    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book I)]
    [February 5, 1993]
    [Pages 49-50]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Signing the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993
    February 5, 1993

        Mrs. Yandle, I never had a better introduction. Before we thank
    anyone else, I think all of us should acknowledge that it was America's
    families who have beaten the gridlock in Washington to pass family
    leave, people like this fine woman all over America who talked to
    Members of Congress, both Democrat and Republican, who laid their plight
    out, who asked that their voices be heard. When Senator Gore and I ran
    in the election last year, we published a book called ``Putting People
    First.'' I'm very proud that the first bill I am to sign as President
    truly puts people first.
        I do want to thank the United States Congress for moving
    expeditiously on this matter and for doing it before their first recess
    so that every Member of Congress who voted for this bill can go home and
    say, ``We are up there working on your problems and your promise, trying
    to make a better future for you.'' This sends a clearer signal than any
    words any of us could utter, that we have tried to give this Government
    back to the American people. And I am very appreciative that the
    Congress has moved so rapidly on this bill.
        There are many, many Members of Congress here and many others who
    are not here who played a major role in this legislation. Time does not
    permit me to mention them all, but I do want to thank the Senate
    majority leader for his heroic efforts in the 11th hour to make sure we
    passed this bill; Senator Kennedy and Senator Dodd for their passionate
    and years-long commitment to this effort. I want to thank the Speaker,
    Speaker Foley, and Congressman Ford, the chairman of the committee that
    had jurisdiction over this bill, and Congresswoman Pat Schroeder and all
    the other Democrats who worked on this bill.
        But I want to acknowledge, too, consistent with the promise I made
    in my Inaugural to reach out to members of both parties who would try to
    push for progress, that this bill also had passionate support among
    Republicans. My old colleague in the Governors' Association, Senator Kit
    Bond from Missouri, I thank you for your leadership. Senator Jeffords
    and Senator Coats I don't believe are here, but they supported this bill
    strongly; and Congresswoman Marge Roukema from New Jersey, her
    commitment on this was unwavering; Congresswoman Susan Molinari from New
    York and many other Republicans voted for, spoke for, and worked for
    this bill. I thank them, the subcommittee chairs who are here, and all
    the others who worked so hard to make this bill a real live promise kept
    for the Congress to the people of the United States.
        Family medical leave has always had the support of a majority of
    Americans, from every part of the country, from every walk of life, from
    both political parties. But some people opposed it. And they were
    powerful, and it took 8 years and two vetoes to make this legislation
    the law of the land. Now millions of our people will no longer have to
    choose between their jobs and their families.
        The law guarantees the right of up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per
    year when it's urgently needed at home to care for a newborn child or an
    ill family member. This bill will strengthen our families, and I believe
    it will strengthen our businesses and our economy as well.
        I have spent an enormous amount of time in the last 12 years in the
    factories and busi-

    [[Page 50]]

    nesses of this country talking to employers and employees, watching the
    way people work, often working with them. And I know that men and women
    are more productive when they are sure they won't lose their jobs
    because they're trying to be good parents, good children. Our businesses
    should not lose the services of these dedicated Americans. And over the
    long run, the lessons of the most productive companies in the world,
    here at home and around the world, are that those who put their people
    first are those who will triumph in the global economy. The business
    leaders who have already instituted family and medical leave understand
    this, and I'm very proud of some of the business leaders who are here
    today who represent not only themselves but others all across America
    who were ahead of all of us who make laws in doing what is right by our
    families.
        Family and medical leave is a matter of pure common sense and a
    matter of common decency. It will provide Americans what they need most:
    peace of mind. Never again will parents have to fear losing their jobs
    because of their families.
        Just a week ago, I spoke to 10 people in families who had
    experienced the kinds of problems Mrs. Yandle has talked about today.
    Vice President Gore and I talked to people all across America who moved
    us deeply. We were saddened to hear their stories, but today all of us
    can be happy to think of their future.
        Now that we have won this difficult battle, let me ask all of you to
    think about what we must do ahead to put the public interest ahead of
    special interest, to pass a budget which will grow this economy and
    shrink our deficit, and to go on about the business of putting families
    first. There's a lot more we need to do to help people trapped in
    welfare move to work and independence; to strengthen child support
    enforcement; to reward those who work 40 hours a week and have children
    at home with an increase in the earned-income tax credit so we can
    really say we're rewarding work instead of dependence; to immunize all
    the children of this country so more parents won't have to take
    advantage of family leave because their children will be well and strong
    and healthy.
        Let all of us who care about our families, our people, the strength
    of our economy, and the future of our Nation put our partisan and other
    interests aside and be inspired by this great victory today to have
    others when Congress returns to this city and we go on about the
    people's business.
        Thank you very much.

    Note: The President spoke at 9:22 a.m. in the Rose Garden at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Vicki Yandle, whose daughter's
    illness had resulted in both parents losing their jobs. H.R. 1, approved
    February 5, was assigned Public Law No. 103-3.