Clinton's Farewell to Nation

Jan. 19, 2001 -- President Clinton said goodbye to the nation Thursday night.

The nation's 42nd president bid farewell in a televised address from the Oval Office, thanking Americans for his eight years in office andwishing President-elect Bush well.

Clinton praised the American people for making "our social fabric stronger" and touted a "smaller, more moderate, more effective," government, one that is "always putting people first, always focusing on the future."

"America must maintain a record of fiscal responsibility," he said, underlining that retiring the nation's deficit was of the utmost importance.

"In all the work I have done as president, every decision I have made, every executive action I have taken, every bill I have proposed and signed, I've tried to give all Americans the tools and conditions to build the future of our dreams, in a good society, with a strong economy, a cleaner environment, and a freer, safer, more prosperous world," Clinton said.

"I have steered my course by our enduring values. Opportunity for all. Responsibility from all. A community of all Americans. I have sought to give America a new kind of government, smaller, more modern, more effective, full of ideas and policies appropriate to this new time."

Clinton touted an economy with 22 million new jobs, the lowest unemployment in 30 years, and "the longest expansion in history."

But he also urged that it is essential to stay on course torepay the national debt by the end of the current decade, animplicit warning against the $1.3 trillion tax cut Bush hasproposed.

He made no reference to the Monica Lewinsky scandal thatled to his trial and acquittal as only the second U.S.president to be impeached.

America Must Not Isolate Itself

Clinton also warned that America must not disengage itself from the rest of the world.

"The expansion of trade hasn't fully closed the gap between those of us who live on the cutting edge of the global economy and the billions around the world who live on the knife's edge of survival," he said. "This global gap requires more than compassion. It requires action. Global poverty is a powder keg that could be ignited by our indifference."

Finally, Clinton called on America to heal wounds at home. "As we become ever more diverse, we must work harder to unite around our common values and our common humanity," he said.

Clinton said he joined Hillary and Chelsea in wishing their very best to the next president, George W. Bush, to his family and his administration in meeting these challenges and in leading freedom's march in this new century.

"As for me, I'll leave the presidency more idealistic, more full of hope than the day I arrived and more confident than ever that America's best days lie ahead."

Earlier in the day, while Clinton was putting the final touches on his speechThursday, his White House staff was busy packing up boxes,hauling them out of their offices, and taking down the picturesof Clinton that lined the halls of the West Wing.

Thursday's speech wasn't Clinton's last farewell though. Thepresident Friday plans to tape his regular weekly address forbroadcast on Saturday, less than two hours before his term expiresat noon. After Bush is inaugurated, Clinton will give a farewellto his staff at Andrews Air Force Base then fly to Kennedy airportin New York, where he will address a crowd of well-wishers.ABCNEWS' Josh Gerstein and Reuters contributed to this report.