Meghan Johnson to President Clinton re: Presidential Library

Meghan Johnson P.O. Box 967 Richmond, KY 40476 United States Email kjohnson@iclub.org June 1, 1997 President Clinton The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear President Clinton, Thank you for the great tickets to your inauguration. I just knew you would send them, even when Jason said," fat chance." I am sending you something, too. First, I hope you will take my donation for your defense fund. My money for the campaign was sent back because I was too young. But now I am 12 and think I should be able to do whatever I want with my own money. I don't understand why people are making so many headaches for you on purpose. Maybe they are just jealous or sore losers. They need to go to Time-out like Jason. I hope this will help and that you won't be too broken up after you aren't President anymore. My papaw in Florida has stocks and makes lots of money from them. Maybe you could get a few tips from him if things don't get better. The next thing I have for you is my blue ribbon that I won for first place in my district in the 4-H Speech contest. I wrote about the day we met in Ashland, Ky. and how I named my fish, Bill, after you. I want you to have the ribbon and speech for your library. You are the best President for schools and kids and our environment. So, I know you'll get a library. We are going to see the White House this week if my dad can get up early enough to get in line. Do you know what? I heard him tell my mom that life would be easier if Mr. Dole had won! NO WAY!! He just hates long lines. We are staying in One Washington Circle hotel. I hope someday you also have your very own hotel, like President Washington. Good luck with your job. Sincerely, Meghan Johnson Meghan Johnson A Fish and A Friend Named, Bill I have never had good luck with fish. I win them, they die. I get them as gifts, they die. I buy them, they die. Except for Bill. You might say that Bill is one extraordinary fish. In this case make that one lucky fish. Shakespeare once wrote, "What's in a name?" You too might wonder what's so special about a fish named, Bill? And that's where my story really begins. On February 21, 1996, Mrs. Hillary Clinton visited Lexington's Jo-Beth Bookstore. I had made a special sweat towel for the President because when I saw him jogging on, CNN he was always sweating so much. When it was my turn to greet Mrs. Clinton I gave her the towel and she laughed and promised she'd give it to the President. Even the serious looking Secret Service agents smiled. Several weeks later when I received a thank you letter from President Clinton, I felt like one lucky girl. I had met a first lady and got a letter from the President! Nothing could top that - or so I thought. On Sunday, August 25, 1996 President Clinton chose me out of a crowd of 15,000 people in Ashland, Ky. to meet him! We had driven to Ashland so I could see the President and Chelsea in person, even if it would be from a far distance. We arrived at 9 am. and went through special metal detectors. Finally, at 3 p.m. the 21st Century Express came rolling into Riverfront Park to a cheering crowd. My excitement grew with each cheer! I couldn't believe we were only 30 feet from the President's podium! As the President reached the stage he spotted my sign. It was a big red stop sign and it said, "I'm a kid for Clinton-STOP-here Mr. President, PLEASE." He really laughed when he read the sign, and started motioning for me to come and join him. The people standing around us were shouting, "He's pointing to you!" Before we could move anywhere a special aide to the President, Steve Goodin, came and got us and took us behind the podium to wait. "Am I dreaming this is this a heat stroke what am I going to say will my knees ever stop shaking?" After the speech we waited with Mr. Goodin and the Secret Service agents for the President. My knees were really knocking now! All of a sudden I looked up and there he was! The President of the United States! 1 A Fish and A Friend Named, Bill Hello, are you, Meghan? (nod yes) It is very nice to meet you. (nod yes) I understand that you live in, Richmond and got up very early to get here today. (nod yes) Did you make that really great sign? (nod yes) Well, thanks for your support and let's get a picutre with that sign, ok? (nod yes) I'm glad we got to meet today, Bye, Meghan. Bye, Mr. President! It was the best day of my life! Several weeks later a big envelope came from the White House. I hurried to open it and inside was a letter, from the President! (PAUSE) THE WHITE HOUSE September 21, 1996 Dear Meghan, Thank you for your nice letter and for your continued support and faith in me. I am very honored to serve as your President and hope that the American people will give me the opportunity to continue our work here. If all goes well in November, I would love for you to be able to join us in Washington for the inaugural festivities. I have asked my staff to be sure you are invited. Clearly, you are a very talented young person--I really like the towel you made for me and was impressed by your computer skills. Good luck in school. Learn a lot. Sincerely, Your friend, Bill Clinton I'll never forget, August 25, 1996. Every morning when I wake up for school, the first thing I see is my picture with The President. Then I walk over to my dresser and feed my fish. Yes, indeed, you just might say that I am a lucky girl to have, A Fish and a Friend named, Bill!! 2 12-9-96