    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book I)]
    [April 20, 1995]
    [Pages 561-562]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at the State Dinner for President Fernando Cardoso of Brazil
    April 20, 1995

        Mr. President, Mrs. Cardoso, members of the Brazilian delegation, to
    all of our distinguished guests, Hillary and I are delighted to welcome
    you to the White House this evening.
        Mr. President, I learned many things about you today. But one thing
    sort of surprised me: I learned that as a young man you were drawn to a
    life of the cloth. The reason I learned that and found it surprising was
    my grandmother told me that I would make a good minister if I were just
    a little better boy--[laughter]--and failing that, that I should go into
    politics. [Laughter]
        But I think for a long time your family and friends believed you
    were more likely to wear a Cardinal's red hat than a President's sash.
    Well, you embraced politics, and now you lead your great nation. But I
    can't help wondering whether after 4 months in office, after spending
    2,880 hours dealing with Congress and fielding questions from the media,
    whether you ever wonder if you made the right choice. [Laughter]
        Let me say from the point of view of the people of the United
    States, you clearly made the right choice. And it is obvious to all of
    us that your faith has remained a powerful part of your life. Otherwise,
    it would be difficult to explain how you have endured arrest,
    blacklisting, and exile without giving in to despair; difficult to
    explain that although the enemies of democracy forced you to listen to
    your friends being tortured and later bombed the office where you
    worked, you never wavered from the ideals of tolerance and openness.
        Those ideals animate your leadership in Brazil today and your quest
    for social justice for all the people whom you proudly represent. And
    you have added to them an academic's expertise in policy and economics,
    which I am pleased to note, you have refined by teaching at some of our
    finest universities. We have all been impressed by the results you have
    achieved, especially the success of your ``Real Plan.''
        Mr. President, I have been very pleased for the opportunity to
    continue the personal conversation we began in Miami last year at the
    Summit of the Americas. The warm and productive relationship that we
    have established mirrors the relationship that is growing closer every
    day between our two countries. We have common interests, bringing free
    trade to the Americas, promoting sustainable development throughout our
    hemisphere, keeping peace around the world. And that relationship is
    more important than ever.
        I know from our discussions that we both believe Brazil and the
    United States have an opportunity, indeed an obligation, to be partners
    for progress in the Americas for all the years ahead. Today we have
    taken that partnership to a new level.
        Let me also say, Mr. President, you know that you have come here,
    along with your wife and your fine delegation, at a very difficult time
    for our country. And all the American people have been profoundly
    impressed and grateful by your expressions of condolence and sympathy
    and your assertion that we are all partners in the struggle against evil
    and inhumanity. For that we are especially grateful, and we will never
    forget it.

    [[Page 562]]

        So I ask all of you to stand and raise your glasses in a toast to
    President and Mrs. Cardoso and to the people of Brazil.

    Note: The President spoke at 8:25 p.m. in the State Dining Room at the
    White House.