    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book I)]
    [January 12, 1995]
    [Pages 39-40]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Democratic National Committee
    January 12, 1995

        Later this month, at the Democratic National Committee (DNC) meeting
    in Washington, I will formally ask DNC members to support the
    appointment of two capable and committed party advocates for general
    chairman and national chairman. I have asked Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT)
    and Don Fowler to accept these assignments, and I am enormously grateful
    that they will be my partners in strengthening the Democratic National
    Committee.
        With their help, we will return to the important business of
    electing Democrats at all levels of government, and assuring that the
    voices of the people who work hard and play by the rules--our
    constituents--are heard and heeded at the seats of government throughout
    our land.
        Senator Chris Dodd is one of Congress' most eloquent and effective
    advocates for children and working families. He wrote both the Family
    and Medical Leave Act and the child care and development block grant,
    1990's landmark child care legislation. He has also been a leader in the
    Senate on foreign policy and business issues. As general chairman,
    Senator Dodd will complement his Senate duties by serving as our
    spokesman and as a leading strategist for the party.
        A little more than 30 years ago another gentleman from Connecticut
    named John Bailey helped direct our party to victory in landmark
    elections, and I am convinced that my friend Chris Dodd will repeat that
    precedent in the elections of 1995 and beyond.
        Don Fowler of South Carolina, a DNC member since 1971, will serve as
    national chairman, doing the hard but important work of running a
    political party. In the past, Don has served as chairman of the South
    Carolina Democratic Party, president of the Association of State
    Democratic Chairs, and CEO of our convention in Atlanta in 1988. No one
    knows more about our party's operations and strategy, and no one is more
    serious or qualified than Don to guide and direct Democrats to win
    elections. He will also be a leading strategist and will be the
    operational head of the DNC.
        While many organizations and entities contribute resources and ideas
    that make our party stronger, it is the Democratic National Committee
    that works to elect the local, State, and Federal elected officials who
    serve the working people of our country.
        As we move toward the next century, and as we face the challenges of
    expanding middle class participation in the recovery, reforming
    Government, restoring values and decency in our society, and holding
    fast to the principles of justice and fairness, retaking the Congress
    and electing Democrats to office is the work of our party committee, and
    its work must be successful. I thank Chris and Don for taking on this
    challenge.
        I know they join me in thanking Debra DeLee for her service as
    Democratic Party chair since November. She was remarkable in giving her
    energy, her commitment, and her strength to sustaining the party at a
    challenging time in its history. We have asked her to take on another
    assignment as CEO of the party's nomination convention in Chicago in
    1996, and I am thrilled that she will be serving in that capacity.

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