Although direct lending, financial aid and SIUC received most of the attention during President Clinton’s speech, city officials said Carbondale will benefit from the visit as well.

Jeff Doherty, Carbondale city manager, said the community responded well, and that the city has gained the attention of the nation, if only for a brief moment.

Our community is the focus of national video, and Carbondale was in the national spotlight for the day, Doherty said.

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Doherty said the weather was perfect for the event, and excitement from the community was received by the president.

Councilwoman Margaret Flanagan said this was a wonderful opportunity for Carbondale, and people may look at the city differently now.

It is wonderful that the president acknowledged the city and the community. It is obvious now that there is enough precedence of this city that it can gain the attention of the president, Flanagan said.

Flanagan said the education and culture of Carbondale is a good attraction to pull in politicians. She said people will always remember this type of event.

This visit will create memories forever, as well as giving a shot of adrenaline into the spirit and self-esteem of the city, she said.

Our name is out there now, and the enthusiasm and spirit of the crowd was fantastic, Councilman Mike Neil said.

Neil said it is a very positive thing for the city that the president came to Carbondale, and this kind of recognition on a national scale is wonderful.

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The mayor said everything went well at the airport, and the crowd that followed them from the airport to the city was wonderful.

Everything was done very formally, and the crowd was very enthusiastic. The president was well received, and school children were on the side of the road waving to him as he drove from the airport, he said.

Dillard said it is easy to overlook the other guests, but it was an honor for them to be in Carbondale as well.

It was also a tremendous honor to meet and talk with Senator’s Simon and Braun, and we were all pleased that they came to Southern Illinois, Dillard said.

Dillard said everything went fine, but only because of the work of so many people who all deserve thanks.

I am so proud of our city staff. The police, the firefighters, and all the SIUC workers did so much. It was a great crowd, and it went off great because of the physical and mental spirits of everyone involved, Dillard said.

Dillard said he would like to express his thanks to the city officials, the county and the communities involved, as well as all of the citizens and students of Carbondale. All of their wonderful enthusiasm and participation did not go unnoticed, he said.