Sold – President Bill Clinton Signs and Inscribes a Speech at the Prestigious Alfalfa Club, Which He Had Once Boycotted

The Alfalfa Club is a Washington, D.C. social organization that exists only to hold an annual banquet on the last Saturday of January.  The club's membership, which numbers about 200, is composed primarily of American politicians and influential members of the United States business community, and has included several presidents of the United States. The group's name is a reference to the plant's supposed willingness to do anything for a drink.

When founded in 1913, the Club's function was to celebrate the birthday of Confederate Civil War General Robert E. Lee. It began admitting blacks in 1974.  Bill Clinton boycotted the event, turning down the 1994 invitation because women were not admitted. He agreed to speak to the organization only after women were allowed to join. 

The speech he gave is a remarkable glimpse into the events of the day.  In attendance were George H.W. Bush, William Rehnquist,  Colin Powell, and Richard Lugar, among others.  

Speech signed, 4 pages, "Remarks by the President During the Alfalfa Dinner", Capital Hilton Hotel, Washington D.C., January 27, 1996.  It is signed and inscribed to his speechwriter for the event, "To Joel Shapiro with appreciation.  Bill Clinton." 

A couple of notable quotations:

"You know, five years ago, President Bush, we were all glued to CNN as the American government brought Iraq to its knees. Today, we're all glued to C-Span as the American government brings the American government to its knees.  I'd like to take a comic timeout here for a moment of seriousness. I think we all, as Americans, ought to express our pleasure and our appreciation to see President Bush and General Powell sitting here together in the month we celebrate the fifth anniversary of America's victory in the Persian Gulf War.  We thank you."

There follows a passage about the ongoing budget negotiations and references to Secretary Rubin, Newt Gingrich, and others. He closes,  "I want to thank the Alfalfa Club for reminding us in Washington that no matter how determined our sense of purpose, we ought not to ever lose our sense of humor."