Remarks at Frank W. Ballou Senior High School

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, Feb 7, 2000 by Bill Clinton

There are people here today who will understand that they can use this tool to make a living and to create economic opportunity in this part of Washington, DC, that's never been there. It would be wrong for you not to have that opportunity. There are people here today who can find out information about things that already exist.

I saw--one young woman was looking at the question she should ask in going to college. Every one of you should know that already on the books, we have passed tax credits, scholarships, and loans so that at least 2 years of college is affordable to everybody in America now. I don't care how poor you are. And if the Congress passes the legislation before them now, 4 years of college will be affordable to everybody in America--I don't care what your income is. You need to know that.

And it will be tragic if this instrument, that has done more to break down barriers between people than anything in all of human history, built a new wall because not everybody had access to it. That's what this whole deal's about.

Steve Case and I were talking when Darnell was up here talking, and he said, "You know, I'm not little anymore," and he did that sort of, oh, shucks, routine, you know? [Laughter] I told Steve Case, I said, "Boy, he is really good." [Laughter] And Steve said, "Yes, I'm glad I don't have to follow him." [Laughter] I want every American to have a story like Darnell's. And this tool means that we don't have to give up on anybody. We don't have to leave anybody behind. We can all go forward together in the most exciting age this country has ever known. And we're here to tell you we will do our best to make sure you go.

And I want to close, as Mr. Case did, by saying, it doesn't matter what technology you put before you--to the students--if you don't do your part. You've still got to be able to read. You've still got to be curious enough to want to learn. You've still got to be disciplined enough to be willing to work. But if you get your heart and your mind engaged, there should be no barrier to letting you live your dreams tomorrow. And we're going to do our best to take the barriers down.

Thank you, and God bless you.

NOTE: The President spoke at 11:35 a.m. in the gymnasium. In his remarks, he referred to Darnell Curley, teacher, and Wilma Durham and Art Bridges, co-principals, Frank W. Ballou Senior High School; Mayor Anthony A. Williams of Washington, DC; Arlene Ackerman, superintendent, District of Columbia Public Schools; Angela Lee, director of government affairs for the District of Columbia, AT&T; and Julie Evans, chief executive officer, NetDay.