    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
    [February 11, 1997]
    [Page 147]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Screening of Excerpts From the Film
    ``Thomas Jefferson''
    February 11, 1997

        Thank you. First of all, I know I speak for all of us when I thank
    Ken Burns and all of those who made this magnificent film possible.
    Thank you, especially, Jack Smith, for your work in making it possible
    and sponsoring it.
        If you think about what Ken Burns has given to America with ``The
    Civil War,'' ``The West,'' ``Baseball,'' and ``Thomas Jefferson,'' I
    think Mr. Jefferson would be very proud of you, Mr. Burns. And I know we
    all are, and we thank you so much.
        I think every American President has been inspired by Jefferson's
    ideals, affected by his decisions, fascinated by his character. Two of
    my most prized personal possessions are an original printing of the
    ``Notes on Virginia'' and a printing of Daniel Webster's marvelous
    eulogy to John Adams and Thomas Jefferson delivered in Faneuil Hall in
    August of 1826. And from time to time when I feel some sense of despair,
    just for the heck of it, I take them down and open the pages and start
    reading.
        I always thought that the fact that both of them died on the 50th
    anniversary of the Declaration of Independence was the best evidence the
    modern world has on the question of whether God is. It is impossible to
    believe this happened by accident.
        And so, I ask all of you to leave here tonight with a sense of
    gratitude to Thomas Jefferson but also with the firm conviction that the
    thing he was most right about was in leaving us a system that would
    always be in the act of becoming, that his unshakable belief that the
    future could be better than the present extended even to himself and to
    his contemporaries, to their failures and to their successes. And that
    is what we must always believe. You make a better present if you think
    about the future being brighter and if you really believe in the
    potential of every single human spirit. Thomas Jefferson did, and so
    should we.
        I hope you'll now join us in the State Dining Room, and you'll all
    be able to talk about what you liked most about the movie. But let me
    say again, we're gratified to have you all here. Hillary and I have
    looked forward to this evening for a long time, and we are especially
    grateful for all of you who had any part in this magnificent gift to the
    people of the United States.
        Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 8:45 p.m. in the East Room at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Ken Burns, producer of the film,
    and Jack Smith, president, General Motors Corp.