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FOIA Number: 2006-0466-F
FOIA
MARKER·
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the William J. Clinton
Presidential Library Staff.
Collection/Record Group:
Clinton Presidential Records
Subgroup/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting
Series/Staff Member:
Jonathan Prince
Subseries:
OA/ID Number:
10442
FolderiD:
Folder Title:
April 1996 - [Radio Address]
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
s
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1
�04f23/96 'TUE 15:07 FAX· 202 514·7864
DOJ OPLIA
141001
U. ·s. Department of Justice
Wa.thf,zgtoll,lJ.C, '205JO
FACSIMILE COVER SHEET
TO:
JONATHAN PRINCE
FROM:
Nicholas M. Gess
Director_
Public Liaison and Intergovernmental Affairs
TELEPHONE:
(202) 514-3465 '
· F~CSIMILE:
_/
(202}
514-2504'
DATE:
April 2:L 1996
SUBJECt:·
AG Remarks for Terror signing
# PAGES:
(Including this cover sheet} 3 ·
REMARKS:
.
Jonathan --- Attached are draft AG remarks. She's
flying back from Budapest/Paris ·and thus hasn't
seen -yet.
· We anticipate her talking. for 1'-2
minute~.
Nick
·
�04/23/96
~001
DOJ OPLIA
TUE 11:02 FAX 202 514 7864
U. S.-Department of Justice
Washiltgton, D.C. 20530
FACSIMILE COVER SHEET
PRINCE
TO:
JO~ATHAN
FROM:
Nicholas M. Gess
Director
Public Liaison and Intergovernmental.Affaiis
TELEPHONE:
(202) 514:-3465
FACSIMILE:
J.\,pril 23, 1996
SUBJECT:
Terrorism -. POTUS Signing Remarks
# PAGES:
(Including th1.s cover sheet)
REMARKS:
•
514-2504
DATE:
.
'I
(202)
.
'..
I
I
·Jonathan -- Attached is our fact sheet.
Part I is
what's in the bill ·and Part II are 'things wt= asked
for which are out of the bill. Overall message is
th~t the bill· is good, bu.t that extremists got· out ·
some of the neces'sary law enforcement . "tools"
(that's the word we've been using to avoid using
words such as "powers" a:qd 11 authorities 11 •
Nick
,;
�PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
RADIO ADDRESS TO THE NATION
ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA
APRIL 20, 1996 (TAPED APRIL 19, 1996)
Good morning. I am in Russia today, working XXXX [NSC].
The very forces that have unlocked so much potential for progress -- new technology,
open borders, instant communication -- have also made it easier for the forces of hatred and
division to endanger the lives of innocent people. The threats we face today are not as
obvious as they were during the Cold War, but they are no less dangerous. So, although
there is much to be hopeful about, it is no time to relax our vigilance.
Even as we are working to make the world safer for all people, we are faced with a
stark reminder that terrorism ignores borders and strikes without discrimination. As all
Americans know, yesterday was the first anniversary of the bombing in Oklahoma City.
More than a year ago I sent Congress an anti-terrorism bill to strengthen law
enforcement's ability to protect Americans from terrorist activity. After the terrible
bombing, I sent Congress additional proposals to make the anti-terrorism bill even stronger.
In the immediate aftermath of the Oklahoma City tragedy, Congressional leaders
rushed to promise swift passage of my anti-terrorism bill. Since then, it has been constantly
delayed by politics and attacked by partisans on both edges of the political spectrum. Special
interest groups have spared no effort to stop it, slow it, or cripple it.
Finally, a majority of Congress stood up for the safety of the American people and
said, enough is enough.· After a year of delay, Congress passed the anti-terrorism bill this
past Thursday. My fellow Americans: There will be no more delay. I will sign the antiterroism bill into law this week at the White House. On Tuesday, Law enforcement will have
the tools to crack down, track down, and shut down terrorists they should have had a year
ago.
I am gratified that Democrats and Republicans in Congress worked together to send
this bill to my desk. It isn't perfect. XXX
Although it isn't perfect, it is certainly a step in the right direction. It will XXX. It
will XXX. It will XXX.
1
�.
~.
PRESIDEN:f WILLIAM J. CLINTON
RADIO ADDRESS TO THE NATION
ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA
APRIL 20, 1996 (TAPED APRIL 19, 1996)
Good morning. I am in Russia today, working to make the world safer by reducing
the threat posed by nuclear weapons. Already, XXX
This hasn't just been a week of progress for our country abroad; at home, we have
made progress on three important fronts.,
First, Congress has agreed to give American law enforcement important tools to fight
terrorism. We know that the very forces that have unlocked so much potential for progress - new technology, open borders, instant communication -- have also made it easier for the
forces of hatred and division to endanger the lives of innocent people. The threats we face
today are not as obvious as they were during the Cold War, but they are no less dangerous.
So, although there is much to be hopeful about, it is no time to relax our vigilance.
And this week, we are faced with a stark reminder that terrorism ignores borders and
strikes without discrimination. As all Americans know, yesterday was the first anniversary
of the bombing in Oklahoma City.
More than a year ago I sent Congress an anti-terrorism bill to strengthen law
enforcement's ability to protect Americans from terrorist activity. After the terrible
bombing, I sent Congress additional proposals to make the anti-terrorism bill even stronger.
In the immediate aftermath of the Oklahoma City tragedy, Congressional leaders
rushed to promise swift passage of my anti-terrorism bill. Since then, it has been constantly
delayed by politics and attacked by partisans on both edges of the political spectrum. Special
interest groups have spared no effort to stop it, slow it, or cripple it.
Finally, a majority of Congress stood up for the safety of the American people and
said, enough is enough. After a year of delay, Congress passed the anti-terrorism bill this.
past Thursday. My fellow Americans: There will be no more delay. I will sign the antiterrorism bill into law this week at the White House. On Tuesday, law enforcement will have
the tools to crack down, track down, and shut down terrorists they should have had a year
ago.
I am gratified that Democrats and Republicans in Congress worked together to send
this bill to my desk. But, even though I am pleased with what Congress did do, I want to
make it clear that I am disappointed with what Congress failed to do. Too many strong antiterrorism provisions I proposed were left on the cutting room floor. For example, the bill I
sent would have helped police to crack down on terrorists by making it easier for them to
keep suspected terrorists under surveillance. My bill also would have given law enforcement
more time to investigate and prosecute terrorists who use machine guns, sawed-off shotguns,
and explosive devices.
1
�-----------------------------------------------.,
Even though Congress caved in to special interest pressure and walked away from
these measures, the bill they passed still makes important progress. It will make it easier for
police to track down terrorists by requiring chemical taggants in explosive materials so police
could trace bombs to the criminals who made them. It will make it much harder for
terrorists to raise the money they need to fund their crimes. So I am happy to sign it.
The second area we've seen progress is in our bipartisan effort to enact health care
reform for the American people. The Kennedy-Kassebaum bill which will make it easier for
millions of Americans to get and keep health insurance. With a strong bipartisan vote, the
Senate beat back a special-interest provision that would have derailed this important
legislation. Now Congress should finish the job, and send it to my desk without delay.
Now Congress must move forward in a third area. Raising the mininum wage. If
Congress doesn't act this year, the minimum wage will be at its lowest real value in 40
years. For millions of hardworking parents it's very simple: You can't raise a family on
$4.25 an hour. It's time to make the minimum wage a wage you can live on. This goes
way beyond politics or party.
One member of a group of moderate Republicans who broke with their party's
leadership said it best: ...This is not a complicated issue. It should not be a partisan issue.
It's timely. It's right and I think we should do it."
I challenge the Republican leadership to listen to its members. Let's get this done
now. Increase the minimum wage. [No political games. No poison pills.] GS
Democrats and Republicans are working together on all three of these issues
protecting Americans, providing access to health care, standing up for workers. That's the
·
way I want people to work together on everything.
2
�----
_. 04/1&/96
------------------------------.
THU 15:14 FAX 202 514 7864
DOJ OPLIA
4/18/96-1:15 PM
ANTI-TERRORISM LEGISLATION
I.
What's In the Act
Terrorist Fund-raising
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Provides a means for Cabinet officials to designate terrorist
organizations.
Criminalizes knowingly providing support to a terrorist
organization.
Requires financial institutions to freeze assets of designated
terrorist organizations and prohibits financial institutions from
engaging in any transaction with a designated foreign
terrorist country. ·
Requires FAA to provide regulations requiring foreign air
carriers to provide level of security identical to domestic
airlines ~t same airports ..
President may withhold foreign aid to countries which provide
assistance to any country designated as a supporter of
terrorism.
Expressly must withhold assistance if such government
provides "lethal military equipment" to such a state.
Prohibits export or licensing of defense materials to countries
not cooperating fully with USA in anti-terrorism efforts.
Terrorist and Criminal Alien Removal and Exclusion
•
•
•
Establishes Federal alien terrorist removal court consisting of
5 district judges appointed by Chief Justice. Other removals
will continue to be heard by existing administrative law judge
system.
Permits DoJ to seek removal of alien terrorists using
classified information. Hearing will be open except that alien
will rece,ive only an unclassified summary of classified
information.
Increases penalty for reentry after deportation or exclusion to
10 years.
141 002
�,. 04/!S/96
THU 15:15 FAX 202 514 i864
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
DOJ
OPLI.~
Permits exclusion of representatives and members of
designated terrorist organizations.
Aliens found within the USA and who have not been properly
admitted are deemed to be seeking entry and admission and
may be excluded by DoJ pursuant to regulation.
INS officers may exclude aliens seeking admission without
further hearing or review if no stated intent to apply for
asylum. Asylum requires a .. credible fear of persecution"
which must found by a preponderance.
Aliens who are excludable as terrorists are not eligible for
asylum unless DoJ grants a waiver. Expedites
deportation/exclusion of criminal aliens.
Certain alien smuggling offenses designated as RICO
predicates.
Those who have illegally entered the USA at least 3 times
must be repatriated to a location not less than 500 kilometers
from the country's border with the USA.
Prohibits deportation of criminal aliens until sentence of
imprisonment is complete unless conviction is for certain
non-violent crimes. If alien is found within the USA again,
then must serve remainder of term of imprisonment.
Authorizes state and local law enforcement to arrest and
detain illegal aliens who have previously been convicted of a
felony in the USA and who have been deported from or have
left the USA after such conviction.
Final orders of deportation for certai!'l criminal aliens are not
reviewable by any court.
Expands definition of "aggravated felony" to include common
alien smuggling and related offenses.
Authorizes USA to surrender persons other than citizens,
nationals or permanent residents who have committed
crimes of violence against nationals of the USA abroad to
countries with which USA does not have an extradition
treaty.
2
141003
�.----------------
• 04/18/96
-
-
- - - - - -
THU 15:15 FAX 202 514 i864
•
•
•
..•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
DOJ OPLL~
Criminal Law
Increases penalty for conspiracy to commit explosives
violation to the same as those (except death) for the
underlying substantive offense.
Creates criminal offense for acts of terrorism transcending
national boundaries. Permits United States to prosecute here
in the USA, those who direct and plan terrorist operations
against the USA from abroad.
Increases penalties for conspiracy to kill, kidnap, maim or
injure persons or damage property in a foreign country.
Increases penalties for specified terrorism-related crimes .
Increases penalties for transferring explosive materials
knowing that they will be used to commit a crime of violence.
Criminalizes the possession of stolen explosives .
Increases penalties or explosives and arson crimes .
Expands definition of "aggravated felony" for immigration
purposes.
Expands jurisdiction for overseas terrorism crimes .
Adds language to bomb threat statute which removes
potential problem of statutory interpretation.
Expands weapons of mass destruction statute .
Makes terrorism offenses money laundering predicates .
Expands protections of "assault on Federal officer" statute to
a wider group of USA officials, family and former employees.
Expands death penalty aggravating factors to include, "[t]he
defendant intentionally killed ... more than one person in a
single .... episode."
Clarifies Federal detention hearing statute so as to exclude
weekends and holidays from calculation of three and five day
continuances allowed the government and defendant
respectively.
Permits .Secretary of Treasury to issue regulations requiring
the addition of taggants to explosives if a study suggests that
this is feasible.
Study - Public availability of materials on bomb-making .
Study - Statistics on intimidation of government employees .
Study - Cop killer bullets and other causes .
Study - Thefts from armories .
3
141004
�----------~-------------
.._ 04/18-/96
THU 15: 16 FAX 202 514 i864
•
•
•
•
•
- - - - - - - - -
DOJ OPLIA
Victims
Conditions of supervision (probation or supervised release)
specifically ·authorize the court to require that the defendant
on his own initiative notify the court of material changes in
his economic circumstances.
Doubles the special assessment on individual felony
convictions from $50 to no less than $100.
Victims of terrorist acts may now sue foreign state sponsors
of terrorism. But, provides method to protect the integrity of
ongoing criminal investigations from civil discovery.
Expands uses which may be made of Victims Of Crime Act
(VOCA) funds to include terrorism victims. Permits VOCA
reserve fund to accumulate to $50 million.
Authorizes television coverage of Federal criminal cases
when venue is changed: 1) out-of-state and 2) more than
350 miles from the location where the proceeding would
have been held. Coverage limited to those persons
determined to have a "compelling interest" in doing so.
Authorizes courts to accept "donations" to defray cost of
closed-circuit television.
Plastic Explosives Convention
•
Adopts Convention on the Marking of Plastic Explosives for
the Purpose of Detection. Establishes criminal penalty for
violation of Convention.
Assistance to Law Enforcement
•
DoJ and Treasury may support foreign law enforcement
training in consultation with State.
•
Attorney General and Secretary of Treasury may close
streets in the District of Columbia which are adjacent to
Federal buildings to parking and vendors if there is a
terrorism risk.
•
Wire or electronic communications services must retain
records pending issuance of a court order on request of
government.
4
141005
�.. 04/!S/96
THU 15:16 FAX 202 514 7864
•
•
•
•
•
DOJ OPLIA
Commission on the Advancement of Federal Law
Enforcement -Commission appointed by leadership and
Chief Justice. No Executive appointees. Commission can
review any matter, including the ''necessity for the present
number of Federal law enforcement agencies and units".
Commission may confer any of its powers on any member or
staff. Exception created for threat to national security, health
or safety of an individual or integrity of ongoing investigation.
Study -Counterfeiting.
Authorization to FBI for 1997·2000 ($114,000,000;
$166,000,000; $96,000,000; $92,000,000). Authorization to
Customs for 1997-2000 ($8,000,000; $8,000,000;.
$8,000,000; $7,000,000). Authorized $5,000,000 per year for
1997-2000 to INS for detention and removal of alien
terrorists. Authorized to DEA for 1997-2000 ($35,000,000;
$40,000,000; $45,000,000; $52,000,000). Authorized to
Attorney General for hiring AUSAs and increased security for
1997-2000 ($10,000,000; $10,000,000; $10,000,000;
$11 ,000,000). Authorized to Treasury law enforcement,
$10,000,000 each for 1997-2000. Authorized to Secret
Service for 1997-2000 for White House and POTUS security
($11 ,000,000; $11 ,000,000; $13,000,000; $15,000000).
Authorized to Park Police, $500,000 each for 1997-2000.
Authorized to Judiciary for 1997-2000 ($10,000,000;
$1 0,000,000; $1 0,000,000; $11,000,000). Authorized
$5,000,000 in 1997 for local fire and emergency services
grants by Attorney General consulting with FEMA.
Authorized to NfJ, $10,000,000 in each of 1997 and 1998 for
assistanCe to foreign countries facing terrorist threat.
Authorized to NIJ for technical development, $10,000,000.
Expands possible uses of Byrne Grant funds to include antiterrorism programs.
Authorizes $25,000,000 each for 1997-2000 for development
of training programs and procurement of equipment for state
and locals.
5
141006
�~ 04/1~/96
THU 15:16 FAX 202 514 7864
4/14/96-11:50 PM
'
DOJ OPLIA
I
Habeas Corpus
•
Petition must generally be filed within one year of final
judgment unless specified circumstances exist.
•
Petitioners who challenge factual determinations of state
courts must prove by clear and convincing evidence that the
factual determination was erroneous.
•
Limits evidentiary hearings in habeas corpus matters .
•
Generally limits petitioners to one Federal habeas corpus
petition other than in very limited and specified
circumstances.
Nuclear. Biological and Chemical Weapons
•
Expands coverage from"nuclear material" to also include
"nuclear byproduct material". Reduces what defendant must
know to be convicted. Expands chemical weapons to include
bic;>logicc;~l agents and permits designation of such agents.
•
Establishes crime of using a chemical weapon. Penalty is
any term of years or life unless death results in which case
penalty may be death.
Miscellaneous
•
Assertion of Federal criminal jurisdiction over territorial sea.
•
Clarification of Assimilated Crimes Act to include territorial
sea
and airspace and seabed.
•
May not use voter ID card as proof of USA citizenship.
II.
What's Not In the Act
•
Electronic Surveillance
o
Strengthening authority for multi-point electronic
surveillance (which follow the target from phone to
phone) by deleting the requirement that the government
must show that the target is using multiple phone lines
in order to avoid routine surveillance.
6
~007
�~
04/1&/96
THU 15:1i
F.~\
202 514 i864
DOJ OPLIA
4/14/96-11:50 PM
•
•
•
Extending emergency electronic surveillance orders
(limited to 48 hours) to situations involving domestic or
international terrorism.
Expanding electronic surveillance predicate
offenses to include terrorism and terrorism-related
cri'mes.
Extending "good faith" standard to warrants issued to
conduCt electronic surveillance.
•
Taggants
•
Requiring the addition of identifying taggants to
explosive materials, and generally banning explosive
materials that do not contain taggants
•
Access
•
Permitting the FBI to use pen register and trap and
trace device statutes in foreign counterintelligence
investigations. (These devices make it possible to
identify the number dialed and the number from which
a call originates).
•
Permitting the FBI access to records of common
ca,rriers, public accommodation facilities, physical
storage facilities, and vehicle rental facilities in foreign
counterintelligence and counterterrorism cases.
•
Permitting FBI access to telephone billing
information in connection with domestic terrorism
investigations.
•
Digital Telephony
o
Creating a mechanism to pay the cost of implementing
digital telephony programs, through a surcharge of
40°/o on civil monetary penalties and establishment of a
fund for this purpose.
7
~008
�·•· 04/18'/96
THU 15:17 FAX 202 5,14 7864
DOJ OPLIA
4/14/96-11:50 PM
•
Expanded Statute of Limitations For Certain Offenses
•
Providing a 5 year limitation period for prosecution
of such offenses as possession of machine guns,
sawed-off shotguns, silencers, and explosive devices.
•
Anti-Terrorism Assistance
•
Strengthening the State Department's Anti-Terrorism
Assistance (ATA) program by permitting more
courses to be taught and allowing instructors to teach
overseas for up to 180 days.
•
Posse Comitatus
•
Amending the Posse Comitatus Act to authorize the
Attorney General to request military assistance in cases
involving weapons of mass destruction.
8
141009
�THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
April 13, 1996
10:06 A.M. EDT
RADIO ADDRESS
BY THE PRESIDENT TO THE NATION
The Roosevelt Room
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This week, on April the 19th, we mark one of
America's saddest anniversaries -- the first anniversary of the bombing of the Murrah Building
in Oklahoma City. It is when the American spirit is at its best that we find renewal in even the
most desolate of our tragedies. And that is what the people of Oklahoma City have managed
somehow to do.
They have shown us that while we cannot guarantee our children a world free of
madmen, we can promise them that we will always build and rebuild safe places to sustain and
nurture their new lives. They have reminded us that while we can never call back the souls that
were torn from us, we can prove that the forces of hatred and division are no match for the
goodness in the human spirit.
Oklahoma City reminds us of something else -- that we must give nothing less than
everything we have in the fight against terrorism in our country and around the world, for the
forces that are sparking so much of the progress we see today -- lightning-fast technology, easier
travel, open borders -- these forces also make it easier for people with a grudge or a cause to
launch a terrorist attack against innocent people.
In this new era, fighting terrorism must be a top law enforcement and national security
priority for the United States. On our own and with our allies, we have put in place strong
sanctions against states that sponsor terrorism. We have improved our cooperation with other
nations to deter terrorists before they act, to capture them when they do, and to see to it that
they are brought to justice. We've increased funding, personnel and training for our own law
enforcement agencies to deal with terrorists.
But we must do even more. That is why, more than a year ago, I sent to Congress
legislation that would str~ngthen our ability to investigate, prosecute and punish terrorist activity.
After Oklahoma City, I made it even stronger. My efforts were guided by three firm
goals: First, to protect American lives without infringing on American rights. Second, to give
�the FBI and other law enforcement officials the tools they have asked for to do the job. And,
third, to make sure terrorists are barred from this country.
In· the wake of Oklahoma City, Congress promised to send me the bill six weeks after
the tragic bombing. And yet, unbelievably, almost an entire year has passed, and Congress still
has not managed to send me strong anti-terrorism legislation. There is simply no excuse for this
foot-dragging. This bill should have been law a long tiine ago.
So I urge Congress: Make it happen. Pass anti-terrorism legislation now. In the
name of the children and all the people of Oklahoma City, I say to Congress, do not let another
day go by in which America does not have the tools it needs to fight terrorism. It's essential
that Congress send me the right anti-terrorism legislation -- legislation that finally will give law
enforcement the upper hand.
When I met with leaders of the congressional majority shortly after the bombing, they
assured me that Congress would give the American people. strong anti-terrorism legislation.
They haven't. While the Senate passed a solid bill, the House absolutely gutted it. Under
pressure from the Washington gun lobby, House Republicans took that bill apart, piece by piece.
Well, now, it's time they put it back together. America cannot afford to settle for a fake
anti-ter~orism bill. We need the real thing. And on my watch, I'm determined to get it.
This· is what real anti-terrorism should have: First, we need expliCit authority to prevent
terrorist groups like Hamas from raising money in the United States for their dirty deeds.
Second, we need authority to deport quickly foreigners who abuse our hospitality by supporting
terrorist activities away from or within our shores.
Second, we need to give law enforcement officials the ability to use high-tech
surveillance and other investigative tools to keep up with stealthy, fast-moving terrorists.
And we need a provision to mark chemically the explosive materials terrorists use to
build their deadly bombs. If we know where the explosives come from, we have an edge in
tracking down the criminals who use them. These taggants work. In fact, when they were
being tested just a few years ago, they helped us to catch a man who had killed someone with
a car bomb. Law enforcement officials believe that of the more than 13,000 bombing crimes
in the last five years, as many as 30 percent could have been solved faster with taggants.
Yet, the Republicans in Congress continue to oppose this common-sense initiative. Why?
Because the Washington gun lobby told them to. One Republican congressman had another
reaso~ -- an unbelievable one. He actually told his own committee chairman, "I trust Hamas
-more than my own government." Well, I don't. And I don't think most Americans or most
members of Congress in either party do.
I urge Congress to change course. Put the national interest before the special interests.
Give law enforcement the ability to trace these explosives using bombs that kill Americans.
�We know acts of terror are no match for the human spirit. In the last year, the people
of Oklahoma City have proved this. We know we can heal from terrorism. But now we must
do even more to stop it before it happens. A strong anti-terrorism bill will help us to do just
that. And that's why it must be the law of the land.
Thanks for listening.
END
�._~
\
.
draft April 25, 1996 2pm
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
STATEMENT ON THE BUDGET
BRIEFING ROOM
April 25, 1996
Good afternoon. Last night, my administration and the bipartisan leadership of
Congress reached agreement on a budget to fully fund the government for the rest of this
fiscal year. The House of Representatives will vote shortly on this agreement, and the Senate
will take it up later tonight.
This agreementQ good for the American people. It cuts billions of dollars in
spending, eliminates over 200 government programs, cuts the deficit, and keeps us on a path
to a balanced budget: At the same time, it reflects our values by preserving our commitment
to health care, education, and the environment.
I am also pleased that after a long year of intense debate, this agreement was forged
in a truly bipartisan spirit of cooperation.
'',
We have come a long way over the past year. I am pleased that this agreement
rejects extreme proposals that are not necessary to balance the budget. This budget bill
continues our commitment to put 100,000 police on the streets ... it will enable us to
enforce anti-pollution laws ... and it fully protects our efforts to shrink class sizes, improve
teaching standards, and ensure the safety of schoolchildren ... and it will enable 20,000
young people to serve their community through the national service program.
Today, we are showing we can work together to cut the budget and honor our values
by protecting health care, education and th~ environment. But our work is not done. Now
we should summon this same bipartisan spirit and finish the job of balancing the budget in
seven years.
I am proud that since I took office, we have cut the budget deficit more than in half.
With this budget agreement, this will be the fourth year in a row that the deficit has dropped,
for the first time since Mr. Truman was President. Earlier this year, I proposed to the
Congress a budget plan that has been certified by the Congressional Budget Office as
balancing the budget in seven years.
I truly believe that we can convene a true mainstream coalition, of lawmakers of both
parties, to continue this progress toward a balanced budget. I have made clear my desire to
meet with Members of Congress, in a large group or in a small one, to finish the job. I am
determined that we not let this mom$nt slip from our grasp. After over 50 hours of
negotiation, our plans have in common more than enough savings to balance the budget and
provide a modest tax cut. A balanced budget remains within our grasp. We have come too
1
�r
'·
'
far to stop now.
We have other important work to finish as well. Congress should pass an increase in
the minimum wage. As I have said so many times, you can't raise a family on $4.25 an
hour. And Congress should move forward and send me the Kassebaum-Kennedy bill, with
no special interest amendments, so that 43 million Americans can have improved access to
health care.
This can truly be a season of bipartisan achievement for the American people. This
1996 budget agreement shows what we can do. I look forward to joining together with the
Republican and Democratic leaders of Congress to give the American people the balanced
budget they deserve.
2
�,.
~- ~ ~'-\\~'t-1Q~
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~~
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-'
"\.
�4/2.4/96 11 :OOam
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
ANTI-TERRORISM BILL SIGNING CEREMONY
THE WHITE HOUSE
APRIL 24, 1996
�[VP to acknowledge. Thank you Mary Jo White
for the introduction.]
Today is a good day for the American people.
Today, our police officers are better prepared to stop
terrorists; our prosecutors are better equipped to punish
terrorists; and above all, our people are better protected
from terrorists' horrible crimes.
This is more important today than ever before. We
know that the very forces that have unlocked so much
potential for progress -- new technology, open borders,
instant communication -- have also made it easier for
the forces of hatred and division to endanger the lives
of innocent people.
1
�We have seen terrorism take its horrible toll around the
world, from Tokyo to London to Jerusalem.
And terrorism is no stranger to Americans. When
a terrorist car bomb took the lives of 241 American
Marines in Beirut, we felt the shockwaves here at
home. When savage killers took the life of Leon
Klinghoffer, countless Americans wept for him, and for
his family. When Pan Am 103 went down over
Lockerbie, Scotland, killing 270 people, including 189
Americans, we saw again that the forces of hatred know
no bounds. When a bomb exploded at the World Trade
Center in 1993, killing 6 and injuring over 1, 000, we
learned that terrorism pays no heed to borders.
2
�And five days ago, we marked the first anniversary
of the most terrible terrorist attack upon these shores in
the history of the United States. April 19 will forever
be a stark and cold reminder that even youth and
innocence are not immune.
As we remember those we have lost, we must find
the strength to recognize that death and destruction are
not terrorists' only goals. The truth is, each and every
act of terrorism is a terrible means to an even more
terrible end. Terrorists want to stop us from living our
lives in the light of liberty, and force us to cower in the
dark grip of fear. They want, literally, to terrify us
into submission.
3
�So let us honor those who lost their lives to
terrorism by
r~solving
to hold fast against the violent
forces of division. We must never allow them to shake
our resolve or break our spirit. We must never allow
them to frighten us into sacrificing our sacred freedoms
or surrendering a drop of precious liberty. Rather, we
must guard against them, we must speak against_them,
and we must fight them every way we can.
Fighting terrorism is -- and must continue to be -one of the highest security priorities for the United
States. On our own and with our allies, we have
implemented strong sanctions against states that sponsor
terrorism and harbor terrorists.
4
�We have intensified our partnership with other nations
to stand against terrorists around the world.
And we
have increased funding, personnel and training for law
enforcement efforts against terrorism here. at home.
Over a year ago I sent Congress an anti-terrorism
bill to further strengthen law enforcement's ability to
protect Americans from terrorism. After the bombing.
in Oklahoma City, I asked Congress to adopt
measures to
m~ke
ad~itional
the anti -terrorism bill even stronger.
The effort to pass this bill has not always been
easy. It has been delayed by politics and attacked by
partisans from both sides. ·Special interest groups have
spared no effort to stop it, slow it, or cripple it.
5
�But in the end, politics faltered, and common sense
prevailed.
I am gratified that a majority of Congress stood up
for the safety of the American people and passed the
anti-terrorism bill. Democrats and Republicans came
together, worked together, and got the job done.
As I said when I first called for these measures last
April, the anti-terrorism bill is "grounded in commonsense and steeled with force." With this bill on the
books, law enforcement will be better prepared than
ever before to stop terrorists before they strike, and to
· bring them to justice when they do. I thank Congress
for passing it, and I am proud to sign it into law.
6
�From now on, we can quickly expel foreigners who
dare to come to America and support terrorist activities.
From now on, American prosecutors can wield new
tools and expanded penalties against those who terrorize
Americans, at home or abroad. From now on, we can
stop terrorists from raising money in the United States
to pay for their horrible crimes. From now on,
criminals sentenced to death for their vicious crimes
will no longer be able to use endless appeals to delay
their sentences, and families of victims will no longer
have to endure years of anguish and suffering.
We have new laws and better controls against
chemical and biological weapons.
7
�We have agreed to put chemical markers in plastic
explosives that will help us detect explosives like the
type used to bring down Pan Am 103. And we will be
able to require· chemical taggants in some other
explosive materials. These taggants will make it much
easier for police to trace bombs to. the criminals who
made them, and bring those criminals to justice.
This legislation is a strong step forward for
J\merica's security, but we must not stop here. That's
why I am directing the Secretary of the Treasury to
complete the study of taggants required by Congress
and propose appropriate regulations as quickly as
possible. There is no time to waste.
8
�Second, we must address the problem of black and
smokeless powders -- powders routinely used to make
illegal explosive devices, like pipe bombs. I am
directing Secretary Rubin to consult with industry
representatives and the law enforcement community and
report back with appropri(lte recommendations to keep
these potentially deadly materials away from criminals,
and to track down those who do use them illegally.
Finally, I believe we must take additional steps to
fight terrorism that I had proposed, but are not included
in this bill. I believe we should do more to help police
keep suspected terrorists under surveillance. I believe ·
we should give law enforcement more time to
investigate and prosecute terrorists who use machine
guns, sawed-off shotguns, and explosive devices.
9
�. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I share the concern of police officers that, instead of
banning cop-killer bullets, this bill creates a commission
to study them.
Even so, this bill strikes a mighty blow against
terrorism.
And it is fitting that this bill becomes law
during National Crime Victims Rights Week because it
stands up for victims in many important ways. Among
other things, it recognizes that victims have a
compelling interest in the trials of those accused of
committing crimes against them, and requires closedcircuit television coverage when federal trials are
moved far away.
10
�I want to close with a word to all the family
members of Americans slain by terrorists, and to all the
survivors of terrorism; to the children who lost parents
on Pan Am 103 and the parents who lost children in
Israel; to all of you from Oklahoma City; to Andrew
Kerr, on my staff at the National Security Council,
whose father was murdered in Beirut; to each and every
one of you with us today, and all across the country:
Your endurance and courage is a lesson to us all.
I sign my name to this bill in your names. We·
renew _our fight against those who seek to divide us in
your names. We send a loud, clear message today in
your names: America will never surrender to terror.
America will never tolerate terrorism.
never abide terrorists.
11
America will
�Wherever they come from, wherever they go: We
will seek them out; we will stop them cold. We will
not rest until we have brought them all to justice and
secured a future safe from harm.
In your names.
Thank you, God bless you, and God bless
America.
12
�I would bt? honored if the family members of
terrorist victims seated to my left would stand up for all .
those who have suffered similar tragedies across
America, and join me on stage to witness the bill
signing .. And I would like the Members of Congress
seated with them to join me as well, on behalf of all
their colleagues who worked to pass this bill.
13
�4/26/96 11:30am
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
RADIO ADDRFSS TO THE NATION
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE
APRIL 27, 1996 (TAPED APRIL 26, 1996)
Good morning. This has been a very good week for America. On Friday morning, I
signed a bipartisan budget to keep the government operating for the rest of the year. After a
year of intense -- and sometimes heated -- debate, Republicans and Democrats in Congress
came together and worked with us to craft an agreement that is good for the American
people.
First of all, it keeps the deficit on the downward path we got it started on in 1993.
This budget cuts billions of dollars in spending. At the same time, this budget upholds
American values -- like I promised it would -- by honoring our commitment to our elderly,
to our children, and to tJte future.
Look how far we've come. A year ago, many in Congress insisted we could only
move towards a balanced budget by imposing extreme measures and walking away from our
commitments. I knew that wasn't true, and I was determined to hold the line. So now we
aren't going to break our promise to put 100,000 new police officers on the street. We
aren't going to stop enforcing anti-pollution laws, and risk severe damage to our
environment. We aren't going to abandon our efforts to shrink class size, raise teacher
· standards, keep kids in school safe, and make college more affordable.
But we are cutting the deficit for the fourth year in a row. This is the first time the
deficit has been cut four years in a row in almost fifty years, since Harry Truman was
President. We are on the way to a balanced budget. Now, we have to finish the job.
Earlier this year, I proposed a plan to balance the budget, and Congress' own
economists have certified that my plan will balance the budget in seven years. Republicans
in Congress have their own balanced budget plan. If you laid my plan and their plan side by
side, you would find enough cuts in common to both plans to balance the budget and provide
a tax cut for working families. The ingredients for a balanced budget are at hand. All we
have to do is sit down together and assemble a final agreement, based on the things we
·
already agree on.
And there's the problem. I have made it clear that I want to meet with Congress and
work this out as soon as possible. I am willing to meet with a large group of lawmakers, or
a small group of Republican and Democratic leaders. I told Senator Dole I would be happy
to meet with him alone. My singular goal is to work together to craft a bipartisan plan to
balance the budget in seven years, while upholding our values.
I want to take a moment to speak directly to the Republicans in Congress. Some
people in your party are urging you to reject bipartisan negotiation in favor of partisan
confrontation. That would be a terrible mistake. Let me be blunt: I refused to accept
1
�extreme proposals for 1996 and I will not accept extreme proposals for the future. And if
it's your political strategy to concoct a budget you hope I cannot sign, you should think
again. If you torpedo t~ese negotiations today, simply to create a campaign issue for later,
the American people will see through that with their eyes closed.
I urge you this morning to take the high road to progress. Come meet with me now
and finish this job together. We have an historic chance to balance the federal budget. We
are within inches of agreement. And nothing -- not politics, not partisan pressure, not
presidential campaigns -- should be allowed to stop us.
Just about a year ago, I gave a speech to the American Society of Newspaper Editors.
I told them I did not want a pile of vetoes. I told them I wanted to work with Congress, and
get things done for the American people. But I also said I would never accept extreme and
unnecessary measures that would jeopardize our ability to care for our elderly, educate our
children, and protect our environment.
Unfortunately, Republicans in Congress didn't listen very well, and look what
happened. They tried to impose drastic measure after drastic measure and I was forced to
stop them. Then last week, we worked together and quickly agreed on a plan that
accomplishes what I said could be done all along: The deficit is going down, and our
commitments are secure.
Today, the Republican leaders in Congress face a similar choice. They can go it
alone, and end up going nowhere. Or they can come on down to the White House, and we'll
get the job done together.
That's how to get things done. That's how the anti-terrorism bill became law. That's
how we should reform health care and help working families. Every U.S. Senator voted to
pass the bipartisan Kennedy-Kassebaum health care reform bill. Now, Republicans can work
with us to make health care more available to 43 Million Americans, or they can send me a
partisan bill with special provisions for special interests. The Republican leadership can
work with us to raise the minimum wage, or they can ignore working families -- and
moderates in their own party.-- and do their best to obstruct us.
I believe that the only way for us to move forward is to move forward together.
That's the right thing to do. That's what we're here for. Let's get together, and get to
work.
Thanks for listening.
2
�
Dublin Core
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Title
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Jonathan Prince
Creator
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Office of Speechwriting
Jonathan Prince
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1993-1998
Is Part Of
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<a href="http://clinton.presidentiallibraries.us/items/show/36296" target="_blank">Collection Finding Aid</a>
<a href="https://catalog.archives.gov/id/7763293" target="_blank">National Archives Catalog Description</a>
Identifier
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2006-0466-F
Description
An account of the resource
Jonathan Prince served in various capacities during the two terms of the Administration. He was one of President Clinton’s speechwriters, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, and directed the public relations effort related to the fallout from the bombing of refugees by NATO forces during the war in Kosovo. This collection consists his speechwriting files which contain speech drafts, handwritten notes, memoranda, correspondence, publications, and schedules. Prince wrote most of President Clinton’s radio addresses from 1993-1997. He also specialized in dealing with domestic issues such as crime, gun control, unemployment, urban development, and welfare.
Provenance
A statement of any changes in ownership and custody of the resource since its creation that are significant for its authenticity, integrity, and interpretation. The statement may include a description of any changes successive custodians made to the resource.
Clinton Presidential Records: White House Staff and Office Files
Publisher
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William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum
Extent
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187 folders in 11 boxes
Text
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Paper
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
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April 1996 – [Radio Address]
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Office of Speechwriting
Jonathan Prince
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
2006-0466-F
Is Part Of
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Box 8
<a href="http://www.clintonlibrary.gov/assets/Documents/Finding-Aids/2006/2006-0466-F.pdf" target="_blank">Collection Finding Aid</a>
<a href="https://catalog.archives.gov/id/7763293" target="_blank">National Archives Catalog Description</a>
Provenance
A statement of any changes in ownership and custody of the resource since its creation that are significant for its authenticity, integrity, and interpretation. The statement may include a description of any changes successive custodians made to the resource.
Clinton Presidential Records: White House Staff and Office Files
Publisher
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William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum
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Adobe Acrobat Document
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Reproduction-Reference
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12/15/2014
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42-t-7763293-20060466F-008-007-2014
7763293