    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book II)]
    [July 23, 1997]
    [Pages 992-993]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement Announcing the White House Conference on Child Care
    July 23, 1997

        Today the First Lady and I are pleased to announce that on October
    23, 1997, we will host the White House Conference on Child Care. The
    conference, which will take place at the White House, will examine the
    strengths and weaknesses of child care in America and explore how our
    Nation can better respond to the needs of working families for
    affordable, high quality child care.
        Over the past decade, the number of American families with working
    parents has expanded dramatically. Making high quality child care more
    affordable and accessible is critical to the strength of our families
    and to healthy child development and learning. It is also good for the
    economy and central to a productive American work force.
        This Nation can and should do better. Each of us--from businesses to
    religious leaders to policymakers and elected officials--has a
    responsibility and an important stake in making sure that children of
    all ages have the best possible care available to them. From infancy
    through adolescence, in child care settings and afterschool programs,
    children can learn and thrive with the right care, attention, and
    education.

    [[Page 993]]

        I hope that this conference will be the beginning of a national
    dialog about how best to care for all of America's children and will
    make a valuable contribution to our effort to improve child care in this
    country.