    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book I)]
    [March 5, 1993]
    [Page 246]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Congratulating the Super Bowl Champion Dallas Cowboys
    March 5, 1993

        The President. It's about time we had somebody with real popularity
    in here. [Laughter] I want to say it is a great pleasure and honor for
    all of us to have the Dallas Cowboys in the East Room. Four years ago
    they were about 1 and 15, and 4 years later they won the Super Bowl. In
    the parlance of Washington we call that deficit reduction. [Laughter]
        I want to say a special word of appreciation to Jimmy Johnson and
    Jerry Jones. I watched them win a national championship for Arkansas 30
    years ago, before most of the players were born, and I've been cheering
    them on ever since. Most of the people in our State were Cowboy fans
    even before Arkansas got its hands on the Cowboys.
        I also want to say something very serious. I watched this team over
    the last year win the way I think Americans win best. They hung in
    there. They were strong. They were dedicated. They started a lot of
    games slow, and they always finished fast. And that's what we have to do
    as a country. We have to endure. We have to never quit, and we have to
    finish fast. And I think that the country was very thrilled just to
    watch the renaissance of the Cowboys over the last couple of years.
        Let me also say I had a very great political dilemma because the
    Super Bowl occurred the night I hosted the state dinner for the
    Governors. So, I had the Governor of New York and the Governor of Texas
    sitting on either side of me in the beginning of the game before it was
    obvious what the outcome would be. I was tested as never before in
    trying to maintain a poker face about the game. [Laughter] But you made
    it easy for us after a couple of quarters.
        Let me say again on behalf of the Vice President and myself to you,
    Jerry, and to you, Jimmy, and to all the Cowboys, we're grateful to have
    you here.
        And I understand that this is Michael Irving's birthday, is that
    right?
        Jimmy Johnson. He probably just made that up. [Laughter]
        The President. Is that right? Is that right? Is it your birthday?
    Come up here. How old are you? I said, ``How old are you?'' He said,
    ``27, but tell them 24.'' Have you ever considered running for office?
    [Laughter] Can you imagine that, 27 years old and wealthy enough to
    retire the national debt. [Laughter] Well, happy birthday. I hope you'll
    have many more. You may not be able to have any years better than this
    one, but I hope you have many more at least as good.

    [At this point, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones made a statement.]

        Mr. Johnson. Mr. President, it is a tremendous thrill and tremendous
    honor for all of us to make you an official member of the Dallas Cowboys
    as a reserve quarterback.
        The President. Thank you. I'm just going to sit around now and wait
    for my number to be called. [Laughter] I'm going to start practicing
    this afternoon. You know, it's never too late.
        Thank you very much.

    Note: The President spoke at 3:20 p.m. in the East Room at the White
    House.