Remarks on Presenting
Congressional Gold Medals to Natan and Avital Shcharanskiy and an
Informal Exchange With Reporters
The President. We're very pleased
today to be presenting these medals to Natan Shcharanskiy and his wife, Avital,
who couldn't be here with us today. And we're going forward with the ceremony,
and then we're pleased also to have his mother, his brother, and his cousin
here with us. And also to have the wife of Congressman Gilman, Mrs. Gilman, who
is the one who sponsored the legislation the Congress created for these medals.
So,
now we'll have the presentation. And I want to point out in presenting this
medal to you, what it really means and what -- [inaudible] -- service that
you've given. This is in behalf of all mankind, not just all Americans. Because
of what you've done for people who are persecuted and oppressed throughout the
whole world, your courage over the years -- 9 years of imprisonment on false
charges, and still retained your poise and your strength to do this.
Mr.
Shcharanskiy. Thank you very much. Dear President, I
know you are finishing your 8 years. And when you retire you'll probably be
writing memoirs, as all of us do, and you'll be thinking about the past. And if
you have some sad moments, think about my happy family. And think about
thousands and thousands of people who are praying -- in Soviet camps -- who are
praying and asking from the gods to give you strength and stubbornness and
assistance to you, to you, Mr. Shultz, to American people in the struggle for
their rights, and who are free today not because of some good will of Soviet
leaders but because of their struggle and your struggle.
And
to you, President-elect, dear George, please think about those thousands and
thousands who are still there and who are praying now for you and know that you
will be as stubborn. And they are sure you will be stubborn, as firm in
striving for defending human rights in the
The President. And
now if you will present to your wife also this medal. And we know about
the work that she was doing all during those years when you were there. Natan Shcharanskiy and Mrs. Shcharanskiy are Israeli citizens now -- their immigration
to
Mr.
Shcharanskiy. Thank you very much. She -- a pure
uphill struggle, which was successful only because of the strong support of
Q.
Mr. President, what about the American hostages -- --
The President. Wait just one minute
here.
Q.
Sure.
The President. We would like to have
the family come in and join us: his mother, his brother, his cousin, who is
here from
Mr.
Shcharanskiy. I hope the customs in
Q.
Yes, well, he looked on the back.
The President. What?
Q.
He already looked on the back to see what was -- --
Q.
What are you going to do with it?
Mr.
Shcharanskiy. Do you think customs will permit me to
take it into
Q.
Just flip it.
Mr.
Shcharanskiy. It's real gold.
The President. By order of Congress,
those are solid gold.
Mr.
Shcharanskiy. Well, thank you.
The President. Well, I think now we
should all -- --
Hostages
in
Q.
Mr. President, if you have a second: What about the American hostages in
The President. I can only pray and
continue what we've been -- we've been exploring every channel possible for
their release. And they've never been out of my mind since they were so
unfairly seized.
Q.
Any sign that they may be prepared to do what they did 8 years ago -- let them
go as Mr. Bush takes office?
The President. I won't hazard any
speculation on that. It's just -- it's a great tragedy, and we hope that it can
be resolved.
President's
Farewell Address to the Nation
Q.
What's your speech like tonight? Is it all a personal farewell, or are you
going to attack everybody?
The President. I'm just trying to have
a conversation with the American people.
Q.
What's your best advice to George Bush?
The President. To keep on doing what
he just did -- get out of the room first. [Laughter]
Funeral
of Emperor Hirohito of
Q.
Do you think he should go to Hirohito's funeral in
view of
The President. I think the friendship
that has been created since took people on both sides to now have as some of
our staunchest allies and friends, erstwhile enemies. And, yes, I think he
should.
Note: The President
spoke at