Bill Clinton: “the President in New York City August 18, 1996 Let's give Jessye Norman a hand. That was about the best ``Happy…”

“the President in New York City August 18, 1996 Let's give Jessye Norman a hand. That was about the best ``Happy Birthday'' I ever saw. [Applause] I often thought--please sit down--I often thought my birthday might resemble a soap opera, but never a real one. [Laughter] So I am deeply honored that Jessye is here tonight. Let me say very briefly--I said what I had to say at Radio City--but I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for making this night possible. I thank our hardworking Democratic chairman, Don Fowler, and Marvin Rosen, our finance director, and all the people at DNC. They work so hard. The chairs of this event, Jay and Maryanne Alex, Noah Dear, Beth Dozoretz, Larry Harris, Susan and Alan Patricof, Stan Shuman, Paul Verrochi, Harvey Weinstein--let's give them all a big hand. They've been great. [Applause] I want to thank my good friend, the former Governor of Mississippi, Ray Mabus, who put together all the satellite events around the country, 89 of them. Thank you, Ray. I'd like to thank the distinguished political leaders from New York who are here: former Mayor Dinkins; Congressman Rangel; Congressman Lowey; Senator Lautenberg; the minority leader of the Senate, Senator Martin Conner; and Speaker Shelly Silver; and the New York State Democratic cochairs, Judith Hope and John Sullivan. I think that there are a lot of other--I want to thank all of the entertainers who are still here, those who performed tonight. You were magnificent.…”