    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
    [June 12, 1997]
    [Pages 724-725]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Legislation
    June 12, 1997

        I am pleased to sign into law tonight the disaster relief bill that
    Congress has just sent to me.
        This bill provides the desperately needed resources for hundreds of
    thousands of people who have suffered terribly from the flooding and
    other natural disasters in the Dakotas, Minnesota, California, and 29
    other States. It also includes the necessary funds for the Department of
    Defense in connection with our peacekeeping efforts in Bosnia and
    Southwest Asia. It does not include the unacceptable political
    provisions of the bill I vetoed that had nothing to do with the goal of
    providing disaster relief.
        When our people are in need, we Americans come to their assistance
    as one nation. I applaud the Congress for heeding my call to remember
    that fundamental principle.

    Note: H.R. 1871, 1997 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for
    Recovery from Natural Disasters, and for Overseas Peacekeeping Efforts,
    Including Those in Bosnia, approved June 12, was assigned Public Law No.
    105-18.

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