[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 34, Number 9 (Monday, March 2, 1998)]
[Page 305]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at the National Governors' Association Dinner

February 22, 1998

    Good evening. Governor and Mrs. Voinovich, Governor and Mrs. Carper, 
ladies and gentlemen, welcome again to the White House. Hillary and I 
always look forward to this night every year. It brings back a lot of 
happy memories. And I'm especially glad to have you here this year.
    I want to begin by thanking you, all of you, for the contributions 
that you have made to the success that the United States is now 
enjoying. The American people have the lowest unemployment rate in 24 
years, the lowest crime rate in 24 years, the lowest welfare rolls in 27 
years, the lowest inflation rate in 30 years. And a lot of that credit 
goes to you and the people with whom you work and the commitments that 
you have made to forge the right kind of government for this new era in 
which we live. A lot of you work every day at building a government that 
is smaller but more effective, that works as a catalyst and a partner, 
does actually give our people the tools they need to make the most of 
this remarkable time in which we're living.
    I also want to say I looked at the document you prepared for your 
meeting; I read it this afternoon while I was thinking about a few other 
things, but I enjoyed it very much. And I think it shows that you agree 
with me that these good times, impose upon us a special obligation to 
make the most of them, to strengthen our country for the century ahead.
    You know, this country was founded by people who came here seeking 
relief from the arbitrary exercise of absolute power. They thought they 
had a better idea. They thought that when free people were able to 
pursue happiness and work to form a more perfect Union, they could build 
a truly remarkable society. And more than 200 years later, I think we'd 
all have to admit that they were right.
    I have said many times, but I would like to say again, that it seems 
to me that at every important time in our country's history we have been 
faithful to the basic ideas of our Founders, no matter what the 
challenge was. We have always improved America when we deepen the 
meaning of our freedom, widen the circle of opportunity, and strengthen 
the bonds of our Union.
    For your contributions to that, I am profoundly grateful. I hope you 
enjoy this evening. I look forward to tomorrow. And I'd like to ask 
everyone here to join me in a toast to the Governors of the 50 States 
and all the territories--[laughter]--and everybody else who is here.

[At this point, a toast was offered.]

Note: The President spoke at 10:30 p.m. in the State Dining Room at the 
White House. In his remarks, he referred to chairman of the National 
Governors' Association Gov. George V. Voinovich of Ohio and his wife, 
Janet; and vice chairman Gov. Tom Carper of Delaware and his wife, 
Martha.