[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book III)]
[November 18, 2004]
[Pages 2980-2982]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks at the Dedication of the William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Park in Little Rock, Arkansas
November 18, 2004

    President Clinton, Senator Clinton, President Carter and Mrs. 
Carter, President Bush and Mother--[laughter]--
Governor and Mrs. Huckabee, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen: Laura and I are really pleased to be a part of this happy and 
historic occasion. On this day of dedication, we honor the man from 
Hope, Arkansas, who became the 42d President of the United States. Mr. 
President, congratulations.
    This Presidential library chronicles a vivid era in American history 
for the benefit of future generations. It will contribute to the 
vitality of this fine city and to the great State of Arkansas. The 
collections here record the dedication and hard work of thousands who 
brought talent and idealism to public service. And at the center of that 
era, at the head of that administration was an able and energetic 
American. President Bill Clinton led our country with optimism and a 
great affection for the American people, and that affection has been 
returned. He gave all to his job, and the Nation gave him two terms.

    In the early 1990s, the American people saw a young, well-spoken, 
relatively unknown Governor rise to national prominence. Yet for decades 
here in Arkansas, the signs of destiny were clear. When young William 
entered a new school in the fourth grade, a classmate recalls, ``He 
didn't mean to, but he just took the place over.'' [Laughter] When 
Governor Clinton declared his candidacy for President in this city, his 
close friends were not surprised in the least. They'd always known that 
Bill Clinton's moment in history would come.

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    Arkansas is a State that knows political skill when you see it. A 
fellow in Saline County was asked by his son why he liked Governor 
Clinton so much. He said, ``Son, he'll look you in the eye. He'll shake 
your hand. He'll hold your baby. He'll pet your dog--all at the same 
time.'' [Laughter]
    Over the years, Bill Clinton showed himself to be much more than a 
good politician. His home State elected him the Governor in the 1970s, 
the 1980s, and the 1990s because he was an innovator, a serious student 
of policy, and a man of great compassion. In the White House, the whole 
Nation witnessed his brilliance and his mastery of detail, his 
persuasive power, and his persistence. The President is not the kind to 
give up a fight. His staffers were known to say, ``If Clinton were the 
Titanic, the iceberg would sink.'' [Laughter]
    During his Presidency, Bill Clinton seized important opportunities 
on issues from welfare to free trade. He was a tireless champion of 
peace in the Middle East. He used American power in the Balkans to 
confront aggression and halt ethnic cleansing. And in all his actions 
and decisions, the American people sensed a deep empathy for the poor 
and the powerless. Shortly before leaving office, President Clinton 
said, ``Christ admonished us that our lives will be judged by how we do 
unto the least of our neighbors.'' Throughout his career, Bill Clinton 
has done his best to live up to that standard, and Americans respect him 
for it.
    At every stage of his remarkable life, President Clinton has made 
and kept countless friends, who share in the joy of this day. And three 
people in particular have the largest part in this remarkable story. One 
day more than 30 years ago, inside the Yale Law Library, a fellow 
student walked over to Bill Clinton and said, ``If you're going to keep 
staring at me and I'm going to keep staring back, we ought to at least 
know each other's name. Mine's Hillary Rodham. What is yours?'' 
[Laughter] That was a good day for both of them and the beginning of a 
partnership unique in American history. So today we honor the former 
first lady of Arkansas, the former First Lady of America, the United 
States Senator from New York, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.
    Perhaps the Clintons's greatest achievement is their daughter, who 
moved into the White House as a young girl and left as an accomplished 
young lady. It's not easy to be a teenager 
in the White House, but it's a lot easier when you have a loving mother 
and a loving father that Chelsea Clinton had.
    This magnificent Presidential library and the American life it 
celebrates would not have been possible without the love and sacrifice 
of a special lady. Among his heroes, President Clinton always includes 
his mother, Virginia Kelley, ``a working woman and a widow.'' Virginia 
was there when her son took the oath of office, and we know that she 
would be incredibly proud of this day.
    The story that began in a little house on Hervey Street in Hope, 
Arkansas, is the kind of story that inspires people from every 
background, all over America. In this great Nation, it is always 
possible for a child to go as far as their talent and vision can take 
them. Visitors to this place will be reminded of the great promise of 
our country, and the dreams that came true in the life of our 42d 
President. The William J. Clinton Presidential Library is a gift to the 
future by a man who always believed in the future. And today we thank 
him for loving and serving America.
    God bless.

Note: The President spoke at 12:20 p.m. In his remarks, he referred to 
Gov. Mike Huckabee of Arkansas and his wife, Janet.

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