    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book II)]
    [November 18, 1997]
    [Pages 1604-1606]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Teleconference Remarks to the Council of Jewish Federations
    November 18, 1997

        Thank you. And ladies and gentlemen, I have been told that because I
    was a few moments late, that Dore Gold filled in for me, and that's a
    pretty good substitute. I want to thank him as well.
        It's an honor for me to be able to speak to the Council of Jewish
    Federations General Assembly and to all of you who are watching your
    local federations over the CJF satellite network. I'm pleased to know
    that Connie Giles, Joel Tauber, Billie Gold have convened this general
    assembly to further the proud tradition of the Jewish federation system,
    and I trust that

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    my good friend Jeff Smulyan is being a gracious host in his hometown of
    Indianapolis.
        Six years ago, when I announced my candidacy for President, I said
    that I had a vision for America in the 21st century--a vision that would
    put us on a mission to keep the American dream alive for every person
    who is responsible enough to work for it, to continue to lead the world
    for peace and freedom and prosperity, and to bring our own people
    together, across all the lines that divide us, into one America.
        We've worked hard to advance this vision here at home, thanks in
    great measure to the volunteer efforts of groups like CJF and Jewish
    federations all across our Nation. I share with you the deep belief that
    the strength of our society is the product of our active commitment to
    one another. Volunteer organizations are the glue that hold our
    communities together, and I've worked hard to make sure the National
    Government sticks by you as your steadfast partner. If not for
    Government support, Jewish federations and other groups would have to
    drastically scale back their health and human service efforts. We must
    never let this happen.
        We also know we can't allow Congress to deny charities and other
    not-for-profit groups the right to take a stand on public issues. It
    would lessen our democracy if you were deprived of your voice, for your
    voice has given strength and support to millions of other Americans. For
    example, as we worked to enact a balanced budget, you made sure we did
    it in the right way. You spoke out on behalf of legal immigrants;
    together, we restored critical health and disability benefits that had
    been taken from these groups unfairly. You spoke out on behalf of older
    Americans, and together we protected and strengthened Medicare and
    Medicaid. And I'm very grateful for your voice and your support.
        I would also like to thank you for your support of our
    administration's effort to expand peace and stability in the Middle East
    and around the world. We must never give in to the forces of destruction
    and terror. We must never give up on promoting peace. Our law
    enforcement officials went halfway around the world to bring to justice
    the man responsible for the cold-blooded murder of Americans outside the
    CIA Headquarters. The World Trade Center bombers are going to jail for a
    long, long time. Saddam Hussein cannot be allowed to expel international
    weapons inspectors because we cannot accept another dictator with
    weapons of mass destruction.
        And I want to reiterate to you my solemn and personal commitment
    that we will continue to press forward on all fronts to redeem the
    promise of the peace process in the Middle East. The road to peace is
    never easy, but with confidence and determination and patience, let us
    continue to travel that road.
        Let us also work together to expand religious freedom around the
    world. Hillary, just a few minutes ago, returned to the White House from
    her trip to Central Asia, Ukraine, and Russia, where she visited several
    centuries-old synagogues and met with members of Jewish communities that
    have reemerged after years of oppression under Soviet rule. These visits
    highlighted our strong conviction that the transition of peaceful
    democracy requires a deep commitment to religious, cultural, and ethnic
    tolerance.
        And I know all of you believe that tolerance of difference is no
    less important here at home. We've overcome many of the challenges that
    our grandparents and great-grandparents faced when they arrived on these
    shores, but we still have a lot of work to do to bring all of us
    together into one America.
        So in addition to what you do day-in and day-out to help America
    seize the opportunity inherent in our diversity, I ask for your help in
    two other important priorities. First of all, let me urge you to stand
    up for Bill Lann Lee, my nominee to head the Civil Rights Division of
    the Justice Department. He is the son of immigrants who has dedicated
    his entire life to fighting discrimination in all its forms. I've
    nominated him because I think he's the best person in the country to do
    the job, and no one--no one--has questioned his ability, his experience,
    or his integrity. He is being held up for political reasons on the
    dubious proposition that he shouldn't head the Civil Rights Division
    because he agrees with the President on the issue of affirmative action.
        Second, I ask you to participate in our historic race initiative.
    For many decades, members of the Jewish community have marched side by
    side with Americans of other faiths and races, fighting for civil rights
    and racial reconciliation. So I ask you to urge your member federation
    and coalition partners to convene townhall meetings and find other ways
    of bringing people together across racial lines to address common
    concerns. Please help to promote the interaction

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    that allows us to celebrate our differences and still recognize the
    overarching values that unite us all.
        Ninety years ago, Israel Zangwill coined the term ``melting pot'' in
    his play about a young Jewish composer in New York. In that play, he
    beautifully summed up the promise of our Nation. He said, and I quote,
    ``The palm and the pine, the pole and the equator, the crescent and the
    cross. Here shall all races and nations unite. Here shall they come to
    labor and look forward.''
        I thank you for what you have done over this past century to unite
    us and to keep us looking forward. And at the threshold of a new
    century, I look forward to working with you to keep our beacon shining
    brightly for all the world to see.
        Congratulations on your successful general assembly. Again, thank
    you for all the support that you have given to our efforts and, most
    especially, thank you for what you do every day to reflect the best in
    our country and the best hope of the world.
        Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 7:21 p.m. by satellite from Room 459 of the
    Old Executive Office Building. In his remarks, he referred to Dore Gold,
    Policy Adviser to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu of Israel; Conrad
    Giles, president, Council of Jewish Federations; Joel Tauber and Billie
    Gold, cochairs, 1997 Council of Jewish Federations General Assembly
    Planning Committee; and Jeffrey H. Smulyan, chairman and chief executive
    officer, Emmis Broadcasting.