Guangzhou YMCA TOEFL reading material
Hilary Rodham Clinton
In 1993 Bill Clinton took office as the 42nd president of the United States,
and Hillary Clinton became first lady. As the first presidential spouse with
her own successful professional career, Clinton drew criticism from those who
favored a more traditional role for the first lady. After taking office,
President Clinton chose her to head a special commission on health-care
reform, the most significant public policy initiative of his first year in office.
Clinton traveled extensively as first lady and promoted new responsibilities and
opportunities for women, particularly in the world¡¯s developing countries. In
1995 she attended the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing,
China. In addition to helping her husband in his 1996 presidential election
campaign, Clinton also worked actively for children¡¯s welfare issues. In 1996
she published a book, It Takes a Village, that focuses on the responsibilities
that society has toward children.
-IV United States Senator
In 2000 Clinton made her own bid for political office when she announced her candidacy
for a seat in the U.S. Senate from New York. In January 2000 she moved from the
White House to a new home in Chappaqua, New York, to establish residency in the
state. In the 2000 election, Clinton defeated Republican Rick Lazio. She took
office in January 2001.
In the Senate, Clinton has focused her attention on issues such as improving education,
protecting the environment, and strengthening homeland security. She is also known for
her detailed knowledge of Senate procedures. During her first two years in office, she
worked to keep a low profile and avoid the extensive publicity she received as first
lady. In 2003, however, Clinton reclaimed the public spotlight when she published her
memoirs, Living History. The bestselling book detailed her years as first lady,
including her reaction to her husband¡¯s affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky
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