Donald M. Payne: “I rise today to add to the overwhelming support of this House for this resolution honoring former President Bill Clinton…”

“I rise today to add to the overwhelming support of this House for this resolution honoring former President Bill Clinton as he celebrates his 58th birthday. President Clinton is a gifted and charismatic leader who has devoted his professional life to public service. His administration was marked with great economic success, transforming quadrupled budget deficits into a budget surplus. He achieved the lowest unemployment rate in 28 years, the lowest percentage of Americans on welfare 29 years, and the lowest inflation rate in 33 years. During his presidency, the economy expanded by 50 percent in real terms, and when he left office, the U.S. had a gross national product of $10 trillion--one-quarter of the entire world economic output. During his administration, 15 million jobs were created and average wages rose. Home ownership rates were the highest in history. Funding public education, saving Social Security, and ensuring health care for all Americans were priorities. Our economic success was a sign of stability that sparked growth in domestic and international markets. He was a great supporter of human rights and promoting peace through humanitarian relief efforts, refugee assistance, and aiding in peace process negotiations. I was honored to accompany President Clinton on historic trips to Northern Ireland and Africa. We went as ambassadors of peace and reconciliation, and it was heartening to see how well received we were by our international hosts.”