[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 33, Number 9 (Monday, March 3, 1997)]
[Pages 267-268]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Signing International Population Assistance Program 
Legislation

February 28, 1997

    Today I am pleased to sign into law H.J. Res. 36, which approves a 
Presidential finding related to international population programs. 
Approval of this joint resolution permits the release on March 1 of 
funds previously appropriated for international population assistance 
programs administered by the U.S. Agency for International Development 
(USAID). In making these funds available without further delay we are 
assuring that these programs will continue to serve the many millions of 
women and men whose health and well-being--and ability to plan their own 
futures--depend on family planning services supported by USAID. 
Moreover, we are underscoring the indisputable fact that family planning 
reduces abortion--as best evidenced by significant declines in abortion 
rates as family planning services are becoming available in Russia and 
Central and Eastern Europe.
    The passage of this joint resolution at the opening of the 105th 
Congress is particularly gratifying as it signifies what we can 
accomplish by working together--Democrats and Republicans. By agreeing 
to secure the timely release of these funds, we are assuring that the 
United States will continue to lead the world in providing voluntary 
family planning assistance. More importantly, we are helping the women 
of the world to prevent millions of unintended pregnancies, permit the 
healthy spacing of births, prevent the spread of sexually transmitted 
diseases, including HIV/AIDS, reduce recourse to abortion, and avert 
deaths from childbirth that often leave infants and their siblings 
motherless.
    It is clear to me--and I am delighted that a strong bipartisan group 
of legislators in the House and Senate has joined in affirming the 
view--that family planning is a key element of our comprehensive 
strategy to improve women's health and station in life, and to increase 
child survival rates. By their votes, Members of Congress have shown 
their con

[[Page 268]]

cern for the well-being of the poorest families around the globe.
                                            William J. Clinton
The White House,
February 28, 1997.

Note: H.J. Res. 36, approved February 28, was assigned Public Law No. 
105-3.