Bill Clinton: “Thank you. I would say this is a fairly high energy crowd here today. [Laughter] Thank you for making us all feel so…”

“Thank you. I would say this is a fairly high energy crowd here today. [Laughter] Thank you for making us all feel so welcome. Thank you, Cheryl Simms. She was nervous as a cat. [Laughter] And I said, ``Look, Cheryl, that microphone, it will carry your voice. Just pretend you're talking to a friend or two.'' And I think she did a fine job, don't you? Let's give her a hand. [Applause] I'd like to thank Mirian Graddick and Mary Jane McKeever for making us feel so welcome here today. I thank Secretary Herman and Secretary Riley for their wonderful work on the announcements I am about to make. I want to thank my longtime friend Senator Chuck Robb for being a terrific Senator for the State of Virginia and on education issues for all the United States. And I'd like to recognize two Members of the House of Representatives who are here who have been very, very active on these issues, Congressman Tim Roemer from Indiana and Representative Dennis Kucinich from Cleveland, Ohio. Thank you for being here, both of you. I also want to thank the Vice President for his interest in this. Not very long ago, just a couple of weeks ago, he convened a national meeting with business, education, labor, and government leaders to come up with proposals that will further our efforts to promote lifelong learning. I want to say one other thing. There is a member of my staff who worked very hard on this who is leaving the White House, but she had a lot to do with this announcement I'm making today.…”