapons of choice for drug dealers and gangs - not hunters and sportsmen.
["Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994", P.L. 103-322]
Increasing Safety -- Banning the Importation of Modified Deadly Weapons. Recently,
President Clinton announced a general ban on the importation of more than 50 non-recreational,
modified assault weapons. The Treasury Department concluded that modified semiautomatic
assault rifles that accept large capacity military magazines -- or LCMM rifles -- are not
"particularly suitable for or readily adaptable to sporting purposes" and are generally not
importable. The more than 50 models of firearms affected by the decision are modified
versions of military assault weapons that were banned by the Bush Administration in 1989 or
by the Assault Weapons Ban of 1994.
Youth Crime Gun Interdiction Initiative. The President launched the Youth Crime Gun
Interdiction Initiative (YCGII) in 27 target cities to crack down on the illegal gun markets that
supply firearms to juveniles and criminals. The YCGII has already traced more than 93,000
guns, providing law enforcement with crucial investigative leads about illegal gun trafficking.
The President's FY99 budget includes $12 million for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and
Firearms (ATF) to work with local police departments in the 27 target cities to trace all firearms
recovered from crime scenes and help determine local gun trafficking patterns. The budget also
provides $16 million to hire 162 new ATF agents, 6 per target city, to investigate and arrest the
illegal gun traffickers who are supplying guns to kids and gangs.
Child Safety Locks for Handguns. The President signed a directive to every federal agency,
requiring child safety locking devices with every handgun issued to federal law enforcement
officers. And, in an historic agreement, eight major gun manufacturers followed the President's
lead and have voluntarily agreed to provide child safety locking devices with all their
handguns. [Memorandum on Child Safety Lock Devices for Handguns, 3/5/97; President's
remarks, 10/9/97]
Combating Drug Use
The Largest Anti-Drug Budgets Ever. Year-in and year-out, President Clinton has proposed
the largest anti-drug budgets ever. Between 1996 and 1998, resources for drug control
increased by 19 percent, from $13.5 billion in FY 1997 to $16 billion in FY98. The
President's FY99 drug budget is $17.1 billion, including increases of $256 million for youth
drug prevention, $364 million for domestic law enforcement, and $189 million for interdiction.
Developed a Comprehensive National Drug Control Strategy. For the first time ever, the
1998 Strategy provides a ten-year plan to reduce drug use and its consequences in the United
States by 50 percent -- to historic lows. This Strategy will reduce illegal drug use through law
enforcement, prevention, treatment, interdiction and international efforts. This Strategy is
backed by a five-year budget and performance benchmarks.
Targeting Young People with a $195 Million National Anti-Drug Media Campaign. The
President is launching a massive national media campaign to motivate America's youth to reject
illegal drugs and substance abuse. This unprecedented $195 million paid media campaign
relies on high-impact, anti-drug television and radio advertisements aired during prime-time.
The campaign went nationwide in July.
Developed a Comprehensive Strategy to Combat the Trafficking and Abuse of
Methamphetamine. The President fought for and signed a methamphetamine strategy that
increases penalties for trafficking in meth, and toughens the penalties for trafficking in those
chemicals used to produce meth.
Mandatory Comprehensive State Drug Testing Plans for Prisoners and Parolees.
President Clinton fought for and signed legislation requiring states to submit drug testing plans
for prisoners and parolees which would send them back to prison if they get back on drugs.
Overall Drug Use is Down. From 1979 to 1996, the number of people (12 and older) regularly
using drugs in America has plummeted 49 percent, from 25.4 million to 13 million people.
Similarly, the number of cocaine users has dropped 70 percent in the last decade (from 5.7
million in 1985 to 1.7 million in 1996).
Youth Drug Use Is Beginning to Reverse. For the first time since 1992, illicit drug use
among 12 to 17 year-olds has declined. Between 1995 and 1996, teen drug use fell from 10.9
percent to 9 percent.
Crack Use is Declining. The most recent data from the Drug Use Forecasting Program show
a decline in crack use by arrestees across the nation -- a good indication that the crack
epidemic that began in 1987 has finally begun to abate.
Good News on Methamphetamine. Meth use is down in the eight cities that had been
suffering the highest increases in use: 52 percent drop in Dallas; 20 percent drop in San Jose;
19 percent in San Diego; 34 percent in Portland; and over 40 percent in Denver, Omaha and
Phoenix.
Fighting to End Domestic Violence
Championed the Violence Against Women Act, the cornerstone of the President's efforts to
fight domestic violence which included $1.6 billion over five years to hire more prosecutors
and improve domestic violence training among prosecutors, police officers, and health and
social services professionals. And created an office at the Department of Justice dedicated to
combating violence against women.
Signed into Law an Extension of the Brady Law, which prohibits anyone convicted of a
domestic violence offense -- misdemeanor or felony -- from owning or possessing a firearm.
More than Tripled Funding to Domestic Violence Shelters and instituted new penalties
against men who stalk, threaten or abuse women across state lines.
Established Nationwide 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline. The hotline ( 1-800-797-
SAFE) provides immediate crisis intervention, counseling and referrals for those in need. Since
the hotline opened, there have been over 140,000 calls from all 50 States, the District of
Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Making Our Schools and Communities Safer
Strengthening and Expanding the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act.
President Clinton expanded the Drug-Free Schools Act into the Safe and Drug-Free Schools
Act of 1994, making violence prevention a key part of this program. The Safe and Drug-Free
Schools Program provides support for violence and drug prevention programs to 97 percent of
the nation's school districts. Schools use these funds to keep violence, drugs and alcohol away
from students and out of schools. The President's FY99 budget expands the Safe and Drug-
Free Schools program by $50 million to fund 1,300 Drug and Violence Prevention
Coordinators that will help junior high and middle schools across the country develop and
implement effective strategies to keep our kids safe and away from drugs.
Providing After School Opportunities for Up to Half a Million Children a Year. Last year,
the President fought for, and won, a $40 million expansion of the 21st Century Community
Learning Centers program. Building on the success of this program, the President's FY99
budget includes a $200 million major expansion, which will provide safe and educational after
school opportunities for up to 500,000 children. This increase will give more school-age
children in rural and urban communities across the country positive learning opportunities
and keep more kids off the streets in the after school hours when most violent juvenile crime
occurs.
Gaining New Tools to Protect Our Youth from Violence and Drugs. Key elements of the
President's Anti-Gang Youth Violence Strategy were included in the FY98 Commerce-Justice-
State Appropriations Act. These funding measures -- $489 million for juvenile justice -- will
give communities, schools, and families new tools to help keep kids safe from gangs and
violence, and away from drugs. Included in this funding is over $110 million for prosecutors to
curb gang violence, as well as funding for violent juvenile court assistance, which can help to
fund probations officers -- both important elements of the President's Anti-Gang Youth
Violence Strategy.
Encouraging Schools to Adopt School Uniform Policies. School uniforms have been found
to be a promising strategy to reduce violence while promoting discipline and respect in school.
Because of this, the Clinton Administration has encouraged schools to consider adopting school
uniform policies by sharing with every school district a school uniforms manual prepared by
the Department of Education in consultation with local communities and the Department of
Justice.
Supporting Curfews at the Local Level. Because of the success of curfews in helping to fight
juvenile crime and keeping children safe, the Clinton Administration has encouraged
communities to adopt curfew policies. Studies have shown, including one issued by the Justice
Department, that community-supported curfew programs are often successful in combating
juvenile crime. For example, New Orleans' curfew program, in combination with summer jobs
and recreational programs, resulted in a 27 percent drop in juvenile crime during curfew hours
in 1994, compared to the previous year.
Helped Protect Families and Children Who Live in Public Housing from gangs, drugs and
violent crime by instituting a "One-Strike-and-You're-Out" policy for residents who engage in
criminal activity. [Housing Opportunity Program Extension Act of 1996, P.L. 104-120]
Increasing Penalties for Sexual Predators. The President fought for and signed "Megan's
Law," which makes community notification concerning registered sex offenders mandatory.
Megan's Law requires States to make public relevant information about child molesters and
sexually violent offenders who are released from prison or placed on parole. L. 104-145,
Signed 5/17/96] And taking the next step, the President directed the Department of Justice to
develop a plan for the implementation of a national sexual predator and child molester
registration system. [Public Papers of the Presidents, Memorandum on the Development of a
National Sexual Offender Registration System, 6/25/96]
Fewer Guns in the Hands of Our Children. President Clinton signed into law a youth
handgun ban in his 1994 Crime Bill. The ban makes it a federal offense for an adult to transfer
a handgun to a juvenile, or for a juvenile under the age of 18 to knowingly possess a handgun
or handgun ammunition.
Enforcing Zero Tolerance for Guns and Other Weapons in Schools. In October 1994,
President Clinton signed into law the Gun-Free Schools Act, and issued a Presidential Directive
later that month to enforce "zero tolerance" for guns in schools -- if a student brings a gun to
school, that student will be expelled for a year. In school year 1996-97, the U.S. Department of
Education estimates that, under zero tolerance policies, 6,093 students were expelled from
public schools for bringing a firearm to school.
Securing America's Borders
Put More Manpower and Resources into Fighting Drugs at the Border. The number of
Border Patrol agents guarding our Southwest Border has doubled-- from 3,389 in FY93 to
6,213 at the end of FY97. The number of Customs agents working on the Southwest Border
has grown 16 percent from 2,000 in FY93 to 2,311 in FY97. The number of DEA, FBI, INS
enforcement officers/agents and US marshals on the Southwest Border have also increased.
Spending on Southwest Border counter-drug efforts has increased: Customs up 72 percent
(FY93-97); FBI up 21 percent (FY93-97); DEA up 30 percent (FY93-97); INS up 96 percent
(FY93-97); and US Attorneys up 45 percent (FY93-97). The FY99 budget adds to this 1,000
new Border Patrol agents, and $54 million to Customs for advanced inspection technologies.