Remarks at the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees convention in Chicago, Illinois

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, June 24, 1996

Now, let me say in closing, this is a very important election, because there is no status quo option here. You remember how in '92 we said the issue was change; it was change against drift and more of the same. Not true anymore. There are two very different views of change before the American people. We are going to walk straight into the 21st century on the strength of the decision we make in November. We are going to take one of those paths into the future.

And the good thing is the American people don't have to guess anymore. They know what I will do because I have done my best to do what I said I'd do in 1992. And the results have been good for the American people.

But to be fair, perfectly fair to our friends on the other side, they have also made it clear what they will do. The budget I vetoed would be the law of the land within 6 months after they had the Presidency and the White House. If the American people want it, they know how to get it. The environmental measures I stopped would be the law of the land within 6 months after they controlled the White House and the Presidency. And the worker safety weakening and all the other things.

So if you believe that the message we ought to give to Americans is, "You're on your own. Have a good time in the tender mercies of the global marketplace. Enjoy cyberspace," you have a option. But if you believe as I do, that the only way this country is going to be able to lead the world for peace and freedom and prosperity, the only way we're going to be able to get this country to come together with all of our diversity is to create opportunity and demand responsibility from everybody, to meet our challenges and protect our values together, then you have that choice for the future as well.

I know where you stand. I know where you're going to be working to see American stand in November. And all I can tell you is, as long as I live I'll be grateful that you stood with me.

Thank you, and God bless you all.

NOTE: The President spoke at 11:02 a.m. at McCormick Place East. In his remarks, he referred to Gerald W. McEntee, president, William Lucey, secretary/treasurer, and Gloria Caoile, special assistant to the president, AFSCME.