    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [April 1, 1998]
    [Page 485]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 485]]

    Letter to the Speaker of the House on the Disadvantaged Business
    Enterprise Program
    April 1, 1998

    Dear Mr. Speaker:
        On March 28, 1998, I sent a letter to the Leadership addressing my
    concerns regarding H.R. 2400, the Building Efficient Surface
    Transportation and Equity Act of 1998. As the House prepares to consider
    this bill, I want you to know that I am adamantly opposed to any
    attempts to weaken or repeal the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)
    program extension contained in this legislation.
        We have seen time and again that women and minorities are excluded
    from the contracting process when a DBE program is not in place. The DBE
    program is not a quota. The existing statute explicitly provides that
    the Secretary of Transportation may waive the 10 percent goal for any
    reason and that this benchmark is not to be imposed on any state or
    locality. Rather, the DBE program encourages participation without
    imposing rigid requirements of any type.
        I ask that you oppose efforts to strike the DBE program from the
    bill.
            Sincerely,

                                                          William J. Clinton

    Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of
    this letter.