    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book I)]
    [February 23, 1995]
    [Pages 251-252]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a Luncheon in Ottawa
    February 23, 1995

        Governor General LeBlanc, Mrs. LeBlanc, Prime Minister and Mrs.
    Chretien, ladies and gentlemen: Hillary and I are honored to be your
    first official guests, humbled to be reminded of the results of the last
    two World Series--[laughter]--grateful to be reminded of the results of
    the last Stanley Cup. [Laughter]
        I have to say for the benefit of the American press corps traveling
    with us and especially for my often beleaguered Press Secretary, Mr.
    McCurry, who's over there, the Governor General, I learned in
    preparation for this trip, in a former life was the Press Secretary to
    two previous Canadian Prime Ministers. So there is life after the
    labors, Mr. McCurry. [Laughter]
        It's a great pleasure for me to be here in this beautiful Rideau
    Hall to celebrate the friendship of our two nations. It is fitting that
    not far from here two rivers come together to form the powerful Rideau
    Falls, much like the strength of our two nations increase as we join
    together. Shared history, shared borders, they are the foundation of our
    unique and intensely productive relationship, an alliance the likes of
    which the world has really never seen before.
        From the Canadians who helped slaves to freedom on the Underground
    Railroad, to the battalions who fought side by side on the beaches of
    Normandy, to the United States astronaut who used a Canadian-made
    robotic arm on the space shuttle 2 weeks ago, Americans are grateful to
    our neighbors for helping us along the way.
        When President Kennedy visited Ottawa here over 30 years ago, he
    said, ``Geography has made us neighbors. History has made us friends.
    Economics has made us partners. And necessity has made us allies. Those
    whom nature has so joined together, let no man put asunder.'' So
    President Kennedy proclaimed our wedding vows--[laughter]--and I am here
    to tell you we should reaffirm them. The bond that the President
    described so well must continue to deepen. Together we have pushed open
    the doors of commerce and trade. We have found common ground to preserve
    the beauty and the natural resources of our lands. We have walked as one
    in our efforts to make the world beyond North America more secure and
    more free.
        I thank you for your support of our common endeavors in Haiti. I
    admire you for your faithfulness in seeking peace in the former
    Yugoslavia. And I thank you most recently for your support in the action
    we have taken to try to stabilize the situation in Mexico, our partner
    and friend.
        Today, instant communication has made our world so much smaller that
    some say the entire globe is our neighborhood. Yet, the ties that bind
    these two nations, Canada and the United States, remain unique. And as
    we move into the next century, let us, both of us, resolve

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    to help make those ties grow in spirit, grow in harmony. The times
    demand it. Our children deserve it. The world is depending upon it.
        Thank you for welcoming me to this beautiful city and this wonderful
    country.
        I would now like to offer a toast to Canada, to the Governor General
    and to Mrs. LeBlanc.

    Note: The President spoke at 12:21 p.m. at the Governor General's
    residence. In his remarks, he referred to Prime Minister Jean Chretien
    and his wife, Aline.