    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book I)]
    [February 23, 1995]
    [Pages 257-259]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a Gala Dinner in Ottawa
    February 23, 1995

        Prime Minister and Mrs. Chretien, Ambassador and Mrs. Chretien,
    Ambassador and Mrs. Blanchard, ladies and gentlemen: Let me begin by
    thanking the Prime Minister for his generous words and by thanking Prime
    Minister and Mrs. Chretien and all of our Canadian hosts for making
    Hillary and me feel so at home here today in our first day of this
    wonderful visit.
        We all have so much in common, so many roots in common. I couldn't
    help thinking, when we shared so many jokes in the Parliament today and
    so many good laughs, of all the things I might have said. One of the
    things that is most fascinating to Americans about Canada is the way you
    blend your cultures. I understand, now that we've come across the river
    from Ottawa to Hull, everything is first in French and then in English.
    And I'm trying to accommodate to all this. And I thought about a true
    story that I would share with you.
        One of the members of our official party today came all the way from
    Georgia, Mr. Gordon Giffen, who's sitting out here, but he was born in
    Canada. And you should know that Georgia, in the heart of the American
    South, has a Lieutenant Governor named Pierre How-

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    ard. He was very self-conscious about running with a name like Pierre in
    the South. And in desperation one day, he said, ``Well, you have to
    understand, Pierre is French for Bubba.'' [Laughter] And you all know
    that I come from Arkansas. I can say to you with absolute confidence
    that if any person from my State were here tonight, he or she would say,
    ``Je me sens chez moi au Canada [I feel at home in Canada].''
        The Prime Minister and I have a lot in common. We have smalltown
    roots and modest backgrounds, his in Shawinigan in Quebec. Did I say
    that right? Shawinigan? Shawinigan. Better? And mine in Hope--I have a
    hometown that's easier to pronounce. We began early in political life.
    He entered the Parliament, I think, when he was 29. I tried to enter the
    Congress when I was 28. I failed, and I have been grateful for it ever
    since. [Laughter]
        Our political persuasions and our programs are so similar that one
    magazine called me a closet Canadian. I think that is a compliment, and
    I take it as such. We talk a lot about our humble roots. At home when
    our friends wish to make fun of me, they say that if I talk long enough
    I will convince people that I was born in a log cabin I built myself.
    And that's what I thought the first time I met Prime Minister Chretien.
    [Laughter]
        We've had a few agonizing political defeats, and we've managed a
    comeback. As I think about it, I can only think of one thing that
    separates me from the Prime Minister: about 15 points in the public
    opinion polls. [Laughter] I resent it, but I'm doing what I can to
    overcome it.
        Mr. Prime Minister, one of the glories of Ottawa is the wonderful
    old canal that winds through this community. It's protected by sweeping
    and weeping willows in the summertime, and it's, as I saw today,
    animated by skaters in the winter. As I understand it, the canal was
    constructed about 150 years ago by a British engineer to help defend
    Canada from the United States. Thankfully, I'm told that if you ask most
    Canadians today why the canal was built, they can't say. The fact that
    the canal's origin is unremembered speaks volumes about the unique
    relationship between our two countries: neighbors, allies, friends. Each
    of us is blessed to share with the other the bounty of this magnificent
    continent.
        Over the years the partnership we have forged has produced many
    tangible benefits for our people, as you pointed out. We have a joint
    defense program that protects our skies and makes us more secure. We
    have a shared commitment to our environment that improves the quality of
    the air we breathe and the water we drink. We have economies that are so
    complementary we enjoy the world's largest trading relationship in ways
    that create jobs and raise incomes on both sides of our border. We have
    a common passion for democracy that has united us in trying to protect
    freedom and peace and democracy and enterprise far from our own lands.
        The interests and values we share have allowed us to recognize and
    respect our differences as well. Canada has shown the world how to build
    a gentler society with a deeply felt concern for the health and well-
    being of all its citizens. It has shown the world that strength and
    compassion are not incompatible. There is much in your country from
    which Americans can and do draw inspiration.
        And so tonight, in celebrating all that unites us, let us also
    remember that which is unique in our countries. Hillary and I enjoyed
    very much our all-too-brief tour of this magnificent tribute to your
    unique culture. Let us resolve to work together to bring out the best in
    each other as we move forward together as partners and as friends. Long
    live this great nation.
        Mr. Prime Minister, one of your most illustrious predecessors,
    Lester Pearson, put it well when he said, ``I now accept with equanimity
    the question so constantly addressed to me, `Are you an American?' and
    merely return the accurate answer, `Yes, I am a Canadian.' ''
        And so tonight, in celebrating our countries and what unites us, let
    us work together and let us say: Long live Canada! Vive le Canada!

    Note: The President spoke at approximately 8:35 p.m. in the Grand Hall
    at the Museum of Civilization. In his remarks, he referred to Prime
    Minister Jean Chretien and his wife, Aline; U.S. Ambassador to Canada
    James Blanchard and his wife, Janet; and Canadian Ambassador to the
    United States Raymond Chretien and his wife, Kay.

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