    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book II)]
    [August 17, 1997]
    [Page 1111]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Upon Arrival in Block Island, Rhode Island
    August 17, 1997

        Thank you. Well, first of all, let me say that Hillary and Chelsea
    and I are delighted to be here. We want to thank the Senator for coming
    over with us and thank the first warden for coming out to meet us. It
    took me a little--a moment to realize that the first warden was the
    highest elected official on the island. I thought maybe I was about to
    be arrested for something. [Laughter]
        And let me say I was stunned to see this crowd when we were coming
    down in the helicopter. But this is the first opportunity I have had to
    thank the people of Rhode Island for giving the Vice President and me
    the enormous vote of confidence we got here last November. And I'm very
    grateful to you. Thank you so much.
        Let me also say I'm just anxious to be here and have some fun. And I
    want to go through the crowd and shake hands. I want to have a picture
    taken with the students there from the Block Island School.
        And I hope that all of you will always be committed to preserving
    this beautiful island. I was so impressed when I came down, and Senator
    Reed was telling me a little about the conservation efforts. We have,
    all of us, a great responsibility to future generations to figure out
    how to keep growing this economy. I'm very grateful for the economic
    success that our Nation has had, for the millions of new jobs we have,
    for the lowest unemployment and inflation rates in decades. But we have
    to do it in a way that preserves the natural heritage that God has given
    us. I can see you're committed to that here, and I hope you will help to
    spread that to people all across New England and, indeed, all across the
    United States.
        Again, thanks for having us here. We're delighted. And I want to get
    out and say hello to a few people.
        Thank you, and God bless you.

    Note: The President spoke at 3:32 p.m. at Block Island Airport. In his
    remarks, he referred to First Warden Kimberly H. Gaffett.