    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [December 13, 1999]
    [Page 2296]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Telephone Remarks to a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
    Dinner in Houston, Texas
    December 13, 1999

        Well, I'm glad I got to hear the last of B.A.'s speech, and let me say to all of you, I'm jealous of
    you. I wish I were there tonight. I had looked forward to being there
    very much, but I got quite sick with the winter flu, and I've got the
    Israelis and the Syrians coming in this week, and I have to be well for
    them. So the doctor said I couldn't get on the airplane.
        So I wanted to call and just, first of all, thank all of you for
    honoring Lloyd and B.A. and for raising so much money for the Democrats in
    Texas. I think we're going to win the House back in the next election.
    And I'm doing everything I can to do my part.
        But I also want to thank you because of the career and the public
    service of Lloyd Bentsen, that you honor
    tonight. Because there is a reason we're trying to win the House back:
    because of the direction we want the country to take in the new century.
    And everything he has done in his entire career embodies that.
        So Lloyd, I miss you, and I love you. And
    I love you, B.A. I'm sorry I
    couldn't be there. I'm sick I missed Ann Richards' jokes. [Laughter] And you all owe me a raincheck, just
    like I owe you one.
        Thank you, and God bless you all.

    Note: The President spoke at 9:17 p.m. from the Residence at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to former Senator Lloyd Bentsen and
    his wife, Beryl Ann (B.A.); and former Gov. Ann Richards of Texas.