[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 33, Number 7 (Monday, February 17, 1997)]
[Page 179]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Following a Screening of the Film ``Thomas Jefferson''

February 11, 1997

    Thank you. First of all, I know I speak for all of us when I thank 
Ken Burns and all of those who made this magnificent film possible. 
Thank you, especially, Jack Smith, for your work in making it possible 
and sponsoring it.
    If you think about what Ken Burns has given to America with ``The 
Civil War,'' ``The West,'' ``Baseball,'' and ``Thomas Jefferson,'' I 
think Mr. Jefferson would be very proud of you, Mr. Burns. And I know we 
all are, and we thank you so much.
    I think every American President has been inspired by Jefferson's 
ideals, affected by his decisions, fascinated by his character. Two of 
my most prized personal possessions are an original printing of the 
``Notes on Virginia'' and a printing of Daniel Webster's marvelous 
eulogy to John Adams and Thomas Jefferson delivered in Faneuil Hall in 
August of 1826. And from time to time when I feel some sense of despair, 
just for the heck of it, I take them down and open the pages and start 
reading.
    I always thought that the fact that both of them died on the 50th 
anniversary of the Declaration of Independence was the best evidence the 
modern world has on the question of whether God is. It is impossible to 
believe this happened by accident.
    And so, I ask all of you to leave here tonight with a sense of 
gratitude to Thomas Jefferson but also with the firm conviction that the 
thing he was most right about was in leaving us a system that would 
always be in the act of becoming, that his unshakable belief that the 
future could be better than the present extended even to himself and to 
his contemporaries, to their failures and to their successes.
    And that is what we must always believe. You make a better present 
if you think about the future being brighter and if you really believe 
in the potential of every single human spirit. Thomas Jefferson did, and 
so should we.
    I hope you'll now join us in the State Dining Room, and you'll all 
be able to talk about what you liked most about the movie. But let me 
say again, we're gratified to have you all here. Hillary and I have 
looked forward to this evening for a long time, and we are especially 
grateful for all of you who had any part in this magnificent gift to the 
people of the United States.
    Thank you.

Note: The President spoke at 8:45 p.m. in the East Room at the White 
House. In his remarks, he referred to Ken Burns, producer of the film, 
and Jack Smith, president, General Motors Corp.