    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book I)]
    [July 27, 1993]
    [Pages 1199-1200]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks in a Telephone Conversation With Frank Harkin
    July 27, 1993

        The President. Hello?
        Operator. Yes, hello. Good afternoon. This is Agent 218 of the
    Federal Information Relay Service.
        The President. May I speak with Frank now?
        Operator. Yes, he's on line standing by for your conversation.
        The President. Frank, this is Bill Clinton. I'm really glad to be
    able to talk with you now that the text telephone system is in place
    nationwide. And I'm here with your brother, Tom, who just gave a great
    speech.
        If it hadn't been for you, I don't think he would have had all those
    great speeches. I just told the crowd here that he made you the most
    famous brother in America last year.
        Mr. Harkin. Gee, thanks.
        The President. He said, ``Gee, thanks.''

    [[Page 1200]]

        Mr. Harkin. Thanks for saying that.
        The President. ``Thanks for saying that.''
        What we all want to know is whether you are wet or dry.
        Mr. Harkin. It is a great moment to talk to you, Mr. President.
        The President. Frank, what we all want to know here is whether you
    are wet or dry. I've been to Iowa twice, and I know how much flooding
    you've had. So tell us how it is around where you live.
        Mr. Harkin. Today it is humid and muggy. I did watch on TV when you
    were in Iowa.
        The President. Well, I just had the Governors of six States,
    including Iowa, in to see me to talk about how we could help people get
    over the flood damage, and I certainly hope we can do a good job of
    that.
        Mr. Harkin. Hopefully you will do your best.
        The President. I want you to tell all the people here with me how
    you like this communications system.
        Mr. Harkin. It is wonderful--have a TV crew from Des Moines in my
    house.
        The President. Well, now I want you to say a word to your brother.
    You have proved that you are a person of fewer words than--[laughter]--
    than the President or your brother. Congratulations.

    Note: The President spoke at 3:09 p.m. in the Roosevelt Room at the
    White House. The conversation took place during a ceremony commemorating
    the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.