[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.