Bill Clinton

I appreciate that. Mayor Graham. Actually, we couldn't get the driver to turn the steering wheel in the right direction. [Laughter]

I received a note from a young lady from this community whose middle name is Valentine because she was born on Valentine's Day, and she asked me to come by and have a piece of cake at her house. [Laughter] The mayor said we were too busy…

Looks better on you. [Laughter] [Representative Smith said that the President's visit gave people reassurance. She also asked for a direct assistance site, saying people were stunned by the destruction and would appreciate having someone…

Thank you. Congresswoman Smith? Representative Linda Smith. Thank you. We're honored you are here. I saw kids do what I did when I remember seeing President Kennedy--now you know how old I am, about the same age as you are. [Laughter]

A thousand pictures is worth one word. [Laughter] [Senator Gorton said that for the people of the community, the President's presence was very important.]

Thank you. Anyone else like to talk? [A participant thanked the President for his concern and then said that 1,000 families couldn't get from their homes to the cities because of damaged bridges and that the Tri Cities were running out of…

That's a poor way to get Federal money, having these floods. [Laughter] [Governor Lowry said the flood would be the most expensive natural disaster in the history of the State of Washington, with estimates running to $300 million…

Mayor? [Woodland Mayor Jim Graham praised the community's response to the disaster. A participant then asked FEMA Director James Lee Witt how long it would take to assess damage to homes and provide financial assistance. Mr. Witt asked if…

Did you lose everything in your house? [Mr. Johnston said that he had lost 75 percent of his household effects, including photographs, furniture, and bedding.]

Just pretend you're not talking to the public; just pretend you're talking to us. Mr. Johnston. No, we'll survive; with the proper help that you're talking about, we'll survive. And we'll go back and we'll move back in sometime this…

Do you want to start? Hans Johnston. I'm a terrible public speaker, as you soon will learn. [Laughter] Mr. Anderson. Go ahead, Mr. Johnston.

Is everybody here? Mark, do you want to start? [Mark Anderson, Woodland deputy fire chief, thanked the President and other roundtable participants, summarized the efforts to control the flooding, and asked the President to comment.]

This will carry us forward.

I trust that you will continue to work closely with the Committee as it prepares its final report.

We will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to determine the causes of the illnesses experienced by Gulf War veterans.

This election is about you and people like you.

We want to support you.

I actually resent it myself.

I have an obligation to make sure that all of our children have access to world-class education through the finest technology.

It's important for all us who are trying to put this equipment at the fingertips of our educators to remember that what happens then is the magic between the teachers, the children, and the parents.

It will be in every house.

It's about everybody in between.

I have learned that when this country is together, America never loses.

You are real pioneers, and I'm very grateful to you.

It is no accident that we're the longest lasting democracy in human history.