    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [May 6, 1998]
    [Pages 709-710]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at the State Dinner Honoring Prime Minister Romano Prodi
    of Italy
    May 6, 1998

        Good evening, and welcome to the White House, Mr. Prime Minister,
    Mrs. Prodi, distinguished members of the
    Italian delegation, my fellow Americans.
        Mr. Prime Minister, today we accomplished a great deal. Tonight we
    celebrate the ties that bind us.
        Those ties begin with the discoveries of Columbus and Vespucci,
    whose busts adorn the Blue Room next door. When the Founders created the
    American Republic, they looked to Rome for inspiration. George
    Washington was likened to Cincinnatus, the Roman hero who abandoned his
    plow to rescue his country by popular demand. I might say, they were the
    last two people to head our countries only by popular demand. [Laughter]
        Poets and philosophers of the Roman Republic were read and
    rejuvenated as our new Republic looked to the past to plan our future.
    In the writings of ancient Roman thinkers like Cicero and Cato,
    America's Founders saw the promise of democratic representative
    government. Every aspect of our new Republic paid tribute to the simple
    grandeur of Rome: from our architecture to words like ``senate'' and
    ``capitol.'' Indeed, after our Constitutional Convention, Benjamin
    Franklin was asked what our Founders had produced. His simple reply was,
    ``A Republic, sir, if you can keep it.''

    [[Page 710]]

        Towns sprang up with the names from the ancient Mediterranean world,
    names like Utica, Troy, or the Vice President's hometown, Carthage.
    Artists portrayed America's leaders wearing togas, as the bust of George
    Washington in the hall demonstrates. Thankfully, that is a tradition we
    have left to the 19th century. [Laughter]
        In the 19th and 20th centuries, our Republic turned into a bustling
    nation, thanks in no small measure to Italian-Americans. Ancient Rome
    was replaced by young Italy in the American imagination. And democracy
    was given new life by heroes like Mazzini and Garibaldi.
        America's growing cities attracted millions of Italians, eager to
    build a new life in a new world. They worked hard. They prospered. Today
    American Italians, or Italian-Americans, are leaders in every enterprise
    conducted in our Nation. And as we all know, it is impossible to walk
    more than a few blocks in any American city without hearing the words
    ``caffe latte.'' [Laughter]
        The people here in this room tonight are the link between our two
    countries, between two cultures that have nourished each other since
    America was just an idea. From our highest courts to our finest tables,
    from our playing fields to our silver screen, from one side of the aisle
    in Congress to the other, Italian-Americans have graced our Nation with
    their intellect, their industry, their good will, and above all, a
    contagious love of life.
        Mr. Prime Minister, you have accomplished so much in your time in
    office. You have presided over a string of economic successes. And
    Americans especially admire your perseverance in leading Italy toward
    European monetary union. Without Italy, Europe is not Europe. And
    without Europe, the world would be a poorer, less free, and much duller
    place.
        Italy has been a force for peace and security in its region, on the
    Continent, around the world, in Albania, in Bosnia, and in Kosovo, where
    we're working hard together to bring about a peaceful resolution.
    America is proud to know you as a partner and an ally, and we are
    grateful for your provision of our military bases, sent to help maintain
    Europe's hard-won peace.
        Mr. Prime Minister, we take pride in our strong friendship. We know
    it will continue to grow stronger as we enter the new millennium, a word
    that brings us, once again, back to Rome. For just as the Pax Romana
    spread far and wide through the ancient world, we hope and work for the
    peace of a new millennium that will allow more people than ever before
    to live their dreams in security.
        If we can achieve a peace of the millennium, then the ancient dream
    of Columbus to explore new places can be lived by more people than
    ever--new places in outer space, in biotechnology and medical research,
    in the hearts and minds of people around the world who still look to
    Italy and America for confirmation that a good society can be created
    from many parts.
        E pluribus unum, the motto of the United States, a principle
    cherished by Italians and Americans: Out of many, one. Mr. Prime
    Minister, let us make it so.
        Ladies and gentlemen, I ask you to join me in a toast to the Prime
    Minister and Mrs. Prodi and the people of Italy.

    Note: The President spoke at 8:30 p.m. in the East Room at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to the Prime Minister's wife, Flavia
    Prodi. The transcript made available by the Office of the Press
    Secretary also included the remarks of Prime Minister Prodi.