[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.