Bill Clinton: “Thank you so much. I want to thank Jim and Carol and Senator and Mrs. Pell, and all the others who had anything to do…”

“Thank you so much. I want to thank Jim and Carol and Senator and Mrs. Pell, and all the others who had anything to do with this event tonight. This has been a particularly meaningful event. It wasn't just Jill who wanted Senator Pell's autograph; I got him to give me what he said about me, and I had him autograph it. [Laughter] I'll take it home, make sure my family believes me when I tell them he said it. [Laughter] Thirty-four years ago I moved in across the street from this house, and I lived on the second floor of Loyola Hall as a freshman at Georgetown. And I looked out my window every morning into Senator Pell's garden--I don't want to you to think I was a peeping tom--[laughter]--I couldn't avoid it; I mean, if I looked out the window, I could see it. And I remember sometimes they would have garden parties in the springtime when the weather was warm, or I would see people come and go--famous people come and go. And it never occurred to me 34 years ago that someday I might be here with them, as President. And I am very honored because, Senator, I thank you for the Pell grants. I thank you for your commitment to America's involvement in the world, for your belief in the United Nations and a world system of peace and prosperity. I wish you had another 35 years in the Senate. We need you there today more than ever. And I thank you. So anyway, I'm feeling very, very nostalgic tonight.…”