For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 18, 2004
President's Remarks at the Clinton Presidential Center Dedication
Little Rock, Arkansas
12:20 P.M. CST
THE PRESIDENT: President Clinton, Senator Clinton, President
Carter and Mrs. Carter, President Bush and Mother -- (laughter )--
Governor and Mrs. Huckabee, distinguished guests, ladies and
gentlemen: Laura and I are really pleased to be a part of this happy
and historic occasion. On this day of dedication, we honor the man
from Hope, Arkansas, who became the 42nd President of the United
States. Mr. President, congratulations. (Applause.)
This presidential library chronicles a vivid era in American
history, for the benefit of future generations. It will contribute to
the vitality of this fine city and to the great state of Arkansas. The
collections here record the dedication and hard work of thousands, who
brought talent and idealism to public service. And at the center of
that era, at the head of that administration, was an able and energetic
American. President Bill Clinton led our country with optimism and a
great affection for the American people, and that affection has been
returned. He gave all to his job, and the nation gave him two terms.
In the early 1990s, the American people saw a young, well-spoken,
relatively unknown governor rise to national prominence. Yet for
decades here in Arkansas, the signs of destiny were clear. When young
William entered a new school in the 4th grade, a classmate recalls, "He
didn't mean to, but he just took the place over." (Laughter.) When
Governor Clinton declared his candidacy for President in this city, his
close friends were not surprised in the least. They'd always known
that Bill Clinton's moment in history would come.
Arkansas is a state that knows political skill when you see it. A
fellow in Saline County was asked by his son why he liked Governor
Clinton so much. He said, son, he'll look you in the eye, he'll shake
your hand, he'll hold your baby, he'll pat your dog -- all at the same
time. (Laughter.)
Over the years, Bill Clinton showed himself to be much more than a
good politician. His home state elected him governor in the 1970s, the
1980s, and the 1990s, because he was an innovator, a serious student of
policy, and a man of great compassion. In the White House, the whole
nation witnessed his brilliance and mastery of detail, his persuasive
power, and his persistence. The President is not the kind to give up a
fight. His staffers were known to say, "If Clinton were the Titanic,
the iceberg would sink." (Laughter.)
During his presidency, Bill Clinton seized important opportunities
on issues from welfare to free trade. He was a tireless champion of
peace in the Middle East. He used American power in the Balkans to
confront aggression and halt ethnic cleansing. And in all his actions
and decisions, the American people sensed a deep empathy for the poor
and the powerless. Shortly before leaving office, President Clinton
said, "Christ admonished us that our lives will be judged by how we do
unto the least of our neighbors." Throughout his career, Bill Clinton
has done his best to live up to that standard. And Americans respect
him for it.
At every stage of his remarkable life, President Clinton has made
and kept countless friends, who share in the joy of this day. And
three people in particular have the largest part in this remarkable
story. One day more than 30 years ago, inside the Yale Law Library, a
fellow student walked over to Bill Clinton and said, "If you're going
to keep staring at me, and I'm going to keep staring back, we ought to
at least know each other's name. Mine's Hillary Rodham. What is
yours?" (Laughter.) That was a good day for both of them, and the
beginning of a partnership unique in American history. So today, we
honor the former First Lady of Arkansas, the former First Lady of
America, the United States Senator from New York, Senator Hillary
Rodham Clinton. (Applause.)
Perhaps the Clintons' greatest achievement is their daughter, who
moved into the White House as a young girl, and left as an accomplished
young lady. It's not easy to be a teenager in the White House, but
it's a lot easier when you have a loving mother and a loving father
that Chelsea Clinton had.
This magnificent presidential library, and the American life it
celebrates, would not have been possible without the love and sacrifice
of a special lady. Among his heroes, President Clinton always includes
his mother, Virginia Kelley, "a working woman and a widow." Virginia
was there when her son took the oath of office, and we know that she
would be incredibly proud of this day.
The story that began in a little house on Hervey Street in Hope,
Arkansas is the kind of story that inspires people from every
background, all over America. In this great nation, it is always
possible for a child to go as far as their talent and vision can take
them. Visitors to this place will be reminded of the great promise of
our country, and the dreams that came true in the life of our 42nd
President. The William J. Clinton Presidential Library is a gift to
the future by a man who always believed in the future. And today, we
thank him for loving and serving America.
God bless. (Applause.)
END 12:26 P.M. CST
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