Bill Clinton: “Good morning. I want to begin by thanking Lang Brown, not only for what he has done this morning in bringing the torch…”

“Good morning. I want to begin by thanking Lang Brown, not only for what he has done this morning in bringing the torch up here but for what he does every day. He gives his best to help troubled teenagers, to teach them how to live responsible lives and to know that they are not alone as they do their best. Today we honor that spirit, the spirit of the Olympics, as we send forth the Olympic torch to light the way to Atlanta. Thank you, Lang Brown. This torch has seen more of America than most of us Americans will see in a lifetime, and much of America has seen the torch, cheered it and the people bearing it. The torch, burning bright and strong, stands for the joy of athletic competition and more, for the importance of international cooperation and more, for the pride we feel when our strong young Americans win the gold and more. For this Olympic flame also calls upon each of us to be our very best as individuals, to do our best to build strong families and strong communities and a strong country. It tells us that victory comes to the united, not to the divided. Every Olympian has reached within and worked hard to be the fastest, the strongest, the most graceful. We all have hurdles to leap, to finish high school or college, to be a good parent, a good worker, a good neighbor. Every one of us must summon that spirit of responsibility and best effort in our own lives. Every Olympian stands at the starting block or at the beginning of a great game alone.…”