On May 2, President Clinton dedicated the first Presidential memorial since FDR dedicated the Jefferson memorial in 1943. President Clinton honored FDR's achievements, and challenged America to summon the same sense of confidence, hope and purpose to meet today's challenges:

-- FDR opened the doors of opportunity for all: sparking the growth of the great American middle class and creating the G.I. bill, the Social Security and unemployment systems, mortgage and bank insurance, the minimum wage and fair labor standards.

-- FDR made America the world's indispensable nation: leading the crusade to free the world from tyranny, turning America into a world power and paving the way for the global economy.

-- FDR believed in the American community, writing in the speech he was working on when he died: "If civilization is to survive, we must cultivate the science of human relationships -- the ability of all peoples, of all kinds, to live together and work together, in the same world, at peace."

-- FDR believed in our national government meeting major national challenges: "The country needs...bold, persistent experimentation. It is common sense to take a method and try it; if it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something."

-- As we face an age of promise and possibility as great as FDR's, President Clinton will reaffirm FDR's legacy. As he said at the Library of Congress last night: "Together we will renew our commitment to fight tyranny with liberty, ignorance with knowledge, fear with hope and confidence."

FDR Memorial Dedication

FDR Memorial Talking Points

President's Remarks at FDR's Memorial Dedication

Statement on FDR Memorial

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