    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [September 3, 1999]
    [Pages 1486-1487]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message on the Observance of Labor Day, 1999
    September 3, 1999

        Warm greetings to all Americans across our country as we celebrate
    Labor Day.
        For more than a century, we have set aside this day to honor our
    nation's working men and women whose energy, talent, creativity, and
    determination have built the foundations of freedom and prosperity that
    generations of Americans have enjoyed. Through the decades, America's
    workers have built a strong economy and strived to bring justice and
    dignity to the workplace.
        Today all Americans owe a debt of gratitude to our nation's labor
    force. Since 1992, we have experienced the longest peacetime economic
    expansion in American history, with nearly 20 million new jobs, wages
    rising at twice the rate of inflation, the highest percentage of home
    ownership, the shortest welfare rolls, and the lowest peacetime
    unemployment rate since 1957. We have fully restored fiscal soundness to
    the federal budget, with a budget surplus of at least $99 billion--the
    largest dollar surplus in American history.
        With America's robust economy, we have the opportunity--and the
    responsibility--to address the needs of our nation's working families.
    We must take advantage of this unique moment in time to reform Social
    Security and Medicare to preserve them for our children. We must ensure
    that these programs are there for our children in the 21st century just
    as they were there for our parents and grandparents in the 20th century.
    And we must raise the minimum wage to make certain that our workers are
    able to earn a decent income.
        As we observe this last Labor Day of the 20th century, let us
    rededicate ourselves to this important effort. On behalf of a grateful
    nation,

    [[Page 1487]]

    I salute America's working men and women and send best wishes for a
    wonderful holiday.

                                                                Bill Clinton