Bill Clinton: “Expression in the Federal Workplace August 14, 1997 Thank you. Thank you very much. To all the members of the coalition…”

“Expression in the Federal Workplace August 14, 1997 Thank you. Thank you very much. To all the members of the coalition who are here and to those of you who brought your families, thank you very much for bringing them. Congressman Cardin, thank you for coming and for your steadfast support of this cause. Secretary Riley, thank you for being willing to take on this difficult issue 2 years ago when a lot of people thought it was a no-win issue for you. And you did a superb job. And congratulations on persuading your wife to stay with you for 40 years. [Laughter] Someone suggested this morning that she should be nominated for the Presidential Medal of Freedom for that great endeavor. [Laughter] Ladies and gentlemen, you all know that we are here to announce the issuance of guidelines on freedom of religious expression in the Federal workplace. Our devotion to religious freedom has shaped our identity from the beginning, as the Vice President said. Thomas Jefferson wrote, ``We have solved the great and interesting question whether freedom of religion is compatible with order in Government and obedience to the laws.…”