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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release February 5, 1993

                      REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
        AT FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT BILL SIGNING CEREMONY
             
                           The Rose Garden

9:22 A.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Mrs. Yandle, I never had a better introduction. Before we thank anyone else, I think all of us should acknowledge that it was America's families who have beaten the gridlock in Washington to pass family leave -- people like this fine woman all over America who talked to members of Congress, both Democrat and Republican, who laid their plight out, who asked that their voices be heard.

When Senator Gore and I ran in the election last year, we published a book called Putting People First. I'm very proud that the first bill I am to sign as President truly puts people first. (Applause.)

I do want to thank the United States Congress for moving expeditiously on this matter and for doing it before their first recess, so that every member of Congress who voted for this bill can go home and say, we are up there working on your problems and your promise, trying to make a better future for you.

This sends a clearer signal than any words any of us could utter, that we have tried to give this government back to the American people. And I am very appreciative that the Congress has moved so rapidly on this bill.

There are many, many members of Congress here and many others who are not here who played a major role in this legislation. Time does not permit me to mention them all, but I do want to thank the Senate Majority Leader for his heroic efforts in the 11th hour to make sure we pass this bill; Senator Kennedy and Senator Dodd for their passionate and years-long commitment to this effort. (Applause.)

I want to thank the Speaker, Speaker Foley and Congressman Ford, the Chairman of the committee that had jurisdiction over this bill; and Congresswoman Pat Schroeder and all the other Democrats who worked on this bill. (Applause.) But I want to acknowledge, too, consistent with the promise I made in my inaugural -- to reach out to members of both parties who would try to push for progress -- that this bill also had passionate support among Republicans. My old colleague in the Governors Association, Senator Kit Bond from Missouri: I thank you for your leadership. (Applause.) Senator Jeffords and Senator Coats I don't believe are here, but they supported this bill strongly. And Congresswoman Marge Roukema from New Jersey -- (applause) -- her commitment on this was unwavering. Congresswoman Susan Molinari from New York and many other Republicans voted for us, spoke for and worked for this bill. I thank them, the subcommittee chairs who are here and all the other who worked so hard to make this bill a real live promise kept from the Congress to the people of the United States.

Family medical leave has always had the support of a majority of Americans, from every part of the country, from every walk of life, from both political parties. But some people opposed it. And they were powerful, and it took eight years and two vetoes to make this legislation the law of the land. Now millions of our people will no longer have to chose between their jobs and their families.

The law guarantees the right of up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year when it's urgently needed at home to care for a newborn child, or an ill family member. This bill will strengthen our families and I believe it will strengthen our businesses and our economy as well. (Applause.)

I have spent an enormous amount of time in the last 12 years in the factories and businesses of this country talking to employers and employees; watching the way people work often working with them. And I know that men and women are more productive when they are sure they won't lose their jobs because they're trying to be good parents, good children. Our businesses should not lose the services of these dedicated Americans. And over the long run, the lessons of the most productive companies in the world, here at home and around the world, are that those that put their people first are those who will triumph in the global economy.

The business leaders who have already instituted family and medical leave understand this and I'm very proud of some of the business leaders who are here today who represent not only themselves but others all across America who were ahead of all of up who make laws in doing what is right by our families.

Family and medical leave is a matter of pure common sense and a matter of common decency. It will provide Americans what they need most -- peace of mind. Never again will parents have to fear losing their jobs because of their families.

Just a week ago, I spoke to 10 people in families who had experienced the kinds of problems Mrs. Yandle has talked about today. Vice President Gore and I talkeda proclamation in observance of this day.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim February 4, 1993, as National Women and Girls in Sports Day. I urge all Americans to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of February, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and seventeenth.

WILLIAM J. CLINTON

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