[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 42 (Monday, October 23, 2000)]
[Page 2503]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
 Statement on Signing the Children's Health Act of 2000

 October 17, 2000

     Today I am pleased to sign into law the Children's Health Act of 
2000. This bipartisan legislation builds on my administration's 
longstanding commitment to improve the health and well-being of our 
Nation's children. I am particularly pleased that this legislation 
provides new authority to expand research for the treatment of chronic 
and acute diseases affecting children, improve the safety of child care 
centers, and ensure safe and quality mental health treatment services. 
This important legislation also addresses the critical need for 
substance abuse and mental health services, especially for our Nation's 
youth, through the reauthorization of the Substance Abuse and Mental 
Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), supporting State and community 
efforts to reduce youth drug use, and improving research and treatment 
services. In addition, the legislation will allow us to strengthen our 
efforts to curtail the emerging use of the drugs methamphetamine and 
Ecstasy, which imperil the health and safety of our nation's young 
people.
     I want to pay special tribute to my administration's number one 
advocate for children, First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton. Hillary has 
called the Nation's attention to the special health needs of children 
through her work on children's health insurance coverage, asthma, 
pediatric labeling, juvenile diabetes, and so much more. She has led the 
administration's effort to improve access to health care for children, 
has fought hard for improving the quality and safety of child care, and 
has done more than anyone to improve the lives of millions of our 
Nation's children.

 Note: H.R. 4365, approved October 17, was assigned Public Law No. 106-
310.