    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [January 21, 1998]
    [Pages 105-106]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at the White House Endowment Dinner
    January 21, 1998

        Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please? This will be
    a brief program, because we want you to have a wonderful time tonight at
    the White House. We thank you for doing so much to support the White
    House Endowment Fund and for your commitment to

    [[Page 106]]

    ensuring that this house, the people's house, remains the pride of our
    people well into the next millennium.
        No one has been more committed to making sure that this house is for
    all of our people than the First Lady. Over the past 5 years, Hillary has worked so hard to
    showcase the talent and creativity of all Americans in each of these
    grand and historic rooms, from refurbishing the Blue Room to securing
    the first painting by an African-American, or the first painting by
    Georgia O'Keefe for the White House's permanent collection. Her
    contributions to this house will remain a long time after we're gone
    from Washington.
        Let me say it was in no small part because of her dedication that
    the 1.5 million visitors who walk through the White House every single
    year have been able to enjoy the richness and diversity of America's
    cultural heritage. I thank her for her leadership and for making this
    house on all floors a more wonderful and truly historic place to live.
        And now, in reverse of the usual order, it is my pleasure and honor
    to introduce the First Lady of the United States.

    Note: The President spoke at 8:05 p.m. in the State Dining Room at the
    White House.