[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.