Honoring Former President William Jefferson Clinton on the Occasion of His 58th Birthday

HONORING FORMER PRESIDENT WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 58TH BIRTHDAY -- (House of Representatives - September 13, 2004)

Mr. TURNER of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 717) honoring former President William Jefferson Clinton on the occasion of his 58th birthday.

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Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, as one who grew up, went to school, still have strong family ties, social ties in the State of Arkansas, on the occasion of President William Jefferson Clinton's 58th birthday, it is with great pride that I stand to celebrate and to honor the life of the man who epitomizes the American dream and makes the Horatio Alger story become real.

Born in the tiny town of Hope, Arkansas, on August 19, 1946, President Clinton demonstrated from an early age the determination and vision that would ultimately take him to the White House and lead our country to a period of economic prosperity that has been unrivaled by any period in American history.

As a man who always fought for those who could not always fight for themselves, Bill Clinton after graduating from Yale Law School spurned private practice and began a career in public service.

President Clinton began his political career after being elected Attorney General in 1976. He went on to serve as the Governor of Arkansas, and by the time Governor Clinton left Arkansas for the White House the State of Arkansas had been transformed from a State that faced large deficits and polarizing issues into a shining example of what government can do for its citizens when those in government put aside partisan differences in the best interest of what is right.

As America's 42nd President, Bill Clinton faced an even more daunting task, and in 1992, the American people were fed up with government. The economy was in bad shape. Unemployment was at a record high, and it was a time when many American parents struggled with basic financial decisions such as what holiday presents they could afford to buy their children.

By the time President Clinton left office 8 years later, he had led our country out of this darkness and into one of the brightest eras in American history, the lowest unemployment rate in modern times, the lowest inflation rate in 30 years, the highest home ownership in the United States history, and dropping crime rates in many American cities. Contrary to the bogus stereotype thrown at Democrats, he proposed the first balanced budget in decades, balanced the budget, and then went on to produce a surplus.

Since leaving office, President Clinton has continued his lifelong odyssey of working for those in need. Working from his office in Harlem, President Clinton has remained engaged on many social issues. Just last year, he brokered an historic agreement with four generic drug companies to provide low-cost AIDS drugs in developing countries. The world is a better place today because of the 58 years President Clinton has given us so far, and we look forward to many more.

We are pleased to hear that President Clinton is expected to make a full recovery from his bypass surgery. We certainly wish him and his family the best, and take this opportunity to say thank you, Mr. President, and happy birthday.