Bill Clinton

Thank you. [The Vice President introduced a participant who commented that learning computer skills in grammar school would give students an advantage in high school and college.]

You're doing great. [The teacher said that the President's initiative was important to Union City students because many could not afford home computers.]

Mr. Vice President, who is going to go next? [Mr. Fazio introduced a teacher who described how her school used technology and commented that she was nervous.]

I want to just begin by thanking you and everyone who worked with you for the way you handled this.

I think the Fed and Mr. Greenspan, particularly, have done a very good job.

We want to continue to do our part at the national level through all of the Federal agencies.

When it rains and floods out, when the water runs down the street, I can't tell whether a Democrat or a Republican lives in these houses.

I believe we will have to have some sort of supplemental appropriation in the Congress to deal with the damage here.

I have very vivid memories of that 1972 flood.

That will give you $21 million to deal with the roads.

I'm grateful to all of you for what you have done, and we will do our part.

I just want to say to all the people of Pennsylvania how much I appreciate what you went through.

I am determined to do is to see that we stay with you until all the work is done.

I thank you, sir. I can't believe that you evacuated 100,000 people.

See, I had to have valentines with my little girl last night. So I need a valentine today. Thank you very much. [Mr. Anderson concluded the discussion by thanking all the participants.]

Keep them coming. Participant. One of my concerns is the possibility that Congress could close down the Government in March; will that interfere with the help needed for this area?

Thank you. Now, there are two over there. Two people over here. There are two over there. You can stay now. [Laughter] Participant. Thank you for coming to Woodland, Mr. President. I'm one of your supporters that writes you letters from…

Is there a question back here? There's someone with a hand up over here to the right. And then there's a lady over here. I'm running you guys crazy. [Laughter] This guy's a--he's with us, and he needs the exercise. [Laughter] This is part…

Senator, you--well, let's do this gentleman, and then we'll come back to you. [A State senator asked for a reappraisal of height limitations for Corps of Engineers revetments on the Cowlitz River and also asked for work on flood warning…

These are, I think, the legislators from the local area. We thank them for coming out as well. [A State representative said that it was vitally important that people register with the 800 number as soon as possible and asked FEMA to do…

Sir, let me follow up on what you said. It is true that the Corps of Engineers can do that. It's also true they're probably out of money because we've had a lot of floods this year, including back in--you probably saw the floods we had in…

Oh, they're Corps dikes? [Mr. Witt indicated that the Corps of Engineers would make many such repairs. A participant pointed out the need for an early warning system on the river in addition to repairing the dikes.]

Thank you. But I think it's important to remember he said it right, too; it's neighbors and Government--if you had one without the other, it wouldn't work. [A participant expressed concern about the integrity of the dikes. Mr. Witt said…

I don't know that I'm familiar enough with the project to answer. Does anyone want to comment on it? Slade or Patty or anybody? [A participant said that Senator Hatfield, Senator Wyden, and the two Senators from Washington were working on…

Does anybody have any questions about the whole operation here? Yes, sir. [A participant asked if a project to deepen the Columbia River would go forward, given Government cutbacks.]