Bill Clinton: “Thank you. Thank you, please be seated. Secretary Riley and Barbara Holt; members of the Commission on Presidential…”

“Thank you. Thank you, please be seated. Secretary Riley and Barbara Holt; members of the Commission on Presidential Scholars; most important, to all of you who have won these awards and to your family members, your teachers who are here, to your friends, I look forward to this event very much every year. And I am delighted to be here with you today and to look out at your faces and to imagine your futures. I don't see how anybody could be too concerned about the future of this great country, looking at you, reading your records, knowing what you have achieved. Today I also think we should reflect upon the God-given potential of all of our young people in this country and the importance that the rest of us must attach to providing the greatest education we possibly can, not only to those of you who have been outstanding always and who have won this extraordinary recognition but to all of the people in this society on whom the rest of us will depend to maintain America's leadership. This administration has worked very hard to try to do everything we could to give the American people the tools they will need to go confidently into the 21st century. I have spoken a great deal since I have been President about the importance of family and community, of work and responsibility. These things have a great deal to do with your future and the future of America.…”