    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
    [April 30, 1997]
    [Pages 514-515]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Senate Resolution Establishing National Erase the Hate
    and Eliminate Racism Day
    April 30, 1997

        I applaud the leadership of Senator Baucus, along with Senator Burns
    and all Members of the United States Senate who have joined together to
    designate today as a national day to erase the hate and eliminate
    racism. America is the world's most diverse democracy, and the world
    looks to us for leadership in building on that diversity and showing
    that it is our greatest strength. Today's resolution shows that the
    Senate is determined to reach across party lines to help achieve that
    promise.
        We must do all we can to fight bigotry and intolerance, in ugly
    words and awful violence,

    [[Page 515]]

    in burned churches and bombed buildings--including efforts such as
    today's resolution. The only way we can meet our challenges is by
    meeting them together--as one America--and giving all of our citizens,
    whatever their background, an opportunity to achieve their own
    greatness.