[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
[February 3, 1997]
[Page 105]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks at the National Governors' Association Meeting
February 3, 1997

    Good morning, Governor Miller, Governor Voinovich; good morning to 
all the Governors who are here. It was wonderful to see all of you last 
night, and I'm glad to welcome you back to the White House.
    This is an unusual opportunity for our country and for every State. 
The Nation is strong; we are at peace; we have extraordinary prosperity. 
But we know we're living through a time of great change in the way we 
work, in the way we live, the way we relate to each other, that there 
are significant challenges which if not faced will have destructive 
consequences for our Nation in the years ahead. So as we stand on the 
edge of this new century and this profoundly new era, we have a unique 
opportunity and a common responsibility, which is to take action 
together to try to prepare this country not just for the next 4 years 
but for the next 50 years.
    In the State of the Union Address tomorrow night, I'm going to lay 
out the challenges that I see not only for the President and the 
Congress but also for the States and local communities and private 
citizens. Because there will be a great deal in that speech about the 
States and the issues of education and welfare reform and other issues 
of common concern, I want to invite any of you who can stay, to stay 
tomorrow night and to come into the Chamber of the Capitol and sit as a 
group, as many as would like to stay, and be there at the State of the 
Union Address.
    I know that many of you have concerns about welfare reform or 
Medicaid spending or education, the environment, transportation. I'm 
looking forward to addressing those concerns, beginning today at this 
meeting but also every day for the next 4 years. I want every one of you 
to feel that you can always call this White House and that you will have 
someone, even if we don't always agree, who understands your concerns 
and will do his best to address them. And I thank you.
    Mr. Chairman.

Note: The President spoke at 9:50 a.m. in the East Room at the White 
House. In his remarks, he referred to Gov. Bob Miller of Nevada and Gov. 
George V. Voinovich of Ohio, chairman and vice chairman of the 
association.