[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 31, Number 2 (Monday, January 16, 1995)]
[Pages 50-51]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on the Democratic National Committee

January 12, 1995

    Later this month, at the Democratic National Committee (DNC) meeting 
in Washington, I will formally ask DNC members to support the 
appointment of two capable and committed party advocates for General 
Chairman and National Chairman. I have asked Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) 
and Don Fowler to accept these assignments, and I am enormously grateful 
that they will be my partners in strengthening the Democratic National 
Committee.
    With their help, we will return to the important business of 
electing Democrats at all levels of government, and assuring that the 
voices of the people who work hard and play by the rules--our 
constituents--are heard and heeded at the seats of government throughout 
our land.
    Senator Chris Dodd is one of Congress' most eloquent and effective 
advocates for children and working families. He wrote both the Family 
and Medical Leave Act and the child care and development block grant, 
1990's landmark child care legislation. He has also been a leader in the 
Senate on foreign policy and business issues. As General Chairman, 
Senator Dodd will complement his Senate duties by serving as our 
spokesman and as a leading strategist for the party.
    A little more than 30 years ago another gentleman from Connecticut 
named John Bailey helped direct our party to victory in landmark 
elections, and I am convinced that my friend Chris Dodd will repeat that 
precedent in the elections of 1995 and beyond.
    Don Fowler of South Carolina, a DNC member since 1971, will serve as 
National Chairman, doing the hard but important work of running a 
political party. In the past, Don has served as chairman of the South 
Carolina Democratic Party, president of the Association of State 
Democratic Chairs, and CEO of our convention in Atlanta in 1988. No one 
knows more about our party's operations and strategy, and no one is more 
serious or qualified than Don to guide and direct

[[Page 51]]

Democrats to win elections. He will also be a leading strategist and 
will be the operational head of the DNC.
    While many organizations and entities contribute resources and ideas 
that make our party stronger, it is the Democratic National Committee 
that works to elect the local, State, and Federal elected officials who 
serve the working people of our country.
    As we move toward the next century, and as we face the challenges of 
expanding middle class participation in the recovery, reforming 
Government, restoring values and decency in our society, and holding 
fast to the principles of justice and fairness, retaking the Congress 
and electing Democrats to office is the work of our party committee, and 
its work must be successful. I thank Chris and Don for taking on this 
challenge.
    I know they join me in thanking Debra DeLee for her service as 
Democratic Party Chair since November. She was remarkable in giving her 
energy, her commitment, and her strength to sustaining the party at a 
challenging time in its history. We have asked her to take on another 
assignment as CEO of the party's nomination convention in Chicago in 
1996, and I am thrilled that she will be serving in that capacity.