[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.