    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book I)]
    [March 29, 1996]
    [Page 526]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 526]]

    Statement on Signing the Twelfth Continuing Resolution
    March 29, 1996

        Today I have signed into law H.J. Res. 170, the Twelfth Continuing
    Resolution for fiscal year 1996.
        House Joint Resolution 170 provides for a temporary extension of
    appropriations, through April 24, for activities funded in the five
    appropriations bills that have not been enacted into law. Thus, it
    prevents a third government shutdown.
        Full-year funding is provided for the Federal payment to the
    District of Columbia and the Federal contribution to the District's
    retirement funds. Language is included to permit the seven unions of the
    Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to continue to represent FAA
    employees and to bargain collectively on their behalf.
        I commend the Congress for providing $198 million to cover the costs
    of civilian implementation of the Dayton Peace accords in Bosnia.
    Subject to certain conditions, these funds will be available to finance
    civilian programs identified for the rest of fiscal year 1996. The
    commanders of the United States military units that are part of the
    NATO-led Bosnia Peace Implementation Force (IFOR) have strongly urged
    that the Congress make these funds available expeditiously in order to
    support their military mission. This bill provides an appropriately
    prompt response to their request.
        In addition, the provision of this $198 million will enable the
    United States, as provided for in this bill, to mobilize broad
    international support for economic revitalization at an aid donor's
    conference on Bosnia, scheduled for mid-April. In sum, the bill
    demonstrates bipartisan support for the kind of American leadership
    abroad that serves our country well.
        Despite this accomplishment, we are now halfway through the fiscal
    year, and the Congress still has not completed the work it should have
    done six months ago. That is a disservice to the American people.
        While this is taking place, school districts around the country are
    facing the possibility of teacher layoffs, environmental clean-ups are
    being delayed, and States, local governments, and government contractors
    must contend with continuing uncertainty as they seek to provide
    critical services to the public.
        My Administration has been working with the Congress in an effort to
    resolve our differences on funding levels for education, the
    environment, and other key priorities, as well as on numerous special
    interest legislative riders. We have made some progress in our
    discussions, but many difficult issues remain to be resolved.
        It is time for the Congress to do its job. I call on the Congress to
    meet its responsibilities by sending me legislation for the remaining
    fiscal year 1996 appropriations bills in an acceptable form.
        I hope that this will prove to be the final continuing resolution
    for fiscal 1996, and I intend to continue working with the Congress to
    ensure that it is.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    March 29, 1996.

    Note: H.J. Res. 170, approved March 29, was assigned Public Law No. 104-
    122.