Harlem Welcomes Bill Clinton To The Neighborhood

Bill Clinton, who holds the honorary status as the "First Black President of the United States," recently took up office residence among "his people" in Harlem following a gala welcoming celebration in the historically Black community.

Amid the pomp, ceremony, music and thousands of people gathered together at the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building plaza, Clinton looked like he was on another presidential campaign instead of opening his offices.

The ex-president sang doo-wop with the Boys Choir of Harlem and embraced several saxophonists as he joined them, singer Chuck Jackson and the crowd in a soulful rendition of Stand By Me. He was serenaded by songstress Etta James and the gospel group The All Good Singers.

Actress Cicely Tyson emceed the celebration that was hosted by Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D-NY). Rangel, whose political, social and business savvy helped to bring Clinton to Harlem, described the three-hour love fest between Harlem residents and former president Clinton by saying: "This is the last president that was elected," alluding to the contested election of President George W. Bush, "and if we had our way, (Clinton) would be re-elected."

In one of his most visible, festive appearances since he left office seven months ago, Clinton, surrounded by local politicians, musicians and celebrities, spoke to a crowd of thousands and thanked them for their welcoming party, promising to be a "good neighbor."

A grinning Clinton told them: "I feel like I'm home ... You voted for me in 1992 and 1996. You voted for Hillary (Clinton) in 2000. You were there on the darkest days and the best days. And I want you to know that I want to be a good neighbor in Harlem on the best days and the dark days for all the people who live here." His wife, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), who was not in attendance, remained in Washington where her mother was undergoing surgery, according to the former president.

In February, Clinton chose the 8,300-square-foot, 14th-floor penthouse office at 55 W. 125 Street in Harlem that costs taxpayers $271,000 (or about $354,000 a year, after renovations). His first choice, a Manhattan office, would have cost taxpayers $800,000. The U.S. government pays for office space for retired presidents for life.

Many say Clinton's move to Harlem will be a boon to an area already experiencing a resurgence of renewal activity, thanks in part to federal programs such as designated "Empowerment Zones" headed by Clinton while he was in office. The community, rich in African-American history and culture, received tens of millions of dollars in social service grants and tax cuts that have lured Black middle-class families and businesses back to the area (JET, March 5).

"I think I've kept my word to Harlem," said Clinton. "Harlem always struck me as a place that was human and alive, where there was a rhythm to life and a song in the heart, where no matter how bad it was, people held up their heads and went on, and when things got good, people were grateful and cared about their neighbors."

During the celebration, however, there were some detractors who complained that the economic resurgence is resulting in higher rents and soaring real estate prices that are forcing some long-time Harlem residents and businesses to leave.

To those critics Clinton responded: "... What I'm going to do here is promote economic opportunity in our backyard and around the world. I would say this is the age of interdependence. We all need each other and have an impact on each other whether we know it or not.

"I want to make sure that I'm a good neighbor in Harlem. I'm glad the property values are going up, but I don't want the small-business people to be run out because I'm moving in."

In welcoming the former president to his new life as a policy-minded private citizen, several of his former aides and Cabinet members joined him on the dais, including former Chief of Staff John Podesta, former Labor Secretary Alexis Herman, former Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater and former Veterans Affairs Secretary Togo West.

Speakers included former New York Mayor David Dinkins, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Secretary of State Randy A. Daniels, who presented Clinton with a proclamation from New York Governor George Pataki, who declared that day "President William Jefferson Clinton Day in Harlem."

Terry Lane, president and CEO of the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone, said that Clinton's entrance into the business district of Harlem helps to "buttress the economic renaissance already underway."

"It was very significant that ... former President Clinton would have his office located here in central Harlem," said Lane. "His being here helps to build the economic fiber of urban America."