    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book II)]
    [July 27, 1995]
    [Page 1154]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1154]]

    Remarks in a Telephone Conversation With Mayor Ronald Norick of Oklahoma
    City, Oklahoma
    July 27, 1995

        The President. Mayor?
        Mayor Norick. Yes.
        The President. How are you? Good morning.
        Mayor Norick. Good morning, Mr. President. How are you doing this
    morning?
        The President. I'm doing fine. How are you managing your heat wave
    down there?
        Mayor Norick. Well, it's typical for Oklahoma, so we don't mind it
    too bad. But I appreciate your call, and I especially appreciate the
    reason for your call.
        The President. Well, as you know, I signed the rescission bill
    today, and because of your efforts and the efforts of many other people,
    the bill includes $39 million in funding to restore and revitalize the
    area that was affected by the bombing. And we tried to give you
    significant flexibility so that you could use these funds in a way that
    would spur economic recovery and have the biggest impact.
        So I wanted to tell you that we signed it today, and we thank you
    for your efforts. And I hope that they'll be very helpful to you.
        Mayor Norick. They will be extremely helpful. We have a--the group
    from NEA have been in here for the last week assisting us, and we've
    come up with our first plan for the area revitalization, have been
    meeting with a number of the business owners. They're obviously very
    excited about the interest that not only the White House but that HUD,
    that Cisneros has taken, and also the city, making sure their area is
    rebuilt.
        Also I want to let you know that Councilman Schwartz, who has been
    instrumental from our end also is here with me. On the short notice, we
    were the only two that happened to be within a 3- or 4-minute drive time
    of city hall, and really do appreciate all the efforts that you've been
    able to make toward our city. And I know from your earlier conversations
    that should we need any additional help in any other areas, that that
    door is open. And we will not abuse that opportunity, should it arise.
        The President. Well, I know that Secretary Cisneros will be in
    regular touch with you, and he'll also try to keep me in touch. But if
    you need us, let us know. And you tell Councilman Schwartz I said hello
    as well.
        Councilman Mark Schwartz. Thank you, Mr. President.
        Mayor Norick. Okay. Well, thank you, Mr. President. And I appreciate
    very much your call. And I especially appreciate your signature. If
    you've got an extra pen, send it down here. [Laughter]
        The President. As a matter of fact, I saved one for you. I'll send
    it to you.
        Mayor Norick. I would love to have it. It would be something that
    will be a real keepsake for our community, and I'm sure when we finally
    get the memorial done and all of that it would be a wonderful item to
    put in our memorial.
        The President. Thank you, sir.
        Mayor Norick. Thank you.
        The President. Have a good day. Good-bye.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:15 a.m. from the Oval Office at the
    White House. A tape was not available for verification of the content of
    these remarks.