    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
    [February 3, 1997]
    [Page 105]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at the National Governors' Association Meeting
    February 3, 1997

        Good morning, Governor Miller, Governor Voinovich; good morning to
    all the Governors who are here. It was wonderful to see all of you last
    night, and I'm glad to welcome you back to the White House.
        This is an unusual opportunity for our country and for every State.
    The Nation is strong; we are at peace; we have extraordinary prosperity.
    But we know we're living through a time of great change in the way we
    work, in the way we live, the way we relate to each other, that there
    are significant challenges which if not faced will have destructive
    consequences for our Nation in the years ahead. So as we stand on the
    edge of this new century and this profoundly new era, we have a unique
    opportunity and a common responsibility, which is to take action
    together to try to prepare this country not just for the next 4 years
    but for the next 50 years.
        In the State of the Union Address tomorrow night, I'm going to lay
    out the challenges that I see not only for the President and the
    Congress but also for the States and local communities and private
    citizens. Because there will be a great deal in that speech about the
    States and the issues of education and welfare reform and other issues
    of common concern, I want to invite any of you who can stay, to stay
    tomorrow night and to come into the Chamber of the Capitol and sit as a
    group, as many as would like to stay, and be there at the State of the
    Union Address.
        I know that many of you have concerns about welfare reform or
    Medicaid spending or education, the environment, transportation. I'm
    looking forward to addressing those concerns, beginning today at this
    meeting but also every day for the next 4 years. I want every one of you
    to feel that you can always call this White House and that you will have
    someone, even if we don't always agree, who understands your concerns
    and will do his best to address them. And I thank you.
        Mr. Chairman.

    Note: The President spoke at 9:50 a.m. in the East Room at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Gov. Bob Miller of Nevada and Gov.
    George V. Voinovich of Ohio, chairman and vice chairman of the
    association.