    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [January 22, 1998]
    [Page 108]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Videotaped Remarks Commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the Supreme
    Court's Roe v. Wade Decision
    January 22, 1998

        On January 22d, we mark the 25th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the
    landmark Supreme Court decision that affirmed every woman's right to
    choose whether and when to have a child, and in doing so, affirmed two
    of our Nation's most deeply-held values, personal privacy and family
    responsibility.
        Over the past 25 years, Roe v. Wade has had a major positive impact
    on the health and well-being of American women and their families. Safe,
    legal abortion has all but eliminated the dangerous, clandestine
    conditions that claimed too many women's lives when the procedure was
    illegal.
        I'm committed to keeping abortion safe, legal, and accessible--and
    to making it more rare. Over the last 5 years, we've led the way on
    policies to prevent unintended pregnancy by making comprehensive family
    planning and sex education programs more widely available. We've
    increased support for Title X family planning services every year in our
    budget. And I'll do so again this year.
        I've fought to continue funding for international family planning,
    bringing much needed health care to women all around the world. Here at
    home, by working together with health care professionals, community
    groups, schools, and family planning agencies, we've made real progress
    in reducing teen pregnancy. And I was proud to sign legislation to
    protect the rights Roe established by protecting women's clinics from
    violence. We have enforced that law to its full extent.
        I will continue to do everything I can to make sure that every child
    in America is a wanted child, raised in a loving, strong family.
    Ultimately, that idea is what the anniversary of Roe v. Wade celebrates.
        Hillary and I join with all of you in commemorating this milestone
    and pledge ourselves anew to protecting the right to choose.
        Thank you, and God bless you.

    Note: These remarks were videotaped at approximately 4:30 p.m. on
    January 6 in the Cabinet Room at the White House.