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POWER IN POLITICS: Bill Clinton
The 42nd President of the United States
By: Ed Stephon & Nicole Bruno

Although Bill Clinton may have been labeled as one of the most controversial presidents of our generation, he has overcome great struggles and proven to exemplify many admirable qualities. “Success is not the measure of a man but a triumph over those who choose to hold him back,” says Clinton. Before his presidency, Clinton served as the governor of Arkansas, where he was coined as a “New Democrat.” He is best known for his years spent in the White House, but his career has not been confined to the political arena, as he has been and is still highly involved in public speaking as well as philanthropy. He has traveled all over the world to speak about what he believes are the multilateral solutions for some of the world’s biggest issues and to stress his advocacy in helping to solve them. “We should, all of us, be filled with gratitude and humility for our present progress and prosperity. We should be filled with awe and joy at what lies over the horizon. And we should be filled with absolute determination to make the most of it,” says Clinton.

Clinton has received many deserving honors throughout his lifetime from various people and organizations all over the world. In addition to being named by Time Magazine as “Man of the Year” in 1992 and “Co-Man of the Year” (with Ken Starr) in 1998, he appeared in People Magazine in 1995 in its “Most Intriguing People List.” Clinton was conducted into the Demolay International Hall of Fame and in 2009 was named the United Nations Special Envoy to Haiti, which gives him the opportunity to explore and help solve specific issues concerning that region. The honors are unique because they were given to him based on more than just his political accomplishments. Many of his honors and awards are based on his true philanthropic spirit and hopes for creating a better world for everyone. Clinton states, “By lifting the weakest, poorest among us, we lift the rest of us as well.”

After leaving the White House with the highest approval rating of any president in American history, he continues to support various charitable causes through the William J. Clinton Foundation, which he founded in 2001 to “strengthen the capacity of people in the USA and throughout the world to meet the challenges of global interdependence.” Clinton continues to be intriguing and ardent in supporting several philanthropic initiatives through his foundation, which he promotes with a most fervent ardor. He once jokingly said, “Probably my worst quality is that I get very passionate about what I think is right.” Shortly after leaving office, Clinton selected office space in Harlem for his post-White House work. Following a huge welcoming celebration, emceed by actress Cicely Tyson who was raised in the historically Black community, he was greeted with crowds yelling, “We love you” upon his first entrance into the building at 55 West 125th Street. More recently, Clinton has used his worldwide power to help bring home captured journalists, Laura Ling and Euna Lee from North Korea. While many former presidents are still very involved after office, Clinton uses his power to better the lives of others. That same power, along with the compassion that he so deeply cherishes, has set him apart from others of his kind. “We cannot build our own future without helping others to build theirs.”
Photo caption quote:

“Success is not the measure of a man, but a triumph over those who choose to hold him back.” President Bill Clinton

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