    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book II)]
    [August 31, 1996]
    [Pages 1441-1442]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks in Troy, Tennessee
    August 31, 1996

        The President. Thank you. Mr. Vice President, it's great to be here
    in your State of Tennessee with Governor McWherter, Congressman Tanner,
    Houston Gordon, all of our legislative and other leaders. Hillary and
    Tipper and Al and I love these bus trips, but the closer to home they
    get, the better we like them. [Laughter]
        And let me also say a special word of honor and appreciation to
    Congressman Ed Jones and his wife, Lou. After Ed Jones left the
    Congress,

    [[Page 1442]]

    Ned McWherter appointed him to work with the then-Governor of Arkansas
    to try to find ways to redevelop the Mississippi River region. He was my
    partner and my friend, and I developed just as much respect and love for
    him as all of you have. And Mr. Ed, it's great to see you today, sir.
    Thank you.
        I also want to make one other introductory remark. I shook hands
    with Mrs. Jim Bob Robertson. She said, ``I'm 101 years old. I've never
    missed an election, and you're the first President I've ever met.''
    [Laughter] And I said, ``Well, it's high time.'' [Laughter] And then she
    leaned over and kissed me. And I can tell you, she may be 101, but she
    still kisses real good. I appreciate that. I thank her.
        Ladies and gentlemen, before I make my remarks I want to report to
    you on a development in another country that you may not have heard
    about. Early this morning, the military forces of Iraq overran the city
    of Irbil, which is in the portion of northern Iraq controlled and
    populated by the Kurds. The situation there remains unclear. There are
    reports of heavy fighting and firing in populated areas. There are
    indications that some Kurdish elements may be involved in the operation
    with Iraq. These developments, however, cause me grave concern. I have
    placed our forces in the region on high alert, and they are now being
    reinforced.
        It is premature at this time, and I want to emphasize that, entirely
    premature to speculate on any response we might have. But we are
    prepared to deal with these developments. We will be working hard with
    others in the international community who share our concern.
        And let me just say in closing, I hope all of you are as proud as I
    am that we have the quality and strength of the men and women in uniform
    we have serving us all around the world. And I hope you'll say an extra
    prayer for them tonight. Thank you.
        We're glad to be here. We didn't expect that this many of you would
    be here, and we're awfully glad to see you.
        On Thursday night, I had the opportunity to speak from Chicago in
    our Democratic Convention to the American people about what Al Gore and
    I would like to do if you give us 4 more years. The fundamental question
    is whether we're going to build a bridge to the future or a bridge to
    the past. Will you help us build a bridge to the 21st century?
        Audience members. Yes!
        The President. A bridge with world-class jobs, world-class
    education, a clean environment, with a growing economy; a bridge where
    families can be strong in raising their children, succeeding at work and
    home; a bridge where communities know that the crime rate is going to
    come down every year because there are more police officers on the
    street and because we're all taking more responsibilities to keep our
    kids out of trouble in the first place--will you help us build that kind
    of bridge? [Applause] Will you help us for the next 68 days in this
    election? [Applause] And then for 4 more years after that? [Applause]
        Let me tell you, folks--I said this at the convention, I want to say
    it again--politicians are always known for overstating. It is no
    overstating when I tell you that Albert Gore from Tennessee is the
    finest, most effective Vice President in the history of the United
    States of America. And if you'll give us a chance to build that bridge
    and you'll build it with us, we'll all walk over it in the year 2000.
        Thank you, and God bless you.

    Note: The President spoke at 1:05 p.m. In his remarks, he referred to
    Ned Ray McWherter, former Tennessee Governor, and Houston Gordon,
    Tennessee senatorial candidate.