Remarks on the unveiling of the official portraits of President William J. Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, June 21, 2004

The paintings of the Clintons are the work of a fine American artist, Simmie Knox. Mr. Knox has rendered portraits of a Supreme Court Justice, a Cabinet minister, a mayor, and Members of Congress. And today we thank him for putting his skilled hand to the portraits that are about to be unveiled.

More than 40 years have passed since a boy of 16 came here to the White House with a group from the American Legion Boys Nation. On that day in the summer of 1963, Bill Clinton of Arkansas looked into the face of John F. Kennedy and left the Rose Garden feeling very proud that he had shaken the hand of a President. Today he can be even prouder of decades of service and effort and perseverance that brought him back to this place as the 42d President of the United States.

My congratulations to you both, and now will you join me on the stage for the presentation.

NOTE: The President spoke at 10:35 a.m. in the East Room at the White House. In his remarks, he referred to Henry A. Dudley, Jr., chairman, White House Historical Association.