    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [January 29, 1998]
    [Page 141]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Bombing of a Family Planning Clinic in Birmingham,
    Alabama
    January 29, 1998

        I strongly condemn the senseless violence that claimed the life of
    an off-duty police officer, and injured
    others, in Birmingham, Alabama, this morning.
        This bombing was an unforgivable act that strikes at the heart of
    the constitutional freedoms and individual liberties all Americans hold
    dear. It is specifically in order to protect those liberties that I
    signed into law legislation that makes it a Federal crime to interfere
    with a woman exercising her constitutional right to visit a women's
    health center. We will continue to enforce that law to its fullest
    extent, and to protect our Nation's family planning clinics.
        Federal agents are already in Birmingham to assist local law
    enforcement officials in bringing the perpetrators of this terrible
    crime to justice.
        Hillary and I join all Americans in sending our thoughts and prayers
    to the families and friends of the victims.