[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book I)]
[January 31, 1993]
[Page 25]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks Following Entertainment at a State Dinner for the Nation's 
Governors
January 31, 1993

    The President. Ladies and gentlemen, first I think we ought to 
acknowledge the musicians: Peter Howard, John Beal, Martin Erskine, John 
Redsecker, and Wally Harper. Let's give them a hand. [Applause] I'd also 
like to thank the people who put this wonderful program together: Marty 
Bell, Beverly Camhe, Phyllis Newman, and my good friend Bobbie Handman, 
who's here with her husband, Len, tonight and whose daughter and son-in-
law have been so instrumental in our political life, Harold Ickes and 
Laura Handman. Let's give all of them a hand. [Applause] I want to thank 
Ms. Handman and Ms. Newman, in particular, for writing this; and for 
Peter Howard for his musical direction tonight.
    And now let me say that I hope that we can take good care of this 
house and that this house will always be a house of America's family. I 
can't help but note, I don't want to embarrass Phyllis, but Phyllis and 
her husband, Adolph Green, who sang a little tonight--stand up, Adolph--
[applause]--they're celebrating their 33d wedding anniversary. As you 
can see, he had to get not only her parents' permission but the law's as 
well to marry her at that young age. [Laughter]
    Phyllis Newman. That's the nicest thing you've said. [Laughter]
    The President. I understand that this is Governor Dean's wedding 
anniversary tonight, too, and I want to acknowledge that. This is 
Governor Mickelson's birthday.
    This is also a very important birthday: Tonight is Carol Channing's 
birthday. I want all of us to sing ``Happy Birthday'' to her in just a 
moment, but I want to tell you that she performed here with George Burns 
for President and Mrs. Kennedy. She performed here when President 
Johnson was here. She made President Nixon's hate list, so she didn't 
perform then. [Laughter] We all knew about her in ``Hello Dolly'' and 
``Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,'' where she immortalized that song that you 
heard about being a little girl from Little Rock. I wish she had been.
    I'd like to ask us all now to stand and sing ``Happy Birthday'' to 
her. George, you come up here to lead the singing.

Note: The President spoke at 11:45 p.m. in the State Dining Room at the 
White House.