    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
    [May 22, 1997]
    [Page 653]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Supplemental Emergency Legislation for Disaster Assistance
    May 22, 1997

        I urge the Congress not to leave for Memorial Day recess without
    sending me a clean emergency supplemental bill that provides the
    disaster assistance upon which hundreds of thousands of Americans are
    depending. The people of 33 States are waiting for the Congress to act.
    In recent weeks, we have witnessed extraordinary destruction in the
    Dakotas and Minnesota matched only by the courage with which residents
    of these States have faced their plight. The Congress owes it to them to
    pass a clean bill and send it to me for my signature.