Bill Clinton: “I have been friends with Chairman Bond a long time. We have had many interesting conversations; not all of them have…”

“I have been friends with Chairman Bond a long time. We have had many interesting conversations; not all of them have been that laudatory. But Julian, I have that on film now, and I'm going to play it--[laughter]--whenever I need a little boost in life, I'm just going to turn that film on. [Laughter] Thank you. I want to say publicly something I said to Julian Bond privately when he agreed to become the chair of the NAACP. I called him, and I thanked him. And I thank him again. And I thank all of you for what you are doing. When Kweisi Mfume agreed to become president of the NAACP and leave the Congress, I wept. [Laughter] But he told me, he said, ``Now, don't worry.'' He said, ``I'll have a good replacement in Congress''--and he did--``and I need to do this. It's the right thing for my country and for my people.'' And he, too, has served well. And I'm very proud of our friendship and of the service. I thank all of you who are helping. When Suzanne DuBose was up here talking about scientists slowing down the speed of light and the rest of us speeding up the speed of justice, I wish I had thought of that myself. [Laughter] That line won't rest. It will be used again and again. [Laughter] I want to thank Bell Atlantic and all the other companies who are standing with the NAACP. I am delighted to see Bishop Graves and the other officers here. And Bishop, thank you for your friendship.…”