    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [May 14, 1998]
    [Page 758]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Death of Marjory Stoneman Douglas
    May 14, 1998

        Hillary and I were deeply saddened to learn of the death of one of
    America's greatest environmentalists, Marjory Stoneman Douglas. Mrs.
    Douglas was 103 when I had the honor of awarding her the Medal of
    Freedom, and throughout her life, she was always ahead of her time. Long
    before there was an Earth Day, Mrs. Douglas was a passionate steward of
    our Nation's natural resources, particularly her beloved Florida
    Everglades. She was both inspiration and mentor for a generation of
    American conservationists, and her legacy will continue to call us to
    action on behalf of the environment.