Quoted By:
Thank you.
(APPLAUSE)
Thank you. Thank you very much. I am so pleased that this day has come, and I understand some of you were a little delayed at the gate, for which I apologize, but we're delighted you are all here to be part of these announcements this afternoon.
We owe a great debt to my friend and someone who has done a tremendous job on so many issues, Tipper Gore, for immediately bringing public attention to what had happened in Central America. And I want to thank her personally again for that.
Secretary Albright, thank you for your leadership and for shepherding American diplomacy into the new century so well and with such strength and purpose.
Secretary Caldera, thank you for being here. I enjoyed very much seeing you when I was on the ground visiting our troops, and it gave me such a tremendous sense of pride to see the men and women of the United States military performing as well as they always do, given whatever assignment they undertake.
I, too, want to thank Brian Atwood and the entire USAID family for the work they do every day around the world, and in particular what they've done here.
I also want to say a special word of appreciation to Maria Echaveste, who headed up the president's task force that has led us to the recommendations that we are making today in response to the need that was reported to the president.
And the people who put on the green eyeshades and find the money over at OMB, I want to thank all of you for working double and triple time to make this day happen.
To the members of Congress, to the ambassadors and other members of the diplomatic community, and particularly to the all NGOs represented here, I want to thank you for your strong presence on behalf of the people of the United States. As you served on the front lines to help open roads, restore homes, bring services back into isolated communities, liter
