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

    Statement on Congressional Action on Emergency Supplemental
    Appropriations Legislation
    June 12, 1997

        I applaud the United States Congress for passing the disaster relief
    bill that the families of the Midwest and other parts of the country
    desperately need. I am especially pleased that the congressional
    majority heeded the call of common sense by ensuring that the people who
    need this assistance will get it and by ensuring that the controversial
    and extraneous provisions of the bill were dropped. Anyone who has
    toured the flood-ravaged areas of the Midwest, as I have, knows that
    these needed funds will help put America's families and communities on
    the road to recovery. Above all, today's vote shows that while we may
    not agree on everything, we can still work together and move forward on
    those crucial priorities that are beyond dispute. I thank the Congress
    for its willingness to do so, and I hope we can continue to work
    together in that spirit in the weeks and months to come.