    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
    [April 15, 1997]
    [Pages 442-443]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Exchange With Reporters in Queens, New York
    April 15, 1997

    Jackie Robinson Commemorative Coins

        The President. Mark [Mark Knoller, CBS Radio], did you give out any
    autographs today over at the school?
        Q. Thank you, sir, that was very kind of you.
        The President. It's a great school, isn't it? Very impressive.
        You all know this is the design for the Jackie Robinson coin. And
    Mrs. Robinson and her family consulted on it--do you want to just tell
    them?
        Rachel Robinson. Yes. The gold coin represents the total man, and we
    wanted that because we have been trying to impress people with Jack's
    life in its totality. And we think that's going to be a very rare piece.
    We're very excited about it. We love the design, and we love the
    concept, and we're very happy to have it. The silver coin will represent
    the baseball period and that, of course, he's had an illustrious career.
    So of course we're proud of that. But we wanted to commemorate both
    aspects of him--or total aspects of him. And we will sell out.
    [Laughter] We are already marketing and----
        The President. We're hawking the coin. Anybody in our press corps
    would like to buy one, we can make one available. [Laughter]
        Q. What denomination is it? How much money is it worth? What is the
    face value of it?
        The President. What's the sale price?
        Mrs. Robinson. The final price hasn't been determined. It's around
    $250 on the gold and about $35 on the silver. And the Jackie Robinson
    Foundation will receive surcharges from the coins, which we will invest
    in our permanent endowment fund.

    1996 Campaign Financing

        Q. Mr. President, what do you think of all the attacks on your
    Attorney General? What do you think of all the attacks on your Attorney
    General for the decision she made yesterday on the independent counsel?
    Newt Gingrich said today he likened that position to something that John
    Mitchell would do.
        The President. That cries out for an answer, I guess. Let me say, I
    think that--I don't have anything to add to what I've already said. She
    had to make a legal decision on a legal question. And as I understand
    it, she consulted her career staff people there and made a decision. And
    that's all I know. So I don't have any other comment about it. It should
    not be a political matter; it should be a legal matter. And that's the
    way everybody ought to leave it.
        Q. Thank you.

    Jackie Robinson 50th Anniversary Cap

        Mrs. Robinson. On behalf of the Jackie Robinson Foundation, we would
    like to present you with our anniversary cap, since we know that you
    wear caps----
        The President. I do.
        Mrs. Robinson. ----we hope to see this on your head. [Laughter]
        The President. I hope you see me running and playing golf.

    Note: The President spoke at approximately 6:40 p.m. at Shea Stadium
    during a meeting with Rachel Robinson, widow of Jackie Robinson, and
    other family members. A tape was not available for verification of the
    content of this exchange.

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