[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 34, Number 5 (Monday, February 2, 1998)]
[Page 160]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on the Bombing of a Family Planning Clinic in Birmingham, 
Alabama

January 29, 1998

    I strongly condemn the senseless violence that claimed the life of 
an off-duty police officer, and injured others, in Birmingham, Alabama 
this morning.
    This bombing was an unforgivable act that strikes at the heart of 
the constitutional freedoms and individual liberties all Americans hold 
dear. It is specifically in order to protect those liberties that I 
signed into law legislation that makes it a Federal crime to interfere 
with a woman exercising her constitutional right to visit a women's 
health center. We will continue to enforce that law to its fullest 
extent--and to protect our Nation's family planning clinics.
    Federal agents are already in Birmingham to assist local law 
enforcement officials in bringing the perpetrators of this terrible 
crime to justice.
    Hillary and I join all Americans in sending our thoughts and prayers 
to the families and friends of the victims.