    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
    [January 15, 2000]
    [Pages 63-64]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    January 15, 2000

        Good morning. On Monday America will celebrate, through reflection
    and service, the birth of the 20th century's great champion for justice
    and civil rights, Dr. Martin Luther King. Today I want to talk with you
    about new steps we're taking to fulfill Dr. King's dream and redeem
    America's promise.
        Of course, we've come a long way. I'm joined today by a woman named
    Charlotte Filmore. Mrs. Filmore is 100
    years old. Through the years, she's seen her share of discrimination. A
    good while ago she worked at the White House, and back then, even here,
    she had to use a side door. Well, today Charlotte Filmore came to the
    White House through the front door, and all the way to the Oval Office.
    But there is still more to do. So, this morning I want to tell you about
    what we're doing to open more doors of opportunity for all Americans.
        In his last speech, Dr. King reminded us that the work of dignity
    and justice is as old as America itself. He said it's about going back
    to those great wells of democracy dug deep by our Founding Fathers and
    the Constitution. To draw from that well, Dr. King challenged us to dig
    deep within our own hearts to face our flaws, renew our values, live up
    to our Nation's creed.
        We are doing better. We have the strongest economy in a generation,
    the lowest unemployment rate in 30 years, and thankfully, the lowest
    African-American and Hispanic unemployment

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    rates ever recorded, the lowest African-American poverty rate ever
    recorded, and the lowest Hispanic poverty rate in 25 years. We are
    coming together as a community. Our social fabric is on the mend.
        But still there are people and places throughout America that have
    been left behind by this economic recovery. Minority unemployment and
    poverty still is about twice the national average. Still there are too
    many barriers on the road to opportunity, too many examples of Americans
    facing discrimination in daily life.
        No American in the 21st century should have to face such
    discrimination when it comes to finding a home, getting a job, going to
    school, securing a loan. That's why I'm very proud that my budget for
    the coming year will include the largest ever investment to enforce our
    civil rights laws, to help make sure that protections in law are
    protections in fact.
        I'm proposing a 20 percent increase for the Civil Rights Division of
    the Justice Department. That would almost double the annual budget for
    the office since I became President 7 years ago. Under the leadership of
    Acting Assistant Attorney General Bill Lann Lee, the Civil Rights Division has enforced our civil rights
    laws justly and fairly. And so again, on behalf of all Americans, I ask
    the Senate to confirm Mr. Lee as our Nation's top civil rights enforcer.
        Our budget also includes a 14 percent increase for the Equal
    Employment Opportunity Commission, so that it continue its work to
    enforce laws prohibiting employment discrimination. And we're beefing up
    our other civil rights enforcements effort throughout our National
    Government.
        We must also do more to root out forces of hate and intolerance.
    We've seen far too many acts of violence targeted at others solely
    because of who they are, from the dragging death of James Byrd to the
    brutal killing of Matthew Shepard to the murder of the African-American
    basketball coach and the Korean-American student in the Midwest to the
    shooting at the Jewish school in Los Angeles and the murder of the
    Filipino postal worker. Such hate crimes leave deep scars not just on
    the victims but on our larger community, for they take aim at others for
    who they are. And when they do, they take aim at America. So once again,
    I ask Congress to stop the delay and pass strong hate crimes
    legislation.
        Taken together, these efforts will move us closer to building one
    America in the 21st century.
        Dr. King taught us the most important civil right is to provide
    every citizen with the chance to live the American dream. This is the
    best chance we've had in my lifetime, maybe even in Mrs.
    Filmore's lifetime, to give every American
    a shot at that dream.
        So as we celebrate Dr. King's life and legacy, let's keep following
    his footsteps to draw from that deep well of democracy and deepen the
    meaning of freedom for all Americans.
        Thanks for listening.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:06 a.m. from the Oval Office at the
    White House. The Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday proclamation
    of January 14 is listed in Appendix D at the end of this volume.