Sean Patrick Maloney: “on August 19th, William Jefferson Clinton, our 43rd president, will celebrate his 59th birthday--today, we honor him. We…”

“on August 19th, William Jefferson Clinton, our 43rd president, will celebrate his 59th birthday--today, we honor him. We honor him not just for being one of 43 Americans to have led history's greatest Nation from its highest office, we honor him for the legacy the current President Bush described as, ``a deep and far- ranging knowledge of public policy, a great compassion for people in need, and the forward-looking spirit Americans like in a President.'' Since his last birthday, President Clinton characteristically responded to one of the most devastating natural disasters in modem history with the compassion for people in need that President Bush talked about. In the aftermath of the tsunami in Southeast Asia, President Clinton showed the diplomacy and humanity he has always displayed in a career filled with good works. Together with former President Bush, President Clinton helped generate billions of dollars in donations for the tsunami-torn nations. As a representative of our generous and caring Nation, he showed the world America's compassion. And he and former President Bush rolled up their sleeves and lent helping hands to the recovery efforts when they traveled to southeast Asia. In two terms in the White House, President Clinton stewarded our Nation's longest-ever economic expansion, largest-ever budget surplus, and the growth of 22 million jobs.…”