    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book II)]
    [October 10, 1995]
    [Pages 1565-1566]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a State Dinner for President Ernesto Zedillo of Mexico
    October 10, 1995

        Ladies and gentlemen, I want to begin by again welcoming President
    and Mrs. Zedillo and the members of the Mexican delegation. To all of
    our distinguished guests, Hillary and I are

    [[Page 1566]]

    pleased to welcome you back to the White House.
        I have known President Zedillo less than a year now, but I feel as
    if I have known him for a very long time because of the remarkable
    similarities in our lives, some of which will surprise you, perhaps some
    of which will amuse you.
        Both of us were lucky enough to come from families where everyone
    worked hard. His mother was a nurse, and so was mine. We both had the
    chance to do graduate work in England and both continued our studies at
    Yale on scholarships. We both married up. [Laughter] Like her husband,
    Mrs. Zedillo is a trained economist, and a quite good one. And I thought
    I would be a pretty good lawyer until I met Hillary. [Laughter] Most
    important of all, and most unbelievably to me, we both went to Acapulco
    on our honeymoons. [Laughter] And we both went on our honeymoons not
    only with our wives but with our in-laws. [Laughter] Now, what that says
    about our judgment, character, and vision, I leave for you to determine.
    [Laughter] But Mr. President, we clearly have a lot in common.
        We are also privileged to lead two great nations whose histories and
    destinies are intertwined. Our strides are longer and our burdens are
    lighter because we advance together in partnership.
        President Zedillo, you took office at a time of great challenge for
    your country. You held up a vision of Mexico for the future, a Mexico
    united in democracy and in prosperity. You also knew that Mexico would
    have to change to succeed, and you called on the Mexican people to join
    in your campaign for progress.
        Only 3 short weeks later, financial crisis struck, and pessimists
    predicted collapse. But while those people were wringing their hands,
    Mr. President, you and I were ringing each other on the telephone. I
    knew that you were determined to lead Mexico forward, and we both knew
    that we were in the fight for the future together. The United States
    rallied the international community to Mexico's cause, and you, Mr.
    President, made the courageous and difficult choices that opened the
    door to recovery without closing the door to reform.
        Because of your faith in the people of Mexico, because of your love
    for your homeland, because of your willingness to lead by example,
    putting long-term good ahead of short-term gain, Mexico's economy is
    back on track, and its democracy is stronger than ever. And Mr.
    President, the United States is proud to be your partner.
        In your inaugural address, you offered the following challenge: Let
    it be said of us that we have dared have high aspirations and we knew
    how to make our dreams come true.
        With respect to your achievements, let us raise a glass to your
    dreams and honor the President and the people of Mexico, the ties that
    bind us and the friendship between us, and our common vision and destiny
    in the future.
        Viva Mexico.

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