[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 1 (Monday, January 8, 2001)]
[Pages 6-7]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at a Swearing-In Reception Honoring Senator Hillary Clinton

January 3, 2001

    Thank you. First of all, Senator Schumer has got to go to New York, 
and one of the things that I did not completely solve as President was 
the minor congestion we sometimes have at our airports. [Laughter] So 
let's give Senator Schumer a big hand, because he's got to go. 
[Applause] Thank you.
    Well, I want to thank Walter and Thelma and Cathy. Thank you, all of 
you who worked on this wonderful party for Hillary tonight. I want to 
thank the people of New York for being so good to my wife and to me and 
Al Gore for 8 years.
    This is a special day for Hillary's mother and her brothers and my 
family, but especially for Chelsea and me. We were in the Senate gallery 
today at noon, Chelsea and I were, holding hands, trying to keep from 
laughing out loud and embarrassing Senator Clinton. [Laughter] I 
resisted all temptation. I didn't take one of those little Kodak cameras 
in there. [Laughter] I did everything I could to avoid spoiling what 
was, for me, one of the truly wonderful moments in my life and our 
family's life. So, for all of you who helped Hillary over this last 
almost year and a half, I want you to know I am profoundly grateful to 
you.
    You also have taken a huge load off my mind. [Laughter] Because, you 
know, for 30 years, I've been guilt-ridden that I, when Hillary came to 
Arkansas and married me, that I kept her out of a career in politics 
that she should have had. So I don't have to feel bad about it anymore. 
[Laughter] And I really thank all of you for doing that. I say it 
laughingly, but I'm dead serious about it. I have always felt that 
Hillary had the best combination of mind and heart and passion and 
strength about the issues that we have always cared about than anyone I 
ever knew.
    And I also believe that the American people understand now that 
there really is a connection between the ideas you have and the level of 
commitment you have to implementing them, and what happens out there in 
the country. And if you have any doubt, you're about to find out. 
[Laughter] Because--[applause]--wait a minute--I say that in all 
seriousness. There were, in this election, which was so closely fought 
out in so many places, there are real differences between the way we 
view the world. And they are honest and heartfelt. But at least our 
ideas have been tested for 8 years, and most of them have worked pretty 
well.
    Quite apart from the enormous personal pride I have in Hillary, and 
the enormous gratitude I feel and the incredible--just sheer happiness 
that we all felt today, I am gratified to know that when my term of 
service as President ends, there will be one more magnificent voice 
sticking up for the folks that are too often forgotten and the causes 
that have too often been left behind.
    I'll leave you with this thought. Public service, like a political 
campaign, is a team sport. It's not like tennis; it's not something you 
play by yourself. It's a team sport. And even if you get to be 
quarterback, no matter how good you are, you'll lose if you don't have a 
good team. I have been blessed to

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have supporters like you, people like you, all over this country. Don't 
ever forget it's a team sport. You stick with Hillary, and you guys will 
do great things for America.
    Thank you, and God bless you.

Note: The President spoke at 8:43 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom at the 
Mayflower Hotel. In his remarks, he referred to reception hosts Walter 
and Thelma Kaye. The transcript released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary also included the remarks of Senator Clinton.