    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book I)]
    [February 1, 1996]
    [Pages 128-129]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a Dinner Honoring President Jacques Chirac of France
    February 1, 1996

        Ladies and gentlemen, good evening. President Chirac, Mrs. Chirac,
    members of the French delegation, to our distinguished guests from
    France and the United States, Hillary and I are delighted to welcome a
    great friend of our country to America's house.
        As President tonight I am thinking of the experience of one of my
    most illustrious predecessors, Thomas Jefferson. As every American
    knows, when Thomas Jefferson was Minister to France, he developed a
    fondness for everything French. When he returned home, his political
    opponents tried to turn the American people against him by accusing him
    of excessive Francophilia. [Laughter] Patrick Henry struck the harshest
    blow. He denounced Jefferson, and I quote, for ``abjuring his native
    victuals'' in favor of French cuisine. [Laughter] Somehow Jefferson
    overcame the attack and went on to become President. And thank goodness,
    today Americans consider a good French meal to be a supreme treat, not
    high treason. [Laughter] Still, I feel compelled to make full disclosure
    to our French guests: Our extraordinary White House chef, Walter Scheib,
    is an American. [Laughter]
        A decade before Thomas Jefferson went to France, France came to the
    aid of American people. Dozens of ships carrying cannon, rifles,
    mortars, and clothing crossed the Atlantic to supply those who were
    fighting here for our independence. At Yorktown, General George
    Washington's troops were one-half French. And together with the French
    fleet, they decided our great revolutionary struggle in freedom's favor
    there. So it is not an exaggeration to say that the American people owe
    our liberty to France.
        Today, freedom-loving people all over the world still look to France
    not only for its strength but for its values, the tolerance, the
    freedom, the progress. We see that in Bosnia where the heroism of
    France's soldiers and the determination of its President are helping
    peace to take hold. We see it in Africa where France is battling poverty
    and disease to bring hope to millions. We see it in Europe where French
    leadership is transforming Jean Monnet's vision of an undivided
    continent finally into a reality. And we see it in the struggle that
    France is waging against the forces of destruction in the modern world,
    against the terrorism, the organized crime, the drug trafficking, forces
    from which none of us are immune.
        Mr. President, I am grateful to have you as our partner in facing
    all these common challenges. I have long admired your political
    tenacity, and I have a suggestion that in France they should begin to
    call you ``Le Comeback Kid.'' [Laughter] I also think all of my fellow
    Americans should know that, as far as I know, the President is the only
    foreign head of state who once worked behind the counter at a Howard
    Johnson's restaurant. [Laughter]
        I know the deep affection he developed for our Nation lives on and
    that he still takes vaca-

    [[Page 129]]

    tions in California. Today he gave me some good advice; he suggested
    that I should spend a little time out there in the next few months.
    [Laughter]
        Most of all, Mr. President, let me say I admire the course you have
    set for France and the strength and determination which you are bringing
    to pursuing that course. Our nations have a special responsibility to
    lead by example and by action. Under your leadership, France is meeting
    that responsibility. And the United States is very, very proud to be a
    partner on the verge of a new century with our very first ally.
        And so let us all raise a glass to France, to its President and
    First Lady, and to our enduring alliance. Long live our two nations.

    Note: The President spoke at 8:36 p.m. in the State Dining Room at the
    White House.