Bill Clinton: “Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. President, for delivering on the rainforest. [Laughter] You know, in my part of the…”

“Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. President, for delivering on the rainforest. [Laughter] You know, in my part of the United States, the children are raised with an old proverb that has come true today. The proverb is, you must be very careful what you ask for in life because you might get it. [Laughter] Well, Dr. Macaya, to Joaquin Viquez--didn't that young man do a great job? You should be very proud of him. He was terrific. [Applause] Thank you. To all of those who have spoken before and who have come here, and let me thank the members of my Cabinet and administration who are here, and also the members of the National Park Service. Hillary and I try to make sure we're at at least one of our national parks every year. And I think it's fair to say that they are the most popular public servants in the United States, so it's nice to see them--in the case of Mr. Findley, someplace besides Yellowstone. I'm glad you're all here. Thank you all very much for what you do. Most of what needs to be said has been said. I come here to emphasize the importance of the forest that surrounds us to the chain of life, not only in Costa Rica and Central America but to all the world. We know that the rainforests of the world provide us with a good deal of our oxygen and enormous resources coming out of the plant and animal life they contain. We know that the forest helps us to keep our climate stable, to preserve our soils, to protect our rivers.…”