[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 33, Number 18 (Monday, May 5, 1997)]
[Page 617]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on the Senate Resolution Establishing National Erase the Hate 
and Eliminate Racism Day

April 30, 1997

    I applaud the leadership of Senator Baucus, along with Senator Burns 
and all Members of the United States Senate who have joined together to 
designate today as a national day to erase the hate and eliminate 
racism. America is the world's most diverse democracy and the world 
looks to us for leadership in building on that diversity and showing 
that it is our greatest strength. Today's resolution shows that the 
Senate is determined to reach across party lines to help achieve that 
promise.
    We must do all we can to fight bigotry and intolerance, in ugly 
words and awful violence, in burned churches and bombed buildings--
including efforts such as today's resolution. The only way we can meet 
our challenges is by meeting them together--as one America--and giving 
all of our citizens, whatever their background, an opportunity to 
achieve their own greatness.