Bill Clinton: “Thank you very much. Just so Harold doesn't mistake all that applause for me, let's give him another hand. I thought he…”

“Thank you very much. Just so Harold doesn't mistake all that applause for me, let's give him another hand. I thought he was-- [applause]. That's what this is all about today. I want to thank all the previous speakers--Secretary Riley for being the most dedicated, complete, and productive Secretary of Education in the history of this country. I'm very grateful to him. [Applause] We always salt the crowd with employees of the Education Department. [Laughter] We are very, very grateful to you, sir. I want to thank Senator Jeffords and Senator Kennedy, Chairman Goodling and Congressman Clay, and as was mentioned previously, Congressman McKeon and Congressman Kildee, all the members of the education committees of the House and the Senate and the staff. I'd like to also point out that there are Members who care deeply about education who aren't on those committees, and some of them are here. We have over 30 Members of the Congress from both parties here. I'd like to ask the Members of the Congress who are here who aren't on the education committees and, therefore, have not yet stood up, to please stand up, all of you who are here. I notice Senator Kennedy already acknowledged Senator Specter, understanding how the Appropriations Committee works. [Laughter] But his presence here means he considers it to be an education committee, and we thank you for that. I'd like to make one big point first. You've all heard about the details of this legislation.…”