    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book I)]
    [July 27, 1993]
    [Pages 1198-1199]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on the Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act
    July 27, 1993

        It is great to see all of you. You know, I heard Tom's speech
    outside, and I want to say, first of all, how grateful I am, as an
    American, to Tom Harkin and Steny Hoyer and all of

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    you who made the Americans with Disabilities Act a reality, but how much
    I owe, as a public servant, to Senator Harkin personally. You know, when
    we were on the campaign trail together, he made his brother the most
    famous brother in America in a very beautiful way. And you need to know
    when he was up here speaking we've been killing time because his
    brother, Frank, is on the phone, and he doesn't have time to talk to me
    right now. [Laughter] His line is busy. This is true. His line's busy.
    We've been trying to call him which is great. It's great. It means that
    the thing is working. [Laughter] This is--yesterday, I guess, was the
    effective date when the telephone service had to be provided. So I'm so
    excited about that.
        While we're waiting for the line to clear, let me just--if I might
    make a few points. First, I want to reaffirm strong support of our
    administration for implementing and enforcing the act. Yesterday, the
    Attorney General and a number of other Cabinet members conducted some
    activities designed to clearly remove any ambiguity about that and to
    reinforce our commitment on that issue.
        The second thing I want to do is to--I know that Roy's already
    introduced them, but to say a special word of thanks to Americans with
    disabilities who happen to be part of this administration and to those
    who will be, including some in this room and some who are not in this
    room.
        Finally, let me say, we need your help because you have become a
    very powerful force. We need your help to pass this economic plan so we
    can get on with the rest of the business of the country, and then so we
    can get on the health care and try to deal with the issues of long-term
    care and personal services and empowerment, the kinds of things that are
    so important to--I heard Tom talking about the inclusion, independence,
    and empowerment. There are a lot of Americans who need that, not just
    Americans with disabilities. And we have to go forward.
        And I know a lot of people, but none more than you, are eager to see
    this debate on health care begin. It cannot begin until we have a budget
    and economic plan in place. And there are many more things that we have
    to do which are also of interest to you that are especially important.
    We need a new crime bill. We need a bill that reforms the welfare
    system. It also works on empowerment. We need a whole series of things
    that we are eager to get on with doing. But first we have to nail this
    budgetary issue.
        I am especially interested in the health care debate, as you know.
    And I spoke with the First Lady this morning, as I do on most mornings--
    [laughter]--and we were reviewing our days, and I told her that Tom and
    I were going to be here with you today. And she was very interested in,
    you know, the fact that we were going to do this and asked me to give
    you her best and to thank those of you who have been involved already
    with her in the health care task force in trying to work through these
    issues.

    Note: The President spoke at 2:50 p.m. in the Roosevelt Room at the
    White House. A tape was not available for verification of the content of
    these remarks.