You are accompanied by a distinguished delegation, including Secretary of State Albright and Ambassador Moose, as well as three individuals who have made key contributions on ILO issues and in the fight against child labour - Secretary of Labour Herman, Senator Harkin and National Economic Advisor Gene Sperling. I wish to extend a warm welcome to all of those accompanying you today.
Today is a very special day.
You are the first President of the United States to address the International Labour Conference in Geneva. Your presence here symbolizes the active engagement of the Clinton Administration with the ILO, as well as your own personal commitment to the ILO's determination that respect for workers' rights and decent work for all must be a foundation of the global economy. The ILO has enjoyed unprecedented support from your Government, and I wish to thank you personally for this. At the World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen four years ago, I had the privilege of working with the First Lady, Hillary Rodham Clinton. I wish to salute her for the clarity of thought and purpose that she brought to the Copenhagen Summit and to so many United Nations gatherings.