An increase would restore an appropriate relationship between the President's salary and the salaries of other senior Government officials.

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. App.), and in order to support a coordinated effort by both government and private sector entities to address threats to our Nation's critical infrastructure, it is hereby ordered as follows.

President's upcoming meeting with Prime Minister Ehud Barak of Israel

President's upcoming travel to Des Moines, IA

Thank you very much, Mr. President.

I announced my intention to appoint Kenneth H. (Buddy) MacKay as Special Envoy of the President and Secretary of State for the Americas.

Welcome President Chirac and the members of his delegation back to the White House.

The President's senior advisors would recommend veto of this bill if it includes these or similar amendments.

We urge the Senate to adopt the funding level for the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center proposed by the President.

While we have serious concerns with H.R. 4250, the President remains committed to passing a strong, enforceable and bipartisan patients' bill of rights this year.

I strongly support this bill, but note that by virtue of the Recommendations Clause of the Constitution, Article II, section 3, the Congress may not require the President to recommend legislation to the Congress.

Today I am acting within my full authority as President to take immediate steps to help our family farmers and to reduce crop surpluses at home.

The White House announced that the President will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 15 distinguished Americans at a White House ceremony on January 15.

The following list includes the President's public schedule and other items of general interest announced by the Office of the Press Secretary and not included elsewhere in this issue.

We are in the same position we were as when the President addressed this issue early this month.

The White House announced that the President declared a major disaster in the Northern Mariana Islands and ordered Federal aid to supplement Commonwealth and local recovery efforts in the area struck by Typhoon Paka.

The White House announced that the President will travel to New York City and McAllen, Brownsville, and Houston, TX, on January 8 and 9 to highlight the importance of equal access to education for all Americans.

I think it is important when the President meets on the peace process that it be a real meeting.