Bill Clinton Discusses His Presidential Library

Nov. 16, 2004 — -- Former President Bill Clinton gave ABC News' Peter Jennings a tour of his new presidential library in Little Rock, Ark., which opens this week. Following is an excerpt from their conversation.

PETER JENNINGS: Why did you want this [library] here, inthis particular place on thisbank of the river?

BILL CLINTON: Well, first of all, I wantedit to come home to Arkansasbecause these people made mepresident. I wanted it here.I wanted it to be in theheartland, in the middle of thecountry, where people don't haveaccess to things like this, sothey can learn more about theirgovernment, how it works, whatthe decisions were.

And I wanted it on the riverbecause I love this river.It's a big part of my childhood.I first swam in this river 40years ago or more.

JENNINGS: You're saying yoursoul is still inArkansas, eventhough you live in New York?

CLINTON: A lot of me is still here andalways will be. I'll come home a lot. I'll be here a lot.I wanted it here because Iwanted thebuilding to reflect my politicalphilosophy and myadministration.I wanted it to bereaching outto the future -- a bridge, tying the two sides ofthe river together.