Home > 1994 Presidential Documents > pd05de94 Statement on Action in the House of Representatives on the General...pd05de94 Statement on Action in the House of Representatives on the General...
Tonight, the United States House of Representatives cast an historic
vote for American workers, farmers, and families. This overwhelming
bipartisan vote in support of the GATT legislation demonstrates our
confidence in America's ability to compete and win in the global
economy.
Passage of the Uruguay round will provide enormous benefits for the
United States: hundreds of thousands of new U.S. jobs, $100-$200 billion
per year in increased GDP, and a $744 billion global tax cut.
This vote demonstrates to the American people that Democrats and
Republicans can work together in the national interest. The Uruguay
round agreement is the product of 8 years of work by three
administrations--Republican and Democratic. A strong majority of each
party cast votes in favor of the agreement.
The eyes of the world are now on the United States Senate. I call on
the Senate to pass GATT with the same strong, bipartisan support as it
received in the House of Representatives.
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Monday, December 5, 1994
Volume 30--Number 48
Pages 2435-2457
Week Ending Friday, December 2, 1994
Statement on the Student Loan Program
November 30, 1994
Today the Department of Education announced that its new direct
lending program has reached the congressionally mandated benchmark of 40
percent in new loan volume for the next academic year. A total of 1,495
schools will participate in this new program. The program will provide
$8 billion in loans to two million students in the next school year.
The American people want a Federal Government that works better,
costs less, and expands opportunities for all Americans. The new direct
lending program is an important example of reinventing Government to
better meet the people's needs.
It will reduce complexity and costs for millions of student
borrowers. And the option to repay loans as a percentage of income over
time will reduce burdens on young families and make it easier for young
people to serve their communities and their country.
The new direct lending program is good news for taxpayers as well.
Financial analysts in a recent Morgan Stanley newsletter have already
described this new program as a ``budgetary winner'' that will ``lower
Government spending and reduce the deficit.'' Over the long term, we
expect to save taxpayers $4.3 billion once this program is fully up and
running. Direct lending represents the most innovative student financial
aid program since the creation of the Pell grant program in 1973, more
than 20 years ago.
Government can work better, cost less, and direct lending proves it.
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Monday, December 5, 1994
Volume 30--Number 48
Pages 2435-2457
Week Ending Friday, December 2, 1994
Proclamation 6759--World AIDS Day, 1994
November 30, 1994
By the President of the United States
of America
A Proclamation
On this World AIDS Day, we recognize the countless determined
individuals who have provided assistance to those affected by HIV and
AIDS, and we redouble our efforts to work with our international
partners and to confront the enormous challenges that remain. Here and
around the world, people are reaching out to those who are living with
HIV and AIDS and are joining the fight to stop this epidemic. The theme
of this year's commemoration, ``Families and AIDS,'' is especially
fitting. When one person suffers, the entire global family is affected.
Today, we pledge to keep faith with the thousands of people living with
HIV and AIDS and their families--their mothers and fathers, brothers and
sisters, their friends, neighbors, and loved ones.
In slightly more than 13 years, AIDS has claimed the lives of more
than 250,000 Americans--nearly five times as many men and women as were
killed in the Korean War. If current trends continue, by the end of this
decade we will have lost half a million people to this insidious
disease, more than our Nation's total losses in World War II. The World
Health Organization estimates that 30 to 40 million people worldwide
will have been infected with HIV by the end of the decade. The problem
of HIV and AIDS is global, and it is one of staggering proportions. The
United States will continue to work with our global partners in the
worldwide battle against HIV and AIDS.
Here at home in response to the epidemic, hundreds of community-
based organizations have devoted themselves to provide medical care,
social and support services, respite care, meal delivery, and education
and prevention programs to persons with HIV or AIDS. Together with those
they serve, the men and women of these organizations--most of whom are
volunteers--are the heroes of our common struggle.
In the past two years, our Nation has reenergized its response to
HIV and AIDS. At a time of zero budget growth, funding for AIDS programs
has been increased by 30 percent. AIDS research funding has risen by 25
percent, and money going to grants under the Ryan White CARE Act has
been increased by 82 percent, bringing vital services to thousands of
men, women, and children in need. Our research efforts have been
reorganized and refocused, and they have already begun to produce
results. When scientists discovered that treatment with AZT could
sharply reduce the risk of HIV transmission from mothers to their unborn
children, the Government acted quickly both to provide women and their
health care professionals with new guidelines and to change the labeling
on that drug. Already, we are saving lives.
On World AIDS Day, we rededicate ourselves to the battle against HIV
and AIDS. Our Government must continue to do its part, including
reauthorizing the Ryan White CARE Act and continuing to enforce the
Americans with Disabilities Act. Business and community leaders must
push forward in their remarkable efforts to educate people everywhere.
And every one of us must strive to reach out to those who are living
with HIV and AIDS to make their paths a little smoother, to make their
hearts a little lighter, and to make their lives a little richer.
Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, President of the United
States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the
Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim December
1, 1994, as ``World AIDS Day.'' I invite the Governors of the States,
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, officials of other territories subject
to the jurisdiction of the United States, and the American people to
join me in reaffirming our commitment to combat HIV and AIDS and to
reach out with compassion to those living with this disease.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day
of November, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-four,
and the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
nineteenth.
William J. Clinton
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[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 10:46 a.m., December 1,
1994]
Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on
December 2.
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Monday, December 5, 1994
Volume 30--Number 48
Pages 2435-2457
Week Ending Friday, December 2, 1994
Memorandum on Assistance to the Independent States of the Former Soviet
Union
November 30, 1994
Presidential Determination No. 95-6
Memorandum for the Secretary of State
Subject: Assistance Program for Independent States of the Former Soviet
Union
Pursuant to subsection (d) under the heading ``Assistance for the
New Independent States of the Former Soviet Union'' in title II of the
Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs
Appropriations Act, 1995 (titles I-V of Public Law 103-306), I hereby
determine that it is in the national interest of the United States to
make available funds appropriated under that heading without regard to
the restriction in that subsection.
You are authorized and directed to notify the Congress of this
determination and to publish it in the Federal Register.
William J. Clinton
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Monday, December 5, 1994
Volume 30--Number 48
Pages 2435-2457
Week Ending Friday, December 2, 1994
Remarks Announcing the Appointment of George Mitchell as Special Adviser
for Economic Initiatives in Ireland
December 1, 1994
Good morning. Ladies and gentlemen, today is the last day of this
session of Congress. And therefore, it's the last day that all of us in
America have the privilege of having George Mitchell as the Senate
majority leader. I will personally miss him very much, his wise counsel,
his support, his strong leadership for the American people.
I know that his colleagues on both sides of the aisle and the
American people will also miss his leadership and the thoughtfulness and
the courage that have distinguished him throughout his long career. My
regret about his retirement is tempered, at least in some measure, by
the fact that as one chapter in his life of extraordinary public service
closes, another is opening.
Today, Senator Mitchell has agreed to work on an issue of central
importance to me and to our country as Special Adviser to the President
and the Secretary of State for Economic Initiatives in Ireland. We stand
on the verge of a new and peaceful era in Northern Ireland. For over 3
months, the historic cease-fires between the IRA and the loyalist
parliamentary groups have held. I welcome today's invitation by Downing
Street to Sinn Fein to begin an exploratory dialog by December the 7th.
A just and lasting settlement that respects the rights and
traditions of the two communities in Northern Ireland is, after so many
years of bloodshed, finally within reach. But at this hopeful and
historic moment, it's essential to create more economic opportunity in a
region whose prospects have been so blighted by bloodshed. There must be
a peace dividend in Ireland for the peace to succeed. Peace and
prosperity depend upon one another.
One of the most important ways that we here in the United States can
ensure that peace takes root is to promote trade and investment in the
areas of Ireland that have suffered the most from violence. That's why
last month we announced our economic initiatives for Ireland. They're a
response to the call of all the parties in the region for the
development that will help them to lift themselves out of the cycle of
conflict and despair.
As we have in the past, the United States stands ready to help those
who are taking risks for peace. To do that, we'll work in close
cooperation with the private sector here in the United States and with
Britain, Ireland, and other concerned parties in Europe and elsewhere.
Ultimately of course, the success of the peace process will depend most
on those who have been most affected, on whether they believe it will
give them a better future.
That's why our initiatives to help revitalize the economy are so
important and why I wanted someone of great talent, great stature, and
great wisdom to lead in that effort here in the United States. No one
fills that
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bill like George Mitchell. He will oversee the White House Conference on
Trade and Investment in Ireland which will be held in April of next year
in Philadelphia.
I've asked him to ensure implementation of all the initiatives we
announced last month, to explore additional opportunities for helping
peace and prosperity grow in Ireland. He'll consult with the
International Fund for Ireland, with the Congress, and with others to
strengthen the Fund's programs. He'll also begin a dialog with the
European Union, its individual member nations, and other nations to
promote economic development in all these areas.
I believe in the weeks and months ahead, the people of Ireland will
come to respect and admire George Mitchell just as much as all of us
here in the United States have.
George, I am delighted today to be able to say thank you, again, for
public service and not just farewell.
Note: The President spoke at 10:27 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White
House.
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Monday, December 5, 1994
Volume 30--Number 48
Pages 2435-2457
Week Ending Friday, December 2, 1994
Remarks on Defense Readiness and an Exchange With Reporters
December 1, 1994
The President. Good afternoon. Secretary Perry, General
Shalikashvili, members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, I have pledged that
throughout the life of this administration, our military will remain the
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