Bill Clinton: “Efforts in Tegucigalpa, Honduras March 9, 1999 President Clinton. Thank you, Mr. President, for your remarks and for the…”

“Efforts in Tegucigalpa, Honduras March 9, 1999 President Clinton. Thank you, Mr. President, for your remarks and for the extended visit we have already had today about these matters. I wanted to have the opportunity today to hear from a broad cross- section of citizens of this country, and so I will be extremely brief. I agree with the President that this period of reconstruction should be seen as the opportunity to build something even better than what was here before. And furthermore, I believe that if all elements of the society are properly involved and feel fairly treated, that the country's social fabric, sense of community will be stronger than it was before the disaster occurred. Many of you have paid a very high price for what has occurred, and the losses have been staggering. But I think the--I have been quite impressed by what has already been done and by the attitude of the people. What the United States is interested in is how we can best be an effective partner with you from here on in. And so I'm quite interested in your perspective on that, as well as anything you would like to tell me about your present activities. I'd also like to introduce--this is Congressman Xavier Becerra, who came here before with the First Lady and has just finished a term as the head of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. He is from California. And I am delighted to have him back with me. And Congressman Reyes from Texas is also here with us. Moderator.…”