    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
    [June 10, 2000]
    [Pages 1115-1116]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    June 10, 2000

        Good morning. As we enter the new century, opportunity is abundant.
    We're in the midst of the longest economic expansion in history, with 22
    million new jobs and the lowest unemployment in 30 years. Yet we know
    some Americans are finding it harder and harder to balance the demands
    of work and family. People are working more jobs and longer hours than
    ever before, forcing many of them to make the unacceptable choice
    between being good workers and the best parents or caregivers.
        Today I want to speak with you about important new steps we're
    taking to give working Americans the time off they need to care for
    their families without losing the income they need to support them.
        According to a recent Federal study, parents in the average family
    now have 22 fewer hours per week to spend at home than they did just a
    generation ago. That's the loss of nearly a full day to spend time with
    their families. And the percentage of married mothers working outside
    the home has nearly doubled, from 38 to 68 percent, over the last three
    decades.
        We also know that many of them are working weekends or on the night
    shift, times they've traditionally spent at home caring for their
    families. In our round-the-clock economy, there just doesn't seem to be
    enough hours during the day for working Americans to do everything they
    need to.
        For more than 7 years now, our administration has taken action to
    give families the flexibility they need to balance the demands of work
    and home. We've helped make child care safer, better, and more
    affordable for millions of families. We've greatly expanded preschool
    and after-school programs. We fought to give generous tax credits to
    help the growing number of families who provide care for aging and
    ailing loved ones at home.
        I'm especially proud that the very first bill I signed as President
    was the Family and Medical Leave Act. Since 1993, more than 20 million
    Americans have used it to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care
    for a newborn or sick relative without fear of losing their jobs. Still
    there are too many families that aren't making use of the law because
    they simply can't afford to take the time off if it means sacrificing a
    paycheck.
        Today I'm announcing two new steps that will allow working Americans
    to take time off they need to care for their families without giving up
    the pay they need to support them.
        First, I'm pleased to announce that States will soon have the option
    to use funds from their unemployment insurance programs to provide paid
    leave to new parents following the birth or adoption of a child. While
    this initiative is totally voluntary, there are already 15 States
    considering legislation to provide paid leave through unemployment
    insurance or other means. In fact, Massachusetts may vote on such a bill
    in the next few weeks.
        In this strong economy, I hope more States will take advantage of
    this new option, and I believe those which do can provide this new
    benefit while still preserving the fiscal soundness of their
    unemployment insurance programs. The first few months with a newborn are
    precious ones, and no parent should have to miss them.
        Second, we all know record numbers of Americans are providing for
    aging or ailing loved ones at home. It's a loving but potentially very
    expensive choice. That's why, beginning later this month, all Federal
    employees will be able to take up to 12 weeks paid sick leave that
    they've earned to nurse an ailing child or parent

    [[Page 1116]]

    back to health. If every company in America followed this example, half
    of all our workers would have this important benefit for their families.
        There are further steps we should take right away to help more
    parents balance work and family. Again, I call on Congress to extend the
    benefits of family and medical leave to employees of smaller companies,
    so we can reach another 12 million American families. And I urge
    Congress to pass my comprehensive long-term care initiative, which
    includes a $3,000 tax credit to meet the growing needs of the elderly
    and their families.
        At the dawn of the last century, Theodore Roosevelt said, ``The
    greatest prizes of life are those connected to the home.'' Today, more
    than a century later, our families still are our most valued treasures.
    That's why I think no American should ever have to choose between the
    job they need and the parent or child they love. The actions we take
    today will help to ensure that they won't have to make that choice.
        Thanks for listening.

     Note:  The address was recorded at 4:25 p.m. on June 9 in the Oval
    Office at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on June 10. The
    transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    June 9 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast.